Good News!

Short post today.

The news today, and coming to you late, is that we are on our way back to normalcy around this homestead.  Yes we are.

Hubby is back to 1st shift today, and the weekend off!!!

The weather is finally giving us a break too, so there is hope for getting the garden started now.  Lettuce and romaine seeds have been started too (although late).

This and That

The snow is back this morning.  Too tired to go take a photo for you all, but you can imagine how we feel.

It's been a rough few weeks.  My husband had to work 3rd shift again last night, and he was told Tuesday would be the last night.  We, at this point, have no idea when he'll be back to 1st again.  I've added a can of WD-40 to my shopping list. One thing I've realized, while trying to be quiet during the day, is that all my doors squeak.

On a good note, the boys showed up Wednesday, and one rode the Harley up to the shop.    It's getting new tires, etc. to get it ready for riding season.

I couldn't even remember what day it was this morning.  Literally.  With no days off, and the backwards routine, no wonder Hubby's stomach is bothering him.  He loved dinner last night - chicken with hot pepper mustard sauce, wild rice and "Full Throttle" sweet potatoes.

New recipe tried - Gochujang glazed meatloaf with green beans, and steamed broccoli.  The meatloaf and green part was new, I just added the broccoli. I used ground organic oats in place of "saltines" and it worked beautifully.  The sauce can be bought organic with non-gmo soybeans, and you can make it yourself (which I plan to do the next time).  We loved this.  However, the recipe stated to cook it all the same cooking time, and the green beans do not need 55 minutes, so there was adjusting.  It was our first time tasting a Korean sauce.  We all loved it.  

I located the recipe in a library book, but there is a recipe online with Good Housekeeping for the meatloaf..  I mixed about 2 Tbsp. Gochujang with homemade ketchup and coriander (ground) and tossed the green beans (pulled frozen garden green beans from my freezer for this), and just baked on rimmed pan until done.   The green beans were a bit spicier, but my family still loved it.

Well, I have chattered on already this morning, so I'll be off to do my yoga and exercise now.  If there is one good thing out of all this routine switch-a-roo, it's that I've been up earlier and to bed earlier, even though 4am or 5am beats me to my alarm.

Black Bean Hummus Recipe

I'm so tired, I forgot my blogger password this morning.  In my sleep deprived state, I also forgot to share how I made the black bean hummus.  

First, I soaked a lb of dry organic black beans in water overnight.  I rinsed and drained, and cooked them.

I used 2 cups of the cooked beans for the following recipe, and put the remaining beans in the refrigerator for breakfast burritos, and other meals.  You can freeze the extra beans for another meal as well.

Tuesday Tidbits ~ Chickweed Pesto

Warning....not good news just yet.

First, Hubby isn't off night shift after all.  A call came, and he's on 3rd for a few more nights (maybe).  

Second,

And "Poof!" Weekend Gone

I can't really say I felt like we had a weekend here.  Hubby worked all through the weekend, and with the continued 3rd shift, I am totally off sync.  

We had a family baby shower yesterday, and that was interesting.  Hubby got home at 8:30am-ish, and went to bed.  He got up at 2:15pm, and we went to the baby shower late, then left early to come back so he could nap for one hour before leaving for work again.  He insisted we be with his family at this time, and I truly felt they needed it too.  Us too.

However, we hit a big snaf-foo!  On the way home in his truck, because my car still has a falt tire since last Wednesday (he hit something on the way home, and with the funeral and 2 days of 100% rain, it was put on the back burner), his brakes started going out on us.  Thankfully our daughter wasn't driving.  He got us home by downshifting, but he needed a vehicle to get to work.

Antidepressant Ride

Although I am mentally exhausted, and the weather today here is cold, and 100% chance of rain (did I mention cloudy), I woke up to a smile and a refreshed soul.  I have biker's sunburn.  Hubby does too.

The first bike is Hubby and I (Harley coat with back and white helmet is me).

Family ~ Black Bean Hummus

I'm sitting in my kitchen, sipping some herbal tea, trying to be very quiet.  Hubby will need his sleep today more than ever.  Especially these next couple of days.  He's trying to be strong, but having been a "brother" to his nephew from age 4-5, he had a very tight relationship.

I can't recall when his nephew wasn't there to help us in any predicament.  He never judged anyone that I know of, and was a very giving man and good father.  He held up the family for so many years, hosting get togethers at his house.

I'm hoping the aroma of two large pans of stuffed chick pea shells cooling, doesn't wake Hubby up.  Thankfully, I had some help from a daughter with these.  The macaroni salad is already in the refrigerator, iced tea and water are in the car, and a bag of more food is waiting to be delivered tomorrow morning.  It's to help with the meal after the funeral.