A Rambling Update!

House renovations are almost complete.  I've got my washer/dryer back, as of last evening. The plumbing is being installed in the bath at this very moment.  These little inconveniences are just that. We have so much to be thankful for; it's not like I had to beat our dirty clothes on a rock.

Random thoughts for the week. I really should change the name of my blog from Going Gaga, to Gaga's Random and Erratic Ramblings. I'm not a blogger with any specific point of view, tied up in a neat little bow.  I've been known to go off on a tangent or two.

Anyway, I learned a couple of things this week.  One, you can put a meal together without running to the grocers everyday. And two, Clingstone peaches don't twist open easily, and the pit is nearly impossible to remove.

I came to this conclusion when I had to rely on the dwindling contents of the fridge (not being able to leave the house and all).  With only lettuce, peaches, butternut squash, frozen Gardein chicken tenders, and some other pantry incidentals, I put together a rather comforting salad. Reminds me of my lunches with Daughter at Kitchenette, in NYC.  Anyway, a recipe, albeit a loose one, follows:

Romaine lettuce, torn into pieces
Butternut squash, cut into small cubes, roasted at 400, about 45 min
4 Grilled peach halves,* on grill top, high heat, brushed with oil, 10 minutes on each side, then sliced
Gardein chicken, baked according to directions on package
A handful of dried cherries, or other dried fruit of your choice
Pistachios
Balsamic vinaigrette
Toss all together!

*I grill peaches quite often, they are great on their own, with a sprinkling of cinnamon, and if you really have a sweet tooth, vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce...absolutely divine.  Anyway, I sliced through the peach and it would not twist, not even a bit. I did a little Googling and it turns out I bought Clingstone peaches.  Freestone variety peaches, twist and turn easily and the pit practically falls out on its own.  After a bit of fiddling and carving of the Clingstone peaches, the pits were finally, and unceremoniously, forced from their meaty flesh.  I have way too much time on my hands.

RealSimple.com