I’ll try and come back tomorrow with something fun. Today, I’m still sick. My cold has effectively moved from being a head cold and set up shop in my chest. I think I’ve pulled a muscle in my stomach from coughing so hard. Haven’t blogged because I’m tired of whining about being sick. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been this sick and I hope it’s at least a couple more. It’s been a long road and I’m still walking down it…
I’m sick… September 16, 2008
And I am the absolute worst sick person in the world. You know those sitcom men that you see? The ones who lay around and whine about how sick they are and want everyone to wait on them hand and foot and you really think that they are playing it up? Well, they don’t got anything on me!
Doesn’t mean I’m not going to get anything done though. I’m launching my new blog (complete with my own domain name) on October 1st. Or at least I hope I am. So, in preparation for that, I’m going to get my current blog where I want my new one to be. I’ll be adding at least two pages (one for recipes and one for books I’ve read this year) and majorly updating my blogroll. And I’m going to finally find a theme for my new blog launch and work on it until I can’t anymore.
In between all of that, I’m going to whine at my husband, shush my kids for being too noisy, blow my nose incessantly, take naps and drink plenty of fluids. I’ve got high aspirations for today, y’all. And apparently I must feel a little bit better because I’m actually using the computer. Last night after about 6pm, I was just too tired and week.
Oh! And I’ll likely get to that visitor brochure that my husband has been after me to finish. And all of this brought to you from the comfort of my easy chair! At least I won’t feel guilty for being on the computer all day.
The Omnivore September 15, 2008
| If you routinely travel through the blogosphere, by now you have probably heard of The Omnivore’s Hundred. For those of you who haven’t heard of it, it’s a list of 100 items created by Andrew of Very Good Taste; but not just ANY 100 items: these are apparently the 100 items that every Omnivore should taste at least once. I’ve bolded the items I’ve eaten. Crossed out ones I’d never even consider putting in my mouth. And added comments where applicable.
The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred: 1. Venison: I grew up in Wisconsin. Where everyone either has a cabin “up north” or is related to/friends with someone who does. Yes, I’ve eaten venison. I do *not* like it. 10. Baba ghanoush - YES! Love eggplant!
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Menu Plan Monday – September 15th… September 15, 2008
It was an exhausting weekend. I’m looking forward to settling into a routine and getting things back to normal. Or back to our normal chaos anyway. I’m stuck in a rut this week for menu ideas. PLEASE leave me some menu ideas in the comments because I’m seriously lacking in creativity right now.
Monday – Pizza
Tuesday – Garlic Parmesan oven-fried chicken
Wednesday – Football game
Thursday – Enchiladas
Friday - Chili
Saturday – Hamburgers on the grill
Sunday – Fellowship dinner
What is your favorite resource for finding new recipes?
Sunday Bulletin… September 14, 2008
- Had friends in today for the day. LOVELY time!
- We have four kids. They have three. Our house has never seemed to SMALL!
- I’m watching Feasting on Waves with Alton Brown and craving Carribean food. Could really go for some roti!
- I’ve very thankful for a phone call we got tonight. Was an encouraging answer to prayer.
- Hurricane Ike blew through this morning.
- We have water in our basement! But not as much as some of our friends in the Chicago-land area.
- I made Italian Beef for lunch today. Didn’t do anything different, but it just wasn’t as good as normal.
- My cheesy smashed potatoes however were remarkable!
- Actually had a Sunday without a technical blip. It was a good day.
Foto Friday… September 12, 2008
I know, I know. I’m a bit late in my Friday-ing to get this up. But it’s still technically Friday everywhere in the US, so I figure I’m still good!
It has been a BUSY day my friends! I’ve washed my kitchen floor. TWICE! The first time because it was just gross and I couldn’t stand it anymore. The second time because Kait and Noah somehow managed to drop an entire GALLON of strawberry kool-aid – and the plastic rubbermaid pitcher just shattered. I even ended up moving the stove the second time to scrub underneath.
That wasn’t the biggest part of my day though. The big news around town was the homecoming parade and game. Kait was sick, so I skipped the game to stay home with her. We all made the parade – couldn’t miss our Elijah being *in* the parade.
Seth & Lexi while I mopped the floor…
Seth did *not* like all the sirens…
The Okaw Valley Marching Band…
Elijah in the parade – he’s chanting SOV! Best picture I got…
Learning to share (and blackmail when they are older)…
Do you remember? September 11, 2008
Several times over the past day, I’ve been asked or heard others asked if they remember where they were or what they were doing on September 11, 2001 when they heard that the United States had just been attacked. For my grandparent’s generation, that question was where were you when Pearl Harbor was attacked. For my parent’s generation, it was where were you when Kennedy was shot? And I guess technically, the question for my generation – from when we were children – would be “What were you doing when the Space Shuttle Challenger and school teacher Christie McCauliff exploded?” (I was in school, watching on television like most schools across the US).
Elijah is the only one who really remembers seeing the towers fall. Kait wasn’t quite two yet and we had just found out we were expecting Noah. And two days before, we had just resigned our position in our church and were making plans to move. I had been up the entire night before – nasty morning sickness. I was sore from packing. And I was still in bed on September 11th. Chip had decided to let me sleep in and had gotten up with the kids.
I remember – very vividly – him *thundering* up the stairs. I thought something was wrong with one of the kids. I had already sat up when he burst into the room and the words he said still ring in my ears. “A plane just flew into the World Trade Center. I think our country was just attacked.” And like that he was gone. Back down the stairs. I dressed as my head swirled with questions. “How does a plane fly into a building? Was it an accident?”
I got downstairs just in time to see the second plane hit the second tower. And the start realization that this was not an accident became clear. We watched in silent horror as the first tower collapsed. And then the tears started. I remember saying over and over again, “There were still PEOPLE in there!” And I prayed with the rest of America that somehow the second tower would stay standing. And like most of America, we stayed there, in front of the television for the next several days as we watched the story unfold.
My heart was changed that day. More than ever before, there was a sense of urgency to live life, to love hard and to tell people about the difference Jesus has made in my life.
Goop on my hands… September 10, 2008
I love to cook. Really. Hate my kitchen, but still love to cook. Especially after discovering vinyl gloves!
We went to a friends house for dinner one night and as we walked in, she was chopping garlic and had gloves on her hand. Not big gloves like dishwashing/cleaning gloves (do those things make anyone else’s hands sweat like they do mine?), but latex/vinyl gloves like doctors wear.
My mind screamed BRILLIANT! And starting racing with the possibilities.
So, I went out and bought a box. They were buy the first aid supplies at my Target. And now I find myself using them almost daily.
I use them any time I have to do anything with dough. I don’t even have to take my rings off anymore. I use them any time I have to handle raw meat with my hands. I use them any time I might otherwise find myself washing my hands over and over and over again while I prepare a meal.
And you know how it is – as soon as you get your hands dirty, one of the kids needs you. The phone rings. There is a knock at the door. When you’re wearing gloves, you simply pull them off and go! GENIUS!!!
What’s your favorite kitchen tip?
Domesticated… September 9, 2008
Chip told me the other night, “I love it when you’re being all domestic and stuff.” I’m fairly sure what he meant was “Thank you for cleaning my underwear and making apple bread.”
Housework does not come easily for me. I can think of 1001 different things I’d rather do than fold socks and organize closets. But I try. Honest. I can remember dreaming when I was younger. I was going to move to a city, marry well, send my laundry out, order in and have the maid in once a week to do all the yucky chores that I detest. At least I got one of those right. (For those who might not know – I live in a “town” so small it’s called a village, we don’t have anywhere you can order in here even if you want to and unless you count my kids actually picking up after themselves once a year, there is not cleaning service of any kind. But oh – that man of mine and the way he makes my heart skip just by walking into a room…)
Today, I decided to tackle the laundry *and* the kitchen. I love to cook, but I hate to cook in a dirty kitchen. So, I got up early and cleaned the counters as I was waiting for my coffee to brew. Moved the toaster and knife block and swept out all the stray crumbies. I moved the coffee maker and coffee grinder and made sure there were no coffee grounds to be found anywhere. And I sprayed it all down with my favorite organic cleaner and got it all clean.
And with a nice clean kitchen, I decided that maybe some apple cake would be wonderful. I called my dutiful helpers – do y’all have any idea how hard it is to make apple cake with SIX helpers under the age of 12? Where’s the calorie counter for things like jumping over kids and hurrying to catch a 2 year old before she falls off the chair you’ve told her to please sit down on 100 times? – to wash apples and keep everything cleaned up.
We got the cake in the oven and the kids started on schoolwork. And then I started on the laundry.
I’m ashamed to admit it, but maybe if I let y’all in on this dark secret of mine it won’t happen again? At least not until next week anyway.
I had no less than SEVEN loads of laundry to fold today. That doesn’t count the load currently in the washer, one in the dryer and since my kids cleaned their rooms I know there are TONS of clothes that are upstairs (I’m afraid to look) that still need to be washed.
(On a complete side note – WHO is going to believe that pizza hut pasta is as good as a gourmet restaurant? I’ve had it. It’s ok. But if you think *that* is good pasta, call and make a reservation with me and I’ll make you a GREAT Italian meal.)
Speaking of being domestic and great Italian meals (see how I did that? And I didn’t even mean to!), I’m making homemade gnocchi for dinner tonight. WIth a gorgonzola cheese sauce. If you don’t hear from me tomorrow, send help. Surely I’ve overloaded on carbs and can’t make my way to the computer!
So, it’s been a very busy day around here today. But I’ve tackled-it-Tuesday with the best of them.
Menu Plan Monday – September 8th… September 8, 2008
Well, Chip threw his back out last week, so we never ate any of the meals that required grilling. That’s right – we’ve been married 12 years and I’ve never once been forced to endure the grilling. Chip enjoys it and I enjoy letting him! rofl Hopefully we’ll get to those meals towards the end of the week.
I’m going to try letting the kids cook with me more often. If nothing else, they can help with side dishes. I’ve heard one story too many lately about people who just don’t know how to cook. There was a time when I was convinced that I couldn’t cook. It just wasn’t a talent that I picked up on as I was growing up. But I’m learning. Chip and the kids even tell me that I’m an excellent cook and request food all the time. I never thought I’d get to that point. Seriously, I couldn’t even boil water successfully at one point. So. not. kidding.
So, I know if I can cook, then my kids can definitely learn to cook. And I figure I might as well teach them when they are still at an age where they *want* to help me. So, for the most part, my menu this week is kid friendly and has stuff they can do to help me…
Monday – Black & Blue Nachos
Tuesday – Homemade gnocchi with marinara sauce and cheese sauce (or both I suppose) and garlic bread
Wednesday – We’ll eat out this day because of football
Thursday – Grilled pork steak
Friday - Shrimp lettuce wraps and/or springrolls
Saturday – Garlicky Grilled Orange Chicken
Sunday – CORN (Clean Out Refrigator Night)
