January 2015

I cannot believe that the first month of the new year has already come and gone.  To recap my resolutions - I set three goals for myself.  I was going to cook three new things in January, draft a slam poem, and work on delegating some of my responsibilities at home.  I met my January goals....sort of.

I did cook three new things in January.  I made a beef stroganoff crock pot meal early in the month.  I love the crock pot and expected this recipe to become an instant family favorite.  It was okay.  I was expecting melt in your mouth meat, but it was a little chewy.  I served it over rice instead of noodles as the recipe suggested; it didn't do much for any of us.  I don't plan on making it again.  My other two meals were more successful.  For Christmas Bob bought me a panini maker/griddle.  We broke it in with chicken quesadillas.  Now this may not sound difficult for someone who is more confident in the kitchen, but I have tried to make them in the past and getting the tortilla crispy and delicious was not something I ever succeeded in...until the panini maker entered our household.  Anyway, the quesadillas worked well for us because we could make them to order: cheese and chicken for the kids and extra veges and black beans in them for the adults.  My biggest complaint was the huge mess I made.  I was more organized the second time which reduced the mess. Plus, Bob likes to work the panini maker, and I enjoy it when we work together in the kitchen.

Filling:  Chicken, Rice,
Swiss Cheese. Almonds

Finished
Chicken and Rice Strudel

 My final new meal was a chicken and rice strudel from a Taste of Home magazine.  It required the use of phyllo dough (which no one at SuperSaver knew where it was...causing me to have to put it off a week in order to go to HyVee).  The kids told me we could have this one again.  What I didn't realize though was when I defrosted the package of dough I bought,  there were two individual packets in the box and  A LOT of sheets of it.  I wound up making a spinach and feta cheese roll up a couple days later in order to avoid waste...only I liked it.... so the two in my freezer will have to come out when I am extra hungry.


My February food goal is to make three more new things this month.  Each item is going to be inspired by the people I love most:  Sam, Sarah, and Bob.  Although, this upcoming Valentine's week is so busy for us that we are going to eat at Valentino's Buffet on Valentines day instead of having an inspired meal at home.  Plus, I told Sarah we could do a Valentine's episode of Sarah's Sweets.  So the countdown is on to get ready for that production.  Our special birthday edition was fun.  Bob posted it on Facebook if you haven't seen it.  She will be famous someday!

As for my slam poetry goal...the only draft I have is the one in my mind.  I write a little more every once in a while when I am driving to and from work or in the shower.  Unfortunately, nothing has made it to paper.

As for delegating responsibility, the kids have been doing a fairly good job with their new chores.   About three weeks ago we started them off with setting and cleaning the table.  They did a great job and I gave them each 50 cents at the end of the week.  They were happy with this small token of my appreciation.  I then added a new chore.  They were to remember to clean up their breakfast table every morning.  They did alright with this and I gave them $1.00 each at the end of the week.  Then we introduced their third chore:  to keep the bathroom tidy after teeth brushing.  They were forgetful about this and needed too many reminders about the breakfast dishes so they only got 50 cents on payday this week. They didn't complain and I have faith they will start remembering on their own. Now, I just have to think of another chore for Bob :)