Day 28: still adjusting my time

Last Saturday was exhausting. We had a family event the following day that I was preparing for, in addition to all of my goals with the influx of produce. I thought if I did a lot of cooking, I would save myself time this week.

I'm not sure if my plan was sound. Some of the things that I prepared ahead I will now have to scramble to use. Some of the things I need to use, I didn't anticipate. For example, there was fresh spinach leftover from a salad on Sunday, which wasn't part of the basket and will now go into an omelet. The spinach is more fragile, and it delays me using the salsas I made in Mexican dishes. Plus we brought home an entire large pizza--more leftovers that cannot be frozen or wait to be eaten up.

My goal Saturday was to budget my time in the kitchen--which I still need to do. But I think I was already cooking quite a bit those Saturdays when I pick up a produce basket; making the day more ambitious just made me tired.

I guess the lesson is this: when budgeting (either time or money), don't be afraid to throw out your first or fifteenth plan. Keep at it, keep aiming to simplify and save. Don't be afraid to look honestly at the situation and scrap what isn't working.

At one point in this adventure, my husband commented, "Your transferring more to a French lifestyle, where you buy what you need the day that you cook." I thought, "Not exactly." But maybe that does work for me: a little puttering every day in my favorite room of the house. I still need a plan; I still need to watch what I have. But cooking ahead has to be very intentional on my part, and I don't see to incorporate it well yet.

I'm going to make limeade, to get the limes off the cabinet, and enjoy Monterey mashed potatoes and salad for lunch. I'm grateful for every fresh new start.

This photo shows me with my grandma, who celebrated her 99th birthday on Sunday. She told me over and over, "I love you."