Monday Meal Planning...on Tuesday

The sweetness of summer....this mouth-watering bowl of fruit is about to be turned into a smoothie...

Here is my version of Gina's Baby Past Shells with Asparagus and Marinara: 

I used rotini shells because I wanted something fun and whole grain...the baby shells at Kroger were all white pasta.  I also added 1/3 lb. lean hamburger meat for the predator in my husband.  And...I'll admit, I didn't remember my grocery list, so I forgot the crushed tomatoes to make my own sauce, so I had to turn to Ragu...sorry :*-(

It still turned out very good and S had two huge helpings.  Additionally, I made garlic bread for a side.  I'll be putting this recipe in my "keeper" folder!

This week's meal plan (thanks, Allison, for the idea!):

Monday:  Chicken Parmigiana, without the crunchy coating but with Angel Hair Pasta, green beans  

Tuesday:  Pasta Marinara with Asparagus, garlic bread, fruit smoothie for dessert

Wednesday:  Venison Tacos, refried beans, Spanish Rice

Thursday:  Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp, rice, steamed veggies

Friday:  Most likely leftoevers.

Sat. & Sun:  We are usually bad and eat what's left in the fridge, grill, or eat out.  We'll see what this week holds! 

I'm currently working on a Meal Plan Planner.  I'm TERRIBLE at planning ahead (at least for food, that is), so I'm really looking for something that works.  I've adapted a worksheet from a couple different sources, adding my own spin on it, and so far, it's worked this week.  Except the part about forgetting it at home when I went to the grocery store--it also serves as my grocery list.  I'll put a downloadable copy on here as soon as I get it finished, or almost-finished-still-tweaking. 

So, what's your game plan this week?

Lovely's Last Day of Kindergarten

The above pic was taken in my bargain Strausburg dress from Dillards...but I seriously think the kid makes the dress ;-)

Above is the first day of Kindergarten.  That same skirt is now way above her knees.  I'm claiming it's dryer shrinkage, 'cause my girl isn't growing THAT quickly...right?

This is the last day of Kindergarten.  She is turning into such a little lady (even though she may not sit like one).  Overall, I've been extremely happy with her school.  Her teacher is probably the best teacher I've ever seen (and I used to substitute teach); Lovely knows so much more than when I enrolled her, even though I had already gone through Abeka Kindergarten with her. 

Lovely opened her envelope packet (for summer work) after school on Monday, breathed a heavy sigh of relief, and exclaimed, "Yeesss!  I get to go to 1st grade!" (Her teacher had told the class that if the packet was yellow, they had to stay in Kindergarten.  If it was green, they could move to 1st grade.)  So....yay! to neon-green summer work packets! First grade, here we come!!  And...um...Kindergarten all over again since Snugglebug will be in it!

Prankster Dad

I just happened upon this Yahoo article and clicked to visit the blog.  If you haven't seen it, go there for a few chuckles...

http://waveatthebus.blogspot.com/

Wonderlab in Bloomington, Indiana

Back in April, Lovely's teacher used a Target grant to take the class to Wonderlab in Bloomington.  It is a pretty cool science museum for younger kids, complete with a 2-story climbing vine for the kids to crawl up.  There were bubbles to form, water to splash, water critters to observe, heat to understand, and demonstrations by Wonderlab staff to help kids understand solids vs. liquids. 

The water station was pretty cool as the plastic balls popped up through a water machine as the kids played. 

Below is Lovely's impression in one of those push-the-plastic sticks-to-form-a-design-thing.  (Don't you love my creative name for it?)

 

If it wasn't for the 2 hr drive, I would love to go back...but 2 hrs there & 2 hrs back...You really need to have other things to do there and make it a couple-day trip. 

So where will you be traveling this summer?

Catching Up on Birthdays: Smokin' Shrimp, Ice Cream, Frogs and Butterflies

Ok, I know my birthday and Snugglebug's birthday was a couple months ago, but remember, my computer imploded right when I was going to blog about them! 

For my birthday, Hubs (hereafter known as S) & I tried Eddie Merlot's near 4th Street Live in Louisville.  (They are also in Columbus, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Ft. Wayne.)  We arrived early, so after paying $5 for valet parking (what I considered a steal), we walked around, waiting for our reservation time.  Lesson learned:  I am too old for 4th Street Live.  I am not a fan of loud music or smoking in general, so S & I walked quickly and were still a little early for our reservation.

I scheduled our dinner for their all-you-can-eat lobster special, a special each year on Fridays that includes salad and new potatoes for $39.99 per person.  The restaurant is a little pretentious, but the wait staff is pretty friendly.  I was a little disappointed that no birthday special was offered, other than the waiter's joke about singing clowns coming out to greet me.

We ordered Eddie's Smokin' Shrimp Cocktail for an appetizer, consisting of four shrimp, each the size of half of my hand and super yummy.

Next, we ate lobster...I had 2.5 and S had 3.  I only ordered the third because S pressured me into it...shame, shame...All were good, but the first was a little overcooked.  The second lobster was the best.  The waiter said they had gone through 500 lobsters the previous Friday night.

Last, I ordered an apple and peach dessert with ice cream, which was too sweet for my taste.  I should have ordered the coffee S ordered; it came with brown sugar cubes, shaved chocolate, fresh cream, cinnamon sticks, milk, and I forget what else. 

Overall, I enjoyed the experience and our dinner, but I think I enjoy the Melting Pot even more--I'm looking forward to our anniversary in August!  Rating for this restaurant:  A- (due to price)

Below are the cupcakes I made for Snugglebug's b-day.  They were mini strawberry and chocolate cupcakes decorated like frogs and butterflies, or "blutterflies" as Snugglebug says.  Thankfully, the frogs didn't mistake the butterflies for everyday houseflies, who knows what would have happened!

Here's what I did:

Frogs: cream cheese icing, marshmallows for the eyes (cut into 4ths), M&Ms for the iris/pupils, and fruit roll-up for the tongues.

Butterflies:  Cream cheese icing for the base, purple prepared icing for the body, M&Ms for the head, licorice for the antennae, and pretzels for the wings.

Review: Louisville Nature Center

I went on another field trip with Lovely last week, to the Louisville Nature Center.  I didn't even know it exhisted, but sure enough, it's located right around the corner from the Louisville Zoo.

The class was divided into four groups that took turns hiking a shortened version of a trail, meeting insects, and playing peeping toms with birds.  Here's one of the many critters that I didn't touch:

I learned millipedes are OK to touch, but stay away from those nasty biting centipedes...someone better restrain me...NOTE:  the hands above are the guide's hands.  I didn't want the millipede to "get nervous" on me.

Below is Lovely playing with her pet snail.  For some reason, it looked like it was breaking free from its shell just to get closer to her--maybe she smelled good...or bad...

After the critters, we snuck up on the birds and learned about cardinals (what the guide referred to as our state bird, but she meant Kentucky's state bird--good thing both states have the same state bird--talk about copycapts!), nut hatches, blue jays, chipmunks, finches, and a lot more...

Last, we went hiking.  Honestly, I was glad it was the shortened version of the trail.  We ventured through the mud and muck, but I didn't mind too much--I wore my old tennies.  Anyone visiting can hike in the 41-acre Bear Creek State Nature Preserve.  They only have 2+ miles of hiking trails, but it is pretty hiking.  They also offer other education programs, party/event room rental, and summer camps with camp scholarships. 

Considering the drive (I live a bit far to visit too often), I probably won't be back anytime soon, but if you are in the area, it's a nice place to check out!

Score! At Tickled Pink

I finally made the journey to Tickled Pink in Louisville yesterday.  Let me just say...I'm in love... 

Below are a few samples found in one of the many rooms of the store, which is basically an old house filled with goodies in the basement and on the 1st & 2nd floors.  I ran out of time to shop and didn't have a chance to look out in their loaded garage--drats!  I just drove past it as I was leaving and drooled...

Don't try to go to their website--you won't find one.  They have been in business for years and years, but they don't like to take pictures of their stuff because they claim 90% of it will be gone within a week.  Next on my list:  go to the owner's sister's store in Ireland, Indiana, 4 miles west of Jasper--where there is more furniture :D

They are priced to sell...and I was in a mood to buy (but not too much, of course)!

I'd invest in more glassware, if only I had a place to store it (sigh). 

 

This is what I actually bought:  a book for me, a book for the girls, a handy-dandy blue plastic case with brass latches, an embroidered handkerchief (to sop up the drool as I drove away), and a vintage apron (I LOVE vintage aprons--have I mentioned how much I love vintage aprons?)

I haven't decided what to do with the case yet, but I'm sure I'll find something since it was a whopping $0.94.  I'm thinking of decorating something with the "M"--or framing it somehow. 

I also bought Courier & Ives framing prints from 1961.  I just loved the color, and I figure I'll find something to do with them since I got all 12 months for $3.95. 

So, who wants to go shopping with me next week?