Meals #29 and 30

Well, I can't believe it!  The 30 meals project has been completed.  I delivered the last 2 meals Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.  The last I posted was Tuesday and I noted that I would be making the cavatini for them.  Well, the funny thing is, I was in that "cook-mode" and got the hamburger meat and starting browning more than I needed of the hamburger meat. Ugh.  So I actually made 3 9x9 pans of this Italian casserole (very similar to lasagna but has pepperoni in it as well).  I took that to the couple on Tuesday night, along with a garden salad and some cream cheese cookies.  The other thing is I have 2 more pans in my fridge....trying to decide who to give them to or do I freeze them? What?  Not sure.  If you live around here and could use it let me know.  You can have them.  :) 
So Wednesday, I began to work on the gluten-free meal.  The difficult thing about gluten-free meals is not o much cooking without gluten (well it would be if it were all the time) but to just KNOW what is gluten-free.  I have a friend who has a close relative that is so after consult I knew what to take.  First of all, the 5 cup salad which I'm sure you've noticed has been a staple through all of this, works for this meal.  Also, my homemade vegetable beef soup works.  I found out that pudding is gluten-free so I made that as well.  I took over some whipped topping too, because what's not to like about that? :)    Okay, so meanwhile, in my regular life, Derek is serving a lunch to some ladies at the church for Thursday (the next day).  I asked Derek if he needed me to make some soup for it.  He thought that would be great.   So I thought I would make 2 batches of the vegetable soup and then later do a broccoli/cheese soup which is very low-maintenance.  Also, my mother was coming Wednesday night, in-route to Nashville, so I had to wash sheets, and so on, to turn that room around. Fortunately, God gave me Moira, who being almost 13 years old, is as strong as I am (well, almost, I still can take her in arm wrestling....which for some reason, is important to both of us....hahaha) and she helped me do some of the lifting, carrying to trunk, cleaning up the kitchen.  Fortunately, God gave me Mason, who, for some reason, likes to clean everything else.  He vacuumed the whole house, swept the kitchen floor, picked up, dusted, wiped up bathrooms, etc.  Fortunately, God game me Meril, who is the BEST soup stirer I know.  Plus, it is her room that Gram sleeps in so she cleaned it beautifully and I made the bed fresh.  I got the veggie soup together and that took a bit of time.  Made the pudding, packaged all of it together to take to their house.  The soup pot was so heavy I had to drive it over.  My younger two went with me.  I certainly needed their hands.  They had enough soup for 2 meals at least.  Back home I still had a pot of it for the lunch.  When I got home, I made the broccoli/cheese and decided Derek would need a dessert at that lunch so since it was all in my pantry, I made the cake with the pecan/coconut frosting in the batter.  It turned out beautifully.  By this time, it's getting later in the day.  We had to be at the church for someone's birthday to play volleyball.  Yes, you heard me correctly.  It was a volleyball birthday party.  Good times had by all!

So today, I didn't have a meal to deliver, per se, but I carried a cake, salad and 2 soups over to the church......kind of like 7 meals in one.  :)
I would like for you, those who have read any portion of this blog, to pray with me, think with me, or brainstorm with me, on just what exactly this ministry could look like now - post 30 days and 30 meals.  I know a meal a day is not feasible long-term although it is do-able, but the beautiful responses and smiles that I have witnessed made it worth it this past month.  I know for every smile I was given, there is heart-ache as well that I don't even know about.  There are a few people here in my neighborhood and our school that I feel led to follow-up because of things shared, and I will be faithful to do that.
I will be taking the Christmas week off and thinking and praying on how to go further.  Feel free to share any ideas.  I have actually had someone say they'd like to contribute to this project.  That's very cool.  Makes it even easier to accomplish.  I will get back to you in the new year to let you know what's next.  I can't wait to see what's next.....I know it will be Loving God, Serving People.

Meals #26, 27 and 28

Well, Friday night, even though I knew that I had soup for the 26th meal, I still needed to find someone to give it to.  We originally had plans for Friday night but since Moira had the flu those plans were canceled. I already had a portion of soup made, I just had to make some cookies and cornbread to go with it.  I tried a neighbor of mine and couldn't get them so I tried a different one.  Don't know this family all that well but had a great conversation with her.  She has a few things going on in her life right now so she asked me when I delivered the meal if I would visit a little while.  So on Saturday, I had choir practice that morning but my lunchtime I was home.  I baked my stuff and was waiting on Derek to get home from a church meeting he was having.  He ended up getting home pretty late and was whooped so I went by myself which was probably better anyway.  It was just 2 ladies talking.  I stayed for 2 hours.  She's also looking for a church home.  I'm hoping for good things out of that connection.
Saturday night, I got on the phone and tried to line up the rest of the week.  I knew I would finish Wednesday and I knew it needed to come out of my neighborhood so I just sat down with the directory to see who I should call.  One lady I wanted to call is a single mom with 3 boys.  I got a hold of her and was able to take a meal to them for Sunday.  I had the cavatini ready to go for that meal, however, in talking to her, I found out they only eat chicken and fish.  My ground beef was already thawing but I stuck it back in the fridge and pulled out chicken breasts that was bone-in.  I had all the ingredients for chicken tetrazzini, fortunately, but it was going to be a long night getting that ready.  I made a large pan for her family and a smaller pan for someone Monday or Tuesday.  On Sunday when we got home from church we found out our furnace was broken.  Not a good time for that to happen.  Getting someone here to look at it and figuring out how we would sleep that night with no heat took a chunck of my afternoon  but I did finally deliver my meal about 4:30.  I delivered the meal with a salad and a hunk of pound cake.  A lady from my church stopped by Friday night and gave me a pound cake.  She said to use it for my meals or keep it for myself.  I kind of did both.  It was yummy and I was glad to have something to give without having to make an additional something when things like the furnace go out, ya know?
I got back on the phone Sunday night to line up Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  I lined those up and was glad that the last 3 meals are booked.  Monday, to a couple with one child; Tuesday to a couple and Wednesday, to a family of about 4 but she told me she was gluten-free.  Hmmmmm.  Got to think about that one.  Monday, I made another huge batch of 5 cup salad.  I packaged up 3 of them.  I took the smaller pan of chicken tetrazzini and 5 cup salad and brownies.  I got the nicest phone last night from her and thought to myself if everyone was that nice and kind with their words, I'd probably make meals for people full-time.  One of my love languages (if you don't know what that is, look it up...pretty cool) is words of encouragement so she energized me with her voice mail.  when I got home she had also posted something on my facebook wall, and again, I was moved by her words.  Certainly makes the huffing and puffing of running around worth it for me.
I will be making the cavatini later today but I'll get back to you on that and the gluten-free meal for tomorrow.  Got some good ideas brewing and the good thing is, it is already in my freezer and pantry. :)

Meals #24 and 25

Well, yesterday nearly killed me, trying to get everything done.  My goodness! I knew Wednesday night after church that Thursday was going to be a doozy-of-a-day but a couple more things were thrown in that were out of my control so what can you do?  As I am trying to recall the order of yesterday (as this is Friday while I write), I can't believe that was even yesterday because it feels like last week.  Anyway, on Thursday morning I am usually teaching by 8 a.m.  I was to meet my husband for lunch with the church staff at 11 so I had many things planned for that short window (post office, kroger, bank).  We woke up to ice (not that much, really) but school was delayed by 2 hours and that also meant by voice lesson was delayed by 2 hours.  I heard this loud noise in my head that I'm sure was my window slamming shut.  I made the cornbread to go with the last batch of broccoli/cheese soup and the cookies that I had already made. When I was finished teaching, I packed up the car thinking I could still make the bank and school to deliver meal before I met them at the church.  But my oldest kids were still sitting there waiting for their bus.....oh yeah, it's 2 hours late so I sat back down waiting with them.  I had the car loaded and when the bus went by I jumped in the truck and waited down by the stop sign to see them get on (I didn't want to get stuck behind the bus, ya know).  I'm sure my kids thought I was a nut...suppose I am.  I went to the school, delivered the meal to the chorus teacher.  Left there and went to the bank.  Came out of there and high-tailed it to church.  After a wonderful lunch, I came home to get my self together for teaching all afternoon.  This is the last time I see them before our break so I had gifts for them.  I come home and it's about 2 (I teach at 3), and I sit in front of my computer, contemplating if there was enough time to blog before I taught and my phone rang.  It was my oldest, sick in the clinic with 101 degree temperature.  Oh boy!  So I jump back in the truck and rush to get her. My youngest gets home about 2:50 so I can't dally.  I got home by 2:40 and made sure I was set up for piano.  I realize sometime during my teaching that my schedule for Friday morning was shot as well because of having a sick child at home who would more than likely need to go to the doctor.  I had a school party at 1:00 on Friday and on and on it goes for that day as well.  You get the idea.  So when I was done teaching, we eat dinner and Derek says, "how can I help you?"  I'm guessing he knew I needed help because of the perma-wrinkles that I'd developed on my forehead from the day I'd had and the headache that resulted from that.    I had to go to Kohls because I had $30 that would expire on Sunday and there was no time to go before then but I also needed to make a pot of Santa Fe soup for the family on Friday.  He offered to go to Kohls and take pictures of stuff, text it back to me and then purchase whatever I said.  That made my headache feel worse..... so I gave him instructions for the soup instead (and I may have passed him the headache as well, not sure).  I got home at 9 and the pot of soup was made, by him and my youngest.  He asked me what else was needed for the family's meal so he put on a batch of the cranberry walnut oatmeal cookies while I got the batch of cornbread mixed.  One came out and the other went in.  Done.  We sat on the couch with the tv on in the background and he told me something that almost made this day not seem so hectic.  While making the soup with Meril, she said when she grows up she wanted to be an artist and to be a good cook for her family and she also wanted to make 30 meals in 30 days.  I created new perma-wrinkles around my mouth from the smile I made.  What a treasure!
I delivered meal #25 before the Christmas party today (Friday).  Looking for which neighbor will get meal #26 in my neighborhood.  Moira has the flu.    But life is great.....and I have the wrinkles to prove it.

Meals #22 and 23

Well, I haven't blogged every day this week but I have delivered my meals.  Obviously, this time of year makes it hard  to have the extra time.  When I was thinking about this project in October, my plan was to start this in November even though I knew it would overlap Thanksgiving.  However my dad ended up having open heart surgery the first weekend in November so I decided to push it back. I ended up starting the blog knowing I would start later in November and it was okay if it overlapped the holidays or it was in the midst of them.  It has turned out, I believe, that this has been the best season of all to pursue this project, busy or not.  I think the receivers of these meals have felt like these have been gifts.  I have certainly felt like I am giving a gift.....a gift of time, love and even monetarily, I suppose.  Regardless, it has certainly been my pleasure to give this season. 
Yesterday, I took the meal to the IT guy.  He was in the front office with  many of the other administrators that I've already taken to.  I told him that he had soup for dinner.  One of the ladies spoke up and said, "Oh, it is so good.  But I remembered hers was Santa Fe and then another lady spoke up and I had taken her vegetable beef soup.  So that was cool that it wasn't all the same stuff.
I made arrangements yesterday before I left to bring a meal to the art teacher so I took that today.  That was my last bit of 5 cup salad.  I was not able to talk to the chorus teacher so I left a message for her to call me.  She did and this was the first time in all of this project for me to not ask in-person for me to bring a meal.  But the chorus teacher knew me pretty well.  I don't think I would advise a phone conversation with people you don't know well.  It is best to talk in-person.  I will be taking her meal tomorrow.  I have one more container of the broccoli cheese soup and one more package made up of cookies.   I will need to make cornbread tomorrow to go with it.  I will have to line up someone for Friday and then I will finish out this project in my neighborhood over the weekend and into next week.  I just have a week left of meals for the 30 days.  hmmmmm what will I do next?

Meal #'s 20 and 21

Yesterday was a packed day and I just didn't take the time to write that I did deliver my meal.  It was a long and emotional day at church so when I got home a little before 3, I loaded up the last portion of Santa Fe soup to take to a lady in our church who has had knee surgery.  I haven't seen her in several weeks so I thought she could use the meal.  My daughter went with me. 
We rested a little after that but Derek had another meeting by 6.  I returned a few phone calls and in the back of my mind I know that I have nothing for Monday.  When Derek came home we all watched Prince Caspian but when the kids had to go to bed I got the chicken out to cook for the chicken tetrazzini. I did that in between scenes and Derek helped me by putting away dishes, holding the heavy bowl as I pour into casserole pans, etc.  This morning after taking one child to school, I put cookies in the oven to bake and got the makings for 5 cup salad.  I was able to make enough where I have 4 portions (again, one of those being for my family).
I delivered the meal and tried to find the IT guy again.  This time I got him.  Didn't talk to him long because he was on the phone but he did accept.  Probably thought I was crazy.  He is a single guy so I only have one to cook for tomorrow.  I have the makings for broccoli cheese soup and will probably make that for him and Wednesday, whoever that is. 
When I came in the school today, the ladies asked me, "what was on the docket today?"  I answered.  I love being the "regular" that is coming in everyday.  When I gave the meal to the reading teacher, she said when she told her husband what I was doing he couldn't believe it.  I remember taking a meal in the first week to someone and when I was asking them if I could, I could tell the whole time they were waiting for "the catch."  It almost makes me sad that we are so skeptical.  Perhaps the only way to overcome these skeptics is to continue giving with no strings attached, these unconditional acts of love....that they would be a common place for us as neighbors.  Wouldn't it be great if we wouldn't need systems or programs to take care of everyone because people just took care of each other, that it was a way of life?  That would be an investment in .......... people.   I like that!

Meal #19

Yesterday afternoon, I got the makings out for cavatini.  I meant to have 2 lbs. of meat thawing and I only laid out one so I was only able to make one meal at a time.  But I got that put together pretty quickly.  I also remembered that while I was at Sam's this week picking up our Christmas cards, I bought a multi-package of brownie mixes, just to have something different for people.  So I also baked those yesterday.  I had plans last night with friends but I felt good about leaving knowing that most of my work was done for today's meal.  Today, got going fairly early with a rehearsal at the church at 9.  I was home by 10:30 so I called the family to see if I could bring the meal over.  I finished chopping up the romaine lettuce and cherry tomatoes for a salad.  I loaded up the truck and delivered.  When I brought it in she told me more specifics of this family that just recently lost the father.  Last week we had a tragic accident happen in our area of a man driving and a tree falling over on his car and killing him.  This was the same family.  I do not have a connection with this family and I don't know the connection of these two families with each other  but I know our God knows this family.  I pray this family knows they are loved and I was honored to be a part of anything the Lord has going on.
This afternoon, I said to my daughter, "what sounds good for dinner?"  She thought about it for a minute and answered, "tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches."  Well, Hallelujah, I can do that...easy.  In fact, she offered to get it going.  I can't believe she asked for soup. :)
Don't know who I am taking something to tomorrow. I gotta go get on that.....

Meal #18, I think

I'm starting to lose track of what number I am on.  I suppose that's a good problem to have.  I keep double-checking what I wrote the day before to remember what day. This morning, I baked the cornbread and another batch of cookies.  I packaged those up and took them, along with the soup,  to the school librarian.  That was fun.  I spoke with the lady from yesterday and they want the recipe so it was nice to be able to refer them to the blog where I have the recipes listed.  I also spoke with the reading teacher and I am taking her a meal on Monday.  Still trying to find the IT guy....if he only knew there was a free meal waiting for him out there. :)
Yesterday, I called a family that used to live in this neighborhood to see if I could bring them a meal.  They have a large family and it just hit me the other day that I would love to minister to that family.  When I talked to them they told me of a family they are close to who just lost the father (in an accident?  Honestly, I can't remember how he died) but they wondered if I could make it and they would take it to their family.  So I said sure.  I am making cavatini for them.  It's kind of neat making a meal for people you don't even know, nor will know or ever see.  (But I will definitely pray over this meal in hopes of blessing them in this time of grief.)  I will decide what else to go with it later.  But I am hoping to have enough of that made for 2 so that I can use that for my meal on Sunday as well.  Will let you know what works out.  I'm thinking of baking the cake and sending half to the family in need and letting the other half go to this large family.

Meal #17

Yesterday afternoon before I taught piano, I made another big pot of Santa Fe soup (aka Santa Face soup....see earlier post).  I've made this more than anything else, mostly because of it being easy and it feeding more than one family and because I get a lot of compliments on it and I think the time of year adds to that.  It's super-duper cold here in Georgia this week so it's been nice to go home to a bowl of chili or soup. Last night we had lasagna that someone made for our family.  It was yummy and we all appreciated the contrast between that and the soups.  Last night after church, I went ahead and portioned out the soup in the to-go containers. Today, knowing I have a hair appointment and teach by 8 a.m. it helped having done that work ahead of time.  I grabbed the soup, the last portion of 5 cup salad that I made and the last "hunk" of cake and delivered that to the school.  So tomorrow (or tonight) I will make another dessert and will have to take cornbread for the side tomorrow.  I haven't lined up who I will take to this weekend.  I'll work on that tomorrow as well.  Fridays I don't teach so I tend to do a little more then, to prepare for the weekend.
I've been brainstorming (and praying) about what to do after this 30 days.  That may seem a little early at this point since this is only meal #17 but I'm always thinking ahead.  I've thought of doing a once-a-week thing, someone even suggested Meals on Monday.  I thought about adding to the alliteration with Mitchell's Meals on Mondays OR since Friday are my easy days at home having the Friday Food Fairy deliver then.  (The office ladies have called me Food Fairy the last couple of times I've been in.)  Feel free to brainstorm with me.  All comments are welcome.

Meal #16

Delivered meal #16 to our guidance counselor at the school.  This is the second day in a row that the ladies at the school called me the "Food Fairy" when I walked in the door.  HA  I like that name.  Speaking of names, I have a friend from church who told me she was making the Santa Fe soup.  She texted me last night to say her son came in the door and asked what was for dinner and she said told him Santa Fe soup and to his ears it sounded like "Santa Face soup".  So his response was, "Tis the season."  Dontcha just love that?  So in the spirit of the holiday we can dub that soup Santa Face.  I delivered today the last portion of chili that I made this weekend along with 5 cup salad, cornbread and a "hunk of cake.
Also, I had another neat thing happen yesterday.  My doorbell rang a little before I started teaching and it was my neighbor returning the pot that I sent over on Sunday.  But with it, she gave me a lasagna and garlic bread for my family.  Isn't that wonderful?  I must admit, I thought she was donating to the cause....like she wanted me to take that to someone.  I'm sure that is the mode I'm in right now.  But she said, "I hear your kids are getting tired of soup."  :)    So we will be eating that tonight before church.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  My kids especially thank you!
I have the makings for Santa Face soup (smile), my vegetable beef soup and cavatini.  So I will be making those in the next few days.  Busy, busy, busy.....but blessed, blessed, blessed and I want to pass it along.

Meal #15, The halfway point

Got up this morning and made Broccoli Cheese soup.  I had a meeting with someone here at home at 10 so that cooked while we met and when they left at 11:15 I packaged everything to deliver to the school.  I delivered the soup, 5 cup salad and yummy cake.  I promised you yesterday that I would get back to you on that.  The cake still did not come out of the pan like when I made it the first time(with the pecan/coconut icing) so I am thinking it must be using the cream cheese  icing.  Don't know what else it could be.  No worries though.  It was still yummy and I did use the vanilla glaze.  I thought that was the right touch.  I cut a hunk of that cake for them today.  Should have enough for 2-3 more families. 
When I delivered the meal, the same ladies were together plus the asst. principal that I delivered to yesterday.  She loved the Santa Fe soup.  Because that is so easy to make I will probably make that for the rest of the week.  The ones who had not gotten their meal yet this week seemed to think that sounded good so that will probably be the direction I take.  I will come up with something else for my family, although tonight being piano night, we will probably finish up the broccoli cheese soup. 
Had someone ask me last night if I was getting tired.  I thought about that for a minute.  Been thinking about that since then as well.  I told them last night (and still feel this way) that sometimes I am tired but the feeling of giving and the neat responses I've gotten supersedes any tiredness that I've felt.  However, I do feel like I have less time....time to help with homework, time to watch a movie late at night with Derek, time to "veg".  It is one thing for me not to have down time but it's another if I am disappointing anyone here in my own home.  To continue this past the original 30 days (which is something I'm flirting with) I need to tweak my current system.  Not sure what that is yet.  Still thinking and pondering. 

Meal #14

I have been extremely productive today.  Wow.  Although, when you set yourself up for a project like this, it is hard to not consider yourself productive.  Anyway, this morning, I baked the cornbread and another round of cookies.  I packed those up and delivered them to the school to the assistant principal along with the Santa Fe soup.  She said she woke up thinking about all she needed to get done today but their meal for tonight was not one of them.  I was tickled to hear that.  I then started to look for the IT guy to see if I could bring him something for tomorrow but he was at the other school he services.  I went looking for the chorus teacher but she was in the middle of class so I started walking back to the front and I saw 3 teachers (one was the librarian, one teaches my daughter math and the other teacher teaches the gifted students and since I needed to fill Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, I thought well, why not?  I'll ask them all at the same time.  So I did and one of the teachers said she'd heard about it from my daughter's teacher.  Word gets around, I guess.   Two of them are pregnant and they all have little ones so there won't be huge meals but they let me cook for them this week so I have this week already spoken for.  I left the school and went with my husband to get the truck serviced.  Had lunch, grocery shopped for the week a bit (I am sure I will have to go back), picked up the truck.  I came home and made a gigantic bowl of 5 cup salad and then split it up into 4 different  containers.  I have been putting things that are not for my family in the downstairs (basement) refrigerator so there is no confusion on what is free game.  I left one of those containers in OUR fridge as it is a favorite for a couple of the kids.  I then got inspired to try that cake one more time so I got that stuff out.  It is in the oven right now.  I will let it cool tonight (100%) before I try to take it out of the pan and hopefully I won't mess it up.  I had a coupon today for a glaze so I bought a vanilla and chocolate to try on the top of this cake (one for each time I make it...I'm not going to mix the two)to see if something lighter will work.  I'll let you know. 
I still have leftover chili and the leftover Santa Fe soup for tonight or we have sandwich stuff for dinner options tonight.  I also did 3 loads of laundry and I'm headed to fold that right now before I take off to play volleyball for a few hours.  Isn't life good?
I wanted to mention that last night when we got home from the board dinner, I put away the leftover green bean casserole and set the dish in the sink.  The pot of Santa Fe soup was still there from my earlier meal delivery so I put that in a smaller container for the fridge.  I got my pjs on and sat down with Derek to watch a little of the Steelers and Ravens game and he finished cleaning the kitchen....he washed by hand the big pot and the casserole dish, finished loading the dishwasher and started it for me.  Just another reason why I can even begin to attempt this project because I have a partner like that.  Didn't I tell you life was good? 
So.....I'm passing it around. I don't wanna hoard the goodness.  I think we all have plenty to go around.  What do you think?

Meal #13

Well, the work of yesterday paid off for today.  I got home from church at 2:30.  Made the lime frozen pie, put in freezer.  I began to make green bean casserole for the board dinner tonight. Put that in the oven.  Then I helped Derek wrap the board gifts for tonight.  Bagged those up to take over and then I wrapped our white elephant gifts.  Changed clothes cause I knew my pj pants were not gonna work for the dinner, (too bad) and powdered my face.  When I was dishing up my Santa Fe soup for my neighbors across the street, I realized I didn't have a big enough container for this family.  So for the first time I actually delivered in my own pot and will just have to retrieve it later.  The ones I have or have been given weren't quite large enough.  But I see her often and I think that worked out okay.  I also took a bag of tortilla chips as well as the frozen pie.  I dished up the rest of the soup in two more containers.  I am thinking about making the cake tomorrow to have for a few families this week.  I have Monday and Wednesday scheduled for the school this week so I need to find someone for Tuesday when I am up there tomorrow.  Looking forward to it.
I had a friend donate a Kroger gift card to me today.  She prays for me (and this project....which I am grateful for) but said she wanted to do something more.  She's been a great encouragement all along the way.
I appreciate every comment that's been made; every piece of advice or recipe passed along that all of you are giving.  It is making this project an adventure that is exciting.  I can't wait to see what happens next.

Meal #12

Phew wee!  What a day.  It took discipline to just come to this computer to let you know how it all got done.  Our family got up this morning to walk the Lilburn Christmas parade.  Our church walks at the end to pick up the trash.  That was a good time to be with each other but more importantly we were Loving God and Serving People.  We left there and rushed home because I was meeting my brother for the SEC Championship game over near the GA Dome at 1:30.  I got home at 11:45 and I still had to shower and deliver my meal for today.  So I got myself ready and dished up the chili.  On the way home from the parade, Derek stopped off at the store to buy chips for the side and last night Moira made cookies.  So I packed all that up, took it next door and was on my way to the Dome by 12:50.  The kids had a Christmas party to go to tonight so Derek was in charge of getting their gifts together and getting them there.  I got a text from him during the game asking if I had his keys.  Hmmmmm, not that I knew of but my purse was locked in my brother's car so who knows?  So Derek juggled a bit more than he expected to get the kids a ride to church.  (This is when we are glad we live 3 miles from the church.)
I head home from the game around 8:30 and start thinking about my day tomorrow which consists of another meal, church, choir practice after church (which I am director) and then our church board Christmas dinner at 5:30 p.m. with a dish prepared.  I begin to think I had better get some of that done tonight.  So I stop by Kroger on the way home from the game, get the rest of the ingredients for the dish to the board dinner and a dessert option for the meal I need to deliver tomorrow.  I already know that I have all the makings for the Santa Fe soup.  I walk in the door and start getting everything out to brown the meat for the soup.  I, literally, throw it all together and that is simmering now for the last hour and a half.  Tomorrow when I get home from church I will make that frozen lime pie that I made last week as lemon.  And for the board dinner I am just making green bean casserole so nothing too labor intensive there.  So I think I will get 2 meals out of the Santa Fe soup and I still have chili for 2 that I may use for Monday.  My kids have informed me they are getting a little sick of soup.  hahahahaha  I suppose I am too.  I'll go to sleep tonight thinking of different ways to keep us all happy.  :)  Oh and by the way, Derek's keys were in the bottom of my purse.  We have no idea how but they were.  AND my treasured Gamecocks lost, but it'll take more than that to keep me from Loving God and Serving People.

Meal # 11

Today was another easy day in that the veggie soup was already made and  dished up ready to go for 2.  I made the cornbread and cookies this morning and delivered it to the school around lunch time.  I was in and out within 7 minutes, walking it all the way to her room and back to my car.  Got another hug. :)  Easy, easy, easy. 
I must tell you about something that happened yesterday. First of all, I have been getting many neat notes on FB, people messaging me with recipes, great comments on the blog, just encouragement everywhere.  I love it.  Keep it coming.  It really encourages me and spurs me on to the next day and meal.  Earlier this week, I got an email from a friend who told me they loved what I was doing and wondered if they could contribute to my supplies.  So I threw out some ideas with the aluminum pans and the plastic to-go containers and just promised them that anything they gave would be used for this project.  I didn't know if anything would come out of that or not.  Well, last night while I was teaching piano, they came in (my door is revolving on teaching days) and set a bag on my breakfast table with goodies in it.  It was a Publix recyclable bag and it had aluminum pans (a couple of sizes) and plastic to-go containers and a gift card to Publix.  It was awesome.  I sported the new bag today as I walked into the school.  Thank you for making this project easier and hopefully, last a little longer.  I SO appreciate it!
Still have to call my next door neighbor to bring a meal to them for tomorrow.  Waiting for her to get home from work. Happy weekend to you.  I pray you feel loved today.

Delivery #10

Got up very slowly today. Really wanted to get a head start on the chili yesterday and it just didn't happen.  Between teaching, homework, church, music rehearsals, bible study.....couldn't get the chili going.  I looked at the kitchen last night and was gong to brown the meat and decided I didn't want to do that and have to clean it up before bed.  So I taught this morning at 8, got done at 8:30, saw the kids and hubby off and had 2 pots of chili going by 9.  I put a batch of cookies on, let the chili simmer to 11 or so.  Then got it ready to transport.  This is the first time that I just took a bag of something but it's hard to beat tortilla chips with chili.  And I just can't make those.  I'm sure we all have our preferences, fritos, saltines, whatever.  So I  took a bag of chips to go with the chili and cookies. 
I'm feeling really good about the meal tomorrow because it is already made in the fridge downstairs (the veggie soup).  I will make some cornbread and cookies tomorrow for them.  I've called one of my neighbors for the weekend so I have  Sunday set up.  They are a family of 4 and this will definitely be my biggest family so far because of the age of children.  I am thinking Santa Fe soup again.  Already have all the makings for it.  I still need to line up Saturday.  Hoping to do one of my neighbors right next to me.
I'm still getting great responses at the school.  Getting lots of hugs, well wishes, lots of thank you notes. :)  The thank you note that I got today said "you have inspired me to 'pay it forward'."  When I started this project it was with the intent to spread some love around (Christ's love to be more specific) but I guess I realized day one after I got started that this would spur people on to do other nice things, for no reason except to spread the love or pay it forward.
If someone has done something nice for you, choose to pay it forward.  Or perhaps, you would be the initial "good deed."  Either way, the chain reaction to something like that can be a beautiful thing. 

Delivery #9

Today was not as hard-pressing as yesterday.  I did start it early with 2 orthodontists appointment first thing but was home by 9:20 with another quick run to the grocery store behind me.  Today, I separated the soup left over from yesterday (it was a huge pot) into the portion needed today for the family of 4, and the rest of the soup will go to the new mother on Friday.  I baked the cornbread and put a huge portion of the cake (the remainder) for today.  I delivered that.  So I will make chili for tomorrow.  It is for Meril's teacher, just 2 adults eating that.  Hopefully that will do for us and Saturday?  Have to see.  We like chili here so it may not work.  While I was at the school I made contact with the Asst. Principal and the school counselor and will be taking meals to them next week.  Fun, fun, fun.
I wanted to share kind of a neat thing that happened this past Saturday at the grocery store.  We had just gotten back from Thanksgiving and I told you that I made my list and headed to the grocery store lining everything up for this week.  My oldest daughter wen with me so she saw this too.  While I was on the freezer aisle an older lady of about 75 or so came up to me and very quietly and kindly said, "Hi.  Do you like to cook?"  That was almost comical to me.  It made me want to look for a hidden camera or something. ha    Anyway, I told her I did like to cook.  Then she asked if I wanted a recipe for apple dumplings?  Well, quite honestly, I didn't want a recipe at that moment but I stopped, took the time and said, "sure."  I'm thinking this is odd to just walk up to someone and give them a recipe, especially since it was given to me audibly and I had to take notes on my grocery list but she must've wanted to talk or needed to share.  OR maybe I had the look of someone who needs recipes right now. :) Who knows?  I need to try that recipe and see what we think.  I'm not sure I'll be able to translate my notes though. I'll let ya know.    This project is giving me opportunities to get to meet and know people.  I may even find that they need more from me than  a meal.  Well, I'm open and I'm ready!  I'm also thankful Moira was there.  We didn't have a special conversation about it....don't think it was needed.  She gets it.  This is a lifestyle we're livin'.
Now.......on to the chili.