Weekly Menu - A weekend of Camping and then no kids!

Do you have any idea how quickly picnics empty your fridge?  Trying going to two in two days!  Whew!  Chips, drinks, salads and sweets are all quickly eaten up thanks to lots of people sharing!  It's always fun but the rest of the week brought some slim pickings :-)

Now, we are heading out camping and then leaving the kids with my parents at the camp ground for the rest of the week.  Should be a great week!

Saturday - Pizza.  Again, we've found our local pizza place has a great price on a 3 topping large pizza ($10.00).  We'll be spending the day getting ready for camping and attending a wedding reception in the afternoon followed by getting the dog to the kennel so I know that even if I planned something - we'd end up grabbing dinner anyway.

Sunday - And we are off!  We will eat sandwiches for lunch just before we leave for the campground.  Dinner tonight will be marinated steak, potato salad, baked beans and rolls (store bought).

Monday - Breakfast - Pancakes and bacon.  Last time we camped Nate asked for pancakes so I'm going to make sure it happens.  Lunch - Sloppy Joes, Salads, and Chips.  Dinner - Marinated Pork Chops, Loaded Baked potatoes, Mac and Cheese (for real) and Rolls

Tuesday - Breakfast - Sausage McMuffins and Cereal.  Lunch - My parents are arriving in time for lunch so we will have Brat's and Hot dogs, salads, and chips  Darryl and I will be heading home so for dinner - I'm not sure - we'll either eat something we didn't cook up while camping or we will grab Taco Bell.

Wednesday and Thursday - It will just be Darryl and I.

Friday - Tacos, of course. 

"Confessions of a De-Cluttering Junkie" - A Book Report

I recently picked up a book that caught my attention solely based on the title "Confessions of a De-Cluttering Junkie".  I found it just a few days prior to starting my big basement clean out so the timing was perfect.

This story is a great "real life" story of how one woman conquered the clutter in her home despite dealing with the negitive attitudes of those around her about her new hobby.  She addressed getting her family on board, dealing with the fact that her "hobby" consumed her life and made her cause her family heartache, to the huge garage sale they had that funded their summer activities.  I loved all of the tips that the character gave throughout the book and the account of how hard it is to get rid of things at times.  

This book would not appeal to everyone - if you have a perfectly organized, non-cluttered house, you might think this lady is crazy.  But if you are in the midst of trying to simplify your life - you would enjoy the humor throughout the book. 

What We Are Eating - Monkey Bread Muffins

Monkey Bread Muffins
adapted from Brooklyn Farm Girl

Josh reminded me of a tradition we started a few years ago on fireworks night in our town - we have Monkey Bread.  I had forgotten because last year, Darryl was just recovering from major back surgery so the boys were with their grandparents so I had forgotten about this little piece of goodness.  This year, I wanted to try a little something different because I've found that cooking a big pan of Monkey Bread is not always successful.  I had seen some recipes posted with the muffin idea so I found this recipe and it was . . .fantastic.  The muffins were perfectly sticky and yummy!  To make it better, they warm up perfectly the next day and taste almost better!  

Ingredients

1. 2 cans of 7.5 oz Pillsbury refrigerated biscuits (or other brand)
2. 1/2 cup butter - melted
3. 1/2 cup brown sugar
4. 1/2 cup white sugar
5. 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray a dozen muffin cup sheet with nonstick spray. Spray it good - on the bottom and sides.
3. Mix melted butter and brown sugar together in small bowl, spoon 1 tablespoon into each muffin cup.
4. Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag.
5. Take each biscuit and rip it up into 6 pieces. Put the biscuit pieces in bag and shake to coat evenly.
6. Place 8-10 pieces of biscuits into each muffin cup to evenly fill them up. If you have any sugar left in the bag, sprinkle on top of the muffins.
7. Bake for 12-14 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and let cool for 1 minute.
9. Turn upside down, the muffins should fall right out.
10. Serve warm, enjoy!

 

Teach It Tuesdays - Having Some Fun

My camera has not made it out of the case too often lately but I can still tell you what we are doing!

Last week there was lots of playing and swimming and even a little bike riding.  (Bikes don't come out as often in the summer!).  We also worked on . .. chores.  After I worked on organizing all of the toys (again) the kids all got tired of me saying, "Put it away where it belongs".  But, it was all worth it when I saw the boys all playing with  some toys, then when done, Josh says, "Ok, guys, lets put everything away." and they did it! 

Here's a run down of what fun we have been having:

Last Friday - The Munchkin and Princess are gone for a few days so the boys and I had some fun.  We went out to breakfast at McDonald's and ate outside on the patio.  The boys had fun playing in the "McDonalds grass".  From there, we went to the fireworks place to get sparklers and then we headed to the grocery store.  Once home they watched moves (they are JUST getting into wanting to watch movies!) Finally, we went to the skate park so they could ride bikes and got ice cream!

Saturday - The family headed to my in-laws for the day.  My mother-in-law lives on a lake so there is natural fun.  The boys played with their cousins in the lake, went on boat rides, fed their cousins pigs, and loved seeing fireworks. 

Sunday - Church!  Followed by a picnic in the park with our church family .

Monday -Today is our quietest day.  We may go to a park for a bit or just hang out at home.  It's supposed to be hot (almost 90!) and humid so staying in the air sounds kinda nice. 

Tuesday - Today we are heading into town to see "Home" - it is showing at the theatre for free this week so I had planned to take the boys weeks ago.  We will then have lunch before heading home.

Make It Monday - Broken Glass Jell-O

I found this really awesome looking Jell-O recipe and, considering the fact that Josh loves Jell-O I decided to try it.  I also thought it might be a great Pot-Luck Recipe. 

It does look pretty but it wasn't a huge hit.  The white layer is made from Sweetened Condensed Milk so I thought it would be sweet and tasty but it really lacked flavor.  Which in a way, I guess is good because then, the Jell-O flavor comes through!

The recipe can be found over at The Food Librarian and it really does look pretty and would be a great addition to a holiday menu! 

Family Fun - A Trip to the Farm

We had the chance to visit a HUGE dairy farm recently.  The farm hosted a "Farm Days" event and offered so many wonderful opportunities for families not to mention free lunch and free ice cream!  I took the boys - not expecting much.  I figured we'd be there an hour at the most . . .4 1/2 hours later we didn't do everything!  Crazy! 

 One of the very first stops was the HUGE cow barn.  Yes, Josh is plugging his nose HA!  Nate loved the place and had tons of questions.  Josh looked at me and said, "Mom, this place makes me want to puke, I'll wait for you outside." 

 The boys got to make homemade butter and than try it on some crackers.  Well, Nate just ate crackers but Josh liked trying his "own" butter.

 Another barn - this one had calves.  Notice who's missing from the photo? 

 Josh loved the big cow.  Nate, not so much.

 Making some crafts.

 My piglets - the boys loved these cut outs and had to get photos in every single one.

 Watching the milking process.  The boys favorite part?  When the cows were released and walked past them. 

 Tractor pulls - these boys are tough!

 Feeding the calves.

 Tractors, Tractors, and More tractors and yes, the boys had to get in every. single. one.  Bless my heart. 

 More Cutouts . . ..

 More Tractors . ..

And yes, more cut outs!

This was a HUGE hit and the perfect activity for our weekend.  I love free stuff! 

Weekly Menu - The One with the Fourth!

It's the 4th of July!  This year we have a few things going on this weekend where we normally just hang out at home or at the beach! Once we get through the weekend, though, we actually have a very quiet week!

Saturday - We are going to my In-Laws for the day.  The plan is a picnic followed by watching fireworks on the Lake in their Boat.  It should be a fun day!  As of right now I'm thinking of making a couple of those recipes I posted earlier this week.

Sunday - Today is our churches annual picnic at a local park.  The church supplies all of the main course so for my "dish to pass"  I think I'm going to make the same cupcakes - the fourth of July themed cupcakes (That way I can make them all on Friday and save myself some work!). 

Monday - Truth be told, our menu was totally thrown out the window last week when 1) I didn't go shopping until Sunday night 2) I forgot about two PT appointments Darryl had which brought him home late 3) I forgot at least one ingredient for every single recipe planned.  So this week you'll see some redo's!  (Saves me some grocery money).  Asian Beef with Pea Pods and Mushrooms, Rice and Egg Rolls - a carry over from last week!!

Tuesday - Meat loaf in the crock pot, mashed potatoes, green beans, and Rolls - yep, another carry over!

Wednesday - Salisbury Steak, Mashed potatoes, corn and Rolls

Thursday - Darryl has a doctor's appointment followed by a PT appointment so he will be late getting home.  We'll have pancakes and sausage for dinner! 

Friday - TACOS!