Tuesday, March 19, 2013

I'm sure this is perfectly normal

I'm about to reveal a quirk about myself - I love to contain things.  I looked around my house last night and realized how many filled glass jars I have.   


All of our backstock of soap - contained on my tub.  Yes, I have alot of soap.  I like being prepared for any dirt that may come our way.


Caroline's cupcake pick collection


Nail polish


Crayons


pretzels - the most used jar in the house!

the ribbon jars in the craft area

I'm sure a therapist could identify the underlying issue that makes me want to organize everything like gumballs in a candy shop, but I'm okay with it.  Put me in the glass jar section of HomeGoods and I can't contain my excitement!!!!    But I can contain everything else.  Perfectly normal.


Thursday, March 14, 2013

Easy peesy eats

I live by a fabulous grocery store.  Which is great, because I don't love grocery shopping.  The pretty store makes me want to go.  Today, was a huge day for Finn and I because our new shopping cart  germ avoider cover arrived in the mail and he rode in the cart like a big boy!


It took me 5 tries to get this picture because he was so busy looking around.  His little head was swiveling around constantly - like he had never been in the store before!

One thing I love about our grocery store is that they have an awesome testing area where they cook and you sample, and then they give you a recipe card.  Very easy for people like me who don't love cooking but whose children expect to eat three plus times a day :)  I thought I'd share one of our favorites:


The name seems a little awkward - we just call it Chicken Orzo at our house:

1 TBSP olive oil
1 pound ground chicken
3 garlic gloves, minced (I use less)
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. black pepper
3 medium tomatoes, chopped (I use Roma)
1 cup chicken broth (I use low sodium)
1/2 cup of orzo pasta
1 small zucchini, chopped small
3/4 cup basil leaves, coarsely chopped (I never have fresh, I sprinkle in from the spice jar!)
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.  Add chicken, garlic, salt and pepper and cook 4 minutes, breaking up chicken into small pieces.  Stir in tomatoes, broth and uncooked orzo; cover and cook 6-8 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and orzo is tender, stirring occasionally.

2.  Stir in zucchini, basil and cheese; cook 1 to 2 minutes to heat through.  Toss until well combined.


That's it.  One of our favorites - quick, healthy and super easy.  Enjoy!


Friday, March 8, 2013

"Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” ― Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa has some amazing quotes.  I was always drawn to her and her willingness to give so openly and so beautifully.  A few years ago, when I noticed my daughter succumbing to the "wants versus needs" confusion that we are all victims of in our complicated world, I had her read Mother Teresa's biography.  I read it too and discovered that we share a birthday, August 26th.   It seems lately that her quotes are all around me.  One of my favorite quotes was given to me by my friend Jessie and made by Signifiprints


I keep carrying it around my house.  I have to find just the right place for it.  I want to order this print for our bedroom:


You can find it on etsy.


Here is another favorite:

"Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” 
― Mother Teresa

and another favorite as I embark as a volunteer on my parish's pro-life committee:

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.” 
― Mother Teresa


My dream blog would be one written by Mother Teresa - what a kick of daily inspiration that would be!