September 11th~ 9-11…Never Forget

“When Americans lend a hand to one another, nothing is impossible. We’re not about what happened on 9/11. We’re about what happened on 9/12.”

~Jeff Parness

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September 11th is a day to remember. Never forget. A day that all Americans wept at the horrific tragedy, yet all gathered together to help and console one another, and appreciate our life and our country.

We certainly are going through some tough times now, but maybe 9/11 will remind us that together we can get through anything. The keyword here is TOGETHER.

As is my custom, I try and get to a few of my local fire stations with treats on 9/11. This year has been crazy with the Covid dilemma, and my friends at the stations haven’t been able to accept Miss Toni’s homemade treats in a while. (They are getting skinny) But, they can receive prepackaged sealed items.

So, my theme for today was …HOT STUFF…FIRE AND WATER. I gathered up a case of water and the fixings for “Nacho” average firehouse nachos. “Hot stuff.” I even made a video for instructions. The key ingredient is my favorite Bernard’s Gourmet Foods Salsa, and a big thank you to David and Michele Bernard for providing the awesome salsa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WaWdMYtnXs

My first stop was my Fire Station 9, just a few blocks away. They were thrilled receive the goodies, and they thought the fire truck with the screeching siren was pretty cool too.

My next stop was Station 2, over by the college, but no one answered, so I left the bag at the front door. (Station 5 said they’d give them a call later.)

My last stop, Station 5, my original favorite station that I started visiting in ’04 when I moved to Texas. The names and faces have changed along the way, but one thing remains the same… these firefighters are awesome.

Firefighter Allbritten answered the door at Station 5. I hadn’t met her before, but I had to tell her that she had the most beautiful eyes. Look at those eyes. She appreciated the compliment and the bag of goodies saying, “I was just about to go out and get something for our lunch. You just saved me a trip.” Nice!

I appreciate all our first responders. I didn’t get over to all the stations, (I did last year) nor did I visit the police station, but I certainly admire and appreciate each and every person. It only takes a little time to say thank you, and it means so much. THANK YOU McKINNEY FD.

Wednesday:) What’s Cookin’ Miss Toni?

Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colors, there are only so many flavors — it’s how you combine them that sets you apart. — Wolfgang

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I never got around to eating dinner last night, so after waking up at 6 am, a trip to the airport, a few errands on the way hope, and a two mile walk, by the time afternoon rolled around, I was getting hungry. My two choices for cooking are always 1) Massive quantities of food, endless pots and pans, dozens of cans and jars, and endless chopping and dicing, making a mess and plenty to share with friends and neighbors. OR 2) Just grab something fast and easy and tasty that I can make in five minutes just for me. Today, I chose the latter.

Here’s a real quick and yummy no-recipe recipe. (I don’t follow directions well)

The main ingredient and source of inspiration is always in my fridge or pantry. A jar of BERNARD’S GOURMET FOODS SALSA.

I opened a can of black beans, drained, and added a few tablespoons of Tomato Y Red Pepper Salsa right into the can and stirred it up. (Lazy) I scooped a few tablespoons of the mixture onto two pre-made Calidad Tostada shells, sprinkled with pepper jack cheese, and popped it into the toaster oven until cheese all melty warm. I topped with chopped baby spinach, because I love spinach, and a dollop of guacamole that I had leftover from yesterday’s Taco Tuesday at Nom Nom, and another spoonful of salsa. Very vegetarian friendly and yummy.

This quick and easy no-recipe recipe can feed just one person, or a large tribe of hungry nomad lumberjacks on Spring Break. (Not sure where I came up with that?)

For more real recipes and cooking ideas, check out the Facebook page of my good friends David and Michele, at Bernard’s Gourmet Foods. THE BEST! Seriously, you should friend them. You’ll be glad you did. 🤗

Toni’s Tasty Tostada Tuesday

“When people ask me if I like Mexican food, I always reply, “Growing up, we just called it food.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Talk about a lazy Tuesday. I finally got dressed somewhere around 2, then whiled away the day. It was pretty hot out, in the 90’s, so I wasn’t planning on walking until around 7:30. I went out on the back porch around 7 pm with a tall glass of water and my phone, so I could call my sister.

After we made some small talk, she asked me if I did anything today. I said, “Why yes! I did DIDDLEY and I did some SQUATS and I combined them and did DIDDLEY SQUAT today.” Ha ha, it wouldn’t be so funny if it wasn’t so true.

I did go out for a nice evening walk, about two miles, then made some dinner. It is Taco Tuesday, but I made tacos twice last week, so today I made Tuesday tostadas, still trying to use up some left overs.

I had some leftover pot roast. No, I didn’t make a pot roast. Kathy across the street did, and she gave me a big container full. So I sautéed thinly slice pot roast and some red onion, and added about three big tablespoons of Bernard’s Gourmet Foods Tomato y Red Pepper Salsa. A little goes a long way, adds wonderful flavor and just a tiny spiciness,

Then I warmed up two flour tortillas in a dry pan until they got crispy. No need to fry. Then, added the meat mixture, top with pepper jack cheese and warmed on low with a lid so the cheese melted.

Then, I cut up some spinach, (I prefer spinach instead of iceberg lettuce-healthier) added a couple more teaspoons of salsa, a drizzle of ranch dressing, and voila. You can substitute what you like, but I use what I have on hand.

My inspiration on Tuesday always comes from my friends Chef David and Michele Bernard and their delicious salsas. (Which I always happen to have in the pantry.) When I see Chef David’s video on Facebook every Tuesday, I get very hungry and very inspired.

My Marvelous Manic Monday

“Just when you think your day is going to be one big boring maleficent mess, your doorbell rings with a surprise.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I was having another lazy morning when I received a text from my neighbor. He asked if I could stop over at his house to take in a package that arrived while he was at work. Wow! A purpose, a goal, an inncentive to get out of my jammies before 5pm. Yay! I walked over and grabbed the package and put it in his house, then continued to walk about two miles. All this before noon! Wow!

When I got home, I sat on the sofa (I think there’s a big dent in my spot) and made some phone calls and checked Facebook, with the rest of the day looming gloomily ahead. Then, the doorbell rang.

By the time I got to the door, a young man was walking away and there was a small shopping bag at the door, and the young man waved and walked to his truck. I looked at the bag wondering what it could be, as I didn’t order anything. OH!!! It said “Bernard’s Gourmet Foods.” It was a beautifully wrapped jar of salsa and a lovely note from Michele and Davis Bernard, saying how much they appreciate my sharing there Facebook posts and videos.

I’ll be honest, if it wasn’t the WORLD’s BEST EVER SALSA, I probably wouldn’t be sharing. It really is wonderful. We have been friends since way back when David and Michele were just making salsa at home for us fortunate friends that used to come for visits and parties. Now, they have their salsas at HEB stores and several other stores and shops. They are famous!

Chef David has been making these wonderful videos on Facebook, sharing some of his wonderful recipes with their salsa with the rest of the world.

So, I decided to make my own video. It was such a coincidence because I was planning on making this yummy grilled sandwich using my salsa mixture tonight for dinner. Coincidence or karma?

My sandwich was fantastic. I was going to make another one to share, but I changed my mind. I’m having another one. 🤦‍♀️

Thank you Michele and David…you ROCK!

Wednesday With Friends at E. J. Wills Gastropub With a Mission in Mind

“Gardens are not made by singing ‘Oh, how beautiful!’ and sitting in the shade.”

― Rudyard Kipling

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When my friends Michele and David Bernard posted that they were being featured as guest bartenders at E.J. Wills Gastropub tonight, well, I knew I had to be there. Not that I needed a drink, (it couldn’t hurt) but because the proceeds were benefiting the Community Garden Kitchen.

David and Michele were both born and raised in McKinney and are lifetime residents. They have seen their little town grow into a thriving bursting at the seams city. But, at the same time, they have witnessed the growing need to help the many homeless and less fortunate in their community.

My good friends and creators of Bernard’s Gourmet Foods and Game Day Foods, featuring the world’s greatest salsa, (in my humble opinion) surprised me with a gift of several jars of their amazing salsa. (Which will be featured at my house Friday night and every night until it’s all gone.)

There were a lot of McKinney residents and friends out tonight, lending their support for a great community event. And, how very generous of E. J. Wills to support the event at their restaurant.

The angels behind the cause.

My dear friend Helene picked me up so I could partake of an alcoholic beverage at the pub. We ran into friends and had a great evening for a great cause.

The Community Garden Kitchen has joined with Holy Family School in an effort to create a shared multi-use facility that will help provide healthy meals for the school children and local McKinney residents in need. It’s a work in progress and financial and volunteer support is greatly needed.

That’s what I LOVE about McKinney. There are so many kind, loving and generous people. And, I am blessed to have so many of them as dear friends.

Happy Wednesday my friends.