Menu Planning Monday

So menu planning with my parents.  I can't even.  My mom shops WITHOUT A LIST.  Makes me insane.  I am forcing her to sort-of plan with me.  As in...the few days I don't cook, she can "wing it" to an extent.  This may push me over the edge!

Sunday: Beef stroganoff
Monday: Lemony kale pasta with Caprese salad
Tuesday: BBQ chicken with cous cous and fresh green beans
Wednesday: Fritatta with Swiss chard and potatoes
Thursday: Meatball subs and salad
Friday: Book club!

What is on your menu this week?  Linking up at OrgJunkie!

Surviving

As I discussed in this post, my life was dumped on its head at the beginning of June.  C and I are separated, the papers are filed, and we are getting divorced.  Logan and I are living with my parents.  Not the ideal situation, but they have two empty bedrooms and this will allow me to get on my feet again, put away some money, and put down a nice downpayment on a small house for the little man and I.  

So yes...living with my parents.  It hasn't been bad.  My parents are amazing, they give me the space I need and are willing babysitters.  They love their Logan, and it is nice having the extra help.  To be honest, this is the best move I could have made.  

Watering Nonna's flowers

My mini Frank Sinatra

The separation is only serving to strengthen my relationship with Logan.  All of the time we spend together is creating a special bond between us.  He is being exceptionally whiney, and I am trying to not let it stress me out.  It is probably all of the changes, as well as the age, but let me tell you...he is making me nuts sometimes.

Watching TV in Mama's room.  His new favorite thing.

I am trying to do fun things with him.  This is good for not only him but so I don't dwell on my failed marriage.

Yay!  Swings!

The Fourth of July was interesting.  We spent it with my friends and family and I survived my first holiday as a single mom.

Last weekend was my first weekend away from Logan.  Chuck had him from Friday until Sunday and I did my best to stay busy.  Even went to an Indians game with my friends, which was a blast.

So, that is my life these days.  Just keep plugging along.  The house is nearly finished.  My dad has been busting his ass on the bathroom and soon we will be moving on to the upstairs bath then we can list the house.  I am really looking forward to moving on with my life.  And getting our court date.  This limbo phase is a killer and I just hate the uncertainty.  But, hopefully that will all come to a close soon.

A New Beginning

Sometimes, shit happens.

Almost eight years ago, I met a man I thought I would love forever.  A man I thought I would grow old with, who I believed would be my partner, my lover, my best friend.  My husband.

Things changed.  We changed.  Our marriage suffered.  We forgot how to communicate.  We lost our way.  And just...just couldn't find our way back to one another.

I will never regret marrying him.  From our relationship, I was given three of the best things to ever happen to me.  But we became incompatible.  Our differences seemed too big to overcome.  Our foundation was buried beneath so much hurt and anger and frustration that walking away seemed our only option.

Counseling only works if both of you are willing to go through it.  And that wasn't the case with us.  One of us wanted to fight.  The other believed the damage was done...and the hurt was too deep.

So, in the last month, my world has been turned upside down, inside out, and stomped on.  At first, I wasn't sure what to do.  How would I survive?  Was it possible?

Then I looked at Logan.  And realized he is my everything.  All I have left.  And because of him and for him, I will be a better mother.  A better person.  A better woman.  We have moved out and will be living with my parents for the foreseeable future.  The papers are filed.  Our life is starting over.

Needless to say, house projects will be pretty much non-existent, except to post pictures of our finished bathroom FINALLY.  We are putting our house up on the market by August 1, and I really think we will be able to sell quickly.  And it really pisses me off that the bathroom is going to look amazing when we are done.

Posting is going to be sporadic.  Living with my parents is going to be an adjustment, but I will be redoing Logan's room here (since we will be living here for a few years) and my room as well.  And I am forcing my parents to menu plan, so MPMs will be back.

I will be okay.  I know that now.  But saying goodbye to the person you thought was going to be there always...it will never be easy.

I'm Moving On

I've dealt with my ghosts and I've faced all my demons
Finally content with a past I regret
I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness
For once I'm at peace with myself
I've been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long
I'm movin' on

I've lived in this place and I know all the faces
Each one is different but they're always the same
They mean me no harm but it's time that I face it
They'll never allow me to change
But I never dreamed home would end up where I don't belong
I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on
At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there's no guarantees, but I'm not alone
There comes a time in everyone's life
When all you can see are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind that those days are gone

I sold what I could and packed what I couldn't
Stopped to fill up on my way out of town
I've loved like I should but lived like I shouldn't
I had to lose everything to find out
Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road
I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on
I'm movin' on

Menu Planning Monday

I am pretty excited about our menu this week.  Our CSA has breathed life back into my meal planning and love for cooking again.  I feel that, since I have a better grasp of how to handle our CSA subscription, I can make much better use of our bag contents then I did last year!

Sunday: Pulled Pork with Chuck's homemade BBQ sauce, roasted asparagus, potatoes; strawberry shortcake for dessert (OMG make these)
Monday: Ohio City Roasted Red Pepper pasta (CSA) with broccoli (CSA) and Laughing Cow Alfredo
Tuesday: BLTs zucchini fries (bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini all from the CSA)
Wednesday: BBQ chicken pizza
Thursday: Pork chops, cous cous, greens of some sort (the bane of my existence.  Greens and chops from CSA)
Friday: Unsure right now!

Linking up at OrgJunkie!

CSA Summer Week 2

Can I tell you how glad I am that our pick up is back to weekly?  Now hopefully my conventional grocery bill will get under control.  

Here is my bag after picking up, including my extras:

And here she is in all her glory:

This week's large share includes (please excuse the dirty spatula, lol):

• 1 package pork chops (2 chops; I cut them in half so we have 4)
• 1 bulb kohlrabi (going to make an apple/kohlrabi slaw for BLT night)
• 1 bunch collard greens (damn greens...the bane of my existence)
• 1.5# organic rolled oats (going into my stockpile but I am going to make these granola bars)
• 1 bunch garlic scapes
• 1 bunch spinach (I will blanch and freeze)
• 1 bunch mustard greens (going to make a pesto with it and almonds to freeze)
• 1 quart strawberries (I bought 2 extras) (I made strawberry shortcake tonight for Father's Day)
• 1 piece aged cheddar cheese (yummy snacktime)
• 2 ct. zucchini (shredded and in freezer for baking)
• 1 head broccoli (I am going to use it with the pasta and make Laughing Cow Alfredo)
• 2# bag sauerkraut (they were out of kielbasa at the truck so I will try to get more this week)
• 1 bunch baby beets ( I think we got lettuce instead, which is perfect for BLTs this week)
• 1 bunch rhubarb (no rhubarb..but more asparagus!  Yum!!)
• Extras: Strawberries, pasta, tomatoes

Easy Chinese Orange Beef

This recipe came together much easier than anticipated and was really yummy.  A little too orangey for me, but that can easily be remedied by decreasing the orange juice and zest.  Overall, a winner that I would be willing to make again!

Chinese Orange Beef
As seen on Our Best Bites

Ingredients
Zest of 1 orange
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons Asian chili sauce
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons cornstarch
vegetable oil for pan
1-1/2 pounds flank steak, trimmed and sliced thin across grain and lightly sprinkled with salt and pepper (to clarify: that’s one steak, that weighs about 1.5 pounds)
3-4 green onions, sliced
hot white or brown rice for serving

Instructions
Whisk orange zest and orange juice, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, chili sauce, ginger, and cornstarch together in a bowl.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat.  Drizzle pan with oil and tilt to coat.  Add half of beef, breaking up any clumps and let cook without stirring for one minute.  Stir beef and continue to cook until browned, about 2 minutes; transfer to a bowl and cover.  Repeat with remaining beef and transfer to bowl.

Whisk sauce to recombine, add to now-empty skillet, and cook over medium heat until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.  Return cooked beef, with any accumulated juices, to skillet and toss to combine.  Serve over rice and garnish with green onions.