occupation: full time mama

on wednesday of this week, and as a result of poor economic times, i was laid off from work. i know i should probably feel some disappointment, but right now i am just looking at these two faces and feeling that it is right. at least for now.

as of this week, i am officially a stay at home mom. it may not be a permanent status, but at least for the foreseeable future, i will be with my boys. and i couldn't be happier. (although a visit to the spa for a facial, mani-pedi and a consult with a master stylist would boost my already happy self to one of pure bliss).

sunday cooking for the week- take 1

this sunday, i tried cooking for the week. maybe not the entire week, but a few things that will help ease the strain at dinner time most nights, along with some lunch and snack options.
i actually started saturday night with a rhubarb loaf. i picked my first batch of rhubarb from the garden and searched for a recipe. I was excited to see just how many rhubarb recipes I found in my collection. I love the fruit and can never have too many ways to prepare it. but for this night, i wanted something simple that would sit in my cake dome for the next few days just there for the taking.
As the day wound down and the kids were happily tiring out, I popped it into the oven with almost no effort at all. It was our Sunday afternoon snack and it is packed in my lunchbag today too.

my sunday cooking for the week included:
Beef Stroganoff in the Crock pot
Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup
Baked Tofu (for salads, sandwiches and maybe fried rice)
Rhubarb Loaf

I meant to also make some chocolate banana muffins for the kids and one bean/veggie salad but i didn't get that far. i have started accumulated recipes and next week will add some grilled chicken (to use in salad one night, and quesadillas another night) and some kind of quiche.
for my first round, i am pretty pleased with what i made. i think next week i'll increase it by one or two dishes and that should help get us through the week happily. at least when i get home, i'll be able to breathe a little easier knowing dinner is half way there.

if you have any good plan ahead/keep in the fridge recipes, please send them to me!

Happy Monday!

back to work

after a 3 week hiatus from work, i am back at my daily 9-5 with not a lot of my to do list accomplished. i suppose being sick played a big part in that and i am trying not to feel too guilty since my body really needed the rest.

and so even though the steps were small, some steps were made and that is definitely something to be happy about.
we cleaned our garden and lawn. well, i watched the cleanup and glen did the real work.
i signed up for a yoga class and have decided to make this time for myself a high priority.
i watched season finales of House (oh my, i love this show!) and 24.
i used my crock pot a few times and found 2 new excellent recipes here and here. they are really really worth trying if you have a slow cooker.

i sat on the couch and cuddled with the boys a lot and really, there is nothing much better than that.

and something that made me really excited while I was home wallowing in my sick self was being featured here, on one of my favorite interior design sites Apartment Therapy!

and so my peaceful 3 weeks at home are officially over. (sigh)

easy smiles

I saw this posted on another blog and have watched it, with a smile, 3 times already.

friday

this friday i find myself listing things i should have done by now, while trying not to feel any guilt over my lack of accomplishments.

this package should have gone out weeks ago. actually, months ago. it's for one of the dearest people i've met through blogland. i really hope she likes it. she is a crazy cool mama that inspires me all the time.

instead of racing around trying to finish more tasks, i decided to just relax and soak up some of the stillness around me. i found nooks and corners that make me happy.

bits and pieces that are inspiring and refreshing.

these beautiful bits are from the workroom!

i'm gathering energy for the weekend ahead and the coming week, too.

my to do list includes:
~ visit a local yoga studio and finally sign up for classes
~ mail that package
~ tighten up my plans for sunday cooking for the week
~ spring clean closets and donate unwearable clothing
~ paint a tool/book box for camden's room
~ knit some of my juliet each and every day

there is more, but i'm trying to keep it attainable. what's on your to do list this weekend?

finding a plan

i was having a pretty good april when all of a sudden i was hit by an annoying cold that would not go away and turned into pneumonia. after the first few really bad days, i've settled into this middle zone where i'm not feeling horrible, but just not feeling great. i am home from work, and will be for a couple of weeks, which would normally be a time to jump for joy and craft, cook and socialize. but i haven't had the energy to really accomplish much of anything.

i've been using the time to really think about my approach to our busy lives.

i know i talk (or complain) about it a lot, but it's really been my biggest challenge in life. to be a good mother, wife, woman, and also work such long days. there are so many daily stresses and constraints on us, that i get frustrated and angry with myself which doesn't do anyone any good.

i'm evaluating my approach to everything, from dressing the kids, scheduling, and what we cook and eat. one thing i am planning on doing as soon as work starts up again, is sunday cooking for the week. i have 2 friends at work who do this- spend their sunday morning or afternoon cooking many dishes for the week to come. and i was reminded of this technique when i stumbled on a new to me blog the other day here. i remember my mom doing this during the few years she worked while i was a teenager. it makes a lot of sense, and i'm hoping it will help my weeknights because they need a lot of help at the moment.

i've started a new binder to keep all of the recipes that are good for this kind of sunday prep cooking, as well as a few super quick ones for nights in question. I have a kazillion cookbooks in my collection and enjoy cooking from them on weekends, but weeknights are vicious with time and do not allow too many ina or nigella recipes.

while i was home this week, i pulled out this book again, since it is pretty brainless to keep dough in the fridge and make this at any time:

it's so very delicious and completes even the simplest of meals.

while i was in this baking mood today, i also made my favorite cake (it's definitely the most often made cake in my kitchen). it's a pumpkin bundt cake and it makes a great mid-morning snack. you can find the recipe here. most of the time i add a cup of chocolate chips, but i didn't this time because i feel like we're still coming off the easter sugar rush around here.

i have a lot of good books to look through while i'm home. and a lot more planning and structuring to do. i am determined to find a way to better use my time (for housework, cooking, etc.). if you have any tips, i'd love to hear them.

this week, in between all of the bed rest, i am hoping to clean out the kids clothing, and my own. serious clutter clearance! if i can manage that, i hope to work on some sewing projects from Weekend Sewing too. i really love this book!

and of course, juliet needs tending to.

have a great week!