So in 2011 I took over 4,000 photos, and I wanted to share a few of my favorites. I’ll be posting favorites from Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn.
Winter 2011
January
February:
March:
Category Archives: Nico
Back To It, Almost
This week the kids are back to the normal school routine, but this week has been anything but normal…
We had sad news over the Christmas break that Thade’s teacher had passed away… It was sudden and completely unexpected, and the entire school family misses her dearly. She was a fantastic teacher, that truly loved all of her students as the individuals that they are. Taking him back to school on Tuesday was one of the saddest days…
We went in early to meet the substitute, and it is a teacher that he has had before, he then wanted to go to the gym to meet up with his friends before school. I had to head to the lunchroom and pay for his school lunches for the month, I was doing fine, until one of my very favorite teachers there came up to hug me, and then I broke down… I feel like a crappy mom for crying in front of a lunchroom of adorable kiddos, but sometimes these emotions are just too tough to hold in. She said that she was so sad too, but she was going to do whatever she could to help out with Thade’s class. I have another dear friend who works at the school, and she said that she would keep an eye on Thade for me too. I left in tears, and headed home…
Thade had told me that many of the teachers had come by to spend time with the class during the morning, and the school counselor was there to help too. They were able to talk about it, and let all of their emotions out. Some kids were sad, some angry, some didn’t want to talk at all. These are difficult lessons to learn when you are only 7 or 8.
Wednesday went a little better. Thade still didn’t want to go, there was a mean kid on the playground, and he wanted his teacher back. He asked so many questions, and even at night it was difficult to put his mind at ease.
Here we are on Thursday, and Thade is still sad, but hanging in there. Luckily there is no school tomorrow, and my goodness do we need another break already. He walked in slowly this morning, and I know it is still so difficult to hold his head up and get back to it. 3:00 p.m. can’t come soon enough today.
Next week will be easier, and everyday the sadness is a little less. It still hurts though, and I know those little ones are just heartbroken…
December’s Tasty Treats
December was another one of those months where I was in the kitchen all the time, but I didn’t take too many pictures… This time around I am also sharing a few photos of tasty treats that I didn’t make, but they are too good not to share.
My family loves Panko chicken, and my family loves popcorn chicken, so I decided to give Panko-popcorn chicken a try. It was so tasty, and it has become a family favorite. It will be on the menu a time or two in January.
We needed a football snack one sunny afternoon, and I had everything on hand to make Chocolate Chip cookies. To be honest, I really don’t like to make Chocolate Chip Cookies, I can never get them quite right. My family really liked this batch, or they were just so happy to have Chocolate Chip cookies that they wouldn’t complain otherwise.
I usually skip breakfast, but one morning I made oatmeal. I added in some dried cranberries for extra sweetness. No matter what I try breakfast and I just aren’t the closest of friends.
One fantastic take-out Tuesday James and I opted for a local favorite NuGrille. It is a fun 1940’s diner that makes some killer Onion Rings. I always get the Pork Tenderloin sandwich (plain) it is crazy good. Now I need NuGrille stat!
I had some leftover Croissant dough hanging out in the freezer, and I wanted to see how it proofed after freezing. It worked out well, and these tasty beauties made a delicious side to Beef Stew and a bottle of Red. It’s probably one of my favorite Winter dinners.
I brought back Ham& Beans with cornbread, and my family still isn’t a fan. The cornbread muffins were so cute though. They are a little bit of sunshine on a cold Winter day.
One of my favorite lunches, steaming-hot Ramen Noodles with Edamame.
When it was time for Thade’s Christmas party at school, I lucked out when the head room-mom called and asked if I wouldn’t mind sending along some cookies. She loves to bake, and so do I. We each sent two dozen cookies for the party, I made a batch of Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies.
When it was almost Christmas, the kiddos wanted to make some cookies for Santa. Thade and Dylan were worried that we wouldn’t have enough, so we decided to make about 12 dozen. We made Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies, Vanilla Sugar cookies, Cakerdoodles, and White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal cookies. I also served them for dessert after the large Christmas dinner, and I sent home plates filled with cookies for the guests that visited.
One of my very favorite Christmas treats comes from my Mother-in-law, she always brings along a candy tray filled with sweets, cookies, and homemade fudge. She also sneaks in a second tray filled with Peanut Butter Fudge just for me. I stash it in the fridge right away, and I might share a piece or two. It is seriously the best Peanut Butter Fudge I’ve ever had. I’ve tried to make it a time or two, but her’s is seriously the best. I wonder if I can talk her into making a batch for me for my birthday…
So here we are in January, and I haven’t been in the kitchen too much. I think I’m still all cooked-out from Christmas… I have a few treats in mind to make, I just need the motivation to get to it.
January 2012’s Monthly Dinner Menu
Another new year, another monthly dinner menu. I was so excited when James brought me home a new calendar, I seriously love to menu plan. We are officially in Winter, but we have been on the lucky side, the Winter weather hasn’t been to unkind so far. I hope to re-stock the house for January, just in case the weather changes its mind.
So here we go it’s January’s monthly dinner menu:
- 1/1/2012: Chili, Saltines, and Brownies
- 1/2/2012: Chicken Chow Mien, Chow Mien Noodles, Rice, and Sugar Dumplings
- 1/3/2012: Take-out Tuesday (weather permitting)
- 1/4/2012: Turkey Noodles and Mashed Potatoes
- 1/5/2012: Chili, Saltines, and Brownies
- 1/6/2012: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Black Olives, and Homemade Rolls
- 1/7/2012: Pancakes, Bacon, and Scrambled Eggs
- 1/8/2012: Homemade Pizzas- Cheese (no sauce), Pepperoni, Triple Meat, and BBQ Chicken with Bacon
- 1/9/2012: Tostadas, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
- 1/10/2012: Take-out Tuesday (weather permitting)
- 1/11/2012: Nacho Bar
- 1/12/2012: Salmon Cakes, Salad, and Homemade Rolls
- 1/13/2012: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
- 1/14/2012: Sausage, Biscuits & Gravy, and Banana Muffins
- 1/15/2012: Panko Popcorn Chicken, Corn, and Rice
- 1/16/2012: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
- 1/17/2012: Chicken Chow Mien, Chow Mien Noodles, Rice, and Sugar Dumplings
- 1/18/2012: Chicken Burritos, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
- 1/19/2012: Hamburgers, Kettle Chips, and Dip
- 1/20/2012: Tostadas, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
- 1/21/2012: Bacon, Toast, Scrambled Eggs, and Cinnamon Rolls
- 1/22/2012: Pot Roast with Potatoes, and Homemade Rolls
- 1/23/2012: Panko Chicken Planks, Corn, and Mashed Potatoes
- 1/24/2012: Hamburgers, Kettle Chips, and Dip
- 1/25/2012: Chicken Chow Mien, Chow Mien Noodles, Rice, and Sugar Dumplings
- 1/26/2012: Chicken Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Homemade Rolls
- 1/27/2012: Chili, Saltines, and Brownies
- 1/28/2012: Take-out night!
- 1/29/2012: Hamburgers, Kettle Chips, Dip, and Chocolate Bundt Cake
- 1/30/2012: Beef Stew and Homemade Bread
- 1/31/2012: Pulled Pork Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
Hello 2012! Time to make some shopping lists.
2012 Predictions
With the new year almost here, I thought I would share a few of my New Year’s predictions. I promise none of them are scary, this is just for fun, and to test my trend-spotting skills. I can’t wait for the new year though, I am so ready to say good-bye to 2011!
So here we go:
- 2011 was the year of the Extreme-Couponer, I predict that 2012 will be the year of Frugal living. Yes, frugality is the new “green”that will save you some green in 2012 I predict a frugal movement where we pinch our pennies even harder, and we find all sorts of new ways to live frugally. Yeah! Take-that over priced stores, frugality rules!
- 2011 was the year of the Pie, 2012 will be the year of “Roll” Desserts. Cupcakes have had their moment, pie has had it too, it’s time to bring back the retro desserts which include the Pumpkin Roll, Red Velvet Cake Roll, and Swiss Chocolate Cake Roll. Oh yeah it’s time to get our Jelly Roll cake pans out and get on a roll!
- We will be cooking more at home… With restaurant prices on the rise, and quality that is hit or mess, this one goes hand-in-hand with the frugal movement. The home cooks will be busy in 2012, but the meals will be extra tasty.
- Home Gardening and Home Canning will be on the rise. I predict that even if you have an itty-bitty bit of outdoor space, it will be filled with garden goodies in 2012. We will all be busy canning and preserving our garden treats to enjoy through the year, and again pinch those grocery pennies. I want to learn how to make Strawberry preserves and Pickles.
- Stew is the new bean. 2011 was the year when legumes were on the rise and back on the menu, I think that 2012 is when we bust out the Crock Pots and bring on the stews! I know my family won’t complain about this prediction, I make a mean Beef Stew.
When it comes to my own life…
- I predict no shortage of crumbs on the floor, and maybe 2 more stick-vacs in my future.
- I predict many more sleepless nights, the littlest one is 2 now, and still not sleeping. Maybe I’ll have sleep in 2013.
- I predict I will set a ton of goals for getting the house together and maybe I’ll accomplish one of them.
- I predict many more grumpy filled days, and migraine filled weeks.
- I predict many more blog posts, many more pictures, and no more pets. One kitty is enough.
Happy New Year!
Here’s to a better 2012!