Organization Junkies Unite!

Let me start by saying that I am NOT an organization junkie. That being said, I do plan my menus weekly, shop once a week, and try to schedule everything I can. Routine is the norm around here and any break from it is kind of stressful. I even go through phases when I need, crave, even dream about cleaning out, labeling, and making my home a maze of pretty rubbermaid containers. No, I am not crazy, and thanks to my friend JoAnn Creamer, I found a site for people much more addicted to organizing than me (and who obviously have way more time). Orgjunkie.com is my new favorite site, and while doing some research on it, I came across some downloads that are so me. Menu planning, travel checklists, labels, and my favorite of all - Responsibility Charts! I immediately created one for Megan and one for Danny. It has become a competition for them to complete everything. Excitement for everyone!  :)

Mini Lasagnas with Sweet Corn and Mascarpone

I'm crazy with inspiration this week! Tonight, I made Giada's Mini Lasagnas with Sweet Corn and Mascarpone, and they were FABULOUS! George loved them, and said they tasted like cream corn - high praise from him. This is a great meatless meal and relatively easy, but so tasty if all of your ingredients are fresh. I love Giada's recipes - have I said that before?

Pomegranate and Mint Sorbet

While we're getting our windows replaced, and while I am working at home, I decided to take my lunch break and make a recipe (see Julie & Julia post on Literary Corner for inspiration). I had bought the makings for Giada's Pomegranate and Mint Sorbet to make in my Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker that George  and the kids got me for my birthday. I cut some sprigs from my sweet mint on the front porch, and made the simple syrup. While it was cooling, I mixed the juices, and then poured the syrup in. I placed the whole mixture in the fridge to make it extra cold as it is a little warm in the house. Then I poured everything in the ice cream maker, and I continued to work on the computer. Five minutes before it was done, I poured in the mini chocolate chipe and Presto! Done. It did need a little extra freezing to make it firm, so I just had a bowl of it. It was amazing. So cool (it is sorbet) and minty. I continue to be impressed with the quality of Giada's recipes. Definitely a summer favorite.  

Goodbye windows...

We are in the process of getting our 70s-era metal windows replaced today. Yea!!! I can't wait until they are finished. This is something we've been looking forward to since we bought this house almost 7 years ago. Our dream is finally about to come true - it is a small dream, but our check book will thank us.

Danny's Muscle Mix

As we walk through the snack isles of the grocery store on Saturdays (Danny says "We are totally snack people"), the lure of the trail mix bags always draws them in. Both Danny and Megan are drawn to the nut/M&M/raisin mix like ants to a mound of sugar, even though Megan could leave the raisins. Every time, I tell them that we already have all of the makings for the trail mix that they would like, and Danny argues with me that he wants the bag of trail mix from the store. So, after the last trip, we came home, and I made him trail mix with Planters peanuts, plain M&Ms, and Craisins - I personally like Craisins better than raisins and they provide important cranberry antioxidants. It sounds like a simple thing to do, but I am now Danny's hero(ine). While I was making it, George told him that this mix would give him big muscles like Daddy, and the name was born. I wrote "Danny's Muscle Mix" on the bag, Danny's smile was all I need to make my day. The fact that I can control what goes in it and I save a lot of $ helped a little, too.