Christmas Notebook

Last weekend was long and busy. But the weather has been outstanding and we’ve had the windows open. That’s are real treat for July. So nice to hear the birds singing and the locust calling. It’s high summer, even if the temps are way below average. Snow White heard the loud bugs one evening at dusk and said, “The bats are singing!” You never know what’s going to pop out of her mouth. I googled “singing bats” just for fun and found out that of all mammals, only humans are more vocal that bats. We just can’t hear them because the pitch is so high. So they really are out there singing and talking to each other. We are part of an amazing creation!

Having the grands over is always a good thing. Pa has time to read several stories at bedtime. A tradition he kept with our own children. Snow White is already reading at a fourth grade level. It’s pretty amazing to hear her reading cereal boxes, milk cartons and anything else that comes into view. She read “Peter Rabbit” to me the other night. After reading the word “mischief” she asked me what mischief meant. No problem reading it, though.

I got sidetracked from menu making this week. I started, then realized it was time to start working on the Christmas Notebook class I lead each fall, with the first articles going out today, August 1. That will keep me busy for quite a while.

So far this week, we’ve had homemade pizza, Fridge Food, Chinese Take Out and Baked Ziti with homemade Rosemary Bread.

The rest of the week looks like this:

Friday
Sandwiches with leftovers: ham, turkey, roast beef…diner’s choice.

Saturday
Grill Time…chicken wings and pork steaks
Grilled Veggies / potatoes, carrots, fennel with olive oil and rosemary
Garden Salad

Sunday
Roast Chicken
Rice Pilaf
Garden Salad
Steamed Green Beans
Creamy Mushroom Bake

You can find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday. I, on the other hand, am tired. Like Amy, I need a cozy bed and a long night’s sleep. Night, all!

~~Rhonda

The past week seemed oddly timed. I couldn’t keep track of what day it was. The days seemed very long. DH was gone Friday and Saturday which didn’t help my time keeping. I guess I use his usual routine as a touch stone for my day. He went to Indiana to participate in RAIN, which is a 165 mile bicycle ride across the state of Indiana, from Terra Haute to Richmond, in one day. He placed 139th of 971 finishers (about 1400 starters). WTG, Honey!!

While DH was gone, I put up 35 jars of apricot jelly. The apricot crop was good this year, though the resident groundhog and the deer ate a lot of the fallen fruit.

Now, here we are, with a new week. It started with the twins staying overnight. This morning, they got up bright and early, made pancakes with Pa before he headed off to work, then decided they wanted to play outside. They love the play set and spent their time there, making forays to the raspberry patch for snacks, and to the back door to touch base with Ma.

When they finally came in an hour and a half later, they were ready for a big drink of ice water. And then Snow White designed new head gear using two headbands.

It’s always fun to have them over for a visit. We’re blessed their family lives nearby. The menu for the week is as follows:

Monday
Chicken and Noodles (DD is coming home to visit and requested this meal.)

Tuesday
Barbecue Shrimp
Rosemary Bread

Wednesday
Baked Dijon Salmon
Corn on the Cob
Steamed Sugar Snap Peas
Garden Salad

Thursday
Hamburgers
Homemade Buns
Carrots and Celery Sticks
Red Grapes

Friday
Chicken Salad on homemade buns
Fresh fruit

Saturday
Fridge Food

Sunday
Grilled Pork Steaks
Baby Baked Potatoes
Corn on the Cob
Garden Salad

You can find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

After a lot of rain last week (5″ in 48 hours, plus more during the week), we are having a nicer week this time around. Temps are lower, A/C is off, windows are open. All good!

Last Wednesday, the grands were over. They helped Pa make brownies. Always fun! He happened to flip a bit of dough onto Rose Red’s show, much to her consternation. But they all agreed the brownies were delicious.

When Pa asked if they wanted sharp cheddar cheese for a snack, Rose Red asked if the corners were sharp. Thankfully, not.

Today, I made blueberry muffins…more like blueberry cupcakes. They’ll be a nice snack later in the evening or with a cup of coffee for breakfast.

I used the recipe from Sweet Pea’s Kitchen blog. Made mine with light sour cream instead of yogurt, baked them at 350 for 23 minutes. I skipped the sugar syrup step and poured the lemon glaze on while the muffins were still warm.

Here’s the menu for this week. Salmon and shrimp early on, as DD brought it home from the city when she came by over the weekend. Need to use it first.

Monday
Baked Salmon with honey-mustard glaze
Garden Salad
Steamed Sugar Snap Peas

Tuesday
Spicy/Herbal BBQ Shrimp
Homemade Rolls
Garden Salad
Stir-Fry Zucchini

Wednesday
Grilled Pork Chops and Marinated Chicken
Garden Salad
Roasted Veggies

Thursday
Tacoritos
Tortilla Chips
Green Salad
Creamed Corn Cornbread

Friday
Spaghetti and Homemade Sauce
Steamed Edamame
Garlic Bread
Corn on the Cob

Saturday
Homemade Pizza

Sunday ~ Church Picnic at our house / Eveyone brings dishes to share.
Sausage/Potato Crock Pot Scroll down the page for the crock pot directions.
Homemade Rolls
Cookie Sheet Peach Pie
Steamed Green Beans

You will find more menus and ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda