Category Archives: Money & Organization

What’s on the menu?

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I am so on it this week! I’ve drafted up a meal plan not only for dinners, but for lunches too! Not sure about the end of the week because I don’t know what day I’m working yet, so something might have to be switched around, but at least I have some kind of guideline. Drew seemed happy about this too — no more calling me for ideas on the nights he is making dinner for the boys! I can’t say I got too creative this week, but since I’m just getting back into this, I wanted to plan things I could stick to. Plus, we’re going on vacation next week and I wanted to use up a lot of things we had in the fridge/freezer. So, here you go!

Lunches:
Sunday – Sandwiches (picnic at the park for Father’s Day)
Monday – Grilled kielbasa links, fruit kebobs
Tuesday – Chicken soup, sliced veggies with ranch dip (kids); leftover coq au vin (me @ work)
Wednesday – Hot dogs, fruit salad (kids); artichoke pasta salad (me); Veggie bean soup (everyone)
Thursday – Mac & cheese (kids); Black bean soup over rice with cheese (me)
Friday – Soup & salad (me); Pinwheels, carrots & cucumbers (kids)
Saturday – Leftover mac & cheese (kids); Taco salad (me)

Dinners:
Sunday – Grilled burgers, green salad, oven fries
Monday – Crock Pot Coq au Vin, mashed potatoes, green salad
Tuesday – Spaghetti & Meatballs, garlic bread, green salad (Drew & kids); Asian chicken salad (me @ work)
Wednesday – Broccoli cheese soup, rolls
Thursday – Baked chicken fingers; Angel hair with butter and parmesan; carrots
Friday – Tacos
Saturday – Leftovers

For more ideas, view the list of particpants: Menu Plan Monday.

Brr!

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No wonder everyone is getting sick, the weather did a complete 180-degree turn. Earlier this week is was in the high 60s, and today it certainly feels much more like December — chilly and very windy.

I had planned on buying and writing out my Christmas cards today, but I couldn’t find any cards at Walmart (WTF?), and I just was not going to brave Target and the mall. But I did get some good grocery shopping done. The boys have been devouring clementines all afternoon (only $4.99/box!), and I bought some chicken cutlets with which I’ll make chicken piccata tomorrow. We had a bottle of Rabbit Ridge sauvignon blanc, and while it was not fantastic for drinking, it’ll be fine for cooking. I haven’t made that dish in months, and it’s a family favorite, so I’m looking forward to that. While we were grocery shopping at Walmart, Santa Claus made an appearance (“See”, I told Jake, “He knew you were shopping with mommy!”). Heh! Jake asked Santa if he could visit the North Pole. Santa replied, “You’ll have to ask your mom!” Nothing like passing the buck, big guy! They were also doing free photos, but by the time we were ready for check-out and such, the kids were just ready to go, and I don’t think any kind of photo would have turned out well. Still, I thought that was really nice!

We then hit Stop & Shop because Walmart’s produce looked terrible, and it turned out to be a worthwhile detour. They had a bucket with bouquets of roses (10 stems) marked down to $2.99! They might have been a day old, but they looked really good, so I bought two bouquets. I haven’t bought myself fresh flowers in probably two years even though I love having them in the house. (When I lived in Boston, I’d buy myself a bouquet whenever I was having a bad day. There was a woman who sold them at the Davis Square T-stop for, I think $5/dozen. A small price to make yourself feel like a million.) Anyway, they are deep red and gorgeous here in my kitchen.

I should probably go and vaccum the living room. Last night Drew and I moved furniture around to accomade the Christmas tree, and as anyone with little kids can imagine, we unearthed ungodly amounts of old Cheerios, corn flakes, and popcorn kernals. I need to get it all cleaned up before we decorate tomorrow. (Oooh, but then I can reward myself with a Rice Krispie treat, made fresh by Chef Jake earlier this afternoon! Scrummy!)

You Can Get Anything You Want at Alice’s Restaurant

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Although I didn’t hear it at noon on Thanksgiving, I found “Alice’s Restaurant” on the radio and am currently listening to it. Thank goodness, because it just ain’t Thanksgiving without Arlo Guthrie. The version right now must be a more recent recording because of the stories he’s telling. I love it!

We had a nice turkey day up in Massachusetts. I didn’t stuff myself silly yet I enjoyed pretty much everything we had. The kids had fun playing, watching Over The Hedge, and being indulged 😉 I successfully dragged my brother out shopping yesterday, though it really wasn’t that early. We got to Circuit City around 8 I think. I was up at 4:30 (thanks to N.), so I was ready to go! In fact, I had already been to a couple other stores before he swung by to pick me up.

Originally the kids and I were going to stay until Saturday (D. left Thanksgiving night because he had to do some work on Friday), but I could tell that the boys were wearing my parents out, and after N. ripped up their wallpaper border when he was supposed to be napping I decided that it just might be best to head home last night. And thank goodness I did because our poor cat had mistakenly been closed up in our bedroom. The poor thing! She must have snuck in there before D. closed the door (to keep her out of the bedroom, ironically). She bounced back easily, though. Cats are like that.

Tomorrow I think we are going to attempt to get a photo of the boys with Santa. D. took them to the mall today (I’m working) and J. was nearly on the floor in tears because he couldn’t get his photo taken. I’m not sure how the little one is going to react, so this should be interesting…

It’s What Day, Now?

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Three-day weekends always leave me feeling confused because Monday ends up feeling like a Sunday, Tuesday like a Monday and so on. We had a nice time away. The hotel was lovely and the staff was very friendly. It’s too bad the majority of guests were miserable crows. I don’t know if they were West Point alums, parents, or people just visiting, but they didn’t leave a good impression. When we were checking in… complain. When we were checking out… complain. And just forget about when we went to dinner on Sunday night. (This gets long, so go to the bathroom if you need to, make a cup of tea, get a snack, whatever…) Continue reading It’s What Day, Now?→

I Like Surprises!

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Especially in the form the surprise took today. Quite simply, what I thought was going to be a long, rough day is turning out to be really great. I love that! N. woke up several times last night. It’s either due to his continued teething (he only has 8 teeth; 4 on the top and 4 on the bottom) or a growth spurt. I had an impossible time putting on his shoes this morning and they fit fine yesterday! Anyway, I was up at the crack of dawn, which is never a good way to begin the day. Also, N. hasn’t been napping much so I anticipated another day of that.

Well, miraculously he took a 1.5 hour morning nap! Meanwhile, I was finishing laundry, cleaning the kitchen, was dressed and had makeup on, attempted to eat breakfast. (N. actually stole a good half of the breakfast burrito I made for myself, so…), and made a list of things I needed to buy today.

J. was happily occupied first drawing a picture for his great-grandma’s birthday, and then playing with Play-dough. After N. woke up I got the boys dressed and in the car and off we went on a very successful shopping trip which included four different stores. That might not seem like much, but those of you with at least two small children understand (and I just have to say that I have no idea how women with three or more kids do it — seriously!). They both were well-behaved for the most part. They started to get pesty in W’mart, but luckily I had some crackers to occupy them (it was close to lunch and I knew they were hungry). I got everything on my list except for a new Brita pitcher, so I am very pleased!

I finished shopping for my Knitter’s Teaswap pal, bought some boring household stuff, avacados and limes to make Black Bean & Orzo Salad, some orange and green yarn to make pumpkin hats for the boys, a copy of All You magazine, and the November issue of Creative Knitting. I didn’t even bother to look inside because I fell in love with the sweater on the cover. Gorgeous!

So yeah, I’m glad the day has shaped up well because it’s been a rough week. I’ve also been sick for the last four days with a nasty headcold and awful sinus pressure. I’m finally feeling like myself today, albeit stuffy and with an occasional cough. But at least I can breathe!

While Noah continues to nap (Yes, again! Miracle!), I think I’ll make a cup of tea and leaf through one of my new magazines.