Like a Lamb: Notes at the End of March

1. Last week we (well, a few of us, see above) played outside in the backyard WITHOUT COATS OR HATS. And it was just so dang exciting I almost couldn't stand it.


More evidence of children without hats. Please pay no mind to Harry's dirty face. The boy loves a good mud pie.

It's been a looooong winter folks. I know you've heard about this a few times. Even though it rained pretty much all weekend, it's pretty clear that spring is on da way. Friday on the way to picking Ellie up from school I saw the first little insistent purple crocuses of the season. In other words: Hope in a flower.



2. I've started cooking dinner again. Nothing fancy but a bit more complicated on weeknights than cereal or ordering Chinese takeout. And of course my children eat none of it and only eat, like four things between them (but none of the same four things). Anyway. I get a strange thrill from cooking with what's already in the pantry (for the grownups)--as well as trying new recipes. I forgot how much I love cooking.

 Last week I made:

Quinoa, zucchini and corn enchiladas

"Steak" quesadillas: (made with leftover cote de boeuf from a fancy dinner out--I assure you this is not exactly a usual staple at our house), sautéed red peppers, cilantro and cheddar cheese, served with homemade guacamole (I make mine with diced onions, fresh garlic, lime juice (I only had lemon but lime is better), cherry tomatoes and fresh cilantro.

Stir fry vegetables: (broccoli, carrots, zucchini, spinach), and capellini noodles, served with tofu and the peanut sauce from here (pictured above), topped with fresh cilantro.

Shells and vegetables: Sauteed vegetables (zucchini, cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach), Italian sausage and (pasta) shells with parmesan (OF COURSE). Served with a side of roasted Brussels sprouts (my absolute fave way to prepare them: drizzled with olive oil and parmesan cheese).

Quinoa, vegetables and Italian sausage: Sauteed zucchini (are you sensing a theme?), broccoli, fresh spinach, Italian sausage and tossed with quinoa. This was a little too much like the meal from the night before but I defrosted a bunch of sausage and had to cook it.

I haven't really started "meal planning." I basically just go to this fruit and vegetable market that is crazy cheap and sells crazy fresh produce and I buy a ton of different stuff and just throw things together. And I alternate every few weeks with groceries/dairy products/pantry staples/dry goods from Costco, Trader Joe's and Target.


Fresh herbs (basil) are also helpful.


A few weeks ago I made this two bean (white and kidney) chili with corn, cherry tomatoes and ground turkey. It made a great lunch for almost a whole week (for me--again, no children would eat--sigh). You know what I don't miss? Spending money on lunch!

3. More evidence we may have overdosed on "Frozen." On the way to picking Ellie up from school last week, Harry saw a man wearing a white sweatshirt and exclaimed, "OLAF!" (Yes, we OWN the dvd now--the kids actually gasped when I showed them the box). Then yesterday at a birthday party, "Let it Go" started playing and Leo actually had to stop eating his pizza, stand up and sing. And of course there were the requisite hand gestures and footwork.


Leo's "Frozen" world: (left to right) Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven and Kristoff


4. Lucy's favorite: When she wakes up before Harry (afternoon nap) and we sneak downstairs. I let her sit on the counter once while I made her a Nutella sandwich. Now she wants to do it every time.