WIS, WWA | $116

Oh my goodness, I just had an idea. She likes the keyboard because it is warm. Do you have a heating pad or a warmer that heats up in the microwave? Can you make room on the desk for it? If you created a special warm spot that was only available when you're at the keyboard, she might be persuaded to move over. I wish I'd thought of this when my keyboard-hog kitty was still alive.

DS17 loves making your French bread recipe, Kristen! He's rarely home these days, but learned during COVID & is a big fan.

Why can I never remember what we ate? -DH grilled chicken (with lots of fresh herbs in his marinade) and made rice x2 -We had Korean beef (freezer) over leftover rice -We had wings & edamame + salad last Friday, I think -Philly cheesesteaks another night -Spaghetti & meatballs yet another night

I know the teens weren't home for at least 1-2 other dinners, so we probably had salmon & salad.

For tonight, I'm thinking either pad thai with shrimp, or breaded shrimp + a mystery Trader Joes appetizer leftover from the Super Bowl. I've been trying to get it out of my freezer forever.

WIS: $0 Sun: Used up the last winter squash in a big pot of Minestrone, GF french bread M: Green Salad, leftover soup and peanut butter/oatmeal breakfast cookies T: BBQ chicken thighs, orzo greek salad, coleslaw W: Big batch of Clam Chowder, angel biscuits, layered salad & chocolate lava cake, invited 3 families to dinner Th: Lamb chops, roasted root veggies, citrus/sweet onion/mixed baby greens salad F: Pizza and green salad w/cousin's family S: Community potluck to celebrate Easter & children's egg hunt @ church

WWS, WWA, Spring Break edition:

DH, myself and two of our kids went for a quick trip down to North Carolina. DH had business to conduct and we like to combine business and family trips. Our youngest had never been down there, and one of the older kids needed a break. The two staying home fended for themselves, and our oldest bought their groceries.

Saturday/Sunday: We were still at home and had homemade pizzas, as usual.

Monday: DH headed out early, so he could make a side trip to drop some stuff off to relatives in Atlanta. I headed out that morning with the two kids. Packed some brownies, fruit and chips for snacks. We stopped at Chick Fil A for a treat lunch around 3 pm. $47. Eek. But that was for three very hungry people, one of whom decided he needed a sandwich AND nuggets. I indulged in a Kale Crunch salad along with my nuggets and fries, which was all delicious.

Got in around 6 pm to the cabin, where DH had some groceries and we made pizzas. He had thoughtfully gotten me some fresh broccoli, along with the stuff for dinner, so I had some cooked ground beef with broccoli, as I had no cheese substitutes . No idea what he spent, we were just happy to be together and safe.

Tuesday: It was raining cats and dogs, so the kayaking we had planned was out, but we went for a wet hike and checked out a hike to do the next day, and got more groceries. I think we spent around $100 at Ingles, after DH had determined the Piggly Wiggly he'd gone to the day before was dreadful and more expensive. I forgot to get butter or mayonnaise for sandwiches, but DH had gotten olive oil and we learned you can make a fine grilled cheese with olive oil instead of butter! I also learned, when we made pizzas, that I do not like Follow Your Heart dairy-free mozzarella. Bleck. I ate it but I didn't enjoy it.

Wednesday: DH had his business a few hours away, so the boys and I were on our own. I was on a mission to use up as much perishable food as possible, so I made omelets for breakfast, and, when we got back from our hike and a terrifying mountain road drive to and back from a gem mine, the boys had grilled cheese and ham sandwiches with a fried egg tucked inside. We also had lots of chips, which are required on road trips. I stopped at Ingles to get a few more bananas and a gallon of water. $4. Pizza for dinner again. It's just easier on a trip to do the same dinners.

Thursday: Back on the road; our goal was to make it home a) alive and b) in time to volunteer at the cat shelter. Despite some crazy traffic around the Kentucky/Ohio border, we managed! We didn't stop at all for food, just gas and a bathroom trip. Our third-youngest made a delicious taco bar. So good. We were so hungry.

Today: Most of us are fasting until Sunday, but we went out and got the groceries we need for our Easter dinner. $61 at Kroger.

I consider Chiquita's photos to be a subsection of your blog ha! I’m just glad you don’t tire of taking pix of her because they make me smile every time. By the way, your expression in her first pic is priceless. We enjoy a fair number of your recipes but your food photographs better than mine usually turn out. However, you’ve inspired me: when I do have a dish that looks cool on the plate, I now take a picture and send it to other cookbook aficionados in my circle.