March 16, 2018

White Dog and the rest of the Army tried to make the repairman fix the oven immediately so that they could try to recoup some of the momentum lost when it stopped working yesterday in the middle of baking my birthday cake. But he did not have the part needed and would need to order it.

We would be ovenless all weekend...until Monday afternoon.

Once the White Dogs were reassured that losing our ability to bake affected them actually very little since their meals were already made and in the freezer and treats did not require cooking, the panic eased...for them.

For the humans it meant either relying upon carry out, an expensive 3 day option, rethinking the menu for stovetop meals, or living on cold foods.

Tonight's whole roasted chicken became chicken soup with veggies and dumplings; the White Dogs shared the rich broth and chunks of chicken. As a bonus there was enough boiled chicken left to make chicken salad for another meal.

"Momma is so resourceful!" Zsofia wooed, glad that they were not going to be forgotten in the plans.

The seafood gratin becomes Saturday's stirfry with black beans and garlic with asparagus fried rice.

There was a debate about Sunday...part of the WDA was all for a meat and mushroom tomato sauce on pasta with a salad...part thought grilled quesadillas with spinach, cheese and zucchini would dunk nicely in guacamole...and White Dog argued to fire up the grill in the yard to make salmon and packet potatoes. No decision was reached but as Tizenegy pointed out, "we have some good options."

To celebrate Monday's return to ovenness, it was agreed we should plan baked foods...potatoes, personal turkey meatloaves, roasted veggies...and the long anticipated cake! But just as a backup, momma already has plans to crockpot a corned beef...with mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts if needed for dinner, or yummy sandwiches for lunches across the week.

Paws and fingers crossed. Bella giggled and summed up, "We are like urban pioneers! No oven and eking by on our wits!"