I just came across this quote from Peggy O’Mara, editor of Mothering Magazine, while I was doing one last pre-bed check of my blog reader. I visit Julie’s blog, Living Our Own Lives, every time Google Reader notifies me of a new post but I hadn’t notice this quote until tonight. I would do incredibly well to remember it and I hope to let it float around my mind as I drift off to sleep tonight after an afternoon with a few trying issues.

"It is the nature of the child to be dependent, and it is the nature of dependence to be outgrown. Begrudging dependency because it is not independence is like begrudging winter because it is not yet spring. Dependency blossoms into independence in its own time."
     — Peggy O’Mara

This is the beginning of another week of meals. I am liking this meal plan deal. I may not follow it to the absolute letter but it is so nice to know in advance what is for supper and what needs to be done to prepare for it. Sometimes, like last week, I inadvertently get one day ahead of myself or end up with a spontaneous barbeque with my boyfriend and his daughter instead but for the most part, the plan remains. It’s also an easy way to use what is in my pantry and freezer and makes grocery shopping so much easier. Who would have thought, right?

Monday: spaghetti with turkey meatballs
Tuesday: Lentil Quinoa Stew (slow cooker!)
Wednesday: leftover stew (night shift)
Thursday: Mandarin Orange Chicken from last week (frozen leftovers; night shift)
Friday: grilled pork chop with quinoa and edamame (frozen leftovers; night shift)
Saturday: Butternut Squash Ravioli using wonton wrappers
Sunday: Brown Sugar Salmon

And these are not on the menu this week but the recipes look interesting. I have a squash that has been in my cold storage for awhile now and in looking for a recipe to use it in this week, I came across these.

• No-Bake Butternut Squash Cookies
• Butternut Squash Latkes
• Butternut Squash Skillet Lasagna