Have you ever gotten back from vacation and been overwhelmed with things that need to be done? That is how I feel right now. I have about one hundred things on my "to do" list!!
Tampa was great. The weather was just perfect. It was nice to see my son and spend time with him.
Tampa is full of unbelievable local restaurants. But, what is a Mom to do when her son is more interested in going to Outback and Lonestar Steakhouse? She goes!! All he wanted was big plates of steak and baked potatoes. There was a bright spot to my dining in Tampa.
Who goes to Tampa, Florida for an authentic Chicago Hot Dog? Well, you should if you are ever in Tampa. These things are fantastic! Of course, I have no pictures of the food because I am always too involved in eating it. (There goes my hope of being a freelance food reviewer) Mels is tucked away but worth the time to find. It is right by Busch Gardens. The menu offers a variety of hot dogs with the Chicago Dog being the most popular. You will get a beef hot dog with relish, pickle, onion, tomato, hot peppers and celery salt. I am here to tell you that it was lip-smacking good. With the basket you get a hot dog, fries and coleslaw. The coleslaw is sweet with a slight spicy kick and worth every delectable creamy calorie. Surprisingly enough, Mel serves homemade beef tamales. Can you believe that I have never had a tamale?? These things were delicious and once things calm down, I am setting my sights on concocting a batch of my own tamales.
Anyway, this brings me to Simmer a Pot Of Too Busy For Words. Sometimes the day just gets away from you, and dinner is the last thing you want to do EVEN when you love to cook. Being a "seasoned" stay at home Mother, I have learned to have a few quick back-ups in my freezer. I always have a pack of turkey sausage and turkey meatballs. If I don't have homemade Italian sauce to defrost, my pantry is full of jars of spaghetti sauce. So there you go, a Pot Of Too Busy For Words simmering away. You can serve this over garlic mashed potatoes, pasta or steamed veggies. All you need is warm baked bread and a fresh salad and dinner is on the table.
I am excited because I am getting new kitchen counters next week! My kitchen is getting ready to have a complete makeover. Believe me, it is really needed. This brings me to my long list of "to do." A lot has to be done before those counters come and me being the chronic procrastinator is not helping at all!
Sounds like you had a great trip! Yay for new kitchen counters - how exciting!
ReplyDeleteNew kitchen counter tops are great but not as great as that visit with your son.
ReplyDeleteOh, your son looks so happy.. Lucky you getting new counters.. Glad you had a fun trip.
ReplyDeleteMel's sounds wonderful...your son is such a handsome guy! Glad you had a good trip, even more glad you're back. Making tamales is a fun, FUN all day event around here...wish we lived closer- we could get together and make a party of it! Oh, and hey lady...head over to my kitchen to pick up another award (see how much i missed ya ;)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to spend time with your son. Boys can eat and you have to wonder wewre they put it. You are so lucky to get new kitchen counters. You have to show us before and after pics!
ReplyDeleteYour Andy is adorable. Your site is fun. I'm passing it on to my girls.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had fun! We just got back from a mini-vacation too and I can't seem to get my head in the game for cooking (or blogging).
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun even with a hungry teenager! And it will be nice to have new kitchen counters.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing, if you printed off my pizza sauce post I left out the heavy cream! I was groggy from dental work yesterday and evidently thought everyone would just know to put in 1/2 cup of cream lol.
Sounds like you had a fun trip! I know exactly how you feel coming back from a vacation too - completely overwhelmed with things to do!
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome son! Cool new kitchen counters....sounds like you need a KA mixer to match it....LOL. It's like a new dress...you always needs new shoes to match right?
ReplyDeleteglad you had such a wonderful time!! did kramer survive while you were gone? i know it is always so hard for me to be away from rox!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, great looking kiddo you have there!
ReplyDeleteI would make that even if I did feel like cooking! What a great and easy idea!
ReplyDeleteI always have leftover turkey brats in my freezer. They come 5 to a pack and I have 5 in my family, so I buy two because I know my husband and son will eat more than one.. you know the drill. Unfortunately when I get to cleaning out my freezer, they end up in the garbage because I think they've been in there forever!
Thanks for the great idea!!
Sounds like you had a fun visit. I just posted something close today. I am starting to love brats and sausages. Yummy
ReplyDeleteHey: Jude did not exaggerate on bit! Fun read. JP
ReplyDeleteThat looks like the cutest place! I haven't had a tamale in ages and I don't know if I have ever had a good tamale. I would be great if you put a tamale recipe up! I will look for it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for finding my blog! :0)
Thank you for visiting my recipe page. I really like your idea for "too busy" night. I have a lot of those. Our kids are all out of the house now, so this recipe/idea is a great one for just two people, thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteMy son at that age was the same way! We go out all he wants is to order steaks and mashed potatoes, and in NYC he buys a hot dog at every freaking stand we pass...where do they put it? Then hubby put a stop to the expensive steak habit, and made him start trying other expensive habits like duck and sushi!
ReplyDeleteOh and glad you had a good trip...I want to go somewhere *read that as if a whiny echo*
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a great trip visiting with your son. And man, those hotdogs look good :)
ReplyDeleteYou don't look like you have a son that old-I thought you had two tiny tots!!
ReplyDeleteYou have a great looking son!~
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