I’m relieved Christmas is over. A few months ago it sounded good to have Christmas dinner at our house. We figured we’d be way done with everything way before then and could show off our new digs.
Instead, we scrambled to get everything done and still have some small stuff to do. But the good news the kitchen is (mostly) done and we were able to pull off dinner. Thanks to family helping out of course (I’m not quite ready to do it all myself — those big turkeys scare me!).
I have to say I really love my new kitchen. Check out all my cabinet space. I plan to stock up on non-perishables so my weekly shopping doesn’t take that long (New Year’s Resolution #1).
And the oven we planned on using didn’t work out so we got this new pup. Well, craigslist new.
Shiny and bright backsplash. And really cool looking under-cabinet lights.
The breakfast bar is nice — we got these stools on Christmas eve.
Okay, enough of my kitchen and on to menu planning. This week is another less-than-ambitious meal week as we gear up for New Year’s. I never made the shrimp dish so I will try again. And the Slow Cooker black bean soup is new. For more ideas see Org Junkie.
What’s Cooking this Week?
Monday: Baked Burritos with guacamole
Tuesday: Tomato Shrimp Pasta, meatballs, and salad
Wednesday: Slow Cooker Black Bean soup with grilled cheese and a salad
Thursday: Chicken tenders, fruit salad, and roasted cauliflower
Salad of the week: (repeat — love this one but skip the avocado) Apple, Pecan and Cranberry Salad
Challenges — longing for a “do nothing” day
We’ve been dealing with colds and coughs in our house. But this really escalated the week before Christmas.
Last Sunday Little D fractured his arm and needed a cast. A few days after that he got a fever and a bad cough. My husband then got it. On Christmas Eve Big A threw up and talked about feeling tired. And after a week of erratic sleep from my kids, I woke up stuffed with yet another cold.
When things like this happen, one after the other, I know I need a break. It’s just so hard when you are a parent because you never feel like you can really take time off. You know what I mean. One of those days where you sit around in your PJs, catch up on Oprah, and basically do nothing.
When my husband and I were just dating, and living in New York, we started this Sunday do-nothing tradition. We’d sleep in, sometimes getting 10 plus hours total sleep. He would go to the Starbucks a block away and get coffee and the paper (while I stay in bed!). After we were done with coffee and the paper it’d be about lunchtime. We’d take a stroll to get some lunch and come back home to take a nap. When dinnertime came I’d make a simple dinner and we’d have wine and watch our favorite show.
This is the one thing I really miss since having kids. I know I will get it again as they get older and I can take trips and have half days at home here and there. But I still long for “do nothing” days of the past.
Are you with me?
News: Tainted tuna
There was news from Consumer Reports that cans of tuna might have more mercury than previously thought. This is especially important for at-risk people like children and pregnant women. Usually, light tuna has much less mercury but this testing in the New York area found that even some light cans had higher levels of mercury.
While I’d love it if my kids were eating tuna, currently this is not a problem in our house. I will be sure to let you know if/when the FDA takes action.
I also posted news about the Healthy, Hunger Free Act of 2010 but failed to mention Schoolmenu.com as a resource for you. Check out the site to see if your kids’ school menu is listed on there. You can check what’s on the menu and it usually has the nutrition information too. It’s a great resource for parents!
As this year comes to an end I have a big giveaway planned as a way of thanking all of you. I also plan to finally finish up my Managing Sweets series in the first few weeks of the New Year. With the move and the holidays, I took a little break from my more intense writing.
Well, I hope you get a little rest and relaxation you deserve before the New Year starts.
LOVE your new kitchen! What a great feeling to have everything organized!!
Thanks Estela. I still have more work to do but the space does make it easier to get organized (and hopefully stay that way!)
Your menu sounds great, I would love your salad after all the rich food we have had through the holidays. Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year!
Miz — I feel the same way. Bring on the salads!
Kitchen is beautiful — I remember when mine was new!! I know you are excited.
Happy New Year!
Melinda
Thanks Melinda. I’ve never had a nice kitchen…it sure is nice!
I’m so with you as far as missing the ability to set my own agenda. I really dig my kids, but it sure would be nice to blob out for a while. We got hit with a bunch of sickness right before Christmas too. Good times.
Congrats on the kitchen! I love me a breakfast bar.
Thanks Cindy! Sorry to hear you all were sick. We are just starting to get better around here.
Your kitchen is great. I am jealous of the under-cabinet lighting. I think IKEA has something like that… I’m going to do it. I feel like my kitchen is so dark.
We’ve been sick too. My oldest had a GI virus that lasted TEN days, and then the day after she was feeling better her sister got it. She’s on Day 5 now and still feeling bad. My husband got the same virus and I ended up with strep throat! It was our least Christmas-y Christmas. But thankfully the baby didn’t get any of it. 🙂
Happy New Year and I look forward to reading more on your blog!!
Goodfountain — our whole kitchen (and lights) are from IKEA. Let me know if you need more info and I can ask my husband’s cousin. He did all the work on our place. Our kitchen is dark too — no windows. The lights help a lot!