Tuesday, December 30, 2008

SeaWorld

Dh took dd to SeaWorld on Monday. They had a good time.

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Thursday, December 25, 2008

Our Christmas

We had a very nice, albeit tiring, Christmas day. We awoke and had coffee and cinnamon rolls this morning. Then it was time to open our gifts to one another. We were all very pleased with our presents.

Then it was time to get off our bums and get our Christmas dinner ready. It took me FOREVER to get this party started! I waited until today to wash the china, crystal and silverware. I put out pretty gold chargers and the table really looked festive. Robert took a picture after it was all set. I will get him to post the photo. He was giving the carpet a quick vacuum and helping Robyn to wash her hair when his mom and great uncle arrived. Oops, we weren't ready yet. The ham was cooking in the nesco roaster on the deck and the pumpkin pie was in the oven. The broccoli salad was made last night. So all I had left to do was cook the green beans and potatoes, throw the Stouffer's macaroni and cheese in the oven and warm the Sister Schubert rolls. My mom-in-law brought her delicious deviled eggs. Oh, and dd and I already had the cupcakes made too. Why this took forever I will never know. But it just did.

Finally, everything came together, and I was able to hop in the shower and get dressed and enjoy the meal. And it was yummy! Later we exchanged gifts with Robert's mom, great aunt and great uncle. Robyn was a very happy girl. She received a lot of gifts that were on her wish list.

This evening was spent loading and running the dishwasher, hand washing a lot of dishes, putting away food, etc. I also have done a couple loads of laundry. Who does laundry on Christmas day??? We are leaving for a trip to Orlando and I have to wash clothes before I can pack our suitcases. Look for pictures of our trip soon.

Enjoy your holiday.

Pam

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Happy Christmas Eve!

My parents just left after spending the afternoon with us. We gave them our Christmas gifts and ate appetizers and cookies and enjoyed an afternoon visit together. Dd and dh had to show my Dad the Mario Kart Wii game. We built a fire, even though it is very warm here today. It was raining though. But better than cold weather.

Dd and I just finished frosting our red velvet cupcakes and we are about to start rolling out the sugar cookie dough and cutting out Christmas shapes and baking them. She wants us all to play a game of Scrabble after while too. It is so much fun having a 9 year old who wants to play games. I hope the day never comes when she doesn't.

Dh has run out to Books A Million to get her the black panther Webkinz before they close for the night. Dd has about 95 Webkinz! It's ridiculous! She names them all and can tell you each and every name. She's a fanatic! Really.

I will probably post about our Christmas tomorrow and then I will be on a blogging break for about a week or so. I will be back next year.

So, to you and yours, I wish you a very merry Christmas Eve and don't forget to leave out cookies and milk for Santa!

Pam

Monday, December 15, 2008

Another week...gone

We had a nice Christmasy week. Dd loves to look at Christmas lights decorating the homes. There is one home in particular that is near us that has a light show. All you do is tune your radio to their station and park your car and enjoy. I think she saw that one three times this week. Last night we went to that show and drove down the interstate to one we saw on television. This one was a national award winning light show that you drive through. They play about 5 songs and you pay to enter. The money goes to a food bank. It was awesome!

Friday, I held a tea in my home for the ladies in my small group Bible study. We had chicken salad sandwiches, sausage balls, black grapes, cookies and miniature cupcakes. We had an assortment of teas to choose from. I didn't do anything fancy. I didn't have time, or take the time, to froo-froo it up. Next time, I want to bring out the china and require all the women to wear big ole fancy hats! Sounds like fun to me.

I made a big ole pot of Chicken and Dumplings for a friend of mine this week, who just returned home from knee replacement surgery. She has really been stuggling with this. I this pot of love helped a little.

I have a few things on my agenda this week. My dad is having some tests done at a hospital here this week and dd and I are going to go and be with my mom at their house. She has mobility problems due to neuropathy in her feet and shouldn't be left alone for long. That's one less thing for dad to worry about.

Dd's school is having their classroom Christmas party on Thursday. They are going to be making gingerbread houses. Instead of buying gifts for one another this year the class donated new shoes and socks to poor Appalachian children.

Dd has Upwards basketball practice again this week. She is the next to tallest girl on her team. Her games don't begin until January.

On the homefront, my home is shaping up. The main floor got a good going over to be ready for my tea on Friday. Upstairs and the basement are still off limits to guests. Will I ever get rid of all this stuff? Tell me there is light at the end of the tunnel. I still have some things I want dh to help me hang in the dining room and the study. He's very good at that. :-)

Today, I need to do some grocery shopping. I tend to like Mondays for this so I get there before all the specials are gone. But, oh, I don't really feel much like it. I think I'll pour myself another cup of coffee and go take some vitamins and see how I feel later. Ta ta.

Pam

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Two new recipes. They're keepers!

SPAGHETTI BREAD – makes a 1 ½ pound loaf

1 pkg. Yeast
3 c. Bread flour
1 tbsp. Sugar
1 tsp. Garlic salt
1/3 c. Grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Dried Italian seasoning
1 tbsp. Olive oil
1 1/2 c. Warm water

Add all ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer, select white bread and push start.
From “Loafing It” by DAK (NOTE: DAK suggest placement of ingredients backwards to most machines)

Now, I just used my bread machine on the dough cycle. Then I dumped it into a greased bread pan and baked it in my oven at 350 degrees until done. It was sooooo good.

Parcheesy Spaghetti Pie

½ pound spaghetti, broken in half
2 eggs
½ c. grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1 ½ pound ground beef or turkey
½ c. chopped onion
salt and pepper to taste
chopped or powdered garlic to taste
8 oz. tomato sauce
1 T butter
8 oz. sour cream
8 oz. sliced mozzarella cheese

Cook spaghetti; drain. In separate bowl, mix eggs with grated cheese. Add cooked spaghetti to mixture. Brown meat; drain fat. Season with chopped onion, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Keep stirring until meat is well browned; add tomato sauce and let simmer 10-15 minutes.

Generously spread butter on circular baking dish. Add spagheti mixture, pressing it down and making an indention in the center. Try not to let the spaghetti hang over the sides of the dish. Let this cool for at least 5 minutes then line the middle of the mixture with a thin coating of sour cream. Add meat to the center and spread it around the spaghetti. Add thin slices of mozzarella cheese on top. Bake 350 degrees 25-30 minutes.

Changes I made: I used ground organic chicken in place of beef and used a pasta sauce in place of the tomato sauce. Didn't have sour cream, didn't miss it. Loved by the whole family!

We had tossed green salad with carrots and celery added for crunch. It was a yummy meal.

Pam

Monday, December 8, 2008

Ah nuts!

Here's a new recipe I made this week. I tweaked it by changing the seasoning to Butt Rub Barbecue seasoning. Yum-o!

Pizza Nuts

4 t. vegetable oil
1 T pizza seasoning (or chili powder)
1/2 t. ground red pepper (cayenne)
4 c. lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts

In a 12 inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Stir in pizza seasoning and red pepper. Stir in peanuts. Cook about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until peanuts are evenly coated and hot. Cool slightly about 10 minutes. Serve warm or cool. Store in airtight container up to 3 weeks. Makes 16 (1/4 cup) servings

I've never bought pizza seasoning but I think the chili powder would be good too. But so far, the Butt Rub seasoning is a keeper. I think this would make nice Christmas gifts too.

Pam

Menu for Week of December 8th

I'm doing a better job of sticking to my planned meals. It makes shopping easier and meal preparation too. Here is my plan this week:

Today: Mom's Chops, Green Beans with sauteed onions and bacon, steamed potatoes (dh really enjoyed this meal-it's a keeper!)

Rest of the week:

Parcheesy Spaghetti Pie, Salad and Spaghetti Bread - (Hey, maybe we should play a game or two of Parcheesi with dd too!)

Chicken Strips, Oven Fries and Cantaloupe (A darling daughter request)

Smoked Sausage with Rice Saute

Pintos, Fried Cabbage and Cornbread (A southern girl's specialty)

Crock Pot Chicken with Black Beans and Cream Cheese, Salad, Tex-Mex Biscuits

Dutch Meatloaf, Corn on the Cob, Slaw

Monday, December 1, 2008

Plans gone awry

Why, why, why? Dh came home from work and got his sander and step ladder and set about to sand the ceiling in our den. We had a leak this summer and had someone replace the drywall. This guy didn't do a real good job of sanding out the patch and it had to be sanded more before painting. Well, since we like to wait until the last minute to do anything, here it is December lst, time for Christmas decorating, and we decide to finally do something about this. Guess what? Yes, the sander worked. A little too much. As soon as dh started sanding he was down to the paper tape holding in the patch. What??? So we have scratched that chore and are leaving it to a professional to correctly repair AFTER the holidays. Hmmmm...just don't look up when visiting our den.

We are still doing a thorough dusting and vacuuming of this room and steam/shampooing the carpet tonight. At least it will be clean!

Menu week of December 1st

Today-leftover crock pot roast from yesterday, stuffing and a green vegetable (we ate all the roasted asparagus yesterday-yum-o!)

Tuesday-a Robyn favorite, Down Home Chicken and Noodles, Tossed Salad

Wednesday-Crock Pot Taco Soup (MIL loves this too!), Tex Mex Biscuits

Thursday-Macaroni and Cheese Cassrole with Spam (Yuck-I know, dh bought a turkey spam some time ago. I'm finally getting around to using it in something we will eat), and a tossed salad, fruit

Friday-Turkey Burgers, homemade hamburger buns, carrots and ranch dip, fruit and yogurt parfaits

Saturday-Mom's Chops, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Rolls

Sunday-Colleen's Sausage Casserole, Southern Fried Apples, Broccoli Salad, Rolls

Happy eating!

Pam

We're back!!!

We are back from a week in Surfside Beach, SC. We had beautiful weather the entire week except on the ride back. It rained the whole way! But we got home safely and didn't witness any accidents. God was watching out for us.

Robyn had a good time at the resort. She made a new friend named Ayanna. I hope I have that right. She is from Columbia, SC and was only 1 year older than Robyn. They enjoyed the activity center. They played ping pong, pool ball, bingo, Wii games, and Robyn did crafts several days. She made a lovely turkey from a huge pine cone. Her and Ayanna went swimming several nights in the indoor pool and one night in the outdoor pool. It was heated. Imagine, swimming outdoors in November!

Robert and I had a relaxing time together. We finally got around to watching our new Indiana Jones movie. Robyn wanted nothing to do with that. Too scary! I managed to get in a few days of walking and we went to a couple of malls and bookstores as well.

We had our Thanksgiving dinner at Cracker Barrel. It's amazing how busy that place was. More and more people are opting to eat out that day. I was astonished. It is one of my favorite meals of the day, but with just the 3 of us, it makes sense to eat out when we are out of town.

I'll get hubby to post a few pictures here later of our trip. He posted some on his blog of our trip down.

Happy first day of December!

Pam

Thursday, November 20, 2008

You might be a redneck...

You Might Be a Redneck This Thanksgiving If…

… you’ve ever had Thanksgiving dinner on a ping-pong table.

… Thanksgiving dinner is squirrel and dumplings.

… you’ve ever reused a paper plate.

… if you have a complete set of salad bowls and they all say Cool Whip on the side.

… if you’ve ever used your ironing board as a buffet table.

… your turkey platter is an old hubcap.

… your best dishes have Dixie printed on them.

… your stuffing’s secret ingredient comes from the bait shop.

… your only condiment on the dining room table is ketchup.

… side dishes include beef jerky and Moon Pies.

… you have to go outside to get something out of the ‘fridge.

… the directions to your house include “turn off the paved road.”

… you consider pork and beans to be a gourmet food.

… you have an Elvis Jell-o mold.

… your secret family recipe is illegal.

… you serve Vienna sausage as an appetizer.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Trying another baked good today

Okay, yesterday the muffins were a total flop. Well, maybe not totally. You know how I said I was going to throw them out to the birds and squirrels? Well, our boy cat, Toby, who eats about everything, found them. I watched him go from muffin to muffin enjoying every bite. He is one strange cat.

Anywho, today I am baking a banana and walnut bread and using Splenda in place of the sugar. I am trying to be good. Also, I want to have some homemade snacks for our long drive to South Carolina. You can spend a bundle at convenient stores on sodas and snacks on a trip. This way, we save bucks, and we also know what we are putting in our bodies. Dd won't eat this so I will think of something else for her. The bread is baking and this kitchen is smelling yummy.

I've already made the pasta salad to go with dinner tonight. When the bread is done I will put the chicken in the oven and later put the corn on to cook. I am also cooking Italian green beans with a couple of potatoes that needed to be used up. We are going to have a nice sit down dinner tonight and read a family devotion.

So, I guess I will throw a couple of logs on the fire too. I just love me a nice warm sizzling fire in the fireplace. Dh is not much of a fan and neither is our boy cat, Toby. He avoids the den when there is a fire. His sister, Tabby, loves her a nice fire just like her mommy. :)

Later, I'm sending dd and her daddy out to buy shoes and socks for an Appalachian child. Her school is gathering new shoes and socks to help these needy children. I hope this little one will be blessed with his new shoes and socks.

Have a blessed evening.

Pam

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

This week's menu plan

Monday: Lovely leftovers from the weekend!
Tuesday: Sammies night. (Sandwiches for those who don't watch Rachael Ray) with Won Ton Soup for DH before he left for class, Sour Cream Pineapple Muffins
Wednesday: Oven Barbecued Chicken, Pasta Salad, Corn on the Cob, grapes (sounds a little like summer, doesn't it?)
Thursday: White Enchiladas, Refried Beans, Green Salad (didn't get to this last week)
Friday: Hot Dogs, Veggies and Dip, Cantaloupe (Dd's favorite fruit)

Tuesday happenings

Today, after school, dd and I did some grocery shopping. She loves to push the cart and pick out her favorite Chef Boyardee products. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I can remember being in 2nd grade and we had to stand before the class and give a description of our favorite food without saying what it was so the other students could try and guess it. Guess what mine was? Ravioli. Chef Boyardee no less!

I am trying a new muffin recipe for dh. It is baking in the oven right now. Dh loves pineapple. He can try one and the rest are going in the freezer to take on our trip to South Carolina next week. Here is the recipe:

Sour Cream Pineapple Muffins

Serves: 8-9 lg. Or 12 small Muffins

1/4 Cup Sugar
1 Egg
1/4 Cup Butter, soft
1 Cup Sour Cream ( or soy yogurt)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 Cups All purpose Flour
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp. Salt
1 Cup drained crushed Pineapple

(I'd cream sugar and butter first then add the egg, sour cream and vanilla)

1. Measure first five Ingredients.
2. Beat until creamy.
3. Stir together Dry Ingredients.
4. Add Wet Ingredients to the Dry
Ingredients.
5. Stir until moistened.
6. Stir in Pineapple.
7. Grease muffin tins.
8. Fill tins 2/3 full

9. Bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes. (I got 12 muffins)

They are smelling gooooood!!! I had all the fixings in my pantry and fridge. I love simple recipes like that.

Icky, icky, spit, spit, yuck. This recipe was horrible. But I think it was my fault. The orginal poster (don't remember where I got this recipe) used a small t for the tsp of vanilla and a large T for the salt and baking soda. I assumed the big T was a Tablespoon. Ugh...I am sure it should have been teaspoon. I may try this recipe again sometime. For now the birds and the squirrels in my back yard are getting an early Thanksgiving meal!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Menu for this week (11/10-11/16)

Monday: Dh is eating with the men from his Adult Bible Fellowship (probably some sort of manly subs) and dd is spending her Monday afternoon/evening with her grandmama and gg-aunt and they always eat together. So, me-oh-mio gets to eat lovely leftovers! Yum-o! I am making a meal for a family from our ABF it is called Sour Cream Chili Bake, Breadsticks and a Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream

Tuesday: White Enchiladas, Refried Beans, Green Salad

Wednesday: Homemade Sausage Pizza, Cheese Pizza for dd, Baby carrots and dip, grapes

Thursday: Monterey Spaghetti Casserole, Salad

Friday: Crock Pot Roast, Yorkshire Pudding, Cabbage, Apple Crisp (this was on last week's menu but was bumped to this week)

Saturday: Lovely Leftovers!

Sunday: BBQ Chicken, Pasta Salad, Green Beans

How about you? What's cookin' in your kitchen this week?

Have a blessed week,

Pam

Good weekend

We had a nice weekend. How about you? We visited with friends at our favorite bookstore/cafe on Friday evening. Saturday we spent the afternoon at Dollywood. Boy was it crowded. It was the first day of the Christmas theme. Seeing all the lights in Pigeon Forge was fun. On the way home we stopped off at dh's mum and visited for a while. Sunday morning was spent at church and we had a day at home afterwards and dh picked up pizza that evening. Cheese for dd and bbq chicken for dh and I. Yum-o!

Hope you all had a blessed weekend as you spent time with your families.

I need to give my chaos cottage much needed attention this week. All play and no work makes for a chaotic home! Today I am working in the kitchen and going to the grocers. Oh, and I'm preparing a meal for a family in our Sunday school. The wife had foot surgery and has to stay off of it for 10 days. Even afterwards, it will be a slow recovery.

Blessings,

Pam

Monday, November 3, 2008

Menu for Week of November 3rd

Monday: Sloppy Joe Casserole (new recipe), Crescent Rolls, Layered Salad
Tuesday: Pinto beans, Sauteed cabbage, Cornbread, leftover layered salad
Wednesday: Chicken and Dumplings, Green Bean Bundles (a hubby favorite), leftover cornbread
Thursday: Homemade chili, Fritos, cheese, sour cream, etc.
Friday: Pizza night, carrots and dip, grapes
Saturday: BBQ chicken, Broccoli Salad, Rolls
Sunday: Edited-not doing the roast today, I have leftovers and such to use up. So we are having leftover pintos and ham, cabbage and onions, fried potatoes and cornbread. Dd is finishing off the dumplings!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Down Home Chicken and Noodles

Ladies, I made this simple recipe tonight for the first time. It was delicious. Dh and dd went back for seconds, so no lovely leftovers for me tomorrow :( I served it with grilled cheese made with good ole healthy whole wheat bread and sliced Gala apples. Yum-o!

Down-Home Chicken & Noodles

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts

salt and pepper to taste

2, 10 3/4 oz. cans cream of chicken soup (I used one regular and one 98% fat free)

14 1/2 oz. can chicken broth (I used fat free)

16 oz. pkg. wide egg noodles, cooked

Place chicken in a slow cooker: sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with both cans of soup. Cover and cook on low setting for 6 hours, or until chicken falls apart. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred, then return to slow cooker; add broth and cooked noodles. Mix well. Cover and cook on low setting for an additional 30 min. or until heated through. Serves 6

Monday, October 27, 2008

Menu for week of October 27th

Once again, I didn't get to everything on my menu last week. Some meals produced more than I thought, which means leftovers! Yipee! Yesterday we had an impromptu potluck after church so I didn't have to cook a meal just took a couple of side dish casseroles. Yesterday evening we at more leftovers. So here is my plan for this week:

Monday: Breakfast for Dinner
Tuesday: Down Home Chicken and Noodles Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, sliced Gala apples
Wednesday: Porcupine Meatballs, Spinach Sensation (new dish), mashed garlic potatoes
Thursday: Cheesy Scalloped Chicken, Tossed Green Salad
Friday: Homemade pizza night, veggies and ranch dip
Saturday: Hot Dog Casserole, Cole Slaw
Sunday: Out

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Menu for week of October 20th

I didn't get to everything last week so some are moving to this week:

Monday: Country Pork Chops, Broccoli Casserole, Rice Pilaf, Cantaloupe
Tuesday: Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread, Black Grapes
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Chicken Stroganoff, Layered Salad
Friday: Chuckwagon Casserole, leftover layered salad
Saturday: Chicken Breast Deluxe, Spinach Casserole, Glazed Carrots
Sunday: Homemade Pizza, veggies and dip

Another week has flown by!

Another week has flown by here at the Seay house. I start out the week with a to-do list a mile long, sometimes it seems. I never accomplish everything on the list. But it does feel good to check some items off. Another busy week is coming up. I have a dentist appointment, a mammogram appointment (really looking forward to that one-makes the dentist seem like a spa treatment!), I have a hair salon appointment, an appointment for dd with a new pediatrician, a small group meeting, a field trip (dh is taking on this responsibility this time) and weekly doings such as laundry, grocery trip, Walmart trip, etc. I hope I don't get called in to substitute teach at dd's school. I did two days this week. Oh and I have Southern Living products to deliver to my guests who ordered from my party.

Sometimes when I look at my schedule, it is no wonder my house is in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). But I am determined to tackle it all. Here are my goals this week in between all my comings and goings: Dust and vacuum main floor, mop hard floors, thoroughly clean kitchen (well, where you can see-not in the cabinets, pantry of fridge at this time), finish thoroughly cleaning laundry room, try to get a start on decluttering master bedroom including dresser drawers and walk-in closet, thoroughly clean master bathroom if all decluttering gets done, take stuff to charity. This is a lot to do but if I don't get to it all it will get moved to next week. It is just a goal.

Now you see why dh is doing the field trip? :-}

Hoping you all have a productive week!

Pam

Monday, October 13, 2008

Pumpkin Pie, oh my!

Here is a recipe I made this week to satisfy my sweet tooth. I made it as sugar free as possible. My changes are in parenthesis.

Sensational Double Layer Pumpkin Pie

4 oz. cream cheese, softened (I used reduced fat)
1 T milk or half and half
1 T sugar (I used Splenda)
1 1/2 cups thawed Cool Whip whipped topping (I used the sugar-free version)
1 Graham cracker crust (6 oz.)
1 cup milk or half and half
2 packages (4 serving size) Jello Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding and Pie Filling (I used the sugar free/fat free Krogers version)
16 oz. can pumpkin (the real thing, not pumpkin pie filling)
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground ginger
1/4 t. ground cloves

Mix cream cheese, milk and sugar in large bowl with wire whisk until smooth. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spread on bottom of crust.

Pour 1 cup milk into another bowl. Add pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk until well blended, 1 - 2 minutes. (mixture will be very thick).

Stir in pumpkin and spices with wire whisk; mix well. Spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate at least 3 hours. Garnish with additional whipped topping and nuts, if desired. Makes 8 servings. Keep in refrigerator.

Dh and I ate this and really enjoyed it. Tastes like fall!

Pam

Menu plan week of October 13th

Monday: Good old lovely leftovers!

Tuesday: Low Fat Smoked Sausage (what an oxymoron), cooked with potatoes and cabbage, cornbread muffins

Wednesday: Turkey Burgers on whole wheat buns, sliced cantaloupe and pasta salad (another hubby favorite)

Thursday: Boxed stroganoff (I know not the healthiest!) but made with ground chicken, black grapes (a hubby and dd favorite!) I'm going to my Sunday School class' Ladies Night Out and I will be eating there. I hope I don't forget and eat before I go like I did last time. Duh!

Friday: Eating at the game - homecoming and tailgating

Saturday: Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic biscuits, more grapes

Sunday: Lunch-Crock pot chops cooked with carrots and potatoes, deviled eggs, green beans and some sorta yummy dessert (low calorie, low sugar, you know the good stuff!)

That's my plan and I'm stickin' to it!

Pam

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Fall Break

It has been fall break time here. Dd spent a couple nights with my parents. It's hard to get in grandparent time during the school year so we fit it in whenever we can. I didn't have grandparents and I have always made sure to see that dd gets her share and mine too! : )

Today dd and dh have gone to Oak Ridge to visit the American Museum of Science and Energy. Dd has wanted to go back ever since visiting it on a school field trip. Dh thought today would be a good day.

While my family is gone I am making a pot of potato soup. Dh loves this soup. He likes to top it with cheese, bacon and sour cream and make it into a sorta stuffed potato soup. What's funny about this is that dh is not crazy about potatoes. Me? I could eat them anyway you fix them. But all those carbs! Wow wee, not good for me.

I'm enjoying the beautiful fall weather here. If I could only get fall to last a bit longer. I love the sights and smells of fall. I also love fall cooking. It's time for chili, soups, stews, baked breads, pumpkin, squash, etc. How about you?

Pam

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Happy October!

Oh, how I love October. It's my most favorite month of the year, well, besides February. February is mine and my dh's birthday month and the month we got married and Valentines Day is in February and it is the shortest month, and, well you get it.

But, October. Well, I love the cooler temperatures. I love the rustling of the trees when the fall winds blow. I love the changing colors. Oh, how I love those maple trees in the fall. Here in the south the mountains turn into a quilt of orange, yellow, red, and green. It is absolutely gorgeous! Who knew that God was a quilter!

Also, the beginning of any month is a time for contemplating my "to do list". This month I have a class trip to take with dd. That should be fun. Dd has a doctor's appointment. I have a hair appointment. We have a school homecoming game. I think we are supposed to attend that. Better check on that one. I have a Ladies Night Out (church activity) to attend. Dh is in a photography class at UT once a week. We attend our Bible small group on Monday evenings. Our small group is going to try to atend the movie "Fireproof" this weekend. And in between all those activities, I am forever trying to get the clutter out of my home. I am always working on that project. Will it ever end? Please tell me it will. Pretty please...

So what about you? Do you like the first day of the month or the first day of the week as much as I do? Do you have high hopes that you will get to check those tasks off your list? I am always optimistic that this will be the month. The month I take my home back and get it under control. I can dream can't I?

Happy October to you and yours.

Pam

Monday, September 29, 2008

Menu for week of September 29th

Here are my dinner plans for my family this week:

Monday: (just dh and I) Black Beans and Ham, Tossed Salad
Tuesday: Chicken cooked in the crock pot, Broccoli Rice Casserole, Rolls
Wednesday: Good ole leftovers! Don'tcha love 'em!
Thursday: Cheeseburger Mac (made with ground chicken), tossed salad, black grapes
Friday: Homemade pizza night! Veggies and dip
Saturday: Homemade chili (a hubby fav!)
Sunday: Taco Salad (made from the chili on Saturday)

I am buying oranges, bananas, grapes and cantaloupe this week as my fruits and we will round out our meals and snacks with these.

Pam - Domestic Goddess :- )

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Menu for week of September 22nd

Monday: We have small group that evening and I am taking snacks: Brownies, Lil' Smokies in BBQ Sauce, Cheese, Crackers
Tuesday: Turkey Burgers, Napa Salad
Wednesday: Chicken and Dumplings (low fat version), leftover Napa Salad
Thursday: Stuffed Green Peppers, Spaghetti and Maranara Sauce
Friday: "out"
Saturday: Turkey Chili
Sunday: Crock pot Roast, Green Bean Bundles (thank you Paula Deen), and Sugar Free Strawberry Cream Pie (I'm trying to be good)

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Creations by Aprille

Check out my favorite blog list and go and see Creations by Aprille. I ordered the game day tote she is showing that is large with the two buttons. It is very nice and well made. My mil liked it so much she is ordering one. Aprille crochets quickly and gets the totes to you asap. Check her out.

Pam

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Here's what's been going on in my life.

Friday night we went to the football game. My dd attended cheer camp last week, along with other elementary girls who wanted to cheer at the game. They all looked so cute and full of team spirit! Dd wasn't too happy that we left at half-time after her performance. It was already 9 o'clock. We are old! We couldn't stay out after 11, geesh!

Saturday we went to Dollywood. It was way too hot for me. But I managed to stay until after 4 o'clock or so. Dd was very happy because her friend Lindsey was there to ride the rides with her. They are best buds. There was barbeque and bluegrass music all around the park. The smells were intoxicating.

Sunday, dh ran the teleprompter thingie at church for the choir during all three services! Boy was he tired afterwards. He is such a techie guy that he enjoyed it though. I love my geek!

Monday night we met at a friend's home for our weekly small group. Our study is on prayer and we are using Jim Cymbala's study When God's People Pray. I can't find the underline on here. Hmmmm....must ask dh for help. Oh sweetie...

Tuesday, I went to my mom and dad's. My nephew came over from Cookeville with his wife and new baby boy. He was born on September 10th. He was almost 7 pounds when he was born. We was just adorable. My dd was 9.7 when she was born and this little fellow felt really small compared to her. I am in love with my new grand nephew!

Today I am just puttering around the house, doing laundry, running the dishwasher, picking up and such. I will go do the after school carpool around 2:30. Then this evening we plan on going to the library. I have books due and they are holding a cookbook for me. I love cookbooks. I read them like novels.

Anywho, I just wanted to let you know I am still here and kicking and enjoying my days.

Pam

Monday, September 8, 2008

Monday, September 8th - What???

Just where does the time go? This week just flew right by me. I didn't get anything much accomplished. Do you ever have weeks like that? Here are my plans for this week starting with my menu:

Monday: Wild rice and chicken soup, homemade bread (I didn't get to this last week) watermelon, homemade chicken noodle soup for dd (she won't eat the other soup : ( )

Tuesday: Turkey Burgers, Whole Wheat Buns, Carrots and Ranch dip, Cantaloupe

Wednesday: Fish, Oven Fries, Slaw, Hushpuppies

Thursday: Pork Chops, Brussel Sprouts, Mac and Cheese, Salad, Grapes

Friday: Turkey Chili, Cornbread

Saturday: Taco Salad (from leftover chili, if there is any : ) )

Sunday: Japanese Grilled Chicken, Nappa Cabbage Salad, Fruit of some sort or light dessert

My plans for my home this week:

Climb Mount Laundry (put away all clean clothes)
Clean Laundry nook (take outgrown clothes to charity-whisk away cobwebs-clean washer and dryer tops and fronts.
Declutter main floor of house using boxes/bags, etc. labeled "put away", "give away", "throw away"
Buy fall mums for front entrance-put out fall flag
Buy specials at the grocers

Plans for family this week:

Cheerleading camp for dd (after school)
Library visit
Hair appointment for me (yes-looking good benefits my family : ) )
Attend Friday night football game
Movie/family night (hmmm...don't have a title picked out for this week yet)

Please share your week with me. Have a good one!

Pam

Monday, September 1, 2008

It's the start of a new month!

Today just didn't feel like a Monday to me. How about you? Having dh home to help with things around the house today felt good.

Here is my menu plan for this week including what we had today:

Monday: Pasta and Cheese Casserole (Crock pot), yeast rolls (we had planned to eat this yesterday but instead took dh's aunt to eat after church to celebrate her birthday.

Tuesday: Dh is eating lovely leftovers. I am doing an all liquid protein day :(

Wednesday: Wild West Chili Mac, Salad (all liquid protein for me again); watermelon

Thursday: Wild Rice and Chicken Soup and homemade bread for dh;frozen pizza and carrots and ranch dip for dd (egg salad for me mad with ff mayo, relish, celery, green onion) more watermelon

Friday: Fish Sticks, Oven fries, Hushpuppies (ground beef patties for me with red. fat cheese and veggies and dip) Cantaloupe

Saturday: Pork Chops and Pineapple Pie-a Paula Deen recipe, Salad

Sunday: Turkey Burgers, Veggies and Dip or Salad, Baked Potato Chips, grapes

Have a great Labor Day!

Pam

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Super Easy Calzones

Family-Size Pizza Calzone

2 cans (10 oz. each) refrigerated pizza crust
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 pkg. (8 oz.) shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1-1/2 oz. sliced pepperoni
1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Unroll 1 pizza crust onto greased baking sheet. Gently stretch crust to 12x10-inch rectangle.
SPREAD crust evenly with pizza sauce to within 1 inch of edge of crust. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and remaining mozzarella cheese. Reserve 1 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese; sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over mozzarella cheese. Top with second pizza crust; crimp edge with fork to seal. Sprinkle with reserved 1 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese.
BAKE 25 to 30 minutes or until evenly browned. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting. Serve with additional heated pizza sauce, if desired.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

This week's menu plan

Monday-We did Japanese take-out. Dh had a credit coming to him and he and I ate for $4 and change! Dd had Subway

Tuesday-I am thinking something from the freezer. I have some yummy Stouffer's meals in there I bought on sale.

Wednesday-Beans and Franks, Slaw, Cornbread

Thursday-Popcorn Chicken (have lots of this in the freezer that needs eaten up-not buying this any longer, too much breading, not enough chicken!), Oven Fries and leftover slaw

Friday-Cheddar Chicken (a family favorite recipe), BLT Salad (a new recipe), Alfredo Noodles

Saturday-Lunch will be homemade Calzones and veggies and dip; Dinner will be Wild West Chili Mac and leftover BLT Salad

Sunday-Pasta and Cheese Casserole (crock pot), Salad and Garlic Bread

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Menu went askew

Sometimes I plan my dinner menus and we don't get to it all. For example, this week we opted for Chinese food one evening. We took this to my parents house to celebrate my mom's 77th birthday. I also didn't get to the ribs on Thursday and we had leftover chicken instead. Life happens.

Today I am cooking the ribs in the crock pot with Butt Rub all over them. Later I will add bbq sauce. Dh may also stick them on the grill for a bit for that nice outdoors flavor. I have made my favorite broccoli salad, Bodacious Broccoli Salad and it is awaiting us in the refrigerator. I had broccoli that needed to be eaten and will fix the slaw on another day.

I am also making homemade stuffed peppers today to put in the freezer. When we eat them I will just thaw them and cook them in some yummy marinara sauce. Dh loves stuffed pepeprs. My pantry and freezer and fridge are well stocked. :)

Do you have a favorite meal(s) you like to freeze? I love having freezer friendly recipes. It just takes a little planning a couple days in advance to thaw the meal in the fridge. Then just pop it in the oven, sit down and put your feet up, and viola! a home cooked meal that looks like you worked very hard to make. :)

Have a blessed day!

Pam

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Menu for this week

I just realized I didn't get this week's menu posted. Here it is:

Monday: I made wonderful Split Pea Soup with Ham. It was so good. I had baked a ham over the weekend and filled the freezer with ham slices and ham cubes for future use. I cooked the ham bone and froze several containers of ham stock. It made the best split pea soup with ham too. Yum-o! Now I have 3 containers of Split Pea Soup in the freezer too!

Tuesday: Robyn wanted shrimp so dh made her Shrimp Scampi with shrimp flavored noodles. She was in garlic heaven! I can't remember what dh and I ate. Hmmmmm...

Wednesday: I made Ranch Chicken. It is baked chicken breast. New recipe, was very good. I roasted asparagus. Dh and I love this a lot. Dd, not so much. She had garlic and olive oil vermicilli with hers. What's with all this garlic? Later we went out to our back yard and toasted marshmallows and made s'mores. It was fun using our fire pit.

Thursday: Today's plan is bbq country ribs, slaw and baked beans. Dh loves his ribs! Dd will probably have a hot dog with her dinner.

Friday: I'm thinking yummy leftovers.

Saturday: I am going to make homemade pizza calzone and veggies and dip, probably watermelon.

Sunday: I have Chicken Stroganoff on the menu. Didn't get to this last week. It is a crock pot dish. I love coming home from church to the sweet smell of dinner cooking. Along with that we will have a salad and maybe some rolls.

That's my plan and I'm stickin' to it! lol

Pam

See my vacation photos

Dh posted a little slide show to the right showing Williambsburg, VA. We could never figure out how to get the photos over here where I could add little captions.

Pam

Monday, August 11, 2008

Menu for this week

Monday: leftover's(Hazel's Chicken Casserole, Very Vegetable Casserole, Bbq chicken pizza with pineapple) Who doesn't like leftovers? Sometimes you are left with some weird combinations, like this.

Tuesday: Fish Sticks (shaped like fish-dd picked these out at the store), Homemade oven fries, fresh veggies and dip, watermelon

Wednesday: BBQ crock potted ribs (for dh), Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Weinies for dd and I, leftover watermelon, maybe

Thursday: Ranch Chicken Breasts, leftover baked beans and potato salad, black grapes (dh's fav)

Friday: Mixed Beans with Ham, Cornbread

Saturday: World's Greatest Potato Soup, leftovers

Sunday: Chicken Stroganoff (crock pot), Salad, Rolls

No vacation pictures posted yet.

I'm so sorry for having not posted my vacation pictures. I have been working on uploading them to Picasa Web Album or some such thing. Dh is trying to help me. He is not the best teacher and my brain has felt like mush lately, so I'm not the best student. I am not geek-inclined but I live my geek!

Today has been climbing Mount Laundry day for me. I almost always do a bunch of laundry on Monday and other days as needed. This is one chore I almost enjoy. There is such immediate gratification to see stinky dirty clothes turn out clean and pleasant smelling in just a matter of hours. My mom was also a liker of laundry. I never even did laundry myself until I moved out on my own. She liked it that much! Dd is 9 and I haven't even begun to teach her laundry skills yet. I'm still working on getting her to put her dirty clothes in the hamper.

Do you have a favorite household chore? Please share and tell us why you like doing it.

Dd will be spending the afternoon with her grandmama and aunt for their last day together before school starts on Wednesday. I think they are celebrating with Chuck E. Cheese. Now that's a loud place. Take your ear plugs!

I hope to get dh to help more this evening with my photos. I also want to get back to working on my scrapbooks once school starts back up. Creative Memories has so many new products coming out next month. I cannot wait to get them. How do you store and share you photos?

Talk to ya later!

Pam

Monday, July 28, 2008

We're back!!!

We got home late Sunday night. We spent 12 hours on the road! But some of that was well spent. We stopped at Monticello in Charlottesville, VA. Oh it was an impressive home. Jefferson was such a gadget guy! Sorta like my hubby. We didn't take the time to visit the grounds/gardens or cemetery but will do that on another visit.

I have lots to share about my vacation but just don't feel up to it right now. Still trying to recover from the trip. They always wear me out. Plus the heat from a vacation in July! What was I thinking???

So more later and photos!

Pam

Monday, July 14, 2008

Looking forward to vacation

Hello bloggettes. Sorry to be MIA this weekend. We just had a lazy weekend here at home. Well, except for having a worker here fixing the hole in our den ceiling. Oh, I didn't tell you about that did I? Well our potty in the master bathroom had a leak and I woke up and stepped onto the rug in the water closet and it was soaking wet. Yikes! I woke up dh and he immediately turned off the water. We sopped up the water and got that mess cleaned up. A plumber came later that day and repaired the problem. Then this weekend we had a guy cut out the drywall and replace it. So we have white dust everywhere and I have put off vacuuming and dusting because it looks like more sanding is needed. But I can't stand it much longer. First thing tomorrow morning the dreaded vacuum is coming out of the closet.

So anyway, I am looking forward to our summer vacation. We are going to Old Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. I am so excited. I love history and I have never been to these places. Virginia is so full of American/British history. I know I will come home with lots of books and cookbooks! I will have lots of photos to put in scrapbooks too. I have a feeling that one week will just not be enough and we will want to go back again. Just think about all that is in that area minus Washington DC which would be a separate trip all in itself. Monticello, Mt. Vernon, are just a couple of places I am thinking of. But Historic Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown may be all we can fit in this trip. Best of all we get a free admission to Williamsburg. I bought the John Adams DVD set and it had a coupon for a free admission valued up to $118 !! Yay me!

Robert's paternal lineage is all from Virginia. There are places we would love to go to and do genealogical research but we won't be able to do that on this trip either. But we are stopping to see a cousin on the way up and spending the night. It is always good to see family. We haven't see this cousin since his father died. He was almost 102! Dh talked to his cousin on the phone this evening and his accent is so different than ours. I love the way he says "howse" for house and "sowth" for south.

My car goes to the dealer tomorrow for an oil change and to get the tires balanced and just general a good going over before taking it on vacation, It is almost 10 years old! It's been a great car. No complaints.

My folks are coming by Wednesday afternoon. Mom has a doctors appointment and is coming by afterward. I am fixing dinner for them and then they are taking dd home with them for two nights. I'll go up Friday and get her. While she is gone I can get the car cleaned inside and out and get our packing done. Somethings are just easier done without a child under foot. KWIM?

I'll write more before we leave on vacation and I will have photos to post when we get back.

Ta ta, Pam

Thursday, July 10, 2008

I'm back from the grocery stores

I made a haul tonight. I went to three grocery stores to shop and stock up on specials and ran through the drive-thru at the drugstore to get a prescription. I shouldn't have to shop again for about 3 weeks. One week being away on vacation in Virginia. Dh and dd were great sports and helped to carry in the groceries. Of course they were awarded with ice cream!

Pam

Grocery Store Woes

Do you hate going to the grocery store? I am finding lately that it has become a real chore for me. I once looked forward to it. Kinda took care of my retail therapy needs, know what I mean? But now, it's really one of those things I put off, and put off, and put off. Then when I go, I have so much to buy, that it becomes a really big chore for dd and dh who carry in most of the bags. If I go while dh is at work I usually just bring in the cold and frozen stuff. I figure if I do the meal planning and the shopping, someone else can carry in the bags.

Our garage is in the basement. Ugh. I despise carrying groceries up the stairs. My next house with have a garage next to the kitchen! That would make life for these old knees and back so much better!

I make a grocery list on Sunday or Monday along with my meal plan. I clip coupons I think I might use, etc. Then as each day comes I come up with some excuse for not going. Does anyone else feel this way? Am I just getting old?

I just made chocolate chip cookies for dd. I used a devils food cake mix. It was super simple. Didn't make all that many though. Must save some cookies for dh. Must not eat all the cookies. Must leave cookies alone. Do not touch cookies. Do not breathe the chocolately kitchen air. Do not look at cookies. Oh, it is sooooo good...

Pam

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Where is the summer going?

Dd goes back to school on August 13th. We leave on July 19th for a week in Virginia. It doesn't leave much time to accomplish all the things I wanted to before summer break's end. My life is just flying by too quickly.

Dd still wants to have more sleepovers with friends and family. We still have summer schoolwork we are trying to do to keep up dd's learning skills in-between 3rd and 4th grade. Did I tell you how much dd enjoys this? NOT! I also have her reading books this summer. She doesn't enjoy this much either. She would much rather be watching TV or playing on the Wii. But we are only a child once. I keep telling myself this when I realize how little productive work gets done.

We have been to Dollywood several times already this year. It is so hot now I think I would like to wait until things cool down to go back. But we enjoy it so much.

My backyard looks like it did when summer began. I haven't been able to get rid of the wooden playset. It sits on the only level area of the yard. I have a fire pit I want to put out there and set up a nice outdoor living area. Oh that would be so nice. We may wait until the end of summer to make purchases of a screened gazebo and such when they are good bargains. Maybe next year I will have a nice outdoor living area in which to entertain friends and family. How about a smore? Lemonade anyone? Aahh I can dream.

Well, I need to go reboot the laundry and unload and reload the dishwasher. I love my servants. They are such good workers!

Pam

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Hello Blogworld!

It's a lazy Sunday here. We attended church this morning and came home and ate lunch and then just lazed around. Dh and I watched some shows on the History channel that I had DVR'd about the United States Presidents. We watched up to President Arthur. That was all that was broadcast that night. I didn't think to check and see if there were any more the next night. Oops.

Dd spent quite a bit of time on Webkinz. She had a lot of those little stuffed animals that she hadn't adopted yet. So we proceeded to help her name them and she got quite a lot of them officially adopted and earned Webkinz cash. This girl likes to spend money! Now she is watching the Disney channel. Oh the life of a nine year old!

I have perused the sales papers and made a grocery list. That's really the only reason we get the Sunday paper. Coupons and advertisements. I should hit the store tomorrow. I may even try some CVS bargains that I hear so many other bloggers taking advantage of. Gotta save where you can!

Well, I'm gonna go fix myself a glass of ice tea, surf the web a bit and check some other blogs. Have a great evening.

Pam

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Wii

My dh an dd love playing on the Wii. They love Mario Kart the best. Wii fit is pretty fun too. I think they would rather race each other than watch tv. That is fine with me. My computer is in the kitchen and I can sit here and surf the web and also watch them in the den playing on the Wii. Do you have one? What do you think of it? I have played very little on it. I'm not much into video games. How about you?

Can you believe I am still hearing fireworks? It doesn't sound like just any run of the mill fireworks either. Wow.

Well, guess I had better get ready for bed. I've missed church the last few Sundays because I've not gotten a good night's sleep. I need to get some good rest tonight. Talk to you all again tomorrow.

Pam

Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy 4th

We are back from the lake house. We had a good time and good food. It was good to see the family members that we don't get to see often. On the way home we went by Oak Grove Cemetery to look at the Seay plot. Dh's father, grandfather, grandmother and an aunt are buried there. Dh took photos. It started raining and we left to come on home. We are watching the movie Independence Day. Fitting, isn't it.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Here are the recipes for Banana Pudding and Spaghetti Salad that I've made for the 4th of July Celebration.

Spaghetti Salad


16 oz. spaghetti, cooked and drained

1 medium red onion, finely chopped

4 green onions, finely chopped

1 cup prepared Italian dressing

2 tomatoes, peeled and diced

1 cucumber, scored and diced

2 T salad seasoning


In a large bowl combine the spaghetti, red onion, green onions and salad dressing, tossing gently. Cover and chill overnight. Just before serving, add the tomatoes, cucumber, and salad seasoning. 10 servings.


Jiffy Banana Pudding


2 large boxes instant vanilla pudding

3 cups milk

1 large Cool Whip (may use fat free)

8 oz. sour cream (may use fat free)

Reduced fat vanilla wafers

4-6 bananas


Fold, don't beat the first 4 ingredients together. Layer vanilla wafers, banana and pudding mixtures. Sprinkle crumbled wafers on top.


I make my pudding with the sugar-free banana cream mix and use light sour cream and reduced fat vanilla wafers and the new sugar-free Cool Whip. Anything to cut the calories!




Well it's 10:30 at my house and I'm ready for a nap already! Well, we have cats that want out during the wee hours and my hubby is usually the one to do it. Well, okay, he's always the one to do it. My cats know who to wake up and it's not me. Anyway, it disturbs my beauty sleep(and boy do I need that), and I have a hard time getting back to sleep and usually just go ahead and get up. So by this time in the morning I am sleepy. My sleep doctor says morning naps are better for us anyway. Yay me!

Dd is watching the telly and just filled her belly with breakfast. Dh is at work slaving away. I had several things on my to-do list to get to today. I need to run to the store for fresh cucumbers. We are going to Aunt Pat's lake house for the 4th and I am bringing Banana Pudding, Brownies (decorating in red, white and blue) and Spaghetti Salad. I'll post recipes later. But first, a nap!

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Wednesday, July 2, 2008

My first post

Hello blog world! This is my very fist post. My dh was kind enough to set this up for me. I love reading blogs and thought it was time for my own. It is rather plain at the moment but I (we) have a lot to learn. I would appreciate any tips you could share with me.

Now to find where to publish my profile and share more about myself. Hmmmm....