West Seattle Weekend Wrap-Up: Bits and Pieces

 

The view from the train on Friday night

Our weather was hit and miss this weekend...mostly cloudy and cool, but dry enough to capture a sunset and mow a lawn!
 

It was a good weekend for home-cookin' (unfortunately, no BBQ-ing as I had hoped for), but Brian and I did prepare a wonderful Baked Chicken Parmesan which was outstanding.

In honor of Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day weekend, I re-decorated inside and outside, adding some red, white and blue.

I also worked on a Pinterest project, with yarn called jute and some old bottles.  I am trying to put together a tablescape/decorating idea to take us into the start of summer.

Crafting is not my thing, but I was pleased with the way it came out (I have two more bottles to wrap) and I think the new decorations will look great once I get them together.

How did you spend your weekend?

Enjoy!
Stacy

Menu Plan Monday: May 19-23, 2013

Welcome Monday!

Brian is in Portland this week working and one night we are going to use our Groupon "coupon" to one of our favorite little pubs in Goose Hollow.

Also, we are starting back with Meatless Monday (or at least one night meatless for summer).  I think with the abundance of produce, it's so easy to go meatless one night a week during the summer months.

Here is the rest of our menu and remember to get some great meal planning tips from Laura's site.

Enjoy!
Stacy


Sunday: Taco Bar!!
Monday: Portobello Mushroom and Spinach Burgers (MEATLESS MONDAY)
Tuesday: Pan-Seared Chicken with Creamy Lemon Sauce and Grilled Asparagus
Wednesday: Groupon Night Out at Leaky Roof
Thursday: Grilled Flat Iron with Onions and a Big Garden Salad (WW)

Old Photo Friday: Leaving Home

WHO: Kerry and Brian Lee (L-R)
WHAT: Kerry leaving home (he's in the Army now)
WHERE: Newark, DE
WHEN: 1973-74

Brian's brother Kerry has been all over the world in the Army, but this week he's back with his family...visiting his girls in Spokane and his older brother, Ken in Alameda.  This was probably his first trip away from home. 

Enjoy!
Stacy 

Recipe of the Week: Panera Bread Creamy Tomato Soup

Since childhood, tomato soup has been my favorite.  I've had several canned varieties over the years, but I don't think anything beats homemade (plus canned varieties are heavy in sugar and sodium).

One of our favorite places to grab a weekend lunch is Panera Bread and they have just about the best tomato soup on the planet.

How lucky and I?  I was able to find this recipe gem on the Internet.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Creamy Tomato Soup

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup chopped onion

5 tablespoons flour

4 cups milk

1 bay leaf leaf

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3 cups crushed tomatoes

Directions:

Melt butter in a soup pot over medium heat.  Add onion and cook until the onion is soft but not browned.

Sprinkle the flour over the onion and continue stirring; cook for 1-2 minutes.

Slowly add the milk, bay leaf, pepper, oregano, sugar and salt and continue to cook until slightly thickened.

Stir the baking soda into the tomatoes, then add the tomatoes to the soup pot and bring to a simmer.

Notes:  Adding baking soda to the tomatoes keeps the milk from curdling

West Seattle Weekend Wrap-Up: Yard Work!

In all honesty, I did NO yard work in West Seattle on Saturday other than planting a few flowers.

The credit all goes to Brian!  He spends hours in the yard each week, mowing, wedding, raking and spreading bark.  He's got a real green thumb, too!  Just look at the start of his veggie garden!

Enjoy!
Stacy

This year's garden includes, chives, broccoli and San Marzano tomatoes!