Menu Plan Monday

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We had such a great weekend!  We did some swimming with family, had a little campfire time, saw my Mom on the webcam, and attended a wonderful church service.  I feel ready for the week!

The plan:

Monday:  Kale and White Bean soup, bread

Tuesday:  Beef Stroganoff, egg noodles, frozen veggie

Wednesday:  Grilled chicken (I will invent a marinade), healthy risotto, veggie

Thursday:  Taco Pizza, salad

Friday:  Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, veggie

Saturday:  Spicy Shrimp, brown rice, salad

Sunday:  Leftovers!

Confession:  Sometimes I don't make what is on the list, or I switch the days around. 

I still like having a plan.

I leave you with a couple of weekend pictures that put me in a great mood this Monday morning:

The most beautiful place in the world, my family's farm, also known as "The Compound."

My sweet little family, just being together.

The Roo, who is always doing something funny...like looking deep into the eyes of Curlyjo's doll.

My lovely sister and her family.  And the most glaring portion of the picture...her husband's farmer's tan. 

*giggle*

Brother and The Husband, having a chat. 

I think. 

Gratitude.  For all the precious memories we created this weekend.

Golden Birthday

Today, I am 31 years old.  As it is also the 31st day of the month, I am told that this is my "golden birthday."  I can't seem to get a straight answer as to what that means, but if it has something to do with having one of those rare, wonderful days that you never forget even though nothing big really happened, it may be true. 

I started my day with an outside run with Kayla, one of my dear gym comrades.  It was glorious, because all around us we could see this:

Then I was invited for a spontaneous birthday lunch with two of my friends, which is a miracle since:  1. It is a weekday, and 2. Between us we have nine children. 

The Photographer (who will laugh when she sees this blurry pic I took.)

The Professor's Wife (who just always laughs :)

'Twas lovely.

Later, my parents, Curlyjo, Tiny Love and I all piled into my Dad's third great love (behind only my mother and his 1969 Chevy Camaro), the Rhino.  We went out into the woods to the creek to bask in the lovely weather.

Naturally Tiny needed a snack for the road.

And Daisy Dog needed to join us. 

We spent an hour just wading around, looking for interesting rocks, shells, and animal prints.  There is nothing more calming to the soul than the sound of water running over the rocks, the wind and sun on your skin, and the smell of newborn grass all around you.  Bliss.

We did some wading and chatting, then headed over to the Compound, the farm where I grew up that is now home to both of my sisters and their families. 

It was a day spent enjoying health, friends, family, and God's beautiful world.  Golden.