Goal #11: Try 75 new recipes (73-75/75) plus a few extra!

I have finally come to the end of this goal. It was a fun journey and I'll keep posting new recipes that I really like. I'm glad my family puts up with my experimenting with different foods. I can't stand to eat the same things week after week. 


Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
Strawberry Mojito
Chicken and Broccoli "Stir Fry" in the Crock Pot
Rustic Tuscan Sausage Soup

Goal #51: Climb to the top of a lighthouse

Haha, yeah... Since I moved to the suburbs of Chicago there aren't really any lighthouses to climb. There is one out on Lake Michigan but we don't go out there, as a family. It's too far to drive and my kids just aren't of the age where I can trust we will have a decent time without having to turn around and come home after an hour. When we were in NC in April our friends got married right next to a lighthouse but I don't think it was open to climb. 


Yesterday I took Ryan to a local farm that has a butterfly house, walking trails, and a grain silo. Yes, I climbed to the top of the 4 story grain silo that has been converted into an observation tower. I'm going to count this as my lighthouse climb. Ryan climbed, by himself, all the way up and then all the way back down. I carried Lucas. It was a really nice view at the top!

Goal #11: Try 75 new recipes (66-73/75)

I've been busy planning for Lucas' 1st Birthday. I can't believe that he's almost one. It's crazy how fast the time has passed since I had him.


I miss this day.

But I'm glad I get to enjoy this day.

He sure is a sweet boy! He's got a little fiestyness about him though. He's starting to fight back when Ryan pesters him. Ryan's got a few bite marks on his arm. Lucas is paying him back....for everything! I felt bad for Lucas in the beginning but now I'm starting to feel bad for Ryan. Ryan always says "Lucas is borrowing me!" (bothering me) 

Lucas started walking last Sunday after he had a trip to the hospital for breathing difficulty on Friday and Saturday. He's so funny. He'll act like he's getting psyched up to walk and then he'll sit down. But then other times he'll take off like he forgot how scared he was. He's good at standing still and balancing and was even dancing and trying to jump last night while standing alone. Ryan likes to show Lucas how to walk by going across the room, holding his arms out as if to balance and slowing coming toward me. He needs attention too ;)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've also started some seeds to plant in the teeny garden on the side of our house. We are planting 3 different types of lettuce, broccoli, and tomatoes. I didn't know until recently, when the weather warmed up, that we have an herb garden out in our landscaping. There is a TON of oregano. Apparently that spreads out. We also have chives and curly parsley that I'll probably replace with flat leaf. There is also something else that I haven't identified. I can't tell if it's just another plant in the landscaping or an herb. It smells like an herb anyway. I want to add mint, rosemary, thyme, basil and some garlic. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm so close to finishing my goal of trying 75 new recipes. If you have any yummy ideas leave me a comment below. 

11. Try 75 new recipes (66-73/75)


Banana Cake (This is wonderful! It tastes like banana bread and is super easy. It gets better as the days go by, that is, if you don't eat it all the first day!)
Baked Chicken and Spinach Flautas
Hamburger Buns (I will try these again but I wasn't a fan of how dense they were. All the reviews on the recipe were good. I must have done something wrong)
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff (Stroganoff is always a hit with me!)
Single Lady (Vegan) Cupcake (I didn't frost it, I just put a few Craisins on top before baking. I think they would be fluffier if I had whisked the batter instead of just stirring it.)
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes (We liked these and I served them on the homemade hamburger buns above)
Creamy Chicken Pockets (I added mixed vegetables. I had so much filling left over that I froze it and made them again another night.)
Sloppy Joe Biscuit Cups (less vinegar and a little less cooking time - I don't think the thermostat in my oven is right)