Two Favorites

I get really excited when I plan ahead enough to make two great meals out of one main ingredient -- and have all the ingredients on hand after an efficient grocery shopping trip. An extra bonus is making enough to last for leftovers, or put some in the freezer. This week it was one pre-cooked rotisserie chicken that made all the difference and made cooking effortless.

On Monday I made Broccoli and Chicken Calzones (from Everyday Food, although they don't put the chicken in theirs!), and on Tuesday I made Chicken Curry in a Hurry (from Real Simple).

The calzone recipe makes eight calzones, so I always serve two and freeze six for later. It's the perfect pull-out-in-a-pinch dinner or lunch. Whenever I make them, I pre-cook them (the recipe says not to) so I can just zap them in the microwave (on the convection/crisper function) and serve them with some pasta sauce on the side. I buy the pizza dough pre-made (2 1-lb. balls) and separate it into eight equal pieces. I dice up the rotisserie chicken and save half for the curry. I mix a bag of frozen broccoli florets with the chicken, some ricotta and mozzarella, maybe an onion or red onion, and some garlic and red pepper flakes.

For the curry the next day, the chicken is already set to go. I also alter this recipe a bit by adding some veggies. In a pan, I sautee a chopped red pepper, a green pepper, an onion, and some mushrooms. Then mix in the curry powder, yogurt, canned tomatoes, and light cream. I serve it over jasmine rice.

Yum!

January 2009

Here we are in January already. I don't know where the time is going. In 6 weeks or less our baby will be here and our life will change forever! I'm stuck in that strange place between wanting our life to change with her birth and wanting it to stay the same (footloose and fancy free!). P and I have had a really good several months of taking it relatively easy since we left our jobs and started our own businesses. It's been relaxing to stay home.

We finished renovations on the nursery and guest room in December. They look so good. We made the space work more efficiently, installed new closet systems, and -- besides the total gut of both rooms -- re-painted: the nursery pale blue (yes, for a girl) and the guest room pale yellow. This weekend P and some buddies are going to attempt the crib and changing table assembly. There's not much left to do to get ready for little L. Her rug and cloth diapers both came this week too! I started knitting a sweater for her last week, size 6-9 months.

January has been really cold, but we're having a great time nesting and staying cozy inside. We haven't done much, but we did get out to celebrate P's birthday this past weekend. 

The Winter Ahead

I haven't posted in such a long time, readers! I'm sure you've dropped off by now! What have we Fs been up to in the past months...? Adjusting to work at home, obsessing about my pregnancy, and preparing to bring a little one home with us in just over three more months, if she comes according to schedule (her mommy likes schedules).

I've spent the past few weeks trying to get organized for the baby. This includes working with an architect and our contractor to renovate the nursery and guest bedroom (we're gaining 25+ square feet!); registering at baby stores and buying the stroller; and taking care of my health, which has been up and down! But lately I have had the feeling that I'm confused as to who/what all this is for. Have any of you moms/parents gone through this? I look at my belly and wonder why I am "fat." I go into the soon-to-be nursery and unfold and refold the 0-6 month pink outfits and wonder who they are for. And I look at the box that our stroller is in and think, "What are we going to do with that?" I guess it's all very surreal. I have heard that people go through this stage and it may not feel real until I'm in labor and/or holding the little one in my arms. 

Needless to say, despite the confusion I'm going through, we are both so very excited to meet Lindsay in a few months and start our lives as a family of three.