A Sixth Week of the New Hot Lunch
INSPIRATION: Improving that whole “planning” process even more…
I sat down at the computer, a bit ago, to write up what I thought was 2 weeks worth of food. Going through my photos, however, I was absolutely floored to realize that it’s been THREE weeks of unposted grub. Oops. So, naturally, I poured another glass of malbec and kept typing…but not before I ruminated, over some ripe berry deliciousness, that I made 29 (Labor day) “different” meals over the past SIX weeks! Whoa.
A Fifth Week of The New Hot Lunch
INSPIRATION: Getting better at planning…
For the first time since I started this silly little endeavor, I actually prepped more than one day. I’m finding efficiencies without sacrificing freshness. I also cheated one day.
A Fourth Week of The New Hot Lunch
Inspiration: Digging out the crock pot…
Despite the 2 week hiatus, we’ve been eating lunches. We’ve (I’ve) just been doing a lot of other stuff too and updates took a back seat. The 4th week of “The New Hot Lunch” showcased a bit of experimentation - and, like many experiments, require a bit of refining, but I learned a few things. I pulled out the crock pot for the first time this season and as my harshest critic, I wasn’t thrilled with the results - but I’m committed to better results next time ‘round.
A Third Week of the New Hot Lunch
Inspiration: Feed me!
It was a short week. Labor day gave us an extra day of sleeping in, and one less day with our scholars. And OH MY…did the three day weekend make itself obvious as we re-taught so many things on Tuesday. My first all-veggie dish made an appearance on Tuesday…and fueled us well. Thankfully!
A Second Week of the New Hot Lunch
INSPIRATION: Keeping us energized and healthy…
A second week has come and gone and it is hard to believe how quickly we approach our third week of the academic year. Our scholars challenged us at every turn, but we also saw so much growth. We’ve been teaching our scholars about ‘growth mindset’. My highlight this week was when one fifth grader started out a conversation with me by saying “Ms. Thomas! I really think our class used a growth mindset today when…”. Thursday’s lunch was another highlight.
The New Hot Lunch
INSPIRATION: Sharing my lunch…
Do you remember reading Frances books as a child? They were some of my favorites - only to be rivaled by, perhaps, the Berenstain Bears - and I have a particularly warm place in my heart for “Frances” lunches.
Chipotle-Peach Salsa (and grilled cumin-dusted pork chops)
INSPIRATION: Farmers market peaches!
Tonight I ate a most scrumptious dinner - fresh corn, avocado, vine ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, and burrata. Yet, I’m dreaming of this salsa. I’ve made it four or five times since the batch featured in this post’s photo and it’s always a tiny bit different but equally delicious - and not too hard to make.
Portland, in pictures
INSPIRATION: For as long as I can remember, people have said “Leighton, you would love Portland”.
Breakfast in bed. Check. Voodoo Doughnuts. Check. Rose Garden. Check. Japanese Garden. Check. Stumptown Coffee. Check. Powell’s Books. Check. Food Truck. Check. View of Mt. Hood on a sunny day. Check. Have a funny experience in a park. Check. Eat an incredible dinner. Check.
Other Worldly…A day near Mt. St. Helens (Part 2)
PART 2: South Side of Mount St. Helens.
One my favorite things about traveling without a specific itinerary how easily I am able take the suggestions of others and work them into my day - or rather MAKE them my day. At dinner the night before, Melissa suggested that I check out Ape Caves. I probably wouldn’t have ventured down to the south side of Mount St. Helens otherwise because I was under the impression that the north side would give me the best sights. This suggestion was priceless. The south side of Mount St Helens is as beautiful, if not more, than the north. And hiking Ape Caves is one of the “cooler” things I’ve ever done.
South of of Mount St. Helen’s is completely different than the north. Here I drove in, about 39 miles, stopping along the way, as I felt like it.
Yale Reservoir:
Other Worldly…A day near Mt. St. Helens (Part 1)
INSPIRATION: I was so close. How could I not?
Highlights from this day: A rainy day perfect for a lot of driving, sleepy tulip farm, Views of Mt. St. Helens, hiking, Ape Caves, Lava Canyon, Ponderings on leadership. So many “oh wow” moments.
When I struck out early Tuesday morning, it was rainy and overcast. I knew that weather was supposed to be better Wednesday (it was), but I was still forming plans for what other things I wanted to do in the Portland area and I knew that I wanted to spend a day at Mt. St. Helens. While I would have likely seen the the full crater on Wednesday (this only happens about 100 days a year, according to a Ranger), the day ended up being perfect. Had it been sunny all day, I would have likely hiked more, and saw “less”. Keeping close to my car - I covered several hundred miles - allowed to see and do some other things, so I have no regrets.
