Author: Diana

Lazy Saturday in the City

By Diana

It’s Saturday late afternoon and again I feel like I have done NOTHING!  Well I say nothing, but in reality I have done a couple loads of laundry and also put together my new hamper.  I have been wanting to write, but haven’t felt very confident I suppose.  Not sure what there is to feel confident for it’s just me 😉

So I have been in NYC for 15 months now and I am in a different apartment now.  I moved from LIC to the Financial District.  I am in the 70 Pine building, it’s the old AIG building and it is a very art deco building.  I like it a lot, there is a lot around.  Work has been very busy lately and I have been a bit stressed.  

Dad isn’t doing great right now, he is having surgery in a couple weeks to hopefully help him feel much better.  It is for the hernia he has had for a while, but recently it caused a bit of trouble for him.  We also found out he has prostate cancer, but me being away I am not really sure what that means.  I am going to try to help as much as I can from here, the alternative is moving back home.  I am not really ready to go back if I am being honest.

This week, well Monday, I am going to Pittsburgh to do an audit for the project.  I am sorta excited to see how this goes, its something I haven’t done before so it will be a new experience.  I will have to try to blog more to remember how it goes :)

Last night we had a work party at one of the guys house.  It was a lovely place, penthouse, and the weather was so nice.  Everyone seemed to have a good time and after Ranjit and I walked Yuchi home and then walked to Ranjit’s.  From there I took a uber home – got home soooooo late 😉  I have been so tired lately that I actually slept until about 10:00 this morning.  CRAZY.

Yummy Brownie Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Yummy Brownie Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Yummy Brownie Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Print Recipe
My family loves this recipe for cheese cake.  It is a little bit rich, but oh so yummy!!
Servings Prep Time
8 People 45 minutes
Cook Time
85 minutes
Servings Prep Time
8 People 45 minutes
Cook Time
85 minutes
Yummy Brownie Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Print Recipe
My family loves this recipe for cheese cake.  It is a little bit rich, but oh so yummy!!
Servings Prep Time
8 People 45 minutes
Cook Time
85 minutes
Servings Prep Time
8 People 45 minutes
Cook Time
85 minutes
Ingredients
Crust
Filling
Servings: People
Instructions
Crust
  1. Prepare brownie mix as package directs and pour into a greased 9-inch spring form pan.
  2. Bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Filling
  1. Mix cream cheese and condensed milk together until smooth.
  2. Add eggs and beat until fluffy.
  3. Add vanilla while continuing to mix until color is consistent.
  4. Stir in half of the chocolate chips.
  5. Pour mixture into baked crust.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top, they will sink a little bit.
  7. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F and bake for 50 minutes or until center is set.
  8. Cool and chill until ready to serve.
Recipe Notes

Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

New Day 1

By Diana

Goodness, so much has changed since I last posted a blog.  Right now I am sitting at my desk in my apartment in New York City!  It is Memorial Day so I am off work, but I didn’t partake in any festivities, I got a hair cut and have been binge watching a tv show that I like because it has a lot of singing in it :)  oh and I did laundry, ha ha ha.

I have been here for months for now and am loving it!  Yesterday I went into Manhattan to check out a tattoo shop and it worked out pretty well.  I didn’t get anything but I will most likely go back.  Now I am watching a youtube video by someone based in New York and it is so cool to think that I have been to the places, or that I recognize the places.

Well, I am going to try to do this again.  At least spend some productive time working each day :)

Today I talked to dad and asked what ships he was on because I thought he was on one he wasn’t.  Here are some, maybe all the ones he has been on:

USS_Philippine_Sea_(CVA-47)_9_July_1955
USS Philippine Sea on July 9, 1955
USS Oriskany on December 6, 1950
USS Oriskany on December 6, 1950
USS Independence in 1959
USS Independence in 1959
USS Midway in October 1965
USS Midway in October 1965
USS Kearsarge on December12, 1965
USS Kearsarge on December12, 1965
USS Enterprise along with the USS Long Beach and the USS Bainbridge during Operation Sea Orbit in 1964
USS Enterprise along with the USS Long Beach and the USS Bainbridge during Operation Sea Orbit in 1964
  • USS Philippine Sea
  • USS Independence 
  • USS Midway
  • USS Oriskany
  • USS Kearsarge
  • USS Enterprise

Dad was in the Navy from 1948 until 1968 when he retired and worked another 30 years as a civil servant.  It certainly makes me proud that he served for so long.  To be honest, I am so happy he did this before my brother and I were born because I don’t know how I could have gone without seeing him for so long.  Him and my mom were always home.  They never left us with baby sitters or went out to the bar.  We always went places together and it was amazingly special.  So, if dad is reading this I am so grateful and blessed to have you as a father and to have had mom as a mother.  You both had such interesting lives before and after we were born.  I love you more than anything else, yes even the puppies!

Yummy Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

Yummy Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
8 People 35 Minutes
Cook Time
55 Minutes
Servings Prep Time
8 People 35 Minutes
Cook Time
55 Minutes
Yummy Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
8 People 35 Minutes
Cook Time
55 Minutes
Servings Prep Time
8 People 35 Minutes
Cook Time
55 Minutes
Ingredients
Servings: People
Instructions
Squash
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Place squash onto baking sheet cut side down. Fill the baking sheet with 1/2 inch of water.
  3. Bake for 40 minutes and drain off any remaining water in the baking sheet.
Apple Stuffing
  1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the apple and onion in the butter until the onion has turned translucent, 10-15 minutes.
  2. Set aside in bowl until squash has finished cooking.
  3. Once the squash is done, mix the raisins , brown sugar, cinnamon, and cheddar cheese into the apple stuffing.
Combination
  1. Turn the squash cut side up, still on the baking sheet, and fill with the apple stuffing
  2. Return squash to oven and bake until the filling is hot and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes.

Yummy Squash and Green Bean Sauté

Yummy Squash and Green Bean Sauté
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
8 People 15 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Servings Prep Time
8 People 15 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Yummy Squash and Green Bean Sauté
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
8 People 15 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Servings Prep Time
8 People 15 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Ingredients
Servings: People
Instructions
  1. Cook and stir squash and green beans in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until slightly softened, 2-3 minutes.
  2. Stir in tomatoes, lemon juice, parsley, and coriander into squash bean mixture.
  3. Cook until tomatoes have softened, about 10 minutes.

Day 367 – The Day That Starts 2017!!

By Diana

I have such mixed emotions about 2016.  In some ways it was amazing for me and in some ways it was the most trying year of my life.  I got to start my own business and have so much encouragement from every one and shared so much with people who supported me.  I learned that I had way more real friends then I thought I did and found a couple I hope with be friend forever.  I learned what sadness truly is with the loss of my mom and how much I love all of my family.

I have not thought about what 2017 will bring, but I know I am a bit more prepared for it, if that is really possible.

There is a couple things I wish for myself this coming year.  I want to be happy.  I want to be nice above all.

Happy New Year!

Day 357 – The Day After My Mothers Birthday

By Diana

Today is the day after my mothers would be 76th birthday. For my memory of her I got a tattoo of a tortoise on my wrist. I am not super emotional lately – not super happy or super sad, but I did manage to cry yesterday evening. I am so very appreciative of people who care about me and I was talking to one of them and I just can’t get over how nice some people are!

Enough mushy stuff :)

I have been working this last couple weeks mostly at home and plan on finishing out the year here as well. So thankful that I have understanding employers who work with me in my situation with my dad being here alone.

I have some traveling to do early in January – need to go to Atlanta for the Construction’s Southern Region Safety Certification. I actually need to get certified this time so no teaching just doing :)

I think that I have basically decided to just make an “office” space in the dining / living room. That way we can all be together in the house and I am sure more comfy. My sister is here now, I think I am going to get her to help me take out the leaves in the table so I can leave my big huge white board out of my bathroom :)

I need to leave here to go get my packages – maybe hook the gate back up on my way out!!

For my mother - forever love
For my mother – forever love
For my Peanut - and all the other puppies
For my Peanut – and all the other puppies

Yummy Macaroni and Cheese Bake

Yummy Macaroni and Cheese Bake
Print Recipe
Really good southern style macaroni and cheese!!
Servings Prep Time
8 people 15 minutes
Cook Time
50 minutes
Servings Prep Time
8 people 15 minutes
Cook Time
50 minutes
Yummy Macaroni and Cheese Bake
Print Recipe
Really good southern style macaroni and cheese!!
Servings Prep Time
8 people 15 minutes
Cook Time
50 minutes
Servings Prep Time
8 people 15 minutes
Cook Time
50 minutes
Ingredients
Main
Topping
Servings: people
Instructions
Main
  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. Combine the first 8 ingredients and stir well. Place into 2 quart casserole dish coated in cooking spray.
Topping
  1. Combine last 2 ingredients and sprinkle on top of casserole.
Baking
  1. Bake for 50 minutes.
Yummy Armadillo Eggs

Yummy Armadillo Eggs

Yummy Armadillo Eggs
Print Recipe
My family loves these and they don't turn out too spicy!
Servings Prep Time
24 pieces 20 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Servings Prep Time
24 pieces 20 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Yummy Armadillo Eggs
Print Recipe
My family loves these and they don't turn out too spicy!
Servings Prep Time
24 pieces 20 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Servings Prep Time
24 pieces 20 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Ingredients
Servings: pieces
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. Prepare a baking sheet with non-stick aluminum foil.
  3. Slice the jalapeno peppers in half and remove the core and seeds.
  4. Slice the pepper jack cheese into rectangles, smaller than the jalapeno halves.
  5. In a medium bowl, mix sausage, baking mix, and cheddar cheese.
  6. Stuff jalapeno with the pepper jack cheese slices and encase them in the sausage mix in the shape of an egg.
  7. Arrange the jalapeno eggs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Yummy Mexican Goulash

Great alternative to tacos.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground sirloin
  • 1 finely chopped onion
  • 1 finely chopped small green pepper
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with Chile peppers
  • 1 can sliced black olives
  • 1 (9 ounce) package frozen corn
  • 1 (8 ounce) package rotini pasta
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • Sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and additional salsa for topping

Directions

  1. Brown ground sirloin and drain.  In large skillet combine sirloin, pepper, onion, tomatoes, corn, salsa, and taco seasoning.  Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
  2. Cook pasta and combine with meat mixture.
  3. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
  4. Serve with topping of sour cream, salsa and shredded cheddar cheese.

Pictures

Yummy Mexican Goulash
Print Recipe
Yummy Mexican Goulash
Print Recipe