October 2009

WEEK ONE
1 - Meatloaf. Cauliflower. Steamed Asparagus.
2 - Vegetarian Taco Salad
3 - Apple Picking (pick up something on the way home - or gorge ourselves on apples.)


WEEK TWO
4 - Thai Lettuce Wraps. (Mango Sticky Rice.)
5 - Spinach Fettuccini. Salad.
6 - Homemade Caprice Pizza (using the last of the basil from my garden.)
7 - Butternut Squash & Apple Soup. Wholewheat bread. (Apple Crisp)
8 -
9 - Happy Birthday Jacob (Your choice buddy!)
10 - Family Fun Day in Otis MA! (Take a salad & cupcakes.)

WEEK THREE
11 - Beef Pot Roast. Fingerling Potatoes.
12 - Crock Pot Lasagne.
13 - Potato, Ham & Corn Soup. Salad
14 -
15 - Springtime Rissotto Soup. (I know it's not spring, but I seriously love this soup!)

16, 17, 18 - Rick & I will be gone until the 18th. Hmmmm. Not sure what to do. I'll make something in advance, or leave money for the babysitter to take them out.

WEEK FOUR
19 - Spaghetti. Salad.
20 - Lentil Soup. Wholewheat bread.
21 - Chicken Curry. Naan. Cucumber Salad.
22 - Salmon. Wild Rice. Snow Peas.
23 -
24 - Beef & Bok Choy Hot Pot. (Which we love - but I'm going to figure out a way to make it sans beef. Maybe use the broth and sub tofu for the beef.)

WEEK FIVE
25 - Chicken Gyros. White bean, roasted tomato & chick pea salad.
26 - Pumpkin Ravioli. Green Salad. Breadsticks.
27 - Erin's Creamy Tomato Soup.
28 - Pumpkin & Walnut Soup. Wholewheat bread.
29 -
30 - Pumpkin Pasta with fresh Vegetable Sauce.
31 - Halloween!! (silly food.)

September 2009

Week One

1 - Sandwiches
2 - Chicken & Rice Casserole.
3 - Salmon. Mesclun Salad.
4 - DUTCH OVEN (camping)
5 - Order Pizza (recovering from camping.)

Week Two

6 - Grilled Mango Chicken.
7 - Outback Steakhouse (kids "back to school" dinner out as a family.)
8 - Sandwiches. Carrot & Celery sticks.
9 - Grilled Salmon. Spinach Salad.
10 -
11 -
12 -

Week Three
13 - Erin's Creamy Tomato Soup. Breadsticks.
14 - Spaghetti.
15 - Subway Sandwiches.
16 - Rotisserie Chicken. Green Salad.
17 - Topped baked Potatoes.
18 - Chicken Enchilladas. Spanish Rice.
19 - Good Luck Daddy! (Mom in Utah.)

Week Four

20 - Honey Baked Chicken
21 - Penne with Pesto.
22 -
23 - Thai Lettuce Wraps
24 -
25 - Vegetarian Taco Salad
26 -

Week 5

27 - Chicken Cacciatore. Rice. Broccoli. (Choc. Chip Cookies.)
28 - Subway Sandwiches
29 - Spaghetti.
30 - Chicken Pot Pie

Cook Books

A couple of months ago we cleaned out our storage room. I had a ton of cook books stored in there - which was silly, because they were completely inaccessible. I sorted through them, and got rid of almost all of them. All the recipes I use regularly I have on my computer, or in my binder and I get most of the new one's I try from friends, blogs or online searches. I don't think that's unusual anymore, I think the day of the cook book is drawing to a close.

That said - despite a thorough purging of my cook books, I purchased these last Spring

I saw them in Australia on our trip in 2007 - but figured I'd wait until they came out in the US, so I wouldn't have to do the metric conversions every time. Then I kind of forgot about them. I was delighted when I stumbled across them again, and bought them instantly.

 I feel the same way about cook books as I do knitting or sewing pattern books - I just can't justify the purchase if there's only one thing in there that I like. I need to like and want to make most of the items in the book to warrant buying the collection. I don't need to love them all, but most of them.

I use these ALL THE TIME.

Donna Hay is probably my all time favorite! I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the fact that she's Australian and her food really takes me home - or if it's just so darn good that anyone would love it. Probably both.

If you're only going to get one - get the salads & vegetables. Everything in there is to die for. My favorite has got to be the white bean, roasted tomato & chick pea salad. I'm not kidding TO DIE FOR!!

I also give high praise to the kids book. While being pretty basic food, it has a good selection with easy to read & follow directions. Emily loves this & can make most things on her own. I also don't think it's a bad start for Em, learning your way around the kitchen with Donna Hay!