K.T. asked me last week for the recipe for Chicken and Caramelized Onion, which was my favorite recipe for a while. Writing it up for her reminded me that I haven't had it for a while, so I made it last night.

I had the onions going, simmering out the broth, and I decided to use the time to get the potatoes started. I don't mind instant mashed potatoes, as long as I don't try to pretend they taste the same as homemade. I got out a little pot, and pulled out the box to see how much water-

Gosh, that box was awful light. I peered in the top. Not many flakes. Well, it might be enough for two servings. I got out a measuring cup... Nope. Not even close. One serving, maybe.

And then I couldn't get them back into the box. Screw it. I threw out the box and the one serving of flakes, and made a note on the board on the fridge, where we keep the interim shopping list of things we've run out of. I rummaged through the pantry... Ah-ha! A box of stuffing! I prefer potatoes with this dish, but I didn't have time to do anything with real potatoes. So. Stuffing.

And a vegetable. I like green beans with this recipe. We... didn't have any. Of course. I sighed and opened a can of peas.

It turned out all right, especially since peas go with stuffing better than green beans do (at least, in my mind). But I think I'm going to need to start keeping a closer eye on the pantry inventory.

Today does not promise to be exciting and fun. I stood up from my chair a little too fast earlier this morning, and the resulting cramp is still giving me aftershock twinges. I've got five hours of meetings, in two two-and-a-half-hour chunks. And the manager who usually brings doughnuts on Fridays forgot.

Yup, I'm getting good and revved for the snarkfest that will undoubtedly be a part of tonight's Hall session.

--Liz