Scallops....Yum

I have been trying lots of new recipes since I'm doing the Weight Watchers thing. This is part of what I made on Friday night. It was sooooo good. And so easy!

PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds sea scallops
1/4 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs

Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Dredge the scallops in breadcrumbs. Add scallops to the pan, cook 4 minutes. Turn scallops and cook 3 minutes or until done.

Another new favorite that is even easier than the scallops:

OLD BAY STEAMED SHRIMP

1/2 cup cider vinegar or beer
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, leaving tails on
cocktail sauce

In a medium saucepan, mix vinegar, water and Old Bay seasoning. Bring to a boil on medium heat. Gently stir in shrimp, get them all coated with seasoning, then cover. Steam for 2 or 3 minutes, just until shrimp turn pink. Drain well. Serve immediately or refrigerate if you want to serve cold. Serve with cocktail sauce.

Quick Update

It's been a while since I've posted here.....

We had a great vacation in Mexico.
We are still trying to sell Eddie's house.
I still go to my boring job every day.
Eddie's son Christopher graduated from college.
Eddie's son Nick got laid off from his job.
Eddie's been on the motorcycle alot more since the price of gas is so high.

I've been trying to do Weight Watchers for a little over a month now. That week in Mexico in a bikini was enlightening. But, I am about 9 pounds lighter as of today.

One month from today!

We will be on vacation in Mexico one month from today. We are very excited to get away.

One of the silly things that I am excited about is the animals I might see. I know there will be many iguanas. Our resort has peacocks roaming the grounds and some monkeys.

When Eddie and I are travelling anywhere, I always spot animals and point them out. He has started calling me Elly May (you know, the one on Beverly Hillbillies that had all the animals). I look forward to lots of time in the cement pond in Mexico, too!

Mexico

I just booked a trip to Mexico! The last week of April, we are going to the Mayan Riviera (south of Cancun) to an all-inclusive resort called El Dorado Royale. That's a picture from their website.

We have been going to all-inclusives in Jamaica for the last few years, but it was time to try another country. We never leave the resorts in Jamaica, there's not much to do outside of them and safety seems like an issue there. In Mexico, we will take the opportunity to see some things outside of the resort. Eddie wants to see some of the Mayan ruins, so we'll do that. I'll try to find at least one other tour we can enjoy.

I'll have to work on my Spanish...... Hasta luego.

Taco Soup

I'm having Taco Soup for lunch today. I made it about three weeks ago, it freezes really well. This is one of my easiest and yummiest soup recipes.

We had snow last night. It was beautiful coming down, but didn't last long enough on the ground.

TACO SOUP

1 pound lean ground beef
1 package dry ranch dressing mix
1 package dry taco seasoning
1 medium onion, diced
1 can black beans
1 can chili beans
1 can diced tomatoes (Mexican recipe)
1 can diced tomatoes (Italian recipe)
1 can whole kernel corn

Brown ground beef with onion in large pot, drain well. Add ranch dressing mix and taco seasoning mix. Add all other ingredients (don’t drain cans). Cook for about 1 ½ hours or in a slow cooker all day.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

We're engaged!

Eddie and I got engaged on Christmas Eve. The ring has gone off to be re-sized. I should have it back later this week. It's so beautiful, can't wait to show you.

We don't have a date set. We are trying to decide the 'where' before the 'when'. It will probably be at a resort on some island in the Carribbean.