Becoming Betty: Christmas Eve dinner with a twist

So for every Christmas Eve, we have Alia Oilia (garlic and oil sauce). Usually every week Dan and I have pasta with Francesca Rinaldi sauce.   That is the only sauce I will use because it's close to Aunt Helen's sauce.  So anyway, I was going to do our regular pasta dish last night when I realized we didn't have any Francesa.  Then I was thinking, I'll just use italian dressing ( my speciality pasta dish), but then I though - what about Alia Oilia?  DONE!

Now, this is my FIRST time making Aunt Helen's sauce AND I didn't follow the recipe (I didn't let it simmer for 3 hoursplus we didn't have paprika).  So this was a big thing for me!  Dan is usually the one in charge of the sauce on Christmas Eve.

My twist - using ziti and adding Italian blend shredded cheese.  Dan liked it, so that's all that matters - and of course I liked it.  Definitely not the same as Christmas Eve, which is what I wanted.  

I think Aunt Helen would be proud. Of course, I was always her favorite, so no doubt. I probably would have asked to chance it first though.😉

Becoming Betty: twice baked potatoes

I know! How have I never made these before?  How about no leftover baked potatoes?

Dan made a couple of extra earlier in the week and I'm at the point where I just don't want to cook/eat the same old, same old.  So I looked up recipes for twice baked potatoes and came to this recipe:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/73957618859543603/

Since the recipe calls for 4 potatoes, I cooked them first, then warmed up the leftovers.

Yea - the first potatoes carving didn't go as planned.  That ok, still plenty of shells to go!

Second one didn't go smoothly either!

Time for the backup plan - twice baked potato casserole!  Found this recipe and kind of went back and forth between the two.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/73957618859543880/

See you later skins!

Then I realize - no bacon bits! I've NEVER cooked bacon before!

Made it through that crisis then realized we didn't have enough sour cream!  It's supposed to be 1 cup.

Sous Chef was right there by my side though!

No matter what, he'll eat it!

Still not sure about this - 

I hope this ends up well....

AND.....

SUCCESS!

Hubby liked it, I liked it, and Z liked it!

The Daily Zed - update

I have been so bad at blogging anymore.  I enjoy it, just don't do it.  Anyway, an update on Z.

He had a checkup with the cardiologist on the 23rd and received a good checkup.  The meds have really helped his hypertension. Originally his range was in the 110s (whatever number they look at) and now it's in the 40's.

I asked if his life expectancy has changed, but of course the vet didn't want to increase the 1 year estimate.  I am grateful for the days I do have him and hope he is here longer than a year ( actually, it would be 9 months from the original 1 year estimate. 17 months from the original 2 year estimate).

I hope he makes it through his calendar month, whenever that is.  He made the calendar for the CVCA (cardiologist), by people voting daily for him.  When we were at the appointment, I told them that he was going to be in the calendar and they were all excited ( the cardiologist and 2 techs).

Please check out Zed's Facebook and Instagram pages.  I post regularly on there.