A Taxing Hodgepodge
1. Do you complete your own taxes?
My husband does our taxes.
Besides actual taxes, what's something you've found taxing lately?
Preparing for our Seder on the first night was taxing. I'm definitely feeling my age. There was so much cooking, but we all had a good time.
2. What are three values you treasure most in a friendship?
Honesty
Conviction
Authenticity
3. Do you meal plan, or do you mostly wing it?
I have a flexible weekly meal plan
Share your dinner menus for this week.
Wednesday - cheese and spinach ravioli with ground beef meat sauce and garlic green beans
Thursday - chicken tacos
Friday - (Good Friday) Homemade pizza
Saturday - Passover Seder at Jewish Synagogue
Sunday—Easter—grilled chicken salad and Parmesan crisps.
Since it’s Easter, we may invite the kids over at the last minute. I haven’t decided yet. In that case, we’ll have either hamburgers or BBQ chicken thighs, potato salad, fruit salad, and chips.
Monday - pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy and roasted bell peppers
Tuesday - jump for the cupboards (whatever we can find in the fridge or cupboards) from the week.
I grocery shop on Fridays.
4. Thomas Sowell is credited as saying, ''There are no solutions, only trade-offs.' Agree or disagree? Discuss.
Every decision comes with costs and sacrifices, and there's no perfect answer. I choose to embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers rather than making trade-offs.
5. What's the best perk you've enjoyed at a job.
I was a live-out nanny for a wonderful family in the Silicon Valley for 14 years. They provided me with an excellent salary, a van, an expense account for the kids, and even covered my medical expenses. At the time I was a divorced mom and they were supportive and always allowed me what I needed to be a mom to my own children. The mom, Anita, was pursuing her master’s in Physics at the time, and I helped with the kids, including 3-year-old twins and a newborn. I worked 60 hours a week in those early years and received generous gifts, including beautiful hand-me-down clothes and shoes since we were the same size. It was the best job I ever had, and I still keep in touch with the family.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
My dinner plans for this week are tonight- Go out for dinner with my mom, Thurs- chili dogs and fries, Good Friday baked cod, Saturday- Sloppy Joes and Easter we are having ham with all kinds of veggies. Janice
ReplyDeleteSounds good. During the pandemic when we were all in lockdown, I got out of the practice of meal planning and I’m getting back to it. It’s nice to know what I’ll be cooking instead of ordering Door Dash at the last minute like we did during Covid.
DeleteSounds like some wonderful meals this week! That menu for the Passover Seder sounds wonderful! Although I was thinking they would have roasted lamb? Oh, that job you had as a nanny sounds wonderful. Those people certainly loved and appreciated you! I hope you have a lovely Easter weekend. Our kids will be coming here and we are having ham, potato salad, deviled eggs, tossed salad, rolls, and I'm not sure yet, but I'll probably bake a cake of some kind or a pie...depends on my energy levels. We have a wedding to go to Saturday afternoon, so some of my cooking time will be rushed. But it will work out and we'll be thankful just to be together. Blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteJews stopped sacrificing animals when the 2nd temple was destroyed in 70 AD. You will never see lamb on a Passover table - only the shank bone of the lamb is on the Seder plate. Serving lamb at Passover is considered an inappropriate substitute for the Temple sacrifice - which it is. Jesus atonement covers it all, they just don’t see that yet.
DeleteI always used to do our taxes, but the last few years we've gone to H&R Block. It's always good to be done!
ReplyDeleteI've been menu planning for many years, it really helps!
I loved hearing about your nanny job. They sound like wonderful people and God was certainly watching over you when He put you in that position.
Yes it was a time when God was providing me with my needs and my sons. Even down to the shoes on my feet! I recognized that at the time and I felt His protections.
DeleteThe Temple meal sounds wonderfully creative.
ReplyDeleteThey keep a kosher diary kitchen so no meat! They would have to have a second kitchen.
DeleteHa ... your funny!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing about your nanny job, what a unique and special opportunity.... God is Good!! It is great you are still in contact with the family.
Happy Easter,
Carla
It was fun being a nanny and I was good at it!
DeleteThat job as a nanny sounded perfect for you, Debby. And your menu for Passover/Holy Week sounds fabulous! Unfortunately, we don't have enough family in town to make a huge fuss over food items - we did that weeks ago when the grands were here. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI get that. I still haven’t made a decision about having them over. They all work on Sunday and are tired.
DeleteWe do our taxes our selves with TurboTax. So glad that was done 2 weeks ago. Its always stressful and so to be done is a big PTL.
ReplyDeleteFriendship needs to have Integrity, Trust and the feelings of peace and joy when together.
I'm afraid the older we (I) get the more winging it our meals become. Its probably because I really don't enjoy cooking for just the two of us all the time.
One of the best perks of our job working in the tradeshow business for several companies was the paid travel and per diem that allowed us to eat in restaurants we would never afford on our own and travel allowed us to extend our time in a city for several days at the companies expense for comp. hotel rooms and a chance to play tourist. Those were some of the best years because we did the shows together.
My heart is full today. The Lord's constant and tender care for us has been so evident over the last few months. I am forever grateful.
Sue
My meal plan is very flexible because I’m always open to eat out.
DeleteWorking trade shows does sound like fun. Aww I’m pleased to hear that you have a full heart! Recognizing God’s provision is a blessing.
Debby, the REAL ID deadline is May 7th. Its not hard to do the app. but just confusing to get in the right places on the app. It didn't like the phone# that it had as ours..which it wasn't the right one for many years. We had to create a whole new account for each of us and things were't clear to my "old" brain. Thank goodness for kids fresh brains..HAHA
ReplyDeleteSue
I’ll try to get on the ball - we’re not planning to fly anywhere and if we did, we would use the military space-a-travel for retired veterans. All I need is my military ID. But I will start looking into it. I admit, I don’t go along very easily with things like this. Too much work! 🥴
DeleteWe do our taxes together with TurboTax.
ReplyDeleteHaving tacos tonight for supper.
Tacos are always good!
DeleteWhat a wonderful job you had with great perks and an understanding employer. Your meal plan sounds real good. Iron sharpens iron, such a great way to enjoy a friendship. Happy Passover and Easter to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ellen. I hope you have a blessed Resurrection Sunday.
DeleteYour menus sound so good! It's been too long since I had a real Matso Ball soup. Having an employer who became a friend is priceless. I was blessed twice.
ReplyDeleteWell that’s nice!
DeleteI make matzah ball soup at least twice a year. It’s yummy.
The same guy that did began doing our taxes 45 years ago, still does them today. He once worked for the IRS and is very good at what he does. I am a wing it person when it comes to meals. One reason, we have so many things going on, that I never know where we will be at dinner time. Sounds like you had a great job full of many sweet blessings. Your Easter plans sound much like ours this year. Our family is kinda scattered this year.
ReplyDeleteThat is really nice how your plan all your meals out and you know what is going to happen. :)
ReplyDeleteWe do our taxes ourselves.
I love matzah ball soup. We go to a deli around here to get it.
I love that cartoon! Wow - the perks of that job sound amazing and how wonderful that y'all are still in touch!!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and your family for Easter. God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a Seder, but would love to have the opportunity one day. Your job sounds like a God-send at.a time you needed one. I'm sure a steady, reliable, loving caregiver was a gift to the family too. Have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing that nanny job must have been?! I think that must have been a very special job/opportunity. Curious - do you keep in touch with them? I also enjoyed your menu. Veggie quiche with potato crust - yum. Can I come to dinner?
ReplyDeleteGreat blog
ReplyDeleteI'm glad everyone had a good time. Those are 3 good values you have picked. Your dinners sound yummy. Love your answer for #4. Your random is very nice. That had to be an interesting experience. I like that you still keep in touch with them. Cute random!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Easter Sunday.
I also love your perspective on trade-offs; embracing the abundant life Jesus offers is such a refreshing outlook. It's clear you've built meaningful connections along the way. Thanks for sharing your reflections!
ReplyDelete