Spring is in the air...time to GRILL!!!

Okay, being 37 weeks pregnant and on semi-bedrest is never any fun - especially when you spend most of each day sitting in the recliner (feet elevated) staring out your back door at the beautiful sun shining down over your deck and glistening off of your grill. Talk about cabin fever!

I am so glad excited that Spring is here, and even more excited that our baby boy will be here in a week! I am READY for him to come into the world. April 9th will be his birthday! :) Please pray for our family as we welcome this new bundle of joy.

Alright, back to the grill. I have been craving a grilled steak for a while now and picked up a couple of thin cut ribeyes at the grocery about a week ago. My husband fired up the charcoal grill (we only had a few brisquettes, but it was enough to get it going) and I went to work marinating the steaks. I used worcestershire sauce, Lawry's seasoning, a little coarse salt, pepper, A1, and a little orange juice (the acid makes the meat tender). Then, to finish things off, I topped the steaks with a little melted butter and threw them on the grill.

For a side dish, I decided to make potato pouches. I sliced up several russet potatoes and tossed them with a little Lawry's seasoning, olive oil, and ranch dressing. I put several slices into a square piece of aluminum foil and topped the slices with a little salt and a pat of butter. Then I placed the pouches on the grill (they should be on the hottest part of the grill because it takes them longer to cook).

Since the steaks were thin cut, they didn't take long to cook. Let me tell you....those steaks were delicious!!! Tender, juicy, and just enough charcoal flavor to not be overpowering. And the potatoes....just enough seasoning and fork tender. Yummmy!!! Just what a pregnant girl needed. Hey, you can't keep a girl down for long! (Don't worry, that was the extent of my day. After that I went back to the recliner!)

MIA

Sorry I have been MIA from blogworld recently. I have had some health problems and other things going on, to say the least. Here is a short update (non-food related, unfortunately) of what has been going on.

Last Wednesday I had an OB appointment to check on Baby Isaiah. He is doing great! Unfortunately, Momma hasn't been doing so well. My BP was elevated, there was evidence of protein, and my legs/feet were swelled double in size. These are all signs of preeclampsia. The doctor sent me straight to the hospital for overnight observation (I did get to go home and pack a bag first, thankfully).

While in the hospital, I was on "bed rest" the entire rest of the day, and pretty much for 24 hours. I had to lay on my side and could only get up to go to the restroom (I also had to give a 24 hour "sample" if you know what I mean). I did not enjoy this very much. Although I did have plenty of visitors to keep me entertained - praise God for that!! :)

When they dismissed me, I had orders to come straight home and do pretty much nothing but sit in a recliner all day with my feet elevated. No work, no house work, nothing. Let me tell you how boring that can get!! I always thought I would enjoy "sitting back, relaxing in the recliner, watching TV, taking it easy"....but not when you have to do it as an order, and not for an entire week and a half! Needless to say, I had cabin fever pretty bad.

I actually had another doctor's appointment this past Monday and discovered that I have bronchitis on top of everything else. Argh!!! She did give me a Z-pack to take, though, so I am finally "on the mend".

So there you have it - these are the reasons why I have been MIA in the blogging world for the past few days. I haven't been out of this house to eat anywhere, thus no critiques. I haven't been cooking or baking, thus no recipes. But I will tell you that since I have been "down and out", our sweet members of Morningside have been providing meals left and right! Here is what we have had for dinner so far (I knew I could incorporate food into this blogpost somehow!):

Fried chicken, Chili, Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, mixed veggies, applesauce, stuff to make deli sandwiches, baked beans, potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, chocolate cake (that was to die for!), awesome baked ziti, italian bread, and banana pudding plus all of the leftovers.

We are soooo blessed!! They had a schedule set up for meals the day I got out of the hospital. :) We couldn't ask for a better church family. :) Also, a couple of our closest friends brought over spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and dessert and ate with us the day after I got out (they called to let us know they were bringing it while I was still in the hospital!).

So, needless to say, we are blessed "beyond belief". Is it possible to be so blessed that you are overwhelmed?? :)


I'll be back to blogging about food soon, now that I am "off of work" due to doctor's orders. Be on the lookout!! :)

Jessie's Family Restaurant

Ever been to one of those "whole in the wall" restaurants? You know, the ones that are not too pretty to look at but have the most amazing food ever? Well, we came upon a little place called Jessie's Family Restaurant after church last Sunday. We had passed this place several times on our way to/from church and the parking lot is always full, so we decided to give it a try.

Now this place is definitely country -- gravel parking lot, country food, country feel. There are even paper placemats at every table featuring local ads and a crossword puzzle for you to attempt while you wait. They also have "daily specials" and you can get breakfast any time of day. The specials are written on small chalkboards that are randomly placed around the restaurant, and there are wooden paper towel holders at every table in the shape of the restaurant.

On this particular day, our friends Mark and Alyson came along with us for "Sunday dinner". We were greeted by the aroma of homemade pies and fried chicken. The customers were mainly older people with a few younger couples here and there. The decor was nothing to brag about, just a little ole' country place with tables, chairs, and a few booths.

We sat down at a little table and checked out the menu. The little chalkboard above our table listed the daily special for that day: Turkey & Dressing with 3 sides, rolls or cornbread for $7.95. What a deal! My husband and I decided to go for it. He had corn, green beans, and mashed potatoes with his T/D and I had mashed potatoes, green beans, and baked apples. We each had a piece of cornbread as big as our hand! Mark and Alyson each had fried chicken with 3 sides and rolls. It - was- delicious!! We even had enough leftovers for another meal (dinner that night). I realllllly wanted a piece of homemade pie, but could definitely not hold it. Next time for sure.

If you are ever in Louisville or in the PRP neighborhood, I highly recommend trying Jessie's Family Restaurant. Remember - never judge a book by its cover. You never know what is on the inside!!