What’s up lately?

I am psyched because my new camera should arrive tomorrow. Super psyched to be exact. I can’t wait to slap on my lenses and go take some pictures… Oh that reminds me, my lenses are still packed in a box somewhere in the basement. I’ll have to dig those out tomorrow before I go to bed.

Geez, a lot has been going on to be honest with you all. First: I had a fantastic weekend. I had Friday, Saturday and Sunday off and Mr. Man and I spent all day Friday getting our grocery shopping done. We’ve resolved to try to eat every meal “in” this week. We’re packing our lunches and have menus planned for every day this week. Here’s how it’s all going down:

Monday: Mr. Man made Hibachi steak and rice complete with “yum yum” sauce just like they make at Genji’s. It was so delicious. Not exactly the same but HALF the price to do it ourselves (probably less than half) and he even found a recipe online for that sauce. Who would have thought it was pretty much just mayonnaise and tomato paste? I stuffed myself with steak (we used Denver steaks) and ate most of the rice and then had to head out to work. Super delicious and pretty easy as well (as far as I can tell, Mr. Man did all the cooking)

Tuesday: Parmesan crusted chicken breasts with tomato and basil and potatoes with peppers and onions (courtesy of Rachel Ray). You use a crap-load of shredded parmesan and coat the chicken breasts in them and then sauté them for 7 minutes on each side in the skillet. I went even more economy by buying some cheaper chicken breasts on the bone that I’ll slice off tomorrow. This week is all about saving money. Then you combine the chopped tomatoes with basil (that’s like my favorite combination ever) with a little olive oil and salt and pepper and serve it with the chicken, potatoes and peppers. Yeah, this one is a little elaborate… That’s why I’ve decided to make it on a night where I don’t have to be in to work until 11PM.

Wednesday: Beef Stew. Wednesday night I go in at 7pm again so I figured why not make something that’s easy enough to go in the crock pot. I found a beef stew recipe on foodtv.com (Thanks Emeril - but I won’t be using your essence for this one) and I’ll put it all together tomorrow in the crock pot bowl and then when I get home, just stick it in the base and let it simmer all day while I sleep. We went to Whole Foods this weekend and got an artesian loaf to go along with it. It should be really good and really hearty.

Thursday: Roasted Pork Loin with Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette. Another “I go in at 11PM and have time to fool around with dinner” meal. Seems pretty easy, roasted garlic made in to a vinaigrette and then a roasted/seasoned pork loin. I found a pretty big pork loin (4.5lbs) so this should be sufficient for the 3 (or 4, not sure if G’s friend is coming for dinner that night) of us. Either way, it’s a different way for us to eat pork. We don’t eat it often and it’s a pretty economical and tasty way to eat it when you get loin.

Friday: My first day off for a week. We’re having salmon with lentils. I love salmon. I love lentils. I found this recipe (Thanks Ina) and figured I had to try it. I’m excited to try it… Salmon is one of G’s favorite’s (and mine and Mr. Man’s, too).

Saturday we have a birthday party and a trip to an exhibit at the historical museum planned. We may end up eating out, but God, we should have enough leftovers for the entire next week to get me and Mr. Man through. On Sunday, we’re going to get our Halloween decorations (for the outside) at Johnson’s Giant Pumpkins. We have to buy some cider doughnuts while there. And OH, don’t forget the trebuchet.

Another fun fall time activity we did this past weekend was the Renaissance Faire in Holly MI. I always have a good time there. I got a henna tattoo and a ring… Nothing spectacular this year. Mr. Man and I wanted to find something for the house but nothing struck us ad “had to have it” so we left kind of early. It was a good time. Here’s the link to my pictures of it if you’re interested:

From Ren Fest 08

We also went to City Club on Saturday night. MY GOD I DANCED SO FRIGGIN MUCH. After working out Saturday morning and dancing all night long, I was a mess on Sunday morning. Here’s our stupid City Club progression pictures for your viewing enjoyment. 2004, 2007 and 2008 consecutively.