Making it a Habit

Some of you may have noticed the changes in this blog, especially the addition of the food links on the left hand side of the blog. I have been searching them out and finding ones that are for "real people" like me instead of those people who have nothing better to do than shop for things like eight different kinds of cheese and recognize them by texture and flavor or make their own ravioli from scratch, etc.

Here's the thing. I have this weakness for just grabbing something to eat when I'm stressed or tired or just don't want to cook. I think part of this has been because I've been rotating the same entrees for years and I need something new, but again, easy. It doesn't even necessarily need to be quick if I can crockpot the main time consuming thing.

The time has come, however, for this decision to be made.

This family will not eat out for 30 days.

I'm sure there are many of you who are thinking, really? Is that really that hard?

YES!

I guess part of the inspiration for this is from seeing Julie and Julia. Don't even think that I'm going to work through Julia Child's cookbook. Hello, I DO NOT have that kind of time, skill or ambition at this point.

But the catch with this goal is I really, really, really want to try to do it without making the same thing twice. Of course, I have the advantage that I don't cook our main meal on Sundays- we rotate between our parents (I know, tough life, right?) And I'm hoping, now that it looks my Saturdays are looking less full, that I can try that whole make things ahead and put them in the freezer thing.

I guess this techinically started on Saturday when I had some a few apples that someone gave me for free. I dried most of them, but still had some left over that weren't really good to do much with and weren't going to last long enough to be eaten. Then I remembered seeing a recipe for Gooey Apple Bread. It's one of those cake breads, but sometimes that's okay with me. I did the regular loaves, double the recipe and halved the oil by adding applesauce. I think it is delicious.

(BTW, don't plan on me necessarily posting pictures of everything...I'll try to remember but no guarantees...)

I will link or type up the recipes and am more than open to any suggestions.

Here's to personal development, edification and all that. May I not lose my sanity in my efforts to develop this habit.

Wish me luck!!!

Cousin's Cuteness Creation on my Cute Catie

Some of you may be aware of this cousin I have. She is witty, hilarious and enormously talented. Her blog makes me laugh and think about live and I had serious withdrawals when she took her month vacation from blogging.

She started an Etsy shop creating things that I didn't think possible. And I have these girls who love hats like I do. So when I saw that she makes things like this, I had to buy some.

Here's the cuteness on my favorite four year old cuteness.

I took this picture and Catie then told me I had to take another one of her being cute. Wow, is she ever photogenic!!!
By the way, this cousin of mine quite often signs her name cc - and my C only has one c, but I thought I would throw in an omage to the c's anyway.

The creative craving currently coarsing in my crazy cranium is clinging and clamoring for compliments and collective cognition. :)

Catching Fire

This is the second in the Hunger Games and it was as enjoyable as the first. It arrived at my house and I had to leave it in the Amazon box for two days before I could even open it because I had the expectation that it would be like the first in that I wouldn't want to do anything else until I finished it.

I was right.

This story is the depiction of what happens to Katniss and Peeta after the Hunger Games. There has been news of revolt throughout the districts and somehow, the powers that be think that Katniss has something do with it. She is battling her new responsibilities and role in society which changed the dynamic of her home district and the previous relationships that she had. Then she experiences a series of events that she never would have thought possible in many lifetimes that will once again place her in a situation that could end her life.

I inhaled this book. This is also one of the most difficult books to write a review on because I really do want to avoid all spoilers, and there are about the first 30 pages of this book that wouldn't have spoilers. This book ends with a powerful cliff hanger. Yes, the first one did too a little, but this is one that, when finished, makes you hunger for the third. It's not set to be released until 2010 (tentatively). I love the idea, the structure, the story, the strategy and the characters. But be warned - it is going to be at least a year until the next one. Ah, the suspense.