Back again with my AD/HD self.

Of course I can start with the typical "Hey! I'm back again" but why? I have the best intentions and would really love to add to this blog on a weekly basis, but the truth is, I can't. Sometimes I'm on and sometimes I'm off.

This week I happen to be on.

These next two weeks, money needs to be tightly budgeted. A lot of bills needed to be paid and we need to stick to our newly adopted budget so I am forced to be "on". Not to mention that our family spend almost 650.00 on food the past 2 weeks. That includes lunches and dinners out, small little grocery trips for odds and ends and for some reason, more groceries. That number is insane. With a clear plan I should be able to cut that number considerably. Needless to say, I NEED to be "on" more than some of the time. We are also trying to change from this unplanned, ad hoc dining approach so careful thought into meals is really needed.

What big challenges I have but i'm ready to face them. It's an exciting time for this family. Spring/Summer makes it so easy since rebirth is all around us.

Farmer's Market's will soon be in full swing and I just bought 2 huge bags of charcoal.

I have planned this weeks menu already. My grocery list is made and organized. I need to make a trip to Trax Farms tomorrow morning. Just this weekend, I found a cart of odds and ends consisting of fruits and vegetables that were marked down considerably. I will buy my veggies there before hitting the grocery store. It's an added stop but worth it. I mean i'd rather support a local farm than the big grocery store Giant Eagle. Not to mention that the Trax Family are really nice hard working people.

Here is the menu. I've decided to add breakfast and lunch because i'm that "on" this week!!

Monday: (B)Open faced Egg Sandwich with a slice of good Cheddar and Bacon on a flourless English Muffin. (L)Chicken Patty Pocket on Whole Wheat Pita with Yogurt sauce and Lettuce and Tomato. (D)Spring Risotto with Peas and Zucchini with a simple salad with a Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Tuesday:(B)Yogurt Parfaits(L)Bulgar Wheat Salad with Grapes and Feta(D)Terrayaki baked Chicken Wings with Brown Rice and Broccoli.

Wednesday: (B)Egg Sandwich (same as above) (L)leftover stuff (D) Grilled Pork Tenderloins with Apricot Jam with grilled Asparagus.

Thursday: (B)Yogurt Parfaits or Cereal (L)Waldorf Salad on Bibb Lettuce (D)Grilled Chicken with a Orange, Avocado and Red Onion Salsa with sautéed Green Beans with Hazelnuts or Almonds

Friday:(B)Oatmeal with fresh Strawberries and Blueberries (L)eat out (D)Grilled Flank Steak with Asian style Snap peas, Asparagus and Brown Rice.

Saturday: Who knows what's in between but for dinner we will be having Multi-Grain Penne with Hazelnut Pesto, Green Beans and Parmesan Cheese.

Check back for pictures and links to the recipes.

Have a splendid week.

"Daddy- Why is Mommy walking funny?"

Sometimes I don't know how we survive most mornings. My oldest, Soren, never wants to go to school anymore. Today he tried to skip out because he was having a bad hair and outfit day. Earlier in the morning, my husband and I had to hold him doown so we could free the caked on dirt from under his arm pits. It's been piling up for months. After further inspection, we found the same film in the back of his ears. We have showed him countless times how to wash but boys are just gross.

Our middle child is Sloane. Mama Mia - she has to "dress up" for preschool everyday. Rarely, will she wear what I pick out for her. There have been several mornings where we refused to take her to school unless she took her outfit off. You should see what this child puts together. I'm all for her being an individual but some of these outfits make no sense! She can NEVER find her shoes or her backpack. She refuses to wear socks 1/2 the time. I was teasing her a few weeks ago about her hair starting to look like a mullet. She claims that she loves her mullet and asks everyone in the family every morning if her hair looks like a mullet! She will sit in the bathroom for long periods of time brushing her beautiful curly hair straight to make it look like her mullet.

Then there is the baby, Freya. Bless her. As long as she is feed, all is well with the world. She just sits in her circle of neglect(exersaucer) and plays with all the toys as madness goes on around her.

I myself am a hot mess most of the time. I struggle daily to keep the house in order and to make sure everyone gets to where they need to be. I am constantly in the basement on most mornings looking for clean clothes that haven't made it upstairs and into the drawers. This particular morning of craziness, I was bent over and looking for socks in the dryer. I had this overwhelming urge to fart. I evaluated the feeling as strictly being a dry one and ok'd the fart for send off. My evaluation failed. For the first time in my life, I shit myself! YES PEOPLE, I SAID IT.

It happens, especially after having 3 children and no time to go to the bathroom in the morning. I got myself together and walked lopsided up the stairs into the bathroom. Of course, everyone noticed.

"Mommy, Why are you walking funny?"

"Daddy- Why is Mommy walking funny?"

"Mommy - did you hurt yourself?"

I chuckled. "Kinda..." I laughed about it; What else could you do?

My husband, Ron, is a saint at times. He races around most mornings dealing with his own issues of not being organized. The poor man never has socks that match. He is in the mix every morning holding babies, lacing up shoes and finding missing jackets and backpacks. Often he volunteers to take both children to school. So at 8:45, kisses are exchanged and they all pile into Ron's jeep. Peace and quiet at last. I look at Baby Freya and she always smiles. I take her into bed and I hug and snuggle her until she falls asleep for her morning nap. I sit in the quiet and reflect on how wonderful my life is.

I wouldn't change a thing.

Orange Mulligatawny Soup

Do you know what Mulligatawny means??? It means "pepper water". This recipe came from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and was a staple at Stouffer's Top of the Triangle in the 70's.

The soup was very rich and so good. I can't imagine what it's going to taste like after it's been sitting for a day. The combination of the chicken, orange juice, apples, tomatoes, garlic, curry powder and jasmine rice were awesome. I added some flat leaf parsley at the end with some orange zest. Hmmm. Ron brought home a loaf of Tuscan bread and it was on...I think Ron and I ate the entire loaf of bread. I felt pretty guilty after that but couldn't help myself. Bread and butter is my weakness.

I hope you enjoy the pictures. May they make you hungry!!!

Off to the gym and work off that loaf of bread!!