Monday Mealtime and Weekend Recap

Monday, April 9, 2018

This weekend was the last part of spring break, sadly.  We ate lunch at husband’s favorite sandwich shop on Friday, followed by the movie Isle of Dogs.  It was very interesting, but I wouldn’t call it a kids’ movie.  It is a Wes Anderson film and my teen boys loved it.

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Saturday we woke up to snow! Where are you, spring?

Sunday we relaxed and prepped for the week. I did create a tie dye cake from the Food Network show The Kitchen. I can’t believe it wasn’t a fail! Well, it doesn’t look that pretty, but I was excited!

So, I’m a full time teacher and I leave for work at 7 and return around 3-4 depending on the day. I don’t want to have to go to the store during the week at all if I can help it.  I start dinner around 5:30 each night and then we eat around 6:30.  I don’t actually mind the cooking, but it’s the meal planning that gets old. I love to see what others are making so here’s mine – it lacks creativity this week!  Last summer, I did come up with a nice list of all of our meals in a Word document. I need to organize it by types of meat, etc. and put it in a binder.   Maybe I can do that soon!

Here is the menu plan for this week:

Monday – spaghetti

Tuesday – tacos (will make the meat on Monday along with the meat for spaghetti)

Wednesday – frozen fish, macaroni and cheese, green beans

Thursday – frozen orange chicken, rice, fried rice from Trader Joe’s

I’m out!  That will do it for “cooking” for the week!

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LO CAL JALAPEÑO MARGARITA RECIPE:

This is my go-to cocktail to make at home these days – even though the weather is not cooperating!  I would love to be sitting in the sun and sipping these instead of sitting instead under a blanket.  

Put about half of a Crystal Light lemonade individual powder stick in a mason jar.

Add about a shot of white tequila.  I add about 3/4 inch (very professional –  I’m not sure bartenders do measurements in inches?

Add some fresh lime juice or some out of the fake plastic lime

Add some jalapeño limeade from Trader Joe’s – maybe about the same amount as tequila.

Put lid on mason jar and give it a good shake.

Pour into glass of ice and top with Fresca or sprite or diet sprite or 7 up.  I really like Fresca because it gives you some added citrus flavors.

You could add salt to the rim or even some fresh jalapeño slices. 

Trust me – this drink is better than many I’ve had in restaurants that cost $10!!!

Let me know if you try it!  I love creating my own cocktails at home!

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Amy

Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Friday Favorites

Friday, April 6, 2018

O.k., this is my first post so be sure to check the “about me” tab as soon as I can figure out how to do it!

I will be linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals,
Shay from Mix and Match Mama, Narci from Grace and Love, and Erika from The Slaughters as soon as I can figure that out, too!

#1)  This has been spring break week!  It was much needed!  I didn’t travel anywhere and had a major case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) while I was changing the kitty litter for my friend while she was on the sunny beaches of Florida yesterday.  I have enjoyed the free time to just do as I please at home, though.

#2)  It has been nice to take a break from cooking dinner as much as I normally do.  We have enjoyed Mellow Mushroom and Joella’s hot chicken to name a couple of places.

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#3)  I just love Netflix!  I am currently watching Parks and Rec, New Girl (in anticipation of the new season starting next week!), and Nailed It! In addition, I was told to start Girls Incarcerated.

#4)  I learned a new way to make moist chicken and I believe it came from Cup of Jo. You put EVOO in a pan and salt and pepper both sides of a chicken breast.  Cook each side for one minute and then leave in pan with lid for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and leave lid on for another 10.  It worked for me and made delicious chicken that I put on top of pesto bow tie pasta with zucchini.  I was wondering if the thickness of the breast would affect the cook time.  Try it and see what you think!

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#5)  Margaritas at the movie theater and the comfy lounge chairs are my final favorite this week!  This is pretty new for my town.  I feel like all the theaters are going to this, no?  It did strike me that Margarita and popcorn don’t really go together, though!

Have a wonderful weekend and please be patient with me as I figure this out!  I do want to give a shout out to Christina at Carolina Charm for her great post that finally convinced me to just jump in!

Wishing you a delicious cup of coffee and at least one cocktail today!

Amy