The Kitchen Keeper

Ok it's that time again.  For me to tell you what exactly "is up" with me.  Lately I've been into.  Wait for it.  It's thrilling.  Ok ready?  Meal Planning.  When I say "into" I don't mean I actually "enjoy" it as in I "like" it, rather I have this un-warranted need to feel "prepared."  For the apocalypse.  No really I'm not sure what I need to prepare for, however I feel immense satisfaction once I know what EXACTLY I'll be EATING in the near future.

It's creepy.

So not only do I scour the Internet to help me meal plan, I have gotten into freezer meals. Gah. I always tell you the most humiliating aspects of myself.  Well because I blog only for the catharsis, here it goes.  My adventures in food preparation.  We will begin with my homemade sauce.

 

Putting up tomatoes.

 

Boil those bad babies and peel the skin right off nah.

 

 

 

Into the blendy-blender, with some fresh basil, oregano, garlic-o, onion...salt salt and more salt.

 



 

And onto the stove.  Naow.  I'm not quite sure why my gravy is not bright red, but lets keep it real here, I'm kind of making my own rules up as I go, I ain't Giada, nahmeans, mains? But mah man ain't complainin' so vodka sauce it will look like, I guess.

 

Hey wouldn't some meatballs go great with that sauce?  I think I've got some 94/7 all natural grass fed beef in the 'fridgedare...wait, yes, yes I do.  Good thing I'm going to add some spinach and flax to that mamma-jamma...and garlic and onion and oregano and parsley, hey hey hey {why not?! my house, my rules}

 

 

Then I saw this super fun pin on pinterest...in which you bake your meatballs in muffin pans.  Yeehaw why not, I'm not a "No, Man"...or..."No, Ma'am!"**

 

**Challenge to you: make a point to say YES more often.  Seriously have you seen that movie with Zooey Deschanel?-I could just kiss her all ovah.

 

 

And there you have it.  Yes we'll eat some this week and yes some went into the freezer don't act like you didn't know!

 

Stay tuned for more tales from the kitchen keeper.

 

 

Oh. My. Lordt.

 

 



I'm Trying.

Obviously this image is stolen from Instagram.  I follow Sweet Southern Prep's blog and I follow her on Instagram.  And this picture blows me away.  I pretty much use her and abuse her for advice...because I need it...and obviously she is an expert in her field.  She has been doing a series..."How I Do It" for a little while now, which I Do Enjoy! Because frankly, I don't quite get how she does it.

So after taking her lead...this is how I'm trying to do it.

...Feed him snacks in the car to avoid toddler breakdowns in public.  Be prepared: include the catch-all bib in order to catch-some.

When you forget the bib, replace it with a  napkin.  Like an 89 year old man would in a country restaurant.  Continue to feed him snacks and limitless bowls of applesauce to avoid toddler breakdowns and shout outs in said country restaurants.

In this summer heat, keep him well hydrated-only with organic whole milk.

Always allow him to feed himself, no matter how disgusting, and only offer nutritious options like oatmeal.  Remember: Healthy Habits Start Now.

 

Make trips to the grocery store fun.  Encourage your child to express himself.

Remember: bath time should be fun as well.  Don't force your child to conform to everyday norms and social morays of "clothing" in "public."

{My sincerest apologies to anyone offended in the posting of this picture}

Foster early socialization with children of the opposite sex.  Do not impose your personal modesty "issues" upon your children.

Your home is not your own.  Allow curiosity and exploration.

And when he finds chocolate chip something or others in a drawer in a bag in another bag complete with childproof lock that is well within reach, who are you to take it away?  Do you not want your child to learn a little autonomy?

takeout on china

Here's to pizza delivery and Chinese take out this Friday night-enjoy yo'self sugar!

Sale Shopping.

I got a little crazy this week and made a special purchase.  Ok they were on sale and I'm a sale shopper. Yes even in the grocery store.  I'm a momma.  Ok at some point I have to act like one.  Right?

 

And methinks to myself, methinks: what the H should I make-y?

Oh girl, old 'naners don't get thrown out in this house.  I'm a momma.  I don't throw out the foods.  I bake its.  Or I freeze its.  Why do I have no shame when it comes to divulging to the general public?

And I had a can of {100% natural organic grass fed free range no animals were harmed in the making of this...} pumpkin.  Add some flaxseed for good measure and there you have it: Healthy girl Healthy momma pumpkin banana bread.

 

 

Thanks be to the White Memorial Presbyterian Church Cookbook for the basis of the recipe.

 I don't have a picture of the actual bread because: We ate it.

 

Sunday

Sneaker Peaker.

Ok so then there now then.  Here's a sneaker peaker {get it, like me, Peak, Apex, the Peak of Good Livin' whereabouts I am from...cute, right?} or two of my new rash decision.

 

I don't regret it.  I don't regret it one bit I tell you. I need some calm, neutral, un-opinionated, un-judging mind yo' own budinezz keep out of my hair space type feel up in the hizzy.  The carpet remnant is actually lighter than shown in my iPhone4s {be runnin' all slow ain't nobody got time for that...} camera shows.  But I un-apologetically love this decision it is what is right for us and our family and we just need to do what's best for us right now, ok?

Great.

Which brings me to another topic. 

I don't have a coffee table on purpose.  But I don't think I like that decision any more.  And it's ok to admit when you're wrong or you may not have made the right choice the first go round.  Thankfully we have another go round here.  So whatdayasay?!  Acrylic with brass accents, yes?  This-a-way my child won't accidentally murder himself on my furniture.  As he attempts to do daily despite my efforts.  Seriously.  He doesn't care if he dies if and when in the process of having a great time running and screaming and banging into things with a screwdriver or a hammer or a knife or whatever. 

I can't control everything ok.

And I'm ok with that.
My new family room has me so zen lately ya'll.  Git you some, shug.

Interiors

I don't know what it is, but I just have not been so into my fashion blogs lately, yall.

I want interiors.  And I want your interiors.  Like. Your business, your personal life, your projects, your dining room, your bedroom, your kitchen, backyard, front yard, garage, your home, you got it?

So I have been scouring the world wide web.  And I tell you I am just delighted.  You girls know how to delivah! 

Para Exemplar { "For Example."  I speak Spanglish in my free time.  Aka when I am at work.  Schtick with me.  I'll teach you some: Para Exemplar:  Tu Eres En El Hospeetahl. Sientente En La Cama.}

GIRLS GET BACK ON TRACK.

pawleysislandposh

Julia: I don't know you but I follow your blog and instagram: Thank you for updating us from Richmond, Va...annnnd showing us your new house dining room progress-lookin good gal-

And Foyer.

 

And kitchen.

And I like you.  Because in your sassy house I spy a sneaky bag of Cheeries.



thelongandshortofit

Also don't know Jessie in Raleigh but just about ate up her home tour with theeverygirl

I always love emilyaclark and her updates {aka Craigslist steals} from Belmont/Charlotte area...

 

And bookcase styling.  And master bedroom re-styling

 



 



Just to name a few.  Maybe more to come.  Another day.