I’m sharing some pictures from Big Girl’s camera today – she’s been snapping away and I thought it would be fun to capture the world from her perspective for a change.
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Author: Lois Houston
I'm a sweet tea drinkin' southern gal who loves to cook, bake, crochet, and read. Check out my blog for posts about parenting, faith, books, crafts, planning, baking, cooking, and life in general.
Menu Plan Monday
Busy, busy weekend – but an awesome one.
SuperMan’s birthday was Friday – we went out on a date night (you can read more about that here)
I got to see my brother and two of his best friends on Saturday (haven’t seen him in 2 years! he lives on the west coast and we just haven’t been able to swing a trip out there or here in a while thanks to the economy.) and I got to spend lots of time with my mom. Doesn’t get much better than that.
![IMG_0412[1]](https://thoughtsalonglifeshighway.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_04121.jpg "IMG_0412[1]")
That was us after dinner on Saturday evening. I asked him how we got so old… neither of us was quite sure. 
Man, he looks a lot like my dad did when he was that age…
We also brought back some old furniture that was at my mom’s lake house – things that we’re going to restore and find uses for here at home, including this
![IMG_0413[1]](https://thoughtsalonglifeshighway.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_04131.jpg "IMG_0413[1]")
an old glider-rocker that used to be on my grandmother’s front porch when I was a child. I remember many hot, sticky summer nights spent sleeping on that porch when it was just too hot to sleep inside (no air conditioning). My brother and I would listen to the big trucks rolling down the highway and giggle and whisper for as long as we could stay awake without getting fussed at by Grandma.
I can’t wait to restore it and put it on my back porch for my girls to do the same one day.
I also brought home this
![IMG_0414[1]](https://thoughtsalonglifeshighway.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/img_04141.jpg "IMG_0414[1]")
which is an old table from my GREAT-grandmother’s kitchen. We have the “naugehide” covered chairs, too. I can’t wait to restore them and put this puppy to use. Lots of happy Saturday mornings were spent at this table when I was a girl.
So, we are getting back to “normal” today – including planning our menus for the week. I really, really need to go grocery shopping as I’ve been cooking out of the freezer for the last two weeks and we are out of fresh veggies and the like as well.
Here’s what I have planned so far:
- Monday: Bourbon Chicken with Rice & veggies (trying a new recipe)
- Tuesday: Tacos
- Wednesday: Grilled Chicken or maybe this new recipe – Chicken Yakitori
- Thursday: Leftovers
- Friday/Saturday/Sunday: SuperMan and the girls are on their own as I’ll be in the mountains on a girls’ weekend!
Scrapbooking & relaxing.
How about you? Hop on over to orgjunkie.com for some great menu ideas.
Friday adventures
We’re hanging out with family this weekend – SuperMan’s birthday was on Friday and so we’re celebrating with our family.
This picture was from our birthday date night dinner:
His fortune cookie – “You are a happy man.”
We have found this little “hole in the wall” Asian restaurant that is very close to my mom’s house. It’s run by a husband and wife team. That’s it. Just the two of them. She waits tables and does the appetizer service. He does the main cooking and sushi prep. The food is excellent and we always really enjoy our visits there.
From there, we went on to the movies to see “I don’t know how she does it” – a new movie with Sarah Jessica Parker (I love her) about a working mom trying to juggle a major career opportunity and two small kids. Her husband gets a huge opportunity for his business at the same time and they are running crazy trying to make everything work.
I sat there thinking “This is my life!” (well, minus the multiple-times-a-month airplane trips, but I’ve done that before, too) It was very well done in terms of representing what most of us modern moms deal with on a daily basis – juggling our commitments to our husbands, children and careers and never really feeling like we’re doing all we can for any of them. Sara Jessica Parker is cute enough to pull off some of the challenges of this world without appearing “preachy” or as if there is a moral to tell in the story.
There were several laugh-out-loud scenes, like when she sends the wrong email message to the wrong person … but I won’t spoil it for you by telling you the details.
Go see it. It’s worth it. Trust me.
Little Bit also had a big adventure.
She decided that she wanted to get her ears pierced. So, we took her to the store and I couldn’t believe how brave she was! My sweet baby – she’s not a baby anymore…
Here she is holding her sister’s hand for bravery. They apparently had a deal that her big sister would stay by her side the entire time and hold her hand if she went through with it. 
“Ow, ow, ow”
Such a beautiful girl. I was so proud of her – and I’ll admit, I got a little choked up looking at her being so brave and strong.
Today, I get to see my brother, whom I haven’t seen in almost 2 years (since before my surgery) and his best friends. They’re hanging out down by the coast and doing their annual fishing trip. I can’t wait to see them and spend a little time together.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend – I’ll be back on Monday with more adventures, pictures and (hopefully) the weekly meal plan. 
Five Decadent, Mouth-watering Fall Recipes to Try (soon!)
I’m on the hunt for some new recipes to try this fall – revisions of old favorites, new tastes and flavors to sample.
I thought I’d share with you some of the things I’ve recently ear-marked (or bookmarked, rather) as recipes I want to try this fall: (all images are from the website the recipe is linked to)
- Caramel Apple Bread Pudding: Just the name makes my mouth water. I mean, seriously – caramel, apples and bread? Oh.my.
- Apple and Brie melts: This is like the grilled cheese of the gods. I absolutely love, love, love brie and apples on toast. Why did I never think to make it a sandwich? MUST TRY THIS SOON.
- Caramel Apple Trifle: Yes, yet another apple recipe. Hey, I’m getting a half-bushel a week! I’m on the hunt for new recipes to try! Of course, I’m quite content eating them just as God made them, too. Several a day, as a matter of fact!
- and just to prove I’m not apple-obsessed ~ Snickerdoodle Bread:this one has me curious. I love snickerdoodles and I love sugar cookies – and who doesn’t love bread? Think this one will be on the list to try the next time we have company for dinner.
- And last but not least ~ White Chocolate Toffee Brownies. Seriously? I am sure these taste like what they’d serve in heaven. Got to be. Must bake soon.
Okay, there’s my five, mouth watering treats I must try sometime this fall.
What about you? Any recipes you’re dying to try?
Most of my new favorites are over on my Pinterest recipe boards. Hop on over to check more out!
Project Life Tuesday ~ 13 September 11
Sorry the blog has been so quiet lately. The blog has been quiet but my life has not! Which is why I haven’t had a blog post – I’ve just been so busy!
But I am sharing my recent photos for Project Life Tuesday today. I haven’t taken many, but here are the ones from last week:
a rainy day walk with SuperMan and the pups
Lilly pads on the lake
Walking with the munchkins
Big Girl’s science project on cells
Big Girl learning to shoot the BB Gun with her grandpa.
We have been invaded – by birdies of all sorts – including hummingbirds!
Walking walking walking – that was my week – a great stress reliever.
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A little bit of scrappin’
I have been on overload this week. Lots going on at work and at home.
So, I managed to carve out a few minutes of time last night to do a little therapeutic scrapbooking – to give my brain some creative time and my body a little rest.
Here are the pages I did. Not many, but it sure was nice to get some done. I am hoping to do more this weekend.
I can publish CM SBC+ templates if anyone is interested… let me know!
What I’m Reading Right Now
I haven’t had as much time to read since school started a few weeks ago. I’ve been busy with after school activities, homework, and the like – wait, I’m not the one who went back to school! What’s wrong with this picture? 
I have been getting up before the sun comes up, though, which means that I’ve been going to bed a whole lot earlier – as early as 8:30 or 9:00 most nights – and which translates to less time to read.
In spite of all that, I have managed to pick up a few books. I am currently in the middle of two books – neither of which have really “grabbed” me. They are good, but not spectacular. I think my fatigue and busy-ness also have contributed to the fact that I have not been as engrossed in the stories.
Remarkable Creatures
I picked this up in a buy one-get one special at a bookstore near my mom’s house this summer. I’ve been saving it for a day when I didn’t have anything handy to read – and that day came just a few weeks ago.
The story is based on a young girl who finds “curies” – curiosities – which are fossilized creatures found on the beaches of southern England. Also a part of the story is a young spinster who moves to the area and becomes focused on finding curiosities as well. The story touches on the differences in their social classes and the similarities of their love of finding fossils.
It’s a little slow – which is why I can’t tell you much more about the story – and I haven’t gotten too deep in the story yet. It looks like a good story, I just need to sit down and read it!
The Last Letter from Your Lover
by Jojo Moyes
The Last Letter from Your Lover opens with a young woman in the hospital suffering from amnesia and recovering from a terrible car accident. As the story unfolds, you discover her unhappy marriage, a happenstance meeting with a journalist that turns into something more, and her rediscovery of her life.
The book is broken into two parts – the first is focused on Jennifer as she recovers from her accident and deals with the amnesia. The second focuses on a young journalist who stumbles across letters from Jennifer and the journalist and tries to discover what happened to them.
I have gotten through the first part – just started on the second part. I got so aggravated with Jennifer in the first part that I had to put the book away for a few days to get some distance from the story. (guess that means it is a good book!) I’m ready to pick it up again, though, and see how things transpire in the second half and find out what happened to Jennifer and Anthony.
I’ll let you know what my final verdict is…
What about you? Reading anything good these days? Share with us in the comments!
And we’re walking… we’re walking…
I love that line – not sure what movie it is from – anyone remember?
I always think about it when I’m trying to get the kids moving along and they are dilly-dallying as kids like to do…
But today it is in reference to the recent renewal of my walking habit.
I decided I’d like to drop another 10 pounds before the holidays and winter hibernation set in. That means I have to mix things up a bit and do something different… ’cause we all know that doing the same thing only gets you the same thing you always got.
So, I’m walking.
Again.
The fact that it is about 20 degrees cooler outside has a lot to do with my renewed interest in outdoor activity. I have to be honest here.
And I have been loving every minute.
Sunday, we had a nice walk with the entire family – puppies and all. Monday was the same and then Tuesday SuperMan and I walked (with the pups) in the rain. It was marvelous.
Today the girls and I walked together after we finished our school and work day. It was really nice to be together and talk about whatever came to mind. I’d really like to keep that going and make it a habit. I think it would be good for the girls and good for me. And great for our relationships with each other.
Right now, I’m doing about 2 miles. I’d like to be at about double that really soon. How soon? Well, I don’t know. I think I could do more – except that my leg muscles are sore… I think once I get them reconditioned I could probably double it pretty easily. I’m not winded or tired when I get finished… just feel invigorated.
So, I’ll be “kicking it up a notch” in the next few days. Maybe doing a morning walk on my own at a faster pace (or longer duration) and then an easier walk with the girls in the afternoons.
And as long as the weather holds out, I’ll be walking – rain or shine. It’s the heat I can’t handle!
Menu Plan Monday (uh, Tuesday) ~ 6 September
Well, I’m a day off again this week. It’s with good cause, though, because we were celebrating the Labor Day holiday. Had a great day – walking in the rain with SuperMan, the girls & puppies, lazing around the house and then hosting some of our favorite people for a low country boil at the house. It was supposed to be a cookout, but it turned into a “cook-in” because of the rain. That didn’t slow us down at all, though. We had a marvelous time. When you have great company the locale is not as important.
Today we are back to the routine and I’m trying to wrap my head around some menu planning for the week. I’m hoping to cook out of my freezer as much as I can this week, so that means getting creative with my options.
Here are the menu items I’m thinking of making. Days are still open – what I will cook on what day – but this is the general plan:
- Veggie chili – using up the things in the crisper drawer.
- Spaghetti (leftovers)
- Asian chicken stir fry
- Salmon croquettes with grits
- Beef stew (leftovers)
I’m also planning to make my cheesy chicken pasta this weekend – we’re hosting our small group from church on Sunday. I imagine we’ll most likely eat dinner out on Saturday, too… so that will take us through the week.
What about you – any special plans this week?
Hop on over to orgjunkie.com for some ideas for more menus.
Related articles
- Menu Plan Monday ~ 15 August (loishouston.wordpress.com)
- A day late and a dollar short (thoughtsalonglifeshighway.com)
- Menu Plan Monday: 8 August (Back to the Grindstone) (loishouston.wordpress.com)
Easy Recipe Ideas for Entertaining
It’s Labor Day in the US. That means lots of cookouts, parties, and get-togethers with family & friends. We’ll be celebrating as well, today, with some of our closest friends. Cooking a Low Country Boil for our friends and enjoying the rain that we are finally getting thanks to the tropical storm headed our way. (We’re going to be having an indoor cookout!)
I love to cook – as I think you already know – but I love to bake and prepare main dishes. I’ve never been much of an appetizer person. Not that I don’t like to eat them – I’ve just never cooked many. I’m too busy concocting the main course!
But I had the opportunity a couple weeks ago to bring some appetizers to a get-together. This required my digging around in my favorite recipe books for something suitable. It had to be easy, quick, inexpensive (without a lot of complicated ingredients) and something filling. Our get-together was going to be a “light supper” that would be comprised of the “heavy appetizers” everyone was bringing. So, SuperMan and I dug around until I found some likely candidates.
First up was Sesame Chicken Drumettes – a sweet and tasty glazed chicken wing concoction. We figured that would be a good, filling contribution. I found the recipe in my Sandra Lee cookbook, but it is available on the food network website, too. The only things we did differently was that we added the sesame seeds after the marinade.
They were a huge hit and everyone really enjoyed them. Even Big Girl, who was the official taste tester before we left. She decided they were not to leave the house – they had to stay with her. 
Second, I made Pepperoni Pinwheels. A mixture of crescent rolls, pepperoni and cheese. I made them pretty much according to the recipe and I think the next time I make them I’ll make some changes. They were good, but I think they could use a little more flavor. I think next time, I will add some ricotta cheese, garlic and Italian seasoning to the filling mixture.
They were popular, too, but not as popular as the chicken wings were.
Of course, now I need some new ideas for some appetizers.
Anyone have any that are tried-and-true hits?
Thoughts Along Life's Highway 