Menu Plan Monday (or thursday!)

Thursday is better than nothing, that's what I have to say :)

And I did actually cook dinner the last two days, I just didn't plan out my week, so it's not as bad as it could have been!!

Monday - doctor's appointments - take out from the local italian place

Tuesday - Pork Shoulder and Betty Crocker Scalloped Potatoes

Wednesday - Grilled Rib Steaks seasoned with shallots and garlic

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Pasta Alfredo

Saturday - Out for the day - going out to eat

Sunday - Picnic/Barbecue after church

Menu Plan Monday Aug 6th - it's been a while!

Well, it's been a while, but I'm actually gonna cook dinner this week!  My LO is 8 weeks old and I'm finally feeling ready to get back in the swing of "normal" life!  Maybe I'll actually get something done if I can quit staring at this sweet face :)

Here's my attempt at getting back in the saddle:

Monday - Returning from out of town - eat on the way home

Tuesday - Cheesy Cornbread Chili Casserole

Wednesday - Marinated Grilled Chicken and Crock-pot Mac 'n' Cheese

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Smoky Skillet Cacciatore

Saturday - Rotisserie Chicken, corn on the cob, and salad

Sunday - Leftovers again or out to eat with friends

Pomegranate Ice Cream

Today I decided to try pomegranate ice cream in my ice cream maker. Mine is only a 1.5 quart maker so I had to keep it about a quart of liquid. Unfortunately I never took a picture of the end product...

I wanted to keep it super simple, so here it is:

1 cup 100% pomegranate juice
1/4 cup lime juice
2 cups half and half
1 cup sugar
1/8 tsp salt

Mix everything together. I measured and mixed in the same bowl.

Add to ice cream maker and churn 20-30 mins.

If you want it to be soft, eat it right now!  Otherwise, spoon it into a freezer safe container and freeze for an hour or two until harder.

I love the tangy-ness of adding the lime juice. Next time I will probably cut down on the sugar. Maybe 3/4 cup.
This might be my favorite of the ice creams that I've made so far!


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Coincidence? or Sunshine?

Yesterday was rainy and dark, and I spent the whole day feeling sad, unmotivated, and just down in the dumps!

Today the sun is shining and it is absolutely the perfect temperature out! I went for a walk at lunch time with my hubby. And I just feel happy, and ready for almost anything.

Does the weather really have that much power over my mood? Or does it just so happen that I got enough sleep last night and the previous few nights I had been lacking? I got some exercise, so now I have more energy and motivation?

If it really is the sunshine that inspires happiness and motivation, how do I bottle this and use it on cold and/or rainy days?   I hate feeling so depressed and unmotivated, but I can't seem to figure out what to do about it on days when I feel that way.  And on days when I do have motivation, I can't pinpoint exactly what is different.

I don't need or expect to feel happy all the time.  But when I'm not, I would sure like there to be a good reason for it, and a clear path of how to get back to a place where I can be happy, content, motivated, and actually pleasant to be around ;)

So what do you think...  Coincidence? or Sunshine?


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