Food Matters.

Hello from the incredibly inconsistent blogger.

I'm still at home.  Levi is still an architect.  The girls are still crazy and I have proof:

This is the time of year I start to get anxious and stressed.  My head gets foggy and I secretly wish I could go to Jamaica and come back in January after Christmas.  I know it's a terrible thing to think but it's true.  Christmas gives me a headache and makes my nose hurt.  Every time I go into a gift store with that strong cinnamon potpourri it makes me want to cute my nose off.  I love cinnamon and I love to smell it but it feels like a cinnamon stick up the nose in those places.  Ouch.

But since it's October 25 and not Christmas I'm going to focus on my menu this week.  I am a firm believer in menu making and grocery lists.  Saves you money, time, and stress.  I try to make my menu/list on a different day than when I actually go grocery shopping b/c both of those tasks are a bit much so I spread them out.  However, since I didn't exactly accomplish everything I needed to yesterday I am forced to do both today.  You win some you loose some. 

These days I have to look at my Calendar before I begin.

*Very long side note*
Levi and I live and die by our Google Calendars.  We access them (we each have our own) through our gmail and can send each other invitations to events and what-not.  Something that was a stress in our marriage was coordinating events whether it be for ourselves or the entire family.  Inevitably we would double book and then somebody would end up mad and not at their event.  Our rule of thumb is...if you don't put it on the calendar then that day is fair game.  However, just because Levi one puts it on the calendar does NOT mean it's a done deal...the spouse has to agree by accepting the invitation,  a-hem.  After a couple of times that I didn't get to go where I had planned...I got real good at using the calendar.  It also syncs with iCal on my phone which is spectacular and I can also add events to my iCal and it will sync with my Google Calendar.  Awesomeness.  

Things to consider after checking my calendar:

-in-laws coming for dinner and to help with some electrical work
-a teacher luncheon I volunteered for
-a Halloween dessert contest
-my parents coming for a couple of days
-woman's bible study pot-luck
-stickers for Halloween treat bags

I shop for two weeks at a time and almost always have to go back for something b/c Murphy's law is real stinker.

Zuppa Toscana-Double Batch for in laws tonight and Teacher Luncheon tomorrow.  I use this recipe exactly EXCEPT I use kale not spinach.  Big difference.  Olive Garden uses kale.

Spicy Chicken Soup and cornbread-for my parents coming on Sunday.  Eating for dinner Sunday and lunch Monday

Honey Garlic Chicken (a seriously good recipe), rice, steamed broccoli, Rhodes yeast rolls, Pioneer Woman's Apple Dumplings-Monday night with my parents.

Brown Butter Banana Muffins-Breakfast with my parents

Banoffee Pie-dessert contest on Wednesday

Lemon Custard Creme Pie-(original recipe that is not written down yet) dessert contest on Wednesday

Chicken Broccoli Braid

Chipoltle lime chicken tacos

Manicotti, salad

Beef Stroganoff

Potatoes Etc.-mother in laws recipe also not written down yet.

Something 80's themed for woman's bible study..hmmm, still thinking on that one.

Now I'm off to make my list on allrecipes.com.  The only thing good about grocery day is the Pay-day and coke I treat myself to afterwards.  Gives me just the boost I need to unload the car and put up the groceries.  Let's hope I can stick to the grocery isle at Target at not veer over to the clothes, bags, shoes, holiday goodies.....the list could go on and on!  But sadly not my wallet.