Another Rainy Monday and Maybe a Meal Plan?

Mama Cat

Guess what?  We had more rain, today!  According to the news, we have received as much rain in a twenty-four hour period, as we would have normally received in six months!  That is a lot of rain for us!

My aunt C called in the morning for a chat and she said their den roof is leaking.  Of course, nothing can be done to repair it until the rains stop!  I spoke with friend R, too, as she lives just a few blocks south of an evacuation warning area.  She said the streets near her apartment building are flooded, but, she is okay.  

It rained steadily all day, but, during a period when it had slowed down to a drizzle, I took the trash cans out to the curb and collected the mail from the mail box.

I also gave Mama Cat a new box in which to shelter.  Her old box was sodden and so was the old sweatshirt I had put down in it as her blanket.  I covered the outside of her new box with foil to try and make it a little more water resistant and gave her a new blanket.  I am using my old sweatshirts and sweatpants, that were too worn to donate, but, I didn't want to just throw, to make blankets for Mama Cat. 

Mama Cat in her new box

By the way, the side door to the garage is left ajar for her to seek shelter in the garage if she wants to do so (even if that lets some of the rain beat in), but, so far, she seems to prefer being in her box.  It's her way of asserting her feral status, I suppose, even if she will consent to sleep in a box I prepare for her.  Today, she was visited by Chicken Little who had a lot to say for itself and made such a noise that I went to see if it was being attacked, but, no, it was probably complaining that I didn't prepare a box for it!  I also noticed a new calico cat, but, it ran away before I could get my phone to take a picture!

Neighbor S called in the late afternoon to say her daughter N had made some desserts and would I like to have some.  You know me, I can't say no to desserts!  A little while later, N brought me some treats:

Desserts Compliments of Neighbors S and N

There were two pieces of a gelatin dessert, two pieces of homemade baklava (made by a member of the extended family) and a frangipane blondie that N had made.  I froze some of the baklava and the blondie for my daughter to try on her next visit home.  

Speaking of daughter, she has had two back to back migraines in the past few days.  I wonder if they are triggered by the weather?  

I vacuumed the family room, today, and washed a few wool knitted items by hand.  I also did a little self care/pampering and gave myself a pedicure, soaking my feet and applying some foot lotion that was a New Year's gift.  I didn't apply any nail polish, though, as I wanted to put on a pair of wool socks before my feet got cold!

Brunch was two of the banana muffins I baked earlier.  Dinner was a bowl of my ham and split peas soup with a slice of buttered toast.

Which brings me to meal planning!  I haven't been meal planning lately.  I've been finishing up leftovers and making a few easy meals as and when I felt like it.  Which works out well when there is just one person to please.  I do want to have some meals planned, though, so that I don't stand in front of the fridge or freezer and wonder what to make for brunch or dinner.  

So, here's my meal plan options for this week, based on what I have on hand:

Brunches: The last two banana muffins; leftover ham and split pea soup; scrambled egg with bacon and toast or hash browns, uppuma(Indian style cream of wheat). deli meat sandwich, waffles or pancakes

Dinners: Ham and split pea soup with toast or drop biscuits; sauteed chicken (from the freezer) with pasta and vegetables (snowpeas and broccoli, perhaps, also from the freezer); rice, beef curry (from the freezer), dhal, and eggplant; leftovers.

Snacks: Homemade yogurt, fruit, cookies, crackers and peanut butter, nuts, cereal

Let's see how that works out! 

On Monday, I was grateful for:

- More rain for the garden
- A good non-leaky roof
- Still having electricity, phone, and internet services
- Working appliances
- Neighbors S and N sharing treats with me

Monday's joyful activity was giving myself a pedicure.  

Well, it was still Monday when I started writing this blog post and now, it is Tuesday!  

How was your Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday?