Meal Plan...Last Week

I actually made a meal plan this past week and mostly stuck to it.  We were fortunate to get some very tasty heirloom tomatoes from Brian's parents and we also hit up the Bowling Green farmers market.  I am starting to trade meal plans with a couple of friends for inspiration and accountability so hopefully I will post here more often.

creamy broccoli soup with bread (this was really great and really healthy, no cream)
http://www.wholeliving.com/
130293/creamy-broccoli-white-bean-soup

crockpot chicken (chicken broth with heirloom tomatoes) and minty chickpea salad with couscous and tomatoes
http://www.realsimple.com/
food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/minty-chickpea-salad-couscous-10000001639803/index.html

Tostadas (fish (tilapia), refried beans, cheese, lettuce)

bean soup and cornbread & salad

cabbage and sausage with honey roasted sweet potatoes ( http://www.foodnetwork.com/
recipes/ellie-krieger/honey-roasted-sweet-potatoes-recipe/index.html)
 and roasted veggies (zucchini, tomato's, peppers and garlic).  This seems like a lot but it was basically leftover stuff from the farmers market that I threw together.  Brian loved the honey/olive oil/lemon mixture I put on the sweet potatoes.

We also made these the other day: Garlic Grilled Tomatoes
http://prouditaliancook.
blogspot.com/2012/05/let-grilling-begin.html

Buttons

I found these pictures tonight from Thanksgiving. Grandma Laffin pulling out her button collection for Ruby to play with. She knows what a 4 year old girl likes. Sweet memories for Ruby to have with her Grandma.

Snowflakes by Grandma

When we pulled up to Grandma and Grandpa Laffin's house for Christmas the girls got to see these beautiful snowflakes that Grandma twisted together with lights. They loved them so we took a few minutes one night to get some pictures. Who needs real snow when you have these?

I think Ruby is a little cold in this picture

Thanksgiving in Kentucky

Our girl enjoying all of her Thanksgiving Meal

I actually told Ruby NOT to smile in this picture.  I think her Uncle John is teaching her bad picture taking habits :)

This is more like her normal pose when I take a picture

The table...yummy food made by Brian's Mom

Of course the girls started the day out with some swinging time.  

Ruby loves to push her sister on the swing.

This year Grandpa and Grandma Laffin bought Ruby her own big girl swing

Christmas Down South

We visited Brian's parents and his brother in Bowling Green for a couple of days to celebrate Christmas. The girls had a great time with their grandparents, Uncle John, and Abby Dog.

The girls had lovely little Christmas dresses but I didn't get great pics of them in their dresses.

Grandpa L and Abby Dog

Both girls were interested in playing the piano with Grandma during this trip

Ruby was very excited that the southern part of the state got a bunch of snow for her to play in. In this picture she is actually crying because we made her put 2 layers of gloves on...it is hard to be 3 years old some days.

She quickly snapped out of it and had a blast as Uncle John and Daddy pulled her around the yard!

Where the green grass grows...

Remember that song by Tim McGraw "Where the Green Grass Grows"...something like this:

I'm Gonna live where the green grass grows
Watchin my corn pop up in rows
Every night be tucked in close to you

Raise our kids where the good Lord's blessed
Point our rockin chairs towards the west
And Plant our dreams where the peaceful river flows
Where the green grass grows

Brian and I have been talking about where we are going to move next. We are staying in the area but more and more (lately Brian more than me) we long to live somewhere with some grass, lots of room for the girls to play, quiet nights, and lightening bugs. We love the city and are content right now but recently have really enjoyed some of the sweet outdoors of W. Kentucky.

The girls and I went to stay with Brian's parents for a few days this month to help Brian's mom after she had back surgery. Ruby loved being able to run, kick the ball and play outside. Here are some pictures from our time there.

The big backyard. Notice way in the back is their gigantic garden. I think it is almost time to start calling it a farm. :)

Telia enjoying her time outside

Ruby getting ready to do some serious playing outside with her shovel

What to do next?

A week later we went back to spend some time with Brian's Aunt Kathy, Uncle Mike and his cousins Kris, Kevin and Matt who were in town from California. Here are a few pictures of everyone checking out the lightening bugs in the evening (I don't think they have lightening bugs in California so that is why we are all outside looking). Ruby absolutely loved it and finally warmed up to "the brothers"...that is what she called Brian's cousins.

Little girl and her first experience with lightening bugs

I had to post this picture of Ruby and Kevin because this was pretty much the only time she interacted with "the brothers"

Enjoying her first ride on the swing

Ruby and her Uncle

Meal Plan Monday

Thanks to a little nudge from my friend Beth ;), here is my menu plan for the week:

Monday- Dinner with our community group...we made Spanish rice...the rice a roni kind. fancy I know.

Tuesday- Salmon Patties, Sweet Potatoes and Apples

Wednesday- Shrimp Gumbo with Cornbread (my parents got me a gumbo mix from Savannah)

Thursday- My friend Leslie gave me this recipe in one of those recipe exchange forwards over email:
Black Beans and Rice

2 cans black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 cup salsa
1 can diced tomatoes

You can add chicken or ground beef if desired. (at this point in the week we are pretty much out of meat so won't be using any)

garlic (1 tablespoon diced)
lemon juice (1-2 tablespoons)
lime juice(1-2 tablespoons)

add water if too thick for your taste (about 1/2 to 1 cup)

Put all the ingredients in the crock pot and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low 8 hours so flavors meld. Serve over white or brown rice with cheese, sour cream, and cilantro with tortilla chips.

Friday- We are headed to visit Brian's parents in Bowling Green

Recipe Reviews:
All the recipes that I listed on my last meal plan a few weeks ago were great. I would make any of them again.
Last week I made this great recipe that my friend Beth sent me called Falafel with Avocado Spread and it was yummy. Met the approval of my husband as well.

We also attempted these Stuffed Cabbage Rolls last week. They were tasty but after my umpteenth attempt at stuffing cabbage leaves I have decided that it is not for me. Too much work and my leaves usually fall apart.

Here is another one we tried, Scalloped Potatoes and Hamburger. I can't say that I am very proud of this recipe...it pretty much broke my rule of always having something green at the table. I was trying to use what we had and this recipe fit the bill. It was really good and Brian loved it but like I said...not real good for ya.

A Bowling Green Christmas 2009

Ruby scoping out the gifts with Uncle John

Ruby loved playing the piano and singing with her Grandma

Brian with his gift from his parents

Telia just looking cute on her first Christmas

New Favorite Blog and New Fave Accessories

I started subscribing to the Etsy blog called The Storque and I am really loving it. Etsy is an awesome site where anyone can buy and sell things that are handmade. I love it! Anyway, it can be a little overwhelming at times because there are sooooo many sellers and items. The blog makes it easier because they feature different items and artists daily. It is really great but don't worry I am only window shopping. :) Here are some recent items that I have found that are too cute:
Check out this necklace here

I also like this necklace from All That Glitters
The woman who makes this jewelry is from Bowling Green, KY...home of my in-laws! We met the woman who makes them at the farmers market last month and my mother in law bought me a beautiful necklace from her. I really do like most of her stuff and I encourage you to check out her etsy shop if you are looking for some awesome homemade jewelry.


I came across this artist today who makes some cute vintage inspired necklaces and rings that I like.

4th of July with the Laffin's

We spent the weekend with Brian's parents. I think Ruby's favorite part of the weekend was being outside in the garden and swinging. She got to pick blackberries with Uncle John and Grandma and got to have Grandpa push her on the swing. Brian and I also had a great time in Bowling Green. It is always nice to visit with the family and have life slow down a little bit. We also went home with lots of goodies from the garden and the farmers market. Last night I made my first ever strawberry rhubarb pie and a peach mouse...mmm

Christmas in Bowling Green 2008

Ruby checking out the Christmas Tree at Grandma and Grandpa Laffin's

Brian and Me

Ruby trying out her new telephone. We had to show her how it works since she has never seen a phone like this before.

Brian and Ruby with her new puppy from Great Aunt Mary.

Laffin Family Christmas

Ruby took no time to warm up to Grandma and Granpa during this trip. Grandma had the right idea with the slinky.

John was in charge of keeping Ruby away from the dangerous fireplace while we opened gifts.

The aftermath.