Last week, I totally messed up my menu. I don't know what I did but when I finally printed my hard copy, I had the same meal written down THREE times. I know I didn't write that here but that printed copy is what I made my grocery list from- isn't that crazy? I told my husband I need to get back into a regular shopping routine again - I've been going on different days due to our schedule and it is just messed up.
This week I'm trying to use as much food as we have HERE. Trying to keep the grocery bill as small as possible! Plus I need to use some things up that have been hanging around for awhile. Here's the plan for the next week
Tuesday - Scallop Potatoes with Ham, and Green Beans. I served a ham a week ago and froze the left over to use very several meals this week.
Wednesday - The hubs has practice so the boys and I will have mac and cheese - I like to add some Hamto mine - it tastes to good!
Thursday - Ham and Potato Soup with homemade bread
Friday - Chicken and Dumplings with some salad. I had this planned a few weeks ago but never ended up making it - sounds yummy to me!
Saturday - Chicken Noodle Soup - I know we will have left over Chicken and Dumplings since I'm cooking a whole chicken to make it. The dumplings don't keep well so I skim those off before putting it in the fridge; then when I reheat it, I had noodles and it is so good!
Sunday - SUPERBOWL! We are huge football fans in this house. So, we will have the classic Roast, carrots and potatoes right after church (I know - that is not Superbowl food BUT it is easy and ready as soon as we walk in the door!!). Then later in the day we'll enjoy snacks as follows:
1) Shrimp Cocktail
2) Bacon Pinwheels
3) Fruit and Dip (I serve this alot because Josh loves fruit!)
4) Warm Bean Dip with chips - this is something new. I have a cold bean dip that we like but the melted cheese sold me on trying this one.
5) Feta Dip and Bread - it looks so good and I've been wanting to try it.
6) Popcorn - my kids love popcorn so I figured I pop up a big bowl of it and let them snack.
7) Donuts using the donut maker for something fun :-)
I know it sounds like alot but I tend to cut recipes in half when I do stuff like this if at all possible.
Monday - Ham - just sliced ham (from those left overs), Crash potatoes and Sauteed Cabbage w/ rolls.
How's that? Other than the super bowl stuff, most of the items I already have in the house so hopefully, the grocery bill will be nice and small!!!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
Food Friday - Snickers Cake
Snickers Cake
adapted from Plain Chicken
This was a wonderful, gooey, rich cake that met every sweet tooth craving we had. My husband said it was fantastic and I would agree - it also got better the longer it sat because the caramel just soaked into the cake more and more. One thing I would do different next - I would not mix up my own whipped cream - I would cheat and buy cool whip :-)
1 box devils food cake mix, plus ingredients to make the cake
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 jar Smucker's hot caramel ice cream topping
1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 snickers candy bars, chopped
1/3 cup peanuts, chopped
caramel sauce
chocolate sauce
Bake cake in a 9x13-inch pan according to direction on the package.
While cake is baking, mix condensed milk and hot caramel topping until well blended. When the cake is done and while it's still hot, poke holes in it with a fork or straw. Pour milk mixture over the cake. Allow cake to cool completely. Sprinkle chocolate chips over cake.
In a chilled bowl, whip together heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla. Whip on high speed of an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes. Stir in chopped snickers. Spread over cake. Sprinkle chopped peanuts over cake. Drizzle caramel and chocolate sauce on top. Chill.
adapted from Plain Chicken
1 box devils food cake mix, plus ingredients to make the cake
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 jar Smucker's hot caramel ice cream topping
1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 snickers candy bars, chopped
1/3 cup peanuts, chopped
caramel sauce
chocolate sauce
Bake cake in a 9x13-inch pan according to direction on the package.
While cake is baking, mix condensed milk and hot caramel topping until well blended. When the cake is done and while it's still hot, poke holes in it with a fork or straw. Pour milk mixture over the cake. Allow cake to cool completely. Sprinkle chocolate chips over cake.
In a chilled bowl, whip together heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla. Whip on high speed of an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes. Stir in chopped snickers. Spread over cake. Sprinkle chopped peanuts over cake. Drizzle caramel and chocolate sauce on top. Chill.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
What I'm Reading
I had a post planned for today but if you DON'T do the thing for that post, it is hard to write it :-) I'll share that next week.
Instead I thought I would just mention a couple of series that I finished reading recently on my Kindle.
The first one is a series called "Chop Chop"
I read all 7 books that are out in this series in a matter of a week and the first book, shown above, is currenlty free. The other books are all $2.99 so it makes it very affordable. The books are told from the view point of one of the characters and they are very well written and have a great message also. Book 8 is supposed to be out already but it isn't, much to my disappointment. The funny thing is when I went to the authors website, it seemed to indicate that these were great reads for teens. Where I could see it for the first book, the rest of the books hit some deep topics (that are handled well) and I think are more geared for adults.
The other series is called Weddings by Bella
This series was a very lighthearted fun read and I really enjoyed all three books. As I was reading I felt part of the big Italian family and was always cheering for the characters. Again, book one in this series is currenlty free so it is a great way to see if you actually like the series :-)
Those two series have kept me busy reading for awhile. Right now I'm reading a stand alone book which seems to be ok so far and then I actually found a Karen Kingsbury book that was free, which surprised me. I haven't read anything by her in quite awhile so I hope it is good (after reading so many of her books in a row, I found them very predictable.)
Did you know that if you go to Amazon, you can search "Christian Fiction" and a long list of books will come up. I then change the search relevance (on the right hand side) to "average customer review" (or something to that effect) so I can find books with the highest review rating. Then I just start looking for free or almost free books :-)
Have you read anything really good lately? Even in "paper" - I can always find it for my Kindle!
Instead I thought I would just mention a couple of series that I finished reading recently on my Kindle.
The first one is a series called "Chop Chop"
I read all 7 books that are out in this series in a matter of a week and the first book, shown above, is currenlty free. The other books are all $2.99 so it makes it very affordable. The books are told from the view point of one of the characters and they are very well written and have a great message also. Book 8 is supposed to be out already but it isn't, much to my disappointment. The funny thing is when I went to the authors website, it seemed to indicate that these were great reads for teens. Where I could see it for the first book, the rest of the books hit some deep topics (that are handled well) and I think are more geared for adults.
The other series is called Weddings by Bella
This series was a very lighthearted fun read and I really enjoyed all three books. As I was reading I felt part of the big Italian family and was always cheering for the characters. Again, book one in this series is currenlty free so it is a great way to see if you actually like the series :-)
Those two series have kept me busy reading for awhile. Right now I'm reading a stand alone book which seems to be ok so far and then I actually found a Karen Kingsbury book that was free, which surprised me. I haven't read anything by her in quite awhile so I hope it is good (after reading so many of her books in a row, I found them very predictable.)
Did you know that if you go to Amazon, you can search "Christian Fiction" and a long list of books will come up. I then change the search relevance (on the right hand side) to "average customer review" (or something to that effect) so I can find books with the highest review rating. Then I just start looking for free or almost free books :-)
Have you read anything really good lately? Even in "paper" - I can always find it for my Kindle!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Creating Personalized Block Ornaments
Yes, I know Christmas is done and gone but I couldn't share any of my gifts that I created until after they had all been given. I used this idea found at Craft Goodies.
All you need is:
Wooden blocks - either cut yourself or pre-bought from a craft store. I used blocks that were 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inches (approx).
Photos cut to fit the blocks
Modge Podge
Ribbon
Paint
First of all, if needed cut your wood into blocks. Then drill a hole all the way through the center of each block. The hole needs to be just large enough to push the ribbon through for hanging. Sand and Paint the blocks - I chose to use black to keep them clean but you could use any color you wanted. Once dry, use modge podge to attach your photos - you will need 4 for each block. I used three photos and then the forth side as a square with the boys thumbprint, name and year on it. Allow it dry.
Once dry, thread your ribbon through, knotting it at the top and bottom of each block and create a hanging loops with the leftover ribbon. (I used two ribbons, 24 inches each). I also used some glitter glue on the edges of a couple of the photos to add some "bling".
Don't you just love these? I do! I created them for the grandma's, and I made one for myself too! I plan to make one each year - what a great marker of how the boys grow :-)
All you need is:
Wooden blocks - either cut yourself or pre-bought from a craft store. I used blocks that were 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inches (approx).
Photos cut to fit the blocks
Modge Podge
Ribbon
Paint
Don't you just love these? I do! I created them for the grandma's, and I made one for myself too! I plan to make one each year - what a great marker of how the boys grow :-)
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Too Cute Not to Toot
Welcome back!
This first idea might be cheating but I like it so I'm going to share it. It is actually from Not on the high street.com and is actually something that is for sale. It isn't very often that I see something and think "I can make that" but this is one I feel like I can. It's just a canvas and wooden letters which is then painted. I have a wall that is considered the only "hallway" in our house that is seriously lacking and I love the simplicity of this idea.
When I saw this idea over at Little Green Fingers for a sunken trampoline, I had to share. I would love to put this in the yard but I think I need a bigger yard :-( I would go out and jump on it if it was sunken in the ground!
One last idea, and yes it is another outdoor idea but this one, I WANT and I think I can do! It comes from Better Homes and Garden and is an outdoor matchbox race track. My kids love to take their cars outside in the summer (much to my husbands dismay!) so this would be perfect.
Happy Crafty :-)
This first idea might be cheating but I like it so I'm going to share it. It is actually from Not on the high street.com and is actually something that is for sale. It isn't very often that I see something and think "I can make that" but this is one I feel like I can. It's just a canvas and wooden letters which is then painted. I have a wall that is considered the only "hallway" in our house that is seriously lacking and I love the simplicity of this idea.
The next idea is a great gift idea from All Red Design and is a super cute idea. As a former teacher, this would make a great teacher gift especially if you threw in a gift card for pizza or even to the real movies :-)
We are waiting for snow around here - enough snow to build snowmen so when I saw this cute idea over at Sometimes Creative for a snowman kit. I don't know if I will get this made this year but it is on my project list so I can get it made before next winter - a couple of sets would be good!
Monday, January 21, 2013
January Preschool
Our week was again, a little discombobulated due to having extra kids here but we still managed to get a few things done.
We finished up learning about the Letter "A" by making our letter craft thanks to Totally Tots.
Josh took a real interest in a computer game that I actually picked up over a year ago for him. It's a Charlie Church Mouse (aka as Chuck-E-Cheese according to my kids). Josh managed to figure out every single game and yes, he played for about 3-4 hours. (don't judge). I have installed the game on our old computer so he doesn't have to play on mine anymore and we have a timer set up - 20 minutes is what we are working on for now. Enough time to play a few games but not enough to get brain fried!
Window crayons made a reappearance at our house this week. Any window that the boys could reach were covered .. as was their hair, clothes, hands (their fingernails - nasty!). THEN they had fun cleaning the big slider - for real.
Some of our lessons this week are what I would call "real life" lessons. On Tuesday, the boys got to help Papa fix some lights in our house. On Thursday, the boys got to help Darryl fix the Dishwasher. They are such good helpers. They also went to get haircuts - we taught them that it is important to look good for the ladies. HA.
On Friday, we did not have extra kids so we actually did a full lesson and started Letter "B". At the end of our lesson, they got to open a box that Nana had sent them in the mail. It was cute because I showed them the box and told them that Papa and Nana sent it . . Nate said, "But where is Papa, why is he hiding?" Isn't that cute? I explained that they mailed it because they missed them. They enjoyed their treats :-)
I had hoped to get through a little more than I did this week but that is one of the joys of homeschooling - we are able to go with the flow! Next week we are planning to get through the entire lesson on Letter B and do some fun winter related things as well since winter is actually here!
I had hoped to get through a little more than I did this week but that is one of the joys of homeschooling - we are able to go with the flow! Next week we are planning to get through the entire lesson on Letter B and do some fun winter related things as well since winter is actually here!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Weekly Menu
We had another great week of eating. We did have pizza (take out) on Monday night because the chicken did not thaw out. I tend to forget that meat from the deep freezer takes a lot longer to thaw and need to take it out a day earlier (speaking of which I need to take meat out of the freezer for a meal!!!)
Here's the plan for this next week
Tuesday - I've been invited to a planning session with our photographer (and several of her friends) which includes a fabulous dinner so I'm leaving pizza for the boys to cook!
Wednesday - Million Dollar Spaghetti and bread (this is a new recipe but I've heard it is fabulous!!
Thursday - Ham and Cheese Quiche, Potatoes and Fruit Salad (This is the one carry over from last week. )
Friday - We are going to order in!!! Darryl has the weekend off. I'm hoping to watch a movie with my husband too (War Horse) . .. so we can eat dinner and watch the movie!!
Saturday - Heading to the in-laws for Christmas dinner. Yes, you read that right. There wasn't a date in December that worked so we pushed it to Saturday. Added to that, we did not make it to the family Christmas gathering at the nursing home (where grandma lives) due to being so extremely ill so we are doing our gift exchange with the family that day. I do have to take a side dish and some snacks but I'm really not sure, as I'm typing this, what I'm taking yet.
Sunday - Beef Tips and Noodles after church. Then I want to try out a Taco Soup recipe for dinner that night since it can just cook in the crock pot - no work for me!!
Monday - Chicken Parm, with Spaghetti Noodles, bread and green beans.
Here's the plan for this next week
Tuesday - I've been invited to a planning session with our photographer (and several of her friends) which includes a fabulous dinner so I'm leaving pizza for the boys to cook!
Wednesday - Million Dollar Spaghetti and bread (this is a new recipe but I've heard it is fabulous!!
Thursday - Ham and Cheese Quiche, Potatoes and Fruit Salad (This is the one carry over from last week. )
Friday - We are going to order in!!! Darryl has the weekend off. I'm hoping to watch a movie with my husband too (War Horse) . .. so we can eat dinner and watch the movie!!
Saturday - Heading to the in-laws for Christmas dinner. Yes, you read that right. There wasn't a date in December that worked so we pushed it to Saturday. Added to that, we did not make it to the family Christmas gathering at the nursing home (where grandma lives) due to being so extremely ill so we are doing our gift exchange with the family that day. I do have to take a side dish and some snacks but I'm really not sure, as I'm typing this, what I'm taking yet.
Sunday - Beef Tips and Noodles after church. Then I want to try out a Taco Soup recipe for dinner that night since it can just cook in the crock pot - no work for me!!
Monday - Chicken Parm, with Spaghetti Noodles, bread and green beans.
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