Spice-Free Cooking

I'm trying to buy as few groceries as possible while we're here. I hate throwing away food and we won't have the space to take home very many leftovers from the pantry. I thought about bringing some spices when I was packing but didn't get to it. So I'm trying to think of dinner recipes that require as few ingredients as possible.

Here's what we've had so far. Any other ideas?

BBQ chicken

Spaghetti

Canned soup & cornbread/grilled cheese

Fajitas

Hawaiian Haystacks

Teriyaki Chicken

Sites for Parents and Sites for Kids

This weekend we got out to see a few sights around Portland. It's funny how your list of things to see changes with kids.

Our first stop was a lighthouse. This one, Head Light, claims to be the most photographed lighthouse in the US. Does it look familiar? I was a little jealous when I saw how many people were running past this lighthouse on their morning run. Wouldn't it be amazing to have a view like this when you're working out?

The kids are doing SO well with the cold. They think mittens are the coolest thing!

On Friday we made it to the Children's Museum for their Free Friday Night. After watching the families there I feel like this town is very granola. My perception is also skewed because the closest grocery store to our apartment is Whole Foods. It makes me feel like I need to be Super Mom all the time. If anyone saw me giving my kids an Oreo we'd probably be kicked out of town.

One day we needed to get out of the house but didn't want to brave the cold again. Birch's idea was Cabela's, which I was a little skeptical about. It turned out to be perfect for the kids! As long as you don't have any major reservations with hunting, it's pretty much a free zoo. I've been in a Cabela's before but I don't remember the displays being this impressive. Haley walked around roaring at all the animals.

Settling

Our first few days here were a little rough. What I hadn't prepared for was the time zone change. I don't think we were really used to a new schedule until after three days. And that's only with a 3-hour time difference! I don't know how people do it who travel to a different part of the world with kids. Trevor has been very loyal to the new time--he wakes up at 6am no matter what. Haley, on the other hand, wouldn't move until at least 9am (6am Arizona time, can you blame her?) She's slowly adapting.

We're also getting used to having one car. When planning this trip we pictured the kids and I dropping Birch off in the morning and doing whatever we wanted until it was time to pick him up. But since we have been needing more sleep, we haven't been up to take him yet. So instead we've been busy exploring the neighborhood. Luckily I love our apartment and the part of town we're in. We're right on the coast, with only a park between us and the water. There's a path that goes by our apartment called the Eastern Promenade (I don't think I'm fancy enough to run on a promenade, but I've gone out anyway). And we're on the edge of downtown so we can get to shops or the library when we want to on foot.

Here's a picture of the view from our place:

Trevor with a stick--his favorite toy in Maine. They're great for fighting bad guys and poking leaves.

At first Haley kept pointing out the window to show me the mess outside. Maybe we'll get that girl a leaf-blower and put her to work!

My favorite place in the neighborhood--the bakery. It's not cheap, but sooo worth it!

Ready to Fly

Tomorrow morning we're braving a plane ride across the country to Maine!

A few months ago Birch decided to go into anesthesiology and this week he'll start an anesthesia rotation in Portland. It didn't sound fun to be alone for a month so the kids and I are going with him. I don't think Portland will look this perfect in November but I'm really excited to try living somewhere new. If we can just make it through 5 hours in the air with kids first....