Menu: 8/14 thru 8/26

I'm still here! Summer has been crazy (and I can't believe it is coming to an end!!! It's almost school time for my kiddies!!! Woot!! We love back to school!!!)

Baseball ended a few weeks ago and now we're in full on football mode...at least four nights a week, every week...three kids on three different teams! Holy wah!!

Anywho...I've been revamping the photograph biz...THAT is time-consuming. I've been sick A LOT lately...not sure what the heck!?! And like I said, sports, sports, sports, (laundry, laundry), sports, sports, sports. LOL!

We are still meal-planning though! (I cannot express how much time and headache this saves!!!) Groceries are bought for the next two weeks! LOTS and LOTS of football going on all week, so we chose dinners that were either super quick, could be prepared in advance, or that could cook all day in the crock pot!

Sunday 8/14
Roast (Slow Cooker!)
Mashed Potatoes + Gravy
Green Beans

Monday 8/15
Quesadillas
Chips + Salsa

Tuesday 8/16
Shepherd's Pie

Wednesday 8/17
Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry (Teriyaki)
White Rice

Thursday 8/18
LEFTOVER DAY!

Friday 8/19
Corn Dog Muffins
Homemade (baked) Mac-n-Cheese

Saturday 8/20
My FAMOUS Chicken Noodle Soup...yummmmy!!!! Can't wait!

Sunday 8/21
Honey Mustard Chicken (Slow Cooker)
Rice
Steamed Veggies

Monday 8/22
Spaghetti
Garlic Bread

Tuesday 8/23
Salmon (baked)
Wild Rice
Steamed Veggies

Wednesday 8/24
LEFTOVERS!

Thursday 8/25
Tuna Mac Casserole

Friday 8/26
Corn & Bacon Chowdaaahhh (Chowder *wink*)
Rolls

xoxo

Menu Monday - Guest Post...WOOT!

Oh happy day!!! We've got a guest poster today...another rockin' lady that plans her menus! I'm telling you...it's the way to go. Now without further adieu...I present Carrian!



Hi everyone!!! I'm Carrian from Sweet Basil! I blog about all things food and I've recently begun posting a weekly menu. It's meant to be used the week following so you have time to grocery shop and plan for it. I also am the executive assistant at Simply the Sweet Life and I LOOOOVE it. AND, guess what? I have a giveaway going on right now and so does Simplythesweetlife!! It sounds so silly, but giveaways put me in the BEST mood. I love giving stuff away because isn't it the best to get something for free? HECK YES!!

Anyway, here is a great weekly meal plan and I hope it helps to take away that boring, "What to eat for dinner" dilemma.






Printable Grocery List



Meal Plan



Sunday- Marinated Turkey Breast



serve with fingerling potatoes



Monday- Turkey Pot Pie (use leftover turkey)



Tuesday- French Dip



Wednesday- White Chicken Chili



Thursday- Rosemary Skewered Chicken



Friday- Margarita Pizza



Saturday-Bacon Egg and Avocado Sandwich


Thanks for having me!! I do hope you will stop by Sweet Basil and say hello. OH! And Jenn is posting her menu for me today so run over and tell her hello!!

Menu Monday

It's that time again, friends. MENU MONDAY! (Days got mixed up in last week's menu so this Sunday's meal was actually going to be Saturday from last week. But, one of the many beautiful things about menu planning is, it's totally flexible when there's got to be a change of plans!!)

Sunday 5/1
Steak Sandwiches
Rosemary Over potatoes
Green Beans

Monday 5/2
Chicken Quesadillas
Chips & Salsa + Guacamole

Tuesday 5/3
Baked Salmon
Caesar Salad

Wednesday 5/4
Tuna Mac Casserole

Thursday 5/5
LEFTOVERS!!!

Friday 5/6
Spaghetti (which is ACTUALLY leftovers from last time we had spaghetti. I dumped what we didn't eat into a freezer bag, so it's all ready for a quick thaw and reheat! Yummy!)

Next week, watch for a GUEST POST from one of my new favorite bloggie-friends! She posts weekly menu's also and she is going to be here to share her menu with you!

Ciao!

OPAM

OPAM = One Photo a Month

I've seen some people take on this project with their entire families...one of my very favorite photographers, Tara Whitney, did this last year...6 people, times 12 (Tara, her husband and their four kids) every month for a year. Amazing.

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE a family "portrait" every month, but it's hard because often, when McKenzie is over, Will isn't...or when Will and McKenzie are home, Luc and Mike are at their dad's. To get our whole crew of 7 (plus 2 dogs) together in the day time all at once is a rarity...and when it does happen it's usually chaotic and there's lots going on! (As I'm sure you can imagine! haha!)

SO, I decided I'd embark on a challenge to take a portrait of my four boys, all together...at least once a month...every month. Of course, I didn't decide this until April so my "year" is kind of lop-sided, but so be it.

I am planning to push to be more creative as the months go on, but for right now, this was a rushed evening shot we took quickly when we got home from one of the boys' sports practices...and I love it. I am going to print one for my desk at work so I can stare at those faces all day and dream of being a Stay at Home Mom. <3 And whenever they stress me out (because lets be honest...kids can stress us out), I can think of this moment and these faces and I realize it's ok.

I love these boys with every ounce of my soul...my four boys...take 1.

And just for fun...Mikey is a BURST of personality, and 9 out of 10 photos I snapped he was making a face kind of like this. He makes me laugh. hahaha!

Bagel Schmear

I'll never forget it...that fateful, quiet Sunday morning...Easter Sunday. It was just Benji & I...the man was sleeping (he's a 3rd shifter) and the older boys were at their dad's.


I was lounging on the couch, browsing all of my favorite blogs, when I came across THIS post on This Life is Sweet. At that very moment, a new tradition was born.


It was HOURS until dinner time...what could I eat in the meantime? Why, BAGEL SCHMEAR of course!! I actually got up and went to the store just for the ingredients. The moment I saw it, I knew I needed it!


It was DEVINE! I'm sure I'll make it again throughout the year (it would make an awesome dip for crackers too!!) but from here on out, I will make it every Easter morning so we can snack throughout the day on something besides Easter candy, and it will keep us happily satiated until dinner time!


So if you're looking for a delicious snack (or even something that makes a great light meal...I had it for lunch yesterday), try this...and while you're enjoying your Schmear, check out This Life is Sweet! Tell her Jenn sent you! :)

Bagel Schmear (recipe from This Life is Sweet)

2 8-oz. packages cream cheese - softened
1 pkg. Pastrami (I bought Carl Buddig) - chopped finely.
1 bunch green onions - chopped
2 c. shredded cheddar

Mix cream cheese, pastrami and green onions. Depending on how long you let your cream cheese soften, it might be difficult to stir at first. Then add your cheddar cheese and mix well.

Spread on a toasted bagel (I used Sesame bagels...yummy!) or onto Ritz crackers.





ENJOY!!!

It's TUESDAY!

You know what THAT means!!! My weekly "HOO ARE YOU?" from Night Owl Crafting!!

Love the variety of questions this week...fun stuff! The day isn't over yet! Hop on over and link up!!!




And the questions...

1. Do you plant a garden or flowers, or neither?
Technically, I plant neither...but we do grow some veggies in containers. (It hardly qualifies as a "garden" though.) We very much want to have a garden, but I need to do some research to learn about building raised garden beds. The people that owned the house before us has VERY nice landscaping (which we've wrecked, pretty much...we mowed down the HUGE garden in the back, after letting friends and family have their pick of the plants and flowers from back there.) We're left with some tulips in front and on the side of the house and one single poppy that comes up every year...but none of it planted by moi. :)

2. Does it bother you to have your blinds or curtains open after dark so people can see in your house?
Ehh...not so much when Adam is home...I guess more so if it's just the kids and I. (Although I admit that I love when other people do it...I find it really interesting to be able to see how people decorate their homes!! Does that make me a creepy freak?!? LOL!) It's not like I'm standing outside gawking or anything! haha! But if we're driving by, I might steal a glance. ;)

3. Do you like to go camping?
YES! We love to camp! I will love it MUCH more when we have a camper some day! For now we tent it...almost every weekend in the summer! Motocross pretty much EQUALS camping...non-stop camping! There are things I don't love, but that's another post for another day! LOL! (And if you asked me this at the end of the MX season...when we've been on the go for months, I might give an answer more along the lines of "I am SO flippin' sick and tired of CAMPING!" haha! Grass is always greener, right?)

4. Do you have a laptop or a desk top computer?
Laptop...although I am considering an all-in-one touch screen PC. Anyone have one?

5. What time during the day do you have your most energy?
On days at home, late morning to early evening.
Days at work...early evening when I get home from work. Work makes me feel like a lethargic lump. No lie. Blah.

Okay, amigos! You know all about me! Hurry over to Night Owl Crafting before Tuesday is done, and link up to HOO ARE YOU, TUESDAY!

xoxo

Menu Monday

Monday already? Gah! Where does the time go?!?

Did everyone have a fantastic Easter? I did...very much enjoyed time with my kiddos and I absolutely loved seeing their excitement over the goodies in their baskets! Luc started baseball (practice) this weekend too, so we are really starting to look forward to Spring sports!

I got our menu all planned out for the next two weeks and shopped on Saturday. (However, even though I plan for two weeks at a time, I'm only going to share one week at a time here.)

So here we go!

Sunday 4/24
Baked Ham
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Broccoli Ritz "Casserole"
Dinner Rolls (TOTALLY spaced it and forgot to make the dinner rolls last night!)
Strawberry Shortcake for dessert!

Monday 4/25
Honey Mustard Chicken (Slow-Cooker!)
Rice
Steamed Veggies
(We were supposed to have this last week and plans got changed.)

Tuesday 4/26
"Beefy Nachos"
(Basically a "nacho bar" set up with chips, taco meat, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, guacomole, and nacho cheese! Build your own nachos! Luc's requested meal of the week!)

Wednesday 4/27
Ham & Corn Chowder
Dinner Rolls
I will be using THIS recipe, as a base (using up leftover ham...woot!) but have some changes to make. If it turns out as deliciously as I'm expecting, I will create a separate post with the recipe!

Thursday 4/28
LEFTOVERS!! (Exclamation points make everything more exciting...right??)

Friday 4/29
Homemade Pizza...one buffalo chicken and one taco pizza (using leftover taco meat from our nacho bar day!). YUMMY! Can't wait! (This was Mikey's requested meal of the week!)
Salads

Saturday 4/30
Steak Sandwiches (Another new recipe I'll be trying...I will post if it's delish!)
Oven fries

FYI...

On our way to feeling better...after a couple nasty colds, a throat/eye/ear infection, and then the icing on the illness cake...Influenza B...we are FINALLY starting to feel better.





Flu shots for this family next year...yes-sir-ee.

Menu Monday

I tried to post this earlier but Blogger and I got into a fist-fight over formatting...Blogger won. Grr.

Trying again. :)

For the past few months I have been planning our meals two weeks in advance...and then shopping for our meals two weeks in advance. We love our new way of life. We eat healthier, because we rarely eat out. It saves us time because there are no last minute trips to the store and I know in advance what we are having, so there's not searching through the cabinets trying to make a decision when I get home from work. It also saves us money because I shop with specific meals in mind, I plan leftovers days, and I can plan meals that utilize leftovers.

It's still a flexible plan though...if something comes up and we need to switch days, no biggie. I am honestly so pleased with our decision to do this.

Anyway...thought I'd share our meal plans every week in case anyone is looking for meal ideas! Works for us!

Monday 4/18
LEFTOVERS (Leftover meatloaf and mashed potatoes from Saturday)

Tuesday 4/19
Sloppy Joes
Baked Mac-N-Cheese

Wednesday 4/20
Tatertot Casserole

Thursday 4/21
Steak
Grilled Potatoes
Steamed Broccoli

Friday 4/22
Honey Mustard Chicken
Rice
Steamed Veggies

Hopefully this helps anyone struggling to think of meals on a day to day basis!

Germ-y.

And we're sick...



Seriously mom?? (This is what a double eye infection + ear infection + throat infection looks like...)



On the bright side, it means cartoons (Timmy Time...our fave) in Mom & Dad's bed.

It's Tuesday.

Ahhh, HOO ARE YOU Tuesday...how I have MISSED you!







1. What are a couple of your favorite green foods? Spinach...broccoli...peas...hmmm...Oooo...LIMES! I LOOOOOOVE me some LIMES!

2. Do you decorate for St. Patrick's Day? Not even a little bit.

3. Do you have Irish in you? Nope...but every St. Patty's day at least three people ask me because I've got red hair and fair skin.

4. Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Never have...never tried a green beer, never made corned beef & cabbage. Honestly...I don't get the appeal. LOL!

5.Use one word that represents each letter in the word LUCK in your life!
L-Love
U-Unique
C-Creative
K-Kiddos (lots and lots of kiddos!)

And on that note, I have to go rock a sad, sick baby...never a dull moment.

HOOT!

It's HOO ARE YOU Tuesday over at Night Owl Crafting! If you haven't checked out her blog, you MUST! And if you've been then before, check it out again! She just got the CUTEST new site design! I just love it!




1. Are you married/in a relationship/single? For how long?
I am in a relationship...we're going on four years this coming May. No engagement ring yet...but a girl can hope! LOL!

2. What do you do for a living? Do you enjoy it?
I am a Certification Tech. I work for a company that manufactures seats from private jets/business jets. My department is responsible for testing the seats (like "crash testing") to make sure they meet FAA safety standards. I will say that I wish I was a stay at home/work from home mom, and leave that one at that...LOL.

3. In what state do you live? Where were you born and raised?
I live in Wisconsin. I was born in Wisconsin and raised in the Upper Pennisula of Michigan. I currently live about three minutes from my hometown. :)

4. Do you have children? If so, how many? If not, do you want them?
If there's one thing I have a bunch of, it's kids! I have four sons (yes...four. And yes...all boys.) They are ages 10 (almost 11...OMG...two more weeks! Where has time gone!?!?), 7, 5 (and a half!) and 6 months old. My boyfriend also has a daughter (who I already refer to as my step-daughter) who is 6 (almost 7). Needless to say, we keep VERY busy! LOL!

5. Who is your favorite blogger to follow and why?
There are SO many blogs I love. I can't pick a favorite...no way, no how.

HOO are YOU!?!?

Ahhh...Tuesday again! And you know what that means! Time for my FAVORITE link-it-up party of the week...Night Owl Crafting's HOO ARE YOU!?!?!








1. Do you wear glasses or contacts, if so for how long?
I have been rockin’ eyewear since the ripe ol’ age of FIVE (yes…5.) It started out with a failed eye test at school, followed by a local eye doctor telling my mom they were wrong and that my eyes were fine, another failed eye test, and a new eye doctor saying “Well what do you know!? She’s blind in her left eye!” Lovely. (Needless to say, that first eye doctor does NOT get my praises…) After years of patching my right eye (to force my left eye to work…and yes, I said patching…as in pirate. Arrrggg.), I am happy to say I can wear normal eyeglasses/contacts these days. (A far cry from the ridiculousness I had going on in 1987!) I have contacts and wear them on occasion…more often in the summer when I want to rock my “stunna shades” (ha!). But I LOVE LOVE LOVE wearing funky specs, so I wear glasses 95% of the time.

2. What was your favorite board game as a kid?
Hmmm…good question. I quite liked Splat! (Do you remember that game? With the Play-doh bugs??) I found that game at Goodwill last year sometime and my kids love it. A classic, for sure.
3. What is a word that you use all the time?
Ahahaha…we’re a bunch of crazies in our household and among our group of friends. I say “stoked” a lot…or “gourd” (as in “you are out of your gourd”…LOL!) The man gets on these phrase kicks and will start his own catch phrase that he says (and gets everyone else saying for weeks at a time! Yes…we are THAT ridiculous.) The current catch phrase at our house is “Holy WAH!” (so we say that…a lot! LOL!)

4. What is your favorite day of the week?
Sunday. The only thing that sucks about Sunday is that it’s followed by “back to work, Monday”. But Sunday is when I clean, grocery shop, watch football, etc. I love me some Sundays.

5. Did you graduate high school from the town you grew up in?
Yes…Class of 2000 baby! Woot!

Now head on over and check out Night Owl Crafting (and follow her blog while you're at it...it's a good one!!!) :)

I found a fun new Friday party over at "The Little Things We Do..." so hop on over and take part in "Fill in the blank Friday"!!!

1. My favorite quote is...one of many. I really love words and the responses they illicit in people. Top three are: “Do not ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world need are people who have come alive.” (-Howard Thurman) “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” (-Winston Churchill) and “All the effort in the world means nothing if you’re not inspired.” (-Chuck Palahniuk). I’m a sucker for song lyrics too, but I could go on all day about it.

2. A bad habit I have is...NAILBITING! I am getting better though. I still catch myself doing it when I'm stressed, but once I realize I'm doing it, I stop right away!

3. The first time I felt like a "grown up" was...when I bought an iron and was stoked about it.

4. Weekends are...ALWAYS busy, but they also allow me much needed extra time with the kiddos, extra time to catch up on the housework, and extra time to just chill without feeling guilty about it! Looking forward to the weekend gets me through the week, FO SHO!

5. When I was a child I wished my name was...I don't even remember? I don't know if I ever wished I had a specific name but there were names I'd given my dolls that I planned for future children (that I did NOT stick with)...Anastasia, Kennedy, Lincoln (all girl names), and then there was my very favorite doll, William (that I did indeed name my first son!!)

6. I wish...I could afford to stay at home (work from home) and take care of my family...spend more time with my boys...have more time to cook and clean without having to spend the majority of my evenings doing it...I SO wish I could stay home. It is my goal and I WILL get there...I just hope it's while my kids are still young. :(

7. A secret I have is...while I'm looking forward to fitting into clothing a couple sizes smaller, I still miss Jalapeno Cheetos!!!!! (I have been doing pretty great on my new healthy eating plan though, so I am proud of myself!) :)

Alright friends...link it up!

Woot...It's HOO ARE YOU time at Night Owl Crafting! Love this...love getting to know my fellow bloggers a little bit better! So head on over there and link up, party people!









1. Are you fond of cooking? YES...I love to cook! (Well...I love to cook when it's not my job. I have down the whole cooking as a profession thing and it made me hate cooking both at work and at home. Yucko.) I absolutely love trying out new recipes, and tweaking old recipes to my liking. Love making dinner every night for my family and trying fun new breakfasts with the kiddos on the weekends. LOVE making dips and appetizers for a bunch of friends when they come over to watch football or Supercross. Love to grill in the summer...yummmmmm. So yes, not only am I "fond of" it...I LOVE it!

2. What kind of food do you prefer eating when you are out? MEXICAN! I am one quesadilla lovin' Momma!!

3. Which do you prefer, sweet or salty? Oh, hands down, salty. I could live of popcorn and chips...although I'm starting BIGGEST LOSER next week at work (cannot WAIT!) and popcorn and chips are going to be a thing of the past. :(

4. Where is the last place you ate out at? A local pizza place here called Brothers Three...we went on New Year's Eve for the second year in a row and it was delish, as usual!! We always split our pizzas half an half, and got two smalls...so we got half pepperoni with half Mexican pizza (the man's faves) and I got half Hawaiian with half Bacon Cheeseburger! SO amazing!

5. What's for dinner tonight? I don't know yet, actually...the weeks the kids are at their dad's we just kind of wing it. I'm going to run home at lunch and probably throw some chicken in the crock pot.

Seriously now, get over to Night Owl Crafting...link it up folks!

xoxo

30 Days of Truth - Day 3

If you recall, I started a "30 Days of Truth" series a couple months ago. As promised, I am continuing. I knew I wouldn't be posting one a day (or even one a week) but as part of my 2011 resolution to keep my blogging going strong, I'm going to take on another question today while my family naps.

We're up to Day 3...

Day 3: Something you have to forgive yourself for.

Hmm...that's tough. I am pretty headstrong about refusing to live a life of regret.

We are human and we all make mistakes. Every decision in my lifetime, good or bad, has led me to this exact life...this exact moment. So if I hang on to those bad choices...times when, looking back I can see, I probably should've acted otherwise, I'm not really sold...because had I done that, I wouldn't be where I am right this very second. And I love where I am right this very second.

I cannot know for certain if the choices I have made have brought me to a place that is better or worse than where I would be otherwise, but I don't care. I CAN'T care. Because I am who I am and I am where I am...and that's just what it is. (Very "Butterfly Effect"...I know.)

I thought long and hard about this before answering and that's really the best answer I can give. :)

2011

Hello New Year!!

It's been a crazy, amazing 2010 and I am FULLY looking forward to more amazing-ness in 2011!!!

An update on life around here...remember that bedroom makeover we did? Yeah, scratch that. I've decided I can't stand sleeping upstairs so far from the kiddos, so the new game plan is to find a new bedroom set (as opposed to trying to get our big stuff back down the small staircase! LOL!) and take one of the small bedrooms downstairs. We are rearranging once again and I feel REALLY good about our plans this time! <3

We and the kids are doing fantastically! Our sweet Benji just got over a week long stomach bug...that wasn't the most fun ever but we are grateful to have him back to his smiling self. Love that baby! <3

The big kids are doing well in school, had a fun-filled Christmas...and we are still sorting out the toy tornado that went through our living room!

NUMERO UNO on the New Year's Resolutions list is GET ORGANIZED. We've made some small changes already and I am looking forward to a less hectic year due to better organization. Wish me luck!

Other resolutions include taking more pictures of my kiddos, making time for a date night with Adam once in awhile...not just for a special occasion, but just because, and being a better blogger. I love blogging...i just need to allot myself the time to do it. And (again, as part of the New Year, fresh start) I am vowing to do just that. Allow myself time to do some of the things I love...read, write, (no...not arithmetic!) learn!!!!

I am just loving life and hope you are too!

Happy Twenty-Eleven friends! <3