This Week

The results of my grocery shopping today:

Aldi $24

not the mixer :)

Deals: tomatoes, bell peppers, onions

Hy-Vee $34

Deals: bell peppers, lettuce, strawberries, grapes

Some non-paleo splurges for the weekend (eating with friends) include the chips, string cheese, and frozen rolls.  I even bought deli roast beef, which is something I rarely do because it is so expensive (and processed).  I mean seriously, at $6 a pound, I might as well buy steak.  But if I am going to buy deli meat (for convenience sake), we like roast beef :)  The cake mixes were on sale and I can use them when I make treats for church or something.

Other stuff I like:

I want to try this salad dressing.

I like Megan's tip for using a cake pan when traveling with little children.

This rhubarb oatmeal pie looks not-too-complicated for me.

I am going to read this book soon.

Have a good weekend!

Menu Plan 6/13/11

Wow, it is past time to re-do my blog header for summer, huh?

I went to Costco last week for some staples such as olive oil, almonds, frozen vegetables, Kerrygold butter, etc.  I hope to go to Aldi early this week for some fruit (on sale: watermelon, grapes, cherries, strawberries, and blueberries).  I also might swing by Price Chopper.

Over the weekend, we had chicken and broccoli salad, hot dogs/hamburgers, etc.

Breakfasts:

Eggs, Homemade Turkey Sausage, Fruit

Smoothies

Banana Almond Pancakes

Milk

Lunches:

Leftovers from the previous evening

Dinners:

Hmm. I'm feeling anti-recipe this week.  Just want to keep it simple by throwing some meat and veggies in a pan to cook.  So, here's the selection.

Monday - Ground beef, onions, peppers, avocado, salad

Tuesday - Sticky chicken in the crock-pot, salad, leftovers for soup

Wednesday - Salmon burgers, peas, carrots

Thursday - Pesto chicken, zucchini

Friday - Uncured hot dogs, sweet potatoes, homemade coleslaw

Saturday - Out to eat

Sunday - Cashew chicken, green beans

Happy Sunday!

Menu Plan 5/30/11

Notes on last week's meals: I didn't make pumpkin pancakes.  Instead, I made these paleo pumpkin muffins.  I doubled the recipe, made almond flour by grinding almonds in the blender, and substituted 1 cup of ground flax seed in place of 1 cup of almond flour.  I also didn't stick the almonds on top, that looked weird to me.  They were quite nutty and filling muffins.  They hit the spot spread with some Kerrygold butter! :)  We actually had them for a quick dinner one evening with some fresh blueberries, strawberries, and real milk.


Breakfasts:
Coconut Milk Smoothies
Eggs and Fruit
Milk

Lunches:

Leftovers from the previous evening's dinner
Fruit

Snacks:
Ants on a log (celery, almond butter, raisins)

Dinners:

Memorial Day - Stir Fry (new recipe attempt, I'll let you know how it turns out)

Tuesday - Salmon Burgers, Salad

Wednesday - Meat Sauce over Zucchini (a paleo spaghetti-ish dish), Salad

Thursday - Grilled Chicken with Broccoli, Bacon, & Cashew Salad

Friday - BBQ Meatballs*, Coleslaw

Saturday - Grilled Sausage, Peas & Carrots

Sunday - Chicken & Green Bean Stir Fry

*The sauce is far from paleo with all the sugar, but it is so good!  I may try to cut down the sugar a tad bit, we'll see.  I usually use half the sauce recipe anyways.

Menu Plan 4/4/11

I think I'm a little more comfortable with the prep and cooking this week, so I'll go back to my regular format...  Sticking with normal stuff I know we like, just omitting the grains, legumes, sugar, and cheese and adding in more veggies.

Breakfasts:

Paleo Pancakes

Spinach Oven Omelet (haven't tried it, yet)

Scrambled or Fried Eggs

Chicken-Apple Sausages

Fruit (pineapple, strawberries, cantaloupe, apples, or bananas)

Lunches:

Chicken Vegetable Soup

Chicken, Almonds, Grapes x2
Grilled Chicken Salad x2

Taco Salad x2

Fruit & Nuts or Carrots & Guacamole on the side

Dinners:

Monday - Veggie-packed Shepherd's Pie (no starches or dairy)

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Meatballs (going to experiment) and Roasted Vegetables

Thursday - Nitrate-free Hot Dogs and Green Beans (no buns)

Friday - Homemade Salmon Burgers and Peas (no buns)

Saturday - Chicken Stir Fry with Broccoli

Sunday - Leftovers

Salads one the side with dinner, too.  Olive oil & balsamic vinegar for dressing.

I might try to make some homemade mayo for the first time this week.  As soon as we get some more farm fresh eggs.  My husband and I both think the Costco eggs are watery and tasteless.  And homemade mayo contains raw egg, which I feel safest doing with a farm fresh one, not a factory one.

I've thought for a while that eating this way (Paleo-style) is probably good for you, but I never really wanted to do it until after I read Rob's book.  So, if you are intrigued, I'd encourage you to read the book, too, and see what you think. 

Menu Plan 2/14/11

Happy (almost) Valentine's Day :)

I made cinnamon rolls on Saturday for a Valentine treat since this Monday is a typical weekday schedule, no lazy morning.

No crazy rants this week (hopefully).

Breakfasts:
Eggs and Cinnamon Raisin Toast
Homemade Granola with Milk
Smoothies

Lunches:
Leftovers or PB&J Sandwiches
Carrots
Yogurt
Apples

Dinners:
Monday - Sliders, Oven Fries
Tuesday - Beef, Bean, & Brown Rice Burritoes
Wednesday - Spinach Stuffed Shells, Broccoli
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Nitrate-free Hot Dogs, Peas, Potatoes
Saturday - French Toast - I love this from when I was a kid and haven't made it in forever.
Sunday - Homemade Italian Sausage Pizza

Groceries Today and Family Food Favorites

I took a trip to the local grocery store today.  I enjoyed that so much more than going to the big box store.  In my town, those are the only two options.  There are many more choices if you take a ten, twenty, or thirty minute drive down the highway, but I wasn't in the mood.

I like going to the grocery store that employs people I know.  Where locals have lunch meetings at the deli.  Then, I start to think, why don't I go here more often?  Oh, yeah.  The selection is standard American fare.  Any other offerrings cost an arm and a leg.  Which, sometimes, makes things refreshingly simple, in a limited-options-makes-things-easier sort of way.  But that's not always what I am looking for.  But, today, that was what I was looking for.  Standard American fare and a pleasant shopping experience.

So here's what I bought for $23:
5 lbs. of California clementines
4 lb. bag of C&H sugar
(I really wanted to wait until I go to Costco to get some Sugar in the Raw, but I wanted some sugar for the next few days, and I don't think I will be there until a week or more.)
2 bags of fresh rolls from the bakery*
3 bags of Thomas English muffins
1 can of store brand pumpkin
2 bags of store brand red hots*
2 boxes cherry Jello*
2 jars store brand apple sauce*

*Taking to family Christmas dinner: Red Hot Applesauce Jello and rolls

I went to the store only knowing that the clementines were on sale.  It turns out, almost everything else was, too.  So on my receipt it says I saved $16.  That makes me happy.

Ok, so the recipe above is a requested family favorite on my husband's side...

What are we having this Christmas weekend from my family's side?

Taylor's Pork Roll!

OK, probably no one knows what this is, unless you are from Philadelphia or New Jersey.  And, if you know what it is, you know that it is something that is totally uncharacteristic of me to eat.  BUT.  My grandma always brought some Pork Roll and Tastykakes with her when she and my grandpa came for the holidays.  I found a unique deli near my workplace that sells porkroll by the pound, and I buy some once in a while around the holidays.  I like it on sandwiches, with eggs, or on sandwiches with eggs.  It smells so good frying up!  Just like breakfast at my grandma's house.

Menu Plan 11/1/10

Hello, November.

Breakfasts:
Baked (Soaked) Oatmeal
Eggs & Toast
Healthy (Soaked) Pumpkin Muffins
Cereal with Milk
Orange Juice

Lunches:
PB&J Sandwiches
Pita Chips & Hummus
Yogurt
Carrots
Crispy (Soaked) Nuts & Seeds
Apples with Dip, Pears

Dinners:
Monday - Leftovers from the weekend
Tuesday - Baked Ziti, Salad Greens
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - BBQ Chicken/Pineapple/Pepperjack Quesadillas, Salad
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Chili & Cornbread
Sunday - Leftovers

I did really well eating "no desserts" the first 3 weeks of October.  This past week, not so much.  I got past the point of caring.  But the thing is, when I was doing well, I felt great and didn't miss them!  Woo-hoo!  I liked this challenge... so much, that I might resume it indefinitely after this weekend...  Am I crazy?  Check out this article on Food Addiction.

And, surprise, surprise... the bonus was that I didn't bomb the grocery budget by buying other snacks like I thought I would!

P.S. I made my share of treats... and quickly gave them away!!!

Menu Plan 10/4/10

I tried to change our dinners up a little bit this week because I was starting to feel a little bit like we were in a rut.  As for breakfast and lunch, that's okay.

Breakfasts:
Baked Soaked Oatmeal (modified)
Eggs and Toast
Orange Juice

Lunches:
PB&J Sandwiches
String Cheese
Carrots
Apples or Bananas

Dinners:
Monday - Ham & Swiss on Rolls (I'll try not to kill the yeast this time), Salad with Ranch (new to me recipe)

Tuesday - Fish, Broccoli, Potatoes
Wednesday - Calzones (a version of PW's Calzones), Salad
Thursday - Fried Rice
Friday - (Musings of a Housewife's) Friday Night Chili & Cornbread
Saturday - Soft Chili Tacos
Sunday - Leftovers

I made some easy treats for church today: Two Ingredient Pumpkin Cake and Swiss Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Since it is fall after all, if you need of some apple recipes, here is an easy-to-make-easy-to-eat one: No-Peel Apple Cake!

Coming soon: the stash of groceries from this past weekend.

Friday Update

Well, it is a massive stocking-up weekend for food.  I've done some shopping and hope to do some more tomorrow.  Then, I will hopefully give a run-down of what I got and where, with a picture.

This morning, I went to Target to get my daughter some cowgirl boots.  They weren't on sale, but they always run out of her size, so I decided to save myself the trouble and just get them, because she will be needing something to wear on her feet this winter.  I'd really like some real cowboy boots for myself, not because I am not the type of person who wears them at all times - I've acutally never worn them before, in spite of where I have lived - but because they are cute and stylish now, even if you don't live on a ranch.  (I don't live on a ranch.)  Ah, but I am saving up for something else.  The boots will have to wait.

I've decided this is what I will be adding to the menu for this weekend (since I had left it as ToBeDetermined):

Cheddar Cheese Soup with Zucchini, Broccoli, and Carrots & these No-Knead Dinner Rolls
Also making some Apple Banana Muffins for breakfast.
3 new recipes!

I was inspired by Katie last week and decided our pantry needed and minor overhaul... here's the before and after:

(Nothing very drastic, but it is better. You see multiple oats containers because I save them and store things like flour and granola and opened cereal in them.  The shelves go as follows: #1: breakfast and vitamins, #2: dry goods and sandwich stuff, #3: drinks - which is really odd to me because we usually drink water or milk, and coffee for my husband, but I guess we have a lot of leftover Kool-Aid, hot chocolate, tea, etc, because we don't drink them that much so therefore they take up a lot of room?  All I know is I don't need any hot cocoa mix for a long time!, #4 baking supplies, #5: any canned goods and other heavy stuff, like the tubs of coconut oil .)

I also reorganized my spice cabinet next to the stove.  I was on a roll and got all the kids winter clothes put in their closets, and pulled out the too-small stuff to give to friends.  Today, I am not as ambitious.

I'm trying to look ahead to Christmas.  Making mental checklist.  It seems we simplify the gift-giving a little more each year, even with the addition of our children to the family.  I think that it a good thing, because the preparing and shopping is more challenging with children, and we want to spend more time focusing on meaningful and fun things with them.  So, with a little less shoppng to think about, it all evens out.

I am not typically an overachiever in the sit-front-and-center-in-class-and-ask-questions-and-turn-your-assignment-in-early sort of way.  But, I like Christmastime.  And since it is THE busiest time at one of my jobs, I like to get a jump on shopping for gifts and get as much done ahead of time as possible.  So that is one goal for October: purchasing gifts and cards to mail later.

Ok, I hope you have a good weekend!

Menu Plan 9/20/10

Interested in real food/slow food/whateveryouwantocallit?  Check out this article: Do you have the balls to really change to food system?  Wow.

I have found another way to using the precious chicken stock from roasting sticky chicken in the crock-pot.  Use it for making brown rice.  I really like this Perfectly Baked Brown Rice recipe.

Breakfasts:
Waffles with Syrup*
Baked Soaked Oatmeal (I use less apples and raisins, a tad more buttemilk, and no baking powder.)
Eggs and Toast
Milk

Lunches:
Pasta Salad: Whole Wheat Penne, Chicken, Olives, Tomatoes, Feta, Italian Dressing

Dinners:
Monday - Quesadillas, Salad with Ranch
Tuesday - Leftovers
Wednesday - Tuna Melts, Salad
Thursday - Chimichangas**, Salad
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Red Beans & Rice
Sunday - Leftovers

Other:
Yogurt
Apples & Pears

*These are my favorite waffles ever. I make a double batch on a weekend night (because making waffles is tedious for me) and freeze them. Then just pop them in the toaster or under the broiler in the mornings. I think they taste like Eggos from childhood! This syrup is easy if you make it ahead. Last time, I only used vanilla extract, because that was all I had, and we still liked it.

**When I make these chimichangas (which I've tried with beef, gound turkey, shredded turkey, and chopped chicken, part beans, each being good,) I use one cup of salsa in replacement of the 1/2 c. taco sauce + 1/2 c. green chilis. Simpler and less to buy at the store. Also, I use about 1/2 the amount of butter called for and I don't dip the tortillas. I put some melted butter in the bottom of the pan, place the rolled chimichangas in, and then bush butter generously on the tops of the tortillas. They still turn out plenty crunchy and yummy.  I also usually use more tortillas than called for to stretch the meat further.  I roll them thinner, more like taquitoes.
 
Fall officially starts this week! :)

Oatmeal Bread

My most successful bread so far.  Makes 2 loaves.  No breadmaking machine required!

This recipe is from an older widow lady who used to bring my family a loaf of this fresh bread to us every now and then when I was growing up.  I like it best when warm, with butter.

If I am going to go to the effort of baking bread, I want it to turn out well - in texture, taste, and health.  This recipe does that pretty well, so far.  My husband has even given it the thumbs up.

To get away from canola oil, I just tried it with coconut oil in the bread, and olive oil in the bowl for rising.  That was a success.  I wonder if I could try honey for the molasses, simply because I can buy honey easier in large quantities...  I'm not sure which is cheaper, though.

Here you go:

Oatmeal Bread

1 c. regular oats, uncooked
1/2 c. molasses
1/3 c. canola oil
1 t. salt
1 and 1/2 c. boiling water
2 pkgs. yeast (or 4 and 1/2 t. yeast)
1/2 c. warm water (105-115 degrees F)
1 c. whole wheat flour
about 5 c. all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten (room temperature)

Combine first 5 ingredients, mixing well; cool to 105-115.  I don't measure the temperature; I just stick my finger in and guess.
Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes.
Add oats mixture, whole wheat flour, 2 c. all purpose flour, and eggs; mix well.
Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Turn dough out on a floured surface and knead 8-10 minutes (until smooth and elastic). I do this entirely in my Kitchen Aid mixer with the dough hook.

Place in a well-grease bowl, turning once to grease top.  Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise.  I cover with a damp cloth and put in the microwave (not on).  I figure it is pretty draft-free.

Punch dough down; divide in half.  Shape each into a loaf.  Place in well-greased 9x5x3 inch pans.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped.  I learned the hard way to let it bake the entire time, even if it is getting really brown.

Mmm, enjoy!

Menu Plan 4/19/10

Breakfasts:
Soaked Oatmeal with Blueberries
Soaked German Pancakes (new)
Milk

Lunches:
PB&J Sandwiches
Leftover Soup
Yogurt with Honey
Fruit
Dessert

Dinners:
Monday - Leftovers, Salad
Tuesday - Potato Soup with Homemade Bread
Wednesday - Hot Dogs (nitrate-free) on Wheat Buns, Homefries
Thursday - Hearty Chicken and Rice Soup
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Pizza
Sunday - Quinoa Medley

Desserts:
???... I'll take suggestions or requests!

One more day until the giveaway!

Homemade Tortillas

I love tortillas.  I don't buy it that corn tortillas are so much healthier than flour - we (as Americans) eat too much corn as it is, in my opinion.  I may be wrong, but anyways, I like flour tortillas.

You can get good tasting ones for super cheap at Costco - like 36 for $3 something.  And they are good.  But, I am appalled when I look at the ingredient list.  Sometimes I buy them at Whole Foods, with a much shorter ingredient list, although, still not a great list.  And they are more expensive - 6 small ones for nearly $2.

So, today I tried my hand at making these Homemade Four Tortillas.  They aren't too bad, it is just hard to get them thin enough.  I used coconut oil instead of the lard, but after reading some of the reviews, might try butter next time.  (I am not against lard, I just don't have easy access to any of the good stuff.)  The dough was really easy to make.

The longest part was rolling them out and cooking them.  It made me reminisce about the tortilla making room at my favorite Mexican restaurant, growing up.  Next to the lobby, there was a small room with a giant glass window where you could watch the lady make the tortillas. She would put the balls of dough into the maching that would press out a flat tortilla and then you could watch it bake as it travelled through the machine and flop out onto a wire conveyor belt.  Kind of like the donut factory at Krispy Kreme! :)  Anyways, I wanted one of those machines to help me out today.

Bread products are one of my weaknesses when it comes to processed food... they are just so much easier to buy than to make.  But I am getting there, maybe.  I will have to tell you about my recent successful breakmaking endeavor soon.

Altering up the menu plan and planning quesadillas for dinner tonight!

Menu Plan 4/5/10

The sugar/dessert fast is over.  I made Sigrid's Carrot Cake today.  I think I overbaked it, it was a little dry.  We loved the icing, though! (without nuts)

Breakfasts:
Soaked Baked Oatmeal
Kashi or Cheerios with Milk
Blueberries or Bananas
Smoothies

Lunches:
Leftover Potato Soup with Bread and Butter
Egg Salad Sandwiches
Fruit

Dinners:
Monday - Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Salad with Creamy Peppercorn Dressing
Tuesday - Leftovers
Wednesday - Roasted Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Salad
Thurday - Leftovers
Friday - Chicken Salad on Buns, Salad
Saturday - Leftovers
Sunday - Pizza (crust)

Treats:
Chocolate Candy

I hope you had a happy Easter!

Menu Plan 11/23/09

Notes regarding last week's menu: We made some Apple Crisp and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (LOVE these) instead of the Blackberry Cobbler. We also didn't get to the Shepherd's Pie; we had pizza instead. So you might see that menu again soon, too.

Breakfasts:

Granola or Cheerios with Milk

Blueberry Muffins

Clementines

Lunches:

PB&J Sandwiches

Yogurt

Apples

Dinners:

Monday - Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti (cream soup recipe found here), Salad Greens

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - PW's Cowboy Calzones (from the new cookbook), Green Beans

Thursday - Leftovers (We are having Thanksgiving dinner over the weekend.)

Friday - Dinner with family

Saturday - Dinner with family

Sunday - Leftovers

Dessert:

Blackberry Cobbler with Vanillla Ice Cream

P.S. Since cream cheese is sometimes on sale this time of year, you might want to consider making this Apple Dip; it is superb! If needed, you can keep it super simple and simply mix cream cheese and brown sugar by themselves and it is still good with a nice tart, green apple.

This post is part of Menu Plan Monday.

Creamy Crockpot Corn

This is a great side dish for a holiday meal doesn't take up room on the stove or in the oven.

8 oz. package cream cheese, cut up
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. water
2 T. sugar
2 to 3 lbs. frozen corn

Cook in crock pot on low 4-5 hours, stirring several times.

(I like to melt the butter and cream cheese beforehand and get everything mixed up really well from the start. It will still need stirring as it cooks, though.)

Menu Plan 8/31/09

Without a menu plan, I waste time... and I don't have time to waste!

Actually, we've been quite blessed with the majority of dinners brought to use these past few weeks... and we've got quite a bit in the freezer, thanks to my mother and mother-in-law. I think our freezer is as full as it can be! I bet it will go quick, though. I'm ALWAYS hungry!

I'm not going to assign any particular day to the dinners this week, just post a list.

Breakfasts:

Frosted Mini-Wheats with milk (a sweet treat, on sale with Costco coupon)

Bananas, Cantelope

Orange Juice ($.99/half gallon)

Lunches:

PB&J Sandwiches or Crackers and Cheese

Carrots

Fruit (apples, peaches, nectarines)

For hubby on the go: Lunchable and Fruit

(The lunchables were on sale last week for $.79. Not healthy, but no worse than what he'd pick up running around town.)

Dinners:

1. Provided!

2. Leftovers, Sweet Corn

3. Crustless Spinach Quiche*, Ranch Potatoes

4. Baked spaghetti (provided!), Zucchini, Garlic Toast

5. Leftovers

6. Homemade Burritos (from the freezer), Salad

7. ??

Dessert:

Haagen-daaz bars (a treat, also on sale with Costco coupon)

Drinks:

Milk

LOTS of water :)

*We keep getting spinach each week with our produce order. I know I could sub something in it's place, but we like it and it is good for you! I've frozen some and used lots fresh in salad. This quiche is just an easy recipe to use it up, too.

Menu Plan 8/3/09

August, whoo-hoo! My due date is only 12 days away. I went to Price Chopper, Aldi, and Costco over the weekend to stock up on stuff. Saturday + new month/payday + back-to-school shoppers = I anticipated craziness at the stores. But we went early and were finished by 10:30 so it wasn't bad at all. We were too early for the samples at Costco, though :(

Ok, one thing I am not happy about, and I have to rant for a sec. I was checking for my prenatal vitamins at Costco. They used to carry a 300 count (almost a years worth) for like $14 or so, which was an awesome price. Now, they changed the kind (same brand) to softgels with added DHA and it is only a 90 count for like $19!!!! Ugh! I liked them how they were just fine! Anyways. Guess I'll be getting them elsewhere.

Breakfasts:
Cheerios with Bananas and Milk
Smoothies

Lunches:
PB&J Sandwiches

Cheese Sticks
Fruit

Dinners:
Monday - Chicken Pot Pie (make 2, freeze 1)
Tuesday - Leftovers
Wednesday - BLT's, Zucchini

Thursday - Crustless Spinach Quiche

Friday - Chili and Golden Sweet Cornbread
Saturday - Leftovers
Sunday - Tater-tot Casserole (divide in 2, freeze 1)

Desserts:
Key Lime Pie
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

More Menu Plans...

Quick Drop Biscuits

On Monday I was going to make homemade bread, but then realized we were out of oil and sugar. I was going to the store on Tuesday. We needed something with our Chicken Noodle Soup for Monday night. We were nearly out of saltine crackers, too...

Biscuits to the rescue!

Besides, the soup was rather un-brothy and would be better called Chicken and Noodles. We could eat it over biscuits. So I pulled out my trusty Better Homes and Gardens cookbook and made homemade biscuits instead. (Much easier than baking bread would have been!)

Drop Biscuits

2 cups flour
1 T. baking powder
1/4 to 1/2 t. salt
1/3 cup shortening (I used butter)
1 cup milk

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in shortening and mix with a fork or pastry blender. Add milk and stir until just moistened. Drop onto greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 for 10-12 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 12 biscuits.

Note: I get impatient trying to cut in cold butter, so I melted mine and poured it in. The batter sat (covered) in the fridge while we went swimming. I baked the biscuits when we returned.

This 'n' That

I've decided I do not like kale. Usually I like stuff just because I know it is good for me. And I know kale is good for me. But I don't like it and I am not going to eat it anymore.

I am trying to have a productive day at home today. So far I've folded two loads of laundry, washed and dried 3 (still to fold), vaccumed all the floors, mopped the kitchen, hallway, and laundry room floors, went to 2 grocery stores with my daughter, sorted baby clothes for an hour, and redistributed some toys (put some away, got others out).

I made homemade ketchup last night because we were out, but we had tomato paste.

I have been slacking lately on getting blog posts up in time for the theme days. I have things to write, just not the time on those particular days. Maybe I will prewrite some things this weekend.

We need a new grill. Ours has no handle and there is a bird's nest in it. How nice would it be to win this one? Though I'd prefer propane, it is simple and would work just fine.

I want some new throw pillows (see p. 41) for the living room. We don't do a lot of gifts around here, but can I buy myself a Mother's Day present?

Stuff (for my husband) to do hopefully in the next month: move the computer wiring and the computer desk to the basement, move the baby furniture into that bedroom, get "big girl" furniture and move it into our daughter's room. I wish I could do this stuff myself and just get it done, but I can't.

I also want to rearrange the living room this weekend.

That's about it for now. Have a great weekend!