summer struggle

when i was home during the summer months, i struggled. it was hard to get into a routine with the boys. to find a rhythm that worked for all three of us. just when we got into it, summer would end and we would work hard to find the rhythm of the "back to school" year.

then i became an administrator. that struggle is just as real. in fact, i think it is harder. my boys are still at an age where they "need" me. we have fun. i am working to find a rhythm that i can live with. it is hard for me to work and not play with them--to know they are playing with grandma, their aunts and their cousins. i am grateful for the fun. grateful that my boys have an amazing summer--every summer--even though josh and i work. so many other kiddos are home, alone, with nothing to do except play video games, watch tv, etc. SO YES i am grateful. but it does not make it any easier for me.

i miss my boys.

i get jealous.

feeling emotional tonight.

so hard.

turkey... in june

all aaron wants is a turkey birthday dinner! here's to a BIG feast :)

Monday	Turkey Out
Tuesday	Enjoy our anniversary
Wednesday	Soccer Game
Thursday	Clean Grocery Shop
Friday	Clean in PM Make tea cut up celery and onion Rolls out to Thaw Butter out on counter for Saturday am use Boil sweet potatoes
Saturday	Morning	3 hour cook time, 30 min rest Eat 5 Out of oven 4:15 Start cooking 1:15 Stuff 12:00
	12:00 pm	Make stuffing Start getting turkey ready and preheat oven to 350
	1:15 pm	Turkey into oven
	1:30 pm	Prep Rolls in pans Boil Sweet Potatoes and make sweet potato soufflé
	2:00 pm	Peel Potatoes Prep Green Beans Corn to a bowl for microwave Set Table
	3:30 pm	Stuffing into oven Sweet Potatoes into the oven Start boiling water for Potatoes
	3:45	Potatoes into water
	4:15	Pickles and olives on a tray  Put on green beans Turkey out and let rest Rolls into oven (Double Batch)
	4:30 pm 4:45 pm	Make Gravy Corn into microwave Mash potatoes Carve Turkey
	5:00 pm	Eat the Fest

Menu:

Turkey
Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Stuffing (with apples) both in and out of the bird
Fresh Green Beans
Frozen Corn
Sweet Potato Soufflé
Herbed Rolls
Olives
Pickles
Apple Rings


Dessert: Mom B :) and Vanilla Ice Cream

Drinks:
Iced Tea
Decaf Coffee
Wine
Milk
Juice

herbed rolls
need:
frozen roll dough--thawed (overnight or all day)
melted butter
italian seasoning

do:
cut dough into halves or quarters
dip into hot butter mixed with herbs
layer in a greased bundt cake pan
let raise for 45-60 minutes (covered with a towel)
bake 30-45 minutes 350-375 degrees


Recipes

Turkey not sure how big my turkey will be yet so I might have to adjust times above.... but no matter how big it is, I will rub with sage then butter (under the skin too) and then sprinkle with salt and pepper. In the neck cavity I place a few sage leaves, lemon slices and green apple. I also stuff the turkey (stuffing below) before placing it in a turkey cooking bag. The cooking bag leaves the turkey SUPER moist! 

Stuffing
diced bread that has been "crusted" up (good bread is best...sour dough, french, etc)--I have been freezing mine for a few months all torn up as I came to the end of loaves...just gotta get it out now :) 
bag or two of pepperidge farm coutons
chopped celery
chopped onion
butter
sage
thyme
salt
pepper
broth
chopped green apple
2 eggs beaten

Saute the celery, and onion in butter. Add to the bread cubes and croutons, salt, pepper, and herbs. Toss with your hands. Add apple. Then add eggs, mix with hands. Now add broth, a bit at a time, until it is moist but not too wet. Place in a baking pan or stuff your turkey. I do both.

Gravy
Made with drippings from the turkey, broth, tad bit of kitchen bouquet and cornstarch thickener 

Sweet Potato Souffle BEST SWEET POTATOES EVER!!
Beat together: 3 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 stick butter.

Put in a greased cassarole dish.

Topping: mix together and put on top of sweet potato mix.  1 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 stick butter, 1/3 cup flour, 1/2 tsp cinnamon.

Bake 350 for 30 min or until knife comes out clean.


Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  I will use Yukons....and then mash them BY HAND (the only way to go) with half and half that is simmered with garlic and melted butter

Pickles and Olive Tray 
sweet pickles, dill pickles, green and black olives

Corn
 From the freezer

Green Beans  
fresh green beans, trimmed and simmered with fresh garlic