In January last year we went whale watching. A more perfect day could not have been designed- the water was like glass, the temperatures were San Diego’s finest, and just enough high clouds made for great photography. Whales even made a few appearances, but it didn’t matter because the whole morning excursion was worth the effort and price- both of which were minimal, actually.
Whale Watching January 2014
The family all agreed that we would get out and do the tourist thing once a month so that we could really get to know this area better. Aaaaannd we promptly forgot, getting caught up in the happy business of life.
My mom is funny…
I swear, I am holding us to that goal. We WILL get out there monthly to see the sights that So Cal has to offer.
This month is a little boogered up as one kid’s fencing tournament has had last minute scheduling changes, but that isn’t stopping us… we have places to see today.
Tomorrow I have to hit my Pinterest boards… I hear them calling me! Most of my pins are food based, and there are hundreds of new recipes I want to try this year…
Since my kids have a busy weekend ahead, I think I will crank something out of the kitchen that I have never tried, and they will have to grab and go.
Is it just me, or does everyone else on Pinterest think that they are the most interesting person in the world, based on how awesome their Pins are? I love my electronic hoard!
Wednesday evenings are low-key; we often make dinner out of some junky, heat ‘n eat thing that passes for food (I never met a corn dog I didn’t like). As I sat taking some notes for this 2015 project, I asked my daughter if there are any different, new-to-us fast food joints that she’d like to try in our very multi-cultural city.
IMMIDIATELY she comes back with, “Oh, how about that Golden Arches” place… I’ve never tried those McNugget things, yeah… I hear they are pretty good,” completely straight faced as she hands me this load of bull pucky (as great-grandpa would have pegged it).
This, coming from my child who has at least one social media account under the name “ItsRainingMcNuggets.“
Monday evenings are my favorite for one reason- we are all home. And since I love to cook, my family is subject to my main hobby whether they like it or not.
Usually they enjoy my cooking, but I always serve the same side dishes every time… like for the last 10-15 years. If salmon is for dinner, it comes with brown basmati rice and spinach. We all love this combination, and why change it? NO ONE, especially me, wants to hear whining about what is put on the table for them to eat.
Roast beef? We love it served with baked potatoes, broccoli, pinto beans and salsa, too. This is by far the family’s favorite meal. But alas, the cook is bored and a new muse has come barging into my imagination- I am going to force introduce New Menu Monday, and drag my family along for the ride.
Ever try a parsnip or turnip? I haven’t, but that is going into tonight’s dinner. Onions, carrots, garlic and potatoes too.
Photos are of the ingredients, prep work, oven ready (350 for three hours), and dinner!
Pot Roast with Roasted Root Vegetables -3 lb chuck roast sprinkled with salt and pepper -4 medium red potatoes, halved -1 onion, quartered (leave part of the root attached so the onion holds together) -4 carrots, chunked up -2 parsnips, chunked up -1 turnip, chunked -4 to 8 cloves of garlic, smashed -2 cups chicken broth -1/4 cup red wine Turn oven to 350. Place roast in large, heavy covered baking dish. Sprinkle roast with salt, grind pepper over it, pour broth around roast. Chop as directed and add all vegetables. Place lidded dish in oven and bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until meat is very tender. Serve with a green salad, maybe?
I’ll update this post with the family’s verdict…
Everyone liked the new vegetables, except my son. He is still swearing that I tried to kill him him by serving turnips. Insert eye roll here.
“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
I’ve had a lot of fun planning, and my calendar is filling up with adventures big and small for the coming year!
Occasionally I’ll force one of my teenagers to feign interest in my ideas- I’m honestly looking forward to their surprised looks when I tell them that I will be unavailable to attend to their whim and wish, as I have rounded up about, oh… 365 OF MY OWN!
The best part will be when they realize that they will have to participate in many of them.
Just kidding- the best part will be that they are actually pretty interested in tasting different menus, recipes and restaurants, and heading off to different places.
branching out... on a limb 