Odds 'n Ends

I haven't been good about posting lately, but I finally feel like I have a *bit* more time, so I am going to play catch-up with a list of random tidbits

• I made the best cookies ever last week.  Seriously.
• I hate our master bedroom.  And because of that, I don't try that hard to keep it clean.  I leave laundry everywhere and just don't give it the time and effort that I do to the rest of the house.  So this summer,  I am setting a budget for myself and seeing what I can do with it for a redecorating project.  And really, it is a blank slate.  Beige walls, crappy comforter...nothing exciting at all.  Boring, as a matter of fact.  I am looking forward to it.
• Logan.  Oh Logan.  This kid is in the terrible twos full-force.  He tests me constantly and we are having some behavioral issues at school (although the last week was much better).  So I think on spring break we will be moving him to his "big boy" bed and room.  I am not going to redecorate just yet.  Holding off until the fall for that, when we will transition him from a toddler bed to a full-size bed.
• My English II Honors class is going really well.  I am pretty much teaching the shit out of it. I am super bored with Huck Finn so I can't wait to move on to something else.
• Went back to the gym and feel great!
• Our five year wedding anniversary was last weekend and I can't believe it has been that long already.
• One of our first projects for the nice weather is to finally build the girls' lofts.  We ran out of time (and money) in the fall, so it was put off.   Once we get the small bathroom done and it warms up, I am seriously hoping to get them finished.
• My pantry needs an overhaul.  That is my spring break project, along with more deep cleaning of the house.  I already did Logan's, so I feel slightly ahead of the game.

I really wish I had more to say...I guess my life is fairly boring.  I am too busy shuttling the girls to all of their after-school activities :)

Menu Planning Monday

Another week!  I took a big step in my menu planning process on Sunday and took inventory of all of the beef that we have out there (a 1/4 cow).  I was sitting around, trying to finish my grocery list and decide on what we were having for dinner, but I didn't know what the heck was in there!  We have a ton of steaks and I can't wait to grill them during the summer!  Anyway, here is our list for the week:

List template from OrgJunkie and the coupon clutch is one of Thirty-One's NEW spring products!

Sunday: Burgers and chips (we went high class and ate Sunday dinner on paper plates!)
Monday: We are up in the air right now because J has a last-minute doctor's appointment.
Tuesday:  Meatloaf, mashed potatoes (CSA!), peas (frozen from our CSA!)
Wednesday: Saucy pepper steak over rice (frozen peppers from our CSA)
Thursday: Chicken brats, corn (both from our CSA)
Friday: 31 party!  Kids and C will be having pizza (dough from the freezer)
Saturday: Night at the Races fundraiser

What is on YOUR menu?  Linking up at OrgJunkie!

Winter CSA Week 9

Another winter bag.  And another conundrum.  I feel like these winter bags really test my creative abilities.  But I will tell you something.  I can't wait for the summer session to start because my grocery bill is creeping up again and I do not like that.  Not one bit.  I think the fact that we are all stuck in the house and bored that the kids are eating me out of house and home!

Here is the bag for the week:

• 1 whole chicken
• 3 lb rutabagas
• 3 lb Yukon Gold potatoes (will eat with meatloaf)
• 1 lb carrots (going to use some for stock and some to roast)
• 0.5 lb dragon tongue beans (will save for more soup probably)
• 2 bulbs kohlrabi (little guys!)
• 1/2 lb honey puffed spelt and corn (cereal...tastes like Honey Smacks!)
• 1 lb beets (will give to my friend because we just can't get on the beet wagon)
• 1 quart frozen cauliflower
• 1 pint frozen peas
• 1 winter squash (we did not get...got more corn instead!  YUM!)
• 1 dozen eggs (this wasn't on our original list...so maybe a bonus?? or a substitution I am missing)

I have a tough time with these winter root veggies, and really don't know what the hell to do with the rutabagas.  I think I will bring the kohlrabi for a snack in my lunch and just eat it raw, unless I can find a salad to put it in with. I am going to make the chicken in the crock pot and use the breasts for enchiladas and then make stock the next day.  

Anyone have suggestions for rutabagas or kohlrabi??

Menu Planning Monday

Another week.  Another huge grocery shopping trip.  More snow.  I am over this snow.  I am ready for spring, grilling out, fresh fruit and veggies that don't cost a bajillion dollars.  I need to get out of this house.

Anyway, here is the menu this week:
Sunday: Spaghetti and fresh bread
Monday: Meatball subs, Caesar salad, basil cous cous
Tuesday: Chicken enchiladas
Wednesday: Meatloaf, peas, mashed potatoes
Thursday: Chicken brats and whatever random side I can find
Friday: Mac and Cheese
Saturday: Out to dinner for our anniversary

What is on YOUR menu this week?  Link up at OrgJunkie!

I am a Guest Poster

I am blogging about a day in my life!

 Come visit me over at Ashley's blog, The Domestic Wannabe!!

Weightloss Update

At the end of the school year, a YMCA opened near us and I was really excited to sign up for a membership. I was really dedicated over the summer and was going almost daily.

When school started again, I MADD it a point to make my workouts a part of my day. I would go right after work and get Logan from day care after. It became hard to come home and get dinner ready and I felt very rushed, so the gym kind of fell to the wayside.

The, around the middle of November, I stepped on the scale and realized that I was super close to seeing a number I had not seem in a LONG time. So, back to the gym I went.

During the summer, I was taking weekly pictures of my progress. This is a comparison of where I was at the beginning of the summer and where I am now:

Same tank and sports bra. Fifteen pounds lighter.

I have realized how important physical activity is. I just FEEL BETTER when I work out several times a week, and I never thought I would be someone who wanted to go to the gym. I feel more rested and I know I am less crabby.

I have a dress I want to fit into by a wedding we are going to in May. And I really think I can do it!

Menu Planning Monday

Here we are!  Another week!!

Sunday: Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes, waffle fries
Monday: Chicken puffs, corn (from our CSA), butter noodles
Tuesday: Linguini and tomato sauce (both from our CSA)
Wednesday: Shepherd's pie (make with ground chicken instead of turkey from our CSA)
Thursday: Chili and cornbread
Friday: Pizza (I have a 31 party)
Saturday: Not sure yet.  I have another 31 party!

What are YOU making this week?  Link up at OrgJunkie!

Winter CSA, Week 8

I am super excited about this week's bag.  We had no pick up last week, and because we are waiting for some greens and whatnot to be harvested, we have a mostly fridge/pantry bag!

This week's bag:

• Sweet Corn - 3 frozen containers
• 1 package chicken brats
• 1 package cheese  - smoked cheddar or Swiss
• 1 package ground chicken
• 1 lb rosemary spelt linguine (from Ohio City Pasta...so good!)
• 1 pint heirloom tomato sauce
• 1 bag corn chips
• 1 dozen eggs
• 1 bunch young bunching garlic (looks like green onions)
• Extras: Hot pepper Havarti, because I love it.

Excited that we do not have random salad greens this week...I never know what to do with them!!