Well, it's that time again. I love this little series because it's a great way to "catch up" on blogging for those of us who either don't have time to do it on a daily basis or just don't always have much of anything that would be of any interest for anyone to read, of which I am both.
WHAT WE'RE EATING THIS WEEK
I love love LOVE summer time eating! All of our meals are planned around what comes out of my garden. This was my harvest on Monday.
Last night for supper I made pad Thai for the very first time. I did a lot of research for this one because I wanted an authentic recipe, and I quickly learned what was authentic and what was not. I had to make a couple of ingredient substitutions, but I was very pleased with the result. It was such a pretty dish, too. I wish I would've remembered to take a picture of it. I'll definitely do it again, but next time I want to go to the Asian grocery store to get the two ingredients that weren't available at my regular grocer.
Tonight we ate leftovers from the freezer, mainly because I had a meeting at church and needed quick meal. Another staple in my kitchen lately is homemade ice cream! I made vanilla today, and I have chocolate ready to go for tomorrow.
Early last week we had another meal that was my favorite and inspired by my garden. Well, let's just say it was inspired by my garden and my father-in-law's garden and also a great example of what happens when a Georgia girl marries a Louisiana boy. We had red beans and rice (which I made for the first time using tasso instead of just regular ole sausage), fried catfish (mainly for the kids), stewed okra (with okra and tomatoes from my garden) and grill corn salad (with corn and cucumbers from my father-in-law's garden and tomatoes and fresh basil from mine).
And, speaking of eating, we took the kids to eat breakfast at the Waffle House for the FIRST TIME EVER. We were on our way to the beach. Apparently, based on my Instagram and Facebook feed, this was a big deal. Some folks seem to think my kids have been missing out. I hadn't eaten at awful waffle since college. The only thing I'd ever get was a grilled cheese and fries. They still have the best grilled cheese. It's just gone up a little in price. Anyway, it was a hit so I guess we'll be going back again one day.
WHAT I'M REMINISCING ABOUT
Well, we were at the beach last week. And I sure would like to be there this week! And next week! And the week after that.
WHAT I'M LOVING
Summer time. Sleeping late. No schedule. In no particular order.
WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO
Summer time. Sleeping late. No schedule. And we were at the beach last week. And kids' camp the week before that. And today we went to the pool. And that's about it.
WHAT I'M DREADING
Nothing. Except maybe I need to take all three kids to the doctor for their annual check-ups.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON
Vacation Bible School. Enough said.
And I also just got finished sewing 15 or so flags for my friend's son's band's color guard. Yes. You read that correctly. But it required that I get my sewing machine out and actually turn it on. And I got the project finished much quicker than I thought I would. So now I might actually do something with the fabric I purchased for window treatments in my eat-in kitchen. I took the fabric out of the bag a couple of weeks ago and laid it out on my table so I could admire it and remember how much I love it. I'm thinking I just might get to sewing on it.
I've also been researching a lot of homeschool curriculum and ideas.
WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT
Summer time. But I probably mentioned that already.
WHAT I'M WATCHING/READING
We've long established the fact that I don't watch TV except for sports (not that that's always my choice). And I still haven't finished catching up on Downton. I have only one episode left of season three though! But I can say that I'm finally actually watching something and keeping up with it. Or, I'm DVRing it and keeping up with it. Food Network Star. Yep. A Baton Rouge boy, foodie and blogger is in the competition this time, and we are watching him.
I've also read several books this month. I highly recommend Kate Morton's The Secret Keeper. Do not ever read Jodi Picault's Leaving Time. That was the first book I read by that author, and I guarantee you it's my last. I've never not finished a book before, but I didn't finish that one. Mason has quite a daunting list of required summer reading so I'm also reading along with him. We just finished The Spy Who Came In From the Sea. It really was a good read, and Mason actually enjoyed it! That says a lot. I was so proud of him! That's the first book he's ever read completely by himself cover-to-cover and finished. Many of his chapter books have gone unfinished. Now he's having to read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. So that's what I'm also reading right now. Y'all. Whew. We're getting a good laugh out of it, but I'll honestly be glad when it's over so we can move on to something else (although next is White Fang).
WHAT I'M LISTENING TO
I was supposed to be learning the VBS music by now, but I haven't. So I really need to get to listening to that. We had another massive thunderstorm earlier this evening so the crickets and frogs are out in force tonight! I'm currently enjoying their choruses.
WHAT I'M WEARING
Clothes. This has to be my least favorite question. I'm certainly not one to talk about my wardrobe nor give anyone else any advice about theirs. But shorts or a swimsuit just about sums it up these days.
WHAT I'M DOING THIS WEEKEND
I have no idea. My better other half doesn't exactly do a whole lot of planning ahead. But I have plenty of projects going on right now anyway so it'll most definitely involve VBS and maybe hopefully (but probably not) some sewing.
WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH
Let's just say our July is out. of. control. I mean, July is like December, except a whole lot worse. In a good kind of way. We'll have three weeks of out-of-town company, Vacation Bible School, two birthdays (Mason will be a whole decade and Ellie three years old!), our anniversary (15 years!) and our anniversary trip (which will actually be the first week in August). I feel like I'm forgetting something, but I can't think of what it is!
WHAT ELSE IS NEW
Nothing.
Oh wait. This is too cute not to share. We all got new kicks a few weeks ago. Seth was actually out of town. I needed something besides sandals and flip flops to take to camp so I decided to get a pair of Chuck Taylors. I've had my eye on them a while now. The kids were with me, and they just couldn't stand it. Before I knew it, this had happened.
I sent that picture to Seth and got this one a couple of hours later.
And then he proceeds to tell me that we can't all wear our shoes at the same time because how silly would that be?!