How to Survive the Crazy that is May

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Oh Hi! How are you? So what is it about May that makes us all a bit crazy? Maybe it’s just me, but I find myself scrounging through the freezer (at 5:52 pm), praying I have something that will provide nourishment for our family, in about 30 seconds. Anybody else? Don’t leave me hanging!

If you are a mom or dad with school age kids you know what I am talking about. The older I get, I keep thinking May will slow down, but it doesn’t, it hasn’t. Watching my friends who are further down the empty nesting road than we are, it doesn’t seem to change — I get the idea that they put an accelerant in the water in the month of May!

Fresh Fridays Logo new 2022.

This was my to-do list this week, some I accomplished – lots I did not:

  • Order cap and gown for graduating senior ✅
  • Go through thousands of photos, picking just the right ones without turning into a puddle of tears ✅
  • Make photo collage for After Prom ✅
  • Cheer your senior on during the last swim of his career, check out my Instagram to see his last race ✅
  • Plan grad party with friends ✅
  • Buy spring annuals and plant (the pickings were pretty slim last week) ✅
  • Order mulch
  • Get the car washed
  • Get my nails done (priorities!) ✅
  • Plan for family coming into town for graduation ✅
  • Reconcile business accounts, process quarterly reports
  • Make bath salts for bridal shower I am co-hosting ✅, coming soon!
  • Test and shoot several recipes for Lemon week this month ✅
  • Create new recipes, update old recipes, interact with readers, write blog posts, and send email to my readers ✅✅✅
  • Sip my favorite spring beverage, watch an episode of Doc Martin (we get the discs from our local library), fall into bed, read for a bit — sleep, wake, repeat!

So your week may not quite look like mine, but I know that you are busy too; maybe you are busy spring cleaning, planting, weddings, graduates, summer planning and so much more. I just feel like May stretches us to capacity!

What does this have to do with food?

So what in the world does this have to do with food blogging? I wanted to give you my top 5 last minute dinner recipes! And I would love to hear your favorite last-minute recipes too!

  1. Best Cheesesteak Sandwiches (with video) is something I can whip together at the last minute regardless if I have rolls or not! These have been known to just show up on the table sans sandwich bread! A low carb version if you will, but still just as delicious.
  2. 3 Ingredient Raspberry Salmon is a healthy, delicious recipe that you can have on the table in less than 20 minutes!
  3. Having people over? We love this Penne ala Vodka it’s delicious enough to serve to company, quick enough to have on the table almost as fast as you can boil pasta!
  4. One Pan dinner! Maple Balsamic Sheet Pan Chicken and dinner is ready in a snap with limited dishes! Or whip up this Chipotle Chicken marinade or this Coconut Lime Chicken marinade, freeze and thaw when ready to barbecue.
  5. Sloppy Joes are always welcome! Eat them naked with a nice green salad for a healthier choice!
5 Last Minute Dinners with images of Cheesesteak sandwich, penne ala vodka, 3 ingredient salmon, maple sheet pan chicken and sloppy joes.

Rhubarb Season

Is your rhubarb coming into season? I have not had luck getting any plants to take, but I have neighbors who are generous with their rhubarb each year — give these delicious rhubarb recipes a try, including my newest — Old Fashioned Rhubarb Cake.

Square pan filled with rhubarb coffee cake with one slice missing, ribbons of rhubarb and a pink napkin.

Easy Old-Fashioned Rhubarb Cake Recipe

Buttermilk rhubarb bread on cutting board sliced with ribbons of rhubarb net to the bread.

Buttermilk Rhubarb Bread with Cinnamon Streusel Topping

Strawberry Rhubarb Salad with dressing and slivered almonds.

Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Salad with Rhubarb Dressing

Best Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars (+ GF Option)

That’s about it, by this time next week we will have graduated our youngest and have a house full of family and friends!

I am, as always so very grateful that you allow me in your inbox each week AND that you actually click through and read these posts. I would love to hear what your favorite last minute dinner ideas are, pop down to the comments below and share! Or reply to the original email.

Weekly Inspiration

We have been reading through the One Year Bible and there is a daily blog that goes along with it, each day he shares a song that goes along with the readings. This week, one of the songs was a great reminder, it’s an oldie-but-goodie! Friends.

Reflecting on the incredible friendships our boys have developed in our neighborhood through the years, it’s especially meaningful to me — friends are friends forever; when the Lord is the Lord of them!

May your week be fertilized with truth, sprinkled with grace and showered in love!

I am eternally grateful for you,

signature of Kathleen, The Fresh Cooky Recipe developer

P.S. Be sure to browse through last weeks Fresh Fridays for more great recipes!

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Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

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