Time with Grandpa

Morenna & Jadyn spending some quality time with Grandpa John.
Morenna was quite fascinated with Grandpa’s magical ability to pull candy out of her ear. :-)
“More candies, Grandpa? More candies from my ear?”
April 2010

Meals for a Month

I’ve definitely joined the camp praising the benefits of meal planning. A little preparation makes for a lot of ease. But I’ll be the first to admit to you: I dislike meal planning, too. 

It takes time and precious brain cells (from my dwindling supply) to pull together a meal plan.

Some women plan completely from scratch. Others have a 2, 4 or even 6-week rotation of family favorites.

I fall into the first group. For a while now I’ve dedicated a portion of my Saturday mornings to planning our menu for the following week. Armed with the weekly ads, my menu planning cards and my links to favored recipe sites, I’ve taken 20-30 minutes to do my thing... until recently I switched things up again.

One of my highly-esteemed blogger friends finds time to menu plan on a larger scale. And so, for the month of April, I took the plunge and decided to plan out my entire menu... for the whole month. While I’m on a roll, why not? And you know what, we have a winner!

It certainly works for me.

Here’s some noted differences, however:

- Additional flexibility. I don’t have as much control over my month’s schedule as I do for the current week. Solution? I made sure to plan out meals for every single day of the month. Then as issues arose, I swapped days.

- Planning around unknown sales. Obviously you’ll never know the ad from one week to another. Solution? Enter freezer cooking and good ol’ fashion guesswork. I’ve been attempting freezer cooking for some time now, and in planning for the month, it’s really been a lifesaver. When things are on sale, I stock up in hopes to utilize the items the following month. Additionally grocery chains rotate their sales every 4-6 weeks, for the most part. So it helps to keep a mental tab on what sales might be coming up.

- More rotation. I’ve never been a big fan of meal rotation. However, I have found that planning for the month required a little more structure than normal. Solution: Taco Tuesdays Sundays and Friday night pizza.

That said, here’s what our April plans looked like:

1. Spaghetti, Salad
2. Pizza, Fruit
3. EASTER
4. EASTER
5. Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Biscuits, Salad
6. BRC Quiche, 3 Bean Salad
7. Hamburgers, Fruit
8. Rotisserie Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Bread
9. Pizza, Green Smoothies
10. Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo, Broccoli
11. Tacos|Burritos, Fruit
12. Sweet/Sour Turkey Meatballs, Veggies
13. Crab Legs, Roasted Potatoes, Veggies
14. Vegetarian Lasagna, Bread
15. Jamaican Salmon, Rice, Carrots
16. Pizza, Fruit
17. Cilantro Chicken w/ Avocado Salsa, Rice
18. Tacos|Burritos, Fruit
19. Rotisserie Chicken, Veggies, Corn Muffins
20. Vegetarian Curry, Rice, Fruit
21. Asian Chicken Orzo Salad, Fruit
22. BRC Quiche, Salad
23. Pizza, Fruit
24. BLT Pasta, Salad or Fruit
25. Tacos|Burritos, Fruit
26. Soy Salmon, Baked Potatoes, Veggies
27. Crepes, Sausage, Fruit
28. Spaghetti, Veggies, Bread
29. Rotisserie chicken salad sandwiches w/ yogurt
30. Pizza, Fruit
31. Lettuce Wraps, Fruit

BON APETIT!

Menu Cards

An Early Nap

I found Morenna sound asleep in her play box one day when I was making lunch.
So precious! March 2010.

Flower Child

Morenna’s Blue Flower
March 2010

Professional Grade

Jadyn, Punky Brewster, Gi-Gi, Pookie Bear
March 2010, 3.5 months.

Cherry Blossoms!

Morenna’s middle name, Sakura, is Japanese for cherry blossom. Matt and I chose that name for a reason; she was born on the first day of the D.C. cherry blossom festival two years ago. You may remember my friend Rachel and I packed up our newborns and headed down for pictures in the blossoms. Morenna was less than two weeks old.

Well, as is tradition, Rachel and I packed up the kids – four kids now, ages 2 and under – and headed down to the D.C. chaos to snap a few pictures. The kids have certainly changed... but the blossoms hadn’t. :-)

It was a beautiful day to go, sunny and in the low 70s. We packed a picnic lunch and sat under the trees next to the tidal basin (not too brilliant of an idea when you have two little ones interested in water and ducks, with nothing between them and the enticing waves lapping the sides of the basin).

But we all survived. Yes, much to our surprise Rachel and I survived... and we’ll probably do it all again next year. Maybe. :-)

And of course we snagged some fun pictures:

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A Wohlschlegelian Easter

He is Risen! He is risen Indeed!

Holidays for us almost always mean travel of some sort. Travels to Ohio. Travels to California.

And family. Always family.

But Easter was a bit different this time around. We snubbed our typically travelled states and headed North, instead. To Pennsylvania.

But though the holiday wasn’t spent with immediate family, it was spent with some good friends whom Matt and I consider our “second family.” And we had a wonderful time!

Both Matt and I became independently acquainted with the Wohlschlegels during our college days. Their large, welcoming family provided some meaningful comforts to us during those years. And we’ve loved feeling like a part of their family for, well.... almost 10 years (ok, 9.5 for Matt and 8.5 for me).

The weekend provided us a chance to kick back and have some fun... while our kids were otherwise engaged with some other family member for our entire visit. Yes! Did I just say that out loud?

Here are the shots from our weekend in the Keystone State:

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Turning Two

My baby isn’t my baby anymore. She’s my oldest.

Mommy: “How old are you, Morenna?”
Morenna: “Good.”

That’s close enough. :-)

She’s two. And this momma has already witnessed so many new changes in her. Like overnight. Yes, there was the arrival of a new attitude as sassy as the little high heeled dress-up shoes she parades around in. But there was more, lots more. Her curiosity in the world around her has blossomed, too.

Morenna: “Mommy, what’s that?”
Me: “Those are the cow’s horns.”
Morenna: “Ooh. Beep, beep!”

In light of this burst of curiosity, it was only fitting that we had a Curious George birthday party. She loves the “monk”, as she’s termed him, and perhaps he’s the one responsible for her newfound adventurous spirit.

We had just a few of our friends over for the celebration, along with my parents. Of course there has to be another little one present for it to be a real party, so her buddy Kavan was there, too. :-)

Here’s some captured moments:

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Legal Shoplifting

Pardon my play-on-words. :-) But it’s true that sometimes using coupons and scoring good deals makes one feel rather like a shoplifter... but in a good way.

Can I say that?

Anyhow, you all know I love a sweet deal as much as the next person, but when the items you purchase are paid to take end up being family favorites – expensive favorites – it just makes the feeling that much greater.

Hence my happy night last night. And with any luck and some coupons, perhaps you could get the same!

Giant Food Stores are currently (through Friday) running a promotion: buy $15 of select Kashi products and receive $5 off your next shopping order.

They also are offering their dollar doubler days.

Being the Kashi junky I am, I had printed multiple Kashi coupons here and here, in addition to having several that had been mailed to me and some found in previously purchased items.

Note: If you only print coupons online, and you have access to two home computers, you can print each coupon above twice and do a pretty sweet deal.

I rolled my deal, meaning I split all I bought into two transactions and used the money from the first to help pay for the second.

First Transaction
2 boxes of Kashi cereal ($3.29 each)
1 Barenaked Granola ($3.99)
1 box of TLC bars ($2.99)
2 Kashi to-go cups ($1 each)
6 Pillsbury Grands Jrs ($1 each) [*These currently have a catalina deal running... buy 6 get $4 back]

- Used 4 ($1) coupons that doubled = (-$8)
- Used 2 ($0.75) coupons on the biscuits = (-$1.50)
- Used a $10 Giant coupon from a deal I did last week (I also threw in a dozen eggs to the deal)

Paid $5.46 ... and got $9 back ($5 for the Kashi, $4 for the Grands)

Second Transaction
3 boxes of Kashi cereal ($3.29 each)
1 Barenaked Granola ($3.99)
1 box of TLC bars ($2.99)

- Used 4 ($1) coupons that doubled = (-$8)
- Used 1 ($1) coupon that didn’t double = (-$1)
- Used $5 dollars from the previous perchase

Paid $4.17 ... and got back $5

So for the Kashi deal and the Grands deal I technically paid $6.74 and got $9 back. So cool.

And that, my friends, made for a really great night. :-)

Ravioli Party

I love when old friends introduce you to new friends. And your new friends are friends with others who are your friends. A network of friends makes the world just a wee bit friendlier smaller.

Such is the case with my dear friend, Hannah.  We were introduced through a mutual friend. And it turns out we have many other mutual friends. Who knew?!

And who knew I could use the word “friend” so many times in one post?

Anyhow, Hannah is just about the most talented Italian cook I know. When I discovered her spaghetti sauce tasted better than mine (an amazing feat, in my prideful humble opinion), I knew it was time to get down to business. The business of learning all her Italian kitchen secrets. :-)

Hence the ravioli party was planned. Our occasion: Matt’s completion of the bar. And what a celebration it was!

Here’s a recipe for a party of your own:

1 batch of homemade genuine Italian raviolis

1 batch of red sauce (my own little concoction)

1 batch of lemon sauce (Hannah’s own little concoction. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G)

4 glasses of wine

4 friends

1 game of Bang!

For the ravioli, mix 2.5 cups of flour with 1 cup of boiling water. Let dough rest while you make the filling of your choice. Hannah can provide you some awesome suggestions. :-)

Roll out your dough. Add your fillings.

Be sure to crimp your edges!

Drop into a pot of salted boiling water ‘til raviolis rise and then for an additional 2 minutes. 

Remove and enjoy! Yum!

 

I love new friends.

Gettin’ Bigger All the Time

March 2010
Jadyn, 3.5 months

Of Poppins and Priorities

Since the beginning of the year, Morenna’s video of choice has been Mary Poppins.  Such an honor bestowed upon a movie means that it is watched dozens hundreds of times.

It was fun at first, bringing to mind memories of my own childhood pleasures surrounding the popular songs and lighthearted magic.

But I grew bored with the fact I could recite the script by memory. I had dishes to do, a floor to clean... and no one around was going to snap their fingers to complete it for me.

Somewhere around the 27th viewing *yawn*, I woke up and began to catch on to some iconic dimensions of the movie I had missed the 26 times before.

I’m slow, I know.

I sat there, suddenly aware of how greatly I was behaving like those in the movie.

Mrs. Banks was a valiant knight in the world of women’s rights; namely, their right to vote. To have a say. Fighting to have an impact in the world around her.

Yet she overlooked the greatest impact of all: motherhood. And it was slipping away from her.

Mr. Banks was a noteworthy, important man. His job defined him; he was a great investor.

Yet he didn’t invest in the right things. His “life ambitions go, with one fowl blow” and he realizes those ambitions were build on the sands of disillusionment.

What a perfect movie for a discontented, stressed out momma to watch.

It’s not about the daily chores; it’s about the time invested in the lives of my children. Motherhood is what I prayed for during those years through high school and college. The blessing was given to me... now what am I choosing to do with it?

One of the only blogs I take time to read is (In)Courage. Earlier this month a writer posted an article entitled, “In the Season of Rain, Pray for Rain.” It touched a disillusioned part of my heart and has drastically altered how I proceed in my day.

In the words of Zechariah, “Ask for rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain . . . .” (Zechariah 10:1)

Here’s the message, mommas. We’re the caretakers of little souls right now. It’s our season. And like all seasons, we know it only lasts for a short time before passing on. Remind yourself of this the next time a small being attaches themselves to your leg while dinner is burning, the dryer is buzzing and you can’t find a matching pair of shoes because someone smaller than you was reeking havoc in your closet this morning.

You’re in this season, so pray for this season. Pray for grace and peace and joy. And most of all, pray for wisdom to make a worthwhile, solid, investment. Won’t you join me?

And it can’t hurt to pray that someone like Mary Poppins arrives to snap her fingers and clean your house. :-)

What’s for Dinner

It’s good to be getting back to normal in our house. And to prove it’s true... here’s this week’s menu at a glance... already complete on a Monday morning. :-)

15. Crockpot Rotisserie Chicken, Bread, Veggie

16. Sloppy Joes, Fruit

17. Crepes, Fruit

18. Asian Chicken & Orzo Salad, Bread

19. Pizza & Salad

20. Spaghetti, Salad, Bread

21. Fajitas, Fruit—Morenna’s 2nd birthday party foods!

Warming Hearts

Jadyn at 12 weeks.

Innocent Love

I’m jealous of the sweet, innocent, bond between sisters.
At least I can capture the beauty on camera.

This was taken during one of our major February 2010 snowstorms.

It’s All About the Cheeks

I can’t get over Jadyn’s little chipmunk cheeks!

And as usual, her beloved “bink” isn’t far away.

Timesaving Spuds

For the last few months Matt has been studying for the bar. This studying meant I had more responsibility with the girls... which in turn meant little time for anything else. Like dinner.

I grew up in a German “meat ‘n potatoes” family. So naturally when I got married it was to a salad-loving, tofu-accepting Californian. And I was lost. What?! No potatoes at every meal?!

However, every now and then the urge strikes me to place a potato dish in the center of my table. But I dislike loath the effort it takes to create a serving of buttery white goodness and so I always resort to other quicker fixes like roasted or fried potatoes.

No longer.

One day the proverbial light bulb received the last little bit of brain current I had running through my sleep-deprived head (how's that for a dramatic sentence?) and a timesaving mashed spud process was born. Check it out!

1. Wrap washed potatoes (with the peel still on? YES! No peeling!) in waxed paper. Cook in a microwave until the consistency of a baked potato.

2. Meanwhile, place a bowl of butter in a sink filled with shallow hot tap water. Watch the butter melt. Check your email.

3. Set your handy-dandy food processor over said bowl with the medium grater.

4. Place hot potatoes into the mill and give them a quick mash with a spoon, such that the skins split.

5. Twirl your little mill handle - watch out for fogged glasses - color with your child... and viola! I love how the potatoes peel themselves. Oh yes!

6. Add a splash of buttermilk and some salt and pepper. Fluff with a fork. Serve!

7. Oh look... it’s been less than 10 minutes! Are you awesome or what?! Oh yes, you are.

Back in the Saddle Again

Friday my baby arrived back safe and sound after a week-long getaway to the wonderful world of HP. Seeing the FedEx box felt like Christmas all over again! So in honor of that delicious feeling, I bring you "a thousand words" with a bit of a Christmas flair. Can’t quite decide which of these photos is my favorite...

Whoo hoo, it's great to be back in the saddle again!

She's Comin' Home!

Word has it my baby is coming home later this week! I'm so anxious to resume my postings this weekend. :-) Stop by for a visit then...

Some Random Thoughts on Babies

A friend of mine is expecting her first little bundle of joy in just a few short weeks. Her husband scored some major points this last Valentine's Day by surprising her with a "book of wisdom" so-to-speak, chocked full advice from her friends and family who had already embarked on the journey of motherhood.


I don't know how much "wisdom" I contributed, but it was a great exercise to brainstorm and collect my thoughts on caring for newborns and beyond. And for posterity's sake (hehe) I'm reposting my thoughts here.

And what the heck?! Most of you are more seasoned moms than I am. I'd love to hear your wisdom on the matter!


Tips on Young Motherhood