When Life Changes in an Instant

Everyone always tells you not to take anything for granted, but I guess you never really hear those words until something forces you to.

Early on the morning of March 23rd, I had just stepped out of the shower when I received a phone call from my dad. Something had happened, the ambulance was taking my mom to the hospital, could I meet them there. I threw on some clothes and raced to the car. It took me less than 10 minutes to get there in the early morning hours, but I was too late. At 57, my mom was dead from a brain aneurysm. I remember being told there was nothing anyone could have done. I remember feeling like the world had dropped out from beneath me. I was just hanging in this suspension of disbelief.

I’m not writing this for sympathy. Sympathy we’ve got. My mom touched so many people, and the outpouring of love and support has been amazing and overwhelming, and we are so grateful to everyone in our lives for being with us at this time. I’m writing this because I seem to just need to get it out. Putting that day into words seems to be the therapy I need right now. I’m also writing this to let you know that I will be taking a break from the blog for a while.

My mom was my first phone call every morning. She was the one who not only taught me to cook, but taught me to love cooking. She was the first one to hear of my successes (and failures!) in the kitchen, and my main recipe swapping buddy. Mom didn’t mind the dirty work of sanding furniture or digging in the yard and was right beside me for most of my projects around the house.

Mom was proud of this blog, and always wanted to know what was coming up. She was my biggest cheerleader, telling all of her friends about it, and I know she would want me to continue. I do plan to continue, but for now, writing about the recipes she taught me and the projects she wanted to help me with is too hard.

It’s been two weeks, and I’m still swimming in emotions and thoughts about life, love, and loss.  I have so many words about making more time for the ones you love, but I think for now, the best thing for me to do is to leave it all alone and just try to be at peace. Thank you for your support and understanding; I hope to be back sooner rather than later.

Menu Monday – #11

I must have gotten carried away last week. I cooked like were a family of 12, and we still have food coming out of our ears! So, we’ll start our week with a leftovers night (easy for me!), and then get rolling onto a yummy St. Patrick’s Day dinner with all of the family over for some fun. Have a good week, everyone!

MONDAY

Leftovers from last week

TUESDAY

Corned Beef and Cabbage, Herbed Potatoes and Carrots, Irish Soda Bread

WEDNESDAY

Taco Casserole

THURSDAY

Chicken Marsala

FRIDAY

Make Your Own Pizza Party

Menu Monday – #10

I cooked a chicken this weekend as we were still thawing out from our second round of ice storms. It made me just feel better to have yummy smells coming from the kitchen. So, fresh broth and shredded chicken means its a chicken and rice soup week! Comfort food at it’s best.

MONDAY

Roasted Turkey Breast with Root Vegetables

TUESDAY

Fried Pork Chops and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy

WEDNESDAY

Chicken & Rice Soup

THURSDAY

Grilled Bratwursts with Hashbrowns

FRIDAY

Leftovers

Menu Monday – #9

There are some good meat buys at the grocery store this week, and I’ve worked those into our menu. I never got to the Asian style pork tenderloin from a couple of weeks ago when it was so icy and I couldn’t to the store, so that one just jumped to this week.

It may look like a daunting menu this week, but really, there are several aspects that can be done ahead. Just to give you an idea of how it will all work out –  Monday, I’ll marinate the meat, cut the veggies, and make the white rice (for the fried rice) in the morning. Tuesday morning I’ll cube my beef roast and cut veggies, then just pull out the rest of my pantry ingredients so everything is ready for me later. Wednesday, I can pound the chicken into cutlets and make the sauce for my mac before I head to work that afternoon. A quick pan fry for the chicken and boiling the noodles is all that’s left for the evening. And for Friday, there’s not much that’s easier than throwing together a frittata.

MONDAY

Asian Pork Loin with Stir Fried Veggies and Fried Rice

TUESDAY

Beef Bourguinon over Creamy Polenta

WEDNESDAY

Chicken Cutlets with Mac ‘n Cheese

THURSDAY

Leftovers

FRIDAY

Potato and Vegetable Frittata

Menu Monday – #8

I actually have it pretty easy this week. I’m getting out of the house for two nights! The Hubby and I have tickets to a show one night, and then some friends and I are having a girls’ night! I’m not usually this much of a social butterfly, but after being trapped in the house because of all the ice last week, I’m relishing the chance to get out! Until then, it’s business as usual, and I’ve got some yummy meals planned.

MONDAY

Minestrone and Fresh Baked Oatmeal Bread

TUESDAY

Pork Chops and Rice

WEDNESDAY

Pasta with Butter-Roasted Tomato Sauce and Homemade Meatballs

THURSDAY

Date Night – Dinner and a Show!

FRIDAY

Girls Night Out!

Ice, Ice, Baby

Well, the typical Tennessee winter storm rolled in with a fury this week. Snow, you ask? Nope. Ice, ice, and more ice.

The schools have closed for the week, the grocery store is out of milk and bread (why people feel like these are the things they need most, I’ll never know), and there is a press conference at least twice a day with city officials telling us to just stay off the roads.

Needless to say, I haven’t gotten a whole lot done, especially not fun DIY projects, recipe testing, or blog writing. We’ve mostly been ice sledding, building couch forts, and listening to branches crack outside praying that they don’t hit the house. So today I just leave you with a few pictures from our icy wonderland and promise to get back to our regularly scheduled program next week.

Ice Storm 2015

 

Menu Monday – #7

The Hubby has to work late all week, so being down a set of hands, I’m going to make it easy on myself. That means utilizing meals I can mix up ahead and then just throw in the oven (meatloaf), pulling out the crock pot (BBQ chicken), and relying on meals that really take no time to prepare (sausage and peppers over pasta).

MONDAY

Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches and Fries

TUESDAY

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, and Peas

WEDNESDAY

Asian Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Stir Fried Vegetables and Rice

THURSDAY

Chicken Sausages with Onions and Peppers over Pasta

FRIDAY

Leftovers!

Menu Monday – #6

This week is all about cleaning out the freezer! Let’s call it a jump start on my spring cleaning. My meal planning for the week is using left-over ham and a big ham bone that has been taking up space, as well as some bratwursts and pork chops I got on sale a couple of weeks ago. Bonus – my grocery bill this week will be nice and low!

 

MONDAY

BBQ Pork Chops and Mac ‘n Cheese

TUESDAY

Ham and Lentil Soup with Cornbread Pudding

WEDNESDAY

Spaghetti and Meat Sauce, Garlic Bread, and Salad

THURSDAY

Leftovers

FRIDAY

Brats and Fried Potatoes

Menu Monday – #5

I’m excited about this week. I’ve been inspired and am trying a couple of new recipes that so far have only been developed in my head. Let’s all cross our fingers that they turn out as good as I’m hoping!

 

MONDAY

Pasta with Chicken and Mushrooms in a Sun-Dried Tomato and White Wine Sauce

TUESDAY

Cast Iron Skillet Steak and Twice Baked Potatoes

WEDNESDAY

Black Bean and Quinoa Sliders with Fries

THURSDAY

Greek Chicken over Saffron Rice

FRIDAY

Leftovers or Order in

Menu Monday – #4

Good morning! Here’s our plan for this week. We had a hiccup in our week last week and never made the baked chicken burritos, so I just moved it to this week. Look at me being flexible!

 

MONDAY

Baked pork chops and apples with stuffing and green beans

TUESDAY

Chicken cutlets in a tomato-caper sauce with pasta

WEDNESDAY

Shepherd’s Pie

THURSDAY

Baked Chicken Burritos with Black Beans and Corn

FRIDAY

Family fun with the in-laws!