Last week we actually tried a second recipe from Taste of Home 2002, before moving on to the next cookbook, since it was right there on the same spread as the Sausage Spinach Turnovers and it looked interesting. I used my usual pie crust recipe, though, instead of theirs. The recipe makes two pies, but I halved it since one is plenty for us for a few meals. One pie only used a half pound of ground beef. There is a lot of other stuff like mushrooms, spinach, beans and tomatoes, so it is pretty filling even with the minimal amount of meat. We thought it could use a little more taco flavor, though. Verdict: Make at least one more time.

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Last week when I finally unpacked all our cookbooks, I was surprised at just how many we had. They wouldn’t even all fit on one shelf the width of the entire china cabinet. Then I got to thinking, why do I have a hard time coming up with a menu plan every week and end up resorting to the same old things over and over? There must be thousands of recipes here, so there is no excuse!

David suggested just going down the line and trying one new recipe out of each cookbook each week. So I grabbed the leftmost cookbook: Taste of Home 2002.

Year before last, I did Menu Plan Monday almost every week, where I posted our meal plan (and the occasional recipe) for all to see. Last year, as you may recall, was the Year of Disruptions and I soon gave up even attempting it. I was considering starting it back up again this year, but I think instead I might try to report on whatever new recipe we try each week. Maybe this will hold me accountable to trying some new things… maybe…

So this past weekend I made Sausage Spinach Turnovers. Sausage browned with onion, mixed with chopped spinach, cheddar cheese, and some seasonings, baked inside a pocket of bread dough. It made a tasty lunch one day, and dinner the next night paired with a salad and some sweet potatoes. I think if you had the patience, mini-turnovers would make a wonderful dish to take to a brunch. Verdict: keeper.

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Sarah is interacting more and more each day with us and with the world around her. I’ve been reading her the occasional book ever since she was born, but of couse she didn’t really look at them… until lately. Now she has her attention on the book as we read to her. It’s pretty cool, and I try to make sure she gets read to every day. Anna loves to help too!

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Anna does! Anna has been learning how to button her own PJs (these happen to have nice big buttons on them). She’s been trying for a while, but a few days ago she got it. There she was… quiet, serious, putting every ounce of concentration into getting that button through that hole… and when it went through, I think she surprised herself, then the surprised look turned into joy and then pride. I praised her as she held up her hand for a high-five. :)

She’s getting quite independent these days. She can actually get herself dressed and undressed for the most part, go potty and wash hands pretty well by herself, get her coat and mittens on and off, and of course, get us things we ask for or put things away. It’s kind of nice, actually. (Except when we’re in a hurry and I need to help her, and it’s “No Mommy I do it myself!”)

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Sarah turned 3 months old today!

Here is the sleeping beauty waking up:

Reading a book with Mommy:

Just a swingin’:

And rockin’:

Tummy time:

Isn’t she a beauty?

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2009 was kind of a bad year. We were looking forward to 2010 with all the new and good things it would bring. It brought new and good things all right, but at the same time we found ourselves constantly stressed, on edge, exhausted, exasperated, and spread thin. I’ve felt generally unsettled; I have this sense of “temporaryness,” as if just around the bend lies the peaceful, orderly lifestyle that will allow me to relax and enjoy my family, friends, hobbies, etc.

I know you’re laughing at the term “orderly” used in reference to a household with two small children. I don’t mean that I expect every little thing to be in its place all the time, or that I plan to adhere to a strict schedule. That’s absurd. But still, I feel like I need a bit of routine to function at my best. Routine isn’t hindering; it’s freeing. It allows you to get done what you need to get done so you can get on with life.

I was most of the way through the year before I realized that every single month brought some reason why I couldn’t get into the groove of homemaking:

• January: fixing/cleaning up house to put on market
• February: showing house, David out of town a lot, looking for new house
• March: big time pregnancy nausea, selling house, preparing to move, looking for new house
• April: packing, moving out, moving in with my parents, closing on old house
• May: closing on new house, living with my parents, getting work done on new house
• June: living with my parents, getting work done on new house, moving in
• July: getting settled, preparing for kitchen remodel
• August: kitchen remodel
• September: two new dogs, kitchen remodel, pregnancy complications resulting in physical therapy several hours a week
• October: new baby, recovering from C-section
• November: new baby (yeah, I get to use this one for a few months)
• December: new baby, holiday activities

So there you have it. An excuse for every month.

These are all (well, maybe except for the ailments) good things. David started a new job last January which has been very good for him and our family. Our new house is wonderful, absolutely perfect for us and something that will meet our needs for years to come. The kitchen is (almost) done and is so nice for a family who loves to cook. We are blessed to have our rescue dogs, Sydney and Lexi, even though they are a handful sometimes. And then our favorite little disruption of all—Sarah—just takes our breath away with how amazing she is.

So I’m hoping that 2011 will be a year of settling in, relaxing, enjoying the abundant blessings we’ve been given, enhancing relationships, opening our home to others, giving more, serving more, learning more, taking great pictures, trying new recipes, reading lots of children’s books, going to the park, playing music, and getting enough sleep. :)

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