I am coming through a period of not feeling well. I thank those who thought about me and those who asked how I was doing. I am slowly, slowly getting better. I’ll start posting again with the menu for the week. But a few pictures first.
A few weeks ago, we had a light dusting of snow. Just a spritz. Nothing like the eastern seaboard is seeing. I’m fine with that. For us, at least. My heart goes out to the areas like Boston who have seen so, so much snow this winter. Stay safe out there!
But this is winter in my backyard.
This is a more usual scene from the backyard. Gray and brown. No snow. I opened the window and took this one of the days when the weather was nice.
When I opened the window, I could hear Pa out in the backyard playing with the twins in the tiny little woods behind our house. Snow White and Rose Red think the woods is huge and a great adventure. They love to head out with Pa to explore the paths. He gives them trimmers and they cut their way through the overgrown areas. Too much fun!
A little climbing is a part of adventuring, too.
Rose Red stopped long enough to trim up a walking stick for herself.
We’ve had the grands a couple of times over the past few weeks. They always lift my spirits. They are happy to come into my room where I spend my time in the recliner, trying to keep my leg up as it recovers. They chat away about everything that comes to mind, read books with me, work a puzzle or draw pictures, bounce on the bed, and generally bounce off the walls. All fun! There are quiet moments, too.
I asked Snow White if she she would like to read the new books I got for her. She said, “Maybe I’ll just read one chapter now and then I’ll read another chapter tomorrow.” After the first chapter she said, “I guess I will read one more chapter now.” Then, “I guess I will read the whole book.” Snow White loves to read. She is seven and can read just about anything an average adult can read. Tell her a big word one time and the next time she reads it, she remembers how to pronounce it. The problem is finding books on her level that are age appropriate. Her Daddy was the same way. A week before his fifth birthday, I found him on the couch reading the newspaper. I had to tell him there were things in there he shouldn’t be reading! But we are a book loving family, so it wasn’t a stretch of any kind to acquire more books! Snow White has her Pa’s wonderful retentive memory. She can read something once, or watch a video, and days later she can repeat it word for word. So funny to watch such a tiny little girl talking about a particular animal or the solar system with such an authoritative amount of information to pass on.
We celebrated our youngest daughter’s seventeenth birthday last week. I can’t believe it has been that long since she was born. I remember we spent part of the day on our twentieth wedding anniversary getting a sonagram to confirm pregnancy. Surprise! She has brought a lot of fun and laughter to our family. The house will seem too empty when she goes to college in a year or so, after 35 years of having kids on hand. My last baby is grown. Time flies! Savor the moments!
Here’s the menu for the week. A little shuffling usually takes place, depending how I am feeling and how busy DH is. But the plan is as follows.
Monday
Thankfully, DH is happy to step up to the plate (ha!) and make supper when I am not up to it. He did a delicous job of making this meal.
Pan Seared Tilapia
Seared Mashed Potato Patties
Steamed Brussels Sprouts
Tuesday
We have the chicken in the fridge, ready to use, so this one will be easy.
Chicken Tortillini Soup
Wednesday
DH is home this day and will take care of putting the meat in the crock pot and soaking the beans the night before.
Smoked Pork Shank with
White Beans
Cornbread
Apple Crisp
Thursday
Ham Sandwiches on
Homemade Buns
Celery and Carrot Sticks
Fruit Salad
Friday
Spaghetti
Quick and Easy Spaghetti Sauce
Garlic Bread
Green Salad
Saturday
Haven’t decided what we are doing for Valentine’s Day. Maybe shrimp? And something wonderfully chocolate…
Sunday
Maple Dijon Chicken
Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots – I use maple bacon instead of prosciutto.
You’ll find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday.
~~Rhonda