Cooking for Four

on February 17, 2011
in All Posts

Good morning…

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Breakfast is ready!

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I don’t think I’ve ever really explained this before, but every two weeks, my father-in-law comes and stays with us for five days so he can see patients at the clinic.  They are trying to sell their Florida home (a promising deal fell through at the last minute earlier this year) and move their entire life up to Charlotte.  My father-in-law stays in our office on an air mattress.

 

Last night, my Dad stayed over, too (on the futon), so this morning, I was cooking for four.

 

Eggs seemed like the best bet.

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I’ve really been enjoying swapping spinach out for the broccoli ‘leaves.’  To make this scramble, I cooked the mushrooms and chopped broccoli leaves in a wok on high, then I added eight eggs and gave it all a good stir.  I topped it with tomatoes (instead of cooking them in) because my Dad hates tomatoes.    Ten minutes later, I had a breakfast to serve everyone.

 

A toaster with four slots helps, too. 🙂

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Do you live with extended family?  People would think I would hate it, but I actually like it.  I grew up an only child so it’s wonderful to have my in-laws around a lot (granted, it helps that they aren’t cra-azy).

{ 76 comments }

 

  • Jackie @ Baking Charms February 17, 2011, 8:50 am

    I never have lived with extended family before but I think your situation would be fun! Every two weeks, I could handle that 🙂

  • Holly @ Couch Potato Athlete February 17, 2011, 8:54 am

    We don’t live with extended family — it is just the two of us for now! I grew up in a fairly large family (mom, dad, 3 sisters and me!) For a while my oldest sister, her husband and daughter all lived with us, it was a really full house!

    In the future I can definitely see one of our parents coming to live with us as they get older.

  • Ann @ Day by Day February 17, 2011, 9:03 am

    That egg breakfast looks wonderful- just like what I get from my favorite breakfast restaurant! I’ve never lived with extended family except once, when a cousin worked for my Dad to learn about his business. It was only for a few months, but I thought it was so much fun to have another “brother.”

  • Marie-JourneytoBodyZen February 17, 2011, 9:05 am

    Your breakfast looks yummy and filling! I love that placemat 🙂

  • Joyce @ Flowing to Fifty February 17, 2011, 9:06 am

    The eggs look great as does the toast…might be time for breakfast! 🙂
    I’m very impressed that you spend so much time with family. I’m not sure I could do it, but I always admire people who’s families are this close.

  • jen @ taste life February 17, 2011, 9:11 am

    I find it oddly cute that your dad hates tomatoes! I love cooking for big groups, and I, too, am an only child. Not sure how I’d feel having the fam staying at my house, but I do like having lots of people around.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat February 17, 2011, 9:12 am

    Looks delicious! I don’t live with extended family but when I see them there’s usually some sort of sleeping over involved because my (geographically) closest relatives live about 3 hours away. Sounds like you’ve got a busy house this morning! Have a great day Caitlin! 🙂

  • Kristina @ spabettie February 17, 2011, 9:13 am

    ha… I saw cooking for four and then sweet Maggie… I thought you started cooking for the pups! 🙂

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine February 17, 2011, 9:14 am

    It’s always been just the four of us in my house- though now that my brother is married it’s either three or five!! I liked having him around more, actually. My mom and I tend to butt heads, so it’s better when there’s someone around to diffuse the tension.

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing February 17, 2011, 9:14 am

    Growing up, we lived with my grandparents for most of my childhood, after my parents divorced. It was just…normal for me. I didn’t know any different! I can adapt pretty easily.

  • Michelle February 17, 2011, 9:17 am

    That breakfast looks delicious.
    It’s just me and my husband and dog at our house. just the way I like it 🙂

  • Kelly February 17, 2011, 9:19 am

    My in-laws are coming to stay with us this weekend. They’re actually a lot of fun and I love having them over.

  • Elizabeth@The Sweet Life February 17, 2011, 9:20 am

    Oh my–that’s a lot of family in the mix! Hope it’s going well and good luck!

  • VeggieGirl February 17, 2011, 9:23 am

    Nope, I only live with my parents and basically Suave Slav 😀

  • rebecca lustig February 17, 2011, 9:24 am

    I dont know if I’d ever let my parents live with me for an extended period of time. Maybe I’m just going stir crazy now that I’m back at home for a little while, ha

  • Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) February 17, 2011, 9:25 am

    I have never had extended family living at home. The house was full enough with myself and four other siblings! Fun times 🙂

  • April @ Crazy Fabulous Life February 17, 2011, 9:26 am

    Nope, no live-in extended family here. And I’m pretty sure I’d lose my mind if I had any. 🙂

  • Orla February 17, 2011, 9:27 am

    I lived with my aunt, her husband and small child for 2 years when I was in the final years in college – my mother was not letting me go back unless I agreed. I had a little too much “fun” in my first 2 years and took a year out in the middle of it all.
    It was not at all as bad as I thought. In fact, it was a great way to learn to share a house. We all had duties and chipped in. And it was nice not to have to live in student digs. Fridge full of beer all the time? Yes Please. My aunt and I have a great relationship as a result!
    Not sure that I could live with my inlaws though. Or my own parents for that matter- but needs must!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) February 17, 2011, 9:29 am

    I have lived with my in-laws before and I liked it. It can get kind of crazy, but in the end, it is great to be surrounded by people that care for you. Sounds like you had a great night and breakfast looks perfectly delicious!

  • Sarah @ The Strength of Faith February 17, 2011, 9:29 am

    I think it’s always fun to have family around for awhile. If it were more permanent it would drive me nuts, but family really is a blessing that some people don’t have!

  • Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table February 17, 2011, 9:32 am

    The incredible, edible egg for a crowd. 🙂

    I always add my tomatoes last (or salsa) – I like them, but more so raw.

  • Maryann February 17, 2011, 9:34 am

    I live with my parents but am at my boyfriends half the time. Eggs are a great way to cook for several people–fast, cheap and easy!

  • Sue @ Sue In Training February 17, 2011, 9:36 am

    I live together with my manfriend, he has two teen-aged kids, and the spend every other weekend with us. I kind of like our crowded house.
    On a typical Saturday morning we also make a big batch of scrambled eggs, just like you!

  • Katie Photiadis February 17, 2011, 9:38 am

    Wow, it sounds like you have a full house this morning, Caitlin =) That toast and egg scramble looks delicious =)

    I miss good bread! It’s so tough to find it in Richmond, Va, though.

  • Katie @ peacebeme February 17, 2011, 9:39 am

    I know I could never live with my parents or in-laws after I am married. I could for sure have my parents to visit for a little while, but too long would drive me nuts. I don’t think I could handle my in-laws staying with us at all, haha.

    Right now, I am 25 and living with my parents and it’s driving me nuts, but I recognize that when i don’t live here, I won’t be quite so annoyed by them.

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) February 17, 2011, 9:40 am

    Eggs always please a crowd. 🙂 I recently tried broccoli in my eggs and I’m addicted!

    I just live with my kitty. It gets lonely sometimes, but she can be good company. 😀

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey February 17, 2011, 9:41 am

    I can see my mom living with us as she gets older, but for now I enjoy jsut the two of us!!

  • Alex @ Healing Beauty February 17, 2011, 9:44 am

    The eggs look yummy! And toast. I think toast is one of the best foods ever 🙂

  • Carly February 17, 2011, 9:45 am

    I could live with my mom easily again one day, however I’m pretty sure the man would not be okay with that. His family is wonderful and 5 day visits would be fine, but I don’t know about living with them!

  • Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl February 17, 2011, 9:48 am

    I always flip out when people come to stay – overcleaning to the point of insanity. I don’t know why I’m like that! It annoys even me.

  • Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews February 17, 2011, 9:53 am

    I love the Doxie pic! Looks like a great breakfast too.

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg February 17, 2011, 10:04 am

    Just the thought of my in-laws being around that much makes my skin start to twitch. 🙂 Glad you have such a strong relationship with yours though– I often wish that I did!

  • Dorry February 17, 2011, 10:05 am

    When my husband’s father passed away, we lived with his mom for a while to help her through the transition. It was actually nice to be around her and it definitely solidified our relationship so I’m thankful for that!

  • Kelly February 17, 2011, 10:10 am

    I don’t think I could do it. I could barely handle living with my own mother, haha.

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman February 17, 2011, 10:16 am

    I’ve never tried broccoli in eggs instead of spinach. Great idea. As much as I’d like to say I could handle living with family, I just don’t think I could. I like alone time too much. But kudos to you for hosting them and even making breakfast!

  • Beth February 17, 2011, 10:27 am

    I go both ways on this–I love my dad and sister and we all vacation together and own a beach house together, so I could see us being okay. But my mother in law–yeah, she gets exhausting after a few days. She actually does live with my brother in law part time, and she’s joked about living with us the rest of the time. It’s not cool.

  • Kathie February 17, 2011, 10:29 am

    your breakfast looks so delicious and filling!

  • Ashley February 17, 2011, 10:37 am

    No, but my bro-in-law was staying with us indefinitely for awhile (he actually just “moved out” 2 days ago, so weird coincidence with timing!) I don’t mind it too much, except that we live in a tiny place so we don’t really all have our own space, ya know? If we lived somewhere a little bigger I think it might be okay.

  • DadHTP February 17, 2011, 10:41 am

    I do not hate tomatoes. I only hate whole tomatoes because they are scarey.

    • Laura February 17, 2011, 11:22 am

      That’s exactly what my husband says! I think it’s the “gel” that is in the seedy area of the tomato that grosses him out. He loves tomato sauce, salsa, etc. but put a sliced tomato on salad or a sandwich and forget it.

      • Eliza February 17, 2011, 5:07 pm

        I only like tomato cooked. Or in sauces. Raw tomatoes ARE scary

  • Shell February 17, 2011, 10:42 am

    Wow a full house at your house then! IS hubby still vegan or is just a vegetarian now? Breakfast looks yummy!

    • Caitlin February 17, 2011, 1:04 pm

      He eats eggs but not dairy 🙂 So a ovo-veg? Or something like that.

  • Amber K February 17, 2011, 10:48 am

    I couldn’t live with anyone other than my husband. I get really uncomfortable when people just visit for an extended period of time. I just do better when I have more control over my schedule and I always feel like I have to entertain them every second they are here.

  • Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good February 17, 2011, 11:00 am

    I don’t, but both my brothers live within walking distance of our parents. Sometimes I wish I could be there too. Likewise, a house went up for sale down the street from my in-laws, and I would have gladly lived there. Neither location is convenient for my husband’s work. He needs a big city.

    I think it would be okay, but not ideal to actually live in the same house with extended family. I like a little privacy. 🙂

  • Lindsey @ Morningstar Project February 17, 2011, 11:24 am

    I’m also an only child, but I don’t think you could pay me enough money to live with my in-laws! Love them but they run at a different pace then me. I like my quiet time and they have the TV blaring all day, talking non-stop (usually about the weather), and running around the house in a frenzy all day. I like my distance 🙂

  • Sarah for Real February 17, 2011, 11:29 am

    I look forward to having more family come to visit when I’ve got a bigger home. Right now we only have one bathroom and one bedroom so our (older) parents are just not very comfortable here and prefer a hotel, which makes it awkward. Plus our table barely seats four, with no room for food.

    In my dream world, I’ve got a little guest house complete with kitchenette adjacent to our comfortable country home, right next to where we’ll keep the goats and chickens… and maybe a milking cow. I’ll whip up beautiful meals from my home grown food whilst singing in perfect pitch with perfect hair and watching our three perfect children learn calculus at the ages of 4, 6 and 8… Ahh dreams…

  • Ashley (The Vegetable Life) February 17, 2011, 11:31 am

    My man and I moved away for about a year and recently both moved back to our hometown (we grew up and went to highschool together). I love living in the same town as my family and my inlaws. Plus… think of all the babysitting perks when we have kids!! haha

  • AllieNic @ Frisky Lemon February 17, 2011, 11:39 am

    Yum! Those eggs look great! I love some green mixed in with my eggs in the morning!

    I live very very close to my boyfriend’s mother and grandmother…literally a block away. My bf has a pretty big family of cousins, aunts and uncles and they all pretty much live in the same town we do! It can be overwhelming because I grew up with family dinners being me, my sister and my mother…now family dinners are 15 people or more! Crazy

  • Jessica February 17, 2011, 11:44 am

    My fiance and I just loved into the house next door to my parents…Everybody Loves Raymond anyone?!

  • Jessica February 17, 2011, 11:45 am

    My fiance and I just moved into the house next door to my parents…Everybody Loves Raymond anyone?!

    • Caitlin February 17, 2011, 1:04 pm

      omg. i dont think i could handle that!

  • Stephanie February 17, 2011, 11:45 am

    When I was married we lived with my then mother-in-law and our two kids. Not fun. I tried to make it fun…but it just wasn’t happening. Some days were definitely easier than some though.

  • christine February 17, 2011, 11:48 am

    Yeah, I think the craziness factor directly relates to how often you want them around! Sane or not, I have trouble with people staying too long. We have a small place so it get crowded, plus I feel like I have to entertain.

  • Kacy February 17, 2011, 11:51 am

    I live alone so it would be a huge adjustment but I think the company would be enjoyable for the most part!

  • Jodie February 17, 2011, 11:56 am

    Awwwww…. I think you should start every post with a cute pic of one of your pups!! Maggies sweet little face just made my day! Thanks for sharing!!

    • Caitlin February 17, 2011, 1:03 pm

      <3 Maggie says thank you!

  • Kiran February 17, 2011, 12:01 pm

    I was born and brought up living in an extended family. Ever since living in the States (only me and the Hubby), I feel quite lonely. Perhaps I’ve been pampered by everyone in the extended family 😀

  • Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans February 17, 2011, 12:29 pm

    I like company some times but I have to admit I am partial to having my own space and routine so I would need to adjust to living with family again.

  • Natalia - a side of simple February 17, 2011, 12:36 pm

    I’ve grown up in a house of 7 so right now I’m enjoying being by myself a bit at college. I do love going home though and wish I had even more siblings (don’t quote me…)! We’re also surrounded by family that live down the driveway but we all get along well and enjoy it.

  • Lauren February 17, 2011, 12:37 pm

    My gf’s parents are staying with her for two months (snowbirds!) so I’ve been “living” with them for weekends since the first week in January. It is very interesting, as I cook all vegan food and they are fast food junkies. Oops.

    P.S. Caitlin — I thought your husband was vegan? Or I made that up?

    • Caitlin February 17, 2011, 1:02 pm

      He eats eggs but not dairy 🙂

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) February 17, 2011, 12:42 pm

    I don’t know if I could live with in-laws. Sometimes living with my own parents drives me nuts!

  • mary (what's cookin' with mary) February 17, 2011, 12:48 pm

    “I grew up an only child so it’s wonderful to have my in-laws around a lot (granted, it helps that they aren’t cra-azy).” – LMAO! Yes, yes it does 😉 …I plead the 5th!

    Haven’t had breakfast yet (late start much?!) and I def know what I’m having now.

  • Jamie February 17, 2011, 2:32 pm

    I grew up an only child as well. I didn’t have many cousins either until my mom remarried…now I have 6 new cousins and together they have 22 kids! I absolutely love it when we have some of them stay and there are tons of ppl and lot’s going on…so different then my childhood!

  • Theodora February 17, 2011, 3:14 pm

    I never realized you were an only child…although I guess I never noticed you talking about siblings, either. I grew up an only child, too, so I LOVE having lots of people around!

  • Kara February 17, 2011, 3:20 pm

    I think before I had a baby, I would have hated living with other family members, but now it wouldn’t be so bad to have an extra set of hands around, especially when my husband has to be away! That is assuming, of course, that my family would be helpful instead of extra work for me 🙂

  • Stephanie C February 17, 2011, 3:21 pm

    I grew up (basically) as an only child – my (half) brother is 8 years older than me and only lived with us for a few years while I was growing up. While I have a huge extended family, I think I would die if people came to visit and I had to cook. One more person is fine, but I couldn’t handle the responsibility right now! I need my space!
    Right now it’s just me, my husband and our dog.

  • Jenna February 17, 2011, 3:24 pm

    When I first read this post I thought you meant your father-in-law stays at the clinic on an air mattress and I was very confused. My brain is clearly fried from studying for mid-terms.

    I have an older sister and for most of my life it was just the two of us and my mom. I moved away from home last September to go to school and I now live with four roommates in a 1000 square feet (ish) of space. On the weekend the number of people staying in the house is usually up to 7 (two of the girls have boyfriends), and it is croooowded. I can’t wait to go back to my mom’s house in two days for reading week. It’s going to be so peaceful.

    • Caitlin February 17, 2011, 3:57 pm

      1000 sq ft is small for 4 people!

      • Jenna February 17, 2011, 5:08 pm

        It really is! But the rent is insanely cheap and I don’t have to share a room with anyone so it’s livable. I’m thinking about living in the dorms on campus next year so I like to think that this is just preparing me for even more cramped quarters. Lol.

  • Roselyn February 17, 2011, 3:41 pm

    I lived with my in-laws this past summer while we were moving from FL to MD. For almost 3 months. It wasn’t awful; I actually chose to live with them over my parents bc I just CAN’T live with my parents. While it wasn’t awful, I was VERY happy to move into my own house again.

  • Eliza February 17, 2011, 5:11 pm

    We have a fairly big house and I live with my parents. My older brother lives with us occasionally but it feels like too many people. I think it is because I am a bit of a clean freak and I like the place to be tidy!

  • MelanieF February 17, 2011, 7:13 pm

    It’s just me, my husband and our cat and that’s the way I live it. I could see my mom living with us when she gets older or if my father goes before her (he’s 10 years older), but not my in-laws. I get along fine with my mother in-law, and we actually stayed with her when her partner died in December (my husband’s parents are divorced) and it was ok but my father in-law gets on my nerves after just a couple of minutes, so living with him would be a big no no.

  • Mary (A Merry Life) February 17, 2011, 9:16 pm

    I have always lived with a lot of people. I grew up with three brothers and then have always had lots of roommates. I have no idea what it’s like to live alone.

    Right now I’m living with my fiance’s family and I sort of hate it. I hate to admit that I hate it, but I do. It’s making me miserable and I can’t wait to get out of the situation. The place we live in is too small for all of us so my fiance and I don’t really have a bedroom and it’s probably the worst living situation of my entire life. I’m just trying to survive it.

    Eh. Sorry for the outburst in your comments. I have nowhere to vent without feeling like I’m a big complaining baby.

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