New job… new goals

 

I just started a new job.  It’s nothing like my other job, in that I now work Monday through Friday with bankers hours.  With that I have taken on a new goal… meal planning each week.  I made a menu for this week and I am sticking by it.  Tonight I made Cheesey Ritz Chicken with Parmesan Garlic Potatoes.  YUMM!  Dessert just came out of the oven too… Cherry Cheesecake Brownies 🙂

Now that my work life is a bit more predictable, it should be easier to do this “meal planning” thing… right?  I sure hope so.  I am off to a good start… yeah, I know.. it’s only day one.  LOL.

I have also found myself quite addicted to Pinterest.  Yep, even I have to shake my head at that.  However, in my defense, if I have to be addicted to something it should be something that gives me lots of great ideas and wonderful recipes!  My dinner tonight came from Pinterest, yet I made some adjustments to the recipes.  I know this doesn’t really make them “mine”, but I love tweeking recipes to make them better.

So, with all that said, here’s a toast (yeah, I don’t exactly have a glass of wine in hand) to meal planning at it’s best 🙂  (Oh, and it’s coming from my kitchen and spreading to yours!)

Happy Eating!

~LeeMcD

My Brain is on FIRE!

 

 

I think I am going crazy with all these random thoughts.  Recipes are exploding in my head and I want to make everything!  I am thinking about soups, I am dreaming about desserts and I am daydreaming about vegetables.  Really?  I think I am going to have to keep a notebook with me at all times.

Sometimes I wish there were more hours in the day, more meals in a week, and more money in my checkbook.  If I could quit my job and bake all day long, I would certainly be in heaven.  I know I have this blog to keep me busy, but my biggest dream would be to have my own little coffee shop cafe.  I can sit and dream of that all day long.. and all night too 🙂  I wonder if I could open my own Dunn Bros and add my own little touch to it with a cafe?  Hmm… oh to be a dreamer…

So… with all these thoughts, I figure it would be a good idea to make some weekly goals.  I will *try* and post (I say that with a slight grin) a weekly list of what I will be posting for the week.  If I can, I will try and make it a “well-rounded” list… kind of like a 4 course meal for every day of the week 🙂   – But remember, I said “try” so no promises.

 

Stone Soup! Not for this cook!

 

The summer here in great ol’ Minnesota has been full of heated days and very little rain.  I won’t complain, as I do really hate the winter here.  However, with winter comes the beautiful season of casseroles and soups.  Now, I really do love summer because with the sun the grill comes out.  I love grilling, but after 3 months or so of grilling, it just becomes ‘over-rated’.  Maybe I will start getting more creative with the grill next summer and it won’t feel so overused, but until then.. WINTER weather – I am here for you  🙂

This winter I am going to fill this blog with SOUPS!   Nothing makes a belly warm and fuzzy like a good cup of home-made soup.  Most soups are better made in the crock-pot as they have all day to simmer and all the flavors have a chance to meld together.  I am excited to get this party started…without the stones!

 

~LeeMcD

 

I’m BACK!

I cannot believe I have neglected my food blog!  However, in my defense, I have to say I have been rather busy.  I just recently had a new baby and she is 6 months old.  Dealing with the pregnancy and spending every moment with my little girl I can is a good reason why 🙂

But, I am back… and I cannot wait to post more recipes!  I just recently located my stash of recipes and will start posting as fast as I can get through them.  For this reason, I will not have pictures for some of them, but as I start making them again I will be sure to add the pictures.  As always, I welcome and feedback or comments 🙂

~LMcDee

The Holidays :)

Thanksgiving is less than a week away and I am getting excited!  I am excited about baking and making candy!  Thanksgiving Dinner will find me at a house other than mine, but that doesn’t mean I won’t have fun baking.  I am scheduled to make the desserts, the mashed potatoes, and bring along a few snacks.  While searching for the perfect dessert recipe, I encountered many other recipes that seem to be dedicated to the holidays.  I do wish this blog was set up a bit different, but maybe in future I will be able to set up my own website.  Anyway, as I find recipes that deserve credit, or come up with my own for the holidays, I will post them.  I wish everyone a very fun, safe, entertaining, and deliciously thankful holiday season!

About The Cook…

I am a Chef (in my own eyes)  in my own home.. and I absolutely love it!  I have been remarried for about 3 years now, have 4 kids of my own and a step-son.  I have always had a love of cooking and enjoy creating great meals for my family.  Since I love to cook, I also love to entertain friends and family with a wonderful dinner.  I have always loved hosting the major holidays, simply because I can whip up every course, including an array of wonderful desserts, enough to feed an army!

I began stocking my pantry with some of the convenience items that I never normally used.  I have cans of diced tomatoes (including those canned with green pepper, onions, basil, and jalapeno’s), vegetables, artichokes, beans, creamed soups, tuna, chicken, many different types of pasta, rice, and even potato flakes.  When I shop for grocery’s, I don’t buy too many fresh meat items as I would rather buy fresh the day I am going to use it.  When I buy the meat I am using for the evening, I have a chance to pick up any fresh vegetables I will be including in my meals.

I found by shopping and cooking this way, I have saved a ton of money!  I rarely throw out anything and my refrigerator isn’t stocked full of left overs.  I wish I could give you a favorite meal of mine or the fam’s, but honestly, every time I make something, whether new or an old favorite, my kids and husband rate that as good or better than anything I have made before!  They boast to their friends how wonderful of a cook I am and I have to admit… I bask in it!  I am so happy I make them all happy at dinner 🙂  I know it sounds old-fashioned, but I belong in the kitchen.  My husband and I just recently bought our first house together and I cannot wait to remodel the kitchen to suit my cooking needs.