This Week in the Charming South Kitchen (and help when you are tired of menu planning)

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Eggs

Another normal week of cooking here in the South.  Do you ever get tired of cooking or having to prepare meals for your family – or just for yourself?  I know I do.  5-7 meals each week not including breakfast and lunch – it gets tiresome and repetitive.

So, what do you do?

1.  Look at new websites and get new ideas. And you can also look at blogs that do an inspiration post (like How Sweet and Heather’s Dish). I do it to – like the Weekend Inspiration post or Link Love posts. I love giving you new blogs to read.

2.  Ask your family what are things they would like to eat. Of course my littles don’t really answer me right now, but my husband usually has good ideas. If you are having people over for dinner – ask what they would like to have.

3.  Look in your pantry and create some new dishes with what you have. I always have jiffy corn muffin mix and canned beans and soups in my pantry. Something may just catch your eye and bring some creativity to the table.

 

Monday: Farmhouse salads with fresh ingredients and hard boiled eggs and cheese and chicken strips.  One of our favorite go-to dinners.

Tuesday: We are having a first ATL house guests tonight so I wanted to know what I could cook. We are having roasted broccoli, fresh summer tomatoes, and parmesan Greek chicken.

Wednesday: Chopped Thai Salads from Pinch of Yum because the mister won’t be home till late and I can eat it right after the boys go to bed.

Thursday: Simple cold summer salads with crusty toasty french bread. Yes please.

Friday: Leftovers is what’s for dinner and then for a date night dessert: this tart. Truth be told I have a tart pan that I’ve never used. Yes, I’ve had it for about 10 years and never used it – always keeping it because I might use it one day. Well, that day is coming!

Saturday: Zucchini bread – I actually really love it. Summer goodness in loaf form. So, I’ll be chilling with this loaf, some eggs, bacon, and fruit for brinner.

Sunday: And then take some of the bread and toast it with a smearing of butter and milk and a banana. Then the hubs has this Sunday off so maybe some comfort food after church at night and leftovers for lunch. This Sloppy Joe bowl fits the bill.

This Week in the Charming South Kitchen

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French Toast

Full summer time swing here in HOTlanta.  I really hate the name of that because it implies more than just weather, but maybe I can just say the ATL.  That will work for me!

Going to try some new healthy recipes this week here in the kitchen:

Monday: pork tenderloin (just as a guideline) with some relish and herbs from my friend Jayme.  Roasted corn with lime sea salt from LaJolla and cantaloupe.

Tuesday: Rice and a variation on these Greek vegetables out of a Greek cookbook from a church in Durham, NC

Wednesday: Brinner of French toast made with some Publix Breakfast bread and some bacon and eggs.

Thursday: For tacos this week – I’m going with this – and its perfect for leftovers (and who doesn’t love Doritos)

Friday: When my parents were here we visited the Marietta Diner and I had a chicken salad melt.  It was really good.  I want to recreate this with crescent rolls.  Can’t wait to share the recipe with you!

Saturday: Vegetarian this week is these lentils.  So easy too.

Sunday: Leftovers!  Mister works this Sunday too so everything will need to be quick before work and naptimes but after church.

What are you cooking this week?

KDC Creatives: Thank You Notes

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Who doesn’t like getting a hand-written thank you note in the mail?  Thank you notes are probably the kind of stationery I buy the most.

What does the Bible have to say about thanks?  Colossians says that we should have a heart filled with thanksgiving.  Paul, a prominent NT writer, was always thankful for the people he served in ministry with and those whom he served.  Thankfulness is something that must be cultivated in us.  Selfishness and pride are two opposites of gratitude.  If we think we are entitled to something we will not grow in our attitude of gratitude?

So, why not start cultivating a heart of thankfulness today by writing a hand-written note of thanks!

I thought I would help you out by selling some thank you notes on the Etsy site.
thanks stationery
This is the first of a set.  Each thanks note card set contains 5 and will have various thanks greetings that form the outline of the letters.

This Week in the Charming South Kitchen: May 26

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What's Eatin?

Changing up things for the menu planning!  Just to keep you on your toes!

When we lived in Little Rock, I called my kitchen the Rainwood Kitchen because we lived on Rainwood Road and it sounded like a cool restaurant name.  But, I don’t like the sound of our street here in Marietta in line of a kitchen name.  But, I thought through this name for a little while and really like The Charming South Kitchen.  I am from the south, born and raised in central Florida, moved to North Florida, then made my way to North Carolina for over a decade, with just a few years in Louisville, then to Little Rock, now back to Georgia.  Although I love to travel and love seeing the world – I don’t know if I will ever live outside the south.  I love everything about the south: the beach, the weather, the people, the slow pace of life, the friendliness of strangers.

So, I wanted to bring that out in my food and what I cook for our family and those who eat at our table.  Therefore – the Charming South Kitchen.  I cook a lot of non-southern foods – but the south is now a melting pot – and so it my kitchen!

And this week, I’ll be writing a post about how I menu plan.  Stay tuned!

Monday: Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad with those fresh strawberries I picked this weekend at Southern Belle Farms.  Also to celebrate Memorial Day, I am making The Pioneer Woman’s Peanut Butter Pie and we are having watermelon.

Tuesday: This delish dip with some flat out bread I picked up on sale with some peanut chicken

Wednesday: Brinner night with potato pancakes, eggs, and sausage.

Thursday: Date night!!!!!

Friday: Slow Cooker beef for some sandwiches w pea salad (I’m still planning on sharing the recipe soon)

Saturday: Spring risotto from Big Sur Bakery cookbook

Sunday: leftovers

 

 

What’s Eatin’?

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What's Eatin?

We definitely have a busy week with nights where one of us is out of the house.  And I’m learning I just feed the kids when E is at work – me, just snacking as I go – feeding two takes both hands.  And its cool outside while I’m planning this menu, so all I want is comfort food – so you may see that as a result of the weather!  Enjoy.  Please tell me what you are cooking this week too!

Monday: I have a women’s gathering to go down in Midtown so I want something easy I can throw in the crockpot.  Found this chicken and broccoli over rice (which my mister loves) so I’ll have that for me for dinner when he gets home and the boys go to bed.

Tuesday.  One day a week (at least) I love to go purposefully vegetarian.  This week is will be these corn and red pepper enchiladas.

Wednesday: Taco chopped salads (loving this trend of chopped salads and it is colorful and healthy too.

Thursday: Brinner night. Thinking of keeping it simple with eggs, breakfast muffins, and fruit

Friday: Slow-cooker Chicken Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches with a side of apple slaw and some of these mascarpone brownies.  Hey, why not, its Friday.

Saturday: These french bread pizzas will be inexpensive and easy

Sunday: leftovers probably

 

 

What’s Eatin’?

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What's Eatin?

This week is totally not going like it was planned.  I was supposed to be going to Charlotte after I dropped mister at the airport, but then we looked at the budget.  I will so miss time with friends and babies and in a cool place like Charlotte.

But, here’s to cooking at home:

Monday: When I saw this on my feed and realized I had everything and how perfect are pancakes when you are by yourself (and your kiddos) – they freeze well and I have everything for the recipe.  Thanks Kevin for being creative with your pancakes!

Tuesday: Tomato Avocado sandwiches will be for dinner. Simple and fresh with some local french country bread I got at the farmers market last week

Wednesday: Coconut lime ice box pie. Roasted potatoes from the farmers market and some vegetables will be on tap for tonight for a simple vegetarian meal.  For lunch, I’m trying out the Roswell Tea House with a sweet friend.  I think I could eat their whole menu…I want to try everything.

Thursday: Pound cake cupcakes with a lavender buttercream. Can’t wait. These are for ARWB Foodie Friday post. Can’t wait to see how they turn out! For dinner I’m thinking Jiffy Corn waffles are in store. Maybe with some chicken tenders on top for some semi-homemade chicken and waffles.

Friday: That pizza that I still haven’t made yet – yeah, the white truffle one – I’m going to make that.

Saturday: Roasted Swai salad for a late dinner with the mister when he gets off work – don’t know how much my littles will go for it.

Sunday: I think Sunday’s are made for a good brunch meal. Let’s go with a bacon quiche…what’s not to love.

 

What’s Eatin’?

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What's Eatin?

Thanks for giving me a few weeks off from menu planning. I’ve barely got the kitchen unpacked into The Trace Kitchen – and I’m looking forward to trying these new recipes this week.

What are you cooking?

Monday: in honor of Cinco de Mayo – I’m making Willow Bird’s Taco Crescent Rolls and for dinner, chicken fajitas. Mister’s day off was switched this week so I’m trying to get some meal prep done today for the rest of the week. How do you go about meal prep?  Especially if you have small children?

Tuesday: I got some red potatoes at the Marietta Farmer’s Maret over the wknd to make this roasted bake. Looked healthy and delicious!

Wednesday: This is a serious chicken pot pie – and I can’t wait to show you guys some photos of it.

Thursday: To use up the rest of the cream cheese from last night’s meal – I’ll be making some cream cheese mac and cheese. Two days in a row of comfort food!

Friday: Most Fridays I will not be doing much cooking since it is my mister’s only day off every week. I’m thinking of going to a pizza night on Friday nights – fun for everyone and a simple hands-off whole wheat crust and some homemade pizza sauce in the slow-cooker.  I’ll be tweaking the pizza each week.  This week I’m doing a white mushroom truffle oil pizza.

Baking of the week: some homemade granola bars for all of us to snack on during the week!

Maybe I’ll throw in a lime ice box pie this week too!

Link Love to Celebrate the Weekend

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Marietta Farmers Market

Hello from Marietta!

Finally we have made it, got wifi hooked up in our house, found the lamp harps, and both boys are napping.  May be my favorite time of the day – well, a close second to when the mister comes home, but…quiet is nice for an introvert.  And I can’t wait to get my boys up from their naps and get hugs and kisses and give tickles!

As I’ve really only had time to look at posts – not write any of my own – I thought I would give you some of my favorites from the past few weeks.  Enjoy!

My husband and older little loves a good oatmeal cookies.  These look both healthy and delicious!

The photos on this blog – ok, and the ingredients – make me want to go and make a batch of these campfire-esque cookies

If you want to see some gorgeous food photos made with local and fresh ingredients, head on over to my friend Jayme’s blog

I’m not even into canning – but this jam looks like I would want to dive into that little canning jar with a huge spoon and devour it.  The thought of lemons does me wonders!

My friends Karisse and Kristel wrote a blog about dreaming – and dreaming big!  I am going to take their advice!

So many recipes on Willow Baking just in time for Cinco de Mayo!  What excuse do you need to make Mexican?  The trifle looks incredible!

 

What’s Eatin’?

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What's Eatin?
This is a special week in the life of the Rainwood Kitchen:
1. My in-laws are coming for a visit.
2. I am packing up our kitchen with a friend in our community group at church later this week.
3. And it is Easter!

What special traditions do you have for Holy Week or Easter? Do you make anything special to celebrate this holiday?

Monday: We are doing homemade grilled cheese and soup for lunch today when the in-laws get here. Then for dinner we are doing taco salads with the amazing grilled chicken that some men from our church cooked up yesterday. All for missions! God loves the world!

Tuesday: You know the Italian Chicken I was supposed to make last week – well, I’m making it today instead.

Wednesday: The Sweet Corn Pancakes from Edible Portland and sausage. Story: We sat down today for lunch and I made Jiffy’s corn waffles. We both devoured them. Mister said I could definitely make these again! I said I wanted to make my own. Now he will have to decide what he likes better – box or homemade

Thursday: White Chicken Chili. Going to make a crockpot kind so we can be busy doing other things instead of standing over a stove.  I’m going to start with this recipe – then make it my own.  Look for a recipe coming this week!

Thursday: Comfort food night: meatloaf, green beans, and mashed sweet potatoes from my cousin’s farm in Alabama.  These are coming rom a church cookbook that my husband loves.  I’ll post it to the recipes later!

Friday: Fried Chicken Salads.  This is one of our go-to easy dinners.  Love them!!

Saturday: Simple pasta dish with a salad.  Don’t want to pack all that and its easy after a yard sale morning!

Sunday: For Easter breakfast, we are doing a blueberry cinnamon French toast.  Then after church, we are getting Fried Chicken from KFC and making my Granny’s Pea Salad, biscuits, and creamy rice.

Sweets:
Coconut Custard Pie
Banana Bread
Lemon Cream Pie Bars
Golden Oreo Cake Balls

One Year Sweetness: Annelise

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Rocking Chair and Pearls

Red hair.  I have it, but not as vibrant as this sweet darling.  She is the spittin’ image of her momma and has rosy cheeks and eyes that twinkle that light up any room she is in.  I had a lovely time catching her playing with her pearls, rocking in a chair, staring at the lake, or being held by her mother.  Baby A – may life hold many wonders for you as you grow to be a woman who loves the Lord and lives life to the fullest.

Baby A 1 Year

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