Salmon with Roasted Asparagus with lemon caper sauce
Seafood Lasagna, steamed broccoli - this is a little extravagant for a weeknight meal, but I need some more 'go-to' meals for company.
Sausage and Tortellini Soup -
Broccoli and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Ahhhhhh...Spring Break!
Who knew we all needed this so much?!!
We didn't have anything big on our schedule this week, so I didn't realize how good all of the nothingness would feel!
Monday we slept in, stayed in our jammies, did school work and then I cleaned and reorganized the family room.
Tuesday we picked up a single friend who didn't run screaming when I asked if she would help me clean my house. We've done lots of chick-flick nights, so this time we just cleaned bathrooms and vacuumed before watching North & South (the British version, not the Patrick Swayze version). That whole movie is so worth the last five minutes...sigh...that and the "Look at me. Look at me." part.
One of my dear friends is having all the family in town before an anniversary party. To say this friend has been through a lot in the past year would be an understatement. I happily made an oreo cheesecake for her last night. Actually I made two, and I am so glad I did because you know what happened when I tasted it? It wasn't so great!
Since this was the pre-anniversary party dinner, I had to bring something good to the table, right?! So this morning I ran out to the grocery and bought things to make Colophon Cafe's Peanut Butter pie. Soooo good! Her sweet cousins were there cooking and helping out, and they are going to stash one pie in the freezer for their own little midnight party : )
Tonight I'm making basil turkey burgers, then we're at a friends tomorrow night for dinner, Friday night we're doing pizza with another family and then Saturday night we're out for dinner with friends. No more cooking! Whoo hoo! I am ready to get this kitchen cleaned and just make our coffee and breakfast for the next few days!
Spring Break!!!
We didn't have anything big on our schedule this week, so I didn't realize how good all of the nothingness would feel!
Monday we slept in, stayed in our jammies, did school work and then I cleaned and reorganized the family room.
Tuesday we picked up a single friend who didn't run screaming when I asked if she would help me clean my house. We've done lots of chick-flick nights, so this time we just cleaned bathrooms and vacuumed before watching North & South (the British version, not the Patrick Swayze version). That whole movie is so worth the last five minutes...sigh...that and the "Look at me. Look at me." part.
One of my dear friends is having all the family in town before an anniversary party. To say this friend has been through a lot in the past year would be an understatement. I happily made an oreo cheesecake for her last night. Actually I made two, and I am so glad I did because you know what happened when I tasted it? It wasn't so great!
Since this was the pre-anniversary party dinner, I had to bring something good to the table, right?! So this morning I ran out to the grocery and bought things to make Colophon Cafe's Peanut Butter pie. Soooo good! Her sweet cousins were there cooking and helping out, and they are going to stash one pie in the freezer for their own little midnight party : )
Tonight I'm making basil turkey burgers, then we're at a friends tomorrow night for dinner, Friday night we're doing pizza with another family and then Saturday night we're out for dinner with friends. No more cooking! Whoo hoo! I am ready to get this kitchen cleaned and just make our coffee and breakfast for the next few days!
Spring Break!!!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Life Lessons
I was talking with a fellow homeschool mom on the playground this afternoon. She has 4 little darling blondie girls under the age of six. As we chatted, we watched another mom's little boy crawl under the chain-link fence to join the older children, and then we watched a little two-year-old try to follow. The mom swooped up her little one, and said "No, sweetie, that's not for you to do."
She mentioned that she has a friend of an only child, who will tell her that her girls are being a 'bad influence' on her precious little one. My friend wasn't criticizing, merely observing that this mom will soon realize that life isn't perfect when her next one is born.
As the mama to a 9-year-old, I told her that the other mom will soon realize that it is an ongoing project. I, too, probably tried to keep my daughter from 'bad' influences. And these aren't really even 'bad', rather they are ways-to-add-gray-hairs-to-your-mama bad things.
O has a friend who is from a dear family, but there are issues that we've observed in the home that we don't want in our home. We've encouarged our daughter to 'obey no matter what' and to be firm in her beliefs. She has had a couple of opportunities to try these things, but it hasn't gone well.
During my devotional time the other day, I felt impressed to tell Olivia that what we're asking her to do is a 'hard' thing, and we don't expect her to get it right first thing. It's an ongoing thing that she needs to work on, and that we will make a point to pray before each visit with this friend.
After we talked, and she was comforted by this fact that we acknowledged it's a hard thing, the Lord directed me to my own struggles. I am so hard on myself when I fail, and fail, and fail. So then I was comforted by the realization that God is asking me to do hard things - die to my self will, and He doesn't expect me to be perfect all of the time, but I certainly need to pray, keep myself immersed in the Word, and keep trying.
What an amazing God! I am so so thankful for the priviledge of being a parent, and for what the Lord teaches me through being one!! Amazing Love!
She mentioned that she has a friend of an only child, who will tell her that her girls are being a 'bad influence' on her precious little one. My friend wasn't criticizing, merely observing that this mom will soon realize that life isn't perfect when her next one is born.
As the mama to a 9-year-old, I told her that the other mom will soon realize that it is an ongoing project. I, too, probably tried to keep my daughter from 'bad' influences. And these aren't really even 'bad', rather they are ways-to-add-gray-hairs-to-your-mama bad things.
O has a friend who is from a dear family, but there are issues that we've observed in the home that we don't want in our home. We've encouarged our daughter to 'obey no matter what' and to be firm in her beliefs. She has had a couple of opportunities to try these things, but it hasn't gone well.
During my devotional time the other day, I felt impressed to tell Olivia that what we're asking her to do is a 'hard' thing, and we don't expect her to get it right first thing. It's an ongoing thing that she needs to work on, and that we will make a point to pray before each visit with this friend.
After we talked, and she was comforted by this fact that we acknowledged it's a hard thing, the Lord directed me to my own struggles. I am so hard on myself when I fail, and fail, and fail. So then I was comforted by the realization that God is asking me to do hard things - die to my self will, and He doesn't expect me to be perfect all of the time, but I certainly need to pray, keep myself immersed in the Word, and keep trying.
What an amazing God! I am so so thankful for the priviledge of being a parent, and for what the Lord teaches me through being one!! Amazing Love!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Menu Plan Monday
Lunches: Salads are working out great! I make W’s salad for him to take to the office, and I make one for me, too and put it in the fridge.
My current favorite is spring herb mix, turkey, pecans, craisins, mandarin oranges and balsamic vinegar dressing.
Monday: Tuna Sandwiches, carrots, jello. Tomorrow is our stay-at-home day for a good day of school work, laundry, and cleaning.
Tuesday: Spiced Rubbed Salmon w/lemon garlic spinach, asparagus. Yes, this is the same salmon we had last week! It was so delcious, it gets an encore!
Wednesday: Basil Turkey Burgers (this is one of my favorites on the George Forman grill), carrots, orange tapioca salad (recipe below!) My husband loves these fluffy type of fruit "salads", so this one is definitely for him!
Thursday: Dallas Tacos (recipe below!)
Friday: Helping a friend host a rehearsal dinner.
Saturday: Homemade pizza
Dallas Tacos
2 lbs. lean ground beef
28 oz can whole tomatoes
1 can Ranch style beans
1-2 tsp salt
chopped tomatoes
shredded romaine lettuce
grated cheddar cheese
sour cream
guacamole or chopped avacado
salsa
fritos
Brown ground beef. Drain well. Puree tomatoes in blender and add to meat. Add beans (don't drain) and salt to taste. Mix well and simmer for about an hour for best flavor. You can shorten this time, but flavor is best the longer you let it simmer.
Arrange fritos on plate. Top with meat mixture and toppings of your choice.
Orange Tapioca Fruit Salad
3 c. Water
1 (3 oz) pkg Orange gelatin
1 (3.4 oz) Instant vanilla pudding
1 (3 oz) pkg tapioca pudding
1 (15 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 (8oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed
1/2 bag of minature marshmallows
Directions:
1) In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Whisk in gelatin and pudding mixes. Return to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool completely.
2) Fold in the rest of the ingredients. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours - overnight.
Monday: Tuna Sandwiches, carrots, jello. Tomorrow is our stay-at-home day for a good day of school work, laundry, and cleaning.
Tuesday: Spiced Rubbed Salmon w/lemon garlic spinach, asparagus. Yes, this is the same salmon we had last week! It was so delcious, it gets an encore!
Wednesday: Basil Turkey Burgers (this is one of my favorites on the George Forman grill), carrots, orange tapioca salad (recipe below!) My husband loves these fluffy type of fruit "salads", so this one is definitely for him!
Thursday: Dallas Tacos (recipe below!)
Friday: Helping a friend host a rehearsal dinner.
Saturday: Homemade pizza
Dallas Tacos
2 lbs. lean ground beef
28 oz can whole tomatoes
1 can Ranch style beans
1-2 tsp salt
chopped tomatoes
shredded romaine lettuce
grated cheddar cheese
sour cream
guacamole or chopped avacado
salsa
fritos
Brown ground beef. Drain well. Puree tomatoes in blender and add to meat. Add beans (don't drain) and salt to taste. Mix well and simmer for about an hour for best flavor. You can shorten this time, but flavor is best the longer you let it simmer.
Arrange fritos on plate. Top with meat mixture and toppings of your choice.
Orange Tapioca Fruit Salad
3 c. Water
1 (3 oz) pkg Orange gelatin
1 (3.4 oz) Instant vanilla pudding
1 (3 oz) pkg tapioca pudding
1 (15 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 (8oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed
1/2 bag of minature marshmallows
Directions:
1) In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Whisk in gelatin and pudding mixes. Return to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool completely.
2) Fold in the rest of the ingredients. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours - overnight.
Weekend of Blessings
W and I are wondering if we watch too much "American Pickers" with our sweet little girl.
O was talking about our much anticipated trip to the American Girl store in Dallas. She has saved her money for about a year, and every catalog is circled with her wish list.
"I'm not sure if I'm going to stick to my list when I shop, or just do freestyle shopping..."
Then we both went into fits of coughing because of all the laugh suppression : )
We woke up early ~ ugh, the THIRD day in a row! AND Sunday was coming - another wake up early day. I know...I'm such a wimp.
After another shopping annoucement that she would like some time to 'get her bearings in the store', we hit it hard.
So many choices! Accessories, Just Like Me dolls, historical dolls. We ate lunch at their little bistro, and then she decided on Emily, who is Molly's best friend.
We also went to the Sam Moon for cheap purses and bags, and the PGA Superstore for Mr. Wonderful : ) Then on the way home, we stopped at the kolache place in West, because no trip up I-35 is complete without mixed berry kolaches!
O was talking about our much anticipated trip to the American Girl store in Dallas. She has saved her money for about a year, and every catalog is circled with her wish list.
"I'm not sure if I'm going to stick to my list when I shop, or just do freestyle shopping..."
Then we both went into fits of coughing because of all the laugh suppression : )
We woke up early ~ ugh, the THIRD day in a row! AND Sunday was coming - another wake up early day. I know...I'm such a wimp.
After another shopping annoucement that she would like some time to 'get her bearings in the store', we hit it hard.
So many choices! Accessories, Just Like Me dolls, historical dolls. We ate lunch at their little bistro, and then she decided on Emily, who is Molly's best friend.
We also went to the Sam Moon for cheap purses and bags, and the PGA Superstore for Mr. Wonderful : ) Then on the way home, we stopped at the kolache place in West, because no trip up I-35 is complete without mixed berry kolaches!
On Friday we went to the Crowe's Nest Farm. It is a great field trip, and very well run. The farmers were great with children and adults, too!
Today during our teaching meeting, we sang one of my favorite hymns ~ I Know Whom I Have Believed. There is so much to life I can't understand. Why some believers seem to have little suffering and others so much. But I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able, to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day. God has indeed carried me and kept me these past two months, and I am so grateful.
Today during our teaching meeting, we sang one of my favorite hymns ~ I Know Whom I Have Believed. There is so much to life I can't understand. Why some believers seem to have little suffering and others so much. But I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able, to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day. God has indeed carried me and kept me these past two months, and I am so grateful.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Clearly There's Been a Mistake
Because CLEARLY I am not old enough to have MY generation the theme of a 9-year-olds birthday party. And CLEARLY I can't have a daughter of my own attending said party.
I worked that denial for two weeks. I read the evite (which I hate to do because then they KNOW you KNOW about it!) which was adorable and lined with a rubics cube, walkman cassette player, and the birthday girl with a side pony tail.
"Come dressed!" Which means the MOM has to figure out something for the child to wear. I am blessed with a daughter who lets me give her an outfit for each day. But she was not into this 80's theme, didn't trust me and had to READ the invitation for herself before she let me talk further about neon and legwarmers.
Being the non-procrastinator that I am...on the morning of the party I went out to look for something for her to wear. I am a Gymboree shopper - but headed straight for Justice for girls - the store Olivia has called the "Hip-Hop" store. (When did she hear the word hip-hop??!!!)
Within five minutes I was texting my friend with "I have legwarmers with neon splatter-paint and a vest and skinny tie combo! This is awesome!!" It was a BLAST to shop. It was a blast to shop because the stores are FILLED with 80's apparel. (Not mentioning how sad/old this made me feel later).
$30 dollars and a trip to Target later, I headed home armed with leggings, legwarmers, pink neon shirt, wayfarer sunglasses, and...scrunchies! I think I just got rid of my last scrunchie in my makeup drawer when we moved two years ago.
Darling Daughter was thrilled with my purchases. She didn't think it was too 'hip-hop', and especially loved the sunglasses, which she insisted on wearing 'Rachael Ray' style on top of her head.
We listened to Tears for Fears and Duran Duran while curling and spraying her hair. She hated that part, but liked the outcome. She didn't want her hair too big. Too big? What? So I showed her how I used to wear my hair.
Oh. The joy. The joy of teasing my bangs. And then I did...the wings. I teased and sprayed the sides of my hair until they stood straight out, with a slight curve.
My husband was laughing so hard he had to leave the room when I excitedly exlaimed "Look! My hair remembers what to do!"
The birthday girl's mom was dressing up, so we dropped off O in all my big hair glory. All the moms loved getting their girls dressed, and the camraderie of 'they can't be doing an 80's party yet!' was very comforting : )
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