3 for 3, Fried Chicken & Mac n Cheese

We've had 3 successful BFF weeks!

Aside from the fact I cooked the Mac n Cheese too long...it was pretty good (as long as you didn't eat the real crunchy noodles around the sides of the pan).

I also attempted my first ever fried chicken dinner...
It was a lot of work...which I knew it would be, which is why I have never attempted fried chicken before. Besides, why bother when there is a Kentucky Fried Chicken within walking distance from my house :)

I'm not a fan of cooking with oil...I hate hate hate grease everywhere. But I powered through.

It didn't turn out too bad, but it wasn't too good either so I'll probably never do it again.

This child loves to build "castles" with her mashed potatoes. She eventually eats them so I go ahead and let her build away.

Since I was already in the frying mode I went ahead and fried some zucchini later in the week. The family claims they hate zucchini but they didn't mind these too much, as long as they kept dipping them in ranch dressing.

D tells us, remember the eye is the first to feast, so serve food attractively. Make certain your meals are well balanced. Nature is an artist. I've found that a dinner that follows pleasing texture and color combinations almost automatically includes nutrients from the basic four food group.

Spices and Pizza Sauce...

As I was cleaning out this cupboard a few days ago I sorted through my spices.

I realized I had spices I didn't know I had.

In fact, just 2 days earlier I sent the husband to the store for a spice I thought I was out of but still had a full bottle.

To remedy the problem, I made a list!

Checked it twice, and then taped it to the inside of the cabinet.

Now I can clearly see what I have and how many.

5 more weeks til the due date.

2 more weeks til the date I usually deliver babies.

Today I put up the bassinet.

Washed the walls in my bedroom.

Cleaned my bathroom.

Took a 1 1/2 hour nap (the favorite project of the day).

I'm starting to freak out a little about how the meals are going to go down after the baby comes.

The husband is a griller, not a cooker.

The last thing I want is a month long fast food fest.
I've started planning ahead.
Last week I quadrupled my pizza sauce recipe.

The kids never get sick of pizza so this should take care of a week's worth of meals.

In regards to meal planning,

D says Determine which foods can be prepared or partly prepared ahead and when foods need to be put together at the last minute. It is helpful in planning a menu to balance your work by choosing some foods that can be prepared ahead, thus avoiding having too much to do at the last minute. Careful planning enables you as the cook, to have all the food ready on time and to serve hot things hot and cold things cold.

Speaking of D, I talked to her on the phone today!

We're pretty much BFF's :)

She needed a little help with her family blog.

Anything for D!