Cooking: Aging and Yes!

Having come to the realization that I am going to actually age (GASP!), I have decided to make some changes in my life. Yes I, ...the sufferer of Peter Pan  Syndrome, have acknowledged that I will not always be able to bounce back and have started really and truly, aging.


It hit me recently, I might be middle aged. Which only means I have lived half my life with just as much to go.  But, what did strike me is that I better start taking better care of myself this second half. So, I have weened myself for the most part off sugary things. I am in the process of "less grains".  Daily juicing is almost a habit (two weeks in and if I skip it, I miss it). Workouts better planned.

The cute cup and straw make me feel like it is a sassy drink

The other side of that aging coin is that "later" is here. I read a great blog by one of my dear friends cool sister. She is smart and full of life, the type of woman I strive to be, but never seem to actually be.  She started an "I Never" list of experiences.  Her log of what she did "new" inspired me to have a year of "yes". Simple in concept, but not in practice, for me.  I am a lot a little controlling, shy and a little introverted.  The unknown is hard for me. New situations take a lot of energy.  "Yes" is hard.

Cooking: Rolling, Rolling, Rolling...keep that momma moving...Rawhide!

 Days fly by, don't they? Hours may drag, but days fly.  I feel a little ground hoggish this time of year. Eat, sleep, drive kids, work, repeat.   The short amount of daylight during  winter days makes it seem as if our days are short as well. The sun showed it's face finally here for more than five minutes this past week and I was at least able to be outside. I am jealous of my best friend whom I see park every morning to go run as I am off to work.  I miss morning runs.

This week was a good week for working out. I ran once, hit the barre twice and lifted weights one day as well. Yesterday, a friend and I took a 4 mile  hike, which was a therapy session for us both.  She is dealing with a divorce and I just vented about  my need to find things that are more my own. The hike was challenging enough that we felt it, but still easy and we both enjoyed just being  outside.

Cooking: Middle School is On Its Way Out!

This is the year things end. Middle school things that is. Last middle school swim championship, last middle school swim season, last middle school dances.... I am nostalgic for some of these  things. Middle school still sounds little kid to me. This will be the last year I have a little kid. I am happy for the growth and maturity that comes in the next stage in our lives, but for a few moments, I am nostalgic for the middle school years. They have been great learning experiences for us all.


This weekend we watched Ellie swim in her last middle school championship meet. She took time off both of her races and was part of a pretty great relay team. The best part of the whole day was watching her cheer her team with all of her heart. She loves being on a team and their 6th win (her second as part of the team) was a big deal for these girls. They went in nervous, worked hard and came out a winning team.

 

This weekend was a huge "Ellie weekend".  School dance, championship, talent show tryouts and cotillion just to name a few of the many things she did. Life is busy in middle school, that is for sure. Good thing we still have a full semester left to enjoy all the business of  middle school.

Casa Swann still in middle school Menu

•  Chicken ragu/ stuffed bell peppers/ creamed spinach
• swim meet  (Freezer pork soup/tomato soup)
• Veggie bowls
• Grilled chicken thighs/ Mexican baked sweet potatoes

Cooking: A little Cat Stevens

My daughters have gotten into Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) after Delaney and I heard him being interviewed on the way home from choir practice. She was so intrigued by his voice and that he gave up being famous and singing for his faith.
 

I have to say, I love Cat Stevens and always have. As a child, my mom loved him and so I knew all the words to his popular songs. Just like every other child of the 70's, I know all the songs to Morning Has Broken and Peace Train. But one that I did not know and that I now love, is  "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out..." I love this song. The lyrics are so peppy and wonderful. Very Cat Stevens typical.  I think it is awesome that my daughters can be found sitting around the kitchen table, doing homework, singing along to Cat Stevens. It is almost like a Wes Anderson scene, except we are not color coordinated enough.

This week, if you are sad or need a pick me up, give Cat Stevens a little listen. Also, if you want to read a cool blog about ear worm songs and get a little musical history, read my girl Nikki's blog, Mommy Mixtapes.

Sing Out for your Supper

• Baked chicken legs, green beans, quinoa and power greens salad, baked sweet potato (for me)
• Fritatta (swim meet)
• Asian Shrimp and broccoli with  black bean noodles
•  Smoked turkey thighs, creamed spinach, sauteed squash
• Dinner out (dance, date, date)
• Chili

Cooking: Easy Peasy and Some Bragging

These are some pictures from a hike that was recently taken. Yes, the dog climbs ladders. If you have met our dog, you know he is a freak. The fall here in Chattanooga is absolutely glorious this year. These were taken two weeks ago and now the colors are amazing!

Cooking: Still in Pjs!

Oh yes! Stayed in PJ's until 7 pm yesterday! Then I took a shower and put a fresh pair on! Not a step outside and not a brush to my hair.

I went through all of the upstairs closets yesterday. And the game cabinet. And the linen closet. 6 garbage bags later, I am feeling a little better. Today, I hit the office, downstairs linen closet and the kitchen.

I am so tired of my house being a wreck because no one can put their crap away. So, I am decrapping the house. I plan on donating all our crap to Teen Challenge  ( I know someone who went through their program and it worked) and calling it a day.

Still coughing like a lunatic, so I am in a hybrid of workout pants and pjs. Ellie and Steve went hiking and though I wanted to go, I knew that I would never kick this cough if I did not stay home. I will however, venture out to return something and get some groceries. People have to eat!

I have two inspirations this week for food. Dinner A Love Story is always my go to blog and cookbook for recipes that work. If you have not read that blog, go now. If you don't have the first book, get it now. I am asking for the second for Christmas.  The second inspiration is a book I just read (The Quaker Cafe). The book itself was a step above beach read in topic, but about that heavy.  However, one of the characters eats a sweet potato every day because she thinks it is better than an apple a day for health. I plan on roasting a few and taking them to work.


This week is not different than any other. Swim meet, math competition, choir rehearsal and work. Just like all the other working parents and kids in the country, we are all over the place.  I hope you are bundled up and enjoying the sunshine.

This dog is glad it is November...not so hot!

Casa Swann Happy November Menu

• Asian Shredded Chicken Salad (Steve is smoking two chickens on Sunday)/Asian Salad/Grilled Salmon Burgers
• Veggie Loaded Fried Rice (swim meet night, rice will be made Sunday)
• Magic Pork Tenderloin/ Sweet potatoes/ Kale and Parmesan Salad
• Tortilla Soup/ Chicken

Cooking: No Halloween and two recipes

Holy Smokes! It is FREEZING! We had a mini version of Halloween last night. One kid is out of town the other is grounded, so no parties or trick or treating for us. We did give out candy and then about the time the polar vortex hit, shut off the porch light and called it a night.

Warm day  a few weeks ago when I hiked to Lula Lake on Lookout Mountain

Delaney was supposed to row in the nation's largest regatta this weekend. However, she had already committed to a Model UN conference and had to choose on or the other (in September, mind you). She chose her first commitment and wisely, it turns out. They canceled the event she would have rowed in and now it looks like the whole Head of the Hooch is going to be canceled. That stinks as people come from all over the world for this weekend.

Cooking: Fall Break Camping

Last week I told Steve that I was going to make something new to eat each night. I was lucky in that we were going camping and I thought I could beg off Friday if I needed. I did beg off one night, Thursday, choosing to defrost chili from the weekend. To make up for it, I made a really delicious cast iron skillet of chili cheese cornbread with grits switched for corn meal. Yep, crunchy and moist!

The variety was really refreshing. I loved making new things and it inspired me to keep it up.

Calves

This weekend is fall break and I took Friday off so we could head out early to our campsite and get a good long hike in before dark. We borrowed nearly everything. (We have really awesome friends) and drove a couple of hours into the Georgia Cohutta Wilderness Preserve. The weather was really awesome, not too hot and not too cold. We set up our borrowed 8 man tent (really? 8?) and hit the trails.

Pre-hike dancing

Cooking: Lots of Photos Later...

 THIRD PLACE!  Not only was she in A boat, but they got third place in their 8 boat, beating out their local rivals and a national rival as well. Big stuff for a first varsity race.  The weather decided to agree after a 90 minute delay for what turned out to be nothing. This made for a long, long day for our rower who rowed what amounted to 12 miles up and down the river (two 5k races). Her four boat was all sophomores and we could not have been more proud of their 12th place finish (out of 20 teams).  The day really was one to remember.

The girls shared their boathouse with their brother school

Notice the girls in the corner and the boys...everywhere

These boys at one point were lined up asleep

Lots of moms making food...they need a lot of food

The girl corner

Cooking:Great weekend before crew week

This weekend was one of those rare free weekends at Casa Swann. The girls spent the night out and after 7:30 crew practice, I gathered both and we headed home for some quick cleaning and recovery.

Then we headed to the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival, which is a gift from famed fiddler Fletcher Bright to Chattanooga. We are so lucky to have such a great, fun event where families, hippies, old people and dogs all gather to enjoy the beauty of Chattanooga and music from the entire spectrum of bluegrass.

Steve and I went hiking after church to the land trust that is open once a month on Lookout Mountain. We had been there before,but not to hike and it was really beautiful.

A little afternoon shopping and a great dinner later, we were all ready for bed.

Wonderful weekend, perfect for our crazy week ahead.

Human built nest in the Lula Lake riverbed

Chattanooga Head Race Week Menu

• Pinto beans and chicken burritos/ avocado salad
• Homemade chicken noodle soup (per Ellie's request)/Freezer tomato eggplant soup
• Baked spaghetti squash casserole/ kitchen sink salad 
• Pork Ragu/ baked sweet potatoes/spinach casserole
• chili
• chili pie

Cooking: Brown bear menu

Brown bear, brown bear...for some reason that childhood color learning book is in my head. Both of my girls learned their colors by reading that book, over and over and over again.

Sometimes that is what cooking dinner feels like. Over and over and over again. Still, we do it every night. I cooked three meals Monday night to get ready for the week and stock the freezer. Roasting the last tomatoes of the year along with eggplant, mushrooms and onions made a delicious sauce or soup. Tomato pie made its appearance.

Not really sure...

I am not ready for fall. But chili and a s'more might be nice this weekend.

Brown Bear Casa Swann Menu

• Hamburgers/black bean no soy burger
• Tomato pie and mustard baked chicken thighs
• Cooking light fall pork tenderloin, roasted seasoned sweet potatoes, kitchen sink salad
• Spaghetti Squash with tomatoes and feta, left over pork, chicken and whatever meat
• Three Sisters Bluegrass and McCallie/Baylor game (GO BLUE!)

I will share the pork tenderloin recipe once I dig it up again. It is my go to for cooking tenderloin, as it smells amazing, is easy and my family loves it. Win/Win! 

Cooking: Monday Menu Returns

I miss blogging. I have thoughts going through  my head that I am itching to write about. However, it is really hard to sit down at a computer and put it all down here when I have been at a computer all day in my office.

One thing I would like to get back to doing, a baby step in the blogging direction is my Monday menu. Putting it online also helps me lock it away for the the week. I need that come Wednesday.

Steve and I recently joined Costco again and we love it a little too much. To keep us on the straight and budget, I have started keeping a log of the "bulk" items we buy and how often we actually have to purchase them. So far, so good. We go together and buy meat for the freezer. Then I spend about $70 for the rest of our veggies and such each week.

Our average for a family of four with breakfast and dinner at home 6 days a week is $170. Steve eats lunch almost every day here and I take it about 4 days a week. Weekends are more snacks during the day, but we cook real  meals two  nights of the weekend, often grilling.

I like the option of going to the freezer on Monday and pulling out the meat for Wednesday. Makes it easier to have limited options for this vegetarian! After a summer hiatus, I am ready for sweet potatoes to make their way back into our lives.

Officially Fall Menu

•  Grilled barbecue chicken, baked sweet potatoes, sauteed spinach
• Simple tomato soup
• Pork carnitas 
• Lobster ravioli with tomato mushroom sauce and green salad
• Pork carnitas (football game) or quesadillas

Cooking: Birthday parties are the best!

We had the "best birthday party ever!!!" according to the birthday girl. Kickball is an amazing equalizer. A few box mix birthday cupcakes, a little store bought pizza, 1,000 drinks and a major connection hook up and you have yourself a very fun birthday party.

Cooking: Birthday Dinner and More

Baby Girl is back! I felt like I was missing a limb all week while she was enjoying the surf and sun in Florida. She was gone on her birthday, which was really weird. I know I will not be there personally for every single birthday, but 13 seems a little soon.

Today, we are celebrating her birthday with a small family gathering with the "in town" grandparents. I made an ice cream cake and we are having Thai, per the birthday girl's request. Simple and sweet.

The rest of the week is back to normal life. Practices, work and family dinners. Life is good.

Spring Break is OVER at Casa Swann Menu

• Thai Curry Chicken
• Baked chicken/ left over rice casserole/ sesame broccoli
• Grilled chicken pita sandwiches/ veggie sandwiches
• quiche
• Italian venison stew/ tomato soup with white beans and kale
• pizza!

Cooking: Eating on a budget

Living on a budget is all well and good. But the grocery store is my downfall. I have had a general budget of $200 in my head for a few years. I saved our receipts for a month and we spend about $250 a week. Not terrible, but not great. I am trying to get that down closer to $175. Tricky because I refuse to buy anything but hormone free meat and non- Asian fish.  I try very hard to buy as much organic produce as possible. Summers are easy as I hit the local farmers market and while they are not certified organic on paper, most local farms are organic in practice.

I am on a mission. Part of it is restock my freezer, feed my family well and cheaply and find a way to save money.

 I have spent an average of $160 a week the past three weeks, so I am doing okay. I have figured out better the one dish that turns into two trick as well as that  my freezer is my friend. I bought meat today and froze most of it. I hope to be better at the make and freeze meal trick by summer when I can make fresh foods and freeze them. 

My girlfriend turned me onto Aldi. I was a total snob about Aldi,  but I am a convert. I spent $60 two weeks ago on things like cheese, snack crackers, tostada shells, blueberries (organic), carrots, frozen ravioli and more. I was a total cynic and now I am preaching!  I can't do all my shopping there, but what I can buy is cheap. I heard the one across the state line has wine. I like wine.

Life is too short to eat bad food. We are foodies to the core and while we are willing to sacrifice somethings, food is not one of them. 

via

Swann's Cheap Eats Menu

Swim banquet: I am taking  dessert

Balsamic chicken (crockpot)/ spaghetti squash with Parmesan and tomatoes/ roasted broccoli 

 Butternut squash and Kale Quesadillas

Whole Roasted Chicken/ eggplant Parmesan/ sauteed carrots

Nachos

Cooking: LAX is BACK!

What a weekend. My father in law was here again this weekend and went with us to The Belle's first lacrosse game. Parents of athletes are patient people. Freeze your butt off for 2 hours to watch your kid play for 5 minutes. Yep. 

Totally worth it. She loves it and is fired up about being on a team. Of course, she sat on her rear on the sidelines most of the game. That is how we roll. 

Today is Lundi Gras and my children, like me are die hard Mardi Gras fans. So, last night I made not one but two king cakes. From scratch. They take about 4 hours and a million pans to make, but they are so worth it.  I am a sainted mother for sure. Especially since I will not get one bite of either of those.

 

Cooking: Here we go!

Nice weekend. Steve's dad is visiting from Florida. Ellie had a Mardi Gras dance, Delaney went to dinner with friends and we just hung out. Saturday we drove to my parent's farm for a visit since the weather is just gorgeous.

I love this time of year.

This was our last weekend of nothing going on until school gets out. Literally.  Next week starts lacrosse, track and musical practices. Games, meets and Saturday play rehearsals will take over our weekends until the very last week of May.

So glad the weather was nice and we were able to enjoy our last weekend of free time.

Casa Swann Here We GO Menu

•  Balsamic Chicken (crockpot)/ Sweet potato fries/ salad
• Stuffed peppers from last week's menu
• Indian Masala/ daal/ veggie
• Pizza
• Red Beans/Rice/ sausage

This next  weekend, I will be making two King Cakes for my girls to take to school for Mardi Gras next week. I am so sad I am not in New Orleans, but we will be making up for it with lots of rich, delicious food.

Cooking: Valentine menu and my mission

I am surrounded in my life by amazing cooks. Both of my sisters and I took turns as teenagers making dinner three nights a week. We are all great cooks. Most of my girlfriends are amazing cooks and make dinner almost every single night for their families. Including the ones that work or used to work. Dinner at home is a priority.

I feel very blessed to know women, who like me, feed their families out of love and also out of duty. Our duty as moms to feel and nourish our kids (and husbands) often gets excused away. But we are important. Very important in the continuation of the human race, not only through sustenance, but also through culture, education and the instilling of values. All are found in the kitchen and around the family table.

I am a feminist. I also believe that women are not the same as men. Our skill set is very valuable in the boardroom and the family dining room. Men can produce the same meals, but it comes from a different place.

I am proud of the fact that despite the whining and the complaining (all on my part) dinner is served usually 6 nights a week at my kitchen table to my family.

 

Casa Swann's Valentine Menu

Indian tiki masala/ spinach with paneer cheese/ rice and Naan

Kale pasta salad ala Meg/ baked chicken breasts/ salmon burger (me)

Heuvos Rancheros with chorizo 

dinner from the church

Salmon tacos or pizza...Valentine's choice

Cooking: Last week of swimming

The weekend was lovely. We attended a great talent show to rival anything on television, attended our last Sunday Junior Cotillion and cooked a lovely dinner.

This week is full of friends and swimming.  This is the end of swimming for us. The season has been long (since August...really since May) and rewarding.

I wish it was this weather right this second!

Casa Swann End of the Swim Season Menu

Whole baked chicken/sweet potatoes/ kale white bean salad (Momma's girl night)

Salmon burgers/ butternut squash and apple bake/kale salad leftovers

Black eyed pea and Kale soup/ sausage

Order dinner

Hamburgers 

Cooking: Would you rather be a Bruiser or a Honey Bear?

This weekend was dedicated to my sweet baby girl. Between her middle school swim team championship and Junior Cotillion, I spent most of the weekend focused on her. She rarely is in the spotlight due to her sister being such a spotlight hog, so I hope she enjoyed the attention. She had two PRs and climbed about 12 spots in ranking in both events. Also, a little fire got lit. We are thrilled. Also, for the fifth year in a row, GPS dominated. GO BRUISERS!

This week, we have a dual meet on Tuesday with another Tennessee girl's school and in typical southern girl style, we feed the visiting team after the meet. Love that I will get to see both my girls swim at a girls only meet. Both of their teams are undefeated and this is a big rivalry. So it should be fun.

Casa Swann It's All About the GIRLS! Menu

• Steak salad/rosemary potatoes (regular salad for me)
• BRUISERS VS HONEYBEARS meet and dinner
• Quinoa soup/salmon burgers
• Garlic shrimp/ spaghetti squash 
• Tacos