Mealplan Monday #117 and it's that time again

It's so hard for me to fathom how fast this summer is going - is it because three of the four kids are now graduated from high school?  I don't know, but it's already time for Hubby and Bubbie to go to summer scout camp.  This year it's in Colorado.

Monday - BBQ Chicken Salad, garlic toast
Tuesday - Italian Layer Bake, marinated tomatoes
Wednesday - Thousand Island Pork Chops, mac and cheese, kale
Thursday - Greek Chicken Pizza
Friday - Dad grills - might be running the smoker..
Saturday - mom p/u takeout for Scout and The Girl
Sunday - ditto
Dessert will probably be ice cream

Scout and I will alter our plans very little besides figuring out how to get him to work. 

I know this is not a popular opinion in Central Texas...but I am ready for the sun to shine and my back patio to dry out!

Gina

Asparagus Ricotta Tart

This was one of those recipes I made, enjoyed, but probably won't recreate on a regular basis - for one thing, it requires the oven.  For another, it's kinda frou frou, and my peeps scowl at frou frou.  They did eat it, though.  So maybe.

It doesn't re-heat in the microwave well, but you could eat it cold for lunch the next day, which is what I did!  The original recipe was printed in the Houston Chronicle, but I misplaced it, so here's what I did:

Asparagus Ricotta tart

Pre-heat oven to 400.  Unroll a package of thawed out puff pastry onto a baking sheet (use a Silpat or parchment paper underneath) poke holes over it with a fork and bake 10 minutes.  Remove from oven. Mix 1 large-ish container of ricotta with 1 cup grated parmesan, 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley, and the zest of a lemon with half of it's juice.  Season with salt and pepper.  Spread the ricotta all over the pastry.  Wash and trim a pound of asparagus and lay the stalks over the top.  Season again with salt, pepper, and the rest of the lemon juice.  (I also added some chopped cooked turkey breast cause people here scream if you serve them a vegetarian meal!).  Bake another 30 min or so, watching carefully to make sure the crust gets browned, not burned.

I served this with a "salad" of marinated grape tomatoes, purple onion, and green olives in some Good Seasons Italian dressing.  It made for a pretty Summer meal, don't you think?

This might be my new favorite way to serve tomatoes!

Gina

Shared with;

The Country Cook - Weekend Potluck

Mealplan Monday #116 and photo gifts

Last week I got a free mousepad.  I decided to get one with this fun pic for Hubby's desk, to make him smile:

Scout's Graduation, June 2014

I added the quote "Let the beauty of what you love be what you do". 

 

Monday - Pesto Turkey Pasta, salad
Tuesday - Marlboro Man Sandwiches, coleslaw
Wednesday - Chicken Linguini with zucchini, carrots
Thursday - Beefy Bean Burritos, salad
Friday - Grilled cheese with bacon and avocado, tortilla chips and homemade salsa
Saturday - Dad grill
Sunday - Crockpot Flank Steak, masheds
Dessert this week is 5 Layer Bars******

Here are a few of my fav photos I've had made into products from Shutterfly:

The boys at The Girl's graduation, 2010 (notecards)

 Scout and Bubbie at Zilker Park, Spring 2013 (magnet)

 Thanksgiving 2011 (Christmas card and magnet)

Christmas 2012 (notecards and notebook)

Summer 2012 (magnet)

Scout, 2014 (on a collage mug and reprints)

Seeing them as magnets on my work locker, decorating a ceramic coffee cup, or on notecards always makes me smile.  Do you take advantage of these offers, too?

Gina

5 thing Friday - A lazy cake, shoes, tote, cheap decor, CWM

Scout's high school graduation seems like a million years ago.  It went by in such a blur. And June is halfway over!

 I made him a cake with an imperfectly lettered design.  It was

 Blue Raspberry flavored!

 I ordered myself two pair of work shoes 

and a new tote for work.  My feet have been hurting lately for some reason.  My pinky toe is killing me!  So these shoes will be just the ticket.  Plus, The Girl gave me a gift card for Bath and Bodyworks that she had received for Christmas and wasn't going to use, so I ordered some schtuff from there, too.  Everything was on sale, everything will get used. 

 A placemat makes a fine and dandy place to set a big vase and candle on the dining table.  Summer is not the time to get all fancy.  I'm doing good just to keep the house in a reasonable state.

My new drink creation, in honor of how I feel: The Crazy White Mom:  gin, Mountain Dew WhiteOut, half a lime, ice.  

Gina

Summer Bucket List 2014

I can't believe it's already the middle of June!  This is the first summer that I did not sit in advance and pre-plan how we would spend the bulk of the week.  Not planning things to do = boredom for me.  And in boredom's place, I usually clean.  Which is no fun for anyone, especially me.  So here are a few things we decided to do this summer.

Visit Sonic every now and then for treats in the evening
Make pickles
Eat on the patio more often (powerwash it first!)
Get blinds hung in the den

Get to the pool twice weekly
Go to the library weekly
Get Bubbie ready for summer camp
Help Scout find a summer job

Look into driver's ed for Bubbie
Learn to make donuts and soft pretzel bread
Meet up with bestie Carol for an afternoon

Paint the kitchen chairs
Remove the wallpaper in there and paint, too
Take boys and The Girl to visit their grandmother

Eat lunch out once a week
Find a couch for Firstborn
Re-plant grass bare patches in the backyard

Plan a vacay for the end of the summer
Get a new computer and camera
Look into getting a new car
Read more often

Gina

Mealplan Monday #115 and Summer reads

Searching for stuff for Firstborn's apartment netted me a few things for my own abode:

 A pretty basket. silk tie for hubby, a hole punch for Bubbie, a full package of incense, and two novels to add to my stash.  I think I spent about $4 on these items.  It was the same day I found that pretty lamp and shade.  I'm getting pickier about what I haul home from the thrift stores - it has to be something I can put to use fairly soon.

Monday - Clean out the freezer (leftovers?)
Tuesday - Chicken Cacciatore, sketti, peas
Wednesday - Jamaiican Rice and beans, salad
Thursday - Baked Mexican Tilapia - Garlic Green Beans
Friday - Chicken Sausage Skillet, rolls, salad
Saturday - Dad grill
Sunday - Cafe Rio Chicken tacos, guacamole, beans

I'm all about the library as a great resource for reads, but I love to take my time with paperbacks.  Plus, I like to pass them on to the "library" we have at work, or to my mother.  Looks like I have some evening reading time to catch up on.

My plan is to finish this stack long before Summer ends!

Gina

Pretty new lamp for less than $20!

Remember this guy?  He still comes around when there are grilled burgers to be had.

 Firstborn moved into a different apartment recently.  Two of the main things he needs are lighting and a microwave.  We bought the micro for him as payment for working on Hubby's car.  And the lamp I got a great deal on by doing a little thrift shopping.

 I bought the base at Savers for $13 - brushed nickel and in mint condition!  Then across the street at another thrift shop I found a pristine shade - $6.  All I needed was a harp and finial.

 I  had these at home, just needed to spiff them up a little to match.

 I found some silver spray paint in the garage and got to it.

 

It's a fairly basic lamp that will "go with" most of what he already owns.

  I want to help him find a small loveseat and some light-blocking curtains.  So, more thrift shopping is in my future this summer!

Gina

Mealplan Monday #114 and Scout's graduation

Scout's Day - in pictures:

 

Monday - Turkey & Gouda Ciabatta Sammies, tomato soup
Tuesday - Pesto Ranch Chicken Thighs with whole wheat pasta
Wednesday - BBQ Turkey Salads (cause I'm subbing turkey for the chicken)
Thursday - Asparagus Ricotta tart, marinated tomatoes
Friday - Cilantro Lime Shrimp, couscous, creamy skillet corn
Saturday - Dad grill
Sunday - Dad's Choice!
Dessert this week is ice cream and cookies, probably.

Proud of you, Dylan!

Gina

5 thing Friday - distractions, pastries, pest control, Keeping Calm, chicken

Scout graduates from high school this morning, and I am trying to stay distracted so I don't tear up all day long.

 I will have had 5 glorious days off from work, and much as I love my job, it is a welcome break. 

 Last Monday, a box of goodies from this bakery made their way into my hands.  Don't worry, I shared!  That was the best banana bread I have ever eaten. This is Hubby's fav place to go get coffee when he arranges meetings.  

I am so tired of squirrels, I can't even tell you.  I added chunks of rocks into the potted plants around the outside of the house and am moving this owl around as a visual scare tactic.  So far, so good.  

 Something I should chant to myself daily. Over-reacting is becoming my thing.

 Chicken wrapped in bacon, cooked, drained, then topped with BBQ sauce and cheese and simmered.  YUM.

My favorite Photographer/Scout/Graduate/Guitar man.  

How did you get grown?  

I blinked.

Gina