Tuesday, November 12, 2013

November 11 - 17, 2013 -SF

Tuesday, November 12.  Yesterday was Veterans's Day and in honor of Mike, we made his favorite casserole for dinner, Mrs. Gumtow's.  This was one of his go to dishes whenever he was the cook.  I will share because everyone who has tried it, loves it.

Mrs Gumtow’s Casserole

1 lb hamburger
1 lb bacon, cut in 1” pieces
1 onion, chopped
1 ½ to 2 cups of wide egg noodles
shredded cheddar cheese
1 bottle Del Monte Chili Sauce (no substitutes)
1 can Del Monte peas (no substitutes)
2 dashes bitters
1 tbsp ketchup

Brown bacon, drain (leaving approximately 1 tbsp of grease in pan).  Place bacon in a 9 x 12 baking pan.  Saute onions in remaining bacon grease until clear.  Add onions to bacon.  Brown hamburger and add to other ingredients in pan.  While burger is browning, cook noodles.  Add noodles.  Add ketchup, bitters, juice from peas, and chili sauce.  Mix gently.  Add peas & mix gently.  Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and bake at 325° for 30 minutes.

This morning, Charlotte and I headed off to the zoo, in hopes of catching the feeding of the penguins.  With a few minutes before feeding time, we headed off to see the baby gorilla and all of the gorilla's we're active this morning, including the big silverback who was quite interested in us.  We made it to the penguins just in time to catch the last if the feeding.  Most of our time was spent at the petting zoo.


Friday, November 14.  What a week!  These 3 little girls really know how to keep 2 adults busy all day long.  It's been a long week for Ben, as he has gone back to work but is busy before and after.  Jill and I are going nonstop with maybe a 1-hour quiet time each afternoon.  Jill had a doctor appointment on Wednesday, so I went along and the twins stayed fast asleep in their car seats while she was seeing her doctor. Yesterday, she took Charlotte to a play day and I stayed home with them.  She got back just in time, to sac me from having to feed them both at the same time.   My world is full of diaper changes, shushing, feeding, burping, and keeping up with Charlotte.  Whew!

Mike has now been gone for 9 months and I could really use the comfort of him being around and having a hug whenever I need it.  I miss him every single day, but anniversaries even more so - something about a date that you remember keeps it right up front all day long.  It was an emotional day for me.

The cleaning lady came today, so Jill and I packed up the twins and went for a nice long walk (it's s beautiful day) with a stop at the Garden Cafe for some lunch.  We got home just as Betty and her staff were leaving.  It is quiet now, not for long, so I'm going to just shut my eyes and take a brief nap.

Sunday, November 17.  Well, it has been a good week all around.  Ben and his family got some time in together yesterday morning with a walk to the playground.  I did the grocery shopping while they were gone.  Today, Some friends took Charlotte for a play day and the 3 of us took the twins and 
Ruby for a walk.  Like I said, a good week.some recent photos:

Two fisted drinker.
Grandma coddles both at one time.
One way to get a nap.