MPM

Can someone tell me how the weeks can possibly go so fast?
How can it be Monday already?
And, do you know what happens this week? ??
We change the calendars to October!
Seriously, it will be Christmas before we know it.

Our week is fairy busy, but really, when isn't it...
The weather is suppose to be gorgeous. We will be working on a lot of outdoor projects to get things ready for winter. My box of Holland bulbs came Friday. Planting those little things will be top on our list. Don't ya just love when the bulbs start to pop and add color to the dead spring landscape? I do!

We have one more meal coming this week. I am incredible thankful for friends who have blessed our family with meals since Bristol was born. We haven't had a bad meal yet :) I have meals planned for the rest of the week, I've left one day for leftovers.

Be sure to follow the link below to find hundreds of other meal plans.

Cajun Chicken Pasta - from Pioneer Woman- this looks delicious, I can't wait to try it!

Quinoa-Beef Stew


Reuben Casserole- a favorite of the boys (big & little) at my house. I will also have homemade Mac-N-Cheese for those who don't like Reuben's :)

Hamburger Noodle Bake
My family always enjoys Hamburger Noodle Bake. I made this casserole, x2, last week & froze for an easy meal on a busy day. Most often I pair it with French bread, a hot veggie & fresh green salad.


Soft Taco's
I will be making chicken this week. We will also have homemade salsa, chips & refried black beans.

**I serve a green salad, fresh veggies & fruit at each meal**

I will also be making a few batches of bread items for our freezer.

Pumpkin Muffins

Whole Wheat Bread

MPM

We have 3 meals from Friends this week. Let me just say, we have the sweetest friends & the best church family! I have 4 meals planned, but if we have leftovers, I will be cutting out a planned meal and using leftovers.

Grilled Steaks, French Bread, Zucchini Stirfry

Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry on Brown Rice

Grilled Hamburgers, Homemade Oven Fries, Apple-Berry Sauce (we'll be making Pizza Bread, pictured below with Oven Fries, for lunch one day)

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches from Crock-Pot Girls

**I serve a green salad, fresh veggies & fruit at each meal

Plus, a few yummy desserts...
Homemade Apple Pie

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

with a fresh pumpkin from our garden

MpM

I am running, running fast & furious back to a PLAN,
a menu plan that is.
With school back in session & an infant, I need to be able to know what's for dinner before I wake up. We have been blessed with amazing friends & family who have provided meals for us. I have a few more freezer meals coming,
{yes}!
The freezer meals won't will be added in to my schedule. Instead, I will use them when my day doesn't go as planned or we have an appointment.

Have you heard of the Crock Pot Girls? Look them up on FB and LIKE them. They post Crock-Pot recipes for every dish from appetizers to desserts. I don't use prepared foods, so I will be making subsitions for many of their dishes, but I still think I will be able to find some winning recipes.

MONDAY:
From the Crock Pot Girls

Crockpot Fettucine:
2-3 chicken breasts, cut into pieces
1 pkg. dry Italian salad dressing mix
2 T. olive oil
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz. cream cheese
1 c. chicken broth

Place chicken in crock-pot and sprinkle Italian seasoning over chicken. Sprinkle with olive oil. Cook on low for 4-6 hrs. Mix soup, cream cheese, and broth until smooth. Add this mixture to crock-pot and cook on low for 1 more hour. Serve over hot, cooked noodles.

TUESDAY:
Cowboy Beans


WEDNESDAY:
Mexican Skillet


THURSDAY:
Pizza Casserole
I use 1# browned hamburger & add 1 pkg Hormel Nitrate Free Pepperoni.

FRIDAY:
Leftovers or Grill Steaks

SATURDAY:
Taco Pizza

**I serve a green salad, fresh veggies & fruit at each meal

What will you be eating this week?

MPM

Good Monday Morning

Isn't that blue sky Spectacular?!?
And that little man is pretty Awesome too.
Our weather has been beautiful, & by the looks of the 10 day, it should continue.
Hooray for SunShine!

I love summer food...
Fresh Vegetables
Crisp Green Salads
Homegrown Juicy Fruits
Grilled Meats, Vegetables, Breads
Yes, this is the beginning of the best 6 months of the year!

We've started opening the last canned jars of peaches, pickles, jams & green beans, our freezer produce is running low as well. I am anxiously waiting to pick the first radish, bowl of greens & tomato from the garden.
Really, nothing compares to the taste of like a ripe garden tomato!

Do you cook In Season? What is your favorite In Season recipe?

Last spring I purchased the cookbook Simply In Season. If you haven't ever read through it, I think it's worth purchasing.
Follow the link to Preview The Book

My weekly menu will be a lot the same throughout the summer.
It will include a lot of grilling, fresh produce & salads.
When ball games start, sandwiches & wraps will take over for a few nights of the week.

This week we will be eating:
MAIN:
Grilled Burgers on Whole Wheat Buns
Chicken & Vegetable Kabobs
Grilled Steak Salads
BBQ Pulled Beef Sandwiches on Whole Wheat Buns
Flat Bread Sandwiches; Tuna, Ham, or Chicken
Homemade Pizza
SIDES
(Most I will make a big batch & serve at several meals)
Italian Vegetable & Pasta Salad
Roasted Red Potatoes
Deviled Eggs
Frozen Fruit Salad
Grilled Bread
Homemade Salsa
Fried Brown Rice

**I serve a green salad, fresh veggies & fruit at each meal

What will you be eating this week?

MPM

Good Monday Morning!
I am not one of those who dreads Mondays. Don't get me wrong, I love weekends, but Mondays' bring regular routine back into our lives. Our weekend routine is fun, enjoyable & needed, however, our week day routine brings a certain calmness & predictability.

Today is the beginning of
the last week of our school year!
Our state requires 148 days of school for homeschoolers.
I am happy to say we have gone above & beyond 148 days.
Our {family} goal has never been 148 days, we make it our goal to finish workbooks and lesson plans. I will admit, I do breathe a sigh of relief when we pass the magic number.
We will be starting the 2011-2012 school year earlier than normal years due to baby #5 coming in late August/early September. My goal is to get several weeks in before he/she decides to make an appearance, then take ~two weeks off. Who knows if my plan will work or not. Time will tell.

I'll be sharing our plans and the school books we will be using in 2011-2012 in the upcoming weeks. I am already excited about what next year will entail!

Now on to what we'll be eating this week...

Main Dishes:

• NEW RECIPE: Grilled Mediterranean Greek Pizza, I will be using a homemade crust
• Beef & Veggie Stirfry on Brown Rice, with chop sticks for fun :)
• Soft Beef Taco's, Homemade Salsa & Chips
• Grilled Hamburgers
• Grilled T-bone Steaks
  
• NEW RECIPE I'm trying from a friend:Turkey Meatballs with WW Pasta, recipe follows

1# ground turkey
1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
2/3 c minced garlic
1/4 - 1/2 c fresh grated Parmesan-Reggiano, don't skip the cheese!
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
2 lg egg yolks

Mix dry ingredients, add turkey, make into balls. Heat large skillet on medium high heat with 1-2 T. of oil. Pan saute meatballs, browning well on all sides. Transfer meatballs onto paper towel, wipe pan down, return meatballs to pan, then add marinara sauce. Bring to a simmer. (This ensures meatballs are cooked through and also gets them good and saucy)
Serve on pasta or as is. Recipe works well to double or triple and freeze.

SIDES:

• Italian Pasta Salad
• Grilled Veggies
• Freezer Corn
• Oven Fries
• Frozen Fruit Mixture

**I serve a green salad, fresh veggies & fruit at each meal

What will you be eating this week?

Busy Weeks Ahead!

I flipped the calendar to April, then laced up my running shoes.

We are diving in to a busy, busy month!
Doctors appointments, the BIG 20 week ultrasound, finish cheese invoices for Co-Op order, cut& vacuum seal plus shred & freeze my 38.5# of cheese, dentists appoints, meetings, church activities, school projects, outside projects (hopefully!), inventory kids clothes then purchase purchase Spring/Summer items, Easter preparations for services at church, Easter, AND I hope to get my paint figured out for a few rooms in the house, and get the painting done? might not happen, but I am setting my hopes high!

Can I take a nap?

Just kidding, it will all be good.
April will fly by and then it will be May.
Yes, the warmth of May, I can hardly wait!

We will start doing this

These little gems will be popping in late May

Summer is on the horizon.*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

This week I have easy meals planned.
I will be grilling, plus throwing in a few other crock pot items.
I personally think grilling has to be the easiest meal ever.

On my grill you will find...
Standing Rib Roast
Chicken Breasts
Steak, for Steak & Spinach Salads
Brats
Tilapia
Veggies
French Bread

In my crock pot you will find...
Chicken Soft Taco Filling
All day Baked Beans
Black Beans

Sides:
Fresh Fruit and Veggies
Green Salad
Oven Baked Fries

Sounds pretty easy, and yummy to me.
Hope you have a great week!

MPM - Using it up

I didn't go grocery shopping as I normally do on Friday. Instead, I hit Target, which recently added a mini grocery section. I was curious to see what they had and how prices compared to my normal grocery store. I learned two things.

1. It will be handy to grab produce, dairy or cold items when I am at the mall and don't feel like making another stop.
2. Target won't replace my regular grocery store, bummer! However, this fact is good for my checkbook. Target has far too many fun things which seem to find their way into my cart.

Therefore, this week, I'm digging it out and using it up. The only thing I plan to run to the smaller, local grocery for is a few fresh produce items and milk.

Main Dishes:
Oven Steamed Tilapia with fresh garlic, dill and butter
Beef Roast with rosemary, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, salt/pepper
Chicken Stir-fry with veggies & Rice Noodles
Grilled Steak
Pizza most likely 1/2 recipe grilled & 1/2 recipe oven baked
Chicken Enchilada's

Veggies & Side Dishes:
Italian Pasta & Veggie Salad
Grilled Veggies
Homemade Oven Fries
Grilled Garlic Bread
Chips & Salsa
Fresh Bread
Sauteed Green Beans
Corn
Lettuce Salad & Raw Veggies at every meal

What is on your menu for the week?

MPM- Grilling

I love grilling!

I plan to grill most of the week.
I wish I had a dandy little grill like the one below...

however, I don't, and I don't foresee one in the near future :)
I'll just be content with the one I do have.

This week I'll be grilling:

Grass Fed Beef Hamburgers seasoned with sea salt and pepper, topped with tomatoes, grilled onions and spinach
Tilapia, seasoned with real butter, sea salt, fresh garlic then wrapped in foil
Grass Fed Eye of Round Steaks
Chicken marinated in white wine, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper
Grass Fed Beef Short Ribs
Whole Wheat Pizza topped with veggies, nitrate free pepperoni, fresh mozz & herbs

Onions
French Bread with garlic butter

Mixed Vegetables

Seasoned Potatoes

Grilled Dessert Apples

Grilled Banana Boats

What is your favorite thing to grill?

MPM

I didn't make a single thing from my menu list last week. Instead we ate; toast, dry o's, dry plain waffles, banana's, oatmeal & crackers with diluted electrolyte drinks & warm tea with lemon & honey, plus a healthy dose of probiotics for all.
Yes, we had the stomach bug at our house last week. It didn't last long for each individual child, but by the time each child and myself experienced it, a week had passed.
However, I really can't complain, we haven't had any sickness at our since my baby had ear infection last July.

With that being said, my menu list is the same as last weeks.

• Baked Salmon Fillets ~ I steam bake with a little olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill and salt/pepper
  
• Chicken Beasts & Black Beans on Spinach ~ learn to make your own black beans here
• Sesame Chicken & Barley
• Grilled Hamburgers- maybe twice! ~ I am using up the last few packages of our grass fed hamburger, we are butchering in a week, yippee!I am tired of the bad rap beef gets. Did you know beef, GRASS FED beef, is not terrible for you? It is better for you, the cows, the land, and tastes DELICIOUS. When you purchase grass fed beef, you are supporting small, local farmers of America.
  
• Baked Rigatoni ~ I personally am not a big fan of pork, however, when we eat it, we eat Beelers
  
• Indoor Grilled Pizza, recipe from Cooks Illustrated

**All meals will be served with raw or cooked veggies, raw fruits & a salad, plus a whole grain if it isn't included in the main dish.

What will you be eating this week?

MPM

It works better for me to have a list of meal options instead of planning each day.

So, here it is, another week of options, with a few new recipes thrown in. Hopefully the new recipes will be keepers at our house!

• Baked Salmon Fillets ~ I steam bake with a little olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill and salt/pepper
  
• Chicken Beasts & Black Beans on Spinach ~ learn to make your own black beans here
• Sesame Chicken & Barley
• Grilled Hamburgers- maybe twice! ~ I am using up the last few packages of our grass fed hamburger, we are butchering in a week, yippee!I am tired of the bad rap beef gets. Did you know beef, GRASS FED beef, is not terrible for you? It is better for you, the cows, the land, and tastes DELICIOUS. When you purchase grass fed beef, you are supporting small, local farmers of America.
  
• Baked Rigatoni ~ I personally am not a big fan of pork, however, when we eat it, we eat Beelers
  
• Indoor Grilled Pizza, recipe from Cooks Illustrated

**All meals will be served with raw or cooked veggies, raw fruits & a salad, plus a whole grain if it isn't included in the main dish.

Dad is gone for work, so that should get us through the week.
If am am lucky, we'll have leftovers and I won't have to cook lunch for my crew.
I might even get lazy one night or need a few extra 'mommy of the year points', if that happens, I'll whip up whole wheat waffles & let the kids top with mixed berries from the feezer, and fresh whipped cream, Always a hit.

What will you be eating this week?

MPM

I've decided it works better for me to have main dishes and side dishes in mind/ingredients available, than to plan each day. Plans around our house change quite fast and I was frequently changing things up when I scheduled daily meals.
So, here it is, another week of options....

MAIN DISH OPTIONS:
Flank Steak Sandwiches(my new favorite! I'll post the recipe soon.)
Pizza

Beef Enchiladas
Soft Black Bean & Chicken Taco's

Grilled Beef Burgers
Grilled Chicken
Grilled Pork Loins
Cowboy Beans


VEGETABLES:
Raw Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots
Steamed Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots
Grilled Veggies

Sauteed Green Beans
Green Salad
Peas
Corn
SIDES (will depend on what main dish is):
Oven Baked Fries

Potato Boats

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Apple Berry Sauce
Pasta Salad

Cottage Cheese
Homemade Pudding


What are you eating this week?

MPM or maybe not & Quick Pizza Bread Lunch

I'm tossing the menu plan out for the week.
To be honest, I didn't make one.
Our schedule has changed so much lately I haven't stuck to my plans. Instead of planning each day, this week I am jotting down a list of options and using my children as my menu makers.
The options will come from what we have in house. I have a bad habit of running to our small town grocery when I get a whim to make something. Does anyone else have that issue or is it just me?

MAIN DISH OPTIONS:
Reuben Casserole
Flank Steak Sandwiches
Pizza
Wet Burritos
Taco's
Chicken Noodle Soup
Hot Ham & Cheese with Tomato Soup
Chicken & Brown Rice
Sesame Chicken Stir Fry
Chicken Bruschetta

VEGETABLES:
Raw Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots
Steamed Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots
Sauteed Green Beans
Green Salad
Peas
Corn

SIDES (will depend on what main dish is):
Oven Baked Fries
Red Skinned Potatoes
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
Apple Berry Sauce
Cottage Cheese
Homemade Pudding


Quick Pizza Bread
Lunch can be a struggle when I am homeschooling. I refuse to feed my kids chemical laden lunch meat or PB&J every day. Leftovers have become 100x more valuable.
When I don't have leftovers, I have a go to list (in my brain) of easy lunches. Quick Pizza Bread and Homemade Fries are a favorite at our house. The pizza can easily be adapted to what you have in the freezer or refrigerator. I make the pizza using French bread sliced in half horizontally. Top with: homemade sauce, organic Mozz, and Hormel's Nitrate Free Pepperoni or precooked meat or chicken (I have in the freezer), add spinach or broccoli (I didn't have any when we made the ones below). Bake @ 375* until cheese is melted and the pizza is hot throughout.
If you think your kids won't eat spinach or broccoli, this is one of the best ways to introduce it to them. Mine especially love spinach on pizza!

Oven fries are a favorite at our house. To make: slice potatoes, then toss in olive oil, sprinkle with pepper /salt toss a little more, then put on parchment baking sheet and bake @ 425* for 15 - 20 minutes. Turn oven to broil and broil for a few minutes to crisp. Watch closely while broiling!

Take a lunch break with your kids & enjoy!

Do you homeschool?
What do you serve for lunch if you don't have left-overs?

MPM + MADM

This week we don't have a lot of extra activities, which means I hope to accomplish quite a few things on my 'house to do' list. A few of the jobs I hope to start and finish are: making a decorative hanger thingy to organize the girls hair accessories, figuring out a way and place to organize and hang my necklaces/bracelets/earnings, and sorting and organizing the basement kitchen and clearing out the basement entertainment center. We are getting rid of the entertainment center which means I need to sort DVD's, the hundreds of old country CD's we have and clean off the shelves. Shania Twain or Garth Brooks anyone? :)

Be sure to scroll past my menu for MADM.

MONDAY: Tomato Soup, Flank Steak Sandwiches on Homemade WW Buns
TUESDAY: Chicken Enchilada's in white sauce, Mexican Brown Rice, Cooked Broccoli
WEDNESDAY: Hamburger Noodle Bake, Sauteed Green Beans, Fresh Bread (baking bread & Cinn rolls today!!)
THURSDAY:Roasted Turkey, Herbed Potatoes
FRIDAY: Leftover Turkey sandwiches, Oven baked apples(my son created a recipe), Corn
SATURDAY: Homemade Pizza (with the new crust recipe we love!!), Chips & Salsa
SUNDAY: Stuffed Omelets

*I cook everything by scratch and serve a green salad and raw fruit/veggies at each meal.


MakeADifferenceMonday
Last Monday I talked with my children about blessing others, explaining to them that God expects us to serve those around us, regardless of their age, race, abilities... Each week, I am requiring them to go out of their way to serve someone. At times, this service will be unknown, other times it will be obvious.
I too, hope to become more aware of those around me and that the actions of my husband and I are noticeable in {my childrens'} eyes, so we can be an example to them.

1- 17-11
My children wanted the neighbors to sled with them, which they often do. However, the neighbor children don't have water proof snow clothes. (we love our neighbors dearly, they are a wonderful family, however, they are not very receptive to borrowing things. this time, I called their mom and insisted) We dug out our extras from storage + my snow clothes and they took them along for the neighbors to wear. 3 hours in the snow=great WARM, DRY day for everyone!!

MPM + MADM

Good morning on a Chilly Monday!
...Chilly might be an understatement, but our high of +33* today makes Thursday's forecasted low of -8* (yes, that is NEGATIVE 8) balmy. You have to put it in perspective fokes. I'm looking forward to this week, I will not let the weather ruin my enthusiasm.
Our week is busy: Three basketball games, several appointments, school, childcare certification class and a few extra school activities.
It will be full, but it will be fun!

I have a fairly easy cooking week a head as we will be gone several nights. I've planned for healthy snacks and sandwiches for the BB games so we can get a treat at the game too.

Be sure to scroll past my menu for MADM.

MONDAY: Potato Bar, Cowboy Beans, Hot Veggies
TUESDAY: BBall Game, Chicken Salad Wraps before game, snack @ game
WEDNESDAY:Standing Rib Roast (I did not end up making this last week), Steamed Veggies, French Bread
THURSDAY: BBall Game, Hot Ham or Pizza Sandwiches before game (I'm letting them each choose:)), snack @ game
FRIDAY: BBall Game, Eating main dish @ game, I'm taking dried veggies & fruit & organic cheese sticks
SATURDAY: Soft Taco's, Chips & Salsa
SUNDAY: Youth Group here, finger food snacks

*I cook everything by scratch and serve a green salad and raw fruit/veggies at each meal.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
MakeADifferenceMonday

I have decided that each Monday, my children and I are going to pick a way to intentionally serve others. Some Monday's it will be a small act of service, other Monday's it will be a large act of service. My children will be the 'brains' behind this, meaning, they will get to choose how they can make a difference in someone's life. Through brainstorming and actively seeking out ways to help others, I hope to instill in my children an awareness of various ways they can bless others on a daily basis. Each Monday, I will tell you what they came up with the week before.
I hope you will try this with your children as well. Please leave a comment letting me know the creative ways you are blessing those around you!

Monday Musing & MPM

Happy Monday!
We are back into school mode around here. It was nice to have a break, however, routine is a glorious thing. The children play nicer, have better attitudes, and don't get into as much mischief when our daily routine is implemented. Plus, I am more productive and efficient in my daily activities & responsibilities. Is your house the same way?

We are changing up some of our curriculum for the rest of the year. We will be using BJU Heritage instead of Veritas OT/Ancient History. I really like Veritas, and we will continue to read and memorize the cards, but I feel like my 6th grader needed more. Spelling and science are two additional area's we will be changing. I have decided to toss out all spelling programs as I have not been pleased with any we have tried or I have reviewed. I have taken words from various online sights of the most common misspelled words, as well as words from 6th grade spelling lists, and compiled a master list to use until the end of the year. I will share more on that in another post. If you have a spelling curriculum or method you love, PLEASE share it with me!
We are going to be doing several unite studies for science. I am excited about these and will expand on those later as well.

Now, on to our menu...

MONDAY: Crock-pot Beef Roast, Roasted Potatoes, Steamed Veggies
TUESDAY: Mexican Chicken/Black Beans, Brown Rice, Chips & Salsa
WEDNESDAY: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, Wholewheat Dinner Rolls
THURSDAY: Standing Rib Roast, Candy Apples, Sauteed Veggies
FRIDAY: Grilled Hamburgers, Homemade WW Buns, Oven Fries
SATURDAY: Homemade Pizza Pockets
SUNDAY: Breakfast for Dinner

*I also serve a green salad and raw fruit/veggies at each meal

I hope to make Kolaches with the children sometime this week. We had a lot of fun making them last winter.

Have a great week!