Menu Planning 8/12-8/20

I don't know about you but I find it cathartic to sit down and plan out our meals. It keeps me both inspired and organized. We both finish work at the same time on Wednesdays so we go out for dinner together

Tuesday

Stovetop Chicken and Potatoes with Mixed Vegetables

Thursday

Beef Nachos

Friday

Leftovers

Saturday

Breakfast

Frozen Pork or Fish

Sunday

Grilled Sandwiches

Frozen Pork or Fish

Monday

Buffalo Cheeseburger Pasta

Tuesday

Chicken Stir-fry

Thursday

Brats with Potatoes and Beans

Friday

Leftovers

What are you making for dinner this week? Do you have a meal planning system?

01 02 12

Flashback Friday!

Here's a list of things you may have missed lately:

• The latest interview in our Behind the Blog series
• My 2 cents on marriage
• Why people are aggravated with me
• A review of one of the top 3 fantasy series in the world!
• A tasty, cheap and easy meal

What were the highlights of your week? What are you looking forward to next week? 01 02 12

Tuna Taco Rice

I first made this dish for myself, without the tuna. My husband thought it looked and smelled delicious even though he isn't a rice fan.

I knew he would like it, but as a side not, a meal in itself so I started to think of ways I could beef it up for him while keeping it a relatively cheap meal. I immediately thought of adding some tuna. I'm not a tuna fan. He's not a rice fan. Maybe they would transform each other into something, not only palatable but delicious.

And it worked!

Here's the recipe I cobbled together. It's extremely flexible and can easily be adjusted to suit your tastes. Note, I made just around 3 servings.


Sautee diced onions, spicy peppers, minced garlic and about half a can of corn. Sprinkle with cumin. Add 2 servings cooked rice and half a packet of taco seasoning. Add a large can of drained tuna and stir to combine. Mix in salsa, just enough to cover but not enough that the meal is watery.

Cook until heated through and top with shredded cheese. I used Monterrey Jack.

I think that all of the flavors help to mask the tuna. I could barely taste it and it was really mild.

I'm linking up today at Oh Simple Thoughts. The discussion question today is how do you make your table a safe place for guests.

I think its really important to make people feel comfortable. I remember the first time I invited someone over for dinner on a whim. I invited them a day in advance because we had been scheduled to go out for dinner but I told her I felt like doing something more low key.

I am still amazed to this day that I didn't panic. I'm a planner by nature and I love to plan out dinner menus and decorations. If we're having company over for dinner I like to adjust my work schedule so that I can home earlier and get prepared.

I didn't do any of that that day but we still had an amazing dinner together. I made hot potato salad. I didn't even start cooking until my guest arrived! But we talked and shared wine as I cooked.

I think its really important to connect with your guests and not seclude yourself in the kitchen. They want to interact with you!

Also, I usually like to plan a variety and abundance of food. I would rather have to much and eat leftovers for the rest of the week than not have enough food for everyone to walk away feeling satisfied.

To read more, you can check out my southern hospitality post.





01 02 12

Behind the Blog with Rachel Rewritten

Hi y'all and welcome to the 2nd interview of our Behind the Blog series.

 Today, we're taking a peek behind Rachel Rewritten, written by Rachel Dillard. Like me, she recently started over in the blogging world.

She has some great recipes coming up soon. In the meantime, check out her inspiring post on cultivating friendships.

She's beautiful and so is her blog.

 

 

What do you do when you are not blogging?

 I'm a L&D nurse, so most of my time is spent at work--those 12 hours shifts are tough! If I'm not at work, I love spending time with my husband, cooking, working on DIY projects around our house, entertaining, and reading! I've also been practicing my photography a lot lately.

What inspired you to start a blog?

 I started blogging when I was in college, as a way to document life and the journey I was on. My reason to blog has transformed a lot over the years, but I keep blogging because I love the community, love having an outlet for creativity, and just simply love writing!

How did you choose your blog name?

After blogging at another space for almost 3 years, I was burned out and needed a break. Rachel Rewritten came about when I decided to get serious about blogging--it was created as a space for me to find my voice and rewrite my story! 

What inspires you to keep writing?

I write about anything and everything--favorite recipes, life happenings, thoughts in my head--I used to blog strictly for what was "popular," but now I blog the way I want to and just write what I love writing. I draw inspiration from other bloggers, friends, relationships, books I'm reading, and such. Almost anything can become blogging inspiration in my book!

Is there one thing you want your readers to take away from your blog?

 The one thing I've hoped and prayed is that people would come to my blog and find themselves encouraged--that they would see the joy of Christ and would leave with a little more happiness than they came with.


What are your favorite projects or posts on your blog?

I recently posted on how to spruce up your space--I love decorating but am on a budget, so I've found ways to do it on the cheap! Also, I love my post on how to pray for your husband--something I have printed out and use every day to remember.

Has blogging allowed you to do something really cool, that you wouldn’t have done otherwise?

 

I've made friendships with so many great girls and am actually attending my first blog conference in March-- Hope Spoken! I never would've known about it nor had the courage to sign up if it wasn't for blogging! 

What’s your current obsession?

 

 Practicing photography! I've had a nice DSLR for over a year now and truly haven't spent enough time on learning the art, so I've been working on that lately. It's been fun to explore and just snap photos as we go. 

 

What are your goals for this year? For the next 5 years?

 

Hmmm, that's a good question. This year, I created a list to hold me accountable. It's been fun to complete, and I need to do an update soon! For the next 5 years? Continue to grow my blog, travel to Italy, become more involved in a church home, and hopefully have a baby (or two!) Life is so great right now.

What three blogs do you enjoy reading and why? There are SO many blogs I love reading--the list is long and I have different reasons for each. It's hard to pick three, but I'd say:

1. Oh Simple Joys  I've grown to know Rachel well and I love her genuine heart. She posts the best recipes and has me intrigued about her "capsule wardrobe" idea. 

          2.   Happy is a Choice  Brittany and I text all the time, and I love the friendship we've created. Her blog is always full of great posts, from running, to marriage advice, to recapping fun weekends. She's the person I go to when I need a little blogging inspiration!

         3.  Carrie Bradshaw Lied  Kathleen is a Mississippi girl transplanted in California. I love everything about this blog, from her photography while traveling, her outfit posts, and her fun job! She has it all.

Doesn't she sound amazing? Go show her some love.


 01 02 12

No, But I DO Have Voicemail

I don't know if its Korea or the whole world. I have a sneaking suspicion its becoming the whole world.

Companies and friends are starting to treat me like I'm a problem because I don't have a cell phone number to give out.

I've written my landline phone number on various forms at doctors, the contact lens store, the dentist and job applications.

Within 30 seconds of reviewing the form I've been pressed to provide a cell phone number. We NEED it they say. What do I do if I can't get in touch with you they ask?

I've even had a personal friend have the audacity to complain that they can't call me whenever they want.

Yes. Yes. Yes, you can. Everyone can call me whenever they want.

I just might not answer.

I might be working, sleeping, eating, or shopping.

In that case, the phone will go to voicemail, just like it would if I had a cellphone and were doing the above activities. There you have the option of leaving a voice or text message or a call back page.

And the world will not stop.

You do not need access to me 24/7, nor should you have it.

Cellphones should not run our lives. It is OKAY to miss a call. It is not the end of the world (most of the time) if you can not reach my right this freaking second.

Don't get me wrong. Cellphones are nice, especially when traveling or in emergency situations. But people got by pretty well with landlines before their invention.

I will have been cell-phone free for a year come September and to be honest with you, I haven't missed it.



01 02 12

Sick of the Shtick

Jim, Raymond and Frank, Doug, Tim.....the list goes on and on.

Who are these men, you ask?

They're all men from sitcoms who have the same problems with their marriages.

Most fit into the clueless dopes stereotypes and their wives are either ballbusters or are constantly annoyed by the men's behavior. The two fight an endless battle where one is constantly trying to dupe the other into doing what they want, whether it be more free time or a hand with the chors.

I know. It's TV. It's not supposed to be serious.

But it is to me.

It's serious to me because not only do I see marriages portrayed this way on TV but I have seen marriages that actually are this way.

I've seen men who let women take care of the kids and home 24/7 because they worked hard at work and now they want to relax.

I've seen women treat their husbands like they haven't got a clue.

I've seen men act like they don't have a clue to get out of the responsibility.

I've heard men and women talking to their friends about to manipulate their spouses into doing something their way or for them.

I've heard older women seriously talking to new wives about making sure their husbands are trained. (Yes, I know sometimes this is just a cheesy joke.)

I'm sick of it. Our spouses are a gift from God. Our marriages are not 100% perfect and neither are we. But our spouses are still a gift and should be treated like one!

We don't have to swindle, or manipulate our way through a marriage relationship. Your spouse married you because they love you. Be honest with them. Tell them what you need or want and listen and encourage them to do the same.

Marriage made you a team, not perpetual enemies. It's time to act like it.

Be honest.

Communicate with each other.

 Keep your marriage your marriage.

Put God first and your spouse second.

01 02 12