Small Slice

I've known for a while that I was pushing my limits.  I'm a gal who really needs 8+ hours of sleep, and over the last few weeks, I've been getting far, far less.  Maybe 4 or 5 hours on a good night. 

Part of the problem is my internal clock - I'm most productive and mentally active between 4 pm and 2 am.  I've tried to overcome that by waking early - because I have to and going to bed by 10 pm.  Once I lay my head on my pillow, I spend a lot of time just thinking crazy thoughts, and I never seem to drift off into sleep easily.

I'll read until the book falls out of my hand, annoying my husband, who can sleep through hours of daylight with a football game on.  Why is the sound of me turning pages and the soft glow of my bedside lamp a problem?  Here's a hint... it's not.  He just thinks that I would go to sleep if I turned off the light and tried. 

My dreams have been populated by the courtiers of Henry VIII, since I've been devouring Phillipa Gregory's novels.  I am astounded by the descriptions of the meals prepared for and eaten by these court people.  Holy moly.  No wonder Henry VIII gained so much girth.  Rich dishes elaborately presented on golden dishes, drenched in sauces.  It brings to mind our Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts, on a daily scale.  Can you imagine?

Anyway, there is a crisp note in the air now, even as we are enjoying a last warm spell.  I'm craving all sorts of baked dishes - lasagne, casserole, chicken pot pie, baked squash... and yet it is still too warm to heat the kitchen up with hours of oven time.  This week, I'm going to experiment with fall flavors, but on a lighter scale.

The I Can't Believe It's Actually Monday Menu:

Monday night: Okonomiyaki - my wimpy version of the Japanese original, served with steamed rice, edamame and cucumbers in rice vinegar.

Okonomiyaki is chopped cabbage mixed with a small bit of flour and egg to make a pancake, which you fry and top with cheese or mayo or any number of condiments.  Steph calls them garbage pancakes, because you can toss in leftover meat, veggies, whatever you want.  My  kids love these.  I'll be sure to post photos on Small Slice tonight after I make them. 

Tuesday night: Chicken and vegetable stew with dumplings - cooked in the crockpot

Wednesday night: Finger-food night - cheeses, baguette, olives, pickles, sliced apples, carrot sticks and celery, with hummus and other dips.

Thursday night: Pesto ravioli and green salad

Friday night:  Sweet and sour sausage and veggies with steamed brown rice.  Sliced fruit.

Saturday night: Black bean, red pepper, rice and corn burritos with avocado, jicama, lime and cilantro salad.

Sunday night: Leftovers