Domesticated

My calling in life is a tie between being a teacher and being a housewife. Since my life has been disproportionally "teacher" lately, I decided this weekend would be a "housewife" weekend. OK, I still did some school work, but I did it in between loads of laundry. When it really comes down to it, I love to cook, clean, organize, and decorate. If it weren't for that pesky desire to work, I think I'd be perfectly content at home. If your home is anything like mine, chores pile up during the week, and by Friday, there's plenty to be done in the Norwood Nest. Before you judge, read Thoughts on Superwoman. Here are the fruits of my labor, along with my thoughts on some of the domestic tasks I completed this weekend.

I had a little help doing laundry.

Blazer also helped unload the dishwasher!

I made my grocery list and went grocery shopping. Every Sunday at approximately 3:00, you will find me at Kroger. I am not messing around at Kroger. You get in my way - you will be run over by my cart. I have no time for people who don't know their way around a grocery store. Do your homework, people! And don't even get me started on the grandmas in the scooters taking up the whole aisle. Or the people who go the wrong way down the aisle! Grocery shopping is a science and I have a PhD. I know that I have a problem. On Sundays, I plan my weekly menu - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then I make a grocery list using my recipes. My recipes are in a binder in sheet protectors filed by category. My mom taught me the BEST way to grocery shop. It's very simple, really. You divide your grocery store into 4 quadrants and make your list using those 4 quadrants. Mine are produce, dairy, middle aisles, and meat/frozen food. That way you don't waste time wandering around the store. Thanks, mom! Above is a picture of my list for today and my recipe binder.

To round out my domestic weekend, I decided that I needed to bake. So, I made the following:
Pumpkin muffins - I had a pumpkin scone at Starbucks last week, so to me, it is officially fall. I have never made these pumpkin muffins before, but they are ridiculously good. The smell of pumpkin bread coming from the oven and football on the TV was enough to make everything right with my world. Fall is the BEST season. Good thing that's the season we don't have in Texas. Oh well, I can pretend. Thanks, Cooking Light!

Chocolate chip cookies - This is a Cooking Light version with half the fat and calories.

Yes, please. I love how they got those little cracks on top.

So there you have it. I'm a domestic diva in training. I'm on a roll, so I'm going to go make chicken salad for my lunch this week!