This Week's Menu

In an effort to remember what I make and what I should be making, I'm doing a weekly post on our menu for the week.  I only plan for Monday-Thursday because the weekends are filled with less structure and more spontaneous fun.

{credits}

Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Penne with Tomato Artichoke Cream
Black Beans and Rice
Hamburgers and Home Fries*

*Home fry...let's bring this term back. 

Just Some Things...

...About My Week

1. I got to go to yoga twice this week.  Accident free.  Some of you know exactly what I'm referring to, some of you don't.  Use your imagination.  No accidents at yoga.  Hint: no audible accidents

2. We used our new fire pit for the first time.  Autumn, you're growing on me.

3. This is my 100th blog post.
3a. I have enjoyed blogging.  My blog is a fun thing for me to do, even if it feels like I'm being somewhat self-involved.
3b. For all those who read my blog, thank you.  Seeing that people visit A Barefoot Day gives me some sort of sick excitement-like I'm getting a stamp of approval.  To quote Julia Roberts, "you like me.  You really like me!"
3c. I'm afraid that I come off arrogant most of the time.
3d. Becky, you are not coming out of the shadows.  I know who you are.  You are my very first follower that was someone I don't know.  My husband heard about you when you "followed" me.  If you ever quit, I'm not sure my ego could take it.  No pressure.

4. I can use my blog to announce things that I want to announce but aren't major news: I weighed at the gym this week and saw the lowest number I've seen in FOUR YEARS.  That feels pretty good.

5.  That same day at the gym, someone called me "ma'am."  It didn't really bother me, because I WEIGHED THE LOWEST I HAVE IN FOUR YEARS.

6. I just had lunch with a friend, who was the maid of honor in my wedding.  We don't see each other much at all, but when we get together, it's just like old times.  We laugh so hard and so loud that people look at us.

7.  None of these pictures have anything to do with this post, but they are cute.  I saw them on this website, which is always great for cute pics.

Chop-Chop

{For a good laugh, picture this: I took all these pictures myself in the middle of making dinner.}

I use my knife and cutting board everyday...several times a day.  

Since my dad is a chef, I get all kinds of helpful tips on chopping.  I've picked up some on my own.  Here they are:



1.  Get a good knife.  {I think that the magic three knives to have are chefs, serreated, and paring knife.}  Right now, all I use is this one.  Under $30.  Best knife to date!!!

2. Put a damp towel under the cutting board to keep the board from moving around.



3. Put a bowl on the counter to discard the scrap pieces and peels.  This decreases trips to the trash and accidental pieces that fall on the floor. 

{I use the plastic bag that my produce came in.}



4.  Freeze all the end pieces of vegetable and fresh herbs.  When you make a broth or stock, pull them out and use them.  My dad said they just started doing this in his kitchen.  It cuts down on waste, and it makes THE BEST broth.



If you read this blog, and you have some other helpful tips, please, pass them along!!!

We're Being Selfish

John and I each have some hobbies, some individual interests.  Whatever you want to call it.  Sometimes, we have to be apart to do them, which is hard because our family time is so precious and rare.  

At first, I think that we thought that we couldn't entertain any of our own interests because it would mean that we had to sacrifice our family time.  Oh, how we love being together!



Somewhere along the way, we realized that the interests/dreams/desires wouldn't go away.  We  HAD to indulge ourselves.  Every few days, we get to do something extra fun with a dash of selfishness.  We've decided that it makes us happier.

For John, he's started to rock climb.  Broseph is an awesome climber, and now that he's living with us, John has had some great opportunities to go climb-indoors and outdoors.  He loves getting out there, pushing his limit, and having time with other guys.  The best part for him is that while he's climbing, he doesn't think about work at all.    The best part for me, is getting the post-climb John.  He's full of life and he's so happy.  And I'm happy for him.

He had the opportunity to climb on Sunday.  I could have got a babysitter and gone with him...I could have said "no" because it's Sunday, aka, family day.  But, I was SO HAPPY that he got to go.

That meant that I had Burl all day.  Usually if John's at work and I'm home with Burl, I think that I have to be productive and get stuff done.  When John's out doing something fun, I feel like I get a free pass to play.  {This is ridiculous that I think this way, and I'm trying to get over it.}
 

Nonetheless, Burl and I played.  We had a picnic.  Blanket, food, good weather, and my camera.  Hello awesome pictures:



Please, no comments on how Burl looks like a toddler, not a baby.  I'm in denial about it.

For my interests, I'm into all kinds of things.  I never thought I would ever say this, but I treasure alone time-specifically, having the house to myself.  It's getting rare and precious these days, but that's ok.  It makes those times even more special.  John took Burl to get his flu shot on Saturday, Broseph was climbing, and I had the house to myself.  The music was loud, I was dancing, and I almost blew out the speakers and my knees.  It went by pretty fast, but I was so glad to see them return.  That's all I needed.

My absolute favorite "me activity" is a fun Girls' Night.  In or out.  What is about getting with a bunch of girls that makes us laugh uncontrollably, be silly, and walk away with a few extra smile lines.



Of course, we had to make poses specific to the evening.  Want to know what they were about?  Sorry.  Had to be there.



We all showed our guns.  As you can see, everyone else displayed their cute, girly, hand guns.  I showed off my sniper rifle.  {Why?!?  So NOT cute, Meg.}



I don't know if this being-selfish-with-our-activities is the right way to think.  For now, it works for us.