We are having delightful weather in south Texas. It’s like an early spring! Or, perhaps this is just how it is. I’m sure I won’t be embracing this warmer trend come July…
We took advantage of the lovely weather on Sunday and walked down to the neighborhood park. Daphne still loves the slide!
We had a super fun weekend in Dallas last week for Daphne’s cousin’s 4th birthday! It was Daphne’s first “big kid” birthday party at a giant indoor jungle gym! She was fearless, and had a ball! At one point, I thought I was going to have to go after her. Fortunately, she came back down on her own. She loved the slide!
{Saturday} Grilled Turkey Tenderloin, Rosemary Potatoes, Roasted Vegetables & Beer Bread
{Sunday} Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Carrots, Green Beans & Yeast Rolls
{Monday} Super Spicy Chicken & Veggie Stir Fry, Rice Noodles
{Tuesday} Garlic & Lime Cod Tacos, Black Beans, Cilantro Lime Rice
{Wednesday} Out for Fajitas
{Thursday} Chili & Cornbread, Green Salad
{Friday} Takeout
Happy Cooking (and eating)!
1. Daphne & J surprised me with the sweetest Valentine yesterday. And, when I came home, the house smelled like Pine-Sol. Nothing like a super clean house to start your evening off right.
2. I spent hours catching up with a good friend yesterday. You know, the kind who encourages and challenges you professionally. I feel re-energized.
3. J finally moved through the last step in a long hiring process. It’s now followed by more waiting, but, hey, at least there was movement.
Happy (belated) Valentine’s Day, loves.
Here’s what we’re eating/ate this week:
Saturday: Pioneer Woman’s Beef Stew with Beer & Paprika, Sweet Corn Muffins
Sunday: (Late Lunch Out) Grilled Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches
Monday: Take out – Pizza!
Tuesday: Pioneer Woman’s Spicy Pulled Pork, Mac & Cheese, Green Beans, Beer Bread
Wednesday: Pork Tacos, Black Beans, Rice
Thursday: Crock Pot Chicken Stew (Only 7 WW+ points per 1/6th of the recipe!)
Friday: Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken, Steamed Broccoli, Jasmine Rice
I’m back to work and it is Daphne’s first week at daycare. Fortunately with the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, I’m easing into this working mom business. As always, I’m trying to plan meals in advance so that I can avoid the temptation to pick up Chick-fil-A for dinner. But I’m also trying to make things that won’t require much prep in the kitchen when I get home, so I can maximize my baby snuggles time 🙂
Sunday – Christmas
Monday – Ordered Pizza In
Tuesday –Meatballs on toasted wheat hoagies with provolone cheese
(Frozen meatballs and jarred sauce in the Crockpot)
Wednesday – Beef Stew in the Crockpot, dinner rolls
Thursday – Beef Enchiladas from my freezer stash. Chips & Homemade Salsa
Friday – Potato Soup from my freezer stash and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches on Texas Toast.
Happy Eating
We both survived. 🙂
I dropped Daphne off for her first day of daycare today. I am so, so thankful that she got a spot at my company’s Child Development Center after I’ve spent 10 months on the wait list. The timing worked out perfectly. Dropping her off was not nearly as hard as I anticipated as it is just a block away from my office and it is the nicest daycare I’ve seen – by far. The facilities are unbelievable. And I get frequent updates online about what she’s doing. Perfect for a helicopter parent like me 🙂
For her first day of “school” Daphne sported a pink owl shirt from Baby Gap and a matching pair of red leggings. She wore a white bow… but just for pictures.
I hope Daphne has a great first day. And I’m glad that she’s small enough that she doesn’t realize anything is out of the norm. And, hoping this helps her get on a consistent routine …. Something that might help with an earlier bedtime at home. Wishful thinking?
Sunday is grocery shopping day. So, what’s on the menu?
So you’re armed with a plan and supplies…. now you need recipes! Here are just a few suggestions of things that I like to make and freeze.
– TexMex Beef & Cheese Enchiladas – This is my go-to enchilada recipe. Even my picky husband approves! Likely because there are no onions in the ingredient list 🙂 He prefers flour tortillas, and I find they freeze better than corn. That may make them technically burritos 🙂
–Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup – This is a take on the soup served at Chili’s. Yum!
–Baked Potato Soup – I love the hint of Tabasco in this recipe. Gives it just a little kick.
The Pioneer Woman is pretty popular at my house. I think her recipes are tasty, accessible, and delicious. And they are picky husband approved.
–PW Spicy Dr. Pepper Pork – I make and freeze in smaller portions in freezer bags. This is great for sandwiches, nachos, tacos… whatever!
–PW Twice Baked Potatoes – These have been a super handy side dish to have on hand.
–PW Pasta alla Marlboro Man – Delicious and hearty meat sauce! I substitute crushed tomatoes for the whole tomatoes.
And, finally, my favorite Baked Ziti Recipe. Yum!
Cheesy Baked Ziti
Ingredients
1 pound Ziti
1 pound (extra lean) ground beef
1 packet McCormick Zesty Spaghetti Sauce Mix
16 oz Italian Shredded Cheese Blend
1 block cream cheese
1 1/2 Jars of Prego -Meat Flavor
Directions
Cook pasta al dente and drain.
Brown ground beef and drain. Return to pan and add in sauce mix and Prego. Add in chunks of cream cheese.
Layer in 9 x 13 pan:
1/2 pasta
8 oz shredded cheese
1/2 sauce mixture
1/2 pasta
1/2 sauce mixture
Top with the remaining cheese
Bake at 350 45 minutes or until bubbly. Enjoy!
and daphne makes three... 