Still Playing "Catch Up"

Our "Checkerboard Aussies" must have known how fatigued I have been the past few weeks and in need of a good morning sleep in, as I didn't haul myself up from bed until going onto 7:30 am this morning.  How nice was that? pretty dang, dang, triple dang nice let me tell you ....

It took me a bit to get "kick started" but I finally got in gear by getting the day going.  I still had lots of "Catch Up" still to be done today after a week of being a fantastic wonderful Grandma to our two Rip Tail Snorters, Aiden and Connor (someone has to pat me on the back, might as well be "moi").

"The other spare bedroom was still in need of being done.  I looked in then walked back out,  then decided to go back in to get r' done.  I always have tried to force myself to get the worse job out of the way first, then afterwards all the other stuff needing done always seem a bit easier to do.  Wouldn't you agree?"

"It took me a wee bit but I managed to "get r' done" before the lunch hour."

"My desk had been in pretty sad looking shape, never mind the desk underneath and beside 

it !  Oh man .... nasty it was, but so much nicer now !"

I had to make a phone call to Bell Canada, as the phone they had put on Rob to buy a couple of weeks ago had been returned to them by us, however we still had not received "credit" for its return (mind you when they sent it the amount was charged right away to our Credit Card lickety split).  It was a long process until they finally tracked it down, and a lot of "holding" on my end until they did.  I must admit the gal I had working on this at Bell's Solutions department was fantastic and right on the ball giving me  excellent service.  It is all straightened out, I hope, with the amount being put back on our Credit Card after 2 billing periods, this I had a problem with, and hopefully no later.

At least while being on "hold" I was productive by dusting my desk thoroughly and then some.

Once off the phone I had to get working on our lunch so we could get it over with at a half descent time before Rob had to put on his "Crabby Cabby" hat for the day.  I was pretty excited as I was trying out a new recipe I had found in last Year's Summer Inspired Magazine I had gotten from our local Foodland store.   Since everyone knows what an abundance of Zucchini I am going to have this Season it was perfect !

 "I first scooped out the seeds and pulp from 2 Zucchini."

"Once I had sauteed diced onion, I added chopped tomato along with the Zucchini pulp, followed with a couple dashes of Oregano and Thyme."

"I went on to fill the Zucchini with the softened cooked mixture, topping same with shredded Cheddar Cheese."

"Onto the Grill they went alongside the Chicken Breasts Rob was grilling for our Dinner."

"I had also whipped up a small dish of potato/egg salad to go along with the perfectly Grilled Stuffed Zucchini and Chicken Breasts."

"Oh my, let me tell you how good this Dinner was .... a 10 Star in my books.  It must have been in Rob's books too as I didn't see anything leftover on his plate."

Recipe please? as posted to Cindy's Recipe Exchange on Facebook.


Photo & Recipe Courtesy of Exchange Member~Cindy Masterson-Roth.
Recipe Source: Sobey's Inspired Magazine

Tomato & Cheese Stuffed Zucchini
Prep: 10 min. Total time: 30 min. Serves 4

2 zuccchini, each about 8-in (20 cm) long
1/2 tsp. (2ml) garlic powder
1 tbsp. (15ml) olive oil
1/2 small onion, diced
1 Roma tomato, seeded and diced
1/2 tsp. each salt & pepper
1 tsp. (5ml) chopped fresh Oregano
1 tsp. (5ml) chopped fresh Thyme
1/3 cup (75ml) grated Old Cheddar Cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350*F (180*C). Trim ends and cut zucchini lengthwise in half. Using a spoon or melon baller, scoop out seeds to make a trench. Chop seeds and pulp. Place zucchini halves on parchment paper lined baking sheet and sprinkle with garlic powder; set aside.

2. Heat oil in skillet set on med-high heat. Add onion & saute until translucent. Stir in chopped zucchini pulp, tomato, salt & pepper. Cook a few minutes then add fresh herbs.

3. Spoon mixture evenly into zucchini halves and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake for 20 min, until cheese is bubbling and brown around edges.

Per 1/4 of recipe serving: 80 calories


NOTE: I used dry herbs, no salt & pepper, Marble Cheddar Cheese, regular vine tomatoes with seeds & we grilled instead of baked in oven.


Speaking more about really good recipes, I had just noticed yesterday that I had been credited for my photo of What's Cooking America's Black Bean & Feta Salad.  This is one of my absolute favourite all time salads ....

"Recipe please?  "Click" HERE ."

Thanks to Linda of What's Cooking America for "linking" me up and "plugging" me in !

Once Dinner was over it the reality of playing "catch up" came back to me ....

"This was our bathroom after we had left here Sunday afternoon."

"After a bit of elbow grease was applied to the bathtub and sink, this was our bathroom when I finished in there today."

"The Dining room area was also on my "to do" list."

"Due to the heat and the fact I was running out of steam, I only managed to get it half done today."

I have done pretty good playing "catch up" the past two days, with tomorrow bringing the Livingroom area, finishing up the other little bit in the Dining area, the front entrance foyer and washing up some floors.  Really how can anyone who stays at home ever say they are "bored"? there is always something and more to be done at my place !  I know, I know, I am a "slow poke" these past couple of Years ...

After I had done all I could do for this day, I took myself, Lexus and Bandit out for some fun (for them) and relaxation (for me) this late afternoon.

"I never see to tire and am always amused at watching our "Checkerboard Aussies" at play."

"Our Blue Merle male, Bandit, 7 years old this month, and our Red Tri, Lexus, going on 3 years old this November.  They give me life, our dogs all do ! "

I was just thinking the other day, I wish I had been about in my 30's right now, as I am certain my calling would have lead me to Social Networking, as I love blogging, I love Facebook, I love the two groups, Cindy's Recipe Exchange (256 Members), and Pet Lovers of Bruce County (209 Members) I have on Facebook, I love promoting Small Business for others ... I just love being out there with it all !

Ha !  Reality check ... I am in my 50's (early I might add), but I am still enjoying what part I have in the Social Network I am involved with, but sure wish I had the know how to know how to do MORE!

Maybe someday I will find a way to learn more then I already know .... someday hopefully coming sooner then later.  Wish me luck on that note ....

I can't believe it, it is only 7:54 pm and I am at the end of my blog post for this day.

*Sigh* I am thinking I will make myself a cup of coffee, take it along outside with me to sit back, put my feet up, and watch some more "shinanigans" go on between our "Checkerboard Aussies", "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".