Karen joined us for dinner tonight!
For cocktail hour I had one of the Cascal beverages that the Foodbuzz Featured Publisher program distributed. I really do like these! I don’t enjoy them as much as kombucha [they lack a fizzy twinge] but they do make great non-alcoholic options – especially if you are having guests over who do not drink.
We discussed Quickbooks and business over drinks. Did you know that the three of us are flying to Florida to attend the Great Harvest convention on Marco Island this weekend!?!? I nearly forgot until last week. I’ve been thinking of it as yet another business trip until it hit me: I am going to FLORIDA! Where it’s WARM! And staying at a RESORT! Business or not, that sounds pretty fun! And so I’ve heard, the GH conventions are a really fun time. I’m excited!
Dinner tonight was an incredible spaghetti –
Although I think I’m going to call this Spaghetti Stroganoff because it was served over egg noodles!
Local grass-fed beef plus local organic pork sausage were browned, along with cremini and shitake mushrooms, in a jarred tomato sauce (shortcut!) Parm on top! It was incredibly delicious!!
Side of kale steamed in water and balsamic vinegar with a few sunflower and pumpkin seeds mixed in
My computer has not malfunctioned since I plugged in the Ethernet. Time to figure out the wireless card – but also glad it’s fixed!
I started The Thorn Birds last night and am already hooked. This writing style is so much more descriptive – which I love. Did you know I hate dialogue!? I find it boring. Unless it’s a cliffhanger, plot-changing dialogue.
Today was super busy – hoping tomorrow is a bit more low-key to balance out my brain!
Goodnight!
Corinna says
Glad to hear you’ll be enjoying some warm weather in FL!
Christine says
How do you nearly forget about a trip to Florida!?
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
I remember reading The Thornbirds in high school and loving it but I’m just the opposite — bring on the dialogue and leave all the extrapolation behind!
Hi, I'm J, and I teach English says
Exposition. Leave extrapolation to the math department, dear.
Christine says
Dialogue can be great, but only if it’s done well. Sometimes it’s so obviously done for exposition’s sake and comes off as way too fake. I’d gladly take a Florida resort right now- it’s even chilly in California!
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
Oh I’m so jealous that you get to escape to beautiful sunny weather for a few days!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
Every time I look at a weather map…I look at the beautiful temperatures printed by Florida. Have FUN!!! It sure seems like everything GH is fun :).
Annette @ enjoyyourhealthylife says
Ooooh fun in Florida sounds perfect nowadays with the minus degree weather 🙁 And I want some of your Kale!!!
Angela (the diet book junkie) says
oh wow, jealous of your trip to Florida! make sure it’s not ALL business. 🙂
J3nn(Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
That pasta looks deeeeeelicious!!!
Wish I were on my way to Florida! So fun.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
That’s so exciting that you guys are going to Florida! I’d do anything for some Florida-like weather right about now. It sounds like Karen is doing well – that’s great! Enjoy the rest of your night. 🙂
Stacey (The Home-Cooked Vegan) says
The trip sounds like fun! The warm weather should be very welcoming since you have had some snow lately! 🙂
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles says
How exciting that you are going to Florida! What a great end-of-winter treat! 🙂
Amanda (Eating Up) says
That business trip DOES sound like fun! I would ask to make it longer haha!
Nicole (I have trouble with forward motion) says
I’ve got an ancient copy of The Thorn Birds. I’ve never read, but I’ve seen the movie a few times, LOL. I’m sure the book is better!
I can’t wait for true warm weather. Where I live, we get the crappy cold, overcast days with just a bit of the snow. Everyone around us gets all the snow! While I’m not a fan of the fluffy whiteness, I’d rather have a legit reason for our cold weather. Enjoy the warm weather on your trip!
Emily says
My mom gave me the thorn birds for Christmas. I loved it! I’ll be curious to hear what you think when you’re done.
Holly @ Couch Potato Athlete says
How wonderful to be going to Florida!!! Next week I’ll be in Kansas City, MO — it isn’t as warm as FL but hopefully it is warmer than MN!
Dinner looks wonderful as usual!
Jean says
It’s nice and warm here (I’m in Naples) and it’s also high season…so lots of traffic and crowds. Enjoy Marco and your Great Harvest colleagues. Can’t believe all you young’ens are reading Thornbirds! Be careful…I remember staying up all night to finish the last few hundred pages.
Erin says
I snuck it to work so I could finish it. 🙂
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
I would love to go to Florida! You lucky lady 🙂
Charissa says
Have fun in Florida! Hope you have a GREAT time!
Chelsea says
Your dinner looked so good!
The Florida trip sounds SO fun. I wish I was going to a resort, and escaping from the normal grind of life. 🙂
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
I find dialogue boring too. Usually.
“My computer has not malfunctioned since I plugged in the Ethernet”–YAY!
Marco Island. Used to go there as a kid on family vacations. I probably still have some tourist t-shirts in my mother’s garage from 20-25 years when I was a kid ago to prove it 🙂
Seriously have fun!!!!!!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Florida!! Warmth and fun. I’m jealous.
stacey-healthylife says
Mmmm dinner looks good. I can’t believe you are going to Florida. I need a little warm sun.
melissa (fitnessnyc) says
While I don’t love sausage, it looks so amazing, I might sub ground turkey and give it a whirl!
JessicaEn says
Oh yes, if you love description you will love The Thorn Birds. There is a good amount of dialogue, but her descriptions are breathtaking.
suki says
We are having record lows here in SF, so I am definitely envious of your Florida trip. 🙂
Heidi - apples under my bed says
mmm your pasta looks delicious! Yay for your business trip to a sunny place 🙂
Heidi xo
Baking 'n' Books says
Florida?!! Do they pay for these meetings?! :)…uh, seriously though…
You read pretty quickly. Would love to see a recommended list sometime of your faves!
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
Ah, you are going to LOVE the weather here in Florida. And it’s going to be warmer for you since I’m 6 hours north of Marco Island!
Lis says
Have a blast in florida! Warm weather will be a welcome break from the crazy swing from warm to cold we just experienced. I’m off the opposite direction to the mountains to ski!
Heather says
Enjoy your trip to Florida – I’ve heard Marco Island is beautiful!
Egg noodles are my favorite pasta – especially topped with cheese!
Jenn says
I couldn’t get into Lonesome Dove either. I tried reading it several years ago. But I completely LOVE The Thorn Birds. Excellent book! They did a mini series based on the book back in the 80s with Richard Chamberlain and Barbara Stanwyck. It is very good! It’s stood the test of time, and doesn’t look cheesy today.
Hannah says
I love mushrooms in pasta! So much amazing flavour 🙂
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Quickbooks is awesome! So many features that you don’t even realize will come in handy.
A FLA trip sounds great. The beach always calls my name this time of year. Ready for some sunshine and warmth!
Elizabeth R. says
Have fun in Marco! My family has been going there for vacation for about 15 years. I’m headed there in just a couple weeks. Enjoy!
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
Whenever I steam kale, even for just a few minutes, it comes out very wilty. I love that your kale kept it’s shaped and very dark green!
How long do you steam it for? 60 seconds? 2 minutes? Does it still have some crunch?
KathEats says
3-5 minutes, with a little water and the lid on in a pot, heat on medium. I’m usually making enough kale to FILL the entire stock pot so perhaps you just need to make more at a time so it dilutes the heat more?
Alaina says
My day was a complete opposite; not too much in terms of being busy but tomorrow is going to be go go go!
That dish looks delicious; I love pasta! Have fun in FL!!!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
mmm i love egg noodles!!! reminds me of a good home cooked meal b/c you rarely see it in restaurants!
Anne says
Worse for me than a lot of dialogue are dreams that go on, paragraph after paragraph after paragraph. Thou talk’st of nothing.
KathEats says
AGREED! I hate dreams! Until we find out the link between them and the brain, they are meaningless to me.
All the pretty things says
This looks really good! True comfort food 🙂
I love kale but I usually have it raw as a salad because I am worried that it will loose it’s texture when steamed, but yours looks great. How long do you steam it for?
KathEats says
See above!
Marina says
Enjoy Florida!
I’m glad you love the book, it only gets better 😉
Jenn from Much to My Delight says
I could use a good shot of Florida right about now. Load me up on some of that delicious pasta of yours, and I’ll start running there later today…
CathyK @ www.1970kikiproject.wordpress.com says
haha, i find description boring and love lots of dialogue! (although did love the thorn birds – glad you’re enjoying it).
our family took vacation on marco island the summer i was 21; it holds a special place in my heart. i went back for a day just this past july to revisit our favourite spots and it’s still such a marvelous spot. enjoy!! can’t wait to read all about it!
Christie {Nourishing Eats} says
Oh man, the beach has been calling my name. I’m sure you will have a great time in FL!!
Lauren says
Ah, so jealous of that Business Trip! I would do anything for warmth right now. 😉
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
so jealous that you are going to florida!
M says
Warning!! From a Florida native living outside D.C……..I WILL be living through you this weekend! Marco Island is an incredible place. Enjoy the 80’s weather! 🙂
Sarah (Running To Slow Things Down) says
The pasta looks amazing! 😀
Glad to hear you’re liking The Thorn Birds. I’m constantly looking for new books to read. Right now I’m pouring through House Rules by Jodi Picoult and it’s really, really good. I love all of her books. 😀
Tabitha says
I grew up in Naples, just 30 minutes or so north of Marco. If you get a chance I recommend to go eat in Naples along 5th avenue. Fun area to walk around, window shop and eat. Have a great time and enjoy some sun!
Leslie says
Re: your wireless issue– if you’re using a wireless router, take your laptop to a cafe or somewhere with free wireless to make sure that your card is in fact this issue. We have gone through the same issue at our house, and we’ve actually burned out 2 wireless routers in as many years!
KathEats says
I have a desktop so I haven’t been able to do that!
Amanda says
Kath! This is so exciting! My goal is to move to Florida as soon as I finish my Masters Program! I can’t wait to hear how it goes! And your dinner looks delicious 🙂
Whitney says
You will love Marco Island!! Such a pretty place.. enjoy the warmness! 🙂
Katy @ A Healthy Shot says
I loved The Thorn Birds! I think I’ve read it 3 times 😉 Enjoy your trip!
Camille says
Mmm, even a pasta-hater thinks this looks amazing! 🙂
Jen says
Hey Kath quick chocolate cups question!
Do you store them in the fridge? freezer? pantry? Do you wrap them up or anything?
Thanks!
KathEats says
I kept them at room temp in a plastic baggie. Refridgeration probably would have been a good idea too though – esp. if it’s warm out.
Jen says
thank you!
Tami says
if you can swing a trip up the coast to Sanibel island, I HIGHLY recommend it. awesome. beautiful….you won’t regret it!
Ricki says
Ooh, The Thorn Birds…one of my all-time favorite books! Great choice!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
I went to FL around this time last year and it was a real treat!! This is juuuust the time of year when a healthy dose of sunshine is much-needed. I’m sure you guys will have a wonderful time! 🙂
Stacie @ Imperfectly Healthy says
I’ve never really thought about it before, but I also don’t enjoy lots of dialogue in books! I just can’t get into it as much!
JenATX says
haha that is funny about hating dialogue because i skip description & jump to the dialogue when i read
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says
That dinner looks awesome 🙂
JT @ The Faux Foodie Girl says
Marco Island is perfect this time of the year – warm, breezy, sunny – a great place for a conference. Hope you’ll have some down time to enjoy the Florida warmth….
Amber K says
How funny, I’m the exact opposite when it comes to books. I HATE it when there are long sections where no one is talking. I get sooo bored.
Patty says
My family has had a second home on Marco since 1982, so I’ve been going there my whole life. It’s a wonderful place – amazing beach – but it will be crowded right now, so just prepare for that! I definitely 2nd the suggestion to go to Old Naples and 5th Avenue to walk around, have dinner, shop! Great people watching.
Tania says
oh, The Thorn Birds, one of my favorite books of all time. Have you seen the movie?
Maria @ The Fitted Apron says
I love Marco Island! Do you know about the Marco cat? Make sure to ask a local, I’m sure they’ll be happy to tell you all about him.
Christin@purplebirdblog says
That pasta looks delicious. Have a wonderful time in sunny Florida!
Wendy says
I LOVE The Thornbirds! I think I’ve read it at least 5 times since college. One of those times was while I was pregnant with my son, so he ended up named Dane after one of the characters. 🙂
Rachel says
I am half way through Thorn Birds! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts
Alyssa says
You’ll be going to my home state! Marco Island is near where my Hubby’s family lives…heard its gorgeous, enjoy!
Stephanie says
Hooray for the Thorn Birds! Always love to hear of someone picking it up. Enjoy! (And definitely seek out the movie when you finish – who knew Richard Chamberlain could make such a hunky priest!)