This Week's Menu

Every once-in-a-while I post my little menu for the week on the blog. Here is what we're eating this week:

Fish tacos, chipotle coleslaw
Black beans and rice with toppings

Tomato basil soup, Caesar salad

Tomato sausage pasta

Shrimp and vegetable stir fry, sesame coleslaw 

Baguette Night

On our final meal before our French family returns to France, we had a baguette tasting. We had four loaves from around the city: two local bakeries and two chains. There was much talk, critique, tasting, tasting, and tasting that went into the decision. They decided that Niedlov's and Panera were the best. 

After dinner we spread out around the house and let the kids have the den. They played hard and trashed the room, as only kids can do. Signs of life and play. As for the adults, all I need to share about that part is our French cousin loved my dessert so much that she.asked.for.my.recipe. The Chocolate Cloud Cake that never disappoints. 

I asked for yet another group picture and we called it a night. Baguette Night was wonderful.

Family Favorite Salad

Once a week, I try to make everyone unhappy and serve salad for dinner. If the salad is lame, then I'll make a batch of fresh bread to redeem the meal. Our kids do well with salad, but they need reminders to eat the lettuce and not just the toppings. 

Recently, I made a salad that everyone in the house loves. Often we are able to save some for leftovers. When the kids hear that I'm making salami salad (I only use half the salami), they get excited. One time Burl told me it's his favorite meal. Fern jumps up and down when we have it for dinner. While most salad nights don't go this well, Salami Salad Night is a huge hit. I highly recommend it. Click on the picture for the recipe: 

Nancy's Chopped Salad from Smitten Kitchen

Trailer Night

It was just one night in a trailer, but it was perfect. John and I went away for a night to East Nashville to stay in a trailer in someone's backyard. Seriously, check this place out.

It was small, simple, relaxing, and different. We took turns reading in the hammock, snapping pictures, and taking it slow. We didn't make a single meal and got to eat our food slowly. Driving home, we fit in a small hike around a lake we found. Our 36 hours away was a hurry-up-and-relax trip.
We made the most of it by making the least of it.