Menu Plan Monday

This week, MPM is being hosted by another blog I read regularly, Heavenly Homemakers.

If Laura wasn't hosting, I probably wouldn't bother even mentioning it because we are having Clean Out The Freezer week and Grill It Week. I haven't actually cleaned out all of the freezers yet, so I really am not sure what exactly what we will be eating.

So I am just going to include a couple grill ideas and tell you all to clean out your pantries and freezers and throw a bunch of stuff on the grill!Try grilling things you hadn't thought of grilling before.

I do know I do not do heat well and it has been upper 90's here. I am not going to heat up this house any more than it already is. So I am grilling away as long as my cheap attitude will allow me to continue buying wood pellets for our Traeger grill.

Baked Salmon: Place salmon on foil and sprinkle with sea salt and dill. Drizzle coconut oil on salmon and wrap tightly. Place on grill. Or fry it. Whatever works for you and the temperature of your house. The fresh salmon my husband's friend gave us turned out so moist and buttery, even without butter!

I grilled everything we got from our CSA this week except for some of the strawberries and lettuce.

Fava Beans: Wrap in foil with water and basil. I had never had fava beans before until we joined the CSA. Ended up with a nice flavor but too pasty for my liking. I will be using them to make dip.

Beets: Quartered then wrapped in foil with water. YUM!

Beet Greens: Wrapped in foil with sea salt and water. At first I liked them. Sorta tasted like artichoke. But then I hit some bitter spots. I will probably puree and freeze to add to soup.

Broccoli: Wrapped in foil with sea salt and water. YUM!

Strhubarb Maple Bake (what I threw in) I am not a huge sugar freak. We try not to use it very often for my family. So I decided to throw in some maple sugar and honey instead so it wouldn't be too sweet.

Cut up a bunch of rhubarb and put in pan greased with coconut oil. Add slightly shriveled Hood Strawberries, whole but with stems removed. Stir in 4 soup spoons full of pure maple syrup then squirt on a bunch of Little Oak Farms Cran Honey (which we have been selling for a missions trip. Contact me if you want some!). Sprinkle with Golden Temple Super Nutty Granola which I order through Azure Standard. Cover with foil and put on Traeger on high heat. Remove foil when temperature is hot and let it bake until rhubarb is softened. Turned out yummy. It's going to be even yummier when I put it with some frozen yogurt...

Have a good week!

I Think I Was Stuck In A Bottle of Supermom

Whew, that was a tight fit. If only I were 30 pounds lighter it would have been alot more comfortable.

Could it be? Is Supermom the answer? (And look, there on the bottle. Doesn't she look suspiciously familiar?)

Today is supposed to be in the 90's at my house. I don't like the heat.

My car is in the shop.

I should be extra tired and extra sad. I mean, the mechanic is now evaluating whether my 162,000 mile car is worth the money it will take to fix it. I know we don't have the extra $1000.00 dollars to spend on a cooling system on a car that is 11 years old.

BUT...I feel neither sad nor tired. Hmmm...

Possible Reasons Why I Am Not Blue Today:

~ Guilt free blogging because I am sitting at Starbucks with an iced coffee whilst my children are a phone call away and arguing over who is supposed to watch the baby next lovingly cooperating with each other while my car is being fixed across the street by Dave and Jesse the Wonder Mechanics.

~ Yesterday was my third day in a row remembering to take my iron. I will post a follow up on my specific brand of iron because it is worth writing about. It was miraculous last time.

~ We saw dear friends from out of town last night and hung out at the park for two and a half fleeting hours and ate seasonal and oh so delicious - and also fleeting - Hood Strawberries by the handfuls. It was brief but sweet. Maybe that energized me. Maybe I needed vitamin C. But I think it was prayer, and precious friendships that have substance.

~ I started back on Supermom vitamins yesterday. I knew it all along. I can't be Supermom without Supermom pills. Well, those and a phone booth. And a cute costume that still looks *spicy* on this mom even though I need to lose some lbs. Do you want to be a Supermom too?
(and while you are there, check out Superkids and Superdad and Berry Well and.... aw shucks, just check out the site. And NO, I am not a paid celebrity).

I am happy and hopeful and excited to get some things done at home. If only I weren't trapped here at Starbucks waiting for my car...

Where Am I?

A bloggy friend of mine recently posted a "where am I" post on on her site. She showed pictures of where she was with her husband including one with a huge stuffed horse in the window above a shop. The horse was entertaining, but the shop proved the be the real clue. I simply enlarged the picture so I could read their shop name then used the invaluable Mr. Google. I knew right where she was within seconds.

The past few months I have not been myself. This is humbling to admit. I'd rather be Mrs. Dependable-I-Don't-Need-You-But-Am-Here-To-Help-YOU. These days I am always tired and often sad. Well, maybe not sad. Maybe wistful. Maybe discouraged. Yes, maybe sad.Mostly tired. As my grandma puts it "my get up and go got up and left". I do not know if I am sad because I am tired or tired because I am sad. Am I low in iron? Is it my adrenal gland thing? Am I depressed? I just don't know. I have so many wonderful things to be thankful for, to rejoice in. On bright days I pull myself out and am thankful to see "me". I am so blessed. I don't want to be a whiner. Maybe this is all part of my testimony for "But I Had A Tiara"? All about expectations and the fact that they never play out how you think they will...

Now, many of you don't know me personally so I will tell you that I am normally energetic, joyful, willing to do hard things, want to be with people, adventurous and all sorts of other things that right now, I am not. So where am I?

If I post a bunch of pictures of myself, can you enlarge me, run it by Mr. Google and tell me where I am?

Wordless Wednesday: What Happens When You Blink

~ Before Blink ~


~ After Blink ~

I barely made it on Wednesday!
If you want to view other WW photos, go here.

Texting Tantrum

I am irked. It irks me that cell phone companies charge ME when any old person texts me. Why???Why don't they just charge the person who sends the text message? So any CyberTechnoDork can send me texts that I do not want, some that even pollute my eyes, and I have to pay for them? There is no "delete unread" option so I can opt out. I HAVE to pay for it.

I don't mind paying to hear from my friends and family. In fact, I pay extra so I can. I love that -- so keep 'em coming, anytime of day or night. That's the fun of it.

But I don't want to hear about a new ringtone service or that I need to register again so I don't miss out on my monthly vitamin supply. I don't want the late night "party chat" ads to be sent to me, period. And I certainly DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THEM!

So, if you are Mr. Slick-Invite-Me-To-Your-Partay guy,I don't want any of "your kind" in my text.

No, this is not a news flash. I have known this for years. But just this week I heard about several texting problems and it renewed my fed-upedness. This should be changed.



PUH-leeese, don't try to sell me something by making me pay for something!

Today there was a lady on the news who got so many advertisement texts THAT SHE HAD TO PAY FOR that she eventually shut off her texting capabilities. One can sign up on the do not call list, but I don't know the details. It would only apply to certain people.

And I heard on the news about a new kind of text called "sexting" which, as you can tell by the name, is just sick. Naked body parts are jumping from cell tower to cell tower and maybe to a phone near you. And guess what? YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT!!!

By the way, you will also be receiving copies of this on your cell phone.

Rant is now on intermission.

Meal Plan Monday

Head on over to Organizing Junkie for more MPM links. And, for those of you who have rhubarb, she has three recipes for you to check out too.

We are fasting from all things processed this week, which is mostly anything with sugar, white flour or white rice. This is not a huge change for us as this is pretty much the way we live, with a few exceptions. But sometimes we have several special events in a row and make alot of exceptions. Then we need to buckle down and purposefully fast to get all of the junk out of our systems. Darn! I really wanted to make a rhubarb treat but will have to wait until next week.

Next week I will be trying out several rhubarb recipes including sugarless rhubarb muffins and pork chops with rhubarb. Do you have any sugarless rhubarb recipes? Or any other rhubarb recipes that do not use sugar or are not dessert recipes?

It just so happens that I have a ton of salad greens left over from my son's graduation party. So we will be eating lots of salads. My kind of week! Watch your salad dressings if you are cutting out sugar. Most of them have quite a bit of sugar in them. If you pay attention to the ingredients, you can usually find options with sugar as the 6th ingredient or less. Making your own dressing is easy and yummy too. Or buy dried dressing mix and prepare it with yogurt.

Monday: Spa Cobb Salad Wraps with Nectarines. I have some peaches, already peeled and cubed, leftover from a salad at my son's BBQ that I am going to use up in place of nectarines. I will be preparing the chicken for all of our chicken salads today and freezing them as necessary.

Tuesday: Today is our 20th Anniversary (don't forget I got married when I was , um...let's see... I am 29 now...so I was 9) so I will be out to dinner with my hubby and the kids will be eating Chicken Taco Salad (Follow last Monday's Taco Salad recipe but substitute chopped chicken for the ground beef) I am making this for tonight mostly because the leftovers will be great for me to take on a picnic tomorrow when we go on a moms and kids activity with our church.

Wednesday: Cashew Avocado Chicken Salad served over lettuce and greens instead of on buns. More leftovers... I have cashews and grated swiss cheese to use up:) And will still have plenty to freeze.

Thursday: Fab Summer Blackened Chicken Salad

Friday: (supposed to be in the 90's today!) Ultimate Sub Sandwich Bar: easy to take on a picnic too, if we decide to go to the water.

Saturday: Grilled Sausages, grilled asparagus, mushrooms and onions. Broccoli too if we get some in our produce bag. Soaked in olive oil and soy sauce for several hours, then seasoned with lots of fresh garlic, sea salt and sprinkled with sesame seeds after removing from the grill.

Sunday: Sunday Summer BBQ starts at church ! Yippeee!!!! Every week we have our choice of a hamburger, chicken burger, Garden Burger or hot dog, with chips, drink and snowcone for only 2 bucks each. A wonderful opportunity to hang out and get to know more people:) And affordable , even for a family of our size.

When I posted last week, I planned to come back and fill in some blanks after I picked up our produce from the farm. I knew the weather had not been cooperating, but I figured the cold weather crops would be the bulk in our bags. However, this cool weather has caused most everything to be 2 weeks to a month late. So we got rhubarb, butter lettuce, a few fava beans and some strawberries. We also got a calendula plant. I am really excited about this as we had lots of these at our house for several years and they eventually disappeared. They were probably eaten by animal escapees. Or were dehydrated into fine powder due to lack of watering, then stepped upon by animal escapees. Hopefully this plant will reseed itself and we will again have the beautiful orange blooms scattered here and there.

I made a promise to myself that we will use everything in our bags, even if it there are things we don't normally eat. I am curious as to what we will get this week!

Honor

Not long ago, when I was at the beach, I observed something very touching. A humble scene. It wasn't anything I'd have noticed if I weren't paying attention.

We were eating in a restaurant that faced the beach. Through the windows was the boardwalk and I could see the people coming and going, up and down the stairs to the beach. I had a pretty good view of the ocean and much of the beach as well.

There were couples holding hands, moms with kids, and Mr.Bubbleman who has an attachment on his bike so, when he turns it on, he rides around with bubbles coming out the back of it. There were colorful people -- one lady had missing teeth and her daughter had hair of three distinct shades -- and there were plain and simple folk. I saw kites and bikes and strollers. I saw joggers and people testing out the water. Of course there were several dogs. We are at the beach.

My eyes have to move quickly just to see what's in front of me. I was glad I'd had a cup of coffee to keep me warm because now it was helping me be alert, to join in each story that walked by. Activity. Color. Movement.



And when I saw them my eyes stopped moving on.
I watched honor as it played out before my eyes, over my skillet breakfast.

A tiny old woman and a tall younger man. Maybe a mother and son. Maybe an old aunt. Is she a nun? It was breezy and she was wearing a thin dress. Bare legs and ankles underneath. She was zipping up her jacket and pinning her head wrap. I don't see how she will keep warm. She won't be out there long. He was waiting patiently and even respectfully helping her. Then he supported her as they walked down the stairs and began to walk toward the ocean.

Stopping to bend down and look at something. Stopping to catch her breath. Sometimes taking steps closer and more quickly. I expected shuffling, but often she picks up her feet as she steps. He's patiently walking. He's talking to her. She's talking to him. They smile. S l o w l y they walked all the way to the ocean.
It's cold out. The coastal winds are huffing and puffing. Yet they stand at the edge of the ocean. They turn and look around. They stand and chat. Maybe in a language I don't understand. They have all of the time in the world. No hurry. A fluttering, aged hand grasps at the place on her neck where her sweatshirt is opening up a bit and some of the cold can invade. She leaves her hand there.

I go outside to watch. I want to take a picture but don't have the strong lens with me.
Such patience. He's moving on only as she is ready. He could have rushed down to the water's edge, picked up a shell or two to show her, then ran back to his car and on to the next thing. 10 minutes and he's done. It has been at least 30 minutes now.

I take it back. He isn't being patient. He is relishing his opportunity.

They get an extra hard gust and stop to adjust her balance. Then start walking quickly. I think they are coming back now. But no. They stop and chat. She bends over and flips something over and back then stands back up. What is she thinking? Is she remembering something? Is there a reason for this trip or is it just for a lark?

He isn't just tolerating her. He is enjoying her enjoyment.

Her slippers don't match.

They are almost to where I am. I am snapping away, trying to act like I am just getting scenic shots. I can't get a close up without maybe worrying them. My opportunities are past now for any more pictures. I watch him help her up the long stairs again. I went back inside and didn't see them leave. I bet they stood on top and looked down again.

He gave honor. In every movement, every gesture. By the time he invested, not by the time he allowed. And I was honored to observe.

I can't say it. It's against the rules. It's supposed to be WORDLESS.

Just a couple? Okay...

My One True Dog Love. Ever.

With my oldest boys. 1997.

View more of this week's Wordless Wednesdays by clicking here.

When Sea Lions Fly

Jean (Cliff's sis) and Maureen (our niece) were in town this week. I don't get to spend much time with them so it was an extra blessing to get to go to the zoo together.

Maureen did That One Thing this visit. You know, that Thing where, the last time I saw her, I said goodbye to my sweet little niece. Then this time, only a few months later, she walked in and I said hello to a beautiful young woman. Maureen, you are lovely. And warm and sweet, and fun to be with. I think so, and you can also ask Elisabeth. I know she thinks so too.

Jean is a quiet lady, but fun. She is proper when needed, but not a fuddy-duddy. She smiles alot, and she LISTENS. She laughs alot too, even when someone says something that was meant to be funny but ... well, isn't really. Jean is also a nurse. In her former life, she worked in a nursing home and did very difficult things so that people could be more comfortable. You KNOW what kinds of things I mean.

I feel relaxed when I am with Jean, and secure. I don't feel judged or worried about what she is thinking or what she might say about me when she leaves. I don't think I have ever heard her say anything bad about someone else. It's just not how she rolls.

I hope I learn from her. Or maybe she will just rub off on me. Somehow I hope I can be more like her when I grow up.

Probably about the same time sea lions really do fly...

If you've read both of my blogs, you already know I adore using the timer on our camera. This one shows why. Classic silliness, someone's face not showing (Nathan), someone not smiling (Evan), someone looking the wrong way (Ethan). Hey, it just occurred to me that all of us girls look great. The boys, well... we have other pictures of them:)

Animals? What animals? When you are one year old and your auntie (who is in preparation mode for her first grandbaby, due in August) wants to spoil you, apparently the zoo becomes all about popcorn. I mean, look at that face! It flat out says "Chomp!"


Oh, the majesty! And the sheer SIZE! For comparison, you can barely see my baby's head at the bottom of the sea lion's tail...

Menu Plan Monday

Here I am again with Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday. I was tempted not to do this for this week because it is just so busy and I know some of it I probably won't get to. However, I was remembering something I heard from Inge Canon years ago. Paraphrased by me to fit my lingo. Yes, you can be flexible. This does not mean you don't have a plan. For if you don't have a plan, you have nothing to flex. Without a plan you are flying by the seat of your pants and living haphazardly -- NOT being flexible! So I decided to have a plan:)

If you just came for the menu plan and don't care to read about my shenanigans, just scroll down for my Menu Plan! Please visit again after Tuesday when I find out what fresh produce comes in our produce bag from the farm. Also, please see my note at the very end of this post where I review the food we ate last week. Have a great week!



This week our oldest son is graduating. Unbelievable. Bittersweet. Exciting. Andrew is in love with languages, the globe, and the peoples of the earth so, in honor of his graduation, a couple of nights are themed for different countries.

We also have some grad related and non-grad related family activities this week. My menu plan needs to fit our crazy week. The weather is also (finally) expected to be a little warmer, as in the upper 60's and low 70's and comfortable (I am extra grateful since my son's graduation party is outdoors!). So my plan will take this into consideration.

This is also the first week of our CSA (June's harvest is expected to include strawberries, blueberries, cherries, basil, potatoes, fava beans, green beans, wax beans, roma beans, beets, cut flowers, lettuce, edible pea pods, swiss chard, kohlrabi, carrots, parsley, chives, cauliflower, broccoli, potted flowers or herbs). So I am including possible ideas but am leaving room in each day's plan to add fresh veggies and new recipes depending on what actually comes in my bag. And my overall plan is subject to change to incorporate as many of these local goodies into our meals. I am a veggie lover so I am really excited!COME BACK after Tuesday to see what veggies we got and to view the recipes I add to use them!

MONDAY:
Mexican Food Night Taco Salad (see recipe below)
(Before bed: Marinate chicken for tomorrow, soak garbanzo beans)

TUESDAY:
Middle Eastern Food night -- Shish Tawook Marinated Chicken, Homemade Hummus (basic in book Nourishing Taditions but I add cilantro and etc.) , Tabouli (from Nourishing Traditions), Pita Bread, Fava Bean Dip

Drop son off at friend's house 35 minutes away then to zoo with extended family. Pick up 1st Harvest Box at CSA! Drop other son off 30 minutes away for work dinner. This is a busy day so I am planning things that will all be mostly prepared the day ahead so it can be on the table quickly. Hmm, maybe we just won't eat since I will be spending my grocery budget on gas!


WEDNESDAY:
Grilled Apple Chicken (see recipe below), brown rice
(Before bed: busy day tomorrow so make tomorrow's casserole in crock for crockpot and put in fridge)

THURSDAY: Sausage Spanish Rice (I sub brown rice for white rice)
Take crockpot crock out of fridge and put on counter to warm up some, then stick in crockpot and cook all day on low.

BUSY DAY buying and some preparing food for son's grad, last minute other preparations. Oh yes, I am thankful for recipes I can make ahead and for my trusty crockpots!

FRIDAY:Ultimate Sub Bar. Hoagies with cold cuts and lots of fixins.

My baby has a long awaited doctor's appointment with the dermatologist (bad timing!). Andrew graduates tonight and the older boys have to leave by 1 to go and help set up. This will allow them to easily take dinner with them. We will be going to a favorite hang-out in Portland afterwards.

SATURDAY:
BBQ in the park for Andrew's graduation party!!!

SUNDAY:
Leftovers from BBQ if available, or defrost extra MacNCheese I made last week and put on timed cook so will be ready when we get home from church.

(note:
RECIPES:
Taco Salad: Cook brown rice. Brown ground beef and add taco seasoning. In separate bowl mix Catalina Salad Dressing, sour cream and salsa to taste. Put rice , beef and dressing mixture in bowl together while still hot. Let sit while you cut up tomato, avocado, green onion, cilantro (or whatever you like to include). Add lettuce and spinach to rice mixture. Add 1 can kidney beans or black beans or 2 cups of your own from dried beans. Serve other veggies on side so they don't get soggy and gross and each person can add what they like. Serve with crushed tortilla chips, Fritos or Doritos

Grilled Apple Chicken: CLICK ON LINK. My family loves this!I found the recipe in a Tyson ad a long time ago. I was getting ready to type it out but did a Google search and, lo and behold, it was already typed out online! Since the weather is not all that hot here, I will be making this on my stovetop this time as I don't have a charcoal grill and it is quicker to do on the stove. It is a nice option to be able to grill outside if the weather is too hot.

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW:(click here for last week's plan)
Last week Sarah asked about leftovers and why I don't always plan a leftover night in my plan. Good question Sarah. You win my weekly prize. Oh wait, I don't have a weekly prize. I don't have the readership of 1000's to get any freebies offered to me. But if I did, you would have won it. To answer your question, I don't schedule leftovers unless we have a weird week and I start to see accumulation. In this case, I drop one of my already planned meals in favor of not letting food go to waste. This is one of the reasons you will see meals moved from one week to the next as I didn't make them.The reason I don't actually plan for leftovers at dinner is that 1) I have a husband and three teenage boys and sometimes there just aren't any 2) I have three teenage boys, plus three younger kids and we homeschool. So if there are any leftovers, they are eagerly wolfed down at lunchtime!

Company McNCheese: Christa mentioned that she made this and it was bland. I also have had to sub dijon for the spicy mustard it calls for and it is more bland. I usually make something once following the directions -- then add the spices my family likes to recipes on subsequent times. I had to buy Chipotle Tabasco sauce for the Turkey Burgers I made last week. So I used that with one of the batches of MacNCheese I made last week and it was great! I also have thrown in chili powder, cayenne, etc. Also, I sprinkle cheese on top, then garlic powder, then the breadcrumbs and butter.)

French Dips: I sort of ad libbed with using different soup mixes. Close to the end I realized the meat cooked down quite a bit and we were having additional people. So I threw in some deli roast beef and it worked out well. I also bought some pepper jack spicy cheese for my hubby and two of my boys.

Turkey Burgers were fantabulous! I added a note to that post already...

Fishy In The Raw

I love sushi. Fabulous, fantastic sushi. Every chance I get, I eat it. Fish is good for you. Especially your skin. It's probably why everyone thinks I am only 25 when I'm really 29.



I have tried all sorts of different rolls and combinations which are deeeelicious. But I always go back to my favorite. Plain old Salmon Nigiri. Or Sake Nigiri if you are Alec Trebek and need to add a Japanese flair when saying it.

For the first year or two, my hubby and I would go and eat at sushi places but we'd always get the items that had no raw fish in them. Depending on the place, there are lots of different kinds of rolls that have nothing raw in them except veggies. This is a good way to get used to the idea.

In seeing a piece of raw fish go by, I had been known to make comments like "That is SO sick. Why ANYONE would want to eat a slab of raw fish is beyond me."

I hear you my bloggy friends. And I understand. I was once just like you. I don't know what possessed me that night, to even try one piece of raw fish. And with the preconceived ideas I had about it, I have no clue as to why I actually liked the stuff.

At first you just eat things that don't have raw fish and comfort yourself by saying you'd NEVER eat something like that hunk-o-fish that just went by you. Then one day you will find that maybe it doesn't look so disgusting anymore and you will try just a little piece. Like the proverbial frog in boiling water. Except that would be cooked, not raw.

Even now, I do have certain hard-and-fast rules about eating sushi:

~ Use two condiment dishes. If you only use one the ginger juice will infect the soy sauce. Take one off of the table next to you. Make sure no one is sitting there first. When someone does sit there, they can take two off of the next table.

~ Eat NO suction cups. Anything with suction cups was not meant to be eaten. Though it will really stick to your ribs and the roof of your mouth. Come on. Not to mention eating things of this texture is pretty much like taking a bite out of your pinky.


~ Eat NOTHING that shines silver. This means it is a fishy fish and should be left to glitter and glint through the deep blue sea. NOT in your mouth.

~ Eel tastes like trout. I don't like trout. I don't like eel. I shall not consume it. Ever. Eel is yukky anyway with their big angry, gaping, toothy mouths that look as if theyare filled with putrefying left overs. Does this look like anything your mouth will love you for?



~ Last but not least, if an item comes around with a teeeny tiny raw egg cracked open atop of it - do not eat it. It was stolen from a mama quail and that is just wrong. Maybe even immoral. And disgusting anyway. At least cook it first!




You can pretty much find a sushi place anywhere. Okay, probably NOT Pendleton, Oregon or Crawford, Texas or anywhere amongst all of those cowboys who'd probably equate it with quiche and tine ya with a pitchfork at the mention of it. They want their Chicken Fried Steak.

But my hubby and I eat sushi wherever we can. We have eaten it in Scottsdale, Arizona at a place called Ra. They had the best fresh (raw) tuna salad called Tuna 2 Salad, with avocado and sesame. Sometimes I daydream about it. We have had it in Seattle, Washington at a place called Wasabi Bistro. They had all sorts of interesting rolls including several with asparagas. We couldn't find it in Sisters, Oregon but we did find it in nearby Bend. And I set up build-your-own-sushi for our New Year's Eve party every year. Our guests often bring accompaniments like edamame, potstickers or noodle salad. MMM, mmm good.

Sushiville in NW Portland, Oregon

If you are just meeting sushi for the first time, you might want to try a sushi place with a conveyer belt like the one above. That way you can take small amounts of several different things to see if you like them rather than ordering an entire roll only to find out you hate yellowtail or something.

Do you like sushi? Have you ever tried it? Does the thought of it gross you out? What interesting items have you tried? Have you ever made it at home for family night or a date with hubby?

Haiti Pictures

My husband's friend Chuck just went to Haiti and has posted a little about it on his blog. He also provided a link to lots of photos he took. Please pass it on to any other Haiti adoptive parents/bloggers who may wish to look.

Our friends are still waiting to bring home the two girls they are adopting from Haiti. Read more about them here on her blog, as well as more on the current concern about kidnapping in Haiti.

Poor Planning

In December, because Nathan's birthday is so close to Christmas, we decided to do a "Halfabirthday" in June. He turned 13 so it is a big birthday.

We were waiting until after Anthony's surgery to have his birthday get together (it's not a party anymore since he is 16). His surgery is in, well, June. He turned 16 so it is a big birthday.

Evan turns 9 on Saturday, JUNE 14th. I have a party for them every year until they are 10.

Father's Day is this Sunday, JUNE 15 .

Andrew graduates Friday, JUNE 20.

Andrew's grad party is Saturday, JUNE 21.

Our 20th anniversary is JUNE 24th.

Anyone need me to host a party in JUNE? Baby Shower? Bridal Shower? Reunion? Anyone?

He'll Never Be A Doctor

Maybe I am sentimental because he is having surgery tomorrow.

This is the boy who, around age 2, was asked by his dad "Isn't Mommy beautiful?"
To which he responded, "Yeth, spethaly haiw" (hair).

A top contender for my hardest pregnancy. I had over 20 bags of IV's between weeks 8 and 13.

His dad says he exerts a very strong opinion about what I will and will not like when they are gift shopping for me.

He pays attention to my interests. But wouldn't let on that he does.

He talks to me about politics. It's way above my head. But I love the cameraderie. I love that he thinks I know more than I do.

He has had a hilarious sense of humor from a young age. When he was about 11, he and his older brother were fighting. The firstborn was being a little bossy. My hubby heard them and said "I understand why you need to explain it to him. But you are not the czar, so mellow out". A few minutes later we heard Mr. Statesman say "Andrew, which do you prefer : C-Z-A-R or
T-S-A-R?"

He is tough and a man's man, but has a soft spot. Can't stand anything gross like poop or blood.

He'll never be a doctor.

It's a good thing.

Cuz they don't make stools that spin out to be tall enough...




At his post op appointment on Friday

The Statesman

This is his "Mom-it's-raining-and-cold-and-you-are-taking-pictures-of-me-out-in-a-field-
for-no-good-reason" look.

I think it's a good look for him. It looks very, well,... political. Not too excited, yet interested. Like maybe he's concerned about a waste dump threatening the farmlands.

Coming soon to a Voter's Guide near you.

This Dinner Is A Winner!!! And this one a Flop...

WINNER: 7 Layer Tortilla Pie

I made something for dinner last week that we all loved. From High School Graduate to High Chair Diner, it was a huge hit. I gave it it's own recipe card in my box. That's sayin' somethin. I am sure it will get much use.

And it was easy.

And it was inexpensive.

And it would work for my vegetarian friends.

So I thought I'd post the link here for ya'all.

Notes: I slightly blended the kidney bean layer in my VitaMix. To this, I also added some cumin and a little chili powder to suit my own family's particular tastes. You could also add some taco meat if you want to. I baked two of them on one cookie sheet (rather than in a tart pan) and did not cover it with foil while baking. I think this is what made my family especially love it. It was crunchy around the edges and very yummy. And I did not keep track of the number of layers I was using. I spread the appropriate amount of filling on each layer, then moved on to the next, stopping when I ran out of filling. Before serving I cut it just like a pie, as the name suggests, and served it with sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo and avocado on the side.


FLOP: Bourbon Chicken

Tasted too much like bourbon. If I were to make it again (but I probably won't even try) I'd marinate it for only 5 or 6 hours. We ended up eating burritos and quesadillas for a last minute dinner. I am going to try to use this chicken in the crockpot, maybe in a soup. Maybe it will turn out fabulously and will win alot of awards and a trip to Louisiana.

Could have turned out bad because I let it marinate even longer than the recipe called for. I was just so happy to have had it all ready to pop into the oven after a day of doctor's appointments. Perhaps this was not the appropriate day to do it.

Could be because I am cheap and don't know a thing about bourbon so just asked the lady at the liquor store for the cheapest bourbon she had, which was Jim Beam. Is that bad?

Menu Plan Monday

I loved doing this a couple weeks ago. It made my week so much more organized. It was worth the time I spent on it and plan to continue doing it even if I don't post it.

I used to plan our meals at least a week out, but my habit went out the window a couple years ago during the days of dehydration and misery called pregnancy. Now I see why I did it. I feel like a much better wife and mom. I am less stressed. It motivates me to keep adding back other things I used to do that helped me stay on track. And it blesses my family to see the menu plan hanging on the fridge. And maybe just a little but more taken care of. Even the big guys. This makes them look forward to dinner time. And maybe one day, when they leave this nest, the memories of it will call them back to my table.

Some of the meals I posted from a couple weeks ago will be repeated because we were given food for several meals. I took Anthony to another political thing and they had tons of leftovers from their BBQ. So we got enough already BBQ'd beef brisket for a meal+ and enough kielbasa for two meals. I used it in casseroles.

Then my high school friend overmade enchildas for her daughter's grad party and gave one pan of it to us, so we got that for yesterday when my nephew came for a visit. I love having a plan but I don't mind being flexible!
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Monday: Turkey Burgers served with Napa Cabbage Salad
Note: I found this recipe for Turkey Burgers through Menu Plan Monday. I don't really care if Oprah liked it or if it was an old family friend who recommended it. Point is, the ingredients looked interesting and I love poultry with apples or pears so I thought it was worth trying.

It was! I loved it.

I did not mind spending 6 bucks on Major Grey's Chutney, one of the ingredients, when I thought I was only using a little. However, I wasn't willing to spend enough to purchase the quantity needed for the extra sauce (after all, the recipe is served to the Rich and Famous) . So I did not make the sauce. Instead, I spread the patty with Major Grey's Chutney and placed a thin slice of pear atop immediately upon removing from heat. You could also sprinkle a little cinnamon but I didn't. This is a more affordable way to get all of the tastes in w/o spending a bundle. I also sprinkled a tad of feta cheese on top.

Tuesday: Taco Salad

Wednesday: Chalupa (Our recipe is a little different but basically the same idea. I like to play with spices to fit my family's tastes) served with tortillas, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, etc. (Crockpot Meal, my son is having surgery so I will be gone and busy with him most of the day)

Thursday: Lemonade Chicken over rice, steamed broccoli

Friday: Company MacNCheese (I have made this for years and it is the only homemade MacNCheese I like better than Kraft. I know, it's shameful. I like the stuff.) Serve with sausages for some protein, and veggie sticks.

Saturday: Fab Summer Blackened Chicken Salad

Sunday: Father's Day! Shredded French Dip served with sauteed onions and mushrooms, topped with mozzarella cheese on toasted deli buns. (crockpot meal so it will be ready and the house will smell good when we get home from church). My mother-in-law is bringing Broccoli Salad. And strawberries are just now ready. My hubby loves berries. So I will make shortcake for dessert. I will have to make the Amaretto Cake I was planning another time.

Father Time

Since a few months before my last birthday I have been contemplating the concept of time. Now that my oldest son is graduating I am thinking about it even more. Almost constantly. I have been wondering what is so magical about this new number that describes how long I've been here, and what about it causes me to contemplate time so much.

I am thinking alot about the past - the years I thought about and looked forward to as a young woman. Those milestones of getting married and having babies are now behind me.

It has occurred to me that the future is sometimes hard to look toward. I think it is because, in some way, that is acknowledging that the past truly is behind me.

I never thought this far ahead.

When I Cannot Fly...

"A bird's not defined by being grounded but by his ability to fly. Remember this, humans are not defined by their limitations, but by the intentions I have for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in my image."

~ William P. Young


What a thought. I am not defined by what I cannot do or by those days when I walk tho I could fly. I am defined by what I can do, by God's Plan for me. By who He sees me to be - created in His image. And, since God is not trapped in time as we are, He sees me as such even now. I am not held captive to my weakness or my unbelief, but am totally free to live today, to make mistakes and to fall short and to be human. Not trapped by what I seem to be, but by what I really am -- as defined by God alone.

Ahh, sweet release. Beautiful.

Please Excuse My Dust

Please bear with me as I get everything unpacked and moved into this place I have had for awhile, but just moved the rest of my stuff to and am renovating. It is hard to combine two households, even if they are just blogs!

Win A Rug!

Gina, one of the bloggers I read, is doing a gorgeous giveaway. When comments reach 100 the contest will be over. Go look at it here and make sure you leave a comment right away!

Going Loco For Local: A Day At The Farm

I decided to move this post to our family blog. Click here to view it.