Last Day of The Oatmeal Challenge

“Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”

It has been a while since I have blogged a new recipe.  The past few days have been very busy and I just haven't gotten around to it yet.  I love the quote above.  I remember when I first started the oatmeal challenge I thought it was definitely the wrong time to be taking up such a challenge.  As mentioned in one post my husband even said "why did you have to choose breakfast, it's my favorite meal".  Often the husband and I go to breakfast together and I get my favorite egg white omlette while he savors his country fried steak (so jealous that guys can eat like that and not gain a pound) so I knew it would be a sacrifice becauseI would have to make sure wherever we went had oatmeal.

Savory Oatmeal

Where I'm From:

by Allison Greer
I am from matching dresses,
hair bows, and from fresh water lakes.
It smells of dirt, as the
wind blows through the old oak trees.
I'm from a one stop light,
small, quaint town.

I am from orange trees and orange blossoms,
from popsicles melting on
the old wicker swing.
From Claudia I learned
to straighten up and fly right.
I'm from cheese pizza,
from mom's red lipstick and red nail polish.

I come from follow your heart,
from dress-up clothes and dolls.
I am from Richard, that tiny
old Mason Jar and wonderful role models.
The glassy lake being broken under,

water skis that follow behind our boat.
Girls laughing on swings as the Spanish moss sways high above.

I am from heartfelt memories, scrapbooked
pictures through the years, decorated and preserved.
I'm from chicken nuggets and laundry baskets
in front of the television.
I am from magazines and sisters, who
never go to bed angry.
I'm from white sand beach front, happiness,
and pink strawberry cake.

My youngest sister wrote this poem and I love it so much. It totally describes in a completely unique way the things my 2 sisters and I were brought up around. I had to share it today instead of my typical quote.  I also had to share it because this next dish reminds me a lot of my sister.

Oatmeal Challenge Days 16 - 28

"Your heart understood mine" - Little Women

Thursday, Day 16: Boring Oatmeal
Today I was NOT feeling ambitious, I literally put oatmeal on the stove and tossed in a box of raisins and brown sugar.  It was still good but SO not creative!


Friday, Day 17: Bob Evan's Oatmeal
A few mornings a week I go to breakfast with one of the girls I mentor. This was one of those mornings and she suggested Bob Evans.  I had never tried Bob Evans and decided we'd try it out.  How have I never been there before????  The oatmeal was fabulous and came with brown sugar, raisins, dried cranberries, and pecans! What a creation!!!

A Mediterranean Dinner

 "The multiple factors at work in the Mediterranean diet provide health benefits that cannot be replaced by a supplement."

Cute Etsy Recipe Cards

For those of you who don't know me personally I just got married this past May, and I have to tell you I'm so blessed by it.  I had heard stories and watched movies about outrageous in-laws (think Monster-in-law) and was honestly pretty worried about it.  I've been so blessed that my husbands family is nothing like these horrible movie portrayals.  His sisters are much like mine and his parents remind me in many ways of my own parents.  I enjoy that I can hang out with them and feel comfortable being myself.  However, I do not care how nice your in-laws are, it is absolutely STRESSFUL the first time one of them comes over for dinner!  I didn't think it would be because we always have college students and friends over for dinner but it was not the case with the in-laws.  I was picturing in my head that the house wouldn't be clean enough, the food would end up horrible, and the dogs would be more than annoying.  To my relief everything turned out wonderful!  We had Shale's mom over on Saturday night and cooked up some great food on our new grill.  The dogs behaved themselves and the food turned out great.

After having my mother-in-law over that night she was so in love with the biscuits that she posted it on Facebook.  Once others heard about it they wanted the recipe.  I must admit, it is with much hesitancy that I give up these recipes.  Lately I've come to love Mediterranean style cooking.  I love the taste of lemon, olive oil, herbs and sea salt all mix together to provide a wonderfully light tasting dish.  I've tried to incorporate these into my cooking by using the flavors as marinades, sauces, and as you will see, toppings for my food.  I'm hesitant to release the recipes because I'm considering using the biscuit recipe for a recipe contest.   So with reluctance, and excitement because they are excellent I will share.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we did!!!

Days 11-15 of the Oatmeal Challenge

All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.
John Gunther




Turquoise Polka-Dot Pitcher

 

I've gotta admit I love polka dots so I'm in love with this pitcher!  How cute is this!  I could imagine it filled with fresh lemonade, perfect for summer.  I've kept up the oatmeal challenge and wanted to update you with more creative oatmeal recipes.  I'm half way through and actually starting to enjoy oatmeal.  I hope you enjoy the new combinations!