Summer Bucket

1. Dip my feet in the ocean
2. Run through a sprinkler - with Pickle
3. Make homemade lemonade or limeade
4. Freeze some fruit & veggies
5. Sit in the shade on a warm day and read a book
6. Take Pickle to the fountains
7. Try a new restaurant
8. Meditate more
9. Go to the Zoo
10. Go to a Fair - at least one

Some thoughts.....

On tap this week

The weather this past weekend was perfect!   It's weekends like this that give you hope spring is really here or at least on her way.....

It was G's bday so Nana & Grampy came up to help celebrate.   The big boys played golf while Nana and I hung out with the wee one and then we all met for lunch.  Pickle does not take well to sitting in a high chair these days which makes life interesting to say the least.   Hopefully this phase will pass soon.

We are lucky enough to have a park within walking distance to the house and we spent the afternoon down there.   Pickle wants nothing more than to be outside and he had a blast at the park and made some new friends to run around with.  I love it that he is not shy around people - I think one reason is because he is in daycare and is just used to be around others and playing.

Sunday I took a nap when Pickle did and as a result the afternoon was rushed - which I hate.   G was outside working on a project with converting the kennel and so I was trying to cook for the week and keep a toddler happy.  Not a whole bunch of fun but it all worked out and we even slipped in a walk around the neighborhood. 

Here's what on tap this week......

Cheese & Spinach Tortellini w/ Alfredo sauce.  I discovered after I was cooking the pasta that there wasn't going to be enough for two meals so I cooked some chicken as well.   Going to basically play it by ear and see what happens.

I also made a Shepard's Pie which I've never done.  I looked at a lot of recipes but I basically patterned mine after here - since I work with a bunch of engineers I think its only fitting.

Here is basically what I did.....

1 lb ground beef
Olive Oil
1 onion diced
1 can corn - drained and rinsed
1 1/2 tablespoons flour (would use more next time)
1 1/4 cup beef broth

7 small pototoes
butter
sour cream

butter
paprika

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Butter/spray a 9 inch glass pan

Cook you potatoes sans skins and then smash them. Add butter and sour cream to your liking for a smooth  creamy mixture and put aside.

Basically you brown the ground beef and drain it.   Then you cook the onions in some olive oil until the are tender and the corn and let it simmer with the onions for a minute.  Then add the beef back in and sprinkle the flour over the top.  Let cook for a couple of minutes and then add the beef broth.  Start with a cup and cook for a minute or so until the "gravy" forms.  You may or may not want to add more broth at this point.  Mine was a little soupy.....

Pour the meat mixture into your pan and spread the potatoes over the top.  Put some small pats of butter on the top and sprinkle the whole thing w/ paprika.

Into the oven for 30 minutes. 

G and the Pickle both liked this and so it will probably be put on rotation. 

Small Gestures

Because there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day I sometimes run errands at lunch.   It gives me a break out of the office and a chance to get some fresh air at the same time.  At times I have been known to find a favorite song on the radio and crank up the tunes and sing along - great reliever for a stressful or monotonous day.

Today I ran to the grocery store because I'm going to be busy this weekend with other stuff I probably won't have time to do my normal Saturday morning run.   When I pulled into the parking lot I noticed a man in a wheelchair with a sign saying he would take anything.......I thought to myself I must get him some food of some sort and give to him on my way out.   I don't believe in giving people money.  I do however believe in giving them food or toiletries of some sort.   G and I both have carried granola bars in our cars for exactly these types of occasions and I have yet to have anyone turn down or not be grateful for the gesture.

Well I went into the store bought everything I needed and then stopped at the sandwich store next door to get some lunch.

Needless to say I completely forgot about the man until I pulled up along side him on my way out.  There was only one thing to do - give him my sandwich.  I had the resources and ability to get something else he clearly did not and it was lunch time.  

I do not tell this story for pats on the back but more for a gentle reminder that its the little things you do for others you know or don't know that can make the biggest impact.   And lets face it - it helps you to feel good as well.  

With all the awfulness in the world - like the stabbings at the school in Pennsylvanian yesterday - the more we all practice small acts of kinds the better.

Peanut....peanut butter.....

So apparently this is the week of peanut butter.   Bubba of course was thrilled and never left my side when I was cooking and the jar was out on the counter.  Pickle not so sure about PB although he did like the soup.

This week consisted of Spaghetti (actually made w/ mild pork sausage this time) and the recipe below.

Chicken Satay Soup

here

Will probably not make this again.....

It was very heavy for a soup.   The second night we had it I made a big pot of rice and we had it over that and it was much better.

The flavor however are wonderful!   I would maybe do a little less PB though as it was a little on the sweet side.

I would also not put the chicken in but layer it on the top so it doesn't get lost.







And in the spirit of PB week I also made these

No bake PB Bars

here

These are super easy to make and are good as well.

I will say however they crumble.  I figured it was easier to just leave them in the pan on the counter.

I cut out some for G and I to take to work every morning.

Will make these again for sure and might add raisins next time.









Not sure what the theme will be for next week yet....stay tuned ;)

Ah April.......

To say that I'm happy to see March go would be a major understatement.  This month has been a complete roller coaster ride that I am more than happy to get off of.  No need to rehash the details here but I'm glad its Spring and I time of fresh starts and new beginnings.

Spring is such a great time of year.....the flowers are blooming in my yard.   So fun to see the new bulbs I planted and to remember all the existing ones.   The trees right now are beyond wonderful and even though it doesn't last for long its so lovely to drive into work and see all the blossoms lining the drive.

Yesterday seemed to be a busy busy day.  I must not move as fast as I used to or I am easily distracted by a very cute pickle that lives with me.   So hard to find the balance on the weekends of getting stuff done and still spending time with him.   Luckily he will happily play with him self if his dad and I are are busy with other things and this I believe is healthy and it will benefit him in the long run as well.   I also know that by doing the prep I do on the Sunday's the week goes a lot smoother and I am able to spend more time with him during the precious hour or so that I get with him in the evenings.  The juggling act of a mother is one I struggle with constantly and and try to be open to trying new things that will make it easier for all.

I have to say also that I have mastered what I believe to be the perfect recipe for making your own refried beans at home.   I've looked at a lot of recipes (sorry folks but I'm NOT putting lard in them) and this is what I have come up with.

2 lbs pinto beans - rinse and pick out the ugly ones
1 small onion diced
1 - 2 cans of green chilis
Cumin sprinkled over the top of everything.
4 cups water
2 cups veggie broth
Salt

Put all of the above in your crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours.

I break the cardinal rule of never opening the lid of every recipe.   This is no exception.  I stir the beans about 4 hours in and check the level of liquid.  I then stir and check them about every hour or so after that.   I usually end up added another 1 - 2 cups of water.

When its done you need to take out some of the liquid.  You won't want all of it in there.  I take out the majority of it and put it in a bowl in case I need to add some of it back in.   This is where your hand emulsifier comes in handy and if you don't have one you need to get one.   You just blend away until you have the consistency you think your family will like.  Then taste it and add salt and cumin as needed.

I kept some out for Pickle to eat and to put in the Enchilada's I was making for this week.  The rest goes in freezer bags to lay flat in the freezer.

Super easy and really much cheaper than all those cans!

Also, on tap this week I made this......felt like some white trash food was in order so why not a good ol' chicken noodle casserole. 

Chicken Noodle Casserole

I kinda divided this in half.   You could make the whole thing and freeze or give away the other half.  Also, I just used two chicken breast which was plenty.   I also used Ritz Crackers for the topping since that's what I had on hand.   It was good but next time I will put in some water chestnuts, use milk not half and half and might had a dash of curry or a bunch of some fresh herbs.  I might also bake the chicken tossed in some spices.  All in all a crowd pleaser for the boys.