salmon sandwiches

I have declared that I'm in a long season of simplification and giving myself so much grace.

"Spread thin" is the theme of me right now. And that is totally ok! I just need to know it and accept it and remember it.

And yet there are non negotiables such as meals. Can't let those go. 

In my post about plan B meal planning, I reminded us all that fast food is not necessarily fast or cheap!

Enter: the salmon sandwich

Bake a salmon, buy some good buns, spread on lots of mayo, and lettuce. How easy is that?

This meal keeps us from ordering out. It costs about half of what it would cost our family to go to Chick fil A or pick up pizza. It's also filling and better for us. Nutritionally dense (I love this phrase). I even use foil on the pan so I don't have to wash it. 

......

The other day, in a moment of meal planning and cooking fatigue, I made a list of 10 easy meals. 

Some allow for variations on the same dish. Roasted chicken thighs and vegetables. I can use different seasonings and vegetables and it becomes a different meal every time.

Some are easy recipes I know by heart...spaghetti. 

I feel so much freedom in only having to choose from this short list for a little while. It's got me wondering what other areas of my life I can simplify. 

Thinking is too hard sometimes. As I've written this post, Jill has climbed on the kitchen table at least 5 times! Ha, see why I need everything to be easy!

What's your easiest meal? 

the thick of it

I have fallen off the blogging wagon like you do when life is busy. So I thought I would give a little check in, and then hopefully back to my regularly scheduled posting.

My older 2 children were part of our school's production of The Music Man this past weekend. It was excellent! I'm so proud of their performances. They are also involved in tennis, track, and some church activities. I drive a lot.

George is crushing the 5th grade (at least according to my standards). He's happy for the time change and ready for summer. He roams the neighborhood and is always with friends.

Caroline is in 2nd grade. She's my helper and the best big sister. She's always looking out for and playing with Jill. I would like to get her involved in some activities like piano or tennis. She has a lot of energy.

Stephen Jr. turns 15 in April which means he's so close to driving. I will miss his music preferences (mostly the Beatles) he chooses in the car, but I am looking forward to having a driver and hopefully getting some relief on my schedule.

I recently told myself that the demand on my time is at a fever pitch. There's only so much I can delegate in this season. But that will change. Everyone is always getting older. Stephen will drive. Jill will not be such a liability. Even this week she learned to get on and off the couch. Hallelujah! She's discovering her limitations and boundaries. And one day she will go to preschool. I will not be sad.

This verse, Proverbs 14:4 has meant a lot to me lately.

Where there is no oxen the stall is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. 

I don't have a tidy life, but I do have all these people and they are so beautiful and wonderful, becoming the best and most hilarious humans.

And these angelic curls! Can you believe it? As if we needed another reason to love Jill more.