Getting Ready For Irene

Well ... I think we're as ready as we're going to be.

Bruce spent the morning cleaning out the gutters ... 

... and securing the patio furniture.  Actually, I started the furniture process but had a surprise encounter with a mouse in our shed and ran screaming into the house.

I'm so helpful.

I heated up some of yesterday's Sugar 'n Spice Pancakes for breakfast this morning.

I served mine up with plain yogurt and granola - a great alternative to syrup!  Much more filling as well.

I need to keep myself busy today.  The rain has started and Bruce is at work.  I'm hoping that they close the store early and he can be home safe and sound with me.  I'm praying for everyone who is affected by Irene right now.  Be safe everyone! xoxo

p.s. I installed the commenting system, "Disqus" into my blog.  I had been thinking about it for awhile and Melissa was the latest of my blog friends to install it and she inspired me to give it a try.  I HOPE this makes it easier to comment if you aren't a blogger user (you can sign in through facebook, twitter, yahoo, google, etc.).  You can also comment as a guest - you just need to click guest and put in your email (so I can reply to comments) - but your email will NOT be published.

If y'all hate it, I'll get rid of it!

Cucumber & Hummus Sandwiches

Oh man.  We had another dinner tonight.

'Stuffed' doesn't even begin to describe my state of being right now.  I may never be hungry again.

And yet it was all so so so good!

I kept going back and forth on what I wanted to bring to the dinner tonight, but ended up losing some cooking time as I dealt with the MA state of emergency / calling off church.

(I have to say - I felt ridiculous making the call when the skies were blue and the sun was shining.  But technically, I didn't make the call - the Governor's office did.)

Anyway, I decided to do something quick that I've always want to try - Cucumber and Hummus Sandwiches!  This was inspired by the cucumbers in our garden that were ready to be picked (we still have some!).  I don't really have measurements, per-say, but this is a super simple, quick sandwich - great for potlucks and individual meals!

Cucumber & Hummus Sandwiches

1 can Chick Peas

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Garlic

Minced Onion

Cucumbers

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

I don't have a food processor (bizarre, because I think I would get a lot of use out of one) so I make hummus in my mortar and pestle.  I drain and rinse the chick peas and add about 1/3 of the can to the mortar and crush them up.  Then I add another 1/3, crush and then the final 1/3.

Then it's really just a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  Don't add too much of anything at a time and taste as you go so you can add more garlic/onion to fit your taste buds.  Add a little bit of olive oil at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Once the hummus is ready, wash and finely slice your cucumber.

Assembly line!

Slap some hummus on both sides of the bread ... 

Add the cucumber slices to one half ... 

Put together and slice!

If you want to have this as a main lunch sandwich (and not part of a bigger meal) I would probably load some more cucumbers on them and a touch more hummus for a fuller sandwich.  Soooo good!

On another note, is anyone else excited about the Pioneer Woman's cooking show on The Food Network?  It premieres tomorrow!  I think it's going to open a really neat window into her life on the ranch.

Goodnight!

There She Blows.

Oy.

Be safe, friends!