Sticks

People in our neighborhood run with sticks. Big sticks.

We don't have a stray dog problem.

It's too hot to need kindling for a fire.

Trevor thinks they all meet somewhere along the way and battle.

Menu Monday

Okay, even if we are in the middle of a natural disaster, we still have to eat, right? Here's what's cooking at our house this week:

Monday: Runza Casserole - Trevor bought cabbage last week on accident, so it needs to be used up. Runza is not something I usually make (haven't had it since High School), but Trevor has never tried it...tonight it is!

Tuesday: Chicken Tacos

Wednesday: Fresh Green Salad with Berries, Pecans, and Rotisserie Chicken

Thursday: Bulgar Wheat with Fried Chickpeas, Roasted Red Peppers, and Spinach

Friday: Fresh Tomato Pasta (3rd Recipe Down)

Saturday: Leftovers or Hot Dogs on the grill

Sunday: Homemade Pizza on the Grill...yep, it's that time again folks.

I LOVE grilling, comfort food, and easy recipes. Sometimes I like to stretch my culinary wings, but for now, I'm pretty excited about the simple cooking. So now tell me, what's gracing your dinner table this week?

Water inside the Opryland Hotel

Although the rain stopped yesterday evening, the Cumberland river continues to rise. Here's a video of how the Opryland Hotel looks today. I hope the 1500 guests who were peeved to have to evacuate last night will be thankful after seeing the footage.

This is Crazy!

So as you may be seeing on the news, Nashville is currently experiencing the second worst flooding in its history. Trevor and I are safe and dry...our yard is washing away as we speak, but we are thankful to be inside and okay.

If you've missed out on the action, check out this video from cnn.com. Trevor and I watched this happen live on TV yesterday afternoon. It is right next to the freeway exit by our first apartment. CRAZY!!

We know people whose homes are mostly underwater, roads are totally washed out, trees are being blown over, and schools all over are canceling classes tomorrow. It feels unreal, but again, we are so thankful to be safe and relatively unaffected. If you think about it, pray for people who are stuck in buildings and people who have lost everything.

We'll try to keep everyone updated. For today though, we are enjoying the time together, playing games, cleaning, cooking, working, and resting. I guess no matter what, it's always good to be a Lubiens.

Menu Monday

Because of some unexpected dinner invitations by some dear friends last week, we didn't make it all the way through our menu. Thus, this week was easy. I'm repeating because I still have the ingredients, but mom and Dixie, I promise I'm not forcing our beloved Trevor to dine on the same offerings week after week.

Here goes:
Monday: Chicken Enchiladas

Tuesday: Mustard Crusted Pork Roast with roasted veggies

Wednesday: left over pulled pork or chicken enchiladas

Thursday: Chicken Tacos (thanks to cheap left-over avacados fromt the SuperBowl which I did not watch, I'm ashamed to say)

Friday: Dinner out with the Hardy's!

Saturday: Brunch - whole grain waffles, quiche, turkey bacon and fruit
Dinner - Cider-braised pork chops with mashed potatoes and fresh bread

Sunday: Leftovers/sandwiches/brunch for lunch
Popcorn, Apples, and Cheese, as is our tradition after The Gathering

Not gonna lie - I'm pretty pumped about this week. Now tell me, what are you eating?

Menu Monday (err...Wednesday, as it were)

Sorry it's late. After a particularly incredible, but tiring, weekend with the TCC youth group in Gatlinburg, everything is happening a little slower this week. I went to the grocery store last night and had a LOT to buy. Thanks to store sales and coupons, I walked out paying $94 for $175 worth of groceries. This is a little more than I tend to spend in an average week, but they had lots of things on sale so I was able to stock up. I bought (6) 8-oz blocks of cheese to freeze. They were $1 each, so I had to. They also had pork on sale, so I stocked up. We needed some personal items, like razors, and even with coupons, you know how those can add up. All in all, I'd say I did alright.

OH, and BY THE WAY, I got up to the counter to check out and realized that I didn't have my debit card. Decided that I was fine because I knew I had enough cash. Once the pre-savings total started aproaching $150 though, I freaked out. Needless to say, I was one happy camper once my shoppers card was swiped and all the coupons were entered. I payed with cash and went on my way. This morning I found my debit card. In my purse. I had it all along and gave myself a little heart attack for nothing.

I know, I know...this post is called "Menu Monday" for a reason, so I'll get to it. Here's what we will be eating (or have already eaten) this week:

Monday: Turkey melt on sourdough with sharp white cheddar cheese. With corn chips and applesauce.

Tuesday: Whole wheat homemade pizza with Canadian Bacon. Many thanks to Trev for this meal - it was sooooo good!

Wednesday: Chicken Enchiladas

Thursday: Wings and Fries with some friends

Friday: Pulled Pork tacos

Saturday: Brunch - whole grain waffles, quiche, turkey bacon and fruit
Dinner - Cider-braised pork chops with steamed veggies

Sunday: Sandwiches and leftovers before the super bowl party at church.

Looks like it's going to be a tasty week!

OATMEAL

Sorry I don't have my menu Monday post up yet - but it will come. I do want to share with you my new morning obsession - oatmeal!

Keep in mind, I'm not talking instant-from-a-pack-loaded-with-preservatives-and-sugary-junk-oatmeal. I'm talking real, old fashioned rolled oats...Irish or otherwise. So here's how I've been making my oatmeal lately that has me drooling on my desk just thinking of it:

1/2 cup Irish rolled oats (regular Old Fashioned oats work fine too)
1 cup water or skim milk
1 T ground flax meal
1 T wheat germ
6-8 walnut halves, crushed
1/4 - 1/2 c frozen cherries (no sugar added)
1 T maple syrup

Cook oats in water according to package directions. Mix in ground flax meal, wheat germ, walnut halves, cherries and maple syrup. You can vary this recipe with many kinds of fruits or nuts...it's so filling and comforting, and I feel energized and alert all the way to lunchtime.

I'm so exicted to hear what you think about this recipe. I LOVE IT and I hope you will too. Happy Tuesday!