It's been awhile since I've actually participated in Muffin Tin Monday. Not that we haven't been using Muffin Tins on Monday for lunch - we have - but I never get any pictures! I actually managed to get one so I thought I would link up over at Muffin Tin Mom today!
Today we had Cheese Quesadilla's, Canned Peaches, Chips, Salsa, and a 1/2 of Twinkie. Both boys get the same thing and it is always fun to see what they go for. That little hand belongs to Josh - he ate an entire Quesadilla and two servings of Peaches with only one little piece of the Twinkie. Nate ate all of the salsa (using his finger LOL) a few bites of chips and Quesadilla and all of his Twinkie :-)
I haven't gotten into the little cups and sprinkles but I just read today over at Meet The Dubien's about all of her supplies - what she uses and where she gets it all. It made me excited to start picking up some fun things to use for lunches . She does "Fun with Food Fridays" and I kinda like that . .it would be fun to try and tie it in with our preschool lessons each week :-)
I won't promise this post every week but I hope to start participating more for no other reason that I get ideas from the links that are posted!
I've mentioned before that as September draws closer, I start to feel like it is the start of a new year. It is those teaching roots in me that run deep! This summer, with lots of busy times, I've slacked off a little on creativity with this blog. At one point during the winter, I had my posts written three weeks in advance which is really nice because it gives time to get pictures and research done. This summer . . well, some days, I'm writing today's post .. yesterday. Or so it seems ;-)
I'm been thinking about what I want to post more about as we enter the fall so I thought I would share what you could expect. Will this always be set in stone? Nope. If I feel the urge to write about something else I will - but at least you have an idea!
Sunday: Mommy Time Posts - I decided to move my Tot Time posts to Sunday so I have time to write about our week, upload pictures and give links through Amazon to anything that we used throughout the week.
Monday: I will focus on cleaning, budgeting, parenting, marriage - those tougher (yet often fun) topics. I tend to have more time on the weekends to write which means I have more time to research for these great topics.
Tuesday: This is my craft day - I will continue to post my "Too Cute Not to Toot!" posts because, well, I love them. I will also post any crafts/projects I do myself.
Wednesday: "What I'm Loving Wednesdays" will still make a showing. I find that by mid-week, sometimes, it is easier to look at a class as half empty but focusing on those things I love, it fills that glass right back up! There will be a second post on Wednesdays - I want to share a devotional post which will normally be based on what God has taught me through the past week in my quiet time.
Thursday: "What I'm Reading" will move to Thursdays now. I like to share my latest books that I'm reading so that maybe it will inspire you to read too. :-) This will also be my "Series" day. Sometimes, another blog hosts a series and encourages other bloggers to link up - I will posts these on Thursday (unless the blog requires something different but most of the time the link is open for a week) I will also do any of my own series - for example, I've talked about Flylady before - I'd like to write a series of post more specifically talking about her baby steps for getting organized.
Friday: Recipes! I've been posting my weekly menu as a blog post and I plan to continue that so I would like to post all of the new and fantastic recipes on Friday. Some weeks there may only be one but other weeks I may have 2 or 3. They will all appear as separate posts :-) On the weeks I can, I will also post our weekly Happenings in this House post on Friday.
Saturday: As long as I'm in Weight Watchers - I will post my weekly WW post which often includes a recipe or snack idea. I also plan to move my weekly Menu posting to Saturday since our menu week starts on Saturday night.
My disclaimer is . . .this is not set in stone. Sometimes I miss days and sometimes I just have a random post, a giveaway post, creative memories, whatever. Those I'll throw in when I have them :-)
Ok, in July I wrote THIS with my 3rd quarter book goal. I had decided that I would use the library to get books and guess what? That did not work for me! Not having the books sitting by the bed or on the shelf meant that I didn't read anything. Well, I've read a lot, just not any books related to helping me grow! Therefore, I'm regrouping and I've picked out a list of books I want to get and read by the end of the year.
I went in search of some new titles - well at least new to me. I have a long list of books I'd like to read but these really stood out to me as I searched through a couple of differant sites. A couple of the books have come recommended by others so I wanted to read them while they are "fresh".
This is actually a book I started last year when I joined a book club. I misunderstood the book club schedule and ended up about 6 sessions behind before I realized I was behind (I know, I'm a little slow sometimes!). It is a thinking book so I need to just put it down and come back to it and that's what I'm doing now.
This book interested me when I first saw it and therefore I want to read it and see what the author's point of view is on the topic of satisifying your deepest desire with God. Not with food. This is not a new topic, but a new view on the topic.
This is a brand new book - not even released yet but I am so excited that another blog I follow shared it. Angie Smith, the author, is married to one of the members of Selah. I've read her blog previously and she has some great things to say. I'm looking forward to reading what she has to say.
Have you ever heard of this book? I hadn't until a friend invited me to a book study. I was unable to go because they met at a local park - the kids were to play on the playground. Well, with three little ones 2 and under, I just had to decide not to go - trying to keep track of them all while trying to listen and talk about the book was just not a good fit for me :-( BUT the book looks awesome. That same friend did a study on the book for girls and she said it was great. Many of the conversations I won't need for years but to read about them and prepare is the best, is it not?
I love the theme of this book. My husband and I feel strongly about raising our childrenr with "vintage values" I am bothered by how far Christianity has come in the world and I want to raise my boys to respect and understand what God whats of them, even when it is hard to accept. I'm so looking forward to reading this book!
This is a huge read right now. So many people I know have read it or are in the middle of it! I wanted to conquer it now so that I can start the "Happiness Project" in 2012 :-)
Remember this one? I started it in my summer devotions but had to return it to the library. I want to pick it back up. I feel that as I start working on preschool with the kids, that I need to look at my ministry with my boys.
I don't know anything about either of these books except they were the last two selections in the book club I'm in trying to follow. (I keep missing the posts about the new books and don't read them until it is weeks later.!) I'm sure they are good though!
This book, The List, is another one I don't know alot about but, when I read the synopsis on line it struck me as something I would enjoy. It talks about excepting the things in life and enjoying the beauty that is around us. I'm such a planner that when things don't go well, I often can't see what was good . .. so I'm hoping this gives me a good perspective!
So this is one I saw, and I don't remember anything about it so you will just have to wait until I read it HA!
FInally, this book, Conversation Peace, deals with how to make better conversation. I am not a great conversationist and, since getting married, I've gotten worse because my husband IS good at conversation soI rely on him !! I'm hoping that this book will give me some direction and help me be better in communicating with others!
Well, Hello there :-) I didn't post last week because I didn't have time and I'm almost out of time today too :-) I really worked this past week at Tracking. Everything. And I mean every single bite. I did it 100% until Wednesday. Wednesdays are really long days here - my husband has to go to Chicago every Wednesday so he leaves home at 2:00 AM and gets home around 6:00 PM. There is always a chance he won't make it home and will have to stay the night so we are kinda always unsure of the day so that it sets it off kilter. It is amazing how much that little schedule possibility messes with my day and impacts what I do. I worked to track on Thursday and Friday but didn't get into it 100%. I'm still struggling to get exercise in daily but at this point, I decided to focus on one main thing and that is tracking.
So this weeks stats are: (Drum roll please . .. )
I lost . . .5.4 pounds last week :-) Yep. That is not a typo. I know I should just take it and run but there is a disclaimer. I gained a few pounds when I weighed in last week but considering the fact that the night before I had gone scrapbooking . .. and ate tons of wonderful tasting food (like fried Cauliflower, Frozen Cokes and Peanut M and M's) I wasn't surprised. So in reality, I was just catching up from last week LOL It does motivate me, though, to keep tracking!
I'm adding one goal this week - to drink all of the required "water" each day. As you know if you have read my past posts, I'm not a huge fan of just plain water but I love Crystal Light. I'd like to drink 16 ounces (that is 2 cups) of water and have the rest be Crystal light. I feel like if I do that, it will help with some of my little bite snacking during the day. I even have something to work for . .. my husband misplaced my Flylady Water Bottle several months ago (in his work truck which is now traded in for something new so the bottle is gone . .) so if I can drink the required liqued amount for the next two weeks, every day, I will order a new water bottle. The water bottles are fabulous because they not only keep your drink ice cold for hours even without ice, they do not sweat. Not one little bit. I found I drank a lot more water when I could drink it out of there and it was always cold.
I will continue to work on Tracking Sun-Fri. I keep Saturday as my no tracking/free day in order to have a break. Eventually, when I reach a plateau, I know I'll have to change that but, for now, I'm going to enjoy that freedom!
I found this new snack idea that I tried last week and I loved it - Check This Out:
Find the Jiffy Popcorn at your store that shows the WW points. I will say that the one I have says 3 points per serving (a serving is 5 cups - at least on the box I have). Pop your popcorn like normal. I than emptied out about half of the bag because I was the only one eating it and pour in one package of the SnackWells Chocolate Drizzled Caramel Popcorn. Hold the bag closed and shake. Alot. The heat from the popcorn will melt a lot of the chocolate off of the Caramel Popcorn and add more flavor to the other popcorn so you get that sweet/salty combo. You get just over 5 cups of popcorn (in this case) for 4 points. Not bad at all! If you could find the individual serving size popcorn, than you wouldn't have to throw any away :-)
Saturday: We are going on a picnic and to the zoo with my in-laws. I did some searching this week and came up with some great looking picnic foods! Fresh Mozzarella BLT and Pesto Sandwich, Deviled Eggs, Potato Salad, Fresh Fruit, Smoked Mozzarella and Penne Salad, and Congo Bars . Doesn't that all sound yummy? (Ummmm . .I'll probably take some cheese and crackers for my kids just in case!) Once we get home from the zoo - my kids will probably have Mac and Cheese . .. my husband enjoy waiting until they go to bed and than we order subs . . .it's a fun little tradition we are starting and is a great date night :-)
Sunday: Chicken Fried Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Parsley Gravy and Fried Corn. I also have Crock Pot Pork chops with Stuffing and 4th of July Salad planned for Dinner.
Tuesday: Meatballs with Cream Sauce, Brown Sugar Carrots and Layered Salad
Wednesday: Mini Sausage Quiches, Lemon Poppyseed Bread and Strawberry Cream Puff Cake
Thursday: Left overs or Beef Tips and Noodles
Friday: Dinner out :-)
** Next Friday I'll post any recipes that I find are good enough to share. . .but I also noticed that are several here that I haven't shared that I already KNOW are great so I'll share those too!
Recently I became and Amaon Associate. Doesn't that sound impressive? All it really means is that I can now link through them and, basically, advertise for them. I decided to add this feature after reading other homeschooling blogs and seeing the amazon "widget" at the end of their posts featuring various items. I decided that it would be a great way to share the items we use for preschool and a way to share the books I talk about in my (mostly) weekly "what I'm reading" posts. One main advertising tool you will start seeing is the "Carousal". I placed one at the bottom of this post so you can see what it looks like. Basically, if you see something you are interested in, click on the picture. You will be re-directed to Amazon. If you buy it through that link, I will receive credit for that purchase and yes, I will earn some money.
I am also posting a "My Favorites" Amazon link that appears in the right hand side of the blog. It is just another way for you to see what I love and maybe, you do to! Again, if you click through that link and make a purchase, it helps me out.
For now, those are the two key items I've added to the blog. You may see more items added/taken away as I figure out what is the best way to make this work for everyone. Personally, I have shopped through Amazon for years and have always been happy with their service so I have no problem becoming an Associate!
This meal has become a true family favorite! One of my favorite recipe blogs is Mel's Kitchen Cafe and she did not let me down!
This recipe is truly the prefect combination of flavors - my husband said it reminded him more of the Bourbon chicken flavor than a true sweet and sour (which made him like it even more!) The leftovers are even better! I used peas as the veggie because it was quick and easy but afterwards realized how will it went with the rice - it made it more like a fried rice :-) As the recipe states - I did actually double the sauce and I was very glad that I did otherwise I wouldn' t have had any sauce to use with my leftover meatballs and rice.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs Adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe
Serves 4-6
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (you don’t want the beef to be too high in fat because the fat will all pool at the bottom of the baking dish after baking – big time grody-ness in my book)
3/4 cup quick oats
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Combine all of the ingredients and mix well. Form into about 12 balls, each about 2 inches in diameter. Place in a casserole dish. Cover with sauce (below). Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Serve over rice.
Sauce:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon mustard
1/4 cup barbeque sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Combine ingredients and blend thoroughly. Heat in a small saucepan until combined and sugar is dissolved and pour over meatballs. (This dish is not overly abundant on sauce so if you enjoy things a bit saucier, double the sauce ingredients.) *Freezable Meal: After covering the meatballs with sauce, cover the pan with two layers of aluminum foil and freeze. To bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake covered without thawing for 1 hour. Uncover and bake 20-30 minutes more, until meatballs are cooked through.
Baked Brown Rice (sorry, I can't get the italics to turn off!!) *Note: This recipe doubles beautifully for a 9X13-inch pan.
*Makes about 3 1/2 cups cooked rice
1 1/2 cups brown rice
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water (if using water, add 1 teaspoon salt)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8X8-inch or 9X9-inch baking pan. Place the rice in the prepared pan and pour in the liquid. Stir to equally distribute the rice. Cover tightly with a double layer of aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for five minutes before removing the aluminum foil and fluffing with a fork. If your rice still has a bit of liquid on the bottom or conversely, if it is dried out, adjust the baking time up or down to make changes.
Variations:
Before baking, slice one small yellow onion into dices or half moons and caramelize and brown in 1 teaspoon of olive oil until golden and soft (about 10 minutes in a nonstick skillet). Stir onion into rice and broth mixture and bake according to recipe.
After removing rice from the oven and letting it sit for five minutes, remove aluminum foil and stir in the zest and juice from 1 lemon, 1/2 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 apple, finely diced
If you try this recipe out - let me know what you think!
