Dinner tools & other news

Well... I guess the winter "blahs" got a hold of me yet again. 

and in case you're wondering, I have actually been cooking... so my family is not starving.

But... I have not been posting... obviously!

Since I still have to cook, I have been taking pics and storing them up.

Now I have a nice little store of recipes

I would LOVE if you would send me some of yours to try as well.

Send them to thedinnerdrama@hotmail.com 

Please make sure to put the recipe name in the subject area.

During my little "winter break", I got an e mail from someone over at dinnertool.com

They were interested in linking to my blog from their site.

Needless to say, I went right over to their site to check it out and found some neat tools for meal planning and dinner ideas.

As much as I love to cook... I am in no way a meal "planner".

Which, if you know me, is quite funny.... because I am very much a planner at heart.

Wierd huh?

I've just never found a system that I love!

Anyway, go over to dinnertool.com and check them out. They really have some neat tools I think you will like!

Tell them I sent you!

Oh... and if you're looking for some new recipes....check back tomorrow! I have something cooking in the crockpot right now!

I've been hiding out with some Chicken Tortilla Soup

Well helloooo there!

Nice to see you again.

Maybe you've been wondering where I've been,

Maybe you haven't even noticed. 

Either way.... I'm gonna tell you.

But first, I cannot ignore the fact that it's Valentines day! 

In honor of that, I thought I would share a quote from one of my bestest friends.  I think she hits the nail on the head and I believe everyone can benefit from mulling this over:

"For some, today could be a painful reminder of love lost...and so for you I pray a distinct awareness of our God's presence....for others, what if we choose to celebrate the love we DO know today with friends and loved ones and choose not to despise love unfulfilled and allow yourself to receive the gift of Love and Goodness around you, in whatever form that may be!"

I really love that! 



So, back to my hiding away.....

I had surgery.... on my jaw

I also had my wisdom teeth out ("since they were already in there".....lol)

So, I've been recovering for the last week.  

I may need a little time still because, you see, my mouth is full of stitches

FULL of stitches

And stitches are not condusive to eating... so I'm not really eating OR cooking either.

My poor family you say......

No.

My Mom and my friends are awesome.

They have brought me food.

Casseroles and soups

Muffins and smoothies

Chili and breads

Talk about LOVE!

And, you might be wondering why I think you care....

Well, I wrote all of this just to tell you that ONE of those soups is from another pretty cool blog/website

So I thought I'd share the recipe with you because, well... it's pretty great.

My wonderful thoughtful sweet friend Merran is a big fan of the Pioneer Woman

She makes a lot of her recipes. 

She made me her Chicken Tortilla soup

It was pretty easy to eat after a few days because everything is so soft.

It's still one of the only things I've been eating besides the smoothies one of my other friends made me.

( I hope I can get THAT recipe.... it's pretty yummy too)

Anyway, if you want to check out the Pioneer Woman's Soup click here!

Otherwise, I hope you receive LOVE today.....

Reader Recipes

Calling all readers..........

I know you're out there!

You may not comment, but I have a counter... so I know you're there...lol

 I would really love to do a "Reader Recipe" post once a week.

Basically making a recipe one of you send me and sharing it with everyone out in blog-land!

BUT... to do that I need your help!

If you have a favorite recipe ... I'd love it if you would share it with me!

I only ask 2 things of you:

1. It's doesn't have ingredients that either a) I can't afford (ie: lobster) or b) I can't find anywhere

2. It's an actual recipe with ingredients and directions (and not hamburger helper with chicken nuggets....lol)

I really want to try your recipes.

I want to know what YOU love to eat!

It doesn't have to be a dinner recipe either... it can be anything you want.

I think it will be a fun way to mix it up and add different flavors and possibly foods from different cultures.

We have readers on here from the US, Canada, Russia, Italy, Sweeden, Australia, Netherlands, Phillipines, Slovenia, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Russia, France, Malaysia & Germany.

That's 15 different countries!!!  You know there are some good recipes in this bunch!

Wouldn't it be fun to share?

I have had someone already tell me "I'm afraid you might not like my recipe! What if you give it a bad review?"

I will never embarass you or write anything negative about your recipes

Not everyone likes the same stuff... so I promise to always keep an open mind. 

If I happen not to like it, it doesn't mean that it's not someone elses dream dinner!

I LOVE trying new things... and can't wait to get started.

Please don't let anything hold you back. 

I have a few lovely people that have already sent me recipes, so I'm excited to get started this week.

But I will run out soon.... so I'm counting on you to keep this thing going!

You can send me your recipes at thedinnerdrama@hotmail.com

Please put the recipe name in the subject box in case it goes to junk mail.

Thanks Readers!! 

Oh and while you're here why don't you go up to the top right of the page and make yourself a follower?

Having followers and comments on my blog is my "fuel" to keep going
. 
Knowing you're really out there is motivating  me to keep doing this! 

I appreicate all your feedback and love hearing that you're reading and trying these recipes! 

Looking forward to getting some great recipes this week~

Adjusting the posting schedule

So I have been looking in my fridge and freezer

I am realizing that I have quite a few leftovers in there

I am not complaining, but I think I need to adjust my cooking schedule slightly

There are many nights that we could just eat leftovers.. but we don't because I need to post a recipe

So, I have decided that I will post at least 3 recipes a week. 

This way, I have a little leeway if/when we eat out or when we eat leftovers

Or on nights I just don't have time to post a blog .... ;)

If I have time, I will post more .... but 3 is the new goal!

Again, I would love it if you would send me some of your recipes to try out. 

I have gotten a few already and am excited to try them and share with you!

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed week!