February Goal Recap

Here's a little recap of my goals this past month.

1. The basement.  I started out strong with the basement, working about 20 minutes a day for a good week and a half.  It doesn't sound like a lot but that 20 minutes allowed me to get some things done.  I was on track to really knock it out this month until the record cold hit.  We've had below zero air temps which means our basement runs at about 40 degrees - my figures go numb doing the laundry HA! 

 One of my main projects was this shelving unit.  I picked it up back in January for a great deal at Menards and I love it.  It houses our games, homeschool stuff, out of season clothes for the boys, a "put away" box and a Good Will Box.  Now, in Menards, this shelf didn't look quite this tall so, in the spring, I plan to switch this shelf out for a 4 shelf unit in the garage. I cannot use the top shelf of this unit because of the vent  - see that heat vent?  That is the only vent for the entire basement so there is no way I can block that off :-)

The boys started working on organizing the basement playroom after I clean out some stuff for Good Will (yep, I did make one trip to Good Will!).  They organized the cushions and were working on sorting out all of the kitchen stuff when we got stopped by the cold. 

Ultimately, the laundry room is completely done and clean and the playroom is in process.  I'm happy with the progress!

2.  The Bedrooms - I was able to get the master bedroom deep cleaned and organized!

 We use tray tables as our side tables due to the tiny amount of space next to the bed.  I pulled out a couple of table clothes to softened them up slightly.  I used to keep table clothes on my table all of the time but with the table being our home school station as well, table clothes just aren't practicle.  I love that I have found a new use for something I really love.

I also organized all of my scrapbook stuff in the closet shelf and made it easy to grab stuff to work on by organizing current projects in a scrapbook bag in my closet. 

All of the corners are dusted, the fan is clean and I cleaned out under the bed which is always a challenge.

What did I not do?  I did not get to the boys room. I had plans to on a Friday they were gone but we dealt with a frozen pipe that cut off water to the entire house that day instead.  Plus, we will be getting them bunk beds in another few weeks so I kinda feel like I need to wait until we get those and then I can organize their stuff again.

3. School - I have my 2015-2016 curriculum list done, divided out by month of what I want to order, and have even picked up the first item we need through a Homeschool Facebook page for 1/2 the cost of new.  I also organized all of the paper and set up the filing drawer to house their special papers.

4. The boys birthday pictures are done and here is a sneak peak:

Once I've picked out all of my favorites I promise to share!  I can't wait to print my 16x20 black and whites of each boys and get the new photos on the wall.

5. Darryl's Birthday - We had a great weekend.  I'll share photos soon!

6. "Just One Thing".  This was something new this month and I really liked the idea.  I was able to accomplish some odd jobs that just seldom get done.

 Several years ago I started an alphabet wall.  I picked up letters, modge podged scrapbook paper on them and hung them up.  I could usually only pick up about 5 letters at a time and then, I never could make it into Hobby Lobby so my wall stopped at like "G".  I was tired of the half finished wall so I brought up a favorite picture from the basement and hung it up  instead.  Ultimately there is a project I want to do with our pet photos but that is a project for another day.

Here's a teaser :-)  I've been wanting to redo my kitchen wall.  I was so tired of the busy, filled up wall.  The boys and I had a chance to go to Hobby Lobby and I found the perfect decor for the wall.  It isn't done yet as I still have screws to remove, holes to fill and touch up paint to do but I figured I'd give you a "peek" :-)

Some other things on that list that got marked off:
1) Scrub the shower - every few months I have to work on getting rust off the shower even with a great water softener.  It really isn't work . . .I just have to clean with Iron Out cleaner and it does all of the work :-)
2) There was a scrap piece of granite that was sitting in my closet - that is now gone.
3.) All of my scrapbook stuff is organized in the bedroom.
4.) Nate's school work is all sorted for the rest of the school year.
5) I made the master Monthly menu!

Did I accomplish all of my "Just one Thing"? Nope but I did do alot of it! 

7. Those Misc Goals.  I have 4 misc goals that I'm keeping to myself :-)  I will tell you that in February, I was 50/50 on those goals.  I'm hoping for at least 75% next month :-)





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What We Are Eating - Enchiladas

Enchiladas
adapted from Pioneer Woman

  Since Darryl and I got married, we've attempted to make enchiladas.  We did the "cheater" version where we just rolled up tacos and threw some canned sauce on top; I've tried all kinds of recipes and then, I gave up.  I then came across this recipe from Pioneer Woman and I feel like I have a winner!  It has great flavor and has the right amount of sauce.  This is on the monthly meal rotation which tells you something - we like it enough to eat it every month! I do use flour tortilla verses corn tortillas and it works out fine.  I think that is totally a flavor choice . . .I'm not a huge fan of corn tortillas! 

Ingredients

• FOR THE SAUCE:
• 1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
• 1 Tablespoon All-purpose Flour
• 1 can (28 Ounce) Enchilada Or Red Sauce
• 2 cups Chicken Broth
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
• 2 Tablespoons Chopped Cilantro
• _____
• FOR THE MEAT:
• 1-1/2 pound Ground Beef
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Finely Diced
• 2 cans (4 Ounce) Diced Green Chilies
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• _____
• FOR THE TORTILLAS:
• 10 whole (to 14) Corn Tortillas
• 1/2 cup Canola Oil
• _____
• TO ASSEMBLE:
• 3 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1/2 cup Chopped Black Olives
• 1 cup Chopped Green Onions
• 1/2 cup Chopped Cilantro

Preparation Instructions

Step #1 – The Sauce
In a large saucepan over medium heat, add oil and flour and whisk together to make a paste, cooking for one minute. Pour in the red sauce, chicken broth, cilantro, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30-45 minutes.
Step #2 – The Meat
Brown the meat with onions in a skillet. Drain off fat. Stir in 2 cans diced green chilies and seasoned salt. Set aside.
Step #3 – Tortillas
Heat canola oil in a small skillet over medium heat. One by one, using tongs, fry tortillas in oil until soft, not crisp – about 30 seconds per side. Remove to a paper—towel lined plate. Repeat until all tortillas have been fried.
Step #4 – Assembly
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour ½ cup red sauce in bottom of baking pan. Spread to even out. Dip each tortilla into red sauce, then remove to work surface. Spoon meat, a little grated cheese, a little black olives, and green onions in the center of tortilla. Roll up and place, seam down, in baking pan. Repeat until pan is filled. Pour extra red sauce over enchiladas. Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle cilantro over enchiladas before serving.

Teaching Tuesdays.

So, last week I took time to break down all of Nate's work so I could see where it would put us for the end of the school year.  We will be done by the week of May 11th!!  I'm so excited to have that deadline in place. 

I've been a little lax at taking pictures and recording our moment to moment activities in school.  We are kind of in that boring state of school though.  We are wrapping up books, starting to review, and not doing anything real exciting.

So what's on my radar for the next month:

1.  Planning AND accomplishing some Friday Fun Activities with the boys
2. Ordering bits and pieces of our curriculum for next year.
3. Teaching the boys how to cook something new - they have Mac and Cheese and Spaghetti Conquered :-) 


Hopefully next week I'll have some pictures!

Make It Monday - A Book List

February is almost done and I haven't even made my new "Books I've Read -2015" Pinterest Board.  I'm so behind ;-)

I thought I would share what I'm pulling out as my book goal for March.  I know, I share goals at the beginning of March but this list is always a little different and more in depth.  I decided that I would look at what I have loaded on my kindle and pick 4 non-fiction books I'd like to read through by the end of March. 

This book was recommended by another blog that I read.  I'm hoping it is as good as she said it was!

I started this book awhile ago as part of a Bible Study but never finished it.  I'm going to pick it back up and get through it.

This is another book that I started as part of a group but never finished it (I see a pattern!). 

I also started this book awhile ago but got distracted with life and never finished it. 

I don't list my fiction books because those are so easy for me to read!  I do have a handful on my Kindle that I need to read before I buy more though! 

What are you reading?

Family Fun - Valentine's Day

It might not seem like it but we've actually had some fun over the last few weeks; I just haven't taken many photos.  :-/  We had plans on a Wednesday to take the kids to the Pirate Museum but, due to an ice storm that moved in, we ended up not going anywhere.  We were able to go out recently on a Friday though and have a little fun.  I took the boys into town and we started at Hobby Lobby.  While I looked for a piece of artwork for my kitchen, they had fun looking at the "pirate" stuff and trying to find something that wasn't too expensive to buy (which they did).  We then went to the pet store.  I realized as we walked in that we have never taken them into Petsmart before.  Well, they loved it.  We probably spent 45 minutes in the store and all I needed was a bag of dog food.  We watched through the window as the dogs were groomed (there was even a young "Willow" .  .. my parents dog); then we looked forever at all of the fish as they boys dreamed up their fish tank; and we watched the dogs playing in the doggy day care room and picked out our favorite. After running a few more boring errands, we stopped at Baker Book House, a local Christian Bookstore.  They have a little play area with a train table that the boys enjoy.  Plus, I told them they could pick out a book.  Nate loved that idea and picked out 5.  Thankfully they were all $2.00 books :-)  We ended our adventure with meeting Darryl for dinner at a place called Pizza Ranch.  It's a Buffet that serves mostly pizza but also has some really great Fried Chicken along with a great salad bar.  The boys loved it and said they could eat there every single night :-) 

What I did take a few pictures of is our Valentine's Day!

 The table set for dinner.  On holidays, I love to use our good China.  Plus a tablecloth and some Valentine's Decorations.  For dinner I made homemade pizza for Darryl and I (and the boys favorite frozen versions), some antipasto salad, and homemade Strawberry Shortcake. 

 The boys made Valentine Cards for Darryl and gave them to him when he walked in the door from work. 

 Just before dinner, the boys found their Valentine's Treat Bags on their chairs.  This year we got them a small Lego set, some new playdough, and a new playdough toy they each wanted.  I've started to steer away from tons of candy because, well, my kids don't eat it.  Don't get me wrong, they like candy but once they have enjoyed it for a bit the day they get it, they forget about it and it ends up getting thrown away.  I just got them each a box of skittles (and for the record, neither boy finished their bos of skittles and they got thrown away HA!)

 The boys had fun watching Darryl open his gift.  I got him some Raisenets because he loves them and . . .a 10 pound hand weight.  Romantic, huh? LOL  He has said a few times he would like  a weight that he could use just sitting in the chair to build up his arms again.  I happened to see it on sale (and considering it was less than $10.00) so I got it.  Josh loved it too and wants his own weight to use.  (And yes, he can lift the 10 pounder but wow, he will drop it on someone's toes, I have no dought!).

Darryl also got us gifts - he got each of the boys a box of sweet tarts which he left in front of the TV when he left for work so they loved getting that surprise when they got up.  And he got me a fun card and a bag of M and M's :-)  Yum! 

We really had a nice day and focused on just loving each other like we do every day :-)

Weekly Menu

So, I started off the week the same way I did last week - forgetting stuff HA!  Yep, I forgot the mozzarella for the pizza on Saturday and the swiss cheese for Sunday . . .I happened to have some Swiss cheese in the fridge from I don't know when but it wasn't growing green so I used it HA!  So, I am removing the "Quiche" option from Sunday night.  This past Sunday we had the Swiss Steak meal and then Quiche . .. talk about rich, heavy foods!  Not to mention that I spent about 4 hours in the kitchen on Sunday.  I think we'll just have sandwhiches instead :-)

So what is on the plan for this week?

Saturday - We are out for the Darryl to celebrate Darryl's birthday.

Sunday - We are celebrating Darryl's birthday with my family today with a Taco bar!

Monday - Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs, Savory Rice, Green Beans, and Rolls.

Tuesday - Pan Fried Pork Chops, Mac and Cheese, and Salad

Wednesday - Waffles and Sausage

Thursday - Double crunch Orange Chicken (a new recipe), Buttered Noodles, Carrots, and Rolls

Friday - Tacos (like you even need to ask)

Our Sunday Routine

I don't know about you but Sunday Mornings can be a bit hectic and yes, stressful.  Several years ago, I read a great book that I've pulled out once again to re-read.

One of the key thoughts that I remembered from this book was the importance of preparing for Sunday Morning on Saturday night. 

It's my "job" to make sure that the boys are ready to go and I am ready to go each Sunday morning.  Don't get me wrong, Darryl helps but, ultimately, I have keep things moving.  It helps us all if I get our clothes out.  I make sure the boys things are laid out on their chairs right down to shoes and socks.  I've also figured out that it helps if I get my stuff picked out too :-) 

I also have my "Sunday Bag".  It's the bag that I carry to church every single week.  I keep hand lotion, cough crops, a small bag of candy, and a couple pads of paper for the boys to use to draw on if needed.  I also put my Bible and Planner in it has well and add a bottle of water on Sunday morning.  Now that the boys know about giving offering in Sunday School, I also take time to put some change in a bag and throw it in too so that I always have money for the boys to give. 

So what does our Sunday morning look like?
7:30- I get up and get ready and get dinner in the oven
8:00 - I eat breakfast and make sure the boys are eating something too.  Darryl gets ready
8:30 - Get the boys ready - right down to shoes and socks
9:00 - we walk out the door. 

If I don't get up by 7:30 - our morning becomes stressful! 

On Saturday night I:
1 Pick out our clothes
2. Pack the bag
3. Make sure the truck has gas (for real - otherwise it adds stress to our morning on Sunday)
4. Prep for Sunday dinner - everything from making sure the meat is out of the freezer to setting out the pan for rolls so I don't forget to take them out of the freezer.  I'm also working on setting the table so I don't have to do it when we return from church :-)

So, why is this important?  I want Sundays to be a day of relaxation; a day where we can enjoy being doing as a family, enjoy attending our church, and enjoy a day off from normal routines.  If the morning starts with me constantly "riding" the boys to get ready, I'm the one who suffers and ends up unhappy.  I'm still working on all of this but felt like sharing - if you haven't read the book Parenting in the Pew and have littles (or even slightly "olders") take time to read it.  You might gain one truth that can help your Sundays go smoother.