Foodie Pen Pals

Several months ago, I ran across a blog called "The Lean Green Bean".  She hosted something called Foodie Pen Pals and it sounded like so much fun that I signed right up!  This was my first month to receive a package and let me tell you, waiting for the package is like waiting for Christmas!  I was beyond excited when I got this fabulous box in the mail.

 This month I was matched up with Karen over at Skinny In Pink and she out did herself!  She even was so thoughtful to put the goodies in a box that made it difficult for my kids to get into :-)

What did she send?  Well, the very first thing I went to was the Dark Chocolate Covered Blueberries.  I do believe that is my new favorite snack.  I've always enjoyed chocolate covered cherries but the blueberries have so much more flavor!!  Then, I really enjoyed the Chocolate Covered Pretzels.  Those were my evening snack for several nights in a row.  The container in the front holds Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds, which I consider my secret stash of energy.  I mean, aren't Almonds a power food?? She also included two packages of popcorn - so yummy.  I will admit that I did "lose" one item to my husband . . see that fabulous bag of chocolate covered Raisins? Well, those are HIS favorite snack so those disappeared before I had a chance to blink!!

Karen really hit the nail on the head with these treats and I loved having my own stash of snacks in the house :-)

If you would like to see what I sent to the person I was assigned, check out Kids and Canning Jars.  I'm looking forward to seeing how she liked her box too!

So, after reading all of this, are you interested in joining up?  
! Here are the details! -On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal! 
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month. 
-Foodie Penplas is open to US & Canadian residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa. 
If you’re interested in participating for November, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions.
You must submit your information by November 4th as pairings will be emailed on November 5th!
*If you’re from somewhere besides the US, Canada or Europe and want to participate, send me an email and I’ll see if we get enough interest this month!

Fall Decor

I'm going to skip my normal "Too Cute Not To Toot" post this week in order to share our Fall/Halloween Decor.  I am REALLY late in getting our house decorated this year - I just did it this past weekend, actually, but I'm really glad I did because the boys have really enjoyed it.

 The boys each wanted to help me decorate.  This was what Nate did.  Yes, everything is on the floor around the bottom of the chair ;-)  We did have to rearrange a little so the matching metal pumpkins with handles are now in the boy's room. 

 The top of the entertainment center house my glass pumpkins.  Some of these were used as decor at a baby shower 4 years ago and then I picked up a few more over the years. 

 One of my favorite displays.  I made the wooden pumpkins two years ago and the Jack-o-Lantern is one of 4 that I have that my mom has given me.  The boys LOVE them!! 

 Another favorite - I think I've had this for about 15 years :-) 

 This was part of Josh's decorating  (I'll be honest, I moved this to the dining room table).  This stand also now houses a Jack-O-Lateran also . . . it originally was on the floor next to it where Josh put it ;-)

 Our marble table in the dining room.  This was decorated by Josh as well.

 The dining room table (which now has THREE jars instead of two HA!)

 I love this little display in the kitchen window.  For the record, it was almost 80 degrees the day I was decorating.  It just didn't seem right (But now it is in the 40's!)

 Yes, I have my very own black cat!  I actually also have a stuffed black cat that Josh claimed has his own.  He loves that thing - lays it down for naps, feeds it, and even named it Misty (which is our REAL cats name too!)

 The patio Door - I love it and so far I've kept the kids from taking the "stickys" off the window too!

The top of the fridge :-)  I love those two figures - I've had those for at least 10 years as well.

The boys also have a Jack-O-Lateran in their room and there is one on the piano:-)  Such fun times!

A Few of My Favorites

Here are a few blog posts that I found this week that encouraged me, stepped on my toes, or just made me smile.

1) The Year of Less - If you remember, my theme word last year was Simplify.  For as much as I cut out, I realize I could do more.  This post gives some simple reasons why we should live for less (And if you check  out the blog, she has other great posts too! )

2) Mothering.com shared an awesome post called 10 Great ways to be an unhappy mom. Wow, nailed that one right on the head!!

3) I Heart Organizing - A great post about . . .how to organize Lego's HA!  We are now the proud owner of our first Lego's and I want a plan in place now.  I love the Trofast system and, guess what? It is SOOO affordable. I actually want to get two systems - one to house all of their cars and trucks and then one to sort Lego's in.

4) The Sullengers - This is my inspiration blog - the whole reason I started blogging.  Ashley posted a great post about dealing with Denial.  She also gives some good insight on how to help others that are grieving and are IN that denial stage of grief.

5) Everyday Atchleys - Are you looking for a good laugh??  Read this post. The blog author makes me laugh 9 times out of 10 blog posts.  I wish she and I lived next door because we would be fast friends!

6) 31 Days to Impress your Kids - I just did a quick look at this one and it struck me as something that could be good.  I need to go back through and read it completely now though :-) 

Weekly Menu!

Welcome back to what we eat :-)  Another successful week of menus last week.  The only thing that changed was the kids and I grabbed something out on Wednesday after running a few errands.  I'm not sure why I plan a meal when my husband is gone to practice . . .we usually don't eat it :-)

This week I'm trying to use items more from our Pantry/Freezer.

Monday - Baked Teriyaki Chicken, Mac and Cheese, A Canned Veggie from the pantry, Crescent Rolls

Tuesday - Simple Stroganoff, Noodles, Blueberry Muffins, and Salad

Wednesday - It's Halloween!!!  Pulled Chicken and Slaw Sliders (I am going to cook a whole chicken in the crock pot and use some of it for this - then I'll freeze the rest for Chicken and Dumplings next month).  Rainbow Jell-o Salad (at the request of Josh - he said he wanted the Rainbow Jelly hehehe), and chips

Thursday - Chicken Scaloppini, pasta, canned veggie, salad

Friday- Corn Chowder and Homemade bread

Saturday - Old Fashioned Beef Stew and Spinach Salad, rolls

Sunday -A monthly potluck at church - not sure what I'll make - probably a dessert and then . . .maybe a salad. I haven't gone there long enough to figure out the hot food situation (crock-pots, oven space, etc) so cold food is best ;-) 

Food Friday - Taco Stuffed Shells

Taco Stuffed Shells
adapted from Blogchef.net

This is the second time I've made these Taco Stuffed Shells and they were a hit both time.  Even my boys ate them and that says a lot.  I love to serve them with a side of sour cream, some sliced green onions, and lettuce. Then add sides of rice and beans and you have a great meal (Ok, I don't eat the beans but my husband and kids do!!) 


Ingredients:
1lb ground beef
1 package taco seasoning
1 4 once package cream cheese
12 large pasta shells
1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 cup Monterey jack cheese (shredded)
1 ½ cups tortilla chips (crushed)
3 green onions (chopped)
1 cup sour cream

Cooking Instructions: 
 
 Step 1: In a fry pan cook ground beef and add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and allow to fully cool. While burger is cooking cook the pasta shells, drain and toss well with butter.
Step 2:  Pour salsa in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
Step 3: Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place the stuffed shells in the baking dish and cover the tops of the shells with taco sauce.
Step 4: Cover and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Step 5: After 30 minutes, uncover, and sprinkle crushed chips and shredded cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses on top.  Cook for about 15 more minutes. Serve with sour cream, additional salsa, black olives or whatever you think goes good with tacos!
 

Pinterest Projects

So I realized last time I posted my Pinterest post, I had actually written it a month or so before but didn't post it until after I finished the items - the post didn't make sense . . .. kinda.  So, I'm going to post my current projects that I want to do. I will then (hopefully . . if I remember) post an update in one month!

From my Thanksgiving Folder I want to make a version of this thanksgiving countdown calendar from Mom Colored Glasses

I'm in the process (the never ending process) of organizing my basement. I've tried so many ideas for organizing manuals and none seem to work so this simple binder idea from Designing Vitues seems like it might actually work.  I need to sort through all of ours anyway and then I can store the binder on a shelf in the classroom.

Lately I've noticed that our towels stink.  So when I saw this idea pinned from EcoKaren for cleaning a front loader washer, I figured it was something I should try.  I'll let you know how it works ;-)

This idea for a birthday calendar is awesome and I want to make one.  The idea comes fromEighteen25.  I already have the clipboard so I just need to print :-)

And finally is this - Christmas!   What is it??  My whole board from Pinterest.  I couldn't really narrow it down instead my goal is to print, plan, and create throughout November so I'm ready for December.  I'll update as I do different projects.  I have already started on our count down calender that I found through a "too cute" post last year.   (I guess doing the Thanksgiving countdown might be a better idea first HA!) 

I should also mention that I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year so I'm hoping to do a couple of other cute things too - last year I made place cards for the table that were adorable so I may just make up a few more :-) 

Halloween Photos

Every year, our photographer hosts an open house a few weeks before Halloween and takes photos of the kids in Costumes . ..for free!  She then sends at least one print of each child for a keepsake. I love it because she gets such awesome shots of the boys.  On Friday, Kellys Korner will host her weekly "Show us your Life" and the theme is Halloween Costumes!  I thought I would post this today but be sure to check out her blog on Friday to see other cute costumes :-)

 Josh chose to be a fireman this year.  He just stood there so perfectly for photos!  Don't you love his green "fire boots"?? Those are his rain boots and he loves them!!!

Nate chose to be a Race Car Driver this year.  Now, these pictures are almost a "miracle".  See, he stood for his photo, saw some blocks and went running to play.  The photographer (not our normal one) reacted to him and he just started sobbing.  We could not get him to smile for anything and he wouldn't leave my side.  Our regular photographer came to the rescue and set up some tires for him to "fix" outside so we were able to get these photos of him in costume.

We have lots of Halloween activities coming up - I think they get to wear their costumes 3 more times which also means lots of Candy and lots of fun!