Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts

Monday, September 29, 2014

On turning 33

Another year older. Another year wiser. 

Isn't that what they say? Whoever the proverbial they is anyway. Hmph.



When I turned 30 it wasn't a big deal to me like it has been for some of my friends. I wasn't sad to say goodbye to my 20s, I wasn't depressed to be entering my 30s, it was just another day, really. I was thankful for a new decade and as I've continued to settle into this new age, I like it more and more. I like who I am better now than when I was in my 20s, I like who I think I am gonna become. 

But this year, August 12th came with some melancholy attached. I realized that by turning 33 I was older than my own mother when she gave birth to me. I was two years older than Palmer when he died and a whopping eight years older than Jenn at the time of her death. I realized that it was at the age of 33 (or so we think) that Jesus Christ have His life for mine. I'm not this much closer to my mid-30s. It all just felt heavy to me and so I started the day in a very pensive, quiet mood. 

It was a good day though, for sure. Matty was off (all week, actually!) and together as a family we enjoyed a lovely summer day. Kim babysat for us so we could have an afternoon date, something The Boy had planned. We tried Basil, a super-delicious restaurant in Short North that I fell in love with. The decor/architecture was as wonderful as the cuisine and the company wasn't too shabby either!



The weather was perfect and so we enjoyed walking around to shops before and after lunch for a bit. We stumbled upon this fabulousness outside of a salon and spa, randomly. Being part of Hannah Estabrook's Self Esteem Summer Camp the last several weeks, this sign felt especially poignant to me... and on my birthday no less!


The Boy had quite the surprise up his sleeve for me... A helicopter ride! And what might've been the bigger surprise, is though I am so afraid of heights and never really had a desire to go up in a helicopter and the freaking floor was glass and I could see straight down all the hundreds of miles, I did really well up there! I sat in the front next to the pilot and took in the lovely sights of Fairfield County. I mean, the day couldn't have been more picture perfect for such an excursion. Thank you, Lord!


I think we look pretty cute as "co-pilots"!

Back at home that night, the fam made me a tasty, summertime meal of barbecue ribs and roasted potatoes, onions and mushrooms all made on the grill. The beautiful salad came from our yard with some store bought extras and it was all so deliciously satisfying!


The day ended at the Upper Arlington Graeter's where everyone had a sweet treat but me. I didn't really care for one, but thought it would be fun to go there anyway! I love my sweet lil fam and I love that I am now 33. Here's to a new year!


Monday, April 22, 2013

Coffee

This morning I said to Blinn: "There's something sacred about my first sip of coffee in the morning. Sacred." 

So true. I love it. I miss it when I don't drink it. I can go without it and I have at times, but its my friend and I like it to be part of my daily rhythm. 

I have my big blue mug next to me as I write from the front porch today. Bed head, pink fluffy robe, zebra slippers, gray paints from 1999. I'm a sight. But I don't care! The sun is big and bright, the birds are chirping, the city is moving around me, but for these brief moments I can be still. 

I am thankful for this day. 

Monday, December 12, 2011

Menu

Monday: Apricot Chicken with brussels sprouts
Tuesday: Beans & rice with corn
Wednesday: Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf, skillet potatoes & steamed green beans

Thursday: Vegetable soup with cornbread
Friday: Chicken Alfredo with peas
Saturday: Butternut Squash Pizza

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Menu

Monday: Baked pork chops, baked sweet potatoes & Confetti Kale
Tuesday: Green Vegetable Frittata Parmesan
Wednesday: Split Pea Barley Soup
Thursday: Butternut Squash Pizza
Friday: Turkey Lentil Pilaf

Saturday: Apricot Chicken with brussels sprouts
Sunday: Shearron Family Christmas... and we're hosting! The menu includes the following, but we're only responsible for the first three items and some drinks. My mouth is watering!
Stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Rolls
Salad
Stuffed Mushrooms
Christmas punch, egg nog, wine, beer, hot chocolate, tea
Appetizers and desserts

Monday, November 28, 2011

Menu

Sunday: Lamb Curry, compliments of Bekah!
Monday: Beans & rice with broccoli gratin
Tuesday: Black beans & quinoa with corn
Wednesday: Turkey Barley Soup, salad & cornbread... with this for dessert
Thursday: Bacon, kale, mushroom & parmesan frittata
Friday: Pampered Chef party!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Menu

Monday: Famous Butter Chicken, mashed sweet potatoes & edamame
Tuesday: Ethiopian Lentil Bowl
Wednesday: Bean Soup with beer bread
Thursday: Pot roast, carrots & potatoes
Friday: TBD - Dad & Sherry's pick for their birthday meal
Saturday: Cookbook Club! featuring something from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking

Monday, October 31, 2011

Menu

Sunday: Pot roast, carrots & potatoes with Microwave Fudge for dessert
Monday: Bean & sweet potato quesadillas
Tuesday: Grover's Egg Strata
Wednesday: Pesto pasta
Thursday: Butternut squash, sage & bacon pizza
Friday: Spice-Rubbed Pork with Quinoa

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Menu

I've slacked on coming up with menus lately. This week though, I'm on my game. 


Sunday: Dinner at Michele's
Monday: Blinntoberfest leftovers
Tuesday: Black Beans & Quinoa
Wednesday: Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf, baked potatoes & broccoli
Thursday: Cheddar brats, oven fries & brussels sprouts
Friday: Beans & rice

Saturday: Butternut Harvest Soup
Sunday: Pot roast, carrots & potatoes 

Monday, October 3, 2011

Menu


Sunday: Stuffed Acorn Squash - first of the season!
Monday: Potato Leek Soup
Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo with broccoli & mushrooms
Wednesday: Dinner at Vineyard
Thursday: Bean Soup
Friday: Sausage, sweet potato & apples with brussels sprouts
Saturday: Salmon & Sweet Potato Cakes with veggie side

Monday, September 26, 2011

Menu

Monday: Beans & rice with corn souffle
Tuesday: Hearty Broccoli Soup and for dessert, the first Apple Crumble of the season!
Wednesday: Dinner at Vineyard
Thursday: Dinner at the Boettchers'. I'm bringing a spinach, gorgonzola, apple, walnut, cranberry salad.
Friday: Squash, Sage & Bacon Pizza
Saturday: Dinner at the Bakers'. I'm bringing dessert TBD


Sunday, September 18, 2011

Menu

I sort of like this time of year. The abundance of end-of-the summer vegetables, combined with the excitement of the crops that fall has to offer presents a challenge for me to cook creatively in an attempt not to waste any food. Many times I fail and either the new recipes I try aren't good, the mehtods methods I chose to preserve the foods didn't turn out, or I simply don't get to all the food before it goes bad. This year I'm trying to be better! Along with the meals for the week I plan to make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and maybe something sweet to use up the last of our peaches. My mouth is already watering!


Sunday: Pumpkin Sausage Pasta - so exciting to have the first fallish meal of the year!
Monday: Turkey burgers, baked beans & corn on the cob (didn't get to this meal last week)
Tuesday: Taco Salad
Wednesday: White Chili

Thursday: Baked macaroni and cheese with brussels sprouts (the mac will have pureed chick peas and cauliflower in it)
Friday: Zucchini Garden Chowder
Saturday: Salmon & Sweet Potato cakes with veggies & rice



Also, my lunch for the last three days in a row has been amazing. A mix of mesclun and a rare variety of kale for the greens, diced fresh tomato and avocado, dried cranberries, salt and pepper. No dressing! Its so fresh and easy!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Menu

Monday: Chicken stirfry with our abundance of summer veggies
Tuesday: Breakfast burritos
Wednesday: Garlic Shrimp & Chickpeas with rice & carrots
Thursday: Black bean & sweet potato quesadillas with broccoli & cauliflower
Friday: Salmon, quinoa & green beans
Saturday: Pasta with pesto, broccoli and chicken

Monday, September 5, 2011

Menu

Monday: Tuna Casserole with brussels sprouts
Tuesday: Black Bean Pizza
Wednesday: Turkey burgers, green beans & corn
Thursday: Beans & rice with zucchini & broccoli

Friday: Brats, edamame & sweet potato fries

Monday, August 22, 2011

Menu

Sunday: Brats, basmati rice & roma green beans
Monday: Beans & rice with steamed brussels sprouts
Tuesday: Frittata
Wednesday: Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf with sweet potato fries & corn on the cob
Thursday: Birthday freebie dinner at Benihana!
Friday: Pesto pizza
Saturday: Baked Oatmeal for brunch with friends and a then birthday cookout for dinner!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Haiku

Last week I celebrated my birthday with a girl's night out on the town. We dined at Haiku, a place I've driven by for years, but had never been to. The food was delightful, the atmosphere was enjoyable and the company was wonderful. With the exception of one of the girls present, I had  history with each of those ladies and it was nice to ring in a new decade with them by my side.




At dinner Mandy came up with this little ditty -  a haiku, of course.  :)

Kelli is 30
She looks better than ever
Cheers to 30 more!

After dinner we walked across the street to the so-cute Bloomsbury Loft where we had full reign of the place and made personalized pendants! The night had my name written all over it!





I was very purposeful with the pieces I chose and I'm really happy with the end result. The pink ring around the circle and flashy flower add a cute, feminine touch, a little Blinn bling if you will.  :) The green leaf (that's sort of lost in the resin - booo) is representing Ezekiel 47:12, a verse that's stuck with me for more than five years through the ups and downs of my faith. And then there's the word defy. Bekah gave me the idea to use it and really, that was as good a birthday gift as any. I won't do her eloquent wording justice, but I love the idea that I've defied a yucky thing or two in the last few years and I take comfort that in the end, there's One who will defy it all and set me free. The words from the dictionary page are: dare, face, stump, oppose, champion. Its a powerful thing to hang around my neck. I like that.

SUCH a great night out with the girls!

I have another post in the works, reflections from my actual birthday on the end of my 20s and a life well-lived. Some day I 'll get to that...

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Menu

Monday: Lentils, ground turkey, green beans & rice
Tuesday: Tacos

Wednesday: Summer Squash Skillet
Thursday: Homemade pesto tossed with shrimp served over spaghetti
Friday: Black Bean & Rice Skillet for the fam, birthday dinner at Haiku for me!!!
Saturday: 
Southwestern Corn Chowder

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Menu

Little late in posting this...


Monday: Homemade pesto-drizzled tilapia, basmati rice & lemon garlic green beans
Tuesday: Homemade pesto, broccoli & mushroom pizza
Wednesday: Omelettes and oven-roasted brussel sprouts
Thursday: Garlic Shrimp with chick peas & edamame
Friday: Quinoa & Black Beans