What's for Dinner: September 29 - October 5

Looking for dinner inspiration? Here's what I've planned for dinner at our house this week!

I've been feeling unsettled for the past few weeks. At first, I thought it was because I was having trouble balancing life at work and life at home. But I still sensed something was missing even after things started to stabilize.

I then realized what was it was... I miss my grandmother and the phone conversations we'd have every Sunday morning. Sometimes our conversations were only a few minutes long. Other times, they went on for more than an hour. I loved being able to check in with her each week and share the ups and downs of my world with her. Her insight and perspective were powerful, and she was always a source of comfort and advice.

But she's been gone for nine months now. Nine months of Sundays that have been out of sort. While I missed her in the immediate days following her passing... I'm only finally experiencing those feelings of longing that occur after someone dies.

This is why I'm grateful that I have this tiny crystal elephant of hers. I gave it to her decades ago because she collected elephant figurines. And it was one of the only things I asked for after she passed, to have something of hers in our house here in Connecticut. I placed the figure in a spot where I'd see it every day -- on the bathroom vanity with my skincare products.

It's not the same as a phone call every week, but the sight of it brings back so many memories. I'm just so lucky to have built so many memories before she passed.

So thanks for continuing to put up with this sporadic little blogging schedule I've created for myself. Maybe one day I'll get more organized and stick to a true content calendar... Until then, here's what I've planned for dinner at our house this week.

My New Financial Plan {and What's for Dinner: September 22 - September 28}

Looking for dinner inspiration? Here's what I've planned for dinner at our house this week!

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When I went to bed last night, I had it in my head that I'd skip sharing our weekly menu plan. I don't have anything too exciting planned for dinner this week. With Stephen off on another business trip and me at a work event on Friday, I kept things simple.

And I didn't think "simple" was share-worthy.

But I changed my mind about not writing when I considered everything else going on in my world... specifically, in my financial world.

What's for Dinner: September 15 - September 21

Looking for dinner inspiration? Here's what I've planned for dinner at our house this week!

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I did something incredible today. I went into the kitchen and made three night's worth of dinners in two hours. Yes, you read that right... Three dinners in two hours.

To be honest, I'm pretty flippin' proud of myself. I haven't attempted to do this since before the kids were born. I've prepped for several meals in advance before. But to actually cook multiple meals from start to finish in the span of a few hours? A lofty goal in my world.

(Okay, to be honest, one meal is completely done. Another meal is in the slow cooker... and the last meal is in the Instant Pot... But the majority of the active cooking is done.)

I've been coming home from work completely exhausted these past few weeks. Making the mental shift from "work mode" to "mom mode" has been a challenge... and I'm trying to give myself a little more breathing room this week.

Doing the bulk of the cooking for the week upfront will make a ton of difference on my energy level. Then I may even be able to do some of the other things on my to-do list... like unpack more of those moving boxes that have been sitting in the basement since December.

*facepalm*

Curious to see which three meals I was able to cook at once? Then keep reading to check out what I've planned for dinner at our house this week!

Watermelon and Arugula Salad

If you're looking for a salad that has something salty, something sweet, and something peppery, this salad is for you.

I missed my window, didn't I?

You've all moved on. You're not interested in summer salads anymore... You'd rather focus on pumpkin spice. And whatever food goes with sweater weather.

As with most posts on this blog, I started drafting this post months ago. And I had every intention of sharing this recipe for Watermelon and Arugula Salad right away... When there was still time to enjoy all that fresh watermelon available at the markets.

But then we went on a mini-vacation and things took off at work... And well, here we are.

On the off chance you're still eating watermelon, try this salad inspired by Ina Garten... (Because, apparently, we both feel the same way about watermelon salads!)