Theme Week

Last weekend as I made my grocery list for that upcoming week's dinner menu, I did as I normally do. I asked what my teens wanted to eat that week for dinner.  My youngest proclaimed "SANDWICHES ALL WEEK!!!!!!"  The elder two  looked up long enough from YouTube and iPhone long enough to agree that it would be "Cool and Awesome!" Then returned to their observations of technology.  I began to pour through our favorite recipes and figure out what we were going to have.  Below with a link - if available-to what we dined on.
Saturday -Pizza Grilled Cheese, Mozzarella in Carrozza (my uber fave),  Pizza Puffs,  & Pizza Nachos (the garlic cream sauce is awesome) 
Sunday - Ham Delights, Mini Onion Quiches (I cook mine just a tad more so that they are deep golden brown)
Monday - Cuban Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches
Tuesday - French Dip Sandwiches
Wednesday - Cheesesteaks
Thursday - Manwich (cause I won't make it voluntarily and they begged)
Friday - Grilled Burgers with chili, Lexington BBQ Slaw, and all the other fixins- the ultimate sandwich

This week they have declared: FOOD ON A STICK WEEK
Saturday - Low Country Boil - yeah, I know it isn't on a stick, but we were celebrating my parents birthdays and we love us some LCB! The link is for a Paula Deen recipe, but my Dad does our his way, so if you have never made it, begin w/ Ms. Paula's and then make adjustments as needed.
Sunday - City Chicken (it's pork & I use veggie broth)
Monday - Onion Lovers Steak Kabobs
Tuesday - BBQ Pork Kabobs
Wednesday - Pineapple & Ham or Pineapple & Chicken Kabobs
Thursday - Pigs in a Blanket (aka Beef Roll-ups)
Friday - Low Country Boil  Kabobs (the link is for a random recipe, we make a Low Country Boil several times a year, like the Saturday above, but I wanted to try it kabob style - So when I make these I will post the recipe I came up with.)

Adapting to a New Home

So, I have been gone from this for close to 7 months.  Let's just leave the reason at life happens and you have to adjust and deal with it, or as I learned from my husband who was in the Marine Corps, improvise, overcome and adapt.

With that said, we have recently moved.  My home is sporting that 'moving truck threw up decor'.  I have been cooking with limited space and "gear", but between working all day as a desk jockey, kids sports practices and games, unpacking boxes, I am flat wore out.

I never realized how much stuff I had in my kitchen! This has got me to needing to find some creative ways to store what I have already and make decisions on what to donate. I am scouring the Internet for cheap or inexpensive solutions for storage (when I can). 

I have found some of the organizing information so far redundant upon themselves. Then there are those that just think anyone can run out and purchase pre-made organizers. Then the ones that think everyone is stupid.  I can also see someone can use some of the information if they have NEVER been in a kitchen before, however, most people who cook, know it is easier to have your most used dishes (aka everyday dishes) in easier reach than your special occasion dishes or to put all your plastic wrap, parchment paper, wax paper, Al foil, and zip top baggies in a location together.

So, my quest has begun in finding quality information that hasn't been regurgitated from one website to the other.  If anyone reading this has an idea, post it in the comments because seeing  things that say "Color Code  your Kitchen because it doubles as artwork" apparently has mega bucks to spend to completely re-do their kitchen to get their appliances and dishes all the same color just so that it will fall under the writer's broad definition of the term ORGANIZATION!

Friday Top Five From New York!

It's been a super long time since any of us have posted to the blog, each for our own reasons. I recently moved cross country to New York and boy is it cold here! -25 degrees here in North Country. So, to stay warm I'm returning with the FRIDAY TOP FIVE! These are 5 things food and/or kitchen related that I absolutely love. 

#5- Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss in Sweet Cream 

and Dunkin' Donuts Bakery Series Coffees

We have enjoyed moving to Upstate New York and one of the perks is the number of Dunkin' Donuts within a 5 mile radius. My favorite treat from there is a small coffee with blueberry, cream and sugar and an Old Fashioned Donut. At home I treat myself to a cup of the delicious Blueberry Muffin flavored coffee with a splash of Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss in Sweet Cream or enjoy a cup of Old Fashioned Donut.

#4-Ghiradelli Chocolate Squares - 

Intense Dark Sea Salt Soiree and 

Dark Chocolate with Strawberry Filling 

If you ever have a craving for chocolate, nibble on one of these from Ghiradelli! The Sea Salt Soiree is like a sophisticated grown up version of Hershey's Bar with Almonds. The limited edition Dark Chocolate with Strawberry Filling is like chocolate covered strawberry wrapped up in a tiny little package. These are the perfect size when you just want a "little bit" of chocolate. 

#3- Le Creuset Butter Crock and Honey Pot

I picked up these beauties on clearance right after Christmas. I have throughly enjoyed my honey pot and dipper when I need to add a drop or two of honey to a cup of Lady Grey Tea. The butter crock so far has been a display piece. I'm terribly worried that my youngest will climb on the counter and begin eating the butter straight out of the crock or completely forget to change the water in ever few days. Simple enough for daily use, just place a stick of butter inside the bell and fill cold tap water in the crock up to the fill line on the inside.Then change the water every few days. I'm planning on using it on our table for holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas rather than a traditional butter dish. 

#2- Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day 

Liquid Hand Soap in Basil Scent

Now I had been a faithful consumer of the SoftSoap Kitchen Fresh Hands for many years. However, when you can't find a refill jug or feel like you're shelling out almost $3-$4 for an 8.5 fl. oz. every 2 weeks, you feel an urge to try something new. I picked Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day hand soap up on sale a few weeks ago and have fallen in love with it for the kitchen. I was first worried  that the basil scent would be over powering, but it's a pleasant smell and gentle on my hands. I'm looking forward to switching out all my cleaning products to Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products and begin spring cleaning. Check out Mrs. Meyer's website for deals on gift sets, laundry detergent and candles, plus they're offering free shipping on orders over $50 right now. 

#1- Family Dinner Box of Questions 

by Melissa & Doug

I picked this up on Amazon this fall to help with our dinner conversation rut. Rather than asking my 6 & 8 year olds "How was your day?", we have tons of fun answering these family appropriate questions and taking turns at the dinner table. I have learned so many things about my boys and it's something they enjoy. We ended up ordering up the Thanksgiving box of questions to use for the month of November. Check out melissaanddoug.com for more versions like Christmas, Slumber Party, Road Trip and more.