MONDAY'S CHILD

It seems I was born on a Saturday, actually.  We served this breakfast on a Sunday, but hey - details, details.  And I seem to be a bit windy this week.  Sorry.  

I love Mondays.  Really. The house gets very quiet, very still, after two days of going hither and thither at a somewhat frantic pace.  For some reason that quietness seems quite wonderful!  I look forward to Monday with the same enthusiasm that I greet Friday at 5 p.m. The end of week supper hour with my husband is always on my highlight reel. And Saturday Morning, too, when we get to do our projects without the pressure of the work week, maybe actually lying in bed for a few extra cozy minutes before gathering up our cleaning rags and paint brushes or lawn mower and pruning shears. It would be nice to know that he's thinking about an afternoon or evening bike ride, but the unpredictability of plumbing emergencies and his desire for flexibility require me to be ready for anything at a moment's notice.   This can be stressful.

Every day of the week presents a unique challenge.  Why?  Each new day is potentially an opportunity -  to try to do better than I did the day before - to face flaws, faults and foibles with fierce determination, to conquer the latest challenge in my life or the ongoing one that still has me whipped, which is currently at least two-fold.  That's what each new day holds.  Hope.  Hope that I will be able to concentrate enough to finish balancing five checkbooks and paying all the bills on time.  Hope that I will get the main things done and supper served before bedtime. Hope that I will get two workouts in before the end of the day.  Or at least one.  Hope is nice to have.  

Monday's focus is on planning my week.  It's just a rough draft, I know.  It's also a closely guarded secret, because just as soon as my plans are known, they get changed.   It may be I'm reacting to the latest conspiracy theory dreamed up in the brilliant mind of Mr. Tom Clancy because although it has been difficult to identify with precision, I suspect I am subject to the influence of evil controlling powers - renters who decide to move out when things were going along just fine, I thought.  And customers who have a question they need answered right now, and maybe even someone who wants to return a shipping container before Friday, and can I look up a price for a water heater or a zone valve or no-hub clamp to bill out to a customer.  So keeping my plans a secret means I have some hope of deciding the course of my day - at least until the phone rings with a reminder or request.  Then again,  I don't worry too much when changes happen - living with a plumber means life is just one emergency after another, anyway. Some days the phone absolutely rings off the hook.  And who knows, maybe plans are just made to be changed.  

Today, I began my week with the first load of laundry, folding the last load still waiting, mated up the sock pile, put away a stack of underwear and began the process of catching up with other projects left over from last week - getting my photos off my camera - third time was the charm, and yes, I did it myself (With a little help from Samsung) - then vacuumed carpets, hung up clothes we dropped on the floor when we piled into bed late and exhausted, and and took a check to town that should have been delivered two weeks ago, but got misplaced in the chaos.  Always room for improvement - I'm a work in progress.   Perhaps you will be delighted to hear that!   I usually am comforted by the news of someone's ordinariness.  Unfortunately most of my friends are over-achievers but it does keep me humble.   

Of all the tasks for Monday, the most difficult and most important to me is the menu plan for the week.  Figuring out the menu and serving the right amounts for two has been challenging.  Sometimes we end of eating the same thing for several days - and after that we don't want to see it again for quite a while.   It's great to fix one huge pot of stew.  Not so great to still be eating Split Pea Soup with ham and carrots, delicious as it is, for the fifth meal in a row.  I know, I know, I can freeze portions.  Like I said, I am a work in progress.  Just ask my husband.  And of course I dusted the heat register.  Why?  Because it was dusty, that's why.  Doesn't everyone?  You should.  You never know when you might come home after a long weekend to a smoky smell in your house and have to call the fire department.  And they will check the baseboards.  And they will notice that you dusted the heat registers. They sure will.  Who would have thought?  Maybe I'm an over-achiever in the dusting the heat registers department.  The firefighters seemed to think it was rare enough to be worthy of comment. 

So here it is.  But first: last week.  

Spelt Flour - first time to use my new flour-mill. Super easy to use.
Used it before looking at the directions.  What is the extra large plastic ring for?  The directions turned out to be super easy, too, with good pictures.  Great for busy people.  The ring was to extend the capacity of grain to 20 cups.  Yay! Life is complicated, so it's nice when instructions are simple.  This was amazing.  A handful of spelt berries became two cups of flour in seconds.  Super cool.

Haven't had pancakes or waffles in months due to experimenting with a wheat free diet.  Yes, I tried Xanthum gum, white rice flour, oat flour and several others over a course of several months.  All good.  These waffles were outstanding.  Makes me wonder why we get so hooked on wheat flour, anyway.

My sister was here and got a better picture of a waffle.  Maybe she will share.

Peppered Bacon, Melted Butter

Friday - Lunch with friend, Myrna Dawn

Before their dip in the GranPappy (Deep Fryer)
These are the best and always a sure company pleaser.  

Nachos

1 Can Refried Black Beans

1/2 lb. Hamburger, browned

One diced onion, lightly sauted

1 Can Green Chilies, diced.

 Top with Grated Cheddar and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Serve with fresh tomatoes, salsa and sliced avocado.

Reheated for Supper.  

Followed lunch with a quick hike on a beautiful fall day up at the
end of Sunset Rim Road.

My Trees

What I have in mind for this week:

• Monday: Chicken Tortilla Soup (also grocery shop for the week) Recipe: Pioneer Woman on the internet is probably the way to go, but I'm winging it.
• Tuesday: Curried Red Lentil Burgers(http://www.marcussamuelsson.com/recipe/curried-red-lentil-burgers-and-mango-slaw-recipe)

• Wednesdsay: Santa Fe Stew
• Thursday: Leftovers
• Friday: Bangkok Chicken - Great Food Without Fuss
• Saturday: Leftovers
• Sunday: Meatloaf - Dutton Family Cookbook - it's one of the best.  Really.