dinner plates

this is a 2-part post.

part 1: my dinner menu for the week. if you know me, or have worked with me, or have read any number of blog posts i've written, you know i like lists. my new coworkers love to inspect what i've jotted down or make fun of my non-sensical post-it notes, but i believe it only adds to my inexplicable charm. i like to write. it. down., then cross. it. off. it is a self-satisfying little thing i do. sometimes it causes me anxiety. but in those cases, i simply ignore the list. the real satisfaction comes from seeing activities numbered and printed on a random sheet of paper, and serves as a reminder of my potential. hence, there are many, many half-crossed lists around my house. apparently, i am not living up to my potential.

but tonight, there is a current, running list: our menu. i love a meal plan and accompanying grocery list, although i'm nowhere near as good as thisgirl. girlfriend is rockin' it! but back to me.

(list)

(uploaded from my new blogger app. smartphones are so NEAT.)

i try. i really do. and i have managed to really adhere to my dinner menu so far, so i'll recount it for you here. potential-measuring, if you will.

sunday - toasted gnocchi with pesto, tomatos & goat cheese. simple and yummy

monday - praise-the-braise chicken with feta & tomato. i love a crockpot. i improvised here with canned tomatoes with juice instead of broth and goat cheese.

tuesday - grilled lemon steelhead trout that looks suspiciously like salmon, with rice & brown sugar green beans.

wednesday - tricked-out pepperoni tombstone pizza. usually, it's leftovers, but i ate them for lunch today.

thursday - turkey turnovers. again with the subbing of goatcheese. mainly because i didn't feel like spending $15 on cheese, which is a major accomplishment for me.

friday - this says shrimp pesto pasta, but i'm betting on leftovers OR orange balsamic chicken thighs with spinach.

saturday - out of town. someone feed the lawyer, please.

sunday - this is usually pizza night, but i'm going with shrimp pesto pasta.

monday - leftovers, again usually reserved for wednesday nights.

tuesday - tuna steaks with rice and green beans (2 staples i keep stocked).

wednesday - black bean tortillas with prosciutto, goat cheese, corn and tomatoes.

thursday - pizza.

and that's as far as i've gotten. but i'm impressed with myself.

part 2: tonight's dinner conversation.

me: (mostly yapping about convos with friends while the lawyer gobbles up dinner)

the lawyer: (mostly gobbling while pretending to look interested in things he doesn't care about)

me: did you like it?

the lawyer: mmm, yes baby. really good. (exits table and opens deep freezer.)

me: are you getting ice cream?

the lawyer: yes.

me: what kind?

the lawyer: moose tracks.

me: can i have your wine?

this exchange is a total flip-flop of what normally happens.

cliffhanger post conclusion, wednesday wussy edition

remember that thursday when i told you about that really neat thing that God did for us? i wish i had different words to type, because right now i am thoroughly confused. i thought a wednesday wussy post would be appropriate.

mystery revealed: that post was about jobs - my current one, and a prospective one. see? not baby lang.

i found out that tuesday my position here needed to change to part-time, especially since they already know we are planning to move. we were not expecting that, and really can't afford it. that's when i sent out the mass text to friends, asking for prayer and praising God for His, plan, because i knew He had one. i sent out a few emails that night, and by 3 pm the next day, i had an interview scheduled with a large firm back home, with a bonus offer to help my husband land a job. i just knew that was God, telling us we were in the palm of His hand.

i had a great interview this past weekend. i was promised a job. "we are going to make you an offer on monday" were the words i heard. naturally, i was very excited and just amazed how smoothly and seamlessly God had orchestrated all the details. i mean, think about it: my job here was going to drastically change, the next day i had an interview, the timing gave me plenty of time to take care of my old job, and after the interview i was promised a job offer with most likely way better money, a sense of security and quite possibly an employed law student. i was eagerly awaiting that email, and feeling very satisfied with myself* for stepping out in faith and that God had answered our prayers beyond our expectations.

*insert heaping helping of humility here.

i didn't get that email monday, but i got it yesterday. they did not extend the offer. they have decided to keep it internal and not create the position. i was absolutely shocked, and very upset. not only did this disrupt the plans we had been making and the plan we thought God had designed for us, but it also seriously altered today's blog post. i am supposed to be blogging about how i have a new job that God provided!

epic fail.

so, friends and readers, that is the big update, and it is not at all what i thought was going to happen. and i am finding out just how hard faith is sometimes. i was so sure God was working things out the first time, and really thought i knew what He was doing. i know just as i trusted God then, and knew He was not surprised, i know i have to trust His will and plan today, even thought i am hurt and confused. i know He is not surprised, and He will carry us.

tuesday dinner

as i munch on my shipley's chocolate-covered donuts of the deep-fried-goodness variety, i'll share with you the recipe for the turkey cutlets i made for dinner last night, which was much healthier than my breakfast of choice. at least i got 2% instead of whole milk this time.


i found this recipe for turkey turnovers from my rachael ray magazine.

you'll need: one pack (about 3-4) turkey cutlets, available in the butcher section of your local kroger usually next to the pre-made kebabs, one can of fire-roasted tomatoes (or a lot of little cherry tomatoes, halved, whichever you prefer, but you might have to add some water in the recipe), one pack chopped frozen spinach (or fresh spinach), one package soft herbed cheese, like boursin, (you can use the regular or the light, but take a look at that calorie/fat content first!), some extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper, and fennel (which i don't use, cause i usually don't have any).

-defrost the pack of chopped spinach.
-heat the olive oil (a turn of the pan or so) in a large skillet.
-give the cutlets a good pounding to flatten them out and season with salt and pepper.
-place a mound of the spinach and cheese on one side of each cutlet and fold over the other side to make the turnover. secure with toothpicks.
-place turnovers in the heated oil, on medium high, and cook for a few minutes on each side until slightly browned. this can get tricky, so use tongs and don't worry if the stuffing falls out a bit.
-after both sides have cooked, pour in the can of tomatoes and juice (or your little cherry tomatoes and some water).
-bring to a quick boil, then cover and turn down the heat and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until the turkey is done.

hope you like it!

wondering if i should spring for chocolate donut #3?