The past week was relatively quiet. The birthday celebrations for our 18-year old daughter went smoothly, and the dinners I had prepared for the week were classified as another success. At least we ate all the food.
We had one minor adjustment to the meal plan, as we were invited to a friend’s birthday and decided to eat at the venue – only to discover that the food truck got canceled.
So, I brought home some delicious Peruvian food from a local restaurant.
April 1st went without any significant issues.
The World is still a messed up place. A scary war is tormenting the Ukrainian people and keeping Europe awake at night. Granted, the rest of the World is paying close attention to the events as they unfold. Unfortunately, 2022 is the year of the strange dictators who decide to fuck up world peace!
Father Daughter Tattoo Day
Since our daughter turned 16, she has been asking when she can get a tattoo. State law says she has to be 18, so you can only imagine how excited she is that she suddenly can get a tattoo.
However, I wanted to make sure it was done in a safe and secure environment and that she decided on a design that she would carry with pride for the rest of her life. A tattoo is a personal choice, and some still find it offputting.
I am no stranger to tattoos, so I could hardly refuse her request.
Instead, I planned a father-daughter tattoo session with my friend, the Tattoo Master. He would talk her through the process, discuss placement and design, and ensure she was still comfortable with getting a tattoo.
Let’s also be clear; my Viking mother would disagree with her getting a tattoo.
We spent four great hours together at the tattoo studio, laughing, chatting, and sharing an excellent experience. My daughter got her first tattoo, and I could immediately tell she was proud and eager to show the World her new tattoo.
Retirement cooking
I also had the incredible opportunity to cook some snack food for a local retirement party. Our organization, Towns 4 Troops, were asked to host the event.
I could not attend but could still prepare three types of wings and a portion of queso.
It is such a privilege to support our local military units, and they are so grateful for our services. It is almost humbling to see the joy and appreciation for our assistance.
Chicken is back on the menu … again.
We love chicken. Or at least we have grown to love chicken.
It is one of the healthier meat options, and you have many options for cooking delicious meals using chicken.
With a family of five, it can be challenging at times to find dinners that every person enjoys. I have been reasonably successful to date, although some dishes look much better than they taste.
But, I’m also spicing up my Viking lentil stew this week, replacing the Kielbasa and potatoes with shrimps. Hopefully, it’ll be an excellent option for midweek dinner.
Lastly, I’m attempting a Persian meatball dish and will serve it with fresh pita bread, some salad, and garlic paste. I’m sure it will not taste 100% authentic, but it will still give us a feel for delicious international flavors.
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 | Lunch | Dinner |
| Monday | Pesto and mozzarella sliders | Lemon chicken and orzo soup |
| Tuesday | Breakfast crumpet with beef/pork patty, Canadian bacon, and a fried egg | Lentil stew with shrimps |
| Wednesday | Grilled roll with boiled eggs and salami | Chicken meatballs with homemade tomato sauce and pasta |
| Thursday | Two-cheese melt with smoked ham | Persian meatballs with pita bread, lettuce, and garlic sauce … Koofteh Rizeh |
| Friday | Pasta and farro salad with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls | Eating out – getting ready for spring break |
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 in preparing the meals during the weekend.
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