June 2026 Recap

June was an absolute doozy and about 34,893,027 days long. Not a lot of interesting cooking happened but just about everything else under the sun happened. The girls weekend away was amazing and we have had fun with some family visiting. Later in the month Dottie was sprayed by a skunk, and I was in an accident, then I needed a new car at the same time that Mr J’s needed work. There were so many end of school events, we hosted 2 parties, I operate on a fiscal year ending on June 30, and it just all felt nutty.

Thankfully Mr. J’s birthday was uninterrupted and we had a burger with a Japanese Twist

I also whipped up Chicken Cordon Bleu as a burrito.

In July there’s potential for so much I didn’t get to in June. I anticipate an app, a cocktail, a side that deserves a refresh, and maybe more. I was mostly surviving, not thriving, so it was what it was.

The Big Kid: He is ready for summer but unsure if the intro to middle school camp will feel like school or camp. He had a great end of the year with so many celebrations. Foodwise, he has handled braces & palate expander well and is a good sport that parade candy is often not what we can have. It was so fun to see him enjoy ribs on Father’s Day after begrudgingly trying them.

The Littler Kid: She is so sad to be done with 2nd grade. She has been more into PB&J lately and taught herself how to use chopsticks and likes to use them whenever possible.

Goals for the year:
Year of new footwear – I got cute basket-y flats that are kind of between flats and sandals.
Side dish emphasis  – ehh, not really
Soups & salad – repeats, but not new ones
More drinks – again, not really
What I’m reading – I read Everyone in this Room Will Someday be Dead and it was ok, but had such potential to be amazing. Meant to Be Mine was a cute palate cleanser after a few very therapy-heavy books. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone was ok, but I didn’t love it.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Burrito

Breaded chicken, ham, cheese is the tried and true combo so of course it burrito-izes. This is an easy way to bring elevated flavors to lunch or dinner.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Burrito
Ingredients: (serves 2)

2 tortillas
1 cup of rice, prepared
1 breaded chicken breast
2 slices of ham
2 slices of swiss
arugula or spinach
dijonaise/dijon + mayo

Directions:
Cook the rice and chicken.
Assemble the burrito with the tortillas, rice, greens, dijonaise, ham, cheese, and chicken.

Warm a pan to medium heat and spray with nonstick spray.
Roll up the tortilla folding the sides inward, then the front towards the end keeping the sides tucked tight.
Warm seam side down, and rotate to warm through.
Enjoy!

These are always a good use for leftover rice and just a few other ingredients.

I can’t stop and you shouldn’t either:
Buffalo Chicken Burritos
Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Burritos
Thanksgiving Hot Wraps
Street Corn Burritos
French Onion Burritos
Chicken & Broccoli Hot Wraps
Burger Burrito
Cali Chicken Burrito
Sausage & Peppers Burritos
BLT Burritos

May 2026 Recap

May brings spring in full force. From lacrosse games to the dance recital to reunion weekend at work, and so much questionable weather.

I made some White Wine & Lemoncello Spritzers for a springy drink.

This Sesame Cucumber Salad went viral for a reason. It is quick and flavorful and became the perfect side to some Trader Joe’s Honey Walnut Shrimp.

Chicken, bacon & ranch pull-aparts became dinner but would be fun apps too.

June will bring a much anticipated girls trip and a flurry of work before the fiscal year ends. I have some birthday burger ideas ruminating and a old favorite that deserves a refresh.

The Big Kid: He’s so happy to be outside so much. He is not so happy to have MCAS but survived. Lacrosse is in full swing with just a few more in early June. We switched electrolyte drinks and seem to have found some flavors in Liquid IV he likes.

The Littler Kid: She had lots of parties this month and the dance recital! She did great and was such a trooper to wait an incredibly long time at the dress rehearsal. Her fav take-out is Dave’s Hot Chicken (with no spice, not hot).

Goals for the year:
Year of new footwear – Gah, I missed it…again.
Side dish emphasis  – the sesame cucumber salad was such a fun side!
Soups & salad – we had a sub-salad for a side
More drinks – a white wine spritzer felt springy
What I’m reading – I LOVED Little One, and Next Year in Havana was one I listened to and it was such a joy. I breezed through Favorite Daughter which had just enough train-wreck to keep moving. Lastly, I read Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV which was way too long and detailed but I enjoyed some of it.