Cyber Monday + Turkey Moussaka

My mom pointed out to me today that it is 5 weeks until Christmas.  Really?  Holy crap.

Our holiday cards should arrive any day so that is almost off the list, so decorating and presents are next to tackle.  Good news is we have an organized plan with the mission of wrapping that stuff up so we can really enjoy the season with our little people and not be running around like lunatics shopping last minute.

This weekend we have some free time so we'll get the outside lights up (but not turn them on until thanksgiving eve).  Friday after Thanksgiving we'll pick out our tree and Saturday afternoon we can spend the day listening to Christmas music and decorate at our leisure, have a nice dinner and then can relax the rest of the weekend and enjoy the lights. 

As for presents, my oldest son asked for a remote control plane with doors that open and is battery controlled so it doesn't require charging. Gotta love how specific the request is.

The problem is I have been googling for this without much success.  So have redirected his attention to Zoomer the Robot Dog. 

  

 

When I went to B.J.'s last week I saw a robot dog and figured it's something different then the planes, trucks and trains they already have.  We googled robot dogs and came across Zoomer.  They loved the youtube video of Zoomer so now both older kids have Zoomer as their one wish from Santa. 

Although the wish came with a lot of confusion about how Santa delivers a toy that is bought in toy stores and how can an elf make USB ports. 

I was thankfully quick on my feet.

 

Random side note - so interesting - last night it was $79.99 and as I write this it is now $96!  Now I refuse to buy it unless I get at least $79.

 

I digress.

 

The final note about holiday shopping - I will not step foot in a store after Thanksgiving, so am a Cyber Monday shopper.  The problem is I am at work on Cyber Monday, like most people, and obviously don't have time to go shopping. 

Get It Done Tip: Each year when I see something in a catalog or store that could be a nice gift I save it in my amazon cart. 

I get an email notification when the price goes up or down so can purchase if it goes on sale.  Anything that is still in the cart by Cyber Monday is probably discounted that day and all I have to do is move it to the cart and hit submit.  Takes all of 2 minutes so I can get back to work and still enjoy getting more bang for my buck.

Pretend there is a transition sentence here.

 

Tonight's dinner was good!  Last night my husband took the kids up for baths and I cleaned up downstairs and got this in the oven.  I like this routine we have now so by the time baths are done I can do homework and piano practice with my older son while the next night's dinner cooks.

 

Turkey Moussaka

Gooseberry Patch's Homemade Christmas

2 eggplants, thinly sliced

1 T. olive oil

2 onions, thinly sliced (I used 1)

1 t. garlic, minced

1 lb. ground turkey (I used ground chicken)

14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes

2 T. fresh parsley, chopped

salt and pepper to taste (I skipped)

2 eggs, beaten

2 5.3 oz containers plain Greek yogurt

1 T. grated Parmesan cheese

Assembling the Moussaka

In an ungreased non-stick skillet over medium heat, brown eggplant slices on both sides; remove from skillet and set aside.

Add oil; sauté onions and garlic for 2 minutes.

Add turkey; cook and stir until browned then drain.

Add tomatoes with juice, parsley, salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until turkey is tender.

Arrange half the eggplant slices in an ungreased 13x9 baking pan.

Top with turkey mixture, following by remaining eggplant slices.

In a bowl combine eggs, yogurt, and additional salt and pepper.

Pour over eggplant slices; sprinkle cheese over top.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until golden, bubbly and eggplant is tender.

Serves 8 to 10.  Serve a salad on the side to round it out.