10 Tuesday Feb 2015
Posted in Accomplishments
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With all the snow days things have gotten a bit out of hand. But, forward progress is being made.
09 Monday Feb 2015
Posted in Menus
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On the one hand this is a more normal week. On the other hand, it’s still snowing so my shopping days will be limited. As of now it’s looking like Wednesday will be the best bet – Tuesday and Thursday may be possible. Friday depends on what happens with the snow they’re forecasting for Thursday evening.
We had an elementary school fundraiser last week at a local business. It’s a farm stand that’s open year round so this time of year most, if not all, of the produce is imported from elsewhere. But, here’s what I got (yes, I really only bought two mushrooms). As such, I don’t go there much in the winter.
All that being said, an adult is gone for three dinners this week. Put that with all the snow shoveling and we’re splitting dinner most nights. Here’s the meal plan for this week.
Saturday (two birthday parties today so I’m not expecting the boys to be super hungry come dinner):
Kids: Leftover braised pork, mashed potatoes, strawberries
Adults: homemade pizza
Sunday:
Chicken & dumplings
Strawberries
Monday:
Tortellini
Tuesday:
Macaroni & cheese
Wednesday:
Beef chili
Cornbread
Thursday:
Kids: Haddock with carrots
Adults: Tuna noodle casserole
Friday:
Kids: eggs
Adults: homemade pizza
06 Friday Feb 2015
Posted in Recipes
≈ Comments Off on Braised Pork
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Well, one positive thing did come out of all this snow.
When all this first happened they were forecasting widespread power outages. That didn’t happen and our smoker got entirely buried. So, the pork butt I bought had gone unused.
But, the second storm came along and it was time to shop the pantry. Searching online for something to do with it I found Melissa d’Arabian’s Succulent Braised Pork. I had all the ingredients (except the parsley stems so we just skipped those). I also doubled the recipe. It was excellent – flavor and texture – and so easy to make. We served it over a bed of mashed potatoes.
Succulent Braised Pork
Recipe courtesy of Melissa d’Arabian and Food Network
Ingredients:
2 pounds of pork shoulder, cut into 6 large chunks
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup red wine
1 ½ cups beef stock or broth
1 bunch parsley stems, tied with string
2 bay leaves
1 cup water
Directions
05 Thursday Feb 2015
Posted in Home
≈ Comments Off on We Made it Above Freezing
We made it slightly above freezing yesterday giving us a brief respite from the cold before more snow arrives. Through a combination of ice melt, sun, warmth, and elbow grease I had the driveway entirely cleared of ice. This morning, however, we got a lovely layer of freezing rain and then two more inches of snow. I shoveled it before the temperatures sank back down to the single digits, but the driveway is back to a (thinner) layer of black ice with no hope of melting anytime soon barring another ice melt application.
And, we’re due for another 12-18 inches from Saturday through Tuesday according to forecasters. I’ll try to take some pictures for the before and after on this round Friday afternoon.
04 Wednesday Feb 2015
Here we are again with two more snow days. We got another 16 inches on top of the two feet + 4 inches last week. I think the boys and I are going to be tired of our property when February vacation week hits soon.
Here’s the before and afters from two spots in our yard. Our deck is essentially full. The tree is now accessible for exploring even though normally the boys can’t reach the lowest branches. And, the bench is totally gone.
Just to point out that there really is a bench near that tree, here’s a picture from last Sunday afternoon. You can see it peaking out just a bit.
Dad and the older boys came home from skiing Sunday afternoon, before the Super Bowl. I imagine quite a few folks looked at the weather, decided schools would be closed on Monday (I’m not sure the forecast at that point made us think they’d be closed Tuesday too.), and stayed an extra day. On Sunday they were forecasting the snow to get much lighter after lunch and stop around dinnertime – sooner North and West – so driving back Monday night wouldn’t have been terrible for everyone. But, as it was the snow stayed heavy through the afternoon and stopped more like 11.
It’s supposed to be warmer tomorrow, though still below freezing, and sunny so I’m hoping for lots of melting on our driveway before the next forecasted batches of snow roll in.
03 Tuesday Feb 2015
Posted in Accomplishments, Home
≈ Comments Off on Last Two Weeks’ Accomplishments – Little Things
I’ve decided this process is working well. But, the blizzard took precedence last week. That being said, I feel compelled to say that the usual stuff does get done (meals, laundry, homework, etc.) even if I don’t list it here. I’m mainly focused on the items that don’t happen all the time, and that motivate me to keep tidying up.
02 Monday Feb 2015
First, congratulations to the Patriots on the Super Bowl victory.
This is my toddler fare weekend. And, to prepare for the storm forecast for Sunday/Monday I went to BJs. I’m definitely having to catch my errand trips between weather systems these days.
January’s grocery bill was very reasonable.
Here’s the meal plan for this week.
Saturday:
Eggo waffles (on super sale two weeks back)
Sunday:
Homemade pizza (for the Super Bowl)
Monday:
Kids: eggs
Adults: homemade pizza (to work around the snow shoveling)
Tuesday:
Braised pork
Mashed potatoes
Honey rolls
Wednesday:
Shrimp
Broccoli
Thursday:
Veal parmesean
French bread
Green beans
Friday:
Kids: eggs
Adults: homemade pizza
30 Friday Jan 2015
The big problem with taking seven people to eat, especially if many are children, is that most restaurants insist on putting you in a too-small booth or table with the high chair on the end. So, we’re already elbow to elbow and then one has to find a way to clear the entire reach of the toddler least hot, tippy, etc. items end up in their hands and then mouth.
I understand they’d like to make the most money by fitting more people into their restaurant. And, I understand that kids take up a seat, but probably aren’t spending as much as adults. But, I have little sympathy for the largely empty restaurant that insists on putting together only three two-person tables when there are only four along the wall (seems like a common arrangement around here). I mean, really, who is going to want to be seated next to us when they have almost the entire rest of the place to choose from. In those cases we often just claim the extra table so the high chair can be brought in like a regular chair.
I’ve learned that this problem doesn’t exist in Canada as wherever we have been the high chairs have trays, like one does at home. I’m not sure if this is a rule or what, but all restaurants have exactly the same make of high chairs as Wendy’s does here just with the addition of the tray. This is excellent because we can fit at a smaller table with the high chair to the side, like at home.
Of course, all will change once he needs a chair too.
29 Thursday Jan 2015
Posted in Family
≈ Comments Off on School is Back
It was nice to return to normal today. Although, today was a scheduled half day so that’s only somewhat normal. But, Friday will be a real school day.
They’re forecasting a bit more snow for Friday and then the potential for another big one (please, not 2 feet) Sunday-Monday. New England does not need more snow, especially on Super Bowl Sunday this year.
28 Wednesday Jan 2015
Posted in Home
≈ Comments Off on Snow!
We got it! Unlike some other parts of the country we really did get the forecasted amount – 2 feet! This dealt us two days without school (assuming they’re back tomorrow) and some nice pictures.
Realize this is one snowstorm, we had nothing beforehand. Here’s the sidewalk to give another idea of the depth, though its a bit hard to see.
That being said, us folks away from the coast got a lot of wind, but no real problems. So, I’m curious what folks are going to do with all the gallons of water and bundles of wood I saw them buying on Monday.
I don’t understand the water. We used to be on a well so I understand there are places where having bottled water is necessary in a storm. But, we’re part of a gigantic metropolitan water system which has failed once in my memory, and that still brought boilable water. Also, it is snow. One can collect from outside and melt it. I admit we do have some bottled water, though probably not the gallon/person/day for 3+ days they recommend, since we largely have it because the grocery stores give it away for free over the summer in greater quantities than we consume. It is nice to have some, but buying gallons before a snowstorm just doesn’t make sense to me.
Firewood does make sense.
Anyway, enjoy the pictures and hope we have school tomorrow; they’re forecasting another (potentially school cancelling) storm for Monday.
Busy in the Burbs 
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