5 minute bread, a fabulous roast, and planning a menu

One of my goals (resolutions?) this year was to plan our meals better. For fast food to become a treat rather than a 2-3x a week occurrence. Not just for our health, but our pocketbooks as well (not that Chicky Husband carries a pocketbook – he’s more of a clutch person-lol).

I pored over many plans and ideas, and rejected as many as I considered, then I came across this little bit of brilliance -

Nester’s Imperfect, Flexible, Doable Meal Blueprint

The Nester has done it again – the only woman who could inspire me to pick up a paint brush has me semi-organized in the kitchen too. Her plan isn’t rigid, takes only a little preparation, and as a result we’ve had wonderful dinners this last week.

One of her suggestions is that you make bread dough every week – I know – MAKE BREAD! But it isn’t as hard as it seems using the 5 minute method.

Well, it would have been easy if my yeast had been good. I mixed up a batch Monday, and while I got some rise, it wasn’t nearly as much as it should have been. I went ahead and made the bread anyway…let’s just say the NHL would love this bread.

I have been meaning to try the 3 packet pot roast recipe I have seen around pinterest, it’s beyond simple: one packet each of ranch dressing mix, brown gravy mix and italian seasoning. Crock pot, water, DONE.

It was delicious – salty, but delicious. Made the most amazing gravy, but again, a bit salty. Next time I will try my own mixture – WITHOUT so much salt! :)

Have you tried any menu planning? Bread making? I would love to hear what you think about Nester’s plan!

 

 

Happy 2012!

I get so excited about the new year – I have grand ideas, big plans and goals. Of course I forget about them approximately 6 minutes after I wake up on the first, but that’s what Mondays are for, right?

Peaches, raspberries, sugar, yummy healthy

 I took a break from working over the Christmas break, but still managed to sneak in a small project (Bonjour Farine!). I have some fun projects coming up, like the make over of my friend Rachel’s site, and a website devoted to JUST tablescapes – place settings, centerpieces, tables for all seasons and events – it’s going to be so much fun! One of my most recent clients, Shari at My Judy the Foodie will be posting her 100th post this week, and is now averaging 300 hits a day! Considering she’s only been blogging for a little over 6 months, that’s pretty fabulous!

Blissdom is also coming up soon! Once again I will be a Photography Community Leader and I am OVER-THE-MOON excited to see my favorite photographer (and mentor) Me Ra Koh there too! If you will be there, and have any questions on your camera, make sure you find me or one of the other amazing photo leaders during the conference. If you aren’t going, WHY NOT????  ;)

Did you make any resolutions? I kinda did, but only in the sense I would like to do things better – better at menu planning, taking more time to be creative, walking more, eating better…not very exciting I know, but anything that makes life a little easier, right?

PS – the photo above was my breakfast one morning – frozen peaches, raspberries…YUM!

Life, bucket, to-do…

I love that so many people have their Life Lists on their blogs – I enjoy seeing what people dream of doing, and sometimes I get ideas for my own list. I am usually an optimistic person, and count my blessings on a regular basis, but there are things I can’t imagine NOT doing at some point:

  • Paris – always the top of my list. I’ve been in love with all things French since I can remember. My friend and I are vowing to go the summer of 2016.
  • Travel the US by RV – I was lucky enough to be a Navy kid. Lucky in that I got to see a lot of this country, and at the same time not enough. I would love to take a year, homeschool my kids and see the amazing country we live in.
  • Take Ballet again – I took classes as a kid, and I remember feeling so limber and coordinated – not like the lumbering hippo I feel like now – lol. This one I can do something about now – I found some free exercise videos on my cable box!
  • Create a photography studio co-op. Shhh….top secret idea!
  • Have a garden – grow veggies, fruit, herbs…I love the idea of being able to enjoy fresh picked produce from my backyard – especially tomatoes!

Well, there’s a few anyway. I think I might make a page just for the list and add to it as I come up with other ideas, I would love to hear what’s on your list in the comments!

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