Whee, I'm on a roll!

Another day, another post. Am I trending? I hope so. Is trending even a word?

I'm writing while cooking dinner. The kids wanted quesadillas for lunch. They're so happy when I cook for them. I was about to grill the chicken on the George Foreman grill when I remembered the grill on my deck. So much easier. We had a little of the Mrs. Prindables caramel chocolate apple for dessert. I was going to pan fry the flat iron steak for dinner when I again remembered the grill on my deck. It's been a good eating day for the kids. I didn't eat lunch. I'm working my way through my Rheb's chocolates. They expire and my plan this year is not to let any food go bad. Good excuse? The kids will get ice cream from the grocery store after dinner. I don't plan to have any.

Dinner's done. Have you ever had flat iron steak? It's so good and tender. You slice it against the grain and serve it like you would a flank steak. Here's the recipe for the teriyaki sauce I pour over the sliced meat. It doesn't take much because it's very concentrated. I only use what I need and keep the rest of the sauce in the freezer in a plastic container. It doesn't freeze, and it's great and always ready. This recipe came from Cook's Country magazine.

½ c reduced-sodium soy sauce
½ c sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T grated fresh ginger
1/8 t red pepper flakes
2 T cider vinegar
2 t cornstarch
Combine all in a small saucepan and cook till slightly thickened.

Rob left this morning to go to work. It's an hour away; 10 minutes from where he lives. He's been in training for his new job for over two weeks. Tomorrow he starts the night shift. The graveyard shift. The 10 PM to 8:30 AM Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday shift. Yeah, that's right. Tomorrow night he'll start his overnight training with the person he's replacing. Next weekend will be our last together for the foreseeable future. We'll see each other most Wednesday nights, Thursdays, and Thursday nights. It's going to take some getting used to, but this is a great job for him. He'll continue taking classes at Harford Community College. He'll have to figure out when he can sleep. I'll tell you about the job another time. When we first met he was working a second-shift job, 3 PM to 1:30 AM. He'd call me during his 8:00 break. I'd e-mail him before bed, and wake to a e-mail from him. We both love to write, and it was a great way for us to get to know each other. I wonder what our routine will be now?

I put away Christmas today. If you know me, you know that means my house has been transformed. It wasn't too hard, because I had help from Philem (my new name for my daughter and her boyfriend) with bringing the bins up from the basement, and then back down when they were filled. It was especially great having someone else put the tree back in the box. It's made up of three sections, and the middle and bottom ones are incredibly heavy. I'm so glad the holiday is put away for the year. The basement will need to be organized, but that's OK. Out of sight, out of mind. Emily asked me to leave the Christmas lights around the front door, so they'll stay for a while more.

I just had a tiny slice of the 'apple' for dessert. I'm telling you, it's over the top. Caramel and three kinds of chocolate. And can you see how thick the chocolate is? By next week I'll be eating healthy again. I hope. Or I'll be wearing stretch pants.