It's Menu Monday, Again!

Sunday - Spicy Thai Noodles. I have been looking for a recipe that is similar to the Asian noodles they serve in The Fruit Center's salad bar. They are so good. These were pretty close, but something was missing. Pineapple juice maybe?
Monday - Penne with Broccoli and Sun dried Tomatoes. Sounds yummy right? I am going to substitute nutritional yeast for the parmesan cheese.
Tuesday - Simple Sesame Noodles. Love Pioneer Woman. In my opinion, Peanut Noodles are yummier, but Joel likes these ones better.
Wednesday - Pizza Night
Thursday - Veggie Quesadillas
Friday - Scalloped Potatoes with Eggplant Bacon. Again. It was yummy! It will be yummier this time because I can tweak a few things after trying it once. Also, I will plan better. Last time we didn't get to eat this until 9:30 pm. Oops.

Menu Monday on Tuesday

I was distracted by Wahlbergs yesterday so I did not get a chance to write out my menu for you. So, here it is today:
Sunday - Lentil Burgers. Same old, same old...but Joel loves 'em.
Monday - Potato and Vegetable Curry from Simple Veg. Pleasures. All I have to say about this is
                OMG. It. was. so. good.  Fairly simple and so flavorful. Joel was "meh" about it, but I loved it.
                 Had it for lunch today too.
Tuesday - Pizza night. We made the dough from scratch this time. Oliver is in charge tonight while I head
                 over to Wahlburgers with Cari for some girl time.
Wednesday - Grilled Cheese, Fries and Edamame. Boring, but everyone eats it.
Thursday - Veggie Wraps. Quick and easy after a busy day with speech and OT.
Friday - Scalloped Potatoes and Eggplant Bacon This was too interesting not to try. The cream sauce is
             made out of cashews. And eggplant bacon? Really? We'll see.

Some Food Photos

We've been eating gooood this week. Here's a glimpse of some things we have had:

Brazilian Black Bean Soup with Vegan Cornbread. Admire the fancy plates!

Ziti with cauliflower, tomato and red pepper. SO YUMMY! So Easy!

But, really, the yummiest, easiest thing I have eaten this week is this toast with peanut butter and nutella. Heavenly.

Just Another Menu Monday

Ok, here it is:
Sunday - Lentil burgers and mashed potatoes. Yummy, but very time consuming.

Monday - Veggie burritos with rice. Another staple in our house. I like the addition of the rice in the burrito.

Tuesday - Brazilian Black bean soup with vegan cornbread.  This soup is delicious! I have never made vegan cornbread before, so I will let you know how that goes.

Wednesday - Potato and Vegetable Curry. A first time with this recipe. We'll see.

Thursday - Ziti with Cauliflower, Tomato and hot pepper. I made this once before. It was simple and good.

Friday - Baked Tofu and Mushroom Hoisin. Another first timer. I guess I am feeling daring this week.

I am not really sure what the kids will eat this week. I can tell you one thing for sure, they will not be eating any of this stuff!!  Maybe I will try to take pictures this week.

Menu Monday

Here's what we are serving at Chez Bielawa this week:

Monday - Spicy Peanut Noodles from the Simple Vegetarian Pleasures cookbook. (Or, as I like to call it, Pleasuring Your Simple Vegetarian.) We LOVE this meal. It is simple and yummy. (And by we, I mean all of us except for Oliver who doesn't like much of anything. That is another post for another day.) These noodles are also delicious as leftovers.

Tuesday - Veggie Wraps. Looks like I may have to whip up some homemade tortillas for this meal since the 4 packages I bought yesterday are already almost gone! My boys love their tortillas! I bought real sour cream for my veggie wraps and I can't wait for the dairy goodness. This vegan thing is so not for me!

Wednesday - Homemade Pizza. We still have some sauce leftover from last week's pizza which is a bonus. Oliver has become our pizza maker in the family. He loves to stretch out the dough and make individual pizzas with no sauce for himself and Morgan and a big pizza with sauce and "cheese" for Mom and Dad. I love that there is at least one meal that we can all enjoy together without stress.

Thursday - Grilled "cheese",  French fries and baked beans. I asked the kids to design their own flags today for school and Morgan put baked beans on hers. That is how much she loves them. 

Friday - Chickpea and Swiss Chard Soup. Also from Pleasuring Your Simple Vegetarian. Never made this before, so I will let you know. Joel tends to love all things chickpea, so I am hoping this soup is a hit.

 

Saturday - Lentil Walnut Burgers. These have become a weekly staple for us. I got the recipe from the Moosewood cookbook. Joel LOVES these and it has been fun to add our own little touches here and there and experiment with different added veggies and spices. The only bad part about making these is that the kids do not like them and they are really time consuming. So, not only am I spending the time to make the burgers, but I also have to come up with something else for the kids to eat. 

So, that's what we're eating at our house. What are you eating at your house this week?

Step One

Fabric has been purchased!! Now, if I could just find the time to sit down and get to work. I cannot wait to get started.

One Year Later...

Funny how it is almost exactly one year since I last wrote on this Blog. I guess fall is my season for getting back into blogging. And winter is my season for forgetting that I even have a blog.

Instead of trying to recap the last year, I am going to treat this as an old friend and pick up right where we are as if no time has passed at all.

Here are my goals for this blog, if I can keep up with it. (I make no promises!)

• Menu Mondays - I have been doing really well at planning out our meals for the week and think it would be cool to share ideas and recipes here. All of our meals at home are vegan now and it has been fun and challenging to find new, exciting recipes. I like my food to be exciting, don't you? My kids on the other hand, they like their food to be exactly the same all the time. Oliver especially. He would eat a bagel with cream cheese for every meal if I let him.
• Homeschool Updates - Year 2 of homeschool has been going really well. We are doing first grade curriculum and I am so proud of the progress they have made just 3 weeks in. We are doing more reading, with less stumbling and guessing, handwriting is improving and spelling is new this year. So far we are 3 for 3 with the spelling tests! We have already had a few days of just not being motivated (me and/or kids) but we have learned to press on in some cases and scrap it and do something else in other cases.
• The Saga of the Flower Girl Dresses - I will be making two flower girl dresses this month for my nephew's wedding in November. I am more than a little stressed over this. I am happy to do it, but feeling the time crunch and the pressure to not mess up. I will try to post updates and photos of the process. First item on the agenda: buy fabric.
• Links to interesting things - like this blog. This is a heart wrenching blog about a mom's battle with her little girl's terminal cancer. I heard about it from a friend on Facebook and looked it up last night and could not stop reading it. I kept telling myself not to read anymore because I know where it is going and do I really want to get that emotionally involved in this? But I could not stop. That poor child and that poor Mama to have to go through that. But, here she is a few years later able to write about her experience and, I am sure, to encourage other moms in her place. For me, it has made me spend a little more time thanking God for my healthy babies, a little more time snuggling with them first thing in the morning and just before bed and a little more time watching them sleep and marveling at the miracles that they are.

So, join me on my journey to rediscover blogging. And if you see me, remind me to blog.

Look What I Made!

As you may know, I am trying to start up my own little business of handmade crafts for kids. I've been making and selling I Spy Bags, aprons for kids, bean bags and today I finished some trick-or-treat bags. They came out really cute! Let's hope I sell some.

Alarming

The fire alarm in our building went off at 10:30 last night. I had gone to bed early and had been asleep for a while and Joel had literally just climbed into bed when the loud alarm and flashing lights started up. I immediately jumped out of bed and went into the kids' room to gather them up and bring them outside to safety. For, of course, there must be immediate danger of some sort if the the alarm is going off at this time of night. Joel, on the other hand, sits up in bed like "What is that?" He strolls into the kids' room, picks up Morgan and brings her into the living room to sit on the couch.
Joel: "We don't really have to go outside, do we?"
Me: "Um, yes, we need to get out."
Joel: "Really?"
I head out the door with Oliver in my arms and Joel goes in to get a shirt on. Morgan starts to cry because she is still on the couch waiting for someone to carry her outside. Poor thing thought I was abandoning her inside. So, we all head out to sit in the car while we wait out the alarm. We were only outside for 15 minutes or so before the alarm turned off and we got the o.k. to head back in. Not sure what caused it to happen, but I am always glad that we got right out. What if there really was a fire in the building? Granted, we are on the first floor and can scoot out of our patio door quickly if need be, but c'mon, who wants to be that person who is trapped inside a burning building? Not me!
Maybe it is just my complete inability to bend the rules. I'm sure we would have been fine to have sat on the couch, ready to leave if we had to, but I HAD to get those kids outside. I was a bit concerned that Joel was so nonchalant about it. It's a fire alarm, for Pete's sake!
Anyway, as Ma always says, "All's well that ends well." (Can you tell we've been reading Little House on the Prairie?) No fire, that I know of and everyone was fine. It took a while to get the little guys back to sleep, but once Oliver ended up camped out on our floor, it was fine. I had to answer about 200 questions about the fire alarm and what if there was a real fire, and could we get a back-up house in case this one burns down...oh my.
So, what are you like when the fire alarm goes off?

A Good Cry

Sometimes you just need a good cry, you know? But, for a busy mom like me when do I get the chance to just let it all out? Well, for the past few weeks it has been during my only alone time in the car on the way to the grocery store. For a while we were doing our shopping all together as a family, (another tear inducing experience) but lately I have been just taking the list and going at it alone - which is much more enjoyable! But, as soon as I get in the car and put on the music, the tears start coming and they don't stop until I get to Whole Foods and pull myself together. Then, once I am in the store and shopping I am fine. It's like I need to just let it out and then I am good for another week. Am I weird? (Don't answer that!)
In other news, my dad is getting married next month. Yes, I said next month, not next year. Why yes, that was quick. How do I feel about it? That's a good question. I'm not really sure, myself. I am happy that my dad is not lonely and that he has someone to make him happy. I certainly would never wish for him to be lonely and miserable for the rest of his days. It's just so hard to see him with someone who is not my mom. His "moving on" is the reminder to me of the finality of my mom being gone. She's really not coming back. (Which I know, intellectually - but when that reality hits you emotionally, it hurts.) I am trying to be happy for them and trying to deal with it like an adult, but part of me wants to just curl up on the floor tantrum-style and scream out, "I want my mommy!"

Go With The Flow

School only took an hour this morning. I feel slightly guilty about that, but I am trying to be ok with it. We followed the plans for today. They even said their memory verse, practiced writing, did a science experiment, even did an extra pincer-grasp exercise with play-doh. Now they are happily playing with the play-doh and I have a quiet few minutes to blog.
It goes against my nature to not have things be uniform and take the allotted 2 hours. Every other day this week we have used the full 2 hours. But, then I remind myself that this is kindergarten, not 10th grade and sometimes we just go with the flow.
I am pleased with how the first week has gone. Kids have been cooperative, for the most part, I have been excited and enthusiastic, for the most part. I'm sure we will have days where one or all of us just doesn't want anything to do with it. And on those days, I guess we will just go with the flow.
As a side note, I have been reading Pioneer Woman's blog lately and I promise you I will never be as blog (or otherwise) talented as that woman is. Just amazing.

Day 1: Success

First day of homeschool was a success! Kids had fun and actually learned some things. Mom had fun and actually surprised herself at her ability to explain things. Like, using a flashlight and a Mickey Mouse Superball to explain how the earth spins on it's axis making day and night. They actually got it.
Here are some pictures:

I had them walk out the front door and around the building and then back into the patio door to make a transition to school time. I was in my pjs when they left and quickly changed into my clothes while they were walking. They were quite amused as you can see.

A New Start

Phew, it's been almost a year since I've been here. 'Scuse me while I clear up some of this dust and cobwebs. Oh, here's that earring I've been looking for.
Our family is starting a new journey today and I thought it would be a great opportunity to start up this old blog again. The Bielawa's are now home schoolers! I am sure with my crazy little family we will have tons of blog worthy stories and I am sure I will need a place to rant, I mean share about my homeschooling, working, housekeeping, bread baking, sewing, etc.
Our plan for the day is to get the kids fed and dressed at 8:30 and ready to go at 9:00 at which point I will send them out the apartment door, down the hall, outside and around the building and back into our patio door while I rush to get dressed and get set up for school. I think they are more excited about that than anything!
So, keep an eye out for pictures and stories and I PROMISE I will be try to update this here blog.

Did you Have a Good Summer?

No, actually, I didn't. That's what I want to say to all these parents and teachers who ask as we are starting school again. But, as with most people (myself included, unfortunately), they don't really have the desire to hear anything other than, "It was great. How about you?" I guess parts of my summer were good, it wasn't all terrible, but for the most part it was the most difficult summer I have ever had. I experienced loss in many different ways, the most significant being the loss of my mom. I struggled with things I never thought I would have to deal with. I made a really great friend in my neighborhood...and then she moved. Blah, blah, blah... So, yeah, it was a really bad summer. But, I know that God is faithful and that He is working in me and that someday I will be able to look back at this summer and see what He was doing and why. The good parts of the summer? I was able to stay home with my kids and take care of two other sweet kids and spend lots of time doing fun things like going to the pool, beach, playground, farmer's market, etc. I got a really good tan! I lost 10 lbs. (Granted, it was from stress and anxiety, but I'll take it!) So, there were some good times in there, too.
School has started back up. My first day was yesterday and the kids' first day was today. They are both going to full day preschool three days a week. They were so excited. Oliver was excited to be the big brother and take care of Morgan and show her around. Morgan was excited to go, as long as she was with Ollie. She said to me this morning, "So, Mrs. Todd will like me. She will look at me and say 'That is not Morgan, that is a pretty princess." I have to admit to shedding a few tears as they left. I am grateful for the time alone to actually complete a thought without being interrupted, but I will miss their little faces. Here's what I would like to accomplish on the days they are at school: go to the gym, read my Bible, clean and organize the apartment, purge their toys, get dinners organized and prepared ahead of time, prepare my Sunday School lessons, work on planning for the Women's Banquet at church, sew. Obviously, I won't get to all of this today, but these are my goals for the year. Hey, maybe I will even blog more often.
The start of the school year always signifies a fresh start for me. So, here's to leaving the summer behind and starting afresh!

Sigh

What a busy, exhausting weekend. My mom passed away last week and we just finished up with all the services today. I can finally sit down alone and breathe. Not sure I like the stillness that much, though. Now I am able to comprehend more of what went on. Seems like time has stood still since the moment we got the phone call last tuesday saying she was gone. It's hard to imagine that other things happened in the world during these last few days. Didn't everyone's world stop the moment she left it? I know mine did. It's hard to condense all the feelings and experiences I have had in these last few days. Ranging from fear and anger and deep sadness to peace and joy and pride. I am so, so proud of my family. I loved that we were able to be together for our Family Dinner Night one more time, I love that we all turned right back around and went back as soon as we got the call that she was gone, I love that we toasted my mom with anisette (with the pastors, too!) , I love that we all cried and laughed and reminisced and cried some more together. I love that we can still tease my dad and laugh with him even in the hardest of times. I am amazed, but not surprised that nearly 700 people came through at the wake. What a testimony to my mom and what a hardship for our feet!
There are so many different aspects of our experience. How the kids handled it, how the adults handled it...so many stories and blessings. I don't even think I could recount them all.
I am feeling so much peace about my mom's passing. She wasn't herself these past few months. It wasn't how she wanted to live. She wanted to cook and play "garbage man" with my kids and read books to them and watch Bob the Builder with them. She wanted to go to church and then go out for breakfast at the Venetian. She wanted to go shopping with me at Kohl's and go to the kids' concerts and recitals. I am so thankful that I know without a doubt that she is whole again. Someone at the wake said that after she got her hug from Jesus in Heaven, the first thing she asked was "Now, where's the kitchen? And, where are all the babies?" Not sure how theologically sound this is, but I like to think of her up there making sauce for all the saints and rocking all the babies. And, also seeking out Noah and getting the full story from him.
But, along with the joy is also a deep sense of sadness. You see, my mom was my best friend, my confidant, my shopping buddy, someone I knew would always be proud of me no matter what. I need her. How can I raise my kids without her? How can my kids grow up without the love of Grammie, a love like no other? I will do my best to uphold her memory and talk of her often - but it's not the same as the real thing. I miss her.

Comfort

Morgan fell asleep in my arms tonight. Can't remember the last time that has happened. But, I found it so soothing. I've been having a rough time lately - lots of junk going on (I'll get into that later.)- and tonight I was feeling especially down. I was sitting here in front of the computer to turn my brain off for a while and she crawled up here next to me. I could tell she was tired because she was quiet. Usually she is asking questions, telling stories, just talking to hear herself talk. So, I asked her if she wanted me to hold her. She climbed right up and snuggled right in. I think she was asleep in minutes. I didn't want to put her down. She's so snuggly and warm and delicious. I rubbed her soft back, her silky hair until finally she shifted position and woke up a bit wanting to be more comfy in her bed. I reluctantly brought her in and now I sit here alone. But, I am so much calmer. It's amazing how that happens. Thank you, God, for the treasure of my children; they are your greatest gift to me.

I'm Sure I Can Contribute

Seen this? Now this is a funny website. The captions are what make it so funny. Go back to the earlier entries, it's worth the time. I laughed out loud. Love the "permullet"!!

The Power of Target

Why is it that I can never go to Target without leaving with a bag full of things I don't really need but at the time feel like I can't live without? Apparently, I am not the only person with this issue. I put something about it on my Facebook status and got many, many comments. One person said it is like a drug, another that they call it the $100 store. It's SO true! (Though, I did keep it under the $100 mark yesterday) Maybe it is because some of the deals are so good, that you load up on good deals which turns into not a good deal. I went in yesterday with two things to buy - swimmies for Morgan (because apparently she eats hers or something - this is pair number 3!) and a plastic bin for Oliver's Mighty World set (which happens to be the coolest toy sets ever. I like them better than Playmobil.) I left with swimmies for Morgan, a bin for Ollie, a skirt for myself, flip flops for Oliver (which means we will instantly find the other one that we lost), a bathing suit for each kid (because you can never have enough bathing suits with a pool), a fishing game for the pool (what good is a pool without pool toys?), nail polish remover, face wash, body wash, and pocket packs of tissues. And I thought I was doing so well. I guess I have to realize that when it comes to Target I have NO self control. Well, I have SOME, I guess, I did say no to the flip flops for myself, a new bathing suit for myself, and a few other things. (Notice how it is all things for myself? Ever the martyr.)
So, what's the deal with Target? Are they sending us subliminal messages in the Muzak? Are they drugging us? What do you think?

Girl Day

On Tuesdays and Thursdays this year, Morgan and I have been having "Girl Day" while Oliver goes to school. Some days we would do something special, just the two of us, and other days would be the regular routine at home, but with just the girls. We both loved having these days and Morgan would ask every time I was getting Ollie ready for school, "Is today gorl day?" This Tuesday was Oliver's last day of school, therefore our last girl day. Morgan will be in school with Oliver next year, so this may be our last girl day for a while. I decided to take her out for a special day together. We started off with breakfast at Strawberry Fair restaraunt. Morgan had french toast and I had the usual corn bread french toast. Yummm. We colored together and chatted and I answered her million questions. It was nice to have uninterrupted time with her. Then we went home and made plans for our next move. She really wanted to go to the pool, but it was cloudy and a bit windy, so we opted for a walk at Webb Park. My favorite place of all time. We brought our pails and shovels, but ended up walking the beach and collecting sea glass. She really got into it, squealing with delight each time she found a piece. Good thing there was alot there.
From there we headed to Grammie's house so Emilee could babysit while I went to work. What a fun day! Here are some pictures.

I Did It.

And now I can't stop! Yesterday, I made two I Spy Bags and now I am obsessed! The possibilities are endless. And, they are rather simple so I can crank them out in a short time. I am thinking of all the different ways these could be made. Thematic ones with fabric and doo-dads that coordinate, wallet-sized ones with a key ring attached so they can be hooked onto a back pack or travel bag, my mind is reeling with possibilities. These are so going to be my trademark birthday gifts now. Love them.