Weekly Menu

 BOO!  Don't be scared - it is November HA!  It is time to start thinking all things holiday and enjoy the next two months with food, fun, and family.  (Not that we don't always enjoy those three things - but the holidays bring about something different!) 

Friday - It is Halloween!  I'm not about all the spooky stuff but getting free candy is always good.  I believe both of my guys have plans to hang out with friends for Halloween.  So, with that in mind I'm not really sure what is happening for dinner.  I think they are planning to head to friends houses by about 4:00 so Darryl and I may just pick up something simple.  

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's 

Sunday - Spaghetti and Rolls 

Monday - Spaghetti Carbonara 

Tuesday - French toast, bacon, and sausage 

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - Potato and ham soup 

Misc. Musings

 Years ago, when I started my blog, I would post "Misc. Musings" periodically.  It's not anything specific - just some miscellaneous things. 

-- I realize I've posted recipe posts over the past few months with photos but no recipes.  Oops!  I was trying to do a recipe post a few times a month so I would take a photo and put it in the blog post and then forgot to come back and add the recipe.  I'll try to do better.  HA! 

-- I realize that I haven't done updated posts on my Joyful class this year.  No reason outside of taking time to add photos and links for our activities.  I hope to do one post soon with all of the info from our semester. 

--After a very hot and humid summer . .. and spring . .. and fall . . .I am enjoying a much cooler forecast and, yes, I have also enjoyed the rain and thunder storms we have had this past week. The "grumpy" skies with the breakthrough of sun are just amazing this time of year.  There is not any haze in the air from humidity so the blues are super crisps and the grays are low hanging and deep.  I AM thankful that all of the precipitation we received was in the form of rain; I am not really for a snow storm yet :-) 

--Last week my computer got "hi jacked" by some website; it was screaming at me; I was not happy at all.  Josh ran some security check and took care of it for me but it still took me 3 days to even try to log back in or go online.  Thankfully everything seems to be fine and working like it should. 

--I'm pretty happy with what I've been accomplishing with my goals.  Granted the last two weeks have been super busy so I had to put my "schedule" aside and instead just take care of the day to day things.  I'm looking forward to things really slowing down with the next week.  Weekends seem to be busy (or my kids are busy HA!) but the weekdays are not.  School, School, and more School needs to happen during the day! 

-- Saying that I have a 17 year old now is weird.  It seems so different than 16.  He's an awesome 17 year old, though, and I'm thankful he is ours. 

-- Nate will be testing for his 2nd Don (Black Belt) in December.  I've really enjoyed seeing him improve by leaps and bounds this past year.  The Grand Master (the highest TKD instructor in his type of TKD) has taken in interest in him which is great.  He would like to train Nate which is quite the compliment.  

-- I have started a prayer journal recently.  I haven't done that since it was required in a class for college.  I wanted to challenge myself to write down the things I say I will pray for as well as my own requests and then also write down the answers so I can look back after a year and really see what God has done.  Is it perfect? No.  Do I always remember to write things down? No.  So I'm also working on not being a perfectionist with it too. 

--For now, I think that's all of my misc. musings.  :-)  

Left It In The River (Lyrics) | Jamie MacDonald

This was a new one to me that I heard on our local Christian Station while working on my blog :-)  It's upbeat and catchy! 

Our weekly snapshot

 Sometimes Friday evenings are just busy so I don't get chance to upload photos until sometime on Saturday and that was the case this week!  Nate went to a Football game and takes my phone so he can call us when the game is done and then he had friends over after the game.  So a busy Friday!  Anyway, here is a look back(wards) at our week! 

Friday was Co-Op!  We enjoyed our annual "Breakfast and Bingo" activities.  

Wednesday - Youth Group!  Plus it was Josh's birthday!  I took snacks for the group (some of Josh's favorite - Fruit and Debby's Dip, Bean Dip, Honey Buns and Rice Krispie Treats!) 

My 17 year old!  Josh enjoyed a day off of school, Subway for lunch (even though he still had to go to piano lessons) and a fun night at youth group! 

We actually celebrated Josh's birthday on Tuesday night due to youth group on Wednesday.  My mom came over for a great dinner of BBQ Chicken on the grill and homemade french fries.  Plus, gifts and a Pumpkin Roll for dessert!  

On Sunday we headed North to my Father-in-laws.  The main reason was for the boys to unload this big pallet of wood pellets that he uses in his fire place. (There are two more pallets that will have to be unloaded as these get used up!)  We also were able to help with with a few other projects and then he treated us to a local pizza place for lunch that has a fabulous buffet!  

After finishing up our golf game.  We headed to dinner.  Josh took Averie out for a fabulous steak dinner while Darryl, Nate and I headed to a pretty cool burger place.  It was a great night! 

Then, we picked up Josh's girlfriend and headed into Glow Golf and Duck Pin Bowling.  It was a lot of fun. 

On Saturday we celebrated "Josh's Day".  This is a tradition we started years ago where the guys get to pick some fun things to do.  We started with breakfast at home with my mom. 

Weekly Menu - A normal week

 Last week was fun for sure and while we still have some birthday fun planned on Saturday this next week will be normal again.  

Friday -spaghetti 

Saturday - Dinner at my Mom's today!   

Sunday - stroganoff and green beans 

Monday - Marry Me Chicken and Noodles (another carry over from a few weeks ago

Tuesday - French toast, bacon and sausage 

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - ham and scalloped pitatoes

Recipe fun

 

Lauren Daigle - “Let It Be A Hallelujah” (Official Lyric Video)

Our weekly snapshot

 Here's a look back at our week.  

On Friday, after Friday school Nate went home with his friend Silas.  They decided to swim.  One important thing to note . . the pool is not heated HA!  I don't think they minded.  

They guys had youth group this week as well. 

Now, I feel like we had a very busy week yet I took next to no photos.  

Things like a leadership team meeting, drums, TKD, Darryl had an MRI on his head (for his ear), the guys worked out with a friend, piano, cleaning the church, a library event, and Josh mowed for a friend (a three hour project).  So busy . . yes.  Photos . . no HA! 

Weekly Menu - It is Birthday Week!

 A few years ago we started a tradition.  The birthday person gets to pick a weeks worth or meals ending with their birthday (approx.)  It's a nice way for them to pick their favorites.  I think Josh loves this most and he puts a lot of thought into it right down to the sides.  So, this weeks plan has a lot of ideas from the soon to be 17 year old! 

Friday - Day 5 (counting backwards) - Mac and Cheese (Homemade), Ham, and Fruit

Saturday - We are celebrating Josh today.  We are starting with lunch at home before heading out to do some fun things and get dinner together.  Amish Breakfast Casserole, Fruit, and Muffins

Sunday - Day 4 - We are actually heading to my Father-in-laws to unload 1000 pounds of wood pellets for him.  So lunch is up in the air at this point. 

Monday - Day 3 -Dr. Pepper Meatballs, Bean Dip, and Fruit

Tuesday - Day 2 - Josh's birthday dinner!! (He has not picked this as of yet so I'm not sure what we will have!) 

Wednesday - Happy Birthday Joshua!  This is also youth Group Night which is why it is not "day 1"!  Instead we went out to lunch - his choice, and we celebrated with his favorite dinner on Tuesday with my mom.  I did take treats to youth group tonight for his birthday :-) 

Thursday - Day 1 - I'm also waiting on his last pick.  He said he's not sure if he will pick this one or just let me pick. 

On a side note - I missed writing my normal Wednesday post.  I think I had planned to do an updated post on what we've been doing in Joyful for Co-Op but I forgot it wasn't done.  Oops!  This is a busy time of year - mid-October through mid-November and then things slow down a little as our co-op ends for the semester.  

Ron Pope | Things Jesus Didn't Say (Official Lyric Video)

Nate likes to give me song selections when I'm working on my weekly song posts for my blog so this one comes from him.  I hadn't heard it before but it offers a great reminder to look for what Jesus says - not what he didn't say! 

Our Weekly Snapshot

 Here’s a look back at our week starting with Friday! 

The guys had a corn maze activity with our co-op Friday afternoon. 

Fun at Friday School Friday morning. 

Youth group on Wednesday night. 

On Tuesday Josh took Nate sbd I out for a day of fun!  Our field trip got cancelled but he still wanted to do something.  It was a great day! 

Nate had a TKD tournament on Saturday!  

Weekly Menu

 Menu planning is my happy place, if you haven't figure that out yet.  I know, weird, but it gives my brain a place to rest.  Sometimes when there are lots of plates turning (no pun intended around food HA!) I know that my menu is planned, food is on hand for what is planned, and it is ok to shift things. I know others find menu planning exhausting and prefer to just pull things out of the fridge and throw something together.  So, ultimately - do what works for you!  

Here's the plan for the coming week:

Friday - Today is Co-Op day AND we have a Teen Event with our Co-op in the afternoon at a local corn maze so by the time we get home I will be done.  Plus Darryl is going to his Dad's after work so with all of that I plan to just pick up Little Caesars.  It's inexpensive and easy!  

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's is the plan

Sunday - Lazy Day Crock Pot Lasagna, Salad and Garlic Bread.

Monday - Slow Cooker Salisbury Steaks, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans

Tuesday - Crispy Orange Beef with Broccoli (while I might substitute out a different veggie - I haven't decided yet), and Fried Rice

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - Crockpot Marry Me Chicken over Noodles with a salad

October Goals

 Well, it is Q4 - The 4th Quarter of the year.  I have some things on my radar from my 101-1001 goals to try and finish up in the next few months and I really do have some big time scrapbooking goals to accomplish.  With that in mind here is what is on my radar for the next month. 

1. Scrapbook Goals
1. From August and September
1. Finish scrapbooking February, March, April, May, and June 2025
2. Finish scrapbooking April, May, June, July, August, and September 2011
3. Put at least two months of memorabilia in an album (or have it ready to go in) 
2. October 
1. Complete July and August 2025
2. Complete October, November and December 2011
3. Put at least one month of memorabilia in an album (or have it ready to go in) 
2. Continue the big basement clean out
1. My goal this month is to have the main portion of the basement completely done.  I feel better about saying this because I accomplished a lot last month. 
3. Flylady - Work on weekly room cleaning routines
1. Do monthly habit of swish and swipe (August) (This one has been hard to start and then continue) 
2. Do monthly habit of cleaning off the kitchen counters daily (hotspot!) (October)
4. Home Decluttering Goal
1. October - Living Room 
5. Teen Projects (From August)
1. Nate and Darryl - Finish fixing the second lawn mower 
2. Darryl - Fix the board in Nate's bed
3. Darryl, Josh and Me - Hang up all of the decor in Josh's room. 
6. Call Specturm and try to get the bill reduced (From August)
7. Research a Will.  A friend gave me some info to use so I'm going to check it out. 
8. Go on a Date with Darryl
9. Work on establishing my habit of devotions and prayer time
10. Co-Op Work
1. Make sure that my Joyful classes are planned for October
2. Work on clearing out documents that I know longer need for our group that our on my computer.  
3. Since Google Office is not my friend - I want to get a thumb drive and move documents to that so that they are off my computer for the future.
11. Piano Solos
1. Work on It is Well with My Soul.  (The goal is to play this one in October)
2. Work on an easier solo for November
3. Pick a Christmas song for December
12. Clean the outside of the windows - Joshua has already said he will help with this project (since he can climb the ladder with out fear . .. or fear of dying HA!) (From August)
13. Organize the TV Stand Cords - Nate has said he would help with this project.  :-) (From August)
14. Christmas - Order at least 2 gifts for each teen this month
15. Pick my first week to eat Mediterranean 
16. Move my FIL's piano to Josh's room.  Technically I'm just the organizer of this plan.  Josh, Nate, Darryl, and a couple of Josh's friends actually have to move it! 
17. Josh's birthday!  Gifts, birthday, cupcakes for youth group, and his day out 
18. Repaint all of the white inside the house.  (Hopefully I can convince Josh and Nate to help paint LOL) 
19. Memorize my October verse  
20. Read 2 non-fiction books.  Again, I'm behind on my 101-1001 overall goal but I'm hoping to start catching up on that goal. 
21. Find at least one new soup, crock-pot, or appetizer recipe. 
22. Finish at least 1/2 of this list! (My Favorite Goal every month LOL) 
23. Ideas/Plans for October I hope to see happen: 
1. Nate's TKD Tournament
2. Josh's birthday
3. Carve Pumpkins
4. Family Fun Day (Josh's day out) 

Our weekly Snapshot

 Running a few days late but here’s a look back at last week! 

Last Sunday I had a choir concert.  It was a fun afternoon! 

Nate attended his final week of Centershot. 

My guys and some of their friends dressed up for our co-op. 

And our Joyful class! 

CeCe Winans - Come Jesus Come (Official Video)

I heard this recently on the radio and enjoyed it - it was easy to sing along with too. 

Weekly Menu

 Welcome to October.  This month we have a birthday (Joshua) along with fall fun/Halloween.  So it will be a little busy but I think the "busy" comes more on weekends and the week stays pretty simple.  

Friday - Nate and Josh both have plans at different places which Darryl and will be transpiring them to/from so I’m going to grab a little Ceasers pizza for us to enjoy in between our running ha! 

Saturday - Nate is in a TKD competition today.  We will have Stromboli once we get home 

Sunday - we have a potluck at church 

Monday - stroganoff 

Tuesday - ham and cheesy potatoes 

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - ham and scalloped potatoes 

September Goals Recap

 Not long ago my oldest brother told me he stopped reading these posts because they make him tired HA!  Well, they make me tired too BUT I sure like see what I accomplish!  I do feel like I accomplished a lot and did focus on working on projects.  Some days are busier than others but on the days that we are home all day I have taken time to work on my goals! 

1. Scrapbook Goals - I've really struggled with finding . . or making . .. time to work on my projects.  I don't think I scrapbooked once this month. 
1. From August: 
1. Finish scrapbooking February and March 2025
2. Finish scrapbooking April, May and June 2011
3. Put at least one month of memorabilia in an album (or have it ready) 
2. From September
1. Scrapbook April, May and June 2025
2. Scrapbook July, August and Sept 2011
3. Put at least one month of memorabilia in an album (or have it ready)
2. Continue the big basement clean out - Yes!  I've made more progress!  Starting to see some really improvements now. 
3. Flylady - Work on weekly room cleaning routines
1. Do monthly habit of swish and swipe (August)
2. Do monthly habit of making my bed every day (September) Did this every single day! 
4. Home Decluttering Goal
1. August - Finish up the master - Done! (Finally!) 
2. September - the Kitchen
3. I finished about 1/2 of my August 31 list so I am carrying it over into September so it is not a "August and September 31 list" HA! Done! 
5. Teen Projects (From August)
1. Nate and Darryl - Finish fixing the second lawn mower 
2. Darryl - Fix the board in Nate's bed
3. Darryl, Josh and Me - Hang up all of the decor in Josh's room. 
6. Call Specturm and try to get the bill reduced (From August)
7. Research a Will.  A friend gave me some info to use so I'm going to check it out. 
8. Go on a Date with Darryl Done! 
9. Work on establishing my habit of devotions and prayer time
10. Co-Op Work
1. Make sure that my Joyful classes are planned for September Done!
2. Work on clearing out documents that I know longer need for our group that our on my computer.  
3. Since Google Office is not my friend - I want to get a thumb drive and move documents to that so that they are off my computer for the future.
11. Piano Solos
1. Work on It is Well with My Soul.  (The goal is to play this one in October)
2. Work on an easier solo for September (need to choose)
12. Visit the huge slide in Ravenna. 
1. Plan a Family Activity (Q3) - I'm going to tie this slide into our plans; Maybe go to the slide and head to the lakeshore Done! (And it was so much fun!) 
13. Clean the outside of the windows - Joshua has already said he will help with this project (since he can climb the ladder with out fear . .. or fear of dying HA!) (From August)
14. Organize the TV Stand Cords - Nate has said he would help with this project.  :-) (From August)
15. Plan the Christmas Budget and get Christmas lists from the teenagers. (From August)
1. Need to start ordering a few items as the budget allows Working on this! 
2. Purchase tickets for the concert at Maranatha. 
16. Figure out what it means to "eat Mediterranean" HA!  I put this in my 101-1001 goals so I figured I'd do some research and maybe plan some meals so that I can try to incorporate this idea.  (I said I would do it for one month so once I get it planned I can move forward with that!!) I checked out a book on Libby from the library so I have a better idea of what to do and even planned a weeks menu. 
17. Move my FIL's piano to Josh's room.  Technically I'm just the organizer of this plan.  Josh, Nate, Darryl, and a couple of Josh's friends actually have to move it! 
18. Plan Josh's birthday - what will we do and the budget. Done! 
19. Repaint all of the white inside the house.  (Hopefully I can convince Josh and Nate to help paint LOL) 
20. Memorize my September verse.  I am a few verse behind so my first goal is to get September's memorized.  Once that is down, I will work on a second one. 
21. Read 2 non-fiction books.  Again, I'm behind on my 101-1001 overall goal but I'm hoping to start catching up on that goal. 
22. Find at least one new soup, crock-pot, or appetizer recipe. Done! 
23. Finish at least 1/2 of this list! (My Favorite Goal every month LOL) Not Quite but close! 
24. Ideas/Plans for September I hope to see happen: We actually did all of these! 
1. Plan our first Sunday of Football Food Party (Food to eat throughout the day of Football!)
2. Maybe go to Anderson and Girls
3. I have a choir Concert
4. Our Family Adventure Day mentioned earlier in the list