Here's my second attempt at planning a menu for the Stay At Home Summer... last week went okay, but we ran out of a few things mid-week. I failed to realize how much my small boys consume when they eat three meals at home every day, seven days a week.
Again, the foods with a * next to them are those sneaky foods that are hiding extra veggies!
SUNDAY: Grilled hamburgers*, baked beans, mixed veggies.
MONDAY: Fritata, Fruit Smoothies*, Biscuits
TUESDAY: Pasta with pesto*, salad
WEDNESDAY: BBQ Chicken, Corn, Mac & Cheese*
THURSDAY: Leftovers (for the boys), Date Night for Matt & me (yay!)
FRIDAY: Shrimp & Rice*, veggies, rolls (this is a carryover from last week. We ate out one night while I was sick.)
BREAKFASTS THIS WEEK: Pancakes*, fruit
LUNCHES THIS WEEK: Sandwiches, beans & franks, leftover pizza
For more menu ideas check out orgjunkie.com
Have a great week!!!!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
This and That
I was pretty much MIA for most of last week. It wasn't just from the blog. It was from everything. Twitter, Facebook the Blog... I think my big sister might even file a missing person's report if I don't call her soon! (Don't worry, H! I'll call you as soon as my voice comes back!) My absence was not planned, but was unavoidable. I was so sick. It started with a splitting headache on Monday & Tuesday, then I got a sore throat Wednesday afternoon, and by Thursday I was full-on sick.
I learned a surprising lesson that the more seasoned SAHM's will probably laugh at: Stay At Home Moms do not get to call in sick! I was shocked to learn this. If I get sick during the school year, I call in sick, send the boys to school & day care, and put myself back to bed for most of the day. This cannot occur in StayAtHomeLand. I had to get off the couch to clothe, feed, amuse and redirect the children. And of course, I still had to change diapers. It was a challenge to say the least, and again, I applaud all those who have come before me. You SAHM's who do this all year round amaze me.
Okay, on to the This & That part of this post:
I got a new ring today. It was designed especially for me but a very creative lad. What do you think?
I finished the Soldiers Angels Baby Socks... and promptly started a second pair. These turned out a little bigger than I planned, so I'll just send two pair. One for August air conditioning and one for fall/winter weather. (Both colors are actually more pink than the photo shows.)
Oh, and yesterday I got a very exciting package. It might not look too exciting (I mean, it's just black & white yarn, for crying out loud), but it's the yarn for my niece or nephew who will be born at some point in December. It's going to be a blanket that is knitted in the round, so I have to get some new, longer size 7 circular needles before I can begin.
We also got some lawn enhancements today. Last year we hardly used the back yard. I guess with Riley still being an infant, we just stayed out of the sun & the heat for the whole summer. Needless to say, the deck and backyard are nothing very spectacular, but we are making an effort to spruce it up a bit this year.
And, in addition to the feeder for the hummingbirds (who used to come by the old feeder in droves) we got a new feeder for the other birds too. It's mounted right on the rail of the deck, so it's really close to the house. And we've already had some new visitors to it!
Oh, and last week, on Weedless Wednesday, I forgot to show you the new stuff we planted. In an effort to cut down on the amount of lawn Matt will have to mow later in the summer, Tyson & I planted four new plots of late summer/fall stuff. Yep, we're doing an experiment. We planted the seeds right in with the grass. We planted pumpkins, watermelons, zucchini and decorative gourds. So far I've got a couple of sprouts coming up.
Oh, and we also got one more thing today. I'm super excited about it. We got a little (and I do mean little) pool for the boys! The backyard gets a good amount of shade in the late afternoon, so I think that's where we'll put it (if it ever stops raining this week). It's a small inflatable pool that is shaped like a frog. I'll share some photos after it's all blown up.
I've got a few other things to share this week, so check back soon!
I learned a surprising lesson that the more seasoned SAHM's will probably laugh at: Stay At Home Moms do not get to call in sick! I was shocked to learn this. If I get sick during the school year, I call in sick, send the boys to school & day care, and put myself back to bed for most of the day. This cannot occur in StayAtHomeLand. I had to get off the couch to clothe, feed, amuse and redirect the children. And of course, I still had to change diapers. It was a challenge to say the least, and again, I applaud all those who have come before me. You SAHM's who do this all year round amaze me.
Okay, on to the This & That part of this post:
I got a new ring today. It was designed especially for me but a very creative lad. What do you think?
I finished the Soldiers Angels Baby Socks... and promptly started a second pair. These turned out a little bigger than I planned, so I'll just send two pair. One for August air conditioning and one for fall/winter weather. (Both colors are actually more pink than the photo shows.)
Oh, and yesterday I got a very exciting package. It might not look too exciting (I mean, it's just black & white yarn, for crying out loud), but it's the yarn for my niece or nephew who will be born at some point in December. It's going to be a blanket that is knitted in the round, so I have to get some new, longer size 7 circular needles before I can begin.
We also got some lawn enhancements today. Last year we hardly used the back yard. I guess with Riley still being an infant, we just stayed out of the sun & the heat for the whole summer. Needless to say, the deck and backyard are nothing very spectacular, but we are making an effort to spruce it up a bit this year.
And, in addition to the feeder for the hummingbirds (who used to come by the old feeder in droves) we got a new feeder for the other birds too. It's mounted right on the rail of the deck, so it's really close to the house. And we've already had some new visitors to it!
Oh, and last week, on Weedless Wednesday, I forgot to show you the new stuff we planted. In an effort to cut down on the amount of lawn Matt will have to mow later in the summer, Tyson & I planted four new plots of late summer/fall stuff. Yep, we're doing an experiment. We planted the seeds right in with the grass. We planted pumpkins, watermelons, zucchini and decorative gourds. So far I've got a couple of sprouts coming up.
Oh, and we also got one more thing today. I'm super excited about it. We got a little (and I do mean little) pool for the boys! The backyard gets a good amount of shade in the late afternoon, so I think that's where we'll put it (if it ever stops raining this week). It's a small inflatable pool that is shaped like a frog. I'll share some photos after it's all blown up.I've got a few other things to share this week, so check back soon!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Weedless Wednesday
...or...not. While I was away for five days over last weekend, the weeds began taking over the garden. Between unpacking, ending the school year, trying to figure out a routine that does not include going to work every day & rain, I haven't had a chance to pull the little suckers out.
I did have time to buy a soaker hose and put it out. It's not where I want it yet; I actually want it to follow my rows, but it was so curled up from the packaging that I had to just get it out there however it would go, & I'll move it around after it has relaxed a little.
So, here's what the garden looks like now (remember that not all that green is a veggie...):
I'm so happy that stuff grew. The soil is so bad, I honestly thought nothing could live in it.
Here are some potatoes (which I've never grown before) and lettuce. The pictures are a little dark because, well, it was getting dark outside.
This is growing out of the pot where I planted the asparagus. I have no idea if this is asparagus or a weed. If anyone knows & would like to share, I'll be very appreciative.
The sweet peas continue to grow. They've already reached the top of the dead bush I planted them with.
Here's the one lonely cucumber. Except that he's not lonely anymore. There is one other little guy growing at the other end of the row.
And, on the flower front, my lilies are getting ready to bloom. These are late bloomers.
That's about all for this week. I hope to have the soaker hose in its permanent configuration and have the garden all weeded by next Wednesday. Happy Growing!
I did have time to buy a soaker hose and put it out. It's not where I want it yet; I actually want it to follow my rows, but it was so curled up from the packaging that I had to just get it out there however it would go, & I'll move it around after it has relaxed a little.
So, here's what the garden looks like now (remember that not all that green is a veggie...):
I'm so happy that stuff grew. The soil is so bad, I honestly thought nothing could live in it.Here are some potatoes (which I've never grown before) and lettuce. The pictures are a little dark because, well, it was getting dark outside.
This is growing out of the pot where I planted the asparagus. I have no idea if this is asparagus or a weed. If anyone knows & would like to share, I'll be very appreciative.
The sweet peas continue to grow. They've already reached the top of the dead bush I planted them with.
Here's the one lonely cucumber. Except that he's not lonely anymore. There is one other little guy growing at the other end of the row.
And, on the flower front, my lilies are getting ready to bloom. These are late bloomers.
That's about all for this week. I hope to have the soaker hose in its permanent configuration and have the garden all weeded by next Wednesday. Happy Growing!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Menu Plan Monday
This is our first week of summer vacation, & we're all trying to adjust. I'm not sure I was quite prepared for the many areas of life this would effect. It's not just me staying home with the kids... it's changing the schedule by which I clean my house, the way I plan my menu's, do the grocery shopping, workout, eat... everything is all different.
Here's the menu for this week. Items with a * next to them are sneaky dishes that are hiding extra veggies.
MONDAY - Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner) - spinach/cheese omelets, whole wheat toast,* fruit smoothies
TUESDAY - California Chicken Salad, Rolls
WEDNESDAY - *Taco's, corn, salad
THURSDAY - Leftovers
FRIDAY - Pigs in a Blanket, *Mac & Cheese, broccoli
SATURDAY - Leftovers, COTF (Clean Out the Fridge - Everything must go... either into hungry bellies, or into the trash if it is questionable... or cranky...)
BREAKFASTS FOR WEEK - Yogurt, fruit, mini blueberry muffins
LUNCHES FOR WEEK - Leftovers from dinner or ham & cheese sandwiches, crackers, veggies/fruit.
So there you have it. I don't really plan three completely novel meals for every day. Since the Wild Thing is still small, I still have the luxury of leftovers. And, I really do admire those women who plan & prepare all those meals every day. I just don't have the stamina for that... I'll have to work up to it, I guess. Baby steps, people!
For more Menu Plan Monday posts, check out I'm An Organizing Junkie!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Souvenier Fiber
One might think that Arizona is a poor place to find warm, soft yarns for knitting. My mom was very surprised that there are, in fact, 4 LYS's (Local Yarn Stores) in the greater Phoenix area.
On my last day in AZ, we did a little fiber shopping (because, as every knitter knows, that's what you buy to remember your travels). We only had time to go to two shops (this one and this one), but they were both really nice. Here's a photo my mom took of me in the second one:
Look at all the yummy handspun yarns!I ended up with three skeins of bright wool. I'm planning to make a sort of kitschy felted bag. The colors are similar to an Arizona sunset.
And, since I'm still trying to get the hang of this spinning thing, I bought some lovely wool yarn, some assembly required. The fiber I'm working with right now is very, very dark purple, so I wanted something light & airy.
And, despite the busy weekend, I did find some time for knitting. I did one more pattern repeat on Branching Out; I finished two more hexagons for Riley's blanket; and I started and completed one little baby sock:
It seems like everyone I know is having a baby. This particular sock is for a baby who is due in June. She is the daughter of the soldier we "adopted." He is stationed in Iraq, but will be coming home for a bit when the baby is born. I don't know if he'll have an opportunity to buy a gift for her before he gets there, so I'm making these and sending them to him so that he can bring them back when he comes home. They will be very small and easy for him to pack.Happy Knitting!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Home Sweet Home
Well, I got home at about 1am. I slept for a bit and then got up to get Tyson on the bus. I then spent a fun-filled day of cathcing up on paperwork and preparing for check out tomorrow.
Hmm? What's that? You don't know what check out is? Oh, I see. It's no big deal. Check out is only one f the BEST DAYS OF THE YEAR!!!!!
Check out is the day at the end of the school year where I take all my year-end reports and files and other wrap-up-the-school-year-stuff to my boss and he says thank you and I practically run out the door because MY SUMMER VACATION HAS STARTED!!!
The work to get ready for Check Out is great. There is so much left to do. But it's the last push to finish the year, and then there is FREEDOM. For almost three whole months.
Hmm? Oh, you'd like to know how I will be spending my almost-three-months? I'll be spending it doing absolutely. nothing.
Okay, that's not exactly, precisely true. Tomorrow at about 2:00 pm, my very first SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) Summer will being. I'll be taking over all of the domestic chores, spending copious amounts of time playing with my sons, doing a little light homeschooling with both boys, knitting, spinning, gardening and lots (and lots) of blogging.
I've got a few more photos to share from my trip to "sunny" Arizona, and I haven't shown you the fibers I bought there yet! So check back soon!
Hmm? What's that? You don't know what check out is? Oh, I see. It's no big deal. Check out is only one f the BEST DAYS OF THE YEAR!!!!!
Check out is the day at the end of the school year where I take all my year-end reports and files and other wrap-up-the-school-year-stuff to my boss and he says thank you and I practically run out the door because MY SUMMER VACATION HAS STARTED!!!
The work to get ready for Check Out is great. There is so much left to do. But it's the last push to finish the year, and then there is FREEDOM. For almost three whole months.
Hmm? Oh, you'd like to know how I will be spending my almost-three-months? I'll be spending it doing absolutely. nothing.
Okay, that's not exactly, precisely true. Tomorrow at about 2:00 pm, my very first SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) Summer will being. I'll be taking over all of the domestic chores, spending copious amounts of time playing with my sons, doing a little light homeschooling with both boys, knitting, spinning, gardening and lots (and lots) of blogging.
I've got a few more photos to share from my trip to "sunny" Arizona, and I haven't shown you the fibers I bought there yet! So check back soon!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Out of My Element
I've haven't posted in a while because I've been out of town. This weekend I am at the ABAI National Conference, in Phoenix, AZ. I flew in Friday morning, and will return to St. Louis Tuesday night (though technically it will be Wednesday by the time I get home).
I got off the plane and heard, "Welcome to Sunny Arizona," and spent the next two days looking at this:
"Sunny Arizona," my patootie! Just when I was beginning to think that the "sunny" thing was just a massive conspiracy spearheaded by the Arizona Tourism Board, the sun did come out. And it warmed right up. And it's true that the dry heat feels much better than the 90% humidity we have back home.
I've had some opportunities to do some sight seeing in the afternoons, after my workshops. I am fascinated by the strange vegetation and wildlife they have here.
They have purple cacti:
(By the way, Blogland, meet Wilbur. Wilbur is my traveling companion for this trip. He goes everywhere I go, and he really enjoys being photographed.)
They also have other pretty plants. Lots of stuff is either blooming or getting ready to bloom right now. This tree really impressed me. It's a Teddy Bear Cholla. From the road it looks fluffy, but up close... not so much. It blooms with these beautiful flowers that are surrounded by big, pointy, menacing looking spikes.
On the way home today we saw some people crossing the road on horses. (We also saw several coyotes walking down the side of the road, but I couldn't get the camera out & on before they disappeared into the desert.)
And then my mom (whom I'm staying with) drove the scenic route home. We saw the Elvis Chapel...
...and a bunch of mountains. This one is south of Gold Canyon (where she lives):
This is the Superstition Mountain:
I have a lot more pictures... mostly of big, majestic mountains and big, blue sky.
Speaking of things that are big, my mom picked these out of her garden today:
It's hard to tell, but the tomatoes are hugemongous (think bowling ball), and the squash is ginormous (think caveman club).
I'm sure I'll post some more photos later this week, too. There are some interesting pieces of art all around the Convention Center, and a few others from around the house.
I hope you all are having a safe, relaxing holiday weekend.
I got off the plane and heard, "Welcome to Sunny Arizona," and spent the next two days looking at this:
"Sunny Arizona," my patootie! Just when I was beginning to think that the "sunny" thing was just a massive conspiracy spearheaded by the Arizona Tourism Board, the sun did come out. And it warmed right up. And it's true that the dry heat feels much better than the 90% humidity we have back home.I've had some opportunities to do some sight seeing in the afternoons, after my workshops. I am fascinated by the strange vegetation and wildlife they have here.
They have purple cacti:
(By the way, Blogland, meet Wilbur. Wilbur is my traveling companion for this trip. He goes everywhere I go, and he really enjoys being photographed.)They also have other pretty plants. Lots of stuff is either blooming or getting ready to bloom right now. This tree really impressed me. It's a Teddy Bear Cholla. From the road it looks fluffy, but up close... not so much. It blooms with these beautiful flowers that are surrounded by big, pointy, menacing looking spikes.
On the way home today we saw some people crossing the road on horses. (We also saw several coyotes walking down the side of the road, but I couldn't get the camera out & on before they disappeared into the desert.)
And then my mom (whom I'm staying with) drove the scenic route home. We saw the Elvis Chapel...
...and a bunch of mountains. This one is south of Gold Canyon (where she lives):
This is the Superstition Mountain:
I have a lot more pictures... mostly of big, majestic mountains and big, blue sky.Speaking of things that are big, my mom picked these out of her garden today:
It's hard to tell, but the tomatoes are hugemongous (think bowling ball), and the squash is ginormous (think caveman club).
I'm sure I'll post some more photos later this week, too. There are some interesting pieces of art all around the Convention Center, and a few others from around the house.I hope you all are having a safe, relaxing holiday weekend.
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