Menu planning and nesting

I love these quiet days at home. Ken is at the boat and as much as I adore going to the water, I'm a homebody at heart. It has just been the nicest day! I got to talk to Mom over coffee in bed this morning and catch up on the latest in Indiana. After doing some vacuuming, mopping, laundry, and cleaning out the fridge, it was into the shower and catching the train into Alderley. My favorite fruit/veg shop is there and there is a nice grocery store too. Two and a half minutes on the train and I'm there!

Yesterday, I sat on the patio with a lovely cappuccino and some cookbooks and planned the next week of dinners. This is something I'm just trying out, so many people say it is just THE best way to organize and budget. I have to admit, it is nice not to have to think about it for the rest of the week! So I figured out what I wanted to fix each night, and what ingredients I need to buy for the week. Usually, Ken and I go to grocery on every other Thursday and get everything at once. Since he's gone, I just picked up the essentials today. I can not carry all the bags by myself! But we do have this handy little trolley that can be stuffed full and makes it very easy for me.

So I picked up a veggies at the shop and a whole chicken for tonight's dinner. I'm attempting a roast chicken complete with herb stuffing and roasted veggies and gravy. It's been years since I've roasted a chicken, but I'm sure it'll be lovely. Ken's eyes lit up when he saw that on the schedule! So it'll be worth it. Plus, I can use the leftover chicken for salads and sandwiches for lunch the next couple of days. It's getting much warmer here now, so every couple of days I've been making a big salad and eating that for my lunches. Best part is that I can use up leftovers without feeling like I'm eating the same thing every day. I do a lot of mixed beans, veggies, apples, couscous, rice, etc. Whatever is in the fridge and pantry can go in!

Our herbs are struggling in the pots outside and we're not sure why. We have to pick up some more soon. Right now there is just a little parsley and basil, but I'd love to get some more and some rosemary to add in there. I have so many plants on my wish list: tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, herbs, the list goes on and on. It would be relatively easy to put them in containers I think, but it's just getting them started right that worries me. I haven't gotten to it yet, but one step at a time. In the meantime, our native flowers are blooming and my succulents from Casino, NSW (thanks Sue!) are starting to thrive. Ken and Aribella worked on the beds a couple of weeks ago and they look incredible!

After a busy time at the shops and dragging an overloaded trolley home (I always try to stuff too much in it!), it was definitely time for a late lunch and a pot of tea. Even as hot as I was the tea was just exactly what I needed. There is something so special about making a pot of tea the way women have been doing it for generations, and just sitting in your home. It makes me feel so connected. Strange that it took moving to the other side of the world for me to feel that way. I hope everyone is having a lovely day and can take the time to connect. To themselves and to each other.

Peace,

Courtney