Monday's weather forecast was mild, the winds were still quiet and it gave the firefighters another day to try and contain the fires. However, the Santa Ana winds are supposed to pick up speed, again, with gusts up to 70mph expected over the next couple of days and everyone is worried about what might happen. There were a few smaller fires that erupted today, but, they were quickly put out, according to the news.
Daughter had work today and I put away the laundry from Sunday and did another small load. That's hanging up to dry in front of the heater and will be put away before I go to bed.
I cleaned out the fridge and took the trash cans to the curb for pick up on Tuesday morning. I chatted on the phone with friend R and with aunt C.
But, I didn't undecorate the tree, yet.
This was the meal plan I put together, last week:
January Week 1 Meal Plans:
Brunches/Lunches: Leftovers, sandwiches, uppuma (Indian style cream of wheat), cup noodles, scrambled eggs, sausages, and toast or pancakes
Dinners:
- Sauteed chicken with vegetables (onions, tomato, broccoli, corn on the cob, carrots, potatoes)
- Rice & Curries: rice with leftover meatball curry, lentils with spinach, chutney
- Leftovers
- Ham steaks with mashed potatoes, vegetables, and salad
- Turkey and vegetable soup with toast and salad
- Leftover soup
- Pizza (on Saturday - daughter's friends will be over)
And here's how it turned out:
Sunday:
Brunch: Egg salad sandwiches
Dinner: Sauteed chicken thighs with vegetables
Monday:
Brunch: Egg salad sandwich (me)/sauteed chicken sandwich (daughter)
Dinner: leftover sauteed chicken with vegetables
Tuesday:
Brunch: Sauteed chicken and vegetables (daughter); pancakes with sausages and cranberry sauce (me)
Dinner: Cup of noodles soup (daughter); leftover pancakes (me)
Wednesday:
Brunch: ???I think we skipped brunch
Dinner: Sauteed ham steaks and vegetables
Thursday:
Brunch: Toast with calamondin marmalade
Dinner: Salad; rice and curries (meatball curry, lentils, shredded kale with grated coconut, tomato chutney)
Friday:
Brunch: No brunch
Tea: Blueberry muffins
Dinner: Salmon with onions, tomatoes, green peas, and rice
Saturday:
Brunch: Blueberry muffins
Dinner: Leftover salmon, vegetables, and rice (daughter), salmon sandwich (me)
Sunday:
Brunch: Pancakes
Dinner: Tamales (compliments of neighbor S's daughter N)
I didn't make the turkey and vegetable soup and we didn't have pizza because daughter's friends postponed the visit due to one of them being ill.
I am finding it hard to think of meal planning because everything seems so uncertain, right now. But, we have to eat, and I don't want to pick up fast food, if I don't have to. So:
January Week 2 Meal Plans (1/13 to 1/19)(tentative)
Brunches: Blueberry muffins, leftover pancakes, uppuma, scrambled eggs & toast with or without sausages, French toast, cereal and milk or yogurt, banana muffins (if I make some), salads
Dinners: Leftover salmon with boxed pasta mix (Monday), leftover pasta with ham and salad (Tuesday), ground turkey keema curry with rice and vegetables (Wednesday), Leftovers (Thursday), Fried Rice (Friday), Soup and toast or drop biscuits (Saturday), Hot dogs or leftovers (Sunday)
The meal plan above is based on what I have on hand in the freezer and pantry. It is very tentative because I don't know if we might have to evacuate, in which case, all meal plans will be off!
On Monday, I'm grateful for:
- Another good day, weatherwise
- Working appliances
- Heat and hot water on tap
- Phone chats and emails
- Well wishes from blog friends
Monday's joyful activity was checking on the garden.
Plans for Tuesday include, bringing in the trash cans, calling the tree trimmer to schedule my eucalyptus tree to be trimmed, tidying my bedroom a little bit.
I haven't been decluttering, as such, but, I have decluttered three owner's manuals for appliances that I no longer have and two torn clothing items that are beyond repair.
How was your Monday? What are your plans for Tuesday?
Some delicious sounding meals there, Bless. I'm back on track with meal planning, as well. It's spaghetti bolognese, this evening.
ReplyDeleteI've just heard on the news that the winds are forecast to pick up. I hope it won't be necessary, but I'm glad you're all prepared, should you need to evacuate. Xx
Thank you, Jules. Glad to hear that you are back on track with your meal planning, too. Spaghetti Bolognese is a favorite of mine!
DeleteYes, unfortunately, the winds are supposed to pick up. But, it seems to be fairly still where I am, so, I hope the fires don't spread.
Awake all night with tickly cough. At 2.30 am I moved into the lounge and ended up sleeping in an armchair. Now 10am, and barely awake! But cough seems a bit better. Taking today slowly... Beautiful clear skies today, so conscious of the smoke and clouds shown over LA on our BBC news programmes. Keep safe ❤️🙏❤️
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope your cough goes away soon, Angela. Yes, do take it easy and rest. Enjoy those clear skies. Thank you for the prayers and well wishes. :)
DeleteLet's hope that the lull will allow the firefighters to rest and regroup as well as damp down the problem areas. Sending hugs x
ReplyDeleteAlso, in awe of your meal plan. The food looks delicious.
Thank you, Lyssa. As long as the winds stay down, the firefighters have a chance.
DeleteAs for the meal plan, it's subject to change, but, thank you! :)
It must be exhausting to always be wondering if the fires are going to shift your way. I think you should start practicing the piano for a distraction. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are right, June; it is exhausting! I like your suggestion to practice the piano! Might just do that, this evening (daughter is in meetings all day and won't appreciate it if I play the piano when she's working).
DeleteFingers crossed and prayers that you will continue to be safe from the fires.
ReplyDeleteI am going to try and make uppuma some day. I have googled the recipe and it sounds like something I would like to eat.
Thank you, Anne. Prayers are much appreciated. I hope you make uppuma (also spelled as upma), one day. I use semolina/cream of wheat to make mine, but, I've read that one can make it with oats, as well. Haven't tried that, though.
DeleteI really hope that the winds don't pick back up. Has it been a week now since the fires broke out? It seems like it's been going on so long. I can't imagine what it's like for you and your daughter living with the constant worry.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed you concentrated on the meal plan. It was probably good to do so.
I remember you making the marmalade but I don't recall you saying how it was.
Thank you, Debra. Yes, it's been a week since the fires started.
DeleteI'm trying to focus on everyday things like meal plans while being on alert for fire updates. :) The calamondin marmalade turned out great. It has a very intense citrus flavor. I made 3 jars and gave 2 away as Christmas gifts.