Happy Independence week. I really can’t believe we’re just a few days away from July already. Somehow our summer “vacation” has become very busy. Time seems to be flying by. At least we’ve been making time for fun things like our trip to Michigan’s Adventure last week.
Thankfully this week isn’t too chaotic. We are celebrating my niece’s second birthday. We have to pick up milk from the farm. We’ll do our usual trip to the library and farmer’s market and a few other little outings. Of course we’ll be celebrating the 4th at the local parade and craft fair.
I haven’t decided yet it there are any special treats I’ll make for the 4th. We’ve got some new ice cream in the freezer…check back tomorrow for the recipe! And if you missed last week’s recipes be sure to check them out at as well – chocolate covered toffee and honeyed-dew. Both would be great for a summer celebration! Or there are some classics like red, white and blue parfaits, cheesecake, buster bars or holiday “Oreos.”
We mostly have things ready for baby. The nursery is set. I have bags packed. All the clothes and diapers are washed. I’m praying this little one keeps cooking for another 7 1/2 weeks. But at least the house is ready for when he/she does arrive. Now we just need a name!
About the only thing I don’t have ready is food. Last week I got some baked goods in the freezer. This week I’ll focus more on meals. Hopefully each week I can get something in the freezer so I have a good stock of things to pull out after baby arrives. I’ve got a maximum of 53 days left to get things prepared.
We got our last load of strawberries yesterday. A lot of them are already in the freezer. I made a batch of strawberry jam (recipe coming soon!) and strawberry blueberry jello. I’m trying to decide what to do with the rest. I might make strawberry shortcake. I might make more dried strawberries of fruit leather as well.
I have been keeping myself very busy lately with cooking, baking and cleaning. My legs are not too happy about it. We’ll see if I can make myself put my feet up more this week to help keep the swelling and pain from getting too bad.
Here is our menu for the week. What are you eating?
***************MENU***************
Sunday
L – (quick) – misc. leftovers
D – at birthday party
Monday
D – sloppy joes, chips, lettuce salads, fruit salad
*make 2 batches of graham crackers, make strawberry fruit leather or strawberry shortcake
Tuesday
D – cp roast chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli
*make broth, freeze chicken, make “cheese” crackers, soak lentils
Wednesday
D – (prep ahead) – chicken, lentil and vegetable soup, muffins (family), out to eat (me)
*strain/freeze broth, bake/freeze muffins, skim cream, freeze soup
Thursday
D – hamburger corn bake, fruit
*make ice cream, freeze casserole
Friday
D – grilled brats and hot dogs, grilled zucchini, coleslaw
Saturday
B – pancakes, scrambled eggs, fruit
D – baked cod, caramelized brussels sprouts, fried potatoes
*freeze pancakes