Gratitude Journal

It's actually quite an amazing thing that, when my alarm goes off at 5:40 and it's still pitch black outside, I can flip a single switch and cause my bedroom to be flooded with light.

I am grateful for electricity.

I am also grateful that the sun is now starting to come up by 7:00 when Sugar Bear and I are leaving the house. The days are definitely getting longer!

One-Sentence Journal Entry

Some days I think that being a mom is the hardest thing in the world.

Other days I know it is!

(That was two sentences. Oh well.)

What's for Dinner, Mom?

For more great menu ideas,
be sure to visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

The menu plan for the past week worked out quite well - I do love Clam Chowder! - and I even made Oven Roasted Tomatoes as well as German Chocolate Brownies. I do still want to make some Baked Apple Chips, so maybe that will finally happen this week. I'd like to make Valentine M&M Cookies this week too.

The produce basket from the Bountiful Basket Food Co-op on Saturday contained the following items: corn on the cob, Romaine lettuce, asparagus, celery, broccoli, baby bella mushrooms, an eggplant, Fuji apples, oranges, pears, a bag of clementines, bananas, and a lemon. The fridge is certainly overflowing with fruit and veggie goodness! We'll be incorporating as many of these items - and those left over from previous baskets - into our meals this week as possible.

On Thursday we'll be sharing part of our dinner with a couple in our neighborhood who just had their first baby. I am trying to find inspiration for a salad with Romaine lettuce that isn't our usual Caesar; do you have any ideas?

On Fend-for-Yourself Friday - as Fridays almost always are around here - WhiteRabbit and I are planning to go to The Cheesecake Factory. We generally go out on a Friday night about once a month, while the kids are left to their own devices. This Friday, however, Sugar Bear will be at an overnight Boy Scout camp, so Sugar Plum is lobbying to be included in our dinner plans. Since I do owe her an outing to The Cheesecake Factory for her 4.0 report card, she just may prevail.

On Saturday night, we will all be attending an extended family birthday celebration. This year we're having these quarterly to honor those nieces and nephews with birthdays during that quarter. (Sugar Plum will be one of those we celebrate on Saturday!) My sister Emily is hosting the get-together - and we'll be eating Taco Salads, with everyone contributing part of the fixings.

Here is this week's meal plan:

• Monday - Broccoli Cheese Soup in Bread Bowls, Corn on the Cob


• Tuesday - Roasted Veggie Enchiladas (with red pepper, green pepper, onion, and baby bella mushrooms), Spanish Rice, Fresh Guacamole


• Wednesday - Denver Sandwiches, Hash Browns, Fruit Salad or Fresh Fruit


• Thursday - Green Salad, Roast with Mushroom Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus, Country French Bread


• Friday - Fend-for-Yourself Friday


• Saturday - Extended Family Birthday Celebration


• Sunday - Green Salad, Cheese Sticks, Cheese Ravioli with Marinara Sauce, Cooked Carrots, Herb & Garlic Rolls

Here are some of things I'm thinking about for next week (or beyond):

• Jambalaya with Ham


• Spinach Cheese Dip with Oven-Roasted Tomatoes


• Boneless BBQ Ribs, Twice Baked Potato Casserole


• Cheesy Cauliflower Soup


• Pasta with the Works


• Eggplant Sandwiches

Happy eating!

Week in Review

Commutes to Downtown: 2.

One-and-a-Half Mile Commutes: 1.

Classes Attended: 1.

Trips to the Grocery Store: 3. (Two in one day.)

Gallons of Gas Purchased: 14.55.

Visits to the Temple: 1. (The second temple of the year.)

Names Indexed at FamilySearch: 94.

Other Opportunities for Service Taken: 1.
(Sugar Plum and I took dinner to neighbors on Wednesday.)

Opportunities Taken to "Break Bread" with Others: 1.
(On Friday night WhiteRabbit and I ate at our long-time favorite Japanese restaurant.)

Books Finished: 1. (Year-to-date total is 9.)

TV Episodes Watched on DVR: 2 of Blue Bloods. 1 of Hawaii 5-0.
TV Episodes Watched via NetFlix: 1 of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Packets of Theraflu Consumed: 12. (But none since Thursday.)

Time for Dinner!

For more great menu ideas,
be sure to visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

I came down with a cold on Thursday, and that really wreaked havoc on the menu plan for the second half of the past week. Two nights of take-out food plus some fending for one's self - followed by a much-appreciated dinner at my parents' house on Sunday - means I've got Veggie Stir Fry and Beef Stroganoff still in the queue - and I also still want to make some Baked Apple Chips and Oven Roasted Tomatoes.

This weekend's produce basket from the Bountiful Basket Food Co-op contained the following items: Romaine lettuce, asparagus, red peppers, tomatoes, celery, russet potatoes, onions, broccoli, radishes, Junami apples, Asian pears, a pineapple, and strawberries. I also received an "add-on guacamole pack" that contained avocados, garlic, onions, green onions, jalapeno peppers, cilantro, lemons, and key limes. I need to be diligent about incorporating all of these items - plus those left over from the past few weeks - into this week's dinner plans, as well as focusing on fruits and vegetables for snacking.

By the way, we'll be sharing Wednesday's dinner with a neighbor who is recovering from hip replacement surgery.

Here is this week's meal plan:

• Monday - Veggie Stir Fry (asparagus, cauliflower, green beans, carrots) with Tofu, Rice, Fruit Salad (strawberries, apples, pomegranates)


• Tuesday - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Tomato, Crunchy Coleslaw, Carrot Sticks


• Wednesday - Caesar Salad, Pot Roast with Potatoes, Carrots, and Onions, Rolls


• Thursday - Black Bean Nachos, Fresh Guacamole


• Friday - Dinner Out


• Saturday - Clam Chowder, Breadsticks, Fresh Fruit (maybe pineapple, maybe a fruit salad)


• Sunday - Beef Stroganoff, Egg Noodles, Green Salad, Steamed Broccoli, Country French Bread

While I'm thinking about it, here are some ideas for next week (or beyond):

• Jambalaya with Ham


• Minestrone Soup


• Vegetable Enchiladas


• Boneless BBQ Ribs, Twice Baked Potato Casserole


• Broccoli Pie with Tomatoes


• Cheesy Cauliflower Soup


• Denver Omelet Sandwiches

Happy eating!

Week in Review

Days My Alarm Went Off Before 5 o'Clock: 1.

Commutes to Downtown: 3.

Gallons of Gas Purchased: 7.29.

Sunday School Classes Taught: 1.

Opportunities Taken to "Break Bread" with Others: 2.
(Sugar Plum's friend David joined us for beef stew and biscuits on Tuesday night.
Today we were invited to dinner at my parents house, where my mom prepared a turkey dinner in honor of WhiteRabbit's birthday.)

Books Finished: 3. (Year-to-date total is 8.)

TV Episodes Watched on DVR: 3 of Hawaii 5-0. 2 of The Good Wife. 1 of Nikita.
TV Episodes Watched via NetFlix: 2 of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Packets of Theraflu Consumed: 12.

One-Sentence Journal Entry

I've got a cold, and I just want to sleep and drink more TheraFlu.

Weepiness

I'm prone to weepiness on the best of days. But over the last few days I've found myself near tears frequently, sometimes at quite unusual moments, and my heart seems somewhat heavy. I'm focusing on gratitude and goodness - and going to bed early tonight - with the hope that I'll feel lighter in the morning.

Come and Get It!

For more great menu ideas,
be sure to visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

On Saturday night I was just too worn out, both physically and emotionally, to spend time in the kitchen. So I suggested to my husband that he pick up some cheeseburgers on his way home - which he did. Consequently, I still need to make Cheesy Cauliflower Soup. Other than Saturday, though, last week's menu plan went quite well. I truly think that the time I spend each Sunday planning for the week pays back dividends!

This weekend's produce basket from the Bountiful Basket Food Co-op contained the following items: Romaine lettuce, spinach, cabbage, asparagus, green beans, green peppers, tomatoes, red potatoes, onions, oranges, Braeburn apples, grapefruit, and blueberries. I also received an "add-on" of 25 pounds of carrots. I think this is the most "veggie heavy" basket I've received in the seven months I've been participating in the co-op. I'm not at all unhappy with that, though, as I really am a bigger fan of vegetables than I am of fruits. Many of the items from my basket will be incorporated into this week's dinner menus, as will several things left over from last week. The grapefruit and blueberries will likely be eaten for breakfast.

As I said last week, I've been thinking for several weeks about making some Baked Apple Chips. I'm really am hoping that this will be the week that I actually do it! I'd also like to try to make some Oven Roasted Tomatoes. I guess we'll see how busy life is as we begin the second month of 2012. We will be celebrating my husband WhiteRabbit's birthday this week, so I've definitely got to make some cupcakes.

Here is this week's meal plan:

• Monday - Butterfly Shrimp, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli with Cashews, Steamed Green Beans, Rice


• Tuesday - Beef Stew, Green Salad, Biscuits


• Wednesday - Hoagie Sandwiches, Crunchy Coleslaw, Kiwi, Apple, and Pomegranate Salad


• Thursday - Veggie Stir Fry (asparagus, cauliflower, green beans, carrots) with Tofu, Rice, Orange Slices


• Friday - Dinner Out


• Saturday - Salad Bar, Breadsticks


• Sunday - Beef Stroganoff, Egg Noodles, Green Salad and/or Steamed Veggies (depending on what arrives in Saturday's produce basket), Country French Bread, Cupcakes

Happy eating!

Week in Review

Days My Alarm Went Off Before 5 o'Clock: 2.

Commutes to Downtown: 2.

One-and-a-Half Mile Commutes: 1.

Opportunities Taken to Learn Something New: 1.
(I attended a panel discussion on partisanship in politics at BYU.)

Gallons of Gas Purchased: 11.56.

Visits to the Temple: 1.

Other Opportunities for Service Taken: 1.
(I substituted on the piano in the women's and men's combined meeting at church.)

Opportunities Taken to "Break Bread" with Others: 5.
(Sugar Plum's friend David joined us for spaghetti on Tuesday night. On Thursday I had lunch with a friend at Gourmandise to celebrate her upcoming birthday. On Thursday night I had dinner at Paradise Bakery & Cafe with my long-time book club. On Friday night WhiteRabbit and I ate at the counter at the Market Street Broiler before seeing a play at Pioneer Theatre Company. On Saturday I had lunch at Olive Garden with some of my sisters and our mom.)

Prayers Offered on Behalf of My Step-Dad Who Suffered a Heart Attack This Week: Countless.
(He is doing well. They repaired one stent, and they are going to be putting in another tomorrow.)

Books Finished: 2. (Year-to-date total is 5.)

Movies Watched: 1.

What's for Dinner, Mom?

For more great menu ideas,
be sure to visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Last week was another good week for meal planning. I tried one new recipe - Twice-Baked Potato Casserole - and it was yummy! I also have to say that I'm grateful for my Crock Pot, which I used twice this past week.

This weekend's produce basket from the Bountiful Basket Food Co-op is very similar to last week's. We received the following items: red leaf lettuce, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, corn on the cob, tomatoes, bananas, oranges, Fuji apples, Bosc pears, kiwi, and pomegranates. Many of these will be incorporated into this week's dinner menus, as will several things left over from last week - and much of the fruit will be eaten for breakfast or snacks.

For several weeks I've been thinking about making some Baked Apple Chips. I'm hoping that this will be the week that I actually do it!

Here is this week's meal plan:

• Monday - Pork Chops with Sweet and Sour Sauce, Grilled Pineapple, Rice, Corn on the Cob


• Tuesday - Green Salad, Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce, Garlic Bread


• Wednesday - Steak and Vegetable Fajitas, Fresh Guacamole


• Thursday - Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips with Leftover Buffet


• Friday - Fend-for-Yourself Friday


• Saturday - Green Salad, Cheesy Cauliflower Soup, Breadsticks


• Sunday - Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Muffins, Berry Smoothies

Happy eating!

Week in Review

Commutes to Downtown: 3.

Classes Attended: 1.

Trips to the Grocery Store: 2. (One in the pouring rain.)

Gallons of Gas Purchased: 13.68.

Registration Forms for Women's Retreat Mailed: 174.

Visits to the Temple: 3. (But only one temple visited.)

Sunday School Classes Taught: 1.

Other Opportunities for Service Taken: 2.
(Sugar Plum and I took dinner to neighbors on Tuesday, and I helped with the women's meeting at the senior center on Wednesday.)

Books Finished: 1. (Year-to-date total is 3.)

Teenagers in the House on Saturday Night to Celebrate Sugar Plum's Birthday: 10.

Movies Watched: 1.

Time for Dinner!

For more great menu ideas,
be sure to visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Last week's meal plan went quite well. I did end up making a few changes (but having a plan and adjusting it is so much better than having no plan at all). Sugar Bear's science fair project was due on Wednesday morning, so I spent Tuesday evening helping him finish that up, leaving little time or energy for dinner preparations. I had Sugar Plum make a pot of rice, which we ate with some leftover chili, enchiladas, and sweet potatoes. We then ate Tuesday's menu on Wednesday, and the Caesar salad and baked Parmesan tomatoes from Wednesday's plan on Saturday night with some spaghetti. Because my sister had been raving about the cinnamon bread at Great Harvest Bread Company, I was planning to get some for Sunday. In the spirit of the Pantry Challenge, though, I decided to thaw a loaf of a plum bread I made last summer and put in the freezer. I also shredded some baked potatoes I had in the fridge and added them to the eggs - which made them even yummier. All in all, it was a good week - with reasonable and effective adaptations.

I am really pleased with Saturday's produce basket from the Bountiful Basket Food Co-op. We received the following items, many of which will be incorporated into this week's dinner menus: red leaf lettuce, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, tomatoes, avocados, bananas, oranges, kiwi, a mini-watermelon, and a pineapple. (I'm hoping some of this will last until next week, specifically the pineapple, which I'd like to grill with some chicken or pork, and the avocados, which I'd like to make into guacamole for fajitas.) This week's dinner plans are also affected by Sugar Plum's upcoming 16th birthday (as we'll be having a party with her friends on Saturday and she is choosing the main dish for dinner on Sunday), by our taking dinner on Tuesday night to some friends who just had a baby, and by my extra-busy schedule on Thursday.

Here is this week's meal plan:

• Monday - Rice Pizza


• Tuesday - Green Salad, BBQ Boneless Spareribs (in Crock-Pot), Twice-Baked Potato Casserole


• Wednesday - Green Salad, Broccoli Quiche and/or Cheesy Cauliflower Soup, Mini-Watermelon


• Thursday - Leftover Buffet with Apples, Oranges and/or Pears


• Friday - Fend-for-Yourself Friday


• Saturday - Sugar Plum's 16th Birthday Party


• Sunday - Creamy Crock-Pot Chicken, Rice, Brussels Sprouts, French Loaf, Cheesecake

Happy eating!

1/13/12 Happy Things

• Sleeping until the sun started coming up.


• A beautiful pink sunrise.


• Sipping hot chocolate while checking email.


• Glorious sunshine warming my face.


• Spending time with my smart, fun, insightful friend Karen.


• Filling my gas tank for $2.85/gallon.


• Reading on my Kindle while waiting for Sugar Plum's bus.

Come and Get It!

For more great menu ideas,
be sure to visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

I had two disappointments with last week's meals. First, the Sweet Potato Fries on Wednesday weren't crispy. I think that I either used too much oil or else I cooked them too close together. I loved the flavor of the fries and their dipping sauce, so I'll definitely be trying this recipe again, in search of the perfect crisp sweet potato fry. The second disappointment occurred on Saturday night, when I made clam chowder. I adore clam chowder, and I was really looking forward to eating a hot bowl of it with some warm bread. Unfortunately, my first spoonful told me that something was wrong - and we determined that the half-and-half I had used was spoiled. The carton was dated January 15, so I had no reason to believe that it might be bad - and I had just poured it into the pot. I sadly poured the whole pot of chowder down the drain. So disappointing!

Saturday's produce basket from the Bountiful Basket Food Co-op contained the following items, many of which will be incorporated into this week's dinner menus: romaine lettuce, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, avocados, English cucumbers, radishes, bananas, Fuji apples, tangerines, Asian pears, blackberries, and black grapes. Much of the fruit will be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. I love blackberries with vanilla yogurt and pecans! I'm also planning to make some Baked Apple Chips this week. Maybe some Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips too.

Here is this week's meal plan:

• Monday - Ramen Noodles with Toppings (bacon, tomatoes, radishes, carrots, green pepper, black olives, and cheese), Black Grapes


• Tuesday - Chinese Chicken Morsels, Rice, Broccoli with Cashews, Cucumber-Radish Slaw


• Wednesday - Caesar Salad, Baked Parmesan Tomatoes, Twice Baked Potato Casserole


• Thursday - Tostadas


• Friday - Fend-for-Yourself Friday


• Saturday - Minestrone Soup, Breadsticks


• Sunday - Grapefruit or Oroblancos, Scrambled Eggs with Ham and Cheese, Cinnamon Bread, Hot Chocolate

Happy eating!