so many things to discuss...

None of them terribly important, but still... First up, this zodiac thing. I just got a text from my sister informing me that I am now a Taurus. Um, no. Sorry. Not giving up my right to exhibit dual character traits (the sugar-coated Gemini way to say moody) to be a stubborn bovine. Although, she did point out that I can now be lazy without guilt. Sweet. This deserves more research. I am not crazy into the stars, but when your reply to,"what's your sign?" has always been as such... it will be an adjustment. Can you imagine looking at Cosmo and pausing on another sign? Unthinkable.

Next, my meal plan has been derailed this week. By snow. We have been stuck at home, staying up late, sleeping in, and generally being far away from any semblance of normal. And, not really craving the healthy stuff. I made the tilapia (awesome) and did try those healthy brownies (double awesome, especially if you like coconut) but the ingredients for the stuffed peppers and sun dried tomato chicken are languishing. Perhaps I will rally tonight. Or, maybe we'll go see Black Swan, True Grit, The King's Speech or Country Strong and have a popcorn and diet coke dinner instead.

Also, my blog. More specifically, my blog's background, Little Miss Sunshine. It's no longer available, so I chose a new orangey offering. I have always felt like a huge cheater using ready made blog wallpaper anyway, I should learn how to do it myself. Maybe in 2011!

In case you're still reading, we are getting organized! Or at least our clothes are. Ever since moving to Atlanta, home to two Container Stores, I have salivated over the elfa closet system. But living the apartment life doesn't allow for anything that needs to be installed, and investing in a permanent system for a temporary home didn't make much sense. Since we'll be in the condo a while, and I noticed that the annual elfa 30% off sale was going on, we did it! I think I'll now have room for exactly 36 pairs of shoes, so I will have a real excuse to weed. That will feel good. This weekend we are painting the closet a Tiffany blue so it will be ready for the installers. I have a feeling I'm going to want to move my office in there, too. All that order...

One last thing: Barbeque Fritos make great croutons. That's all. Thank goodness it's Friday!

a week of meals

Our week 1 menu with annotated reviews by Brett

Last week was a success. I didn't make the soup, we just didn't need it but something tells me we might need a hot bowl of soup this week in Atlanta! Only one real dog: the quinoa salad. For some reason the quinoa didn't cook correctly, it had an oatmeal consistency instead of its usual fluffy quality. The best was the wheat berry waldorf salad - recipe below.

Here is this week's lineup:

Sunday night: STUFFED PEPPERS with MEDITERRANEAN QUINOA

Monday night: swim practice - eat burritos with the team.

Tuesday night: jewelry class! I'll probably grab a smoothie.

Wednesday night: PAN FRIED TILAPIA with ROASTED TOMATOES

Thursday night: BEEF + BROCCOLI

Friday night: CORNMEAL CRUSTED CHICKEN with SUNDRIED TOMATO SAUCE

I have a recipe for gluten free, healthier brownies made with coconut oil and coconut flour. Gonna give it a try! The ingredients were pricey - but something tells me spending more than 99 cents on a brownie mix and some canola oil might be the right decision anyway.

WHEATBERRY WALDORF SALAD with HAM

1 cup wheatberries (soaked overnight to soften)

little bit of ham, I used a 7 oz. prepacked ham steak from Whole Foods, diced.

1 Granny Smith apple, chopped

1/4 small red onion, minced

1 cup golden raisins

2 stalks celery, chopped

1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chhopped

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp orange juice

1 tbsp each honey, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and freshly grated ginger*

Boil wheatberries for about an hour until very tender. Allow to cool a bit and then mix with all other chopped ingredients and raisins. Whisk together the dressing from wet ingredients and ginger and pour over the wheatberry mixture, tossing to coat. Add salt and pepper to taste.

* I thought the ginger was a bit strong with the onion and when I make this again I will probably eliminate or reduce it. Overall though, awesome and made a great next day lunch.

Any cooking success last week for you? Have a great week!

beauty and the book

When we were first engaged, I decided we should get one of those marriage preparatory books and go through some life altering questions together. I found the single volume fitting this description at Borders and B grudgingly agreed to do it with me. We started answering a question or two each night. We never finished, I can't even find the book, but one question that begged an answer was, "Do you find any of your spouse's friends attractive?"

Hmmm, intriguing question, little pink book.

I think I pointed out that one of Brett's good friends looks just like a hot ex boyfriend of mine and that I thought his boss was cute for an older guy. And then, to prevent any awkwardness, I jumped in and volunteered that yes, I do have quite a few attractive girl friends. Like, a lot. Brett murmured assent. We didn't name names.

I had sort of forgotten that conversation - until tonight. Have I ever mentioned that supermodels also excel at marketing hair accessories? We were out tonight celebrating some coworkers' birthdays, first dinner at a beloved Atlanta taqueria and then a private room at Happy Karaoke. Back in the car at the end of the night and I turned to Brett and said, "Does your spouse have any friends you find attractive?" He snickered and we left it at that.

Hope all you pretty ladies had a fabulous weekend!

Now read this...

Yay for my husband! His article is the top story today at espn.com/action. Woo hoo! Congrats, babe! No, we can't retire now...

a week of meals

No way to get started on a resolution than to just jump right in, eh? I am at home today, playing housewife (and loving it, btw). Our pantry is heavy on the dried grains so I picked recipes to help us blow through them. And use up the frozen peas that I keep buying for some reason. The other step I took to keep costs down was to choose 2 recipes with the same herb, dill. I love fresh herbs!

This week we don't have a lot going on in the evenings, except for a swim workout tonight, so we'll have time to make and eat dinner 4 nights. Saturday night we have plans, but I still want to make an effort to eat at home on the weekends. So, I am planning 4 meals that we can eat for dinner and lunch and a soup we can grab anytime. And I try to cut up tons of fruits and vegetables and bag them for lunches and snacks all week. I'm sure no one cares, I'm just talking this through for myself and making a plan :)

Tuesday night: QUINOA + SHRIMP SALAD

Wednesday night: DILL MUSTARD CHICKEN with BROCCOLI

Thursday night: WHEAT BERRY WALDORF SALAD with HAM

Friday night: FRIED RICE with CHICKEN

Soup: CREAMY TOMATO BASIL

What are some of your weeknight favorites? Have a great week!

welcome, 2011

Needless to say, I am ready to start anew. Although, 2010 was pretty great for the Smiths; we decided to become outdoorsy, got a new lease on religion, nutrition and tradition. Spent time (and sky miles) with family, did the right thing, created, celebrated and collaborated. As of today, I am self employed. Eek. Some of my hopes for the new year include meal planning to get our food budget under control, finding my way with my intentions for my design work, strengthening my friendships and making sure people I love really know it, being a support to my husband - as he is to me, figuring out my faith a little better, and creating order - thereby creating ease. I know I need to work on metrics to measure these goals, maybe tomorrow. Happy 01.01.11, everyone!

JCP

I lost my dad yesterday. It was a shock and doesn't feel real but we are dealing and we'll be ok. I wanted to share the obituary I wrote with my sister in the car this morning as we are driving to Watertown. It's not perfect, but we wanted to contribute something to his memory. I really wish I'd remembered to mention his affinity for mallow cups, Limburger cheese and peanut butter and baloney sandwiches, but i have a feeling I'll be posting about him more soon, so those tidbits won't be forgotten. No idea how this will format, it was typed on my iPhone and uploaded from the car. Anyway, please pray for my dad. I'm ok but he needs us now. xo

John C. Pike has died. He lived a too brief but adventurous and ambitious life, touching the lives and souls of many. John gave generously and compassionately, and all who felt his love were warm when he was near.  His personality was his art, much larger than his small stature, he could fill a room with his smile. He welcomed those who felt out of place, could create a poem or song on a whim, and inspired people to do great things. John was born in Watertown, NY in 1951and was blessed to have many lifelong childhood friends, from cub scouts, catholic school, football and just bombing around town, charming young and old alike. John was a member of the TKE fraternity at Eureka College, he liked to tell about sleeping in Ronald Reagan's old bed, and graduated from SUNY Brockport, not cum laude, but a gentleman and a scholar. He married Shelley Ryan in 1974 and their two daughters were born in Portland, OR, a place John loved and always called home. John was a true go-getter, no one worked harder for his family and his values. He had a long career in human resources and loved helping people in that role. He especially had a soft spot for servicemen and their families and strove to make their transitions easier. JCP's true passion was the St. Lawrence River, he spent his best days there and could always be found helping a neighbor, craftimg stories around the campfire and taking on his santa alter ego, ever the jokester. John also loved to fly, a proud event was crossing the country in a Cessna. jcpflyer was a coast guard petty officer and volunteered his time and talents protecting our borders and waterways. John was the most silly, sweet, devoted father and his daughters cherish memories of his creative games, dinner table questions and remember him as an example if character and integrity. John's bond with his daughters and sons-in-law was strong and they know he's in a better place and honor his memory. John was married to Patricia Donovan on a summer day at the River, and truly enjoyed step-grandfatherhood. John ended absolutely every phone call with God Bless; his family and friends wish the same for him.