I consider myself a planner and a relatively good one at that. The one thing I have a hard time planning is menus. It is especially hard during the diets but now I have another issue on my plate. I signed up to bring a friend a meal as she just had a set of twins last week. I’ve had a lot of ideas but nothing seems to gel into anything. I need it to be good yet quick and yet well balanced. To make it even more difficult, it can’t be spicy. Ugh!Â
I had a thought this week to go buy a frozen chicken pot pie from the local Fresh Market and bring that to her along w/ a bread and dessert. That is the cheaters way though and I have a hard time doing that. Today I thought of the beloved scalloped potatoes and ham. The thought of the cheesy, hot potatoes with some ketchup sounds great to me. The problem I have now is that I don’t know what to do for a vegetable. I’ve pretty much decided on some peanut butter chocolate bars for dessert.  Am I on the right path regarding the menu? Help from those mom’s who have had meals brought to them would be appreciated. I think I’m so antsy about it because it somewhat puts me out of my comfort zone. Stupid I know and I need to get over it which is why I’m trying to do so now. I have a week to plan.
We had a great lazy weekend. I managed to get off work early on Friday and after working out, I took a nap. Friday night was quiet for us though we did take a trip to the Fresh Market to browse. Joel and like this grocery store. Oh it high priced in a lot of things but they have such unique offerings and good stuff. As soon as we are able I plan on trying some Bear Naked Granola Cereal they have there. I heard about it on Food Network and its supposed to be all natural. No preservatives or nothing. It sounds good and yet is diet approved later on down the road. When we got home, Joel watched his shows while I searched the internet for family tree info.Â
I had a hard time getting into it but I think I hit a jackpot. That is IF it is correct. If I have all of the information right, I have managed to link back to William I Conqueror and Charlemagne. How cool is that. I may be of royal blood after all. I always new I had the affinity for royalty for some reason. Albeit hundreds of years down the pike. I thought it was pretty cool. Now comes the research to back everything up and find out if it really is true. Grandma said at one point that there was supposed to be some blue blood somewhere in the lineage. Only time and research will find out. I’ll keep everyone posted. By the way, this is on my maternal side for those wondering. Â
I plan on walking at least 6 days this week as well as signing up for Cake Decorating classes for the month of February and The Apples of Gold ladies bible study for the months of February and March. Work is picking up but it still is a little bit on the slow side. It comes in waves.Â
Good morning Erin,
I had some very sweet friends downstate that made me some great meals that I had to share. I think you are right on track with something frozen- it’s so nice in case someone else brings something also. This lady brought me chicken cordon blue in a freezer bag with instructions for how to complete it. It was fantastic! I still make it. You just pound out some chicken breasts, put swiss cheese, ham, roll in up and secure with toothpicks. Then she wrote to top it with cream of chicken soup and bake and serve on white rice. You could even add those if you wanted. She also made us a very tasty goulash also in a freezer bag. If you opt for making a pot pie- I have a great recipe from Doris Anderson I can share. You are very sweet to bring her a meal, I’m sure it means so much to her. Have a good one!
Gina’s right. Freezer things are wonderful. In fact, why don’t you make a list of a few bland but cozy main dishes, a few veggies, and desserts and put them in your planner. They will probably be mix and match and make it easier the next time one of your friends needs a meal.
Stay away from Italian. Meals brought in usually means too much spagetti and lasange. Ditto the bagged salads. I usually make enough so that there is leftovers.
Scalloped potatoes, stir fried sugar snap peas (frozen kind), and dessert bars makes a good meal.
Or the chicken dish Gina just described, green beans, and something chocolatey. Cookies or chocolate delight or brownies….
I’ve also done a roast chicken, cheddar onion bread, a green veggie or carrot casserole, and skipped dessert. New moms usually get lots of desserts!
One of the favorites that someone brought me was marinated and thinly sliced steak, ceasar salad, rolls, and apple pie.
With birth, I think “iron rich”. But really, it’s ulitmately the thought that counts. I never get something that the dad could just pick up himself, like pizza or fried chicken. And freezer main dishes are fantastic because after the first two weeks, all the adrenalin is gone and so are the visitors
.
Erin,
My mom makes a great chicken and rice casserole that freezes very easily. It is a cup of uncooked rice (white, brown, or wild-your preference), 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 1 can of cream of celery soup, a little bit of water to dilute the soups, and chicken. Cover the casserole dish with foil, and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour. I usually make green beans or asparagus as a side dish.
Love ya,
Sarah
Me again,
Would you happen to have your mom’s scalloped potato recipe? I asked her for it years ago and she wasn’t sure which one, but the one you are describing, with ketchup reminds me that some of you ate it that way:-) And it was really cheesy.
Also, I’m so interested in what you have found on the OTT/O’Dell side! I didn’t get nearly as far with my searches. I’ll look at my tree and see who the last person was. Thanks!
I have to get it again from mom. I’ve made it once while she was here but I don’t know that I remember it verbatim. I know I used Cheddar cheese soup, cheddar cheese, ham, potatoes, and maybe cream of mushroom. I’ll get back with you on that one.
My search started w/ Joseph Odell. Nearest I can figure is that he is 8 generations from gram. Here again, that is if everything checks out. I have managed to get a lot of names but I’m starting to stumble on documentation to back everything up. From Joseph it starts on his maternal grandfathers side and goes from there. I’m trying not to get too excited though because it may be incorrect. Too often a spelling or a really close match can lead you on a wild goose chase. We’ll just have to see. Any info you have would be great.
Hey everyone….a tip about the casseroles. Watch out for MSG. In some ingredient lists it will spell it out: Monosodium Glutamate. It’s in lots of seasonings, processed, and fried foods. Products that don’t use it, tout it with a label that says “contains no MSG”. You’ve heard about it with chineese food but it’s in LOTS of things. Why is it bad? It’s addictive (that’s why you crave processed or fast food when you eat it often) and it also gives some people headaches. Cream soups often have it as well. A white sauce substitute is easily made with butter, flour, and milk.
Hi Erin,
I guess I started with my kids and went back. I looked this morning and I’m into 1813. Since I haven’t gone as far back as you, I haven’t heard of Joseph O’Dell. The last family I’m on with the O’Dell’s is Augustus M. O’Dell(b:11/6/1830 Warren county, New York) and Esther A. Kelsey(b:3/13/1846 Batavia, NY). I have their deaths too if you don’t have them. Then for the Ott side, I left off with Albert Ott(1st) born 1826 and his wife Willhelmine(a)Schwantz(born 7/8/1825) and our Grandpa’s Great Grandpa- Johann Weishaar(born 1813 in Germany?). I got alot of info from a historian in Albion. I think it would be so cool to be a historian- confusing, but very cool.:0) So anyway, happy hunting to you- it’s addicting isn’t it?