WIS, WWA | to walk or to blog? Hmm.
I had a appointment this morning, and before it, I had time to do one of two things:
- walk
- write a blog post
And since it was a lovely sunny morning, I chose to walk.
So, that is why this post is going up so late!
I do usually try to write my posts a day ahead of time, but sometimes life gets in the way of that.
It's funny; I have been blogging for almost 15 years now, and I still sort of have this idea in my head that one day, I will be very organized and write lots of posts way ahead of time.
But here I am, 14+ years later, mostly blogging by the seat of my pants.
We could call it "just in time" blog post delivery. 😉
What I Spent
I spent $28 on takeout, and that's it. I really will grocery shop again once I have a rental!
What We Ate
I did pretty much no cooking this week.
I did schoolwork and lots of house-hunting, but no cooking, except for making lunches for myself.
Once we get settled into a rental that all will change. 🙂 I will actually cook again!
Saturday
My mom made a chickpea/butternut squash curry, which we ate over rice.
We had a green salad on the side (and a fruit salad, which you can see in the background of the picture above.)
Sunday
We had a rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes (using the bag of free potatoes that I got at Safeway a little while back) and broccoli, plus some fruit.
Monday
Leftover rotisserie chicken turned into chicken and biscuits. And we had a salad on the side.
Tuesday
I went to look at a rental while Zoe was at her class, and I got a little $6 kid's bowl at Mezeh too, since I wasn't very hungry.
Wednesday
My mom made some vegetarian burritos, filled with black beans, butternut squash, onions, peppers, cilantro, and cheese.
Thursday
Umm, it was a two-Mezeh night this week! We had a schedule mixup, and I got Zoe to her evening class way too early. So, we took a detour and I got her a Firehouse sub and myself a Mezeh bowl.
Friday
I think my mom is making some wings and rice tonight. Will we have a green salad? LIKELY.
What did you have for dinner this week?
P.S. In case you have missed recent posts and are wondering, "What's all this about a rental?", here's a post explaining my current situation.
Glad you chose the walk. I always find that getting out into the beauty of the natural world is so rewarding.
This week we ate:
Sunday: Jersey Mike's sandwiches at a wedding
Monday: leftover rotisserie chicken
Tuesday: Pulled pork sandwiches
Wednesday: Thai food to celebrate finding Home insurance
Thursday: Pulled pork Sandwiches
Friday: Pulled pork sandwiches
It's our spring break week! We haven't traveled, but have done lots of fun things around home.
Saturday: My husband's birthday dinner... Steak, asparagus, chips, cantaloupe, and carrot cake cookie sandwiches
Sunday: Cheesy scalloped potatoes with ham, apple slices, and corn
Monday: Ham and potato soup, FG French bread
Tuesday: Brats and hot dogs, green beans, and grapes
Wednesday: After 4 hours of swimming (and no naps) we got Little Caesar's pizza and watched a movie
Thursday: The kids and I spent the day at the zoo (my husband had to work late) and we got dinner at Sam's club... Pizza, pretzels, and my kids had their first Icees. After shopping, we got ice cream because it's spring break and so we're going a little extra!
Friday: I had planned to have ham and veggies, but my husband wants to go out for dinner for something fun. So I'm trying to think of where we can go that will go well with our little kids.
@Ruth T, Mexican food for your meal out!!! Always a winner!
@Kris, Ooh... I was thinking that the kids would enjoy Culver's, but I know I would enjoy Mexican!!!
@Kris, Culver's won. I need to start having as many green salads as Kristen once this week is done!!
@Ruth T, Carrot cake cookie sandwich? Do tell...
@Becky, The recipe came in a magazine my daughter received. It's similar to a whoopie pie. It has two carrot cake cookies, then cream cheese frosting in the middle. They turned out better than I expected!
You made the right decision, Kristen. A walk is restorative in so many ways.
We had a strange week .... Monday was a leftover soup with your cream biscuit recipe, Kristen, Tuesday was Huevos Rancheros, Wednesday we had peanut chicken over rice, yesterday I had a medical procedure so my family ate soup from the freezer while I snacked on odds and ends, and tonight we are having pork chops which hubby pulled from the freezer. Hooray for freezer food and the way it can pull you through crazy schedules!
Kristen, don't ever feel you have to apologize for getting a post up late, or even not at all. Understanding is a small thing that we--your devoted readers and fans--can do for you. Above all else, take care of yourself and your kids.
Absolutely!
Your mum looks like a good cook!
Monday was leftover lentil and vegetable soup
Tuesday was vegetables, edamame and rice
Wednesday was leftover pasta and vegetables
Thursday was roasted vegetables over mixed grains with salsa & sour cream
Tonight is date night, but we are staying in and I’m cooking, so I’ll have to root around the kitchen and see what I have. I know a salad will feature and maybe a baked pasta dish.
Fingers crossed on your search for a rental!
Good for you! Taking a walk instead of blogging to start the day = having the right priorities and setting a good example.
This week we spent money on food and we ate but I don't have any specifics to share.
I’m sure you miss being in your own space & having your regular routine, but I’m sure your mom is thankful to be helping you out and “taking care of you” during this time. I went through the same situation 1.5 years ago and had no one, so I am very envious❤️
Oh my, I am so sorry that you have been through this too. I hope better days are ahead for you!
WIS: $73. WWE: Lunch is our big meal, so I cook only on the weekends to prep for our lunches. Saturday night we had two homemade pizzas. I forgot to put pepperoni on the one my husband and I shared, but that's okay because I really don't like pepperoni all that much. Sausage, black olives and cheese was good! For Sunday night, I cooked three skillets full of herbed chicken thighs, a dish of buttered carrots and a pan of baked apples.
Our snacks this week were carrot-pineapple-flax/oat muffins, which were what we had on hand and so yummy.
Sat/Sun/Monday--various versions of salmon. Started with a baked salmon, then salmon patties, and finally salmon patties. Fruit salad every night.
Tuesday---eggplant parmesan. Cuke salad.
Wednesday---Shrimp scampi. Cuke salad.
Thursday---Hamburgers that were made with beef, shredded zucchini, and finely chopped mushrooms. Oranges.
Tonight, the usual Fillet 'O Fish for me and tacos for him.
@Lindsey, can you share your recipe for cuke salad?
Walking should be the priority every time. 🙂 I'm glad you did that. I call it "nature therapy."
Also, your parents' plates take me right back to childhood! I love Corelle!
Right? Most of us 70s/80s kid must have had Corelle!
WIS: Aldi: 350.45 Target: 3.98 Hungry Harvest: 44.58 Giant: 13.41 Total: 412.42
This was my first week of shopping for two weeks worth at once to see if I spend less overall...seeming like it might be a wash, but this spend did have two birthdays and two holidays in it, so...I dunno...I was definitely more tired afterwards, but I should not have to go anywhere next week while I am on spring break, so I'm very happy about that.
WWA:
Sat: watermelon, broccoli, fish sticks and sweet potato fries
Sun: salad, polenta, tofu, broccoli and black bean casserole
Mon: roasted parsnips/carrots/broccoli stems, roasted chicken
Tue: stir fried knotweed, cucumber slices, broccoli, pasta with beyond Bolognese sauce and cheese, toasted bread
Wed: (came home very late from grocery shopping) waffles, scrambled eggs, cucumbers, leftover overnight oats
Thu: (had bought the pizza for a quick dinner after grocery shopping but got home too late so we moved it to today) salad, brussel sprouts, take and bake cheese pizza from Aldi, everything pretzels for "dessert"
Tonight: salad and focaccia
Happy Weekend everyone!!!
Kristen, I’m glad you got some walk therapy!
Our family loves Mezeh bowls. They’re hearty and healthy and taste so yummy! I haven’t tried the eggplant there yet.
This week was a sort of catch-as-catch-can meal week. Everyone had different schedules so we didn’t eat many meals together ( I don’t prefer that). However, earlier in the week I made a tuna/noodle casserole and a green salad and that provided meals for a few dinners this week. My husband works from home and usually fixes himself a sandwich for lunch. I have a green salad most weekdays for lunch. Tonight we’re having burgers and tomorrow night we’re having baked potatoes topped with bacon, cheese broccolini and sour cream.
I’m glad you did the walk first! For dinner this week we had rotisserie chicken with roasted broccoli and rice, sausage and kale soup pulled from the freezer, kale salad with leftover chicken mixed in, stuffed mushrooms with salad, shredded beef tacos with black beans, guacamole and chips and tonight will be homemade pizza. I have so much shredded beef and black beans left over that I will freeze some of both for future dinners. I saw a recipe I want to try but my husband thought it sounded terrible-baked sweet potatoes stuffed with black beans and quinoa…I will try it without him I guess.
Why can't you pay rent to your parents? They might even take a trip they've always wanted to take because they'd have house sitters! 🙂
Well, part of it is that if we can find our own place to rent, then we can have our cat, and that would make Zoe indescribably happy! We can't have our cat here because several extended family members are quite allergic. So, if we had our cat here, that would make the house off-limits to them, and my mom understandably does not want that.
@Kristen, I was wondering about your pets. Do you still have a Guinea pig? We had 2, one passed, and one gets force feeds due to not eating enough. 6 plus years old! They live longer than we expected!! I wish you good housing vibes!
We don't have a guinea pig, but Zoe does have a hamster, which she got this past Christmas. He is here with us, since he is quite portable. 🙂
I was talking to a friend tonight whose parents are visiting from Slovakia - she hasn’t seen them for over 2 years because of Covid-19 - and she said how amazing it is to have someone feed her rather than she feed her family. I thought of you when she said this. Your mom’s cooking looks amazing btw!
WWA:
Sunday- roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, beans, carrots & roast potatoes
Monday - chicken & green salad
Tuesday- sausage casserole & crusty bread
Wednesday- fajitas
Thursday- I had dinner with my BFF before choir at the pub, a salmon & wild rice salad topped with a poached egg accompanied by an Aperol Spritz cocktail very yummy & super indulgent. DS cooked spaghetti carbonara for him and DH
Tonight- pizza nite
Saturday - DS chicken korma & rice; DH & I chicken & chorizo jambalaya with kale & wild rice. Both of these are ready meals bought on 50% discount as Saturday is going to be a busy day.
WIS: Ocado online grocery delivery £113.73 local Co-Op store £8.29
Quite pleased with this spend as I bought the Easter beef joint - on a 50% flash sale - which was £10.30 and the Easter eggs for my two DSs
I’m debating whether to serve half of this for Easter lunch along with a pork joint I have in the freezer or just serve the beef. Hmmmm, decisions, decisions!’
Oh my goodness, what DID we eat this week, LOL?
Saturday - homemade pizza and salad, strawberries
Sunday - my day off from cooking so we eat whatever leftovers we can scrounge
Monday - street tacos with spicey marinaded sole, red cabbage slaw and kimchi (why not?!), cantalope
Tuesday - vegetarian Jambalaya, cheddar paprika biscuits, blueberries, strawberries, cantalope
Wednesday - Chana masala, cabbage and green pea bhagi, basmati rice, grapes
Thursday - Chicken and Broccoli paprikesh over buttered egg noddles, salad
Im glad you went for the walk!
This week I ate a stir-fry on Monday, veggie chilli on Tuesday and Wednesday, cream cheese and spinach pasta on Thursday and a baked sweet potato with toppings tonight. Will probably have pasta tomorrow and Sunday.
@Sophie, *I'm!
WIS: 3-30 Shaws; $28; 4-7 Aldi $107; take out $18
Saturday: Grilled ham & cheese sandwiches
Sunday: Eggs, bacon and bake beans
Monday: I brought calzone home from our club meeting luncheon
Tues: Fish sandwiches, asparagus; applesauce
Wed: Takeout pizza
Thurs: Fried Rice; roasted asparagus; applesauce
Friday: Chicken Al Fredo frozen pizza
I'm happy you took the walk. I have found that my Monday walks in the woods with my friends are very necessary. It sets the week. It means getting up early to meet up early but a blessing. I say my friends--we became friends by these walks.
A day late but I am thankful. Wednesday I noticed an "idiot symbol" on my dashboard. I assumed it could be needing an oil change and when I went to my mechanic on Thursday, he agreed. I had him do a few other maintenance items. Well moving onto today. I drove to work (a distance away); and when I arrived, there was a horrible odor and a lot of steam. It turns out the oil cap was not put back on and oil was all over my engine. I was very concerned about getting home--work is a distance and all highway. One of the staff lives around the corner and she told me to stop at her house before heading home. Her husband rigged up a cap, added oil so I could get back to my mechanic. It is a father/son business, and sadly the father, my husband's friend, may be starting to get forgetful. I made it to the garage, the car is cleaned up and okay. And they gave me oil to replace what my friend's husband put in. I know it will be difficult for the son to have to talk with the father and I know it will be difficult for the father to have his work cut--The life he has known since he started in the business with his father.
@JEG, I'm so sorry to hear the story about the oil change--both for you and for the family at the garage. I can well imagine what that conversation is going to be like, based on my own experience of watching my DH become unable to function at his work.
Your mom has the same Corelle wear pattern as my Grandma who was one of my favorite people ever. What is it about those patterns that take you back in time so quickly?
My mom's mom had that green flowered Corelle pattern that was so popular too! And yes, that'll take you back in a hurry.
@Kristen,
My other grandma had that one:)
Ha. I'm late too. Because we got up early and have been fishing all day. And now I am exhausted. However! The show must go on . . .
Saturday: Bull meat (see? I made a conscious effort to be more entertaining for you guys this week :-), fresh bread and butter, roasted green beans and carrots, raw tomatoes and cucumbers
Sunday: Beef stir-fry, rice, chocolate-covered peanut butter balls
Monday: Leftovers, boxed macaroni and cheese, carrot sticks with curry dip (mayoonnaise+curry powder)
Tuesday: Meatballs in barbecue sauce, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, green peas
Wednesday: Lots of leftovers of various sorts
Thursday: Shepherd's pie, green salad with ranch dressing
Today: Leftover shepherd's pie for the children, who are not yet required to fast from meat on Fridays in Lent; scrambled eggs, leftover mashed potatoes with cheese melted on top, and cucumber slices mixed with the last of the ranch dressing for the adults. Oh, and some random macaroni and cheese the school cook sent home with me.
Coming tomorrow: Carp for dinner. No one ever believes me when I tell them the white meat of carp tastes like any other freshwater fish (I will admit the dark meat is pretty yuck), but it does. Carp definitely get a bad rap.
Ooh, what a good day for me to be late, then. 😉
@kristin @ going country, thanks for doing your bit for your fans re: the bull meat. 🙂 And I'm also interested to hear about the carp. Since the 1970s, I've owned a book about **really** frugal life called Possum Living, and its author, Dolly Freed, wrote then: "I'll bet if we really do get a serious protein shortage in the future, for every person actually mixing...soybeans and grains, you get ten who learn to appreciate carp."
Sunday-Sometimes we eat a late lunch (usually slow cooker chili) so on those Sundays I don't eat Dinner.
Monday-Reheated Pizza my daughter brought home from her Sunday night shift at a pizza place.
Tuesday-The meatloaf I planned was not thawed because I forgot to take it out of the freezer and put it in the fridge on Monday so we had scrambled eggs with toast. My husband doesn't mind this meal if there is jam for the toast.
Wednesday-Meatloaf, sweet potatoes, salad
Thursday-Slow Cooker Hobo Meatball Stew using the leftover meatloaf from Wednesday.
Friday-Oven Roasted Chicken with Caesar Salad.
Saturday-Yesterday I roasted two chickens so I will use the leftover chicken to make Pineapple Chicken Lo Mein. It's a family favourite for using leftover chicken.
While your life is transitioning and shifting, we will all enjoy hearing what your mom is cooking!! Let your parents take care of you and the girls while you adjust and tend to other details! I'll look forward to your blogs no matter when you send them out. 🙂
Delurking to share my support for you through this challenging time. I’ve been following since your early days to expand my knowledge in frugal living. Our lives couldn’t be more different but I always enjoy your bright perspective. Despite the challenges you have shared in the last few years, I’m so impressed that you continue to be a mentor of looking for the good. Even in your dark days you continue to lead a beautiful example of living well. Sending hugs
I agree with other readers- no need to apologize about cooking....We luv your blog and the photos (of nature walks, cats, clothing, etc..) is always a feast for the eyes! Hugs to you and the family.
This week, we ate typical fare and nothing fancy:
- Smoked pork (sandwiches and thrown on a plate by itself)
- Spaghetti
- Pizza
- Deli sandwiches
I'm a little late to this bus - busy week at work! All the veggie things sound intriguing. I imagine it must be hard not to have your own place to cook in. Never in a million years could I live with my mother...sounds like your parents are ideal and very loving. (: This week I ate:
Monday - Grilled Cilantro Chicken, spring salad with blueberries and pomegranate vinaigrette
Tuesday - I ate freezer leftovers - I think it was gnocci and broccoli
Wednesday - Crockpot Pork Chop with mesquite smoked potatoes and green beans
Thursday - I heated up some shredded chicken with a can of Mexican style chopped tomatoes and a quinoa/lentil pack. Sounds weird, but it was very good.
Friday - Half of a steak on my cast iron grill pan, green beans and potatoes (freezer)
Tonight - Dinner and sunset at Highlands (my property) I will pick up a rotisserie chicken and a salad at HEB. I could cook out there, but I just want this to be an easy day.
Sunday - Grilled Chicken Thighs, grilled okra {using my new to me cookstove!}
https://cannaryfamily.blogspot.com/2022/04/5-thing-friday-patio-grill-avocado-tree.html
I know it looks like a lot of chicken - it just worked out that way this week!
Monday: chicken burgers from Aldi freezer section. Greek salad
Tuesday: slow cooker red sauce with fettuccine noodles garlic toast and green beans
Wed: left over pasta with salad from a bag
Thurs: tamales from a friend ( omg! The best) and siracha rice
Fri: Lent. Cheese slices on flatbread with cashews and fruit salad
Sat: burgers. Carrot fries and steamer bag veggies
Sun: cheese tortellini casserole with some kind of veggies
Always walk first! 🙂
It was my first day back in the office, & we still have high school & club sports, so we were a little all over the place this week.
-Tacos/taco salads (x2)
-Grilled burgers/hot dogs with potato salad (x2)
-Turkey & rice bowls, with roasted veggies
-Grilled chicken & pepper sandwiches
-Spaghetti & meatballs with garlic bread
I spent an obscene amount of money on stocking the pantry this week as well as planning for the upcoming Easter holiday and a birthday dinner for my sister. I spent $186 @ Costco and $175 @ Publix. The good news is that I scored some great stuff and groceries will be minimal for the next month.
Saturday….we finished the pantry project and got everything organized. It was lots of work and we hit the easy button and bought a pizza.
Sunday…..pork sirloin roast with home canned cranberry mostarda, garlic mashed potatoes, and the last of the green beans from our garden last year with field peas. Homemade bread.
Monday….leftovers
Tuesday…homemade chicken Parmesan, caprese salad on crostini, pasta with fresh tomatoes and basil
Wednesday… leftovers
Thursday….. wings, baked sweet potatoes, Lima beans and homemade biscuits
Friday….hotdogs from Costco
Saturday…..prime rib, twice baked potatoes with broccoli, corn on the cob, creamy horseradish sauce, broccoli salad with cranberries, chocolate cake
Sunday…..leftovers I am sure!
I am loving to hear about the tasty vegetarian/plant-based recipes your mom is making!! From the Brussels sprout tacos, chickpea/butternut squash curry, & burritos w/ butternut squash in them…yum. Let her know she’s inspired me to try more creative veggie recipes recently!!
Sweet potato gnocchi with sautéed mushrooms in garlic cream sauce and side salads.
Chicken vegetable gnocchi soup
Pulled pork from the freezer and roasted potato wedges
Eggplant parmesan and roasted broccoli
Bibimbap bowls
Beer battered fish, potato pancakes, and cole slaw
Pepperoni and roasted red pepper pizza, smoothies with bananas, peaches, spinach, and orange juice
1. Tofu w/Biryani spice, rice & cabbage
2. Vegetarian Burgers w/FF & vegetables
3. Chili over chips & broccoli
4. Polenta with Tomato Sauce & Salad
5. Dinner out with the in-laws (lemon pepper fish for me!)
6. Shrimp Corn Chowder and Salad
7. Leftovers on top of sweet potatoes (so, chili & broccoli)
Sunday - Homemade cabbage/carrot/tofu/mushroom/green onion wontons & Fried rice
Saturday - Ate out (mexican)
Friday - Red and green enchiladas, chips/guac
Thursday - Pasta
Wednesday - Grain bowls (rice, tofu, broccoli, sauces, edamame, carrots, cucumbers, bok choy)
Tuesday - Taquitos and canteloupe
Monday - In n' Out for them, bok choy salad topped with crispy ramen for me.
Seeing the Corelle plates with that design is so comforting. That’s the same pattern I grew up with.
I’m glad to hear that you’re making time for yourself. I also find it oddly reassuring that you make your blog posts last minute. It’s probably why they feel so personal, you share what’s going on without over-planning or orchestrating it. It also give me hope for getting into a more consistent schedule for my posting.
Thanks for keeping it real, even when real is hard.
I do often write them right before I publish them. Or maybe the night before. I always aspire to get ahead with blogging, but it never seems to happen. Ha.