I blame it on etsy.
That's another of my naughty things that I do.... I browse etsy and sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) buy things.
At the moment I have 4 orders on their way to me - my courage necklace, a gorgeous art print, some bags (to keep things organised in your bigger handbag) and some other necklaces - I haven't decided if I will keep those or give as gifts yet.
Anyway, so the lady I ordered the art print from wrote me a beautiful email when she was ready to ship my order. I, of course, LOVE little notes and so I was DELIGHTED.
I saved her links to browse when I had more time.
Which was yesterday.
So I happily spent a few hours getting to know her and her daughters and before I knew it, 11:40.
In my browsings (I read tons of decorating blogs to delight my senses without having to spend the $) I found the most gorgeous little French cottage - I have bookmarked the link and am busy "selling" D on the idea to go spend a week there. After all, we have our newly renewed passports and the world's our oyster. Babysitting? Well, I will have to factor in the cost of flying my mother up to help V.
Go look - is that not delightful?
And now, my menu for the week.
Monday
Stirfried beef, veggies with leftover macaroni (made a delicious healthy version of macaroni cheese with cottage cheese and carrots - kids and D all loved it)
Tuesday
Baked potato, bolognaise sauce and salad
Wednesday
Potato lentil curry, rice and broccoli
Thursday
Fertility babies group
(I'm told we are having) chicken lasagne
D - * apricot chicken and rice/ peas
Friday
Burgers and salad
* Apricot chicken is the easiest dish on the planet :)
Ingredients
800g - 1 kg chicken pieces - skinless but with bones (I buy thighs)
1 packet brown onion soup
1 can apricots (our standard cans are 410 g) - I buy WeighLess apricots, any will do
Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
Rinse chicken and place in an oven dish.
I spray any casserole dishes with Spray and Cook beforehand to make washing up easier (remember I don't have a dishwasher - yes, indeed, the last person on the planet).
Sprinkle the brown onion soup liberally all over the chicken pieces. If you want to get all fancy you can do both sides but I don't find it necessary.
Pour the apricots with juice all over the chicken.
(it looks like a mess but be patient...)
Bake for about 30 - 45 mins (I think the official time is 40 minutes - my oven is very hot) - it will bubble and smell delicious.
Serve with rice and a green veggie (the green is important so it looks pretty with the orange-yellow apricots :)). I like broccoli, D likes peas. To each his own.
They will think you're a rock star and meanwhile, it's so easy. I told my sister about this recipe and now she and her hubby also think I'm a rock star :)
That makes two meals for me and D alone, otherwise 1 meal for all 4 of us plus someone gets leftovers for lunch.
Tell me how you like it if you make it.
After I hit publish, I will painstakingly plot out the rest of my meals on my spreadsheet to make sure I'm eating enough proteins and veggies every day (my downfall :))
How was your weekend? Louisa and Hayley, are you all moved in?
