The festivities have all slowed down here now, and this day will find me working in my kitchen. I'll have my grandchildren here next week, and also fit in time at school, so I'll be doing a bit of *cooking ahead* today. Oh, nothing along the lines of what I used to do when I had my daycare, but just a bit to make my life a little bit simpler next week.
I'll be fixing some spaghetti sauce and simmering it in the crock-pot all day. I like to do that, as it allows it to cook nice and slow and I don't have to hover nearby and stir it. Just mix it all in, give it a good stir, say a prayer over it, and set it on Low and walk away. By evening time it's finished and ever so yummy! After I give it a cool down, I bag it up into labelled freezer bags and pop them in the freezer. Then it's ready for me to pull out and have for supper some evening when I really don't want to cook much.
While my sauce is simmering in the crock-pot, I'll also be fixing up a couple of batches of waffles. This is wonderful for those mornings when my grandchildren want waffles *right away*! They also like them toasted for a snack--just toast in the toaster, cut in strips, and away they go! Portable, convenient, and satisfying. Now, waffles are also good for a quickie dessert, too. Heat in the toaster, top with a scoop of your favorite ice cream, some chocolate syrup or caramel sauce, and a dollop of whipped cream. Yes, quite good, and easy too!
And lastly, a couple of batches of cookies will slip their way into my oven today. I'm not sure what kinds yet...probably some Snickerdoodles and some Oatmeal-Raisin. The children and I like to take tea in the afternoons, and some homemade cookies to go with it are wonderful! Perhaps I'll fix a batch of little tea cakes-we'll see.
I'll also do the other *little* do-aheads to make the week run smoother. Chop up some onions and peppers and have them ready to go. Move the week's menu items from the deep freeze to the freezer compartment of the fridge, bag up some snacks into their baggies so they'll be in their snack bowl and ready to go when they want them, and shred some cheese for the week.
Why am I doing all of this cooking without the children helping me? Well, it's going to be very warm next week, and there will be quite a bit of time spent in their pool. We'll be covering some learning time, as well, and they'll also spend some time playing outdoor games. I'm sure we may step into the kitchen and make some brownies or muffins throughout the week, but I want to have most of it done today. That leaves more *free time* next week for them to soak up some sunshine, which can be quite healthy for all of us. Morning hours are spent outdoors, and afternoon hours (when the sun is directly overhead and at it's most dangerous levels) are spent indoors learning. Since the children tend to get a bit sleepy then, they sometimes like to lay down and have me read to them. Have no fear--they won't be out of the kitchen very long! They both love to cook, and always help me prepare meals and such. Even with the little *do-aheads* I'm taking care of today, there will still be enough left for them to do. And they'll also be able to spend a bit of time learning how to properly set the dining table for meals and such. Yes, our learning does continue!
Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Cynthia Robin
Great
Posted by Chas on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 7:26 AM - Link
It sounds like you have a great day planned!! I am planning to spend a great deal of time in my kitchen as well... my zucchini is running out my ears and I have to use it up and make some bread! Have a wonderful day!!!
This weblog is a compilation of happening's here in my home. I include homemaking tips, recipes, and encouragement for the homemaker who realizes she is a God-ordained Keeper of her Home.
