Canadian winter – Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie

January 22nd – More Snow

January 22, 2022January 22, 2022 by annemariedemyen, posted in Canadian Meal Options

There is only so much one can say about Saskatchewan in January. It is cold and we have snow. Yesterday I made my first snow clearing effort of the year and today we are getting more snow. Whatever, I need the fresh air and exercise.

**Do I really need that much exercise?** 👀

I do have to say that other than the cold, flu, Omicron experience that I had last week – and the lingering hacking cough that I have, I am feeling good. Really GOOD! When I had my hernia repair last month, the surgeon told me that my heartburn, bloating, etc. was not caused by my hernia and he prescribed some pills for what ailed me. It seemed odd at the time, that he would know how to fix an undiagnosed issue, but I trusted him and took the pills (that are meant to neutralize stomach acid). These pills are amazing! Zero side effects (which itself is amazing). And I feel good – no heartburn, bloating, nausea, cramping, hiccups, diaharrea – nothing! It is just a miracle! Thank you, Dr. P! 🤗

Supper was a relatively simple affair last night – chicken, rice pilaf, broccoli and cauliflower, with a leftover biscuit. The only thing I did, out of the ordinary, was that I used Mrs. Dash seasoning and a bit of black pepper on the chicken. The rice seemed over salty, so I decided we could do without it on the chicken. All in all, it was a passable meal.

That is it for today. I have to make Kat a new batch of food and get out to deal with some of this white stuff. Take care and have a great day! 💞

January 21st – Great Outdoors

January 21, 2022January 21, 2022 by annemariedemyen, posted in Canadian Meal Options

It has been a beautiful day so far. We are in the single minus digits – Celcius, the sun is shining, and the wind is tolerable – so far. Kat and I went outside to feed the squirrels and birds. It was pleasant enough that I even shovelled a little snow. 👍☃️

Kat is recovering nicely from her dental surgery. She had her last dose of painkiller this morning so other than being on a soft food diet, she should be her old self tomorrow. She is still not super happy with me but she will definitely appreciate her dental healthcare at some point – when she can gnaw through her food without pain.

Last night, I finally got in the kitchen and made a real home cooked meal. Okay… There was limited cooking involved as I made taco salads.

**Turning tortilla shells into salad bowls – brush shells with olive oil, press between** ***two salad bowl molds, cook at 350 degrees for six minutes, flip over and remove bottom pan, return to oven until crispy***…

**Brown the beef & Add Old El Paso Taco** ***Seasoning***

**Prepare lettuce, red pepper, green onions, radishes, tomato, and olives. Assemble cheese & salad** ***dressing.***

**Supper is served! (The salad part is under the meat and cheese)**

***And for desert – Presidents Choice Chocolate Caramel Pecan Cluster cheesecake*** 😁

That is it for today. Take care and have a great day!

January 19th – Cheesey Biscuits

January 19, 2022January 19, 2022 by annemariedemyen, posted in Canadian Meal Options

Another January morning in Saskatchewan! Things are relatively iced over from our recent storm and the mercury has dropped out of the thermometer. Fun stuff!

Kat is more her own self today – unfortunately. Her appetite is back and she is not happy that she is not being allowed her usual crispy, crunchy diet. She does not take kindly to my snacking and not sharing so maybe, hopefully, we will both drop a few pounds in the next couple of weeks.

Last night, was another super easy supper. (Last one for a while!). I pulled a container of homemade chicken soup out of the freezer and made a pan of cheese biscuits.

* I do not knead the dough or roll out the biscuits. I have tried it and the results just weren’t there for me. Once I mix in the cheese and work in the last of the flour, I scoop the dough out with a serving spoon and drop it onto a cookie sheet, allow unbaked biscuits to sit for fifteen minutes, and then move to pre-heated oven and bake for the full fifteen minutes. I made 12 good sized biscuits.

I used to make these biscuits frequently when the kids were home but it has been ages since I made a batch. All things considered, I thought they turned out great.

That is it for today. Take care and have a great day!

January 2nd – Shepherd’s Pie

January 2, 2022January 31, 2022 by annemariedemyen, posted in Canadian Meal Options

Here we are, cruising right into 2022. Dan and I took down the tree and packed away all of the Christmas decorations yesterday.

With Dan home for a few days and nights, it would seem our critters have retired to the basement to hibernate, or whatever it is that critters do when they feel unwelcome. At any rate there is no sign of them upstairs or down for the past couple of days. We still have a multitude of electronic and sticky traps about the place. So far the only thing to get stuck on any of the sticky traps was one small hairy dog.

**It was Mom’s fault – she left that thing right where I could step on it. 🙄**

After the packing up and housecleaning and laundry was done last night, we decided on a quick and easy basic comfort food supper. Shepherd’s Pie it was.

(Working Mom’s) Shepherd’s Pie
Brown one pound ground beef. Add one red onion, one shallot, two small cloves of finely chopped garlic, half a red pepper and a few sliced mushrooms. Cook until vegetables are tender. Add one can of Swiss Chalet beef gravy. Stir and simmer for a few minutes.
Make four servings of Idahoan mashed potatoes as per instructions on box. When ready, mix in one quarter of a cup of grated cheddar cheese.
Spread meat mixture in buttered casserole dish
Cover with one can of niblets corn
Cover with mashed potatoes. Top with bits of butter and a sprinkle of paprika.
Bake at 350 degrees F for one hour or until browned and bubbly

I used to make Shepherd’s pie with fresh mashed potatoes and homemade gravy, but this is quicker and easier. If you served them side by side, people would notice the difference, but honestly if this is the only option, most people will think it is real deal.

That is it for today. Take care and have a great day!