In My Home This Week: Let's Celebrate!

In my home this week...

...we've had a lovely start to summer, if you like the theory that summer 'starts' with Memorial Day weekend.  We drove up today to celebrate Taylor's first birthday.  My Katie had outdone herself in showing her sentimental side.  Taylor's shirt was made from the shirt Katie wore to her baby shower 14 months ago.  Katie made the banner, the fringe about the high chair from the tissue papers she'd saved from baby shower gifts.  Josh was good as gold and spent his time charming the women.  I'll share just a few photos...

....a few of you got the sneak preview without the promised photos...So sorry!  It was late...

It was a lovely afternoon with family and babies, sigh.  And a beautiful day, too.

....I plan meals

Bess and I will be sitting down together to plan meals again this week.  I thought I'd share what we actually prepared and ate last week since it was a slight change from the posted menu as well as the couple of items I know we will definitely be having this week.

Crock Pot General Tso Chicken with Vegetables, Brown Rice, Watermelon

We were going to make one recipe and I ended making another when two stores failed to carry a key ingredient.  This was however, a wonderful meal.  The final 45 minutes is when I put in the vegetables which cooked just enough to be crisp tender.

Easy Italian Beef with Mashed Potatoes, Pan Roast Zucchini, Salad, Rolls

A second new recipe I attempted.  I opted to leave out the zucchini from the dish as called for and served as a separate side.  There were enough leftovers of this to put in the freezer.

Leftovers Night

Oh did we ever have leftovers this week!  It was a great variety.

Burgers and Hot Dogs, Chips, Lettuce/Tomato/Onions

We plan to cook out later this week when my oldest son and his children come to visit.

Chicken Enchiladas, Corn, Salad

Bess made this dish and doubled the recipe.  She froze two pans of them.  We saved for a  company ready meal.

Mexican Pizza, Salad

Our idea this week was to make Mexican pizzas using Chorizo and Monterey Jack Cheese

...I plan my work week:

I've noted of late that several of my pots are leaving behind a grimy black rim on the countertops.  I think it's time to give my pots a really good scrubbing on the bottoms.

Sort out the napkin drawer.

Just generally do the fussy sort of work I haven't done in the past few weeks.  I won't start, nor attempt to finish, any projects this week, not with company coming in but I'll need to be busy enough.

Bess and I will go buy meats at a specialty grocery known for it's good organic meats for our cookout.

Plan meals for the week.

Finish the book I've been reading and post a review.

...I plan my leisure:

Rest, rest and rest.  I'll likely use some of that time to finish the book I've been reading but I'm feeling a bit tired now and I know unless I try to relax I'll not keep up with the incoming family.  His kids always seem to be a bit of a full task and I need all there is in me to keep up.  Resting up ahead of time is key.