Trial and Error

In these weeks of rehearsal, I have learned that sometimes, the best recipe ideas don't work out.  Some of the simplest recipes are the best. You can't always avoid takeout or frozen burritos. Occasionally, I can throw things to make a gourmet meal.

The chicken broccoli casserole fiasco definitely was bad, and a waste of meat and cheese.  And the pork roast created this week, was delicious!  I found the roast on sale, and it came with a free bag of produce.  I wasn't sure how to prep it.  I had a can of applesauce I'd accidentally purchased a month or so ago.  So, after reviewing different recipes, I decided I could create something tasty with my ingredients, rather than what the recipes called for. 

Apple Mustard Pork
Pork Loin
1 small onion quartered
3 large carrots cut into 2 inch sections
stone ground mustard
applesauce
1 tsp sage

I put the meat and veggies into the crockpot.  I smeared mustard all over the top of the pork, and then put the applesauce right on top.  I sprinkled the sage over everything.  Cook on low heat for 8 hours, and enjoy!

Living out of our Crock Pot & Taco Soup

These days, I do all of my cooking in the morning.  Every morning I make dinner, while the kids eat breakfast.  It goes in the crock pot or into a casserole dish, so that when Kaia gets home from school she can eat dinner.  I've managed to do this every Monday through Thursday, and it's been working well. I have just enough time to eat when I get home, and then whisk Kaia off to rehearsals. 

Yesterday's recipe smelled amazing before I even turned the crock pot on!

Taco Soup
1 lb browned ground beef,
1/3 cup chopped onion,
1 green pepper chopped,
1 c sliced cabbage,
1 large can of diced tomatoes,
1 can of pinto beans,
2 cups of water,
1 t beef bouillon,
1 packet of taco seasoning. Combine in crock pot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with sliced avocado and tortillas.

Super Proud Mommy Moment

I am not sure how many posts have been devoted to my Starlet, my Actress, my Diva... but I know it's been many.  She is big time now!  Not Broadway or Hollywood, but community theater.  The Warehouse Theater.  She auditioned for Annie, along with 110 other kids, and she is Kate the orphan!

Life just got into a whole new level of insanity with rehearsals every evening Monday through Thursday, and each Sunday afternoon.  My crockpot is in full-time use, and my Suburban is going through the fuel.  But, it will all be worth it when the show opens on Thanksgiving, and our Star gets to do what she does best!

New Family Members

We have added 2 new pets to our home.  First we took in Fatly Ratly.  He occupies Danger's, the hedgehog, empty tank.  Kaia took his loss hard, and when our niece needed a new home for her rat Ben, we accepted.  He's a lot of fun, and absolutely loves his food!

Most recently, another cat joined our home.  Also from my brother's house.  Otis.  He's a big old love bug, and fits in well with our family.  He didn't fit in well at my brother's house due to another big male cat.  Since the other kitty is blind, it was decided that Otis should relocate when they move to the West Side of the State.  He is really our Boomer replacement.  He's so much like him. 

Another Blog

I don't have enough on my plate, so I started a new blog.  This blog is to keep our family on track to meet our goal.  So join the fun!
http://wallaceorbust.blogspot.com/