Simple Tip of the Week: Improvise with Mayonnaise

This week's tip comes in two parts since I did not post a tip last week. Read and you will discover why I always keep an extra jar of real mayonnaise on hand.

1. Macaroni and Cheese Solution

If we run out of milk or the milk has gone sour, what's a parent of Macaroni-and-Cheese loving children to do? We improvise. With some cholesterol free mayonnaise and a little water, we found a perfectly acceptable, creamier version of our beloved pasta dish. Though not essential, adding pureed cauliflower along with the mayonnaise makes the sauce even better.

Macaroni in a Pinch:
Just add mayo and water.

2. Ranch Dressing Made Simple

Mayonnaise and plain yogurt can be combined and seasoned into homemade ranch dressing. This creamy cucumber version stemmed from my original simpler creation. This first homemade version was born when I decided to mix up my own ranch dressing while on vacation; I did not want to buy anything else that we couldn't finish before leaving.

This week's tip is linked to Tuesday's Tip Jar and Works for Me Wednesday.

Menu Plan for the Week of 9/28

Fall may have officially arrived on September 22, but this week will probably rank as the busiest on record. We have two parent-teacher conferences, picture day, and two substitute teaching assignments, plus my mother's and close friend's birthdays to remember. So simplifying things is my necessary aim. I turned to Stephanie at A Year of Slow Cooking for help. There I was instantly greeted with two slow cooker recipes that I can't wait to try on Thursday and Friday.

Monday, September 28:

• Turkey Burgers
• Carrot Raisin Salad
  

Tuesday, September 29:

• Beef Fajitas
• Rice
  

Wednesday, September 30:

• Calzones
• Tossed Salad

Thursday, October 1:

• Burgundy Venison

Friday, October 2:

• Orange Chicken
• Rice
• Cucumber Salad
  

Saturday, October 3:

• Salmon
• Slow Cooked Succotash
• Rice
  

Past Connections, Present Roles

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Walking out under a starlit sky to sip a late night cup of tea is something I haven't done in a long time. But my friend of over 15 years came to town, and we hearkened back to our college days together and caught up on each others' lives during the 68 precious hours she was with us. She also managed to wash almost every dish that lurked in my kitchen, in addition to coming so far to see me. I tried not to feel too guilty. And during daylight hours, even without dishes to do, I still found ways to occupy my time, like cooking, and disciplining my three darling children.

Another experience we have in common is living overseas; soon she plans to return to a more rugged way of life abroad. So our days together were an unexpected bright spot of encouragement and hope (for me anyway). I was reminded to be thankful for the friends I have been given, wherever they may be. And I know I must be more faithful to pray for them and let them know I appreciate their part in my life. Even if we are not as close in proximity or when other duties don't allow frequent face to face interactions, I can be a faithful friend.

Or can I? I sometimes wonder if there are any women with young children who manage a satisfying balance of their roles as wives, mothers, home keepers, and friends. Most women I have met have at least one of these areas that tends to get neglected. Lately I have been disappointed by how poorly I am doing in all of these roles. I have a good idea as to why, since Jesus said, "apart from me you can do nothing."

So, Company Girls, if you have a real life example of a woman who attains a godly balance, whether it's you or someone who know and respect, I'd love to know!

Menu Plan for the Week of 9/21

Tomorrow I'm welcoming my college roommate to our humble home, so we'll see how much menu tweaking happens. Rather than assign specific days this week, I've decided to list the meals I've planned. It's still amazing to me that I have hardly had to buy any meat for our dinners this month; I do plan to purchase some salmon to enjoy with my friend on one of our evenings together.

• Chicken Teryaki, Sweet Potatoes, Vegetables, Rice
• Beef Fajitas
• Fried Baked Chicken, Japanese Eggplant Itame, Rice
• Salmon, Russian Potato Salad
• Venison Roast, Rice
• Breakfast Sausage/Ham Casserole
• Leftovers
  

Bargain Hunting Mishaps: Will I Ever Learn?

• This week I dropped my cell phone in the grocery store parking lot and didn't realize it was gone until I arrived back home.

• Last month, daughter #2 dropped a jug of V8 juice, splattering red liquid down the aisle.

• On an earlier trip, the same daughter was carrying a quart of yogurt to the car. Yep. Down it went onto the pavement.

• I found great bargains at the Salvation Army Thrift Store--several pieces for each of my kids! After loading all three kiddos into the car, I drove off without my bag. There it sat on the asphalt until someone took those lovely clothes home.
  

• I found a blouse at the mall for under $5 that matched a silk skirt of mine perfectly. One of the kids jostled it out of the stroller basket, and we left it behind on the sidewalk.

The incidents above are good reasons to shop alone, and these are just examples from 2009! Usually I try to do a Tuesday night shopping trip after my children are sleeping, so I can focus on my list. But this is not a foolproof strategy either, since I have left bags of my groceries behind more than once. Sometimes I have been able to retrieve the forgotten items, while other times I suffered the full consequences of my carelessness and did not my get my purchases back.

Haste, carelessness, and distractability often plague me at this stage of life, and this week my weaknesses were again blatantly obvious. So instead of scoffing at my husband's tendency to double check things, I should learn from him. But I resist humbling myself, especially when I think my uniqueness is being threatened. After all, isn't it a good thing to be so carefree?

Really, though, I should be free to focus on the task at hand, and need to take the extra minute to make sure I have everything in order before moving on to the next thing. And then there is the primary question: Is what I am doing at a given moment worthwhile? The number of store receipts I amass and my internet browsing history reveal a need to change.

"Electronic sunsets" are a feat I managed on a couple of nights last weekend. When I turn the computer off, I can devote myself to higher priorities that bring order and peace to a chaotic house (Thanks, Rachel Anne, for spurring me to improve). The weekend trial run proved that this needs to be a regular discipline for me. Of course we can make an exception for our weekly movie night and perhaps e-mail. But It would be wonderful to welcome my dear friend who is arriving on Tuesday to stay in a home that is more sanctuary-like than it was this past week. So here's to another weekend (and week?) of these sunsets!

Simple Tip of the Week: No More Hand Towels On the Floor!

May I introduce you to the joy of suspenders for your hand towels? When three children share a bathroom, it should hardly be surprising that the hand towels were rarely on the towel bar. But enter these clips, which cost $1.00 for a 4-pack at Dollar Tree. By attaching them to our towels we have cut down on laundry and need not worry about germs from dropped towels.




















Note: If you are crafty and can get your hands on an old pair of real suspenders, you could shorten them (or make some) for the same sanity-saving purpose.

There is a suspender hiding behind that neatly folded towel.
Elastic triumphs over entropy.

Menu Plan for the Week of 9/14

Our babysitting exchange with another couple was a success! My husband and I enjoyed a night on the town this past Saturday. We dined at one of my favorite restaurants in Lincoln, 9 South Chargrill, where I am pressed to find anything on the menu (or on other people's tables) that doesn't appeal to me. Afterwards, thanks to directions from our waiter, we played miniature golf, then did a bit of recreational shopping, and topped the evening off with DQ Blizzards.

Instead of serving fajitas for eight, as per my Saturday menu plan, I ordered some pizzas for the kids and our friends. Getting the house ready for company is always a challenge for me; hopefully we managed not to scare them off for next month's date!


Monday, September 14:

• Fajitas for us
  

Tuesday, September 15:

• Meatball Casserole (my husband's favorite!)

Wednesday, September 16:

• Roast Chicken
• Steamed Rice
• Di San Xian (Eggplant, Fried Potatoes and Green Pepper Stir Fry)

Thursday, September 17:

• Macaroni and Beef (Frozen Entree from Angel Food) with homemade pesto sauce

Friday, September 18:

• Turkey Burger Stars
  

Saturday, September 19:

• Leg of Lamb
• Vegetable Medley
• Steamed Rice
  

Friday Reflections: Change is Upon Me

The MOPS group that first welcomed me two years ago starts today. As those dear faces gather for fellowship, I won't be there, which saddens me. Meanwhile, I am looking forward to starting a new weekly Bible study next week.

With two daughters in school and my son at home with me, my plate is piled high. This means I cannot add another time commitment, so I let go of MOPS (reluctantly). Somehow I thought school would make life easier, but between getting ready and packing lunches and pick ups, our schedule seems fuller than ever.

Meanwhile, my little guy is getting used to having me all to himself for several mornings. This week he seems to have concluded that he really likes it! I'm trying to figure out what to do--errands are easier with one kid, but it's such a golden opportunity to sit down and spend focused time with my son; I shouldn't to be running around continually. Then there's the looming challenge of toilet training, which doesn't seem terribly compatible with my burning desire to hit the bike trail each day.

What I need to do is prayerfully sort out all these priorities. I need God to show me ways for my desires and responsibilities to coexist rather than compete.

Simple Tip of the Week: DIY Edible Air Fresheners

I don't believe in buying commercially produced air freshener. But it isn't hard to diffuse my own non-toxic aromas to freshen my kitchen and the rest of my house. Here are two strategies:

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

1. Using citrus peels

Instead of tossing my clementine orange peels in the trash, I put them in the empty garbage disposal and partially grind them. Suddenly my kitchen smells citrus-y fresh! My mother-in-law also advised me to drop an already-juiced lemon half in the disposal, which lasts even longer.

2. Baking my own aromas

I have enjoyed waking up to the smell of fresh bread in the morning, thanks to my programmable bread machine. Furthermore, I would rather bake some fresh cinnamon rolls or banana bread than buy a food-fragranced wax candle. What better way to greet my daughter when she comes home from school than with a home-baked snack? It beats a package of Twinkies, and even edges out a bowl of Easy Mac. The mere aroma wafting from the kitchen is convincing enough.

This tip is linked to Works for Me Wednesday, a great place for gathering helpful ideas.

Menu Plan for the Week of 9/7

Since I diverged from the plan more often than not, there is quite a lot of carry over from last week's menu. Hence my ambition to use most of our Angel Food items has not yet been realized. But we still have plenty of food. In fact, I sketched out our dinners for the month and discovered I have enough meat to last us most of the month! I'm both thankful and taken aback that we have so much.

One happy development this week is the start of a babysitting exchange with another family. So my husband and I will go out this Saturday while two parents and 6 kids dine at our house on fajitas. At least that's the plan. Now my husband and I have to decide where to go for our dinner and entertainment. Two places that spring to mind are 9 South Chargrill and the Ross theater. I'll let you know what we chose next week!

Monday, September 7:

• Leftovers
• Steamed Rice

Tuesday, September 8:

• Pork Chops
  
• Russian Salad
  

Wednesday, September 9:

• Moo Shu Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Di San Xian (Eggplant, Fried Potatoes and Green Pepper Stir Fry)
  

Thursday, September 3:

• Slow Cooked Lentil and Wild Rice Supper
  
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Tossed Salad
  

Friday, September 4:

• French Bread Pizzas
  

Saturday, September 5:

• Chicken Fajitas for 8