Thoughts, Plans And Shenanigans
I’m baking today.
Just some simple things for the family – Little Bit’s favorite oatmeal cookies, some fresh bread, and maybe trying my hand at some granola.
Getting my lists together – food to fix for the party on Saturday night, things I want to take to Mom’s next week, final gifts to pick up on my day off, tasks to complete before the holiday break begins… I couldn’t survive without my lists.
That’s what my day is going to be like.
How about yours?
Wow! It’s the HOLIDAYS already!
When did THAT happen??
One minute, you’re sunning yourself by the pool and the next time you look around people are singing Christmas carols and putting up lights.
Sigh.
I hope those of you in the U.S. had a most wonderful Thanksgiving week. We had a very nice week ourselves. I am happy to report that I managed to stay at home for four straight days. Yep, I didn’t even go past my mailbox for that entire time! It was absolute heaven! If I could figure out a way to have everything delivered, I could quite happily stay at home indefinitely.
My family (especially Super Man and Big Girl) are not of the same mindset, though, so Little Bit and I have to leave the compound occasionally, much to our chagrin.
This week, we’re gearing up for the Christmas festivities. The trees are up and waiting for decorations. The lights are up outside and most of the other décor is out and ready to enjoy.
Jingle the Elf made his debut on Saturday – the girls were thrilled. He’s already been up to mischief and found his way into a bowl of candy canes on Saturday night.
![IMG_0671[1]](https://loishouston.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/img_06711.jpg "IMG_0671[1]")
Today he was found riding the reindeer on the mantle. There’s no telling what else he’ll get into before Christmas!
It’s rainy and cold here in our little mountain town. Supposed to get snow tomorrow – which is amazing since we never usually get snow before January. They are saying it most likely will not stick, but the girls are thrilled regardless.
With the cold weather, I’m planning some warm, hearty meals for us this week. I want to be sure everyone’s tummies are filled and happy as we enter these long dark days of winter.
Here’s what we have planned:
I’ve also made some brownies for lunch snacks this week and some baked oatmeal bars for breakfasts.
For lunch this week, I’m eating tortilla soup, made with the leftover turkey (instead of chicken).
Thinking I’ll make some more bread but waiting for a drier day – bread doesn’t do well in the high humidity. The honey-oatmeal bread turned out really, really good. A little crumbly, but tasty. I may up the moisture (or lower the flour) next time I make it. But it is definitely a keeper recipe.
What about you? Anything good planned?
Hop on over to orgjunkie.com for more menu ideas.
Many of you have asked for my baked oatmeal recipe. I used to make one that was so, so good, but not so healthy. I happened upon a recipe on the web on a WLS board and have been tweaking it for the past few months until I reached a point where it was reliably making the same moist, yummy goodness I had enjoyed in the not-so-healthy version.
This is a great breakfast bar. I usually eat one (almost) every day. They are great to make ahead and freeze or refrigerate. I make a batch about every two weeks, refrigerate my squares and warm one a day in the microwave.
The little princess loves them, too, as does SuperMan.
If you don’t have protein powder, you might have to fiddle with the moisture levels. I had to increase the moisture (adding the Greek yogurt) to get it the right consistency after baking with the added protein from the powder. I have a non-WLS friendly recipe, so if you are interested in that, let me know in the comments and I can put it up here.
Here’s the recipe:
Baked Oatmeal
This is easily refrigerated or frozen and can be reheated. I usually make a batch and refrigerate until ready to eat. Then you can warm a square in your microwave for about 30 seconds and it tastes just-baked fresh.
And here is the link to print it out via allrecipes.com
I haven’t been in the mood to cook all week. We’ve been eating on leftovers and sandwiches for dinner most nights. My best intentions from Monday’s menu planning have been for naught. Today, however, I feel a little different – thinking about what to cook for dinner and I’ve tossed out the “plan” from Monday and moving on to cooking something that inspires me.
So, today I am baking.
First up was the baked oatmeal I love and that I make WLS-friendly so I can have it for breakfast. That’s cooling on the counter now. (minus a square I’ve already nibbled for my breakfast)
Next up is my beef with egg noodles & gravy. That will be supper. I’ll be getting it into the crock pot soon.
I’m also going to bake some bread.
Trying to decide between my recipe for Portuguese Sweet Bread or a new recipe I found for Oatmeal Bread. The Portuguese Sweet Bread never survives for more than a few minutes after it comes out of the oven. The kids and SuperMan LOVE it. The Oatmeal bread sounds yummy (and healthy) so I’m not sure which one I will make.
Do you make homemade bread? I love doing it and it’s one of my favorite fall traditions. It’s so easy if you have a bread machine – and so much better for you than the store-bought breads with all their preservatives and additives.
And, it makes the house smell so good. Add that smell to the crock-pot smells, and who WOULDN’T want to come home for supper?
I’m off to channel my inner Betty Crocker…
Thoughts Along Life's Highway 