Scattered Sundays and Meal Plan
I need you to tell me if I’m crazy.
And you’re like “where is the “yes” box on this form, cause I’m going to check it immediately”. Fine, whatever.
Do any of you play games with yourself and the thermostat? Like, you can’t turn it on until a certain time of year, or you won’t let the temp get any higher than x degrees no matter how cold you are?
I woke up earlier this week and the house was 65 degrees. Summer was like peace. The boys were cold and my nephew kept his coat on when he came into the house that morning.
But I would be damned if I was going to turn on the heat. I mean, it’s only September; the heat doesn’t get turned on until October 1st. Everyone knows that. #science.
I threw some blankets at them and told them to sack up because once 8/8:30 am came around it would be warm and toasty in there from solar gain. And wouldn’t you know it, it was 71 by the time we left for school.
We’re in the middle of toddler insanity right now. He had three timeouts at preschool on Monday, but even his teacher said it was so unlike him. He’s so hitty and shitty right now. And omg, the questions.
“What does the fire hydrant say? What does it do? Where does it go? What’s its name”? And how exactly do you answer the question “What does blue say?” Anyone? Anyone?
Toddlers are basically a dumpster fire of emotions.
Yep, it’s that time again. F$@k!
I keep having a dream where I win the lotto and get a whole new kitchen. And then I wake up and I’m so sad. My kitchen is super dumb, poorly laid out, and has so much wasted space. I long for the day where I can take a sledgehammer to those crappy faux oak cabinets.
I posted a cooking photo on Instagram stories and a reader responded “I love that you’re a “fancy” blogger with a basic kitchen like mine”. She was too polite to say kitchen that looks like the “ugly backdrop to a 70’s porn”.
If you have been reading this blog for a while, you’ll know that my oldest Jack and I are constantly butting heads about his attitude, competitive nature, and sportsmanship. Basically, he inherited all the qualities I have worked so hard to adjust in myself that caused me to lose a shit ton of friends growing up.
But, I’m pleased to say that soccer season has started and thus far it has been by far the most peaceful few weeks of any sport he has ever played. He is playing with lots of sportsmanship and his skills have really come along in the last year.
He’s always been really good at soccer (fact. Not a mom’s humble brag), but this year is next level. I think it is because his giant attitude isn’t tripping him up anymore.
It’s so nice to be able to watch him and not cringe at the trash talk he is throwing around. I can just enjoy the game and not have to tell him “I don’t care if you’re the best or worst out there, but I do care if you’re a jerk”. So refreshing.
I have no idea how long the sale will last, but Amazon is currently discounting the model of Instant Pot I have and love so dearly. Check out my Instant Pot recipe archives for ideas and pressure cooking porn inspiration.
Comment/Review of the Week
This week’s comment of the week comes from a long-time reader ’round these parts – Izzy. She left a five-star review of the Fried Halloumi With Bruschetta Zoodles.
I made this for dinner last night, without truffle oil cause thats out of my budget, but holy crap it was sooo delicious. Where has halloumi cheese been all my life?? It’s like a grilled cheese without bread.
I’m afraid my husband & I ended up eating the whole package of cheese as the kiddo wasn’t a fan (we are still not sure what planet she is from) Can you trust people who don’t eat cheese?
Anyway, thanks again for another awesome recipe!
On Sustainable Cooks This Week
Old-Fashioned Slow Cooker Apple Butter – Use your crockpot for making incredible Old-Fashioned Slow Cooker Apple Butter. This recipe is so addicting and easy for canning or freezing. Click Here to pin this recipe for later
Homemade Simple Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns – Full of flavor, these Homemade Simple Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns are hearty and delicious. They are so easy to make, you’ll never buy store-bought again! Click Here to pin this recipe for later
Grandma Dorothy’s Soft Pumpkin Cookies – Nothing welcomes Fall like baking up a batch of Grandma Dorothy’s Soft Pumpkin Cookies for dessert! These amazing cookies are so easy to make and are topped with an incredible orange cream cheese frosting. Click Here to pin this recipe for later
The Five Most Popular Posts This Week
- Chicken Gyro Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
- Canning Peaches – How to Can Peaches
- Whole30 Bruschetta Chicken
- Instant Pot Sous Vide Egg Bites
- Crack Bread – Cheesy Garlic Bread
Meal Plan
I did a massive freezer clean out this weekend (I live the wildest life) and am pushing hard for meals based on shit we need to eat. I’m mortified to admit how many supplies I have for making homemade chicken stock right now in the freezer.
I’ll often roast a whole chicken and once we’re done with it, I’ll put the bones in a freezer bag and shove it in the freezer with the idea of canning it “next week”. For shame. I’m going on a stock making and canning bonanza this coming week.
After
Monday:: Ravioli and salad
Tuesday:: Hidden Veggies Chili and cornbread. Click here to pin the chili recipe.
Wednesday:: Shredded BBQ pork sandwiches (found some pork in the freezer leftover from this recipe) served on leftover Hamburger Buns, coleslaw, and some roasted veggies.
Click here to pin the Street Tacos recipe. Click here to pin the hamburger buns recipe. Click here to pin the coleslaw recipe.
Thursday:: Chef’s salads and Homemade Red Lobster biscuits. Jack has soccer and this is something both boys will always happily eat and it’s fast!
Click here to pin the Red Lobster biscuits recipe.
Friday:: Popcorn, leftovers, and movie night.
Saturday:: Sausage and Veggies sheet pan dinner (that needs a better name. Suggestions?), and I’m going to throw in a few gnocchi like from this recipe.
Click here to pin the Sausage and Veggies recipe. Click here to pin the Oven-Fried Gnocchi recipe.
Sunday:: Family dinner
What We Bought This Week
Smith Brother’s Farms: $12.99
Fred Meyer: $46.27. It doesn’t look like much, but there is a lot more under the chips and celery.
Costco: I don’t know because Troy did the Costco shopping. He remembered to take the photo but didn’t save the receipt. Whaaaa.
What are you having this week?
This post contains affiliate links and we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you click through and make a purchase. This allows me to continue to provide free content, and I only share products that I use and love myself.
OMG! I’m kinda behind on reading your emails, but I save them until life allows these simple pleasures & whoa I’m comment of the week!!! And I just LOVE that you know I’m a long time reader. <3
Of course, I noticed sweets!! Thanks so much for sticking around for as long as you have.
I also have a hard and fast rule: furnace doesn’t get turned on until November 1 because a) fuel oil stinks and b) it’s freakin’ EXPENSIVE, OMG
So I wear a lot of wooly clothes and have a lot of throw blankets.
Troy’s grandma had an oil heater and the idea of filling it every winter made me pucker my butthole and grab my wallet!
I live in the land of chinooks and weird weather patterns: I’ve seen snow in August, and 20° Celsius in January. I can’t let the calendar determine when I turn the heater on. I do play a game about not closing the bedroom window completely no matter how cold it gets though ???? I’m a hot sleeper and LURVE a cold room.Â
Where do you live Andree?
Oh, I adore the window open while I sleep but Troy is a firm NO about that!
Yay, another person who plays the thermostat game. We need a secret handshake. Mine is a little different, though, since I’m in Phoenix. My goal is always to try and make it to May 1 before turning on the AC. In the 9 years we’ve lived in our house, I think I’ve only made it a few times. The past three years have seen triple digits come earlier and earlier. It’s only 100 today, so there’s an end in sight. Thank goodness. We don’t use heat in the winter, so that helps. If it gets cool in the house, I pass out blankets and push hot tea. I prefer cold because you can always add layers, when it’s hot you can only get so naked, especially if you plan to leave the house. I’ll just have to live vicariously through you. No pressure, though. ????
The handshake won’t be much of a secret since our hands will be so cold and it will totally give it away!
Oh my, I do not do heat well. I’m not sure how you can manage in that sort of heat! Good luck with your “cooling” temps.
This week is Use Stuff Up Week, because my freezer is At Capacity. Over the weekend, I made a frittata using four ingredients: frozen artichoke hearts, uncured smoked turkey sausage (Safeway had it on markdown because it was close-date), eggs, and salt. That will be dinner for a few days, or breakfast, or who cares. I also used up the last of my summer peaches and a bag of frozen strawberries by making a compote to put on whole wheat pancakes. Now, to just find a clean pan to make the dang pancakes…
I love, love, LOVE artichoke hearts in frittatas!!
Thanks for the reminder about your instant pot archives. I’ve only been meaning to pin those recipes for months. I think my husband is getting really tired of me cooking random shit that doesn’t go together just so I can use the Instant Pot. Have you tried the Instant Pot egg roll in a bowl? OMG so good!
Ha, I love that you’re having fun playing with the Instant Pot and I’m glad to be able to help out in a little bit!
I’ve not had egg roll in a bowl. Do you have a recipe you recommend? I do love the cabbage roll in a bowl though. It’s so easy.
Here is the recipe :
https://pin.it/l2b7sebvxgdy5h
Enjoy!
Thank you!