Yesterday, The Pants came home a couple hours early from work. My first reaction should be: “Yay! He’s home!” I was, as always, very happy to see him, but my first thought was more like, “Oh no! I didn’t have time to fold the mountain of laundry on our bed before he got home, and now he’s going to see what a slacker I am!”
It’s not that I didn’t get anything done. I helped at two different school events, revamped my header graphics (again), cleaned the kitchen, worked on this menu, looked for a new car (ugh), read and commented on other people’s awesome blogs (maybe that’s not exactly being productive…), went grocery shopping, fed and ferried two kids, and answered a few pressing PTA emails. Still, both kids were at school today, and I should have managed to fold some laundry by 5:30 pm. Luckily, my extremely kind and helpful husband was perfectly happy to come home and help with the laundry, which was much appreciated, but it didn’t take away the guilt.
Other stay-at-home parents, do you ever feel less than productive?
Our house might not be perfectly clean and organized, but I DID take care of meal planning! Here’s this week’s menu of easy dinners ready for you! Remember: You can create a grocery list from any of my recipes just by clicking on the “List” icon in the right sidebar thanks to Feastie!
- Japanese (Inspired) Noodles with Shrimp – I don’t want to call these Japanese noodles because I’m sure they aren’t authentic, but they boast Asian flavors and are a downright delicious 30-minute dinner.
- Mediterranean Pita Pizzas – We liked this dinner because it was a change of pace. It’s also nice because the pizzas are good warm or at room temperature, so that makes it easy if everyone can’t eat at the same time for some reason.
- Buttermilk Chicken with Cheesy Vegetable Bake – This chicken is so cheap, easy, and tasty! You have to try it! We used drumsticks, but you can use any bone-in chicken pieces. I tried this veggie dish with brussels sprouts instead of asparagus this time. It turned out good, but I think asparagus is still my favorite.
- Lemon Chicken Pasta – This pasta dish is an easy, healthy dinner. The sauce is creamy but light, and lemon flavor is bright.
- Skinny Creamy Beef Enchiladas – These enchiladas are low in fat and have a slightly tangy sauce thanks to Greek yogurt.
- Irish Whiskey Steak with Roasted Vegetables – I usually use Dale’s Seasoning or something basic like olive oil and seasoned salt on steak, but this week I wanted to change it up. This marinade turned out to be really good. I saved the olive oil and seasoned salt for the butternut squash, asparagus, and mushrooms. I tossed them together, then roasted at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Simple Jambalaya – This dish makes for an easy, Cajun dinner. Serve with a green salad and enjoy!
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Tony says
Once again, I want to invite my family over to your house for dinner. Especially for that chicken pasta deal. That looks so good.
The Weary Chef says
Thanks, Tony! We SHOULD have your family over for dinner. I miss you guys! Hope you are all doing well.
Liz says
Those all look wonderful! I’m in for the whiskey steak, especially. I’ve completely lost touch with the feeling I used to get (pre-kids) when everything on my list could be accomplished. If I get two out of five items checked off, will call it a good day. Glad you have a hubby who helps and understands. You’re like me, I think, in that you set way more goals than could really get done. And the laundry thing is kind of a drag as it never catches up with itself and somehow we end up doing laundry for everyone in the house. How’d that happen? ;-)
The Weary Chef says
Thanks, Liz! My husband will happily help, but I don’t want him to have to. I’m very traditional in that way, wanting to do all the domestic stuff myself and let him relax when he’s home from work. He does the dinner dishes every night thought, and I am grateful for that! And yes, laundry is such a drag because it is never ending!
The Weary Chef says
P.S. Did you see that I linked to your pita recipe on the Mediterranean Pita Pizzas? :)
Buttons says
I always feel less than productive. Even when I am productive and feel like I’ve been working, I look around my disaster house and feel like I’ve gotten nothing done! Plus my husband works from home (ask me how fun that is), so I feel like if I’m doing “nothing” like working on blog stuff or menu planning (with a Facebook window open, of course) he’s judging me for sitting on my butt when there is clearly so much work to be done, and he seems to think that fun things I do with the kiddo are just a breeze and a break for me, but then complains that she watches too much tv when I forgo the fun outings and projects to stay home and get things done. Aye yay yay! Also, I will for sure be making your buttermilk chicken for dinner one night this week! I’ve been looking forward to it since you posted the recipe!
The Weary Chef says
I’m lucky that my husband always seems to think I work hard and deserve to relax, no matter how much of a mess the house is. I think it’s because he knows how exhausting the kids are, but also he’s not much of a neat freak. I think he doesn’t even notice the mess. I usually do a whirlwind cleaning at the end of the day to pick up all the toys, dishes, clothes, etc. that have been scattered about, but if he comes home early there’s no time to hide the disaster.
Let me know how you like the chicken, and thanks so much for your comment! If you are looking for something to do with the rest of the buttermilk (if you don’t drink it), I found this yummy looking cake recipe yesterday: Mexican Chocolate Buttermilk Poundcake. I haven’t made it yet but plan to give it a try.