It’s been almost two months since I got married. I went on an epic two-week honeymoon and then came back to our house only to prepare the movers. We prepared as best we could in twenty four hours. I preached a sermon in there too, and then the movers arrived. We had the worst possible moving experience known to humanity, but all of the stuff got on the truck. Nigel drive off to our new home where he had to report for duty in seventy two hours and I moved in with my friend Corey.
Corey and I went to college together. A few months back, over lunch in the city, I asked her if she needed a nanny. Corey was, at that point, expecting her third child. I was looking for a place to live as I had committed to a year contract with a church. I wanted to honor that contract but we couldn’t afford two rents, so I was problem solving as best I could. Surely, we could barter. Free room for some help with childcare? That seems like a fantastic idea. Corey assumed I was kidding. I was not. I wasn’t at all.
A few months later, I moved in. Corey had the baby. She’s adorable! Her older siblings are adjusting and things are almost normal. It’s still very weird to be so far away from my husband. Also still weird to say husband. I’m not yet used to that, but weirder still because we’re not actually together. It’s weird to embark on this next adventure when we’re not doing it together. And it’s just so hard to feel settled and normal when everything is not, but thankfully I still get to cook. Cooking makes me feel normal, even in someone else’s kitchen where I can ever find the colander. I can never find the colander in Corey’s kitchen.
Cooking for Corey and her family has new challenges for me. Biggest among them is the fact that there are kids. Nigel will eat anything. He’s really a good sport that way. He’s truly game for anything I want to concoct. And though these kids are not picky eaters, they will not eat anything. Sad but true. Kids will be kids. Luckily, Corey and her husband like to eat and they also like to have someone else do the cooking while they try to feel normal with three kids, rather than too. All of this means I get to cook. I get to cook and we found a new favorite food blog which means we’re basically trying everything that looks remotely tasty on Half Baked Harvest — which is basically everything. This week is no exception.
Here’s the dinner plan for the week. You’ll note I haven’t made any notes about what the kids are eating. I’m adapting slowly, clearly.
Monday Neighbors have given a stock pile of food for the family with a newborn. (Unlike the other neighbors, they haven’t caught on to the fact that I’m cooking up a storm for the family.) They bright lasagnas, two different kind of quiches ad a case of beer. We will be having the lasagna and making a side salad to go with it.
Tuesday We are trying a new recipe and are beyond excited to gobble down this Balsamic Peach Basil Chicken Salad with Crispy Prosciutto from Half Baked Harvest.
Wednesday After trying something new, we are going to repeat something we’ve enjoyed before. This is the night for 20 Minute Cashew Chicken from Half Baked Harvest. I tried to warn you that we are a bit in love with this blog.
Thursday After being good and having a salad way back when on Tuesday, we are going to go for Cheddar Cornbread Waffle BLT with Chipotle Butter from Half Baked Harvest. Without a waffle maker in the house, and mine being with my husband, we are going to make pancakes instead of waffles. It should be delicious.
Friday will be a wild card or the night we eat all the leftovers. It seems there will be plenty of leftovers! Of course, there are other meals to eat and therefore other recipes to try. Earlier this week, Cookie + Kate posted a new recipe on her blog. This delicious fruit salad will definitely make it unto the rotation. Last week, I also discovered avocado toast and it kinda changed my life so I’m eager to try these life-changing variations. It promises to be a delicious week.
Menu planning is a very occasional feature of my blog. I do more cooking in the ministry I offer in Ingredients for Worship and cooking up new and exciting Recipes for Ministry. (Or at least, I hope they are new and exciting recipes.) I love to cook both in the kitchen and swap recipes for all sorts of things. So, what are you cooking this week? What’s on your menu?
Cooking with Elsa 