Attack of the Mormon Woman Isanities

No secret, we started moving last Saturday. And by started, I really mean STARTED, as in I've spent at least 2 hours every day since (usually 3-4) dragging more stuff from the Hobbit Hole over to the new house and cleaning. The kitchen floor alone took me 45 minutes to mop this morning - not because it was dirty-gross or huge, but because nothing I do makes the bluish linoleum look clean. Ever.

While my kitchen is more or less unpacked (More=all the spices, baking goods, pots-n-pans, utinsels are put away in their proper place; Less=the salad plates, all the bowls, some knives and plastic containers and all the pantry items remain to be found), it is still a contortionist's dream come true, as there are boxes and bags and random things (chains for the car's tires in the kitchen? Really)EVERYWHERE. It's what happens when you move with mostly male help.

At the same time, a woman I have a great deal of respect for is on bedrest with a touch-and-go pregnancy. Being a Mormon Woman, I am a firm believer in the necessity of meals brought in. Even if one has a husband who can cook. Especially when one has a child. So, I volunteered, with the caveat that I had to actually FIND the kitchen first, which would take me until today at least.

There is just one problem: I hadn't gone grocery shopping in a month (other than sending Himself to buy the occassional gallon of milk). So last night, I dragged Himself to the store. He moaned and spent his time adding boxes of rice pudding, maple syrup and other things not on the list as "surprises" (which was definitely a "surprise" when the total bill was $15 more than I had calculated in my head.

This morning, I cut up the veggies and steamed them, so they'd be ready to toss into the sauce for the main dish when I got home. I stuck the can (yes, unopened - no time to look for the can opener) of mandarin oranges in the fridge to chill for the salad. I gave Himself the chicken breasts to grill so they would be ready for me to heat with the sauce this evening.

Then I went to start the cupcakes. All was well until I realized that I buy eggs at Costco. I haven't been to Costco in a month either. I have no eggs. Rather than use my mom's nifty substitute of Knox gelatin and water for eggs and end up ruining the good chocolate going into the cupcakes, I abandoned that project and vowed to make a mad dash by the store on the way home from work.

So now dinner is in varying states of preparation, my kitchen is in varying states of situational distress and I am in varying states of insanity.

Why do I do this to myself?

For those curious, tonight's menu includes:
Penne in a tomato cream sauce (with grilled chicken)- thanks to Diana & Pedro for the recipe and the first introduction to this dish!
Mandarin Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes