Why I Cook Dinner

I cook dinner.

Almost every night.

Even when I am doing a Pampered Chef party and I am leaving anyway.

My mom cooked dinner for us every night.

Some of my favorite family memories revolve around eating.

Serious.

My little sister and I ate Brunch at the Grand Ole Opry Hotel. Ok, I just googled it and there is no such thing. Dad, what hotel was that?

Anyway, it was good. VERY good.

My little sister and I stuffed ourselves. Like, so full.

THEN we went and got the creme brule for dessert. Maybe one, or two, or three. All I know, is that it was too many. And we got so sick, that we went back to our room and laid on the beds. We had to lay still or we were going to throw up.

Very, very, very still. When we talk about it it, we laugh and cry at the same time. It was hilarious. As we laid prone on the beds and groaned at each other until we were brave enough to move. Good times, good times.

If you have never eaten that much, you probably should. Just once. But make sure it is GOOD.

REAL good.

Anyway, I could name a million places and times that we have eaten as a family that were memorable.

But not more memorable than at home.

So, I love to cook for my family. Love it.

And, I am proud of what I feed them.

I asked a kid who was over at my house one time what their favorite dinner was that their mom made, and they said, Top Ramen.

You ask Abby and she says something exotic, but ridiculous like Crab Wontons.

I wouldn't say that is my goal,

But I do like to make sure they eat well, have a balanced meal, and are healthy.

They could eat more "greens" but couldn't we all.

Since a few of you asked, here are my favorite go to meals.

Chicken Curry (my kids seriously love this. All of them)


Mongolian Beef


Cashew Chicken


Peanut Sauce Chicken


Chicken Pillows

You will find that I like Asian Food. Yes, yes, I do. It is my favorite thing to cook.

And you will find that this bounces over to my food blog. Yes, yes it does. I have tons-o-recipes on there. Me and my sisters contribute. It is a great way to keep the family recipes intact and the greatest part about it is that I can view it from anywhere! So, I don't always have to have my recipes with me.

Love these modern days.

Would be great for college kids to have their momma's recipes.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy! Please tell me if you try them!

And cook dinner for your family more. Your kids will remember it! :)


Here is one that is NOT on the food blog, but my it is my husbands favorite go to dinner in the summer. You can make a bunch and eat if for days if you want. It is yummy, and I would say even better the second day.

SALT LAKE TORTELLINI SALAD

1 package of tortellini

1 bottle of Bernsteins Three Cheese, or Cheese and Garlic Salad Dressing

Avocado

Cooked, Cubed Chicken Breast

Red Onion

Steamed Broccoli florets

Olives

Cherry Tomatoes

pepperoni or salami sliced

Marinated Artichoke Hearts

Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 can of Chickpeas

1 can of Kidney Beans

Anything else in the world you want.

Cook the tortellini to package directions. Drain. and rinse with cold water. Add cubed chicken, red onion, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, pepperoni, chickpeas and kidney beans. Add salad dressing according to taste. (Usually doesn't take the whole bottle unless you make a lot.)

Stir and let sit. Add avocado, tomatoes, artichokes and olives right before serving and stir them in lightly.

Enjoy!

Now, here I have typed it all out, but yet, I found the link. Click on the title to be taken to the previous publishing.

Born To. . .

When I was 16, my dad bought me this.

*Not an actual picture of the car I owned. I can't find one!

A 1969 Ford Convertible Mustang.

Believe it or not, I wasn't thrilled... it needed work. And my sister's got the the ultimate chick convertibles, the Fiat Spider and the Volkswagon Cabriolet. Now THOSE were hot convertibles. At least that is what I thought until I got behind the wheel.

That piece of machinery was my first foray into complete and total car love and snobbery. Which is why I have such a hard time admitting to THIS. Anywho. . . If you really want to know why on earth a guy with 5 daughters would buy them convertibles to drive you are going to have to ask him personally. I don't know, I didn't ask questions. Would you?

Moving on. . . I wasn't a huge fan of the car at first. I mean, it wasn't the "classic" 65 model and it felt a little retro. (Even back then) I didn't LOVE the body style but when I got behind the wheel, it didn't matter anymore. That car had a 4 speed. For those manual car drivers that means that you can pretty much hit close to 50 in 1st gear, without shifting.

I burned out four or five clutches. To this day, I swore to my dad I had NO IDEA why I was burning out clutches.. Old car I guess? ! !? Um, no. It is because I had a new fondness for the speed and power of a fast car. A fast CONVERTIBLE car. And because, I couldn't help but smoke someone off the line at a stop light. Especially when they were revving their engine at me. I mean, come on. You would. If you could. You KNOW you would. People couldn't resist the temptation to want to race me because it sounded like they were pulling up next to a boat. Wob, wob, wob, wob. That is how the engine sounded in idle. . . and it was LOUD. I am sure they were just dying to see the speed. . . eat my dust. . . they begged for it. I gave it freely.

I got several tickets in that car. You could punch it on the freeway going 60 and it would still throw you back in your seat. You don't understand the power of a Boss 302 engine until you have driven one. I don't even know what that means... I have just driven one.

Ever since then, I pretty much considered myself born to drive a convertible. Yeah. I was. I look good in one. Someday, when I don't have to tote kids around, you might find me in one again. And I will look something like this. . .

I am a serious car driver. And an even MORE serious sports car driver. Because when they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up during 8th grade spotlights I said, I wanted to be a race-car driver. Danica Patrick, eat your heart out. I TOTALLY had the jump on you. You are SO NOT the first.

However, for today, I had a friend. A friend in the back.



That is ok. She likes loud music.


She had to, because she was planted right next to that sub woofer.