I have a desk, but sometimes I need to spread out more than the desk allows. On these occasions I sit at the kitchen table allowing myself a bit more room for papers and hopefully creativity. This weekend, I did just that for a long while, working at the kitchen table.
The kitchen table also housed a vase of lovely tulips from a friend and a valentine’s card from another. It was nice to work around such beauty and sent love. I got much accomplished too, from paying bills to scheduling summer semester course, a bit of knitting and a whole bunch more in between as well. I had it all cleaned up in time for a romantic candlelight Valentine dinner which was just the most perfect way to end the weekend.
It was a yummy dinner of local beef roast and the last bit of frozen broccoli followed by dessert of a hazelnut (the last of the frozen nuts of any kind) cornmeal cake topped with brandied apple rings. The great thing about doing this 6-month no grocery challenge is how we’re using up our stored items. It’s definitely a lesson I’ll be carrying with me after we end the challenge in about 6 weeks. I’ve always thought I was good at rotation, but I’ve learned through this challenge that I can do much better. I’ve also gotten more creative with what we have on hand, which is always a good thing. Oh, there’s been the stand-bys of tacos and pizza, don’t get me wrong, but we happen to enjoy those foods.
But, in addition, to the normal stand-bys for us, there have been forays into things like sun-dried cherry tomato parmesan bread as well. Bread made from a store of wheat berries, home-grown & dried cherry tomatoes marinated in stored olive oil, and some frozen, grated parmesan cheese. It’s good too and will be excellent alongside a bit of that leftover beef in today’s lunch boxes.
It’s was a good weekend full of rewarding work and yummy food, with the table at the centerpiece of it all. It’s just the kind of weekend, that we enjoy most around here. What’s happening around your table these days?
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I’ve also found that my table is likely the busiest place in my home, between work, home tasks, food, and general relaxing (crossword puzzles, drawing, etc)…. so many good memories and “now-events” associated with that space. I actually just moved my kitchen table so it would get even more use and be handy to both the family room and kitchen. My table has been with me from my first home going to university, through my grad school, apartment, and now my own home. I love it.
Yum. That bread looks so good. Might you share the recipe?
Pizza is our favorite these days too. I’ve been making a whole wheat crust when I get the time and keeping it in the fridge for last minute quick dinners. I’d like it too if you would share the bread recipe.
I can’t believe how wonderful your menu looks going on 5 months without groceries! So impressive! I understand about the kitchen table. Sometimes it feels like ours never gets cleaned because one of us is always working on a project.
I enjoy hearing about your no groceries challenge. It gives me hope and inspiration that I might be able to do the same thing myself at some point.
During the week leading up to our trip to the midwest, we worked on using up fresh foods and leftovers. Now we’re doing that again because after a week at home we’re going off to visit our kids in San Diego. Lunch was leftover brown rice, leftover hummus, leftover green salad. Tonight? Salmon from last night’s dinner along with rice or potatoes and more salad and veggies!
On Friday I made Valentine cards for my family , the table was covered with construction paper , glue , paints and other needs , it’s my favorite place to create. Yesterday , I cooked brunch for my kids and grands , so we were all gathered around the kitchen table and the dining room table. Later in the day I made snow cream for a Valentine’s treat and we gathered around the table again to enjoy the yumminess. The kitchen table is the ” Heart of a Home “.
Those tulips look beautiful!
~ Many Blessings ~
The pizza dough was just coming out of the bread maker when I saw your own pizza here…it looks delish..so tonight I cut our olives in rings like yours.
And those must be green peppers on there too?
We’ve been using our crock pot a good deal, but also eating a lot of left overs. We’ve always got the stand-bys of pasta, pizza, burritos–those are our favorites. But I’ve been loving the crock pot.
I used to spread out over my table a lot when I was still in school—getting organized, working on various projects…just makes it easier to see it all in one spot.
Those tulips look beautiful!–they’re my favorite flower so I’m partial but what a wonderful gift…
Last night we ended up added oregano and basil to the whole wheat crust–delicious. And thanks to your photo, I added olives, broccoli, and tomatoes to my side. Thanks!
the bread sounds yummy, think it would work with just sun dried tomatoes? mine aren’t in oil.
I’m sure you could. I specifically marinated some of dried tomatoes in oil with this bread idea in mind. Normally, we just keep them on the shelf in a jar with no oil. Also I used cherry tomatoes, so if you’re using regular sized tomatoes you may want to chop them up a bit.
Kathie-
Cherry tomatoes are something I had pretty good luck growing and only can eat them so fast. Do you have a post telling how you did them? And I’m glad you posted the recipe. I do sometimes get tired of pizza, but it is the take out kind that hubby could eat WAY MORE than I can. I make a pretty good homemade pizza that never lasts, too long! But you can just give me a bowl of noodles and butter and parm cheese and I’m OK.
Tell me also, did you post how you stocked up BEFORE you started eating from your stockpile? I have added too many blogs to read at the same time and sort of lost track.
Though it was for different reasons, my pre-move pantry-bust was a great lesson for me, as well. It’s funny how it’s so nice to have a well-stocked pantry that we sometimes forget to use the pantry items for food! I can’t believe it’s been five months, it seems like you just started your challenge!
Beautiful flowers. My husband got me tulips, too, but in a pot so I can keep them on the patio.