Archive for December, 2009

My Birthday Resolution

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

I have never been one to make New Year’s resolutions.

I do, however, make birthday resolutions – mostly on those semi-dreaded 10 year mark birthdays.

About a year ago, I went into purging and organizing with a great enthusiasm. I accomplished a lot. I cleaned out closets, old toys, sorted like things with like things, and got rid of loads of “stuff”. But, I eventually burned out and had a case of purger’s guilt.

I did sporadic cleanouts here and there in the course of the last year. But, I never seemed to get back into the groove of it again. And, unfortunately, I still have a few drawers and cabinets and tubs of “stuff” to sort through.

I also have some projects I never seem to quite get done; buttons to sew back on, items to list on ebay or craig’s list, a tub of stuff that never makes it out of the garage and to the Salvation Army, and so on.

So, for my birthday this year I am going to resolve to do one organizing, clearing out, or put off project a week for the next year. One thing a week should be doable.

Maybe you would like to join me?

Sandra

Posted in Organizing | Comments Off

Menu Plan Monday December 14

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Menu Plan Monday once again! Here’s my plan for this week.

Monday – Latkes and Applesauce

Tuesday – Baked Pasta with Tomato Sauce.

Wednesday – Can Can Chili

Thursday – “Sausage” and Gravy Casserole

Friday – Stir Fry and Rice – Rice is my daughter’s favorite food

I have been wanting to come up with a dinner recipe that uses the Morning Star Farms Sausage Crumbles. I will let you know how it turns out.

I made Mince “Meat” last week and I have posted that recipe.

It seems I am forever taking leftovers from bigger containers and putting them in smaller containers. I could just keep the larger containers, I guess, but it seems that they take up more space than necessary in the fridge when they are half empty. On the other hand, it seems a waste of time, energy, and water to wash two containers for one batch of leftovers. So I am putting a call out to any inventors out there. How about a leftover container that shrinks to fit the contents?

Sandra

Posted in Menu Planning | Comments Off

Doing It All

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

When I was coming of age there was a television commercial that had a woman singing about bringing home the bacon, frying it up in a pan, and never letting her husband forget he’s a man. It was the message that we could do it all.

I tried that when I was in my twenties. Worked full time, had small kids, cleaned, and did yard work. It got old really really really fast. I learned quickly that I was not a “I can do it all” kind of gal.

Over the years I have done a lot of trade offs and I just refuse to feel bad about any of them.

I hardly ever make a bed, but I almost always make dinner.

Sometimes the dust accumulates while I organize a closet.

My kitchen floor isn’t always spotless, but I make time to exercise.

Sometimes I am renovating a house and sometimes I am planting a garden but never both at the same time.
And I don’t think I ever regretted answering an email or making a wreath for the front door or petting a cat or playing dolls with my kids instead of sweeping cob webs or washing the windows.

I am really okay with NOT doing it all. How about you?

Sandra

Posted in General | 2 Comments »

Menu Plan Monday December 7

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Do folks still think of the day as a “day that will live in infamy” or is that fading away?

The best laid Menu Plan…. There were some variations in the menu last week. My husband brought home sandwich (!) fixings for Thursday and on Friday I made Spaghetti squash with Tomato Pesto and Pesto Salad. So this Menu Plan Monday will have some repetition to last week’s.

Monday – Beans and Weenies (Tofu hotdogs and vegetarian beans.)

Tuesday – Pasta with Alfredo Sauce, Quorn TidBits, and Peas.

Wednesday – Split Pea Soup

Thursday – Sloppy Joes (A soy product) and Sweet Potato Oven Fries

Friday – Probably Pizza

You will probably notice soup on the menu every week for a while. It got cold here in Virginia and we love soup when it is cold. And, let’s face it, a big pot of soup will last through the weekend and generally tastes even better than the day it was made. Yum!

Posted in Menu Planning | Comments Off