Happy Earth Day! I hope you planted something today . . .
Sunday: leftovers from Friday night's delicious meal.
Monday: Grilled Sirloin from the cow we bought.
Tuesday: Leftovers from last night.
Wednesday: Chuch meal.
Thursday: Aaron's birthday and he wants meatloaf which will also come from our brand new cow.
Friday: Leftovers again.
Saturday: Not sure yet, probably vegetarian.
| | | |
We bought 1/8 of a cow this past weekend. This is locally raised in a friendly environment and was processed in a USDA inspected facility and after doing a pass off in a parking lot over by the Farmer's Market we came home with 27 pounds of ground beef, a rump roast, some T-bones, and plenty of sirloin (not to mention some liver which will be fed to the fur babies). And it was a reasonable price, cheaper than I can get at the store unless there is a clearance sale going on.
Only funny thing? We didn't plan a single beef meal for this week . . .
| | | |
So . . . we didn't grill out last night after all . . . the new grill has been bought but is in the process of being built. Since we still had wonderful Panera sourdough bread and tasty farmhouse cheddar, we caramelized some onions and made caramelized onion grilled cheese. Oh wow!
Sunday: glazed ham with baked sweet potatoes
Monday: chicken fajitas
Tuesday: fajita rice bowls
Wednesday: church meal
Thursday: fajita quesadillas
Friday: having friends over for dinner and Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin is the main dish
Saturday: going to see Prairie Home Companion with friends and will incorporate dinner into the evening
| | | |
Why is it that buying plane tickets always gives me such a funny feeling? I get seriously freaked out at that sense of commitment, and yet I love to travel. Well, yesterday, I took the plunge once again and Aaron and I have tickets to Providence, RI to hang out with my brother and see a bit of New England. While I always thought we'd go in the autumn, that didn't work out and June is. We are hoping to find geocaches in at least six if not seven states while there (after all, I am goal oriented and it makes me happy to achieve something even while off having fun) and eat lots of wonderful food. Ryan has even started an itinerary with suggestions of blog worthy food events to be posted over on THB. We are so looking forward to this time away. Taking recommendations if you have any . . .
| | | |
We do love birds and try to create an inviting environment for them around our house . . . however we just became frustrated by their Spring Nesting Fever.
We have a grill which we love to use and use very often during good weather, and not infrequently during bad. Our grill is definitely showing signs of age and Aaron has been hinting that he would like a new one. Well, that new one just made it to the top of the shopping list. Because you know what? We have two young birds attempting to nest in it. Sigh . . . pictures are worth a thousand words.
You know what I see down in there? My precious purple shamrock has been stolen - they've taken it all! And now I have no more purple shamrock because they've used it for their nesting material. Yes, I'm pouting over here!
That would be one of their entry points below . . .
See? See that villain? I'm sure he is being a good husband/father . . . but he is trying to build the nest in *our* grill. Which means we can't use it!
Dragging the nesting material in to the dark area . . .
And looking on with approval . . .
They are crazy birds! And we now have justified buying that new grill. Of course I still need a new purple shamrock as well.
| | | |
So Aaron took Lindy and I on a big adventure this past weekend. We had been needing some time with no obligations and he created a wonderful surprise. We got up and started off the day at Meridee's Breadbasket over in Franklin for breakfast (after a short walk at Pinkerton's to release some Lindy energy).
After a lovely breakfast, we headed down South and went for a hike at Stillhouse Hollow Falls.
Aaron discovered this place by accident while trying to find some place to hike near to our lunch destination. A short hike from the parking lot to the falls, we had to laugh when a family walked by with a GPS. Aaron asked if there were any caches nearby and the answer was "yes" so we knew we had some more fun in store. This cache was placed near an old chimney so we had to have our picture taken by the chimney.
And yes, we did find the cache. We actually found several over the course of the day. After our hike, we headed over to Shaffer Farms Texas BBQ which is a combination custom butcher and restaurant.
While we didn't have our cooler with us (so no stocking up on fresh meat), they do know what a tri-tip is so I find them acceptable as a butcher ;-) and we did purchase several non-perishable items. Then we went in for lunch.
Brisket, ribs, and wings . . . ranch potatoes, white beans, baked beans . . . corn cakes and peppers . . . fresh lemonade . . . even a buttermilk pie for dessert. Our bellies were very happy (as was Lindy's when she got a rib bone)!
After that we just meandered, around the map, turning whichever way we felt, for several hours. Stopped at interesting antique stores, checked out an Amish stand (where we got some lovely peanut brittle), and found several more geocaches. When we finally headed back home, we stopped off in Franklin once more for milkshakes and Lindy was in for her own treat at that point.
All in all, it was a perfect day!
| | | |
Backing up just a bit . . . Friday ended up being pizza night and Saturday was just a milkshake due to our "big adventure" playdate.
Sunday: Aaron has a procedure tomorrow and is on a liquid diet today in preparation so I am having leftovers from yesterday's delicious lunch of ribs and wings and brisket.
Monday: Sloppy Joes
Tuesday: Telluride Black Bean Tortilla Bake
Wednesday: church meal
Thursday: It is National Grilled Cheese Day so we are definitely celebrating! The only question is how fancy will our grilled cheese get? We'll let you know.
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: something grilled - TBD - on our new grill . . . you'll hear this story soon
| | | |
Sunday: leftovers from last night's date night (yum, Chuy's!)
Monday: Pesto stuffed chicken breasts
Tuesday: Loaded baked potatoes
Wednesday: Mac 'n Cheese and stuff
Thursday: leftover Minestrone soup
Friday: not yet planned
Saturday: not yet planned
No, we haven't gotten lazy in our meal planning (see Friday and Saturday) - it is just that we have some tentative plans and until they are confirmed, I don't want to plan and change. Okay, yes, maybe I have gotten lazy. Eat well this week!
| | | |
Yes - I'm late . . . I got busy . . . and I'm backing up a bit. We had our nephew in town over the weekend so meal plans changed. He thoroughly enjoyed Friday's tilapia, steamed broccoli, and sweet potato fries with us. However we did not have leftover soup on Saturday . . . we had:
Saturday: chicken fajitas with rice and salsa
Sunday: fajita rice bowls (using leftovers)
Monday: fajita quesadillas (finishing off the leftovers)
Tuesday: cheese ravioli in pesto-tomato broth (using up leftover pesto from a yet to be blogged about panini recipe)
Wednesday: Aaron is fending for himself while I go do a puppet show
Thursday: black-eyed pea salad with ham and cilantro using up the leftover ham from the weekend
Friday: either leftovers or date night
Saturday: whichever doesn't get done on Friday
| | | |
Don't look if you are opposed to bacon . . . I have a love affair with Tillamook Cheddar.
It has been my go-to cheese for years. I also am a huge fan of bacon and married into a family who loves bacon even more than I do. When I was much younger, I wanted a BLT sandwich at some cafeteria style restaurant I was at with my mother. Only problem was I didn't like lettuce and didn't like tomatoes. Don't ask me why I wanted the BLT, but there you are. Somehow I ended up with a bacon and cheese sandwich instead and I was happy! The other day, I got to craving one of those and since my parents had recently restocked my supply of Tillamook Cheddar (sharp at that!), I was able to indulge . . .
I definitely had one happy belly!
| | | |
