Our Week at a Glance

 It's taken about 6 months but I'm (hopefully) back to my weekly photo "dump" post.  Back in December something happened with my ability to upload photos from my phone and my camera to my computer.  In March I finally figured out how to do a work around and spend about 4 days transferring, moving, labeling and organizing photos.  Then I worked on figuring out how to get it done much more easily and I think I'm finally to that point.  Anyway, my goal is to share weekly but some weeks just don't work out that way!  

For now, here's a look back at a little over the past week :-) 

This one takes us over just a week ago.  One of Joshua and Nate's friends came home with us after TaeKwonDo to have lunch and hang out for a bit until her sister could pick her up.  These three have known each other since they were 3 and 4 years old and are still good friends! 

I shared in an earlier post this week about our yard work.  We all worked together last Saturday to do some yard work and "catch up" a little around here.  

Joshua had to do a collage for his final Art Project and can you guess who the subject was? 

Yep!  Kitty Witty!  It was a fun project and he did get an A on the assignment. 

And yes, we are done with another year!  This is one of the outtakes :-)  It takes work to get photos these days! HA! 

Finally, Joshua and Nate went to Nana's house to mow her yard this week.  This is the photo I got - Molly with her paw on Nate.  She loves him . .. Nate tolerates her HA!  

Weekly Menu - With Family

 This week we get to spend some time with my brother Ken and his wife, Lynnette.  Well, technically this week it is just Ken but next week it will be Lynnette too!  One of the benefits of this is that we eat dinner at my mom's a few extra times too!  

Friday - Our second open house of the season.  This is for the daughter of long time friends - we have known Bobby and Anne since before they were married, attended their wedding, birthday parties and baby showers and now, we are attending an open house!  Time flies! 

Saturday - And, our third open house :-)  This one is for a friend we know through TKD and our homeschool Co-Op.  

Sunday - And . .. HA!  I'm still not cooking :-)  Dinner at my mom's with my brother.  

Monday - Tomato Basil Chicken  - This is a such a nice summer recipe - it goes together quickly and is so light.  Add some French bread and pasta and it's perfect. 

Tuesday - Madison's Favorite Slow Cooker Tacos - This is a SkinnyTaste recipe (I don't know who Madison is HA!).  

Wednesday - Dinner at my mom's with my brother

Thursday - Brown Sugar Balsamic Glaze Pork Loin in the Crock Pot, Chopped Wedge Salad,  Crustless Summer Zucchini Pie and Stuffed Mushrooms with broccoli rabe and sausage

That's a wrap! 

What We are Eating - Beef and Broccoli

 

I've mentioned in my weekly menu posts that we are enjoying recipes from SkinnyTaste.  I love how many vegetables they use and that they tend to taste fresh and bright.  Well, this Broccoli Beef recipe did not disappoint.  Now, depending on how observant you are you might notice there is not any broccoli in my photo.  You are correct.  Broccoli is not a big hit in this household BUT Chinese Pea Pods and mushrooms ARE a big hit so I used those instead.  This was so tasty and was pretty easy to pull together (Honestly, some SkinnyTaste recipes have ALOT of steps!).  

The recipe can found HERE

I pretty much followed the recipe but I did double the sauce but didn't really need to in the end.  I also almost always leave ginger out of everything.  My suggestion is to get a good cut of meat so that they meat is tender - this was a little tough - and I should have cut the pieces smaller.  :-) 

Yard Work

 We are not yard work people.  Never have been; never really will be.  BUT last summer I decided to tackle some things and just "move around the house" making things look nice.  It all went well until I got Poison Ivy and then that shut down any desire I had to keep going on the yard! Well, I know where the poison ivy is (I see it's ugly three leaved vine poking up and around!) and am staying far away from it.  Darryl's going to work on getting rid of (shoot, I don't even mow near it right now "just in case" HA!).  

Thankfully a good portion of the project area is ivy free so we worked on that this weekend.  

The before photos!  In the middle of getting the lawn mowed too! 

More before :-) 

After - I love my lion I got last year and decided top place him in a more prominent location this year.  

The finished side yard.  All the weeding was done and our decorations were put out. 

Notice my "flowers" this year?  HA!  With all of the other rising prices I just couldn't justify buying flowers right now.  These are easier to care for - no watering! 

Finally, Willamenia always looks better with a hair cut!  I just love my willow tree.  She lost a big branch this spring in a wind storm but otherwise she is filling out nicely this year.  

Weekly Worship - RICHLIN - Good Mood (Official Lyric Video)

It's been awhile but here's a fun song to get back into the routine of Weekly Worship music. 

Weekly Menu - And, it's Summer time!

 I tend to appreciate Summer more now then I used to - especially June.  June tends to be not quite as hot and humid and it is enjoyable to sit outside, especially in the mornings and evenings.  I also love how summer slows down.  I told Darryl that my theme for this summer is "Go no where and Spend nothing" HA!  Due to the amount of road construction going on in this side of the state you almost can't even get anywhere even if you want to go!!!  

We are still enjoying Skinny Taste recipes.  I told Darryl that by using her recipes the amount of fresh fruits/veggies I'm buying has quadrupled while the canned/processed foods has been cut in half.  We still enjoy our family favorites but finding some new things is nice too.  

Here's the plan for this week (June 3-9)

Friday - We have our first open house of the season to attend.  We haven't always attended open houses but as my guys get older I know how important to attend others so they will someday attend "ours".   

Saturday - Our weekly dinner at my mom's :-)  This is always appreciated!! 

Sunday - I have a concert today and my family will head home after church so we will all be on our own (I'm sure Taco Bell is in everyone's future HA!) 

Monday - Spaghetti Carbonara and French Bread  

Tuesday - Blackened Shrimp and Grits and Summer Corn, Tomato and Avocado Salad with Creamy Buttermilk Dijon Dressing

Wednesday - We have a new summer "plan".  My two guys are going to be mowing Nana's yard and the plan is for that to happen on Wednesdays.  Therefore, they will spend the afternoon at her house.  Then, she will bring them home and have summer with us.  My goal is to cook her favorites!!!  (Or at least food she likes HA!).  So, the plan for tonight is Crock-Pot Fajitas, Salad, and Chips and Salsa.   

Thursday -Sloppy Joes and Sweet Potato Fries in the air fryer. 

Weekly Menu - The Unofficial Start of Summer

 And just like that it's summer.  Ok, not technically but it is the "unofficial start to summer" here in Michigan.  That is what Memorial Day does around here.  I guess because this means the snow is USUALLY done HA!  Time to plant flowers and make the yard look pretty for a month before it gets so hot that everything dies LOL!  Not sure how my brothers live in the South!! 

Here's the truth of menu planning this week - we have covid in the house so all of our plans this past week and into the holiday weekend were cancelled and we hare enjoying time at home.  I don't love grocery order/pick-up but I am using it this weekend!  Hopefully this will clear out in the next few days so we can count down to getting back to normal :-) 

Friday - Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Meatballs, Chips and Salsa and Fruit and Dip  

Saturday - Pulled Pork, Sweet Potatoes, and Corn

Sunday - Roast, Potatoes, and Green Beans 

Monday -  Brats, Corn on the Cob and Baked Beans, water melon  . . . . . plus a Summer Trifle 

Tuesday -  Josh and Nate have a piano recital so I think we will just grab something afterwards - if they are hungry (It's actually a student party for just the students so they can play for each other and have snacks and desserts so maybe they won't be hungry!) 

Wednesday -  French Toast Sticks and Bacon/Sausage

Thursday - BBQ Chicken and Fried Rice