Sunday afternoon, winding down...

Had a productive Saturday. Got the oil changed in my car, picked up some stain and polyurethane for my pasta drying rack (shaker pegs and an oak dowel, to be mounted on my hutch). Washed the car at the quarter car wash (it's supposed to snow tomorrow, so didn't want to shell out $6.00 for a real car wash). Went grocery shopping, did all the laundry and some cleaning yesterday (oh, had to throw out my latest slippers, they were starting to stink!)

Today I decided to go see my Mom and make her lunch. I know, I know, I say that every weekend, but this time I meant it! Did all the prep work here (minced an onion, cut up some green onions for garnish as well as some curly parsley and chives).

Got there after 12:00 PM. Mom sat in the kitchen and we visited while I cooked. Started the clam chowder, put the canned alfredo sauce on to heat, put water on to cook the frozen Portobello mushroom ravioli and peeled the eggplant.

Used egg and milk and flour to bread the eggplant and fried it in olive oil, Put her oven on warm (after taking out all the cookies, lol!) and transferred the finished eggplant to a cookie sheet lined with tinfoil to keep them warm as I made the next batch.

Meanwhile kept adding my ingredients to the clam chowder (and, I was right! "Chopped" clams work much, MUCH better that the "minced" ones I used the first time I tried this recipe. Not much different in taste, but much, much better texture!).

Finally, it all came together. First course was the clam chowder garnished with fresh parsley and oyster crackers. My Mom LOVED it! Turns out, she's always said she loves clam chowder, but the only clam chowder she's ever really had was either the original Campbell's soup or, as an upgrade, Campbell's Select. Oh well, I've introduced her to the next level! Bam! I kicked it up a notch!

Next on the menu was the Portobello mushroom raviloi, with roasted garlic Alfredo sauce (all store bought, but no apologies!) I garnished this with the sliced green onions and chives. And along with this, the breaded eggplant. Again, Mom loved it (especially the eggplant) but I was not impressed with the ravioli. I had hoped to mimic the Olive Gardens entree, but the filling was way too small and not as tasty.

I think I will have to research this and use my pasta maker to make my own Portobello stuffed ravioli (I can do that!)

Once I had all the dishes washed, we sat and visited for a while. Turns out the lady who had interviewed her 15 years ago, about the original cottages in Lake Orion (Kids, you will remember this! Jake and Jeremy, you were both out at the cottage that week, and Melissa, while working at a local cable company, you taped her lecture at the library) is now writing a book about Lake Orion and is sending her a form to sign so she (the lady) can use Mom's interview in the book. Hey, we're gonna be famous!

Left for home around 3:00 PM. Stopped to pick up some slippers at "Famous Footwear" and found Dr. Scholl's slippers, normally $30, on sale for $14. Bought two pair and will just keep the spare for when these go bad. Picked up two prescriptions (and left $35 at the drugstore!) and got home. Turned on the race, typed this up while it's still fresh, and now about to call Sadie back.

That's me up to date!