Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Because You Love Me

I love Valentine's Day. Anytime the color pink and chocolate are found in the same place I'm really very happy. We had a sweet time this year. Incorporating what has become a tradition for us of a spaghetti dinner followed by a cake frosted in pink. The girls love it and Dirk loves that a meal is actually served at well...meal time.

Menu planning completely alludes me. I've seen the calendars, notebooks, Post-it pads, and every manner of meal time helper out there and none of them call my name. It's like dinner takes me by surprise every single day. I want to say to my family: You want to eat again? Didn't you just eat yesterday? I admire those who plan their meals out a week in advance and buy all of the ingredients ahead of time. I live closer to the edge where it's 4:45pm and I am trying to figure out a way to make a meal for a family of four ;out of a few pieces of lunch meat, bread crumbs, and an apple. I do want to improve in this area and suppose breaking down and making a plan is all that I can do. Yesterday was a better day. I made this and it was both simple and enjoyed by the entire family.


This is not a picture I took of course nor is the actual meal I prepared. Dinner a la Pinterest post. Mine looked nothing like this as none of the recipes I try from Pinterest ever do, but it was really tasty. Light soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice combined and poured over chicken breasts in a slow cooker. I even made my own veggies and multi-grain rice to serve alongside. Look how fancy I can be when I only cook one day a month!

Please note that I am cooking today too before you pick up the phone to call Protective Services. I really do want to do better in this area and realize that when kids ask for a family meal to enjoy together around a common table it's actually a good thing.

Anyway, back to Valentine's Day...I know you were on pins and needles. I often ask both of my girls something their Auntie Mary has asked them for years: "Why are you so beautiful?" It's been fun to hear their varied responses as the years go by. For quite a while now Ainsley has answered with this profound response: "Because you love me." Isn't that just the whole truth? The reason she is so beautiful to me is because I love her. We see beauty in those we love. May we see it in everyone else as well.

Here's a Valentine's Day picture of the little lovie who indeed is so very much loved.

2 Comments so far - Add yours!

  1. Wow, Melinda... out of the mouths of babes...so so true your little one!

    I am also impressed by your latest chicken meal prep. I can SO relate... meals are NOT my forte! Now that I am working outside the home and gone often, my hubby has taken a liking to the cooking, and I'm LOVING it! Who'd of thought/

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  2. I'm with you on the meal prep my friend. My guys are men and eat, eat eat!!! It's so hard to keep up let alone trying to be creative. I learned a new recipe the other day (good and easy meat/potatoes type for hungry guys). Let me know if you want me to share it. I LOVE reading your blogs and sorry I haven't been keeping up on it. I miss you so much Melinda and love you more than you know. :)

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