Week In Review - Ten Things Of Thankful (39)

Today was a sucky day for me, don't ask my why. I was in a foul mood from the moment I got up, and no matter what I did, it wouldn't improve, I was simply annoyed as hell. I tried cappuccino for breakfast, even got some time to myself to read my magazine. I tried baking, I tried soup, but nothing seemed to help. Therefore, this week's TToT is definitely an excercise of focussing and meditation of the blessings in my life.

This week's top ten:

1. Having a good appointment with our midwife and OB/GYN on Monday. Baby was hiding from the doppler again, but we got a good heartbeat after searching a little. And we found out that we'll have our big ultrasound on our wedding anniversary!

2. Work being not overly busy this week, which helped a lot subbing for two colleagues on vacation on top of my own work. Still got some overtime in.

3. The weather, beautiful, beautiful spring weather.

4. Being off work on Thursday and very, very productive. I took off work because it was sign-up day for elementary school, and the kids of working parents were conveniently scheduled in the middle of the day. But that way, hubby and I shared a quiet breakfast at home, I folded two loads of laundry (or what was left of it after we started picking the clean clothes out of the basket already), we comleted the paperwork and faced the reality that come September, we'll have a 1st-grader, spring-cleaned the car, I ran a round with my neighbor, and got to spend some time crafting with the girls.

5. Orange-ginger infused green tea. My vanilla black tea had run out, and I felt adventurous...

6. Another impromptu  geeky-date with hubby watching "Cosmos" by and with Neil deGrass Tyson, and I even managed to stay awake!

7. My colleague cooking some veggie stew and sharing it with me.

8. Patient, patient little girls. I know, I was a really mean parent today, and they were still so sweet. Tomorrow will be a better day.

9. Finding a show with David Tennant for tonight. The dubbing is weird, and I may have to get the show again in English, but I guess any David Tennant is better than the other stuff that's on.

10. Not being able to drink wine at the moment. If I could, I guess tonight would be a night when I'd drink a glass or five too many and would regret it tomorrow.


Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, and thank you, Lizzi et al. for hosting this wonderful link-up!

Modern Cooking - Vegetable Couscous (New Recipe April)

I spent most of today at Lily's kindergarten party. Unfortunately, the weather was pretty bad, so all the fun had to be moved inside. Therefore, I just felt the urge to share my latest go-to comfort food: couscous! My husband bought the pre-cooked one, so it is amazingly easy and quick to cook. I love it because it provides and awesome last-minute dinner that's also nutricious and healthy!

Vegetable Couscous

Ingredients:
2 large carrots, chopped
3-4 scallions (white and green parts), chopped
5 large brown mushrooms, cut in bite-sized pieces
garlic (to taste)
2-1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup pre-cocked couscous
olive oil, freshly ground pepper, lemon jouce

Place couscous in a large bowl. Bring vegetable broth to a rolling boil, pour over couscous, and cover. Heat some olive oil in a skillet and cook garlic, carrots, and scallions until just a little bit browned but still firm. Add mushrooms and let cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add vegetables to the couscous (it will have absorbed all the liquid by now) and stir. Season with pepper and a splash of lemon juice.

Enjoy by itself or as a delicious side to chicken or steak. You can use about any vegetable you have on hand, so it is also a dish to go to to clear out the veggy compartment in your fridge.

Sunday Social Today

Linking up for Sunday Social with Ashley at Ashley Lately. Here are this week's questions:

1. What is your shopping weakness?

H&M  :-) I usually always find something cute for the girls or a nice, inexpensive , simple shirt for me there. My wardrobe is all about basics.

2. What is your food weakness?

Anything sweet. And spaghetti with tomato sauce. It is my favorite go-to comfort food, and always brightens a hard day.

3. What is your go to movie to watch when nothing is on?

Hard to say, it depends on the mood. Most of the time I don't watch anything at all and rather go read a book or surf the internet. The other day I watched "The Graduate", solely for the soundtack, and bcause Dustin Hoffman was indeed attractive at 30 (apart from the hight).

4. What is your go to breakfast food?

When I'm home and don't have time I usually just have a bowl of cereal. At work, I just had nutella sandwiches (or low-fat cream cheese and jelly, if I feel guilty about starting my day with nutella)

 

5. Do you drink coffee? If so, how do you take it?

Love coffee! At weekends, usually a triple espresso with steamed milk and three sugars. During the week just regular coffee with about 1/3rd of milk and 2 sugars to go.

 

Birthday morning coffee (2012)

 Thank you for the awesome questions, Ashley! Looking forward to reading all the other answers!