July Goals

I was going to share what I accomplished in June from my goals but when I looked at them I realized that I didn't do what I had written HA!  Oops!  Guess I had better print it off this time so I remember what I say.

So, here's the plan for July. (I pulled up my Goals Post to make sure I'm working on my year goals too!)

1. Reading - I want to work on the books for the reading challenge I'm in as well as read "Listen, Love, Repeat" and "Wait and See"

2. Scrapbooking-
     A. Finally order the shelf I want and get all of my scrapbooks organized and put on the shelf.
     B. Sort the photos I had ordered back in March AND finish ordering all 2014 and 2015 photos.
     C. Order June 2017 photos and scrapbook them (my goal is to do the previous month of this year before I work on the past years so that I can journal things that I actually remember!)
     D. Order a months worth of digital pages; order 1 set of page protectors and put all of the ones I have on pages that are missing them (to make sure I don't order more than I need) ; order 1 set of pages for the digital pages I have and also put those in place; Order 1 more album (I'm behind on albums so I just need to order one a month until I'm caught up
    E.  Get family photos taken (this is scheduled for July so it "should" happen!)

3. Bible Study - Start the Bible study on Pslams

4. The House
     A. Get back into my Flylady groove focusing on declutting/minamalizing the house.
     B. Living room - Work on the photo wall I want to put together (basically just getting the frames I need at this point); Paint the front door; Paint the trim; Work on getting the art work I want for the walls
     C. The Basement - my only goal this month is the laundry room and playroom.  I want those two areas totally cleaned out, organized and useful.  I have a shelving unit to put in the Laundry room to help with organizing too.

5. Family
     A.  Camping
     B. Attending an event at the Free Fair if the budget allows but at the least - attending the fair for fun!
     C. Finalize some plans for mine and Darryl's get away in August.

6. School (I know it's summer)  - The goal in July is review!  Handwriting and Math are key goals!  Oh, and I also HAVE to return some books to Connections!  Oops!  That is top on my list this first week of July so that I can check that off my list!

What I'm Reading

This summer, just like the kids, I decided to try and be part of a reading program.  I thought it would be no problem to accomplish this except I got sucked into a series after reading the first book HA!  Personally, I'm always looking for a new book to read so I thought I'd try to share more of what I'm reading again. I few years ago I tried keeping up with a pinterest page linking all of the books I've read . . .maybe I'll try that again too.

I found this series through a facebook I'm in because it is Free!  Yes!  (As of this writing at least!).  Reading free books is a great way to find out whether you enjoy an author or a series.  I love that this series takes place in Michigan (Which also marks off one of my required reads for the reading program I am doing!).  I love that the characters carry on through each book; they not only carry on but, for the most part, they all remain strong characters within each of the stories even though each book is about a different set of characters within the town.  I love that this set is a solid Christian set of books and that they verses and "lessons" are integrated within the story but are not forced in just to make it "Christian".   Book 1 and book 4 are my favorites but I still have to read book 5 :-)  If you are looking for a new series to read -check this set out!

 Book 2

 Book 3

 Book 4

Book 5

Happy 4th of July

We are enjoying a relaxing day with the family after a busy weekend.  Looking forward to grilling and swimming! 

Happy 4th of July! 

Something Yummy - Chicken Carbonara

Chicken Carbonara
Busy Creating Memories

This recipe was amazing.  It was simple and so much flavor.  I love that I could have pre-cooked chicken and bacon to throw in with it to make it a super simple dinner to make on a busy night.  The best part?  The leftovers were even better than the night we had it for dinner!! 

Ingredients

• 5 strips bacon cooked and diced.
• 2 Chicken breasts -Grilled, Chicken striped up
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 2 T Butter
• 3 cloves Garlic Fresh minced
• 3/4 Cup milk
• 1/4 Cup Heavy cream
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 3 T flour
• 3/4 c Parmesan shavings
• 2 T parsley
• 1 small box bowtie pasta

Instructions

1. Cook 5 strips of bacon and set aside
2. cook 2 chicken breasts in 2 Tablespoons butter with Salt and Pepper to taste.
3. set aside while you work on the sauce.
4. cook up your Bowtie noodles so they will be ready when the sauce is ready.

Sauce

1. Saute 3 cloves Garlic Freshly minced.
2. add Milk, heavy cream, chicken broth and Flour to the pan with the garlic and whisk until smooth.
3. Cook on low heat until it thickens.
4. add in Parmesan shavings. If the sauce gets too thick, add in a little more chicken broth.
5. add the drained bowtie pasta.
6. Toss to cover the noodles completely.
7. dash in the parsley.
8. add more salt and pepper to taste preference.
9. cut up the chicken breasts and dice up the bacon and mix them together
10. add in the chicken and bacon to the sauce.
11. toss until all is covered in the sauce.
12. Serve hot

Sunday Scripture

Our Week in Photos #2

This week was filled with swimming, wagon rides, visits to the park, a movie, Library activities and more!

Saturday was filled with fun at Nana's.  After Nate and I finished grocery shopping, we headed to the pool.  The water was perfect even if the breeze was cool!  After a cookout at our house, the boys headed back with Nana for one of the weekend wagon rides! 

 In swimming class they learned boat safety and had to practice getting into the canoe and jumping in with life jackets on.

On Tuesday, we went and saw Cars 3 because our local Walmart is sponsoring a few free movies this summer!  What a great treat!

 The Library Activity was reptiles from the Alligator Sanctuary.  The guy was awesome - so funny!  Josh wanted his photo with the Alligator - the kid holding was scared stiff HA!

The last day of swimming lessons!!  At the end of class they did a relay race - it was really cool and now I wish my boys loved swimming more because of all the sports I'd love to attend and cheer for . . . . .. I'd love to be at the pool all the time!  

The boys spent Friday afternoon decorating their bikes for a parade at the campground.  They had so much fun!  

We had another great week!  

Weekly Menu - the one with the Holiday that means summer is half way over !

Holy craziness . . it's July.  For Real.  What is up with that?  It's time to slow summer down a little so we can enjoy it a little more!  This week brings some busyness but it also brings some great family time so that is ok too.  Here's the plan for the coming week:

Friday - Pizza.  I'm done cooking for the week.

Saturday - Today we have a family gathering with a handful of my side of the family  There's a big cookout planned so I'm just bringing a salad and dessert and whatever I think my kids might like!

Sunday - Dinner is out today after a crazy busy day yesterday.

Monday - We are heading to my in-laws for dinner.

Tuesday - It's the 4th of July!  Steaks on the grill, baked white and sweet potatoes, cheesy green bean casserole, and garlic bread

Wednesday - Heading into town with my mom for dog training.

Thursday - This is one of these weeks where I'll wait until Thursday and see what we have left.