CHICKEN, SHRIMP, & CABBAGE BOWL Recipe; Castle Rock-WA

Chicken, Shrimp, & Cabbage Bowl

Anticipating a move soon, I'm trying to use up all the freezer meats; so they won't have to be trashed.

This is another FB Reel that appealed to me … so, I made it tonight.

I prepared all the ingredients ahead of time - then, took Bleu for a stroll at Cook Ferry County Park, so he wouldn't be bugging me to go outside in the midst of cooking.

Cabbage, sliced.

Carrots, sliced with grater.

2 Garlic cloves, halved lengthwise & sliced thin.

Cabbage, onion, carrots, garlic; blended into a medley.

Chicken Breast; halved, quartered & cut into bite-size pieces.

Ingredients, prepared ahead of time - veggie mix, margarine, & meat refrigerated.

Taking Bleu for a walk before I get busy in the kitchen.

Chicken & Cabbage Bowl ~serves 2

1-lb. Chicken Breast, cut into bite-size pieces * 1/2-lb. Shrimp, shelled & deveined * 1 sm. Cabbage, sliced * 1 sm. Onion, sliced * 2 med. Carrots, sliced with grater * 2 Garlic cloves, halved lengthwise & sliced thin * 2 TBSP. Olive Oil * 1 TBSP. Butter * 3 TBSP. Soy Sauce * 1 TBSP. Teriyaki Sauce * 1 tsp. Sesame Oil * 1/2 tsp. Szechuan Pepper, ground * 1/2 tsp. Himalayan Pink Salt * 1/2 tsp. Paprika * 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder * 1/2 tsp. Onion Powder

1 Lrg. Skillet * 1 Cutting Board * 1 Lrg. Kitchen Knife * Kitchen Meat Scissors * Upright Vegetable Grater * Measuring Cups & Spoons * 1 Cooking Spoon, slotted * 1 Cooking Spoon, regular * Supper Plates & Silverware

1) Over medium-high heat, place skillet; add Olive Oil & chicken bits - cook until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from skillet & set aside.

2) Add shrimp to skillet & cook until lightly golden in color; remove from skillet & set aside with chicken.

3) Melt butter in skillet - then add cabbage, onion, carrots, garlic … sprinkle with seasonings & sauté until cabbage is softened.

4) Blend soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, & sesame oil; pour over veggies & toss to thoroughly coat.

5) Return the meat to the skillet & blend all ingredients together - cook another couple minutes to blend flavors.

6) Serve hot & enjoy!

MPO is that though we both liked this meal - it was kinda bland & could have used more spice.

SQUIRRELY TIMES~Self Care 2026; Castle Rock-WA

November 4th: Sometimes you just need a day to take a Slow Day. It's been a bit overwhelming here 😱, lately, with waiting for the situation concerning Independence taken care of - and wrapped up; hopefully before Winter arrives 🤨

First off, I made an appointment in Castle Rock, to get my hair shortened & shagged 💇‍♀️📱💬

To Haircut Express, #161 Huntington Ave N, Castle Rock-WA from Toutle River RV Resort, #150 Happy Trails Rd, Castle Rock-WA; via Old Pacific Hwy N~7 min (3.8 miles)

Getting my hair shortened, today.

Much better! Trying hair mousse, too.

Then, because I had earlier promised Bleu a walk in the Park 🐾🌳🍂🚶‍♀️... I drove back home, collected him 🚘🐕, and drove over the Hazel Dell backroad from Castle Rock to Lexington, Kelso.

The Day was perfect for walking in the Park.

Bleu was enjoying his scentsory exploration.

Squirrels were abundant … but, I doubt Bleu even acknowledged them since his nose was glued to the ground in front of him at every turn.

By the time we got to the end of this short trail walk & caught sight of Betsy parked in the distance - he was ready to call it a Day: even though he was enjoying himself, he is not used to a mile of walking. So, I took mercy on him & came back home.

From Toutle River RV Resort - #150 Happy Trails Rd, Castle Rock-WA to Riverside Park - #1820 Westside Hwy, Kelso-WA; via WA-411 N~24 min (12.4 miles)

A heart! A sign that Elohim is shifting things in my favor.

A chubby little squirrel taking a snack break.

There were squirrels everywhere … I don't think Bleu noticed any of them.

At this point, Bleu was more than ready to end the walk; LOL

A good stretch of our legs - but more than Bleu is used to.

Back home, I got supper cooked/dished up 🥧 … and Bleu drifted away into dreamland 💤

Loaded Mashed Potato-Meatloaf Casserole:  (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2026/11/loaded-mashed-potato-meatloaf-casserole.html)

Sleepy Bleu.

Today, despite the squirrelliness of insurance keeping us waiting on tenterhooks; was a good Day.

Falling leaves 🌳🍂🍁

Fallen pinecones - and crisp, crunchy leaves rustling across the grassy fields.

Frisky, cute, squirrely squirrels 🐿️

Pleasant Autumn vibes.

A warm, furry, companion - for relaxing walks & evening cuddles ❤️

A comfy home, with a tasty homestyle meal baking.

Lots to be grateful for ☝️ 🙏 

And I am 😘

LOADED MASHED POTATO-MEATLOAF CASSEROLE Recipe: Castle Rock-WA

Loaded Mashed Potato-Meatloaf Casserole

I actually made this recipe for last night's supper fare, but was not able to post it, until today.

I saw a recipe reel on FB 💻🎞️ - and as usual, tweaked it a little, to suit our tastes 👩‍🍳‍

This recipe is so simple 🥧: use your favorite meatloaf recipe (I've posted mine), top with a mashed potato-chees-bacon topping … add your favored side … and you've got a full course meal with little to no kitchen time. Plus, the taste is hard to beat - this recipe is a definite win-win 😁

#NOTE: Read recipe in it's entirety before commencing with the cooking.

Loaded Mashed Potato-Meatloaf Casserole ~serves 6

1-lb. lean Hamburger * 1 White Onion, sliced * 1 med-Carrot, peeled & minced * ¼ c. minced Green Bell Pepper * 2 Garlic cloves, pressed * 1 TBSP Margarine * ½ tsp. Celery Salt * ¼ tsp. Cayenne pepper * ½ tsp. freshly ground Black Pepper * ½ tsp. freshly ground White Pepper * ½ tsp. Cumin * ½ tsp.  Nutmeg, ground * ½ c. Milk * ½ c. Catsup * 1 Egg * ¾ c. dry Bread Crumbs, crushed * 1 pouch Instant Potato Mix * 1-½ c. Cheddar Cheese, grated * 6 slices COOKED Bacon, sliced into pieces * Canned Corn, kernel

1 Lrg. Mixing Bowl * 1 ct. 9" square Cake Pan * 1 Cutting Board * 1 Lrg. Kitchen Knife * Manual-Pull Food Chopper * 1 Garlic Press * Measuring Cups & Spoons * 1 Pyrex Liquid Measuring Cup * Supper Plates & Silverware

1) Preheat over to 350-degrees.

2) Mince onion, carrot, Bell pepper, & garlic in the food chopper; place veggie medley in the mixing bowl.

3) Add beef, margarine, salt, cayenne pepper, black & white peppers, cumin, nutmeg, milk, catsup, egg, & bread crumbs - and with your hands, blend thoroughly: press into square baking pan, & bake for 40 minutes … or until no longer pink in center.

4) Prepare the instant potatoes as directed on the pouch.

5) Remove meatloaf from oven & carefully spread potato mixture over it - top with cheese & bacon pieces; return to the oven & continue baking for another 20 minutes until cheese is melted & bubbly.

6) Take meatloaf casserole from the oven - let rest while you heat the corn; when corn is cooked, serve alongside casserole square & enjoy!

EVERYDAY GRATITUDE~Self-Care 2026; Castle Rock-WA

November 2nd: It was 36-degrees this morning 😑, when Bleu ran me outside to sniff & take care of his bodily functions 🐾 I pulled my old mitts out 🧤, and slipped my hands into them: this is my own 2020 design (no written pattern), and I haven't needed them since 2023, because we've been hunkered down in warmer climates down south; but here, in WA State, they are needed.

While Bleu was sniffing the scent of the feral cats 🐈 that make their rounds here, I noticed that mushrooms had popped up in a circle formation a few paces from Betsy's front bumper, where she is parked close to our front door, creating a fairy ring formation -  it was a full moon the other night & the chilled wet weather has been perfect for the sudden formation; so, I ran back inside Independence to grab my camera and snap a pic of it before he trampled it to bits 📸 There are several folklore myths about fairy rings … but, they are just interesting mushroom formations, to me 🧐

A hop, skip, & a jump from the fairy circle - was a couple of fleshy, large mushrooms, about the size of a medium feather pancake: and of course, he had to explore that area, too.

Behind Betsy's back bumper, & at the back end of Independence, Bleu churned up the rain-softened ground by running in frenzied circles 😵‍💫 … with a brief sniffing rest period before starting the frenzied circles again. When I stopped laughing at his antics 🤭, I promised him some off-leash time after Holland woke up & downed his morning coffee.

I could use some nature therapy, myself 😉

Morning vibrancy; Toutle River RV Resort, Castle Rock-WA

Fairy Ring in our space.

Large mushrooms, in our space.

Bleu's morning P & V burnouts.

Back inside & enjoying a mug of Caramel Apple flavored coffee, I surfed the internet pages I frequent 💻🌐👭, & smiled so big seeing Bleu featured on Stephanie's Blog Hop Link Party page - that the coffee I had just filled my mouth with, threatened to fall out & embarrass me by dripping down the front of my p.j.'s. tee 😁☕️😉

My Rivertrail walk with Bleu, was featured on Stephanie's Blog Hop @ (https://crazylittlelovebirds.blogspot.com/2026/10/the-crazy-little-lovebirds-link-party-164.html)

While I was putting my mug in the kitchen sink, Holland woke up - did some internet surfing himself while drinking his coffee 💻☕️; and suggested we take Bleu to run at the Gearhart Gardens Boat Ramp after we drop some boxes & bins off at the new U-Haul Storage in Kelso; that location would work.

He was a good little dog while we were shifting boxes & bins from Betsy to our storage unit … but he was not able to be off-leash at Gearhart, because he turned a deaf ear to mommy and kept wandering out of the boundary pillars, refusing to hear my voice - making me run after him on up-hill & uneven ground. My glutes were worked, & I got a cardio workout (that's a good thing), but neither one of us were happy when I finally caught him & snapped the leash in place 🤨 (he actually growled at me - but simmered down when I raised my eyebrows & gave him "the eye"). He learned some bad habits at Lana's - that's going to change. By the time we worked our way back to Holland, he was in a jovially mood, again. Maybe next time, he'll be better mannered & allowed to wander freely.

Gearhart Gardens Boat Ramp; Kelso-WA

A little fallen Fall pretty …

So MANY scents & new sounds to investigate.

Daddy patiently waiting at the bottom of the natural formed amphitheater hillside.

Typical Fall 'sunshine' in Longview-WA; seen at Gearhart Gardens, on the backside of Swanson Bark & Wood Products Inc.

Back home, we all relaxed in our own ways: Holland cruised the airwaves - checking out new home possibilities 🤔, planning future cross-country/road gypsy adventures ⛽️🚘🧳🗺️🏔️💞 , & enjoyed a short siesta 💤; Bleu sprawled at my feet & eventually crept closer and wiggled himself into a toe-massage position - he likes physical contact; I pulled together a steamed meal 🥔🧄🥕🥬🥓🍃 & scrolled FB reels while supper cooked - one reel caught my attention, making me feel gratefully blessed 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

Blue, getting cozy, with Mom

Gabby Barrett - "One Of The Good Ones" Lyrics: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEuddKEdXw4&list=RDKEuddKEdXw4&start_radio=1)

Holland, absolutely 👍

When my lungs were acting up - but I wanted to go to Fellowship Bible Study … he drove me the hour's distance, & waited in Betsy: "If you need me, I'm here & can have you at the nearest hospital asap". He would have broken every speed record  to get me there. The ladies thought he was being a man who had his thumb on me … but, he was just being my husband; a man who loves me 💕

When I want to go on a walk-about & my body is dealing with angina & bronchial flareups … he listens to me say where I want to be - drives me to the agreed drop-off point & patiently waits for me at the other end of the trail, saying, "Be sure you have your phone with you & I'll keep my phone on alert." We both know that this is simply a safety precaution: if anything serious happens, he won't physically be able to get to me … BUT, he will call 911 & give them my location 📱💬 And now, Bleu is back home, & that gives me a walking companion & eases his mind, too. If I go walking around the perimeters here, I will hear the same speech, BUT, HERE he will jump in Betsy and drive one of the intertwining roadways to where I am.

He doesn't put a thumb on me.

I'm fee to go anywhere I want to & do anything (within reason) I want to do.

At 70 - I'm learning how to deal with my my physical limitations. I don't like it 😒; but I'm adjusting to the slowing down walks, the angina vertigo (if I move too quickly, or get too active), & the increased asthmatic breathlessness. I'm learning that I am no longer an island onto myself.

He's just always in protection mode: "I don't want anything to happen to you, Baby. You're special." Depending on where we are in the moment in our relationship, [special] can have different meanings 😂🤣 But, no matter what meaning it holds … I know he's got my back 🤝

And that's a good feeling ❤️

November is a month to be grateful ☝️🙏, a month to count up all of the good things you are grateful for… maybe it’s the way your coffee tastes just right ☕️, or the warm oversized seasonal sweater you’re wearing; maybe it’s nuzzles & snuggles from your furry companion 🐕🐈. Maybe it’s the way the sunlight hits the jeweled-hued leaves ☀️🌳🍂🍁: or, the simple comforts of home 🏡🏰

Start with something that you are grateful for each day, and watch how beautiful November can be 😘

VAL'S MIXED MEATS PAELLA Recipe; Castle Rock-WA

Val's Mixed Meats Paella

There are as many Paella recipes as there are cooks 🤔 - this recipe is my version … husband tested 😎 & a tasty repeat meal 👌

We both like tasty, appealing casserole style meals.

I like fowl, fish, & veggie packed dishes 🍗🦐

My husband likes bacon 🥓

We both like rice 🥢

This rice, veggies, & mixed meats meal fits the bill 🥘

Paella, of itself, is fairly basic and minimally seasoned - but, I like flavor & color in my supper fare, so I've added onion, peppers, & chicken broth. We both like a liberal use of onion in our cooked dishes, & I like chicken bone broth whenever it can be swapped out to replace the water content: the onion & chicken broth are both nutritional & medicinal; together they are akin to penicillin in staving off winter ailments. Colorful Bell peppers pair beautifully with green beans, adding sweetness, color, and extra flavor without overpowering the dish.

Chicken Breast, cut in half - and cut again length-wise … works best if meat is still half frozen.

Chicken Breast; then sliced cross-grain into thin bite-size bits.

Ingredients prepped ahead of time, saves time in the kitchen.

Val's Mixed Meats Paella ~ serves 4

4 ounces skinless/boneless Chicken Breast, cut in half length-wise, then sliced cross-grain into thin bits * 9 ct. slices of thick-cut Bacon, sliced * 5 ounces Shrimp, shelled & deveined (about 10-12 ct. Large) * 1 c. long-grain white Rice * 2 TBSP Olive Oil * 1 sm. Yellow Onion, chopped * 3 Garlic cloves, pressed * 1/3 c. EA of Red, Yellow, & Orange Bell Peppers, chopped for a colorful medley * ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt * 1/8 tsp.  Turmeric * 1 cup frozen Green Beans, thawed * 2 cups Chicken Broth

1 Lrg. Skillet, w-lid * 1 Cutting Board * 1 Lrg. Kitchen Knife * Measuring Cups & Spoons * 1 Garlic Press * 1 Pyrex Liquid Measuring Cup * 1 Cooking Spoon, slotted * 1 Serving Spoon * Supper Plates & Silverware

1) In large non-stick skillet heat the oil on medium heat and sauté chicken & bacon until chicken is no longer pink …

Add onion & garlic - continue cooking until onions are soft & translucent:

2) Add rice, seasoning, and broth; bring to a boil – cover, reduce heat, and simmer about 5 minutes.

3) Stir peppers & beans into the rice mixture; cover and cook over medium-low heat about 10 minutes.

4) Add shrimp - cover and cook 5 to 6 minutes more … or until shrimp are opaque and firm.

When shrimp are done, turn off heat - dish up, & serve with a side of honey biscuits. YUM!