Alice Cooper announced the school is out, and the kids are enjoying the opportunities to sleep in. For the past year, whether in-person or virtual, their days started very early. Our high school kids start school at 7.10 am, so they had to get ready to leave by 6.30 am – damn early! Our elementary rockstar (moving into middle school after summer) had a much later start at 9 am.
Girl Scout camps for the girls and extended school year for our amazing boy. They have a couple of weeks until the summer activities start. Before you comment on his academic performance, he has special needs and needs the continued and extended school year as he has summer school. Otherwise, he” regress.
This summer also marks the first year our oldest daughter will join the workforce. She starts as a camp counselor at the Girl Scouts camp, working as a lifeguard. It means guarding all the girls swimming in the lake or pool and getting paid.
I did warn her that the evil tax overlords (IRS) will take their cut before she gets paid!
Next weekend is the 4th of July which will be epic. We are praying for nice weather as our village is gearing up for huge celebrations. Finally, COVID restrictions are lifted, no masks, and we can finally get back to some normality.
I’m kicking off the 4th of July celebrations with my favorite video from my friends at Black Rifle Coffee. They surely know how to get in the mood and captures the American way of life – our way of life.
The 4th of July marks our 10th anniversary in the US!
It is hard to believe that it has already been 10 years since we left the shores of Ireland, seeking new opportunities in God’s country. Our journey has been hectic at times, but we are delighted with the change.
After 7 years on green cards, we officially became US citizens in 2018 and 2019. We are retaining our citizenships from Ireland and Denmark. I’m a very proud Danish Viking but equally proud of living and supporting the US.
Time to talk about food
I rarely post pictures of myself on this blog. Vanity or narcissism is not my greatest trait, and it is more about sharing food recipes and other oddities from my life.
I have to admit, the best investment I’ve made recently was getting my trusted grilling companion, the Traeger Pro 780 pellet grill.
Some hard-core grilling enthusiasts will proclaim that using a pellet grill is cheating and does not give the real flavor.
They might be right in some areas, but I thoroughly enjoy cooking with my Traeger as an amateur pitmaster and home chef.
It’s easy to learn, and there are plenty of resources available on the internet.
I tried to cook with charcoals, but it just wasn’t my strength. You have to adjust the meat not to burn it constantly, or the heat starts to dissipate, and then what. Moreover, grilling with charcoals requires too much pre-planning and work to start grilling. I do not have the patience and time to observe the heating of charcoals!
Gas grills, absolutely and option, but I prefer the flavors that I get from my pellets.
Fire up the Traeger. Ready your Dutch oven. Go shopping, and let’s start cooking—another Sunday in the Kitchen with music on the magical Demerbox and wonderful aromas filling the room.
| Weekday | Snacks n’ Breakfasts | Lunch | Dinner |
| Monday | Fruit Cups | Tuna Nicoise Salad | Kung Pao Pork tenderloin with cauliflower rice |
| Tuesday | Broccoli and Cheese Frittatas | Crab cakes with remoulade | Chicken Ruby curry with quinoa |
| Wednesday | Salami, Tomato and cheese platter | Budha Bowl | Roasted turkey breasts with roasted vegetables |
| Thursday | Chicken Salad | Pistachio-crusted chicken breasts with salad | |
| Friday | Egg roll in a bowl | Local 4th of July festivities, creasy food from food trucks and local restaurant booths |
One day, I might get so organized that I will link the meals below to my recipes. We can only live in hope!
Have a fantastic week, my friends. I hope you enjoy these meal plans. It is so much easier to make food in advance, although you need to invest several hours during the weekend to prepare the meals.
Stay in touch with me through social media!