I would like to say that I had huge success this past week but, well, I had kinda success :-) I did not follow my lunch plan on Monday or Tuesday - on Monday, I ate a big breakfast and then did not eat lunch because I was full. Tuesday, my kids came home so I just threw a couple of pizzas in the oven and we ate those instead. BUT, I did actually make recipes I had planned.
On Wednesday, I made the BLT Lettuce Cups and Fruit Salad and posted the recipes HERE. They were both fantastic and I'm finding that I'm craving that fruit salad/drink. We ended up using the rest of the bacon for dinner on Wednesday with pancakes.
So, on Thursday I made the Thai Chicken with Pineapple and it was fantastic! I will be posting that recipe soon - probably next Friday so be watching for that one! My husband ended up eating the rest of that on Thursday afternoon so . . I settled for left overs on Friday :-)
This next week, I said I was going to focus on breakfast. I didn't end up making the Pumpkin Muffins this past week so I am going to make those this weekend and use them for breakfast.
My lunch plan this week is:
M, W, Th- Salad with spinach dip and crackers
Tuesday: I'm going scrapbooking all day - diet is forgotten. HA
F - I usually make the kids pizza so I'm going to try a recipe for a Wabash Pizza and see if I like it. I figure I can freeze the extra breads and it will carry me through for weeks.
Neither of these recipes were on my original list but are recent posts on Gina's Skinny Recipes and they looked so good so I figured I would try them this coming week.
Sorry for this kinda chaotic post - running out of time today to get it posted :-)
I had thought I would have a couple of really good recipes to share with you this week but . . .I had some not so great things this week so I'm going to share two recipes I used for lunch this week!
This a delicious fruit salad that leaves you with a refreshing drink when you are done. The best part is that you can use any fruit combination that you want to. I would suggest that you add the Sprite about 5-10 minutes prior to eating it so that the flavors have a moment o blend. I would suggest using watermelon every time because of the liquid it gives off plus at least one or two other fruits that have a lot of juice like pineapple or a good orange. Also, you can reduce the amount of fruit and just make enough for 1 person :-)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups diced apples, I used green and macintosh
1 1/2 cups diced strawberries
1 1/2 cups diced watermelon
1 1/2 cups diced banana
1 1/2 cups diced papaya
1 1/2 cups diced orange
1 1/2 cups diced fresh pineapple
1 1/2 cups grapes (red and green)
1 1/2 cups diced kiwi
6 1/2 cups Sprite Zero
Directions:
Dice all fruit to equal size 1/2 inch pieces. Refrigerate until ready to serve. When ready to serve combine with sparkling soda and place in a large pitcher or punch bowl. Ladle into cups and serve with a spoon.
These surprised me. I kept wanting to change the ingredients but decided to stick with the recipe the first time and it was pretty much dead on. I do think that next time I might not put the shredded lettuce in the lettuce cups - that's a lot of lettuce!!
Ingredients:
4 slices lean bacon (pork or turkey) cooked and chopped
1 medium tomato, diced
1 tbsp light mayonnaise (I like Hellman's)
3 large iceberg lettuce leaves
fresh cracked pepper
Directions:
Carefully remove 2 large outer leaves of a head of lettuce. If you rip or tear one, just save it for the 3rd leaf you need to shred. Shred the 3rd leaf and set aside.
Dice tomato and set aside in a bowl.
Combine diced tomato with mayonnaise and fresh black pepper.
Place lettuce cups on a plate, top with shredded lettuce.
In case you were wondering on a busy SAHM with three kids under three running around all day finds time to read . .. well, we spend a lot of time outside. The boys play and I read. I don't garden and hate weeding so . .reading is my best option :-)
Synopsis: Wrapped up in dreams of boys and marriage, 13-year-old Virginia Eide is brought back to a harsh reality when her uncle loses his job and his whole family is forced to move in with the Eides. Slightly resentful, Virginia doesn't fully understand why Jim can't just get another job. Visits to "Soo City," a housing camp for the homeless on the edge of their town, open Virginia's eyes. Along with her doctor father, Virginia helps care for the homeless. Virginia also begins to realize that God may not only have a place in her day-to-day life but has plans for her entire lifetime. Tatlock's first novel brings the Depression era to life, especially in its depiction of the of Soo City residents. Recommended, especially as an alternative to the romances and thrillers that usually populate Christian fiction. My Opinion: I truly enjoyed this book. It is told from the viewpoint of Virginia Eide and, as I read it, I felt liked I learned everything I could about her and grew through her. The story grows as she grows and becomes less of a little girl and more of a young women. It is a book that you can read on a rainy day, curled up with a blanket and a cup of Hot Cocoa.
My Rating: * * * * 4 stars - such a good book all the way around.
Synopsis: Chiaverini’s latest offering is another in her series of novels intended for the holiday season. To follow The Christmas Quilt (2005), The New Year’s Quilt (2007), and a novel leading up to Thanksgiving (The Quilter’s Kitchen, 2008), she needed to get a little more inventive this time. The Quilter’s Holiday concerns a tradition taking place the day after Thanksgiving. The quilters’ circle gathers at the Elm Creek manor for a daylong marathon to create holiday decorations or gifts. The group pauses in their work for a scrumptious potluck lunch of dishes made from Thanksgiving leftovers. This year, in the midst of an early snowstorm, they also renew an old cornucopia tradition. Each quilter inserts a quilt block into an antique cornucopia, representing something for which they are especially thankful. Although the novel is a continuation of the long-running Elm Creek series, it may also be read as a stand-alone story evoking the holiday spirit. Longtime fans of the series will learn more of the quilters’ backstories and get delightful hints of what will follow in subsequent novels. A must for series fans.
My Opinion: This is another book in the series "The Elm Creek Quilters". I have enjoyed all of the books in this series but I liked the way that this one told the stories of the current quilters - I prefer the life stories verses the history style books in this series.
My Rating: * * * Three stars :-) Yes, I enjoyed the book but I also found that I skimmed quite a bit of it because information was repeated within chapters as the story was told from the different points of view.
A Son Comes Home Synopsis: Having fled his Indiana home after his brother's tragic death, Chris LaRue must overcome his bitterness to reconcile with his father, who is seriously ill.
My Review: My mom gave me this book and told me that I wouldn't be able to put it down and she was right. From the first chapter to the last I wanted to read to find out how it ended. And . .it ended it well!! This is another book that is told from the different points of view of the main characters in the story so you really see the minds of those telling the story. I love how it really is a story of the Prodigal Son but in so many ways (it all comes together at the end and you will know what I'm talking about )
My Rating: * * * * * Yes, that is 5 stars. It really was that good - I think I could pick it back up today and re-read it and learn more about the characters.
The Power of a Positive Mom
I have finally picked this book back up and am doing it with my daily devotions. It has been so long since I started this book that I've actually started it over again and, amazingly, as I read the introduction chapter, I didn't even remember 1/2 of what I had read before. I've really slowed down with this book and feel like I will take so much more away from it this time.
I haven't posted a song in quite awhile -probalby because I don't get a chance to listen to the radio much but I came across this Mercy me song on another blog and really liked it. It is a "moving" song (thus the title MOVE!) and gets you snapping your fingers and singing along. So enjoy :-)
I'm loving . . . .that my kids are back home. They got to spend some time with Papa and Nana and LOVED it. As much as I enjoy a little break, I sure do miss their little faces!
I'm loving . . . that I finally got my scrapbooking stuff organized and cleaned out. All the projects are ready to go and I have an updated goal list of when to get everything done.
I'm loving . . . that all of the new shows are starting. I was ready for some new things to record :-)
I'm loving . . .we got to go out to dinner with friends last Friday. They treated us and we just had such a great time. We need to do that more!
I'm loving . . . football. Yep :-) My fantasy team is doing well already and I just love watching the games - both Pro and College!!!
I'm loving . . .my wonderful family! It always feels nice when we are all together once again.
First up is one of my favorite blogs, Oopsey Daisy. She shares a super cute food craft that fits in with both her Insect Mommy School unit as well as the upcoming Halloween Holiday. I'm thinking that this will have to be an activity that makes it into our "Adventure Bucket" on an upcoming week.
Next up is a cute Halloween Countdown Felt Calendar from The Crafting Chicks. She gives a nice tutorial for this project so if you have extra felt laying around - you could easily put this together.
You may remember that I shared an ABC photo book awhiel back from Lines Across My Face. I have started these for my boys arealdy but, she has graciously supplied all of the pictures she took for her book. I love it because it has given me some ideas for some of the letters. If you are looking for inspiration or just want to print them to make a quick book feel free :-)
I just love these felt leaves from Rosy- Posy. They would be great in a sensory bin or to be used for counting. For older kids, they make a great craft idea too.
To go along with the leaves, you can also make felt pinecones. There is a pretty easy to follow tutorial over at Salt Tree.
Lines Across My Face also shares a really cute photo idea using glass bottles. To me, this would be the perfect way to keep your family close in the kitchen - the bottles would look great on a window above the sink.
My Mother-in-Law and I are throwing a Bridal Shower Brunch for my niece in a few weeks and we've decided to do a fall theme (ironic isn't it HA!) . These pumpkin candles from A Pumpkin and a Princess will be a perfect addition to our decorations.
Yes, I Pinterest. Sadly. HA! I have found some cute ideas though and that is how I ended up at a site where I found this cute idea in a linky party. It is a birthday countdown chart from Come Together Kids.
Ok, this made me giggle. I guess because I have boys and they would think this is awesome. I love this googly eye wreath from A Pretty Liffe in the Suburbs. Plus, it looks super easy!
This next idea is 100% for me. We are on the front end of potty training and by that I mean, we aren't having much luck. Well, I came across this great idea (and a fantastic post) over at The Scrap Shop and I think it is exactly what we need. We already have the Potty Treat Jar but I love the idea that she gives 1 sticker if he sits on the potty - it gives some encouragment that I think we need over here :-) I will be getting this all prepared this week and we'll see how it works!!
In our house, we have a large patio door that is our main entrance to our home. When I saw this idea I thought it would be a fun project to do with the kids plus it would look so great on the window. Check out the full idea over at Frugal Family Fun Blog.
From the same Blog is a cute idea (and easy . .. not messy) for making Fall Sun Catchers for the window.
This summer I saw several ideas for "Summer Checklists" and really liked the idea. Today I came across this idea for a Fall checklist over at Come Together Kids and wanted to share it also. What a great idea; no excuse not to get out as a family and get some things accomplished together!
Are these plaques the cutest things? I was looking at the Pottery Barn versions and knew I couldn't buy them but now, I can make them thanks to While He was Napping
Last week, I introduced you to a new blog I had found called The Generous Wife. If you haven't checked it out, do so.
I've enjoyed reading her daily posts and they have helped me shift my focus to being a servant instead of expecting so much.
My husband and I are going through some changes in our life. He began working a new job back in April and, at the time, we knew that there was the possibility that he could be sent overnight 1-3 nights a week. As a matter of fact, after he was trained, he was gone for 2 nights a week the first few weeks but then, he seemed to be put on routes that were long but not overnight. He worked his max 60 hours a week but, the schedule brought him home every night. That all changed last week - after 5 months of a pretty consistent schedule, he was called on a Saturday and told that he was being sent on a two day route leaving at 2:00 am on Monday morning. He was also told that this is his new route. Now, our Sundays have been cut short and he's gone. Alot. He goes to bed at 6:30 on Sunday nights in order to get up at 12:30. This past week, he got home on Tuesday at 6:00 PM, went to bed at 7:30 and got up at 1:30 on Wednesday morning to be gone over night again. When he got home at about 3:30 on Thursday, I had figured out that since he went to bed on Sunday, I had seen him face to face for a total of 3 hours . Now, for two people who LOVE to be together, 3 hours out of about 72 is not very many. The days are long and it makes me even more thankful to be able to stay home with the boys - to give them that stability is just fantastic. As with most things in life, this transition is difficult because it isn't comfortable but, again, as with most things, it gets better as you learn a routine. We don't like losing hours on Sunday because he has to go to bed, we don't like the overnight stays but we are thankful for the job God provided and even for little things like the savings in gas because he isn't making the long commute as many days. I'm learning to plan meals differently for just the boys and I (I don't cook much for the three of us - we eat simple!). We can either choose to fight this or we can choose to accept it and make it work. We are choosing to make it work.
I'm thankful that I found The Generous Wife prior to this job change because I had already started changing my mindset and was looking for ways to cherish my husband more. For as long as we have been married I have gotten up with Darryl to send him off to work. I make his lunch, prepare his coffee, make sure his bag is packed, and he has everything he needs. I enjoy this 30 minute time in the morning - we chat about things, get to say good bye and are thankful for those quiet moments. It isn't a sacrifice for me at all but rather, a great way for us to connect in a very busy schedule. I'm also looking for some other ways to treat him well and let him know he is thought of while he is away.
I say all of that to say - are you taking time to cherish your spouse? Even something as simple as making sure there are clean clothes or clean sheets are ways to show you cherish that important person. Don't forget to take time to purposefully show love on a daily basis.
