It's a Crock Mondays: Ham and Scalloped Potato Edition

But on Tuesday, because of technical difficulties yesterday-my apologies.

We've been sick here, starting last week Thursday night when Peanut started coughing. By Friday morning, she was very sick, Derek and I were too, but Goosie was ok. She went to school, Derek stayed home. I went shopping after I dropped her off and picked up 4 boxes of Puffs Plus. By Saturday we'd gone through all 4. Ugh. The worst part was that we had to cancel Goosie's 5th birthday party. She was such a good sport about it, but man I feel so bad for her. We were redoing parts of her room, so we spent some time doing that over the weekend, which made her awfully happy. We'll reschedule her party when everyone is healthy. It may have not been so bad if she was sick too! But she was still fine at that point.

So, come Monday, I'd not planned the weekly menu, hadn't grocery shopped. I checked the freezer and pantry and decided it was time for scalloped potatoes with ham in the crock pot. I busted out the mandolin and sliced three potatoes-not too thinly, as they were going to cook on high for about 3 hours. I'd say I sliced them about 1/8" thick. I drizzled olive oil into the pot. Layered the potatoes with half an onion, slice more thinly than the potatoes. I did four total layers, then added the ham pieces.

In a sauce pan, I mixed 3 TBLS flour with 3/4 cup milk (I used 2%) and 3/4 cup chicken stock (I had homemade). Seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and about 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese (Parmigiano reggiano), and let it get all good and melty. Then I poured it over the potato-onion layers and covered it and let it go!

It really turned out great, though I was nervous because this is not a favorite in our household. (Well, I love it, but...) Derek ended up having seconds. Goosie didn't like the potatoes, so I whipped out a secret weapon--seasoned rice vinegar! She ate all she had, then had seconds! It was really tasty, like warm German potato salad. MMM

I really think the homemade cream sauce, with the homemade chicken stock made a huge difference too.

As dinner was cooking, I took Peanut to the doctor. She has an ear infection.

Off to Target we went to fill her prescription and get a bunch of stuff to make everyone feel better. Like new crayons, and a yoyo ball for Peanut. After dinner, a dose of her medicine and a dose of pain reducer, refilling all the humidifiers, Vicks plug in vaporizer nightlight things, glasses of water, Puffs Plus at bedside, we tucked the girls in and expected the girls to drop right off.

Goosie did. Peanut did not.

I hope everyone has a good week. I hope if anyone else is sick, you start feeling better. I hope if you are caring for someone who is sick, you get some time off! Be well!