Enjoy Life: Getting Supper to the Table

 

None of the following is a NEW idea. It is actually how I used to do things….and for some reason just stopped. One day I realized that I USE to be organized and my house was almost always clean. I had enjoyed cooking. AND I always seemed to have time for OTHER stuff: crafts, reading, HOMESCHOOLING my kids. Why were things so HARD now? With an empty nest???? (though BoyWonder is home from college on holiday break….and boy does the overflowing laundry hamper prove it!) The answer: I had allowed myself to overcomplicate life. Back to basics! Time to enjoy life again….including while doing everyday tasks. Especially when doing everyday tasks!!!!

Here is how to ENJOY getting a meal prepared or at least not hate it so bad!

1) Plan your menu! Cooking on-the-fly is NOT enjoyable. It is stressful. Here is the menu for the meal I cooked on this night: [More planning in step 3]

• Pork Chops with caramelized onions and thyme
• Risotto
• Roasted Broccoli
• Caesar Salad

2) Try to start with an empty dishwasher, if you have one. If you are like me, sans dishwasher, run a sink half full of hot, soapy water. You are going to clean as you go! *I start with 1/2 a sink of water so that I can add more hot water, as needed.

3) Read your recipe(s).

• Make sure you actually have the ingredients that you need!
• Make sure you understand the recipe.
• Estimate how long it will take to prepare the meal, including prep work (more on this later). Add a few minutes to this time. Especially if you are working with a new recipe! Plan the order in which you need to cook so that everything is ready at approximately the same time.

*the night I cooked this meal, I had forgotten that I had used all the shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano the night before…..therefore, I did NOT plan enough time for shredding the cheese AND cleaning the food processor….and dinner was late! Learn from my mistake.

• Read your recipe again!!! Especially if it is a new one or if it has been a while since you used it.

*If you are looking for a good Italian cookbook for beginners, I recommend Lidia’s Family Table.

4) Mise en Place (Put in Place)

• In other words: Get ready to cook! Okay….you are not about to cook yet. There is still some prep work that you need to do!
• You’ve read your recipes and re-read your recipes and it is time to start preparing your meal! Now get out the proper pans for the job.

• Do you need to preheat the oven? If so, turn it on now. It takes a lot longer than you think for most ovens to reach the needed temperature.
• Start prepping your ingredients. Prepare ALL of your ingredients before you even think about turning on a heating element on the stovetop!

 

    *I needed small diced onions for the risotto and thin slices for the pork chops. Plus I chopped some extra for keeping in the fridge for salads. Think ahead. While the cutting board is out, what can you prep for future meals and snacks? and only have to clean ONE mess.

    *Work outside the home or have lots of activities that limit your time to prepare/cook a meal each night? Take time early in your week, perhaps on a Sunday afternoon, to prepare most of your ingredients for the week. Wash, dice, and slice and store in the fridge. Do not be afraid to buy your veggies already ready already!

• Measure your ingredients and place them near your stove. This photo is still missing a few ingredients. The wine was still on the counter behind me. And raw pork chops? Not a very appealing photo….so I spared you. Just know that everything was within reach before I started heating my pans.

• The Broccoli/Cauliflower ready-to-cook bags were on sale. So no prep on my part other than placing on a baking sheet and drizzling with olive oil. (A little salt and grated Parm.-Regg. were added before serving).

5) Clean. Yes, I know that you want to just cook the food already. Clean anyway. You will thank yourself later!

 

• These are the dishes that I washed before/as I cooked. Most were from meal prep. A few were from Man’s lunch box. The rest had magically appeared throughout the day. The only things that you should need to wash while you are cooking are the dishes that your prepared ingredients were in. SO…
• As you have a moment while cooking wash one or two things, being careful to not forget your cooking food. Once you are done cooking, the only things that will need cleaning are the pans you used! Talk about enjoying cooking more!

6) NOW it is really time to start cooking following your plan.

For my meal:

• Everything had approximately the same cooking time. First, I put my chicken broth in a pan to heat. Then I started preheating my risotto pan and my pan for the pork chops. (Stainless steel pans need to be preheated BEFORE adding your cooking oil/food to prevent excessive sticking….)
• Once my pans were heated I added oil to my pans. Then into the oven went the broccoli/cauliflower.
• My oil was warm…so chopped onion into the risotto pan and a quick stir. Pork Chops into their pan.
• Then I continued with my plan, including washing dishes as needed.
• Voila! My food was ready. And since I cooked with a plan and thoughtfully, it was a much more joyful experience!!!

*Everyone who wants a salad fixes their own from prepared ingredients. Everyone gets a custom made salad, without additional work for me! I let them know when the food is close to ready, so they can make their salad as I finish cooking.

7) Use serving dishes for easier clean-up.

• I know you are wondering how dirtying up MORE dishes could possibly lead to easier cleanup.

• Because you can let those cooking pans soak while you eat. Which leads to easier cleaning after your meal!

* This particular night, I only used one serving dish: a large round platter for the pork chops. I also used a small glass storage bowl for the caramelized onions since I knew that there would be some left and all I would have to do was pop on the lid and place in the fridge! The risotto was served straight from the pan and the leftovers were also stored in it….The leftovers were served the next day for lunch. Then that pan soaked while I did other household tasks.

 

Make a plan. Follow your plan. Enjoy life more!!!

Until next time,

Sammi

 

Like many Christian women, I have a love/hate relationship with the Proverbs 31 Woman. I mean, we already have the impossible-to-live-up-to example of Jesus. However, with Jesus, we can at least humor ourselves when we fail to live up to His example…..because He IS God! But with this Proverbs 31 chick? Well, she was completely HUMAN! And while, as far as we know, she was just made up as an example of an ideal woman by Lemuel’s mother, I don’t think she would be there as an example IF it were impossible to reach those heights. Also—if you really think about it—isn’t her life an example of living the abundant life that Jesus spoke about. She has a FULL life! Living that full life—with a reverent fear of God—leads to her being called blessed. Not exhausted. Not a martyr. Not a second-class human. BLESSED! I don’t know about you, but I want to be looked at as someone who leads a blessed, abundant life. Plus, as an adopted daughter of the heavenly Father, it is my birthright. It is about time I start living like it!

So prayerfully, I have chosen as my Theme of the Year:

Excellent Womanhood

While the Proverbs 31 Woman is an example of excellent womanhood, let’s not forget that she is only ONE example from the bible. We also have Queen Esther, Abigail, Sarah (with both examples of what-to-do and what-NOT-to do), Ruth, and many others.

Still, I am starting from Proverbs 31 verse 15 (from the Amplified Bible)…..

She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks. [Job 23:12.]

How am I applying this in practical terms? For me it will ideally begin in the evening planning for the following day. For now, trying to keep the Proverbs 31 Woman and the teachings of Titus 2 in mind, I am writing down that plan in my Day Timer. The first thing scheduled is Quiet Time: time to read my bible, pray, and journal. I need to fill up on spiritual food to better tackle whatever the day brings.

And while the P31 Woman understood the importance of spiritual food, she did not neglect her family’s need for food food. So I also include the Meal Plan and an estimated time to start the cooking process in order to serve supper on time.

The P31 Woman was physically strong. In our modern world, I do not exert myself as physically as she did do accomplish my daily tasks. My servants—the washing machine, dishwasher, stand mixer, and others—do much of the hard work. Therefore, I have to EXERCISE. If I don’t schedule it, and continuously tell myself all of its benefits, it doesn’t happen.

Obviously, the P31 Woman takes care of her home. So I add my homekeeping tasks to the schedule. In the future, I will give more details of my Homekeeping Schedule. For now, here is a quick summary of the current schedule:

• Daily: basic maintenance, such as dishes, laundry (I HAVE to do some each day or it is soon a chaotic mess), tidying, etc.
• Monday: Bathroom and Living Room
• Tuesday: Errands* and Special Projects
• Wednesday: Kitchen
• Thursday: Office and Weekly Planning (menus, shopping lists, etc.)
• Friday: Bedroom and Ironing

*This is my preferred shopping day, as it is usually much less crowded. However, the reality is that with this crazy winter weather in Upstate NY (remember…I am a southern girl, who HATES being cold!!!), I schedule my errands around the weather. So Errand Day can be—and often is—switched with any other day.

I think this takes care of the “bare bones” of my schedule. So I will leave it there for now. Later, I will tell you about the “life enhancers”.

Until next time,

Sammi

*Photos that are not my own are linked to the source. Just click on them.

Atmosphere of Home…Aromas

What does your home smell like? Baking bread? Your favorite perfume? Lemony-fresh furniture polish? Trash? If it smells like trash, go empty the can and come back!!!
We live in a world full of scented candles, potpourri, and Febreze. Turn on the television and you will see numerous advertisements for them. Why are we willing to spend so much money on those items? Because scents can be powerful determiners of the atmosphere in your home….and the makers of memories! The aroma of apples cooking reminds me of my maternal grandfather. I couldn’t tell you how many times I walked into his kitchen to find it FULL of pies. Each time I bake an apple pie (I only bake one or two at a time…and marvel at how my grandfather could fill the kitchen with them!), I go back in time to my grandparents’ kitchen. I don’t think he went about TRYING to build a memory, but he did! And oh how glad I am that he did!!! My grandfather has been gone for over 27 years…but every time I bake an apple pie, a little piece of him is here with me.
What memories are being created by the aromas in your home? Candles and potpourri will do in a pinch, but don’t forget those scents that YOU create.

Wish someone had created smell-a-blog….because my house smells WONDERFUL! Apples and cinnamon….

Blessings,

“Why should I buy expensive art when I can make my own.” ~Piero Milani

Domestic Goddess Gene

Today my want-to-be a domestic goddess gene is dominant! It often kicks in fiercely as the holidays approach. There are a lot of WANT-to’s on my list and a few have-to’s.
First the have-to’s:

• LAUNDRY
• LAUNDRY
• LAUNDRY
• laminate a document for hubby

Now…the things I WANT to do….

• Make pies!!! I have lots of apples and a couple of pie pumpkins that are begging to be made into something yummy.
• Finish stripping wallpaper from bathroom so I can paint.
• Work on some more Christmas Stockings.
• Also working on some curtain panels for the living room.
• Have an apron design in my head that has been pleading to become a reality.
• Clean the floors.
• Plan a Christmas party.
• On a smaller scale…plan some menus for those crazy, busy days ahead!
• Start making cones for another wreath….LOVED how this one turned out.

(To see more of my recent projects, check out my other blog: Stormy Hen Creations)
So I am off to rotate the laundry, laminate that doc for hubby, and to finish doing a quick tidy throughout the house. Then to start on my want-to’s and hope that my energy level stays up today!
Also a quick update on my friend’s son and daughter-in-law: Her son went back to the ER for additional treatment AFTER he got his wife transferred to the other hospital. He had to have over 30 stitches in his face. His wife is still in critical condition. However, she is responding…gripping hands, wriggling toes, etc….AND she recognizes all those that have been able to visit her. This is good news; but, obviously, she is NOT out of the woods yet! So please continue to pray for her. The police have still not found the man responsible for this SENSELESS act. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!!!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

One of These Things Just Doesn’t Belong…

I love my hubby; but for the life of me, I cannot figure out why he thinks it is okay to put his new heater (for ice fishing and hunting) in this location:

Maybe it is just me….but wouldn’t this look better in his workshop? Obviously we have different priorities. I’m off to move it….and perhaps drop the leaf on the table. Then he won’t have a “drop-off” point. Nevermind…I just envisioned the heater sitting on my apples.
This is just one small example of why the journey toward a well-kept home is a never-ending one.
Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Priorities, Balance and Chaos

From Webster's 1828 Dictionary:
PRIOR'ITY, n. The state of being antecedent in time, or of preceding something else; as priority of birth. The priority of Homer or Hesiod has been a subject of dispute.

1. Precedence in place or rank.
BAL'ANCE, v.t. To adjust the weights in the scales of a balance so as to bring them to an equipoise. Hence,…

2. To weigh reasons; to compare, by estimating the relative force, importance, or value of different things; as, to balance good and evil.
CHAOS, n.

3. Confusion; disorder; a state in which the parts are undistinguished.

Lately I have felt out of balance. I suppose we all have those moments. Unfortunately, this was starting to become more than just a moment. It seemed to be my new reality. The longer this feeling lasted, the more chaotic my thoughts became. The more chaotic my thoughts became, the more chaotic my surroundings became. The more chaotic my surroundings became, the more chaotic my thoughts became. Thus was the merry-go-round of my life for the last few months. Yes. Months. I occasionally have those out-of-balance moments, but they are just that….moments. This was dragging on…and on…and on. Panic was starting to set in. What if this really was my new reality?
Time to take a deep breath! Time to figure out what was behind all this chaos. Time to get back to basics. Time to prioritize. First: Where had it all started going wrong? Out came the journal. Writing and writing and writing. Reading what I had written. Realizing that much of my mind chaos was brought on by things that I cannot change. Step next: Distinguish between unchangeable circumstances and the things in which I have some control. In this step also came the realization that I was mad at God and mad at my husband for the circumstances that I cannot change. Stop and pray. Pray for forgiveness. Pray for the ability to accept those circumstances (wish I could say that I have accepted them, but it is a process.). Pray for guidance for the next step….the next baby step.
Time to take control. I realized that somewhere along the way, I had allowed my routines to fly out the door. So I grabbed my Homekeeping Journal and updated it. Some of you may be the type that can just jump in and do what needs to be done. I am NOT one of those people. Even on my best day I am easily distracted. Therefore, in order to keep order in my home, I NEED a written schedule/routine…..a place marker of sorts. When I find myself running around from project to project, finishing NOTHING, I go back to my Homekeeping Journal, find my place, and start again.

Part of updating my Journal was converting it from full-size housed in a binder to half-size housed in my much loved, but unused, Day-Timer. It was unused because I could not find filler-pages that corresponded with MY life. Now it is customized. ;-)
Now I had a daily plan. My life would magically regain its balance. Right? Wrong. See when I had organized my schedule, I had not accounted for this:

Or the massive amount of green beans. All of which needed to be prepared for freezing.  The garden definitely had to take a place near the very top of the Priority List; if not, it would become just a pile of rotted produce. House Beautiful had to wait. Instead House Liveable would have to do. After all, this is real life.
So I open my Homekeeping Journal to Tuesday’s page, but I ask myself: “Is there anything NOT on the schedule that needs to take priority?” Today, that would be the rest of the zucchini, followed by those cucumbers! (not to mention what has been growing in the garden overnight). While I don’t feel completely in balance, the scales are moving toward that goal. Prayerfully, with Journal and flexibility (priorities) in hand, I face my day, working toward A Well-Kept Home.

Will-Power….or Not

Man likes chocolate chip cookies. So do I. If I make them, I know that I will eat too many....before they are even technically "cookies". Therefore, I don't make them. But then Man gets none either. SO....I'm going to make chocolate chip cookies. I am making cookies, because NOT making cookies means that my home is not well-kept. To intentionally deprive my husband of something that he likes due to my lack of will-power is being a bad wife. It is as bad as not washing his socks or not cooking dinner. It is my job as keeper of the home to try-- as much as I can-- to make each member of the family feel loved, to provide for their needs and their desires (within reason).
Here is my recipe….

Chocolate Chip Cookies

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup shortening
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 12 ounces chocolate chips (your preference of milk chocolate, semi-sweet or bittersweet)

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Cream butter and shortening together; add sugars and mix well. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add flour, soda, and salt; mix well after each addition. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop dough onto ungreased cookie sheets 2 inches apart; flatten slightly. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool for one minute on cookie sheet; remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
 
Unfortunately, I doubt that I will be able to develop will-power instantly (yes, a character flaw); therefore, I will have to work out a little—okay, a lot—harder tomorrow. AND….I think I will also freeze part of the dough….This makes way too many cookies for 3 people to eat, and my neighbors all think I am trying to make them fat. So I try to only send baked goods to them on special occasions.
 
Enjoy!!!!

What Is a Well-Kept Home?

Is a well-kept home one that looks as if it came straight from the pages of House Beautiful? Perhaps it is one that has gourmet meals at an elegantly set table each evening. It certainly wouldn't have dust bunnies under the bed! Or for that matter, a bed still not made in the middle of the afternoon. Surely a well-kept home would not have a mountain of dirty laundry hidden behind a closed door. After all, those numerous home magazines NEVER show clutter or dirty dishes or dirty laundry or smears on the bathroom mirror. They are the experts, right? Isn't it their obligation to show you your goal?

I used to believe that the above was all true. I spent many frustrated days trying to keep a perfect home. In my mind, the well-kept home was a perfect home just like the ones in the magazines. That perfect home was the reflection of me as a wife and mother......as a woman. But over time, I have grown. The Lord has spoken time and again.......that a well-kept home is MUCH more than a picture-perfect house. A well-kept home is one where your family feels nurtured and loved above all others. Yes, the dishes must be washed. The laundry must go through its numerous cycles so that your family has clean clothing. Floors must be swept. Beds must be made. The to-do list of taking care of a home often seems never-ending. But a well-kept home is so much more than a clean home.

In the days ahead I hope to share with you my new beliefs on what a well-kept home really is. I do this not as an expert homekeeper, but as a woman on a journey to learn what God's idea of a well-kept home is and to create that home.