Two Week Plan

As part of my June project of getting organized and thinking through new schedules and ideas for this fall as we start homeschooling, I decided to do a little shifting with how I plan our meals. For several years now, I have planned for a full month a time - making one big shopping run per month, and then supplementing with fresh produce and milk as needed throughout the month.

As we switch gears to add kindergarten into our daily routine, there are some things (food-related) that I want to be able to do with the girls that would be tricky to plan out a month in advance. We are going to be meandering through early American History this year and with that, I want to have some special treats and meals that go along with what we are studying. That said, I'm going to try and plan two weeks at a time and see how that works for us.

One of the things that I am most excited about reinstituting into our week is our Thursday Tea. The idea is not mine - I got it from Dawn's excellent blog. But, I loved how the girls looked forward to getting out the special cups having a "special" snack one day a week. Last year, we used the time to start our Awana lesson for the week. I'm not sure how well that will work this year as the girls will be in two different groups now (N1 has aged out of Cubbies), but regardless, I'm looking forward to using this time to do either a seasonal craft project or listen to a story that ties with our lessons.

That said, here's the next two weeks of meals around here ... always subject to change. :) I really struggle in the summer coming up with stuff to make for dinner. After we've spent the day outside, I always want something cold to eat (i.e., pasta salads, big green ceasar/taco/southwest salads, etc.) but that doesn't always work so well with the munchkins. What do you feed your family in the summer when it is too hot to cook? I love my crockpot and know that's a great idea for summer cooking so I'm not overheating in front of the stove, but I just don't like to eat hot food when I'm hot. :)

Monday (yesterday): Ranch Chicken & Bacon Pasta Salad, watermelon, sliced fruit

Tuesday (6/30): chicken spaghetti (from the freezer), salad, bread I'm trying to make a double batch of chicken spaghetti once a month - for us, that makes two 8x8 pans/meals for our family, and one 9x13 to use for a company dinner or to share with a family that needs a meal.

Wednesday (7/1): ham & cheese roll-ups, chips, broccoli salad, strawberry trifle (for both my family and a homeschool meeting I am hosting tomorrow night).

Thursday (7/2): chicken enchiladas, salad, green beans

Friday (7/3): pizza night

Saturday (4th of July): grill steaks and/or chicken, grilled veggies, berries & cool whip for dessert

Sunday (7/5): extended family lunch; Sunday dinner is usually something snacky.

Monday (7/6): southwest taco salad, corn chips

Tuesday (7/7): fried chicken, salad, peas, roasted veggies

Wednesday (7/8): ceasar chicken pasta salad (using leftover chicken from Tuesday)

Thursday (7/9): breakfast dinner - eggs, hashbrown casserole, fruit

Friday (7/10): pizza

I'm also going to make a batch of chunky monkey muffins and breakfast muffins for the next two weeks to pull from the freezer. Yum!

See this Blur??

That was June.

One week of VBS :: translation :: girls that were out later at night yet still managed to get up earlier in the morning.

One week of dance camp for N2 :: translation :: what was a one hour dance camp turned in to 3+ hours out of the house every. single. morning.

My husband is offered the chance to serve our church as the worship leader :: translation :: we've decided to postpone our family vacation so that he won't miss two weekends of church right after taking on this role. I'm not disappointed that I will miss the long car ride going and coming with three little ones; I will miss the beach and family that we won't see.

New information regarding the school we anticipated sending N1 to two-days per week this fall :: translation :: I'm now dreaming of social studies and science lessons since it looks like I'll be doing all her kindergarten homeschooling.

I'm not going to say anything about what July looks like ... we'll just take it one day at a time. :)

Free Photo Editing Class

I would be remiss if I didn't share about this free photo editing class that Jessica Sprague is hosting (begins July 6). Free admission to the class ends this Sunday so sign up if you are interested!

I'll be back to blogging next week most likely ... June has been nuts and the break has been good. See you then. :)

Unplugging

Travel, change, interest, excitement! The whole world before you
and a horizon that is always changing! Hurrah for the open road!

~ Mr. Toad, The Wind in the Willows

I'm unplugging for the month of June. You can catch me via email if needed (and I *may* Tweet if there is anything really good) but I won't be reading (blogs) or writing much until after our family vacation 'round about Independance Day. :)

I hope everyone has a lovely start to their summer! See you in about 5 weeks. :)

Coming Up

From {Olive Tree}

The next month ... in summary:

This week (June 1 - 7): all about N1's dance recital. One day for pictures, one day for a dress rehearsal, the actual recital, etc.

June 8-12: VBS at church

June 12: Also the husband birthday which will need enthusiastic celebrating!

June 15-19: N2 is taking a 1 hour/day dance camp for the week. She has been a patient little trooper the past year watching N1 go to dance once a week. This is going to be so much fun for her ... she can hardly wait!

First week in July: family vacation to visit out of state family

Second week in July: husband travels for work to Arizona for the a week-ish

First of August: homeschooling starts for N1

... and have I mentioned that my husband has taken on leading worship at church on Sundays? Life is good and full and that means my part in it needs to be simple and uncomplicated so that I can make life simple and uncomplicated for my family. More on this on Monday ... :)

Everyone is Beautiful ::: 5M4B Book Club

The ladies at Five Minutes for Books picked Everyone is Beautiful by Katherine Center as their June book club selection and I was able to get a copy at my local library. This book really resonated with me as Dawn predicted it would! Lanie, the main character, is a S@HM mom to three busy little boys. The book starts out as her family moves across the country so her husband can make some major steps in his musical career ... leaving behind the only home she's ever known as well as her family, friends, and life as she knew it. Suddenly thrust into a new environment she starts to see things about herself and that moves her towards making some changes.

Dawn posed some questions over at 5M4B for our review and I thought about several of them as I finished this book:

How did you relate to Lanie's character? Beyond just the mom/young children connections, did you feel any type of kinship with her?

Yes! this book resonated with me. :) The tired, out of shape, wornout mommy. The mommy that chose to stay at home with her little ones ... even though she/I chose that, and I truly believe it is the right decision, it's still hard at times. She was commited to her husband and supporting him in his career. I felt a connection with her as she made sacrifices for Peter's career - while her's involved a cross country move (which we haven't done), there are activities that I have stepped out of to support my husband's involvement and ministry in other areas. No matter how much you agree with or believe in the sacrifice that you are making, occasionally there are those moments where this mommy feels left behind a little bit. :)

What did you think about Lanie's pursuit of a new definition of herself, with her workout routine and photography interest? Is there something you'd love to pursue in your own life?
I think it is a good thing when a mom has something to recharge her from her day-to-dayness of maintaining her household and taking care of her family. I do believe that there are times and seasons for this ... when I have little tiny babies is not the time for me to sign up for extra projects and activities when I can barely get done what needs to be done because I'm running on so little sleep. :) Also, I think one thing that holds me back in this area is that I just don't stop to take the time to recharge until it's too late and I'm desperate for a little time away. I forget that my husband longs/works to/makes it his goal to provide for me and if I just ask him and it's in his ability, he will provide that outlet and time for me to recharge and pursue something. My tendency is to run myself to empty and then try and recharge instead of taking little bites here and there when I can.

How would you describe the message a reader takes away from Everyone is Beautiful?

When someone is passionate about something, living in the moment - that makes you beautiful. As a Christian, I believe our passion for Christ - regardless of whether we have skills in photogrphay, writing, singing, etc. - that alone can bring an unblievable beauty that can't be found in any earthly pursuit. That should be my first passion ... and if I only have time for one, that's the one I want to be at the top of the list! However, I think it is also important for stay-at-home-moms to have some sort of mental outlet for them to express their creativity. I look at my friends and their interests are so varied according to their likes and personalities and it adds something to the beauty of each woman.

I hope my notes make sense - I'm reading my scratchings from my journal as I type here. :) I did enjoy this book although I don't know that I will recommend it to many. Truthfully, I found the language (swearing) in the book to bother me. I'm sure the book was realistic to some, but that is not how I talk and I don't care to read others talk like that either. One of my favorite books that tackles this same theme (without the swearing) is SAHM I Am by Meredith Efken (and it's two follow-up books, @Home for the Holidays and Play It Again, SAHM). Those get two thumbs up from me.

You can read others' thoughts and reviews of Everyone is Beautiful over at 5M4B!

*I won't be able to post this on Tuesday, so I've gone ahead and written this up to get my thoughts posted before I lose them forever! :)

Friday Felicities for the end of May

Things that make me happy...

• eating dinner on the deck outside
• simple summer meals
• blueberries!
• hearing my 5yo read Green Eggs and Ham out loud
• watching my husband step up to some new reponsibilities and being exceptionally proud as he approaches it with the same thoroughness as he does everything
• my new grocery store form that I made (because I am a geek) and how I love it
• having full cupboards and cabinets ... and a husband that stops at Walmart on the way home from work for the things I missed :)
• having some time to hang out with our friend Henry this week (and his mom)!
• an 11yo niece that is willing to change the leaky diaper while we are out grocery shopping :)

Jillian Dare ::: A Bloggy Book Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! A retelling of Jane Eyre, set in a contemporary time, this book was sweet and charming and would make a fun summer read. While it's not a replacement for the classic, if you are looking for a simple story, with clear Christian values throughout, I suggest this as one that would be worth picking up.

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingJillian Dare: A NovelRevell (May 1, 2009)byMelanie M. Jeschke
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melanie Morey Jeschke (pronounced jes-key), a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and graduated from University of Virginia as a Phi Beta Kappa with an Honors degree in English Literature and a minor in European and English History.

A free-lance travel writer, Melanie contributed the Oxford chapter to the Rick Steves’ England 2006 guidebook. She is a member of the Capital Christian Writers and Christian Fiction Writers as well as three book clubs, and taught high-school English before home-schooling most of her nine children. Melanie lectures on Lewis and Tolkien, Oxford, and writing, and gives inspirational talks to all manner of groups, including university classes, women’s clubs, young professionals, teens, and school children.

A fourth generation pastor’s wife (her father Dr. Earl Morey is a retired Presbyterian minister), Melanie resides in the Greater Washington, D.C. area with her children and husband Bill Jeschke, a soccer coach and the Senior Pastor of The King’s Chapel, an non-denominational Christian church in Fairfax, Virginia.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jillian Dare leaves her Shenandoah Valley foster home behind and strikes out on her own as a nanny at a large country estate in northern Virginia. She is delighted with the beauty of her new home, the affection of her young charge Cadence Remington, and the opportunity for frequent travel to the Remington castle in England.

She is less certain about her feelings for her handsome but moody employer, Ethan. In spite of herself, Jillian realizes she is falling for her boss. But how can a humble girl ever hope to win a wealthy man of the world? And what dark secrets from the past is he hiding? This contemporary story, inspired by the well-loved classic Jane Eyre, will capture readers' hearts.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Jillian Dare: A Novel, go HERE

What's On My Nightstand ::: May

June ... is going to be my month to step back. To relax amidst much busy-ness. To read a few things that have been sitting on my shelf for a while that I am *going* to get to! :) With that, here are some of my aspirations for the month:

• Sabbath Keeping ... a book I got a Christmas and keep forgetting to start.
• Last Child in the Woods
• A Ring of Endless Light and Troubling a Star ... books 4 & 5 in the Austin Family Chronicles. I have thoroughly enjoyed these books! (Thanks, Jennifer, for bringing them to my attention).

I'm guessing I will read more than those four books this month, but those are the ones that I really want to hit, along with personal Bible reading (thinking I'm going to dive into some of the Psalms this summer, and maybe one of the epistles ... I John?? 1 Peter??) I just finished Inkdeath, the third book in Cornelia Funke's Inkheart trilogy and that took me a good week and a half to get through. One, because I have had busy days and only read in the evenings after girls were in bed ... and two, a-hem, in spite of how good it was, I had a hard time staying awake. :) I'm also about 1/3 of the way through Everyone is Beautiful which is the 5M4B June bookclub selection.

Head over to Five Minutes for Books for more nightstand posts!

Memorial Day Daybook

Outside my Window ... cloudy and grey but quiet since the buses and trashmen have the day off today.

I am thinking ... of the day ahead and how we really don't have anything on the agenda that we have to do. Nice. :)

I am thankful for ... a husband that helps me when the "rearrange-the-furniture-bug" hits. I had the urgent "need" to get the girls play kitchen out of their bedroom and he supplied much needed lifting and brainstorming help as we shuffled and juggled furniture. :)

In the learning room ... we're going to just read and read this week. The end is in sight of our Little House in the Prairie chapter book. Next week we are going to start a weather lapbook for the month of June.

From the kitchen ... a sketchy menu this week as I need to plan June's menu and make plans for our big grocery run.

Monday: hopefully grilling steaks (weather dependant) and baking potatoes
Tuesday: chicken of some kind, probably in the crockpot as it's our last regular dance day
Wednesday: keilbasa (maybe bbq'ed, maybe chopped up in a pasta salad), who knows? :)
Thursday:
Friday: pizza night
Saturday: unknown ... dependant upon my June menu :)

I am creating ... piles on my desk. Moving all the school stuff to the same shelf instead of having some of it by my desk, some by the school table, and some on other bookshelves.

I am going ... to relax today and enjoy this day off with my husband. (Or rather, enjoy his day off with him) :) instead of my usual rush to try and do-do-do because he's home.

I am wearing ... jammie pants and a t-shirt.

I am reading ... Inkdeath. Hoping to finish it soon because it's GOOD but I haven't had much time to read of late and when I do pull it out, I'm sooooo sleepy. :)

I am hoping ... in the Lord, in His strength, and His timing.

I am hearing ... little girls playing together quietly on this morning. Sweet sounds.

Around the house ... working the girls's room over some. We're planning to take down BBoo's crib in the near future. She can climb in and out with amazing agility and when I caught her standing on the rail Saturday night and flinging herself on to the mattress, that pretty much decided how soon we were moving her to a big-girl bed. Suffering a little mama-sadness as we pack up those baby things, since we don't know when we will be pulling them out again. Note to self: refer back to hoping in the Lord and His timing. :)

One of my favorite things ... listening to my girls sing. We've been learning some grace-songs to sing before meals and it makes my heart happy to listen to them and sing with them before we eat.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... weeding and watering the garden (we have radishes almost ready to pick), friends coming over to play on Tuesday and cousin Bubby over for the day on Thursday, a last dance class tomorrow, menu planning and grocery shopping, big-girl bed assembly, and the big church yard sale on Saturday. And I'm having a hard time believing that it is the end of May already.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ...

A photo from my 365-photo project that I am still working on ... this is from last week. One can't water the garden without watering the children as well. :)

Friday Felicities ::: May 22

Things that make me happy...

• a new calendar for the school year ... now I get to fill it in!


• making a list of things that we want to do this summer ... and writing it down so we remember. :)


• June. June is going to be good. :)


• a day today just with my girls. We've loved having the nephew some lately and other friends over, but I'm glad it's just us today.


• summer fruits and veggies. Yum.


• it's a 3-day weekend ... and I just realized this. The girls will be ecstatic to have Daddy home three days in a row.


• that God knows the outcome, even when we are in the midst of a hard decision. He knows how it will turn out, He knows that we hurt in the meantime, He knows. And I don't need to.