I don't like being sick. I just don't. I have so many more useful things I could be doing. Like cooking for my family. It's one of my favorite ways to show my love for them.
This week I've been laid low by a virus. I feel like crud. Every time I think I'm getting better, I try to do a little more than I should and then I'm right back in bed resting. Will I ever learn?
The answer is probably no. I'm stubborn and want my own way too much.
Isn't that how we all are, honestly?
I'm trying, though. Trying to be still. I can hear my Father's voice whispering to me through the frustration I feel.
So I'm striving to take this week day by day. Not worrying about what needs to be done tomorrow - or what didn't get done today. It will get done eventually.
In the meantime, I'm going to rest some more. I'll see you next week!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
My Husband is the Best!
Sometimes you just have to brag on your man, you know?
Last weekend (well, actually most of us left on Thursday), 6 girlfriends and I headed to the beach for a nice, relaxing weekend in a luxury condo. I prepared some food ahead of time for the family, but my husband did most of the meal planning and cooking while I was gone.
On Friday, my camera got wet and stopped working. I was hesitant to tell him about it, but he reassured me it was no big deal. He's already researching cameras to find me a new one. I'm not talking a huge, expensive camera because I'm not comfortable with techy things. Just a simple digital one like the one I drowned. Well, actually I was just strolling along the beach when a large wave sneaked up on me. But still, it was my fault. He's just been so sweet to make sure I don't feel badly about it. Although I am sad I didn't get to take a lot of pics on the trip. I had to use my cell phone which isn't the same.
On Saturday my throat started feeling sore. I just chalked it up to change in environment or maybe allergies. By the time I got home on Sunday evening, I felt awful! I thought a good night's rest would just the thing to make me feel better. You know, no staying up until 1:30 am talking, like I'd done the previous three nights! Could that be the reason my throat ached?
No, the doctor said it was a virus and I needed to rest my voice for at least 5 days while drinking plenty of fluids. And I probably should mention the only reason I know what the doctor said is that my dear Charles insisted I go see him. He doesn't like it when I don't feel well, so he suggested I just take the time and make sure it wasn't something serious like strep or the flu. I had a million things to do - laundry, school, grocery shopping. But he told me nothing was more important to him than my well-being. The rest could wait. And it did! LOL But I do know I wouldn't have gone to the doctor had he not encouraged me to.
And now that we know it's not life-threatening or debilitating, he's still just as caring and solicitous. I realize it's nothing grand or heroic, but it's the little things like this that make Charles my hero. I love him!
Last weekend (well, actually most of us left on Thursday), 6 girlfriends and I headed to the beach for a nice, relaxing weekend in a luxury condo. I prepared some food ahead of time for the family, but my husband did most of the meal planning and cooking while I was gone.
On Friday, my camera got wet and stopped working. I was hesitant to tell him about it, but he reassured me it was no big deal. He's already researching cameras to find me a new one. I'm not talking a huge, expensive camera because I'm not comfortable with techy things. Just a simple digital one like the one I drowned. Well, actually I was just strolling along the beach when a large wave sneaked up on me. But still, it was my fault. He's just been so sweet to make sure I don't feel badly about it. Although I am sad I didn't get to take a lot of pics on the trip. I had to use my cell phone which isn't the same.
On Saturday my throat started feeling sore. I just chalked it up to change in environment or maybe allergies. By the time I got home on Sunday evening, I felt awful! I thought a good night's rest would just the thing to make me feel better. You know, no staying up until 1:30 am talking, like I'd done the previous three nights! Could that be the reason my throat ached?
No, the doctor said it was a virus and I needed to rest my voice for at least 5 days while drinking plenty of fluids. And I probably should mention the only reason I know what the doctor said is that my dear Charles insisted I go see him. He doesn't like it when I don't feel well, so he suggested I just take the time and make sure it wasn't something serious like strep or the flu. I had a million things to do - laundry, school, grocery shopping. But he told me nothing was more important to him than my well-being. The rest could wait. And it did! LOL But I do know I wouldn't have gone to the doctor had he not encouraged me to.
And now that we know it's not life-threatening or debilitating, he's still just as caring and solicitous. I realize it's nothing grand or heroic, but it's the little things like this that make Charles my hero. I love him!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Menu Plan October 29-November 4
I usually post my menu plans on Sunday night, but last night I was too tired after returning home from a girls' weekend at the beach. I had some amazing seafood while I was there.
And we found a sweet little cupcake shop that served flavors like Peanut Butter Cookie Dough and Apple Pie with Brie icing. Decadent!
The ocean view from our condo was simply stunning.
As relaxing and enjoyable as our trip was, there's no place like home and I'm happy to be back with my family.
Now on to this week's menu plan:
Monday
Honey lime chicken bites, twice baked potatoes
Tuesday
Potato soup (crockpot), homemade bread
Wednesday
Harvest cookout at church
Thursday
Smoked sausage and pepper skillet, mashed potatoes
Friday
Steak, garlic roasted potatoes
Saturday
Pepperoni rolls
Sunday
Cheeseburger soup
For more meal planning inspiration, visit Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie.
Now on to this week's menu plan:
Monday
Honey lime chicken bites, twice baked potatoes
Tuesday
Potato soup (crockpot), homemade bread
Wednesday
Harvest cookout at church
Thursday
Smoked sausage and pepper skillet, mashed potatoes
Friday
Steak, garlic roasted potatoes
Saturday
Pepperoni rolls
Sunday
Cheeseburger soup
For more meal planning inspiration, visit Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
I've seen variations of this idea floating around Pinterest for awhile now. I love anything pumpkin, so the notion of drinking what amounted to a pumpkin pie was very appealing to me. I wasn't so sure the kiddos would go for it, but they really liked it, too.If you like your smoothies really creamy, it's essential that you freeze the pumpkin before mixing everything up. So it does require a little forethought and planning, but the results are spectacular!
A few hours before you plan to make the smoothies, open a can of pumpkin and scrape it into a freezer container. Freeze until mostly solid. You don't really want one big chunk of frozen pumpkin, so make sure you can break it up before putting it in the blender.
Now here's what you need for the smoothie:
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin, frozen as directed above
1 cup plain yogurt
2-3 cups milk (I started out using 2 but added a little more to thin the smoothies out)
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 TBSP maple syrup
2 teas vanilla extract
2 teas pumpkin pie spice
Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
If you've ever made a pumpkin pie, you know that 1/3 cup of sugar isn't much sweetener, even if you add in some maple syrup. If this isn't sweet enough to your family's tastes, just add a little more brown sugar or syrup.
This recipe made enough for 4 servings as shown above. We'll definitely be enjoying these again soon!
A few hours before you plan to make the smoothies, open a can of pumpkin and scrape it into a freezer container. Freeze until mostly solid. You don't really want one big chunk of frozen pumpkin, so make sure you can break it up before putting it in the blender.
Now here's what you need for the smoothie:
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin, frozen as directed above
1 cup plain yogurt
2-3 cups milk (I started out using 2 but added a little more to thin the smoothies out)
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 TBSP maple syrup
2 teas vanilla extract
2 teas pumpkin pie spice
Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
This recipe made enough for 4 servings as shown above. We'll definitely be enjoying these again soon!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Yesterday I shared a recipe for soft pumpkin cookies. All by themselves, these tender cookies are amazing. But when paired with a fluffy, buttery filling, they are simply phenomenal!
And the filling recipe couldn't be easier.
Here's what you need:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teas vanilla
1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow fluff or creme
In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and powdered sugar together until smooth. Add the vanilla. Then gently fold in the marshmallow creme until completely incorporated.
Find two soft pumpkin cookies of the same size and shape. Spread a tablespoon of filling on one cookie, then top with the other. Repeat for the rest of the cookies.
Store in an airtight container for a few days, if they last that long.
And the filling recipe couldn't be easier.
Here's what you need:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teas vanilla
1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow fluff or creme
In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and powdered sugar together until smooth. Add the vanilla. Then gently fold in the marshmallow creme until completely incorporated.
Find two soft pumpkin cookies of the same size and shape. Spread a tablespoon of filling on one cookie, then top with the other. Repeat for the rest of the cookies.
Store in an airtight container for a few days, if they last that long.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Soft Pumpkin Cookies
One of the reasons I love this time of year is pumpkins! I adore them. And I love to use pumpkin in baking recipes. I have made my own pumpkin puree in the past, but the easiest thing to do is just buy canned pumpkin (not the same thing as canned pumpkin pie mix which already has sugar and spices added).
These soft, moist cookies are a treat! My family loves them. I also use them to make pumpkin whoopie pies. I'll share that variation tomorrow, so stop by then and be prepared to drool!
Here's what you need for the cookies:
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 teas vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour (I used half unbleached white and half white wheat)
1 teas baking powder
1 teas baking soda
1 teas salt
2 1/2 teas pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teas ground ginger
In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the pumpkin, evaporated milk and vanilla, mixing until well combined.
In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Slowly add to the pumpkin mixture with the mixer on low. Once the flour mixture has been added (and there's no danger of throwing flour everywhere), increase the mixer speed and beat until smooth.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon, drop the batter onto the cookie sheets, about an inch apart. The batter will spread, so leave enough room that they don't get baked together. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the tops spring back when touched. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
This recipe makes about 4 dozen cookies. Store them in an airtight container when they've cooled completely.
These soft, moist cookies are a treat! My family loves them. I also use them to make pumpkin whoopie pies. I'll share that variation tomorrow, so stop by then and be prepared to drool!
Here's what you need for the cookies:
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 teas vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour (I used half unbleached white and half white wheat)
1 teas baking powder
1 teas baking soda
1 teas salt
2 1/2 teas pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teas ground ginger
In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the pumpkin, evaporated milk and vanilla, mixing until well combined.
In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Slowly add to the pumpkin mixture with the mixer on low. Once the flour mixture has been added (and there's no danger of throwing flour everywhere), increase the mixer speed and beat until smooth.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon, drop the batter onto the cookie sheets, about an inch apart. The batter will spread, so leave enough room that they don't get baked together. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the tops spring back when touched. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
This recipe makes about 4 dozen cookies. Store them in an airtight container when they've cooled completely.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Menu Plan October 22-28
I've been looking forward to this week for a few months now. I'm headed to the beach on Thursday with some girlfriends for a girls' beach weekend in lovely Destin, Florida! If anyone's ever been, leave me a comment and give me some restaurant recommendations!
I'm blessed to have a husband who encourages me to take time to relax and rejuvenate away from home. I've planned a couple of meals for him and the kids while I'm gone. At his request, I've kept them simple. I've also made some pepperoni rolls and frozen them. All hubby has to do is thaw and reheat.
Here's what we're looking at this week:
Monday
Beef and wild rice stew, homemade bread (bread machine)
Tuesday
Athenian tilapia (based on a dish I had last week for our anniversary dinner), Greek lemon potatoes
Wednesday
Homemade chicken patty sandwiches, waffle fries
Thursday
Hot dogs with West Virginia hot dog sauce
Friday
Chicken nuggets, green beans
Saturday
Pizza (after a visit to the pumpkin farm)
Sunday
Out to eat
Like I do every week, I'm linking up to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie. I love browsing through other people's menu ideas and grabbing some for myself! Hop on over there and join in!
I'm blessed to have a husband who encourages me to take time to relax and rejuvenate away from home. I've planned a couple of meals for him and the kids while I'm gone. At his request, I've kept them simple. I've also made some pepperoni rolls and frozen them. All hubby has to do is thaw and reheat.
Here's what we're looking at this week:
Monday
Beef and wild rice stew, homemade bread (bread machine)
Tuesday
Athenian tilapia (based on a dish I had last week for our anniversary dinner), Greek lemon potatoes
Wednesday
Homemade chicken patty sandwiches, waffle fries
Thursday
Hot dogs with West Virginia hot dog sauce
Friday
Chicken nuggets, green beans
Saturday
Pizza (after a visit to the pumpkin farm)
Sunday
Out to eat
Like I do every week, I'm linking up to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie. I love browsing through other people's menu ideas and grabbing some for myself! Hop on over there and join in!
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