AKathy's "What's For Dinner?" 06/15

Very cute leannec. I have a latch hook pillow of a Highland cow that I'm planning on starting this weekend.

We're celebrating Father's Day today and it was requested that I make my paella so that's what we're having. I make it a few times a year and everyone goes nuts for it. We're also having appetizers beforehand and I'm making Rotel sausage balls- another hit with the family.

I'm sure the night will end with some swimming and hanging out at my sisters. I love that she's just across a church parking lot from me and that most of my family is within 2 miles of each other.

Hope you all have a great day!

Love the décor leannec !

Dinner is undecided.

After our pancake lunch in Tallinn, Estonia, we headed out for more exploring as we had about 3 hours of free time.

DH snapped me with this cow. It was in front of a butcher shop.


One thing that almost killed me on this trip were all the cobblestone streets and sidewalks. After walking on too many of them, my legs and hips would ache. Any chance I had of walking on cement, I TOOK it!


We found a little back alley that was perfect for resting my weary legs.


I love flags.


The town square, perfect for people watching. DH saw these two characters and asked if he could take their picture. They were more than happy to oblige.



The group started to gather as it was almost time to head for the ferry for the 2-hour ride back to Helsinki. We ate dinner at the buffet so we wouldn't have to scramble to eat when we got back. Tomorrow we fly to Iceland!

Mostly boring Saturday here, did grocery shopping, DH went into city to pick up is new suit. DS and the girls called as we wee leaving the supermarket, so we called them back when we go home, so we could use video chat. Lucia as far more talkative than she has been, even though she is still difficult to understand most of the time. We also got a full description of how frogs develop, from eggs via tadpoles to frogs from Sophia, complete with actions!

I also called my dad, as he posted in our family chat overnight that he has Covid again. The first time he had it, he nearly died, even with the anti-viral drugs, so it's a bit worrying, though I didn't think he sounded too bad today. My step mum is still testing negative, but has some symptoms, so I think it's just a matter of time and I am more worried about her after the horrible bronchitis and pneumonia she had back in January.

DH is making Asian beef and vegetables for dinner - it's sort of a mashup of Korean and Mongolian beef recipes.

As we eat and after dinner, it's football time! The Euro championships started here in Munich last night, with a brilliant win to Germany over Scotland, so the mood around the country is great! Tonight we have Spain v Croatia and Italy v Albania - both should be exciting games.

cute highland coos leannec

cadoodlebug - love the pictures

sueg - prayers for your dad and stepmum


dinner tonight is burgers, corn on the cob, and salsa/chips plus watermelon. We haven't finished last week's watermelon although I think it might be on its last legs but we got another huge watermelon in our farm box this week. So it'll be on the menu EVERY night (and for snacks too). DD17 leaves on Monday for a week of hiking/camping/whitewater rafting with her GS troop so it'll just be DH and me for the week.

Love your summer decor leannec ! Those are the cutest highland cows !

I went out for a bit to work on my yard early this morning and that was the end of my to do list. I'm staying indoors to stay cool and watching some tv and organizing some paperwork in my file cabinet.

For dinner we are having a salad with grilled chicken.

It's been a beautiful day here! Low 70s for a high, a nice breeze, low humidity. Tomorrow is supposed to be the same. Then we'll be back to 90 degrees and 90% humidity on Monday. So I've been enjoying the respite!

Supper was a lentil-based sloppy joe type meal with toasted bread or rolls for those who wanted them. DH made his own steak fries and we had fresh fruit. Something simple so we can go back to enjoying this cool summer day. Even now that I'm inside I'm sitting right next to a window, and the breeze coming in is a delight. Plus I can see the birds and little critters running around in the garden & yard.

Now, I know that this is a dinner thread (ha!) but today I want to talk about breakfast.

I want to start making better food choices, so I thought I would have oats / porridge for breakfast. I eat pretty much everything, but porridge gives me the ick. It's not the taste, because let's face it, it's pretty bland. I think it must be the texture. And that it's warm. 

So I had porridge this morning, and I struggled to get it down. You would have laughed if you had seen my screwed up face as I tried to get through the whole (small) bowl. I ended up having to put a bit of honey on it to make it slightly more palatable. Tomorrow I will try it cold, to see if that makes me gag less.

So who here eats porridge (or whatever you call it where you live)? How do you make it palatable? I don't want to add any sugar, because that defeats the purpose of trying to eat healthier.

Maybe you could add ground Monkfruit powder to it instead of sugar.

Not sure what your porridge is made out of as the way I understand it, it can be made from different grains. Here in the US, its mostly oats.
Instant oatmeal is really soft and loose like, Rolled oatmeal is firmer, and to me a bit more difficlut to swallow. lol
Have you ever tried Steel Cut Oats? Completely different texture. But, they too probably need a little sweet added to them.
Ground Monkfruit is rather inexpensive and goes a very long way as it is very, very sweet, therefore you would only need to buy a small package/container.

AussieMeg, I eat oatmeal sometimes for lunch if I don't have any leftovers. I add a handful of blueberries and love the taste. It's instant oatmeal in the microwave.

DS has had a great day in NYC. Yesterday afternoon it was rain/thunderstorms but he got up early and explored. Had 10,000 steps before 10AM. Today a group went to the Mets game which they won. He said his trip is everything he had hoped for. His flight doesn't leave until 2 tomorrow so he's going to pack some more touristy things until then.

AussieMeg I like overnight oatmeal. I make a few to last a few days. It’ oatmeal, almond milk, and any fruit and nuts I choose. Cove and refrigerate overnight. In the morning I top with yogurt and a bit of honey. I eat it cold and find it refreshing and filling. There are hundreds of recipes on Pinterest.

Thank you for your porridge feedback everyone!

I love Weet Bix (same as your Weetabix) too. I have them with icy cold milk, and it's the only cereal that I'm happy to eat soggy. I don't add anything to them, not even sugar. (Although I love them with sugar!)


I bought rolled oats with ancient grains (rye, quinoa and millet). I added half milk and half water and stirred until it had boiled and thickened. I thought that if I could manage to eat this, I would try steel cut oats next. I've never heard of monkfruit powder, so I googled it, and I can get it at my supermarket. I will get some next time I do a grocery shop. Thank you for the recommendation. 



I think tomorrow I will try it cold, and add some fruit. I don't have blueberries, so I think I will try it with banana. 



I love cereal! I get what you're saying about life being too short to eat food you don't enjoy. I just want to be healthier, and oatmeal / porridge is so good for you. I already enjoy waaaaaay too much food. My whole life revolves around eating good tasting (not always good for you!) food. I was hoping that I could train myself to enjoy it. I never used to like olives, so I introduced them into my diet quarter of an olive at a time, until I loved them. Now I could eat a whole jar! 


I think that's what I am going to do. I will prepare the oats tonight, and have it cold with some honey and banana tomorrow. 


scrapmaven, cream of wheat?! That sounds....... even less appetising than porridge!