A New Look

I decided to update my blogs appearance today.  We are having a terribly rainy, gloomy day and I wanted to see something fresh and crisp and reminiscent of summer.  So, here you have it.  A lime.  And you must be thinking, "wow Amy, where did you get those mad photo skills?"  As much as I would like to take credit, I cannot.  I found out about a website called morguefile.com that has free high resolution images to download.  Awe-some. 

I changed the font to a simple Courier style.  I really like things to be simple and tidy, so I went very simple and tidy.  Suits me perfectly. 

I am always visiting blogs where there are these very beautiful and fancy logos, layouts, etc. as the headers and I am always jealous.  Good thing for me that I am a minimalist, because I seriously lack the skills to do something like that.  Ha.

Have a lovely day!

Meal Plan 5/15 - 5/21 and Garden Update

Another gorgeous week here.  I have actually mowed my lawn twice already.  I have planted beets, carrots, potatoes (blue, yukon gold, and red norland) and spinach as well as dill, rosemary, and chives.  I am holding out until the weekend to plant the rest of my seeds and flowers.  I will probably wait until June 1st before I dare put in any tomatoes...but I'll just buy big plants that were raised in a greenhouse.  This is the first year that I have had a real garden (besides the odd flowers/veggies here or there), so I am really excited...and trying not to expect to much.

Before I can post any pictures of our progress with our retaining walls, raised beds, and fire pit area...I have to be able to get a truck in here to deliver gravel and bark.  However, our field was just plowed and getting a truck to the appropriate area will be a bit of a nightmare until the ground firms up.  I am dying to share though...but too embarrassed to post pics of dirt and weeds.

So, on with the meal plan.  A little shorter this week since we have a date night (sort of) planned and a restaurant night as well.

Meal #1:  Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Cheese Toasts (we had a rainy and cold day that this was perfect for)
Meal #2:  Garlic Lemon Chicken Kebabs and Artichokes with Lemon Butter (1/2 stick of butter and juice of 1/2 large lemon)
Meal #3:  Chicken Paprikash with Tossed Salad (grrrr, I can't find the link)
Meal #4:  Pad Thai with Tofu and Cucumber Salad (1/2 c. white vinegar, 1/2 c. sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt poured over sliced cucumbers)

Do you all have gardens started?  If so, what are you growing?  What is your most successful veg/fruit?

Meal Plan and Update 5/8 - 5/14

I have been a bad, bad blogger and seriously neglecting this little hobby.  The sun has finally made an appearance here in the Inland Northwest and I can't seem to bring myself indoors.  Not to mention we have 10 acres of property that need LOTS of attention.  As I have previously mentioned, we built some retaining walls and 3 large raised beds (do you have any idea how much dirt it takes to fill those up?  Yikes!).  We have been planting seeds, herbs, and I got my dahlias in the ground (finally!) yesterday.

So, given the lovely weather...the meal plan for the week completely reflects my laid back attitude.  That, and the number of evening commitments between me and my husband...I am not wanting to spend my time in the kitchen.

Meal #1:  Sauteed Sweet Chicken Breasts with Tomato Chutney (never got to it last week)
Meal #2:  Dinner in the park:  Tuna Salad Sandwiches with Mini Carrots and Strawberries
Meal #3:  Grilled Chicken Sausages with Potato Salad with Celery and Scallions (seriously, the BEST potato salad I have ever had...and it can be out in the heat too!)
Meal #4:  Slow Cooker Bean and Cheese Burrito Casserole with Steamed Corn and Guacamole
Meal #5:  Rotini with Pesto, Goat Cheese, Basil, Grape Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts, and Yellow Squash (Delish! and so easy)

I hope you are all having a wonderful week and are enjoying similar weather!

Meal Plan 5/1 - 5/7

The whole family did a 12K on Sunday (Bloomsday) followed by a few hours of intensive yard work (i.e. hauling dirt).  After a very last minute dinner of scrambled eggs and bagels, I came up with this meal plan - mostly from thumbing through my fave Rachael Ray cookbook.

Meal #1:  Black Bean and Chicken Enchiladas (sauce recipe here) with Steamed Corn
Meal #2:  Curried Chickpeas with Rice
Meal #3:  Spinach, Artichoke, and Egg Noodle Soup (based on a Rachael Ray recipe in 365: No Repeats)
Meal #4:  Sauteed Chicken Breasts with Spicy Tomato Chutney and Brown Rice
Meal #5:  Buffalo Turkey Burgers with Blue Cheese Dressing and Tossed Salad (again from 365: No Repeats)

Been busy lately putting in raised beds and retaining walls in the back yard.  Also getting ready to refinish some furniture and hopefully get to my sewing machine at some point.  Sorry for the lack of tutorials!

What are y'all eating this week?