Cook for a Day, Eat for a Month

On Friday, I joined Heather in her beautifully remodeled kitchen for a cooking marathon. We made several meals that can be stored in the freezer for future use. In case anyone wants to duplicate our efforts, I have links to my shopping list, menu and recipes.

We started about 10 am and worked until 4:30 pm. Our goal was to make 20 entrees and 3 desserts (ambitious, eh?). We ended up with 19 meals and no desserts but agreed to do some additional "homework" to come up with the items we were unable to finish and we'll be swapping those with each other today.

The total cost for the meals (each of which serves 4-6 people) was just under $200. We also walked away with quite a few good leftover ingredients (a bottle of BBQ sauce, 3 boxes of ZipLock bags, shredded cheese, eggs, etc.) which will come in handy for future meal prep.

Here's a list of the items we made and links...

Chicken Hot Pockets (great for lunches)
Cranberry Chicken
Boursin Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Mexican Lasagna
Chicken Enchiladas Verde
Beef Enchiladas
Lasagna Bolognese (with homemade Bichamel sauce)
Sweet & Savory Meatloaf (courtesy of Melinda Lee.com)
Tamale Pie
Beef Stroganoff
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Pulled Pork Tacos
Sausage, Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Turkey Meatloaf Florentine
Make Ahead Turkey Meatloaf
Farmer's Casserole (breakfast)
French Toast Bake
Lemon Chicken (for grilling)
Red Chile Marinated Chicken
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Brownies
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

MENU & SHOPPING LIST
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pl4_PcXWTaQSfYKcwUlVeTQ

RECIPES
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d97dw8x_14g9mrj6hs

It's so nice to have a freezer full of entrees with the busy weeks ahead of us. We should close escrow on Tuesday and then will get to work on the house. We plan to move in by the end of the month and then Hayden is due to arrive around June 11.

Here's a pic that was taken a couple of Saturdays ago when I was 31 weeks. We're going to the tulip festival this weekend, so I'll be sure and take some pics there. I hear it's just beautiful!

Our new home

Well, since Jason and I felt like having a baby wasn't enough of a challenge, we decided to buy a house that needs some work just to make things interesting.

We had been looking for the right deal and found a house that was undervalued and had a lot of the elements we were looking for (good schools, large lot, 3 car garage, bonus room, etc.) so we came in with a low ball offer and soon we were in escrow.

Here are some pictures from the inspection last week. We plan to close by 5/1 and will paint the house & put in new carpet & refinish the hardwood floors before moving in. After that, Jason will be fencing the yard so that Meg and Jake have a nice place to play.


Nice high ceilings in the entry way. The chandelier has GOT TO GO!


I have big plans for this kitchen, new granite on the counters and new appliances should greatly improve things, but it is livable in the meantime...


Nice view for me as I do dishes...


Future home of 2nd oven & microwave...


family room is off the kitchen, our realtor is sitting at the table, "Hi Debbie!"


I'm so excited about having a desk in the kitchen. I'm thinking a Mac would look great there!


Living room and dining room


Den/Playroom


Stairs




Bonus room upstairs


Hayden's Room. Going to remove chair rail, paint, etc.




Our room. Love the double doors going into it! Needs a lighter paint color though...


Upstairs Laundry Room - this is one of my favorite things!


Future guest room.


Perfect place for a window seat!

Underneath the house, with it's own entrance is a shop for Jason. The man who lived here before, did some interesting things to it...We've requested that the seller put this back to it's original state (by a licensed electrician/contractor) so we can have it properly inspected. As you can see from the pics, nothing was done correctly or up to code. It is also all unpermitted. So, if anything holds up our closing, this will be it!


we call this "drywall mosaic"


and this is why we need an electrician...






Imagine Jason's surprise when he discovered the toilet actually flushes! And the vanity sink works as well! This all needs to go!

So, that's it. Sorry I don't have any pictures of the front of the house or the street. I will snap some and add them to my next blog post.

My Little Sister's Wedding

You know you're getting old when your baby sister gets married. :) I can remember when my mom came into my room and said that it was time to go to the hospital. I also have fond memories of sharing a room with her when she was a baby, and now she's starting a family of her own.

Bekah and Brandon had been dating over a year when they decided to get married. They had a beautiful beach wedding and reception at my grandma's house in Ventura on March 21, 2009. Chelsea referred us to a great photographer, Araxi Dertavitian who captured some great shots of the wedding. Here is a link to the photo gallery and Araxi's blog of the wedding. I apologize for not embedding pictures into the blog, but my bridesmaid duties kept me from taking pictures. :)

http://www.araxiphotography.net/pickpic/gallery/splash.php?gallery_id=16

Passcode is 032109

And a link to the blog:

http://araxiphotoblog.com/wordpress/?m=200903

Baby Shower #2

On Sunday, March 15th, my BFF Chelsea threw me and Hayden a shower for my friends on the other side of the grade. It was so great to see old co-workers and my girls night friends!

Chelsea took some great pics which you can see below. We had a fabulous time and nobody wanted to leave which is a sign of a really good party!!!


Chelsea's Entry Way with my chocolate favors- YUM!


This was a gift from Judy Gerry who attended the first shower. It's so special!


Chelsea set a beautiful table for the party.


Guests could write a me note with their best mommy advice!


Close up pic of my favors. Hershey's Chocolate Bar inside!


Jill playing the Ribbon Game...


My mom trying to calculate the size of my belly...


I have the best girlfriends in the world! Me with Reem & Zhipi


I hope Hayden loves to shop as much as I do!


Her 1st Little Black Dress, Thanks Auntie Asha!


Mimosas anyone?


Fabulous cupcakes!


Shawnah brought over baby Shane as the party was winding down...


Look at that face!!!


Chelsea's a Natural with him!