Menu for week of April 26th

Breakfasts this week will consist of smoothies, muffins, pancakes and sausage, and breakfast pizza.

Lunch is generally leftovers for hubby and I.

Monday: Various leftovers from the weekend

Tuesday: Grilled Chicken, Layered Salad, Baked Beans

Wednesday: Having friends over and sharing BBQ

Thursday: Leftover Buffet

Friday: Cajun Beans and Sausage (recipe below), Cornbread

Saturday: Meatballs (recipe below), Pasta and Sauce, Salad

Sunday: Chicken Chow Mein (recipe below), Brown Rice, Egg Rolls


Cajun Beans and Sausage

2-15 oz. cans kidney or pinto beans (I use pintos already cooked from the freezer)
1 smoked sausage, cut into 2 inch pieces
2 t. cajun seasoning

In slow cooker combine all ingredients. Mix well. Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours or high 1 1/2-2 hours. Serve with white rice. 4-6 servings.

Chicken Chow Mein Freezer Recipe

1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
1 10oz can cream of mushroom soup
1 10oz can cream of chicken soup
1 can sliced mushrooms
1 can water chesnuts
6 oz evaporated milk
Needed on cooking day:
Small package of chow mein noodles
Combine all ingredients (except chow mein noodles) and place in small casserole. Preheat oven to 350F then bake for 30-40 minutes. Cool then freeze.
On cooking day:
Defrost, top with chow mein noodles and bake at 350F for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Meat loaf

5 lbs ground beef or turkey
5 envelopes onion soup mix
5 cups oatmeal
5 eggs

For meatloaf I make it in a loaf pan, covered with foil at 350 for 1 1/2 hrs.

I also make meatballs-I use my meatloaf recipe, form it into meatballs and bake them ( about 20 minutes at 350). I put these in meal size portions in zip lock bags and freeze them. Sometimes we eat them with a cream sauce, sometimes with BBQ sauce, sometimes with a sweet sour sauce. Then some go into spaghetti sauce, and others get served as sandwiches with sautéd peppers.

This chest and dresser with mirror was a gift from my mother-in-love, and has been in the guest room. Robyn needed more drawer space and this just fit the bill.

There's her Tinkerbell bed. We need to do some tweaking to the canopy, it's just not right. lol

We still have work to do in the room. All her things haven't been displayed on the shelf that goes around the top of her room and we have dvd's and books to put in her bookshelf and things like that. But it was "done enough" for her to have her sleepover birthday party Friday night. The girls had a blast and Robyn has so happy with her room re-do.

Oh my goodness!

Made this recipe this afternoon. Should of taken a picture but three servings were already gone before I could grab a camera. I think there might be two servings left! I am definitely going to do this one again. I didn't use frozen strawberries, but used fresh ones that I sprinkled with a little sugar. Oh my! Delicious. All that was missing was some ice cream! Hubby says cobbler is not complete without ice cream.

Embarrassingly Easy Strawberry Cobbler

1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 stick butter or margarine
1 quart frozen strawberries, drained

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir flour, sugar, and milk together. Melt butter in dish in oven. Pour batter into dish over melted butter. Pour strawberries over batter. Bake 45 minutes. Let cool a bit before serving.

Try it. I think you'll like it too.

Pam

Coming soon...

Photos of my darling daughter's bedroom are coming. Yes we are finished. I just have a little primping to do and organizing of her closet. It turned out beautifully. Thank you hubby for all your hard work.

Pam

I am so tired

I am so tired, but I must press on. Yesterday wore me out. I feel old and achy. I hate feeling this way. Today, I will make time to sit on the deck and soak up some of God's Vitamin D.

We took the first of a three-part 301 class at church yesterday. Next week we take a test to find out our gifts, called SHAPE. I can't wait. Then we went to service and it was the first message in a new series called The Pursuit of Happiness. I am looking forward to the entire series. I need a little happiness right now. Afterwards I came home and cooked lunch. Got to relax just a little when it was time to take Robyn to pick up her friend and take them both to Laser Quest for a youth activity. I dropped them off and then went to Books a Million for a cup of ambition and to peruse a new Paula Deen decorating book. Ooh, the photos! Lots of them were Paula's too. Did you know she has a dock house? It was so cute and cozy. And then it was time to go pick up the girls. We stopped for a soft serve vanilla ice cream cone and then off to church for A Night Of Praise. The music was awesome! Then it was time to take Robyn's friend home. We were hungry so I drove through Arby's and bought some chicken sammies and curly fries. I know, but I haven't had curly fries in a very long time. I couldn't eat it all, but it was delicious!

I'm tired today and my feet hurt. I didn't have my most comfortable shoes on yesterday. When my feet hurt, I hurt all over!!! Are you like that?

I have the dishwasher doing it's thang and I need to finish picking up and cleaning the kitchen before starting on tonight's dinner. I am still laundering linens from the guest room and Robyn's room. Robert is going to start on carpet cleaning up there today. Then, tomorrow he can shift furniture to the clean side of the carpet and finish the room. Wednesday, we should be able to start putting the rooms back in order. Robyn has been a big help carrying boxes of toys down two flights of stairs to the basement, where we will go through everything and only take back up the things she is keeping. That, in itself, will be a big job. But oh so worth it. My advice to anyone with children, don't wait 11 years to go through the toys! I may be exaggerating a little, but not much. Shame on me, but it's true.

Robert teaches his first Marketing class tomorrow night and he has spent a lot of time getting ready for it. He has a power point presentation to help with his lecture time. Once he gets the kinks all worked out on this one, future classes should be a breeze. I am praying all goes well and he enjoys teaching.

Robyn turns 11 tomorrow and after school I am taking her to my Mom and Dad's for a little visit. She also wants to borrow their Karaoke for her sleepover party on Friday. Her and her little friends will be rocking the house! I know she will have a fun time. She will enjoy showing off her "new" bedroom too.

Well, gotta go check the dryer and reboot the washer. Have a marvelous Monday!

Pam

Menu for week of April 19th

Breakfasts this week will consist of Chicken Biscuits (daughter), Oatmeal, Yogurt Parfaits, Fruit, Frosted Mini-Wheats and maybe Pancakes and Sausage.

Lunches will generally be leftovers for hubby and I.

Monday: Wild Rice Chicken Dinner, Spinach with Strawberry Salad (this was so good last week, we decided to have it again!)

Tuesday: Mom and Dad's or dinner out for daughter and I

Wednesday: Taco Soup

Thursday: Shrimp Scampi, Chicken Kiev, Rice Pilaf, Green Bean Bundles

Friday: Papa Murphey's Pizza (daughter's sleepover birthday party)

Saturday: Pork Chops in the Crock Pot, Brussels Sprouts, Glazed Carrots, Crescent Rolls

Sunday: Ham, Roasted Asparagus, Deviled Eggs, Macaroni and Cheese, Rolls, a yummy dessert, yet to be decided on

How about you? Go to orgjunkie.com to read 100's of menus for inspiration.

Pam

Back already?

Yep. I said I wouldn't be around much but just had to post this picture of my hubby. Do you see the antennae on his head? He is being a busy bee around the house today. He has a lot on his plate. Procrastination has snuck up and bit him in the bee-hind. lol That's him picking the feathers out of daughter's mattress pad cover. Huh, you ask? Well, we like feather beds. Mommy and Daddy have a king sized one. Daughter's is shedding. Actually hubby said it looked like it had thrown up feathers. He stripped the bed so I can wash everything and even though the feather bed is on the mattress with the mattress pad cover over it, feathers crept out every where. I guess this should be done more often and the mess wouldn't seem quite so overwhelming. I have some laundry drying on the deck, or we would bring the feather bed itself down, but I don't want icky feathers all over my clean clothes! Tomorrow would be a better day to shake that baby out and drape it over the deck to get some fresh air and sunshine.

Clothes on the deck, you ask? I have a hang away thangy that I bought from QVC or HSN that is a neat little contraption that folds up and is easily put away. I like to open it up and put it out on the deck and "line" dry clothes every once in a while. I love that fresh smell. Pollen is a culprit though if you have allergies. The clothes are a little stiffer but that seems to go away quite quickly once you put on the clothes. Why is that? Also, the dryer is sounding a little worse for wear lately. Sometimes it sounds like there's a donkey in my laundry room! lol

My servants, the dishwasher and the washer and dryer, are working away for me today. I love my electric servants, don't you? I have done a pretty good job of trying to do a load of laundry every day or so rather than letting it wait until Monday and trying to do it all. With my back giving me grief, I find the once a day or so laundry job to be much easier for me. But, today I am working on the girl's bed linens, curtain topper, and the guest room linens, all the way down to the bed skirt. In between, I hand wash a few kitchen items and sit in my big red comfy recliner with my laptop, sipping coffee or water, studying Ezra, (enjoying my Logos Bible program), planning my week, and searching the web.

We didn't have our date night last night. Our church had a One Night marriage event and we registered to attend and even paid the $10 but my head was hurting and Robert seemed overwhelmed by prepping for his Marketing class he is teaching for LMU on Tuesday. He is almost done with his syllabus. He teaches this class on Tuesday evenings for five weeks. After that he has a Project Management class for seven weeks here in Knoxville. We are so thankful for his position as Adjunct Professor at LMU. This is part-time work, but it is work. If it works out for him, this could be something he continues to do after getting a full-time job.

Okay. Enough yakking. Back to work for me.

Hope all of you are having a good weekend too. Productive, relaxing, or otherwise.

Pam

What to blog about?

Ever have one of those days in blogland when you just don't know what to write about? I am going through that right now. Actually, I am just too busy right now to even think about blogging much except my weekly menu which I do every week.

We are still trying to finish up our project upstairs, getting ready for daughter's 11th birthday party soiree, husband's new job as an adjunct professor and his three day census training at the end of the month. After we finish with Robyn's room and the guest room we are moving on to the master bedroom and bath. We also want to paint the upstairs hallway and paint the master bedroom and bath. Our closet needs a major overhaul and all the carpets upstairs will be cleaned, including the stairs, when we are finished. I think I will tackle my scrapbooking room all by myself and not ask hubby to help me with that. I think that will make him smile!

So, if things get a little boring around here you will know why. Next week, I will be able to post all the before, during, and after photos of Robyn's and the guest room. I can hardly wait.

Until then,

Pam

Menu for week of April 12th

Breakfasts this week will consist of Oatmeal, Frosted Mini-Wheats, Eggs and Sausage, Yogurt Parfaits, Orange Sweet Rolls and the last of the Toaster Streudels.

Lunches will consist of leftovers, Crock Pot Soup (a Weight Watchers Recipe, recipe below), Black Bean Burritos (a OAMC recipe already made and in the freezer), Cheese Omelets, and Homemade Pizza.

Snacks will consist of Strawberries, Apples, Bananas, Grapes, and Cantaloupe (trying really hard here to incorporate more fruit into our diet).

Monday:

Bean and Cheddar Recipe (OAMC) (recipe to follow if it is good)
Cheese on the Cob (Recipe below)

Tuesday:

Wild Rice Chicken Dinner (OAMC) (recipe below)
Broccoli Salad (recipe below)

Wednesday:

Leftover Buffet (no cooking for me!) Awana and New Life Night at Church

Thursday:

Lil'Cheddar Meatloaves (made with turkey), (recipe below)
Glazed Carrots
Broccoli with Cheese Sauce
Small Group here at house

Friday:

Turkey Smoked Sausage with Green Peppers and Onions
Sauteed Cabbage
Lady and Son's Cheezy Mac (recipe below)
One Night Date Night at church

Saturday:

Crockpot Taco Soup (recipe below)

Sunday:

Chicken Tetrazzini
Spinach and Strawberry Salad

301 class at church in a.m.
Community service in p.m.

So, this is my meal plan for this week along with a few reminders for me. Here are the recipes:

Cheese on the Cob


1/2 cup mayonnaise

5 ears corn, husks and silk removed

1 cup shredded Parmesan

Chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Melted butter for serving (my addition)


Prepare grill.


Brush a thin layer of mayonnaise on corn. Sprinkle the corn with cheese, chili powder, salt and pepper. Wrap each corn with foil and place on the grill. Turn occasionally and cook for about 10 minutes (until kernels begin to brown). Serve warm.

(this is especially for dd who is just learning to love corn and she loves anything cheesy)

Wild Rice Chicken Dinner


2 pkg. (8.8 oz. each) ready to serve long grain and wild rice

2 pkg. (16 oz. each) frozen French style green beans, thawed

2 cans cream of celery soup

2 cans (8 oz. each) sliced water chestnuts, drained

2/3 c. chopped onion

2 jars (4 oz. each) sliced pimientos, drained

1 c. mayonnaise

½ c. milk

1 t. pepper

6 c. cubed cooked chicken

1 c. slivered almonds, divided


Heat rice. Meanwhile in a dutch oven, combine beans, soup, water chestnuts, onion, pimientos, mayo, milk and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in chicken and rice; cook 3-4 minutes longer.


Transfer ½ mixture to serving dish; sprinkle with ½ cup almonds. Serve immediately. Pour remaining into a greased 13x9x2 inch baking dish; cool, sprinkle with almonds. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months.


To use frozen casserole: thaw in fridge overnight. Cover and bake 350 degrees 40-45 minutes.


2 casseroles, 6-8 servings each. Rf or FF mayo is not recommended.

(for my family I would probably make four smaller dishes)


Broccoli Salad

1 head broccoli - cut into small pieces, about 1" or less

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 T. chopped onion

1/2 lb. bacon - fried, drained, then broken or crushed into bits

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup sugar

1 T. vinegar

Preparation- Mix together cut-up broccoli, cheddar, onion, and bacon bits. Combine the mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar. Pour over the other ingredients and mix together. Chill before serving.

The Lady's Cheesy Mac

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen


Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Yield: 6 to 8 servings


4 cups cooked elbow macaroni, drained

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

3 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup sour cream

4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Once you have the macaroni cooked and drained, place in a large bowl and while still hot and add the cheddar. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour macaroni mixture into a casserole dish and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Top with additional cheese if desired.


Crock Pot Taco Soup


1 lb. ground beef

16 oz. kidney beans

11 oz. corn

10 oz. rotel

taco seasoning packet

28 oz. tomatoes

small can green chilies

16 oz. pinto beans

1 small package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing


Brown beef and drain. Add all other ingredients and beef to crock pot and stir. Do not drain cans. Simmer on low 6-8 hours. Good with chips or Mexican cornbread.

Crock Pot Soup

1 can chicken broth
1 cup chopped onion
1 can pinto beans
1 can corn, drained
1 can pork and beans
2 cups chopped tomato
1 pkg. chili seasoning

Mix all in crock pot. Simmer on low all day.

Very good! 1 point per 1 ½ cup serving.

Colonial Williamsburg

Pretty Lady

Pretty Maze

Pretty Coach

Colonial Williamsburg

Photos of Spring Break 2010

Historic Powhatan Resort in Williamsburg, VA. This home was on the resort property where we stayed. The area used to be a plantation.

Statue of Pocahontas

Captain John Smith

Church at Historic Jamestowne

Spring Break 10

 

 

Menu for week of April 5th

Monday:

Breakfast-Egg Sammie
Lunch-Soup
Dinner-Turkey Burgers, Sliced Cantaloupe

Tuesday:

Breakfast-Oatmeal
Lunch-Yogurt Parfait (strawberries, bananas, yogurt, granola)
Dinner-Chicken Salad, Cheese, Grapes

Wednesday:

Breakfast-Eggs, Bacon, Fruit
Lunch-Leftover Chicken Salad, grapes
Dinner-Freezer Meal-Mexican Chicken Bake, Salad

Thursday:

Breakfast-Oatmeal
Lunch-Leftovers?
Dinner-Freezer Meal-Baked Ziti, Salad

Friday:

Breakfast-Eggs, Bacon, Fruit
Lunch-Leftovers?
Dinner-Fish, Rice, Green Veggie

Saturday:

Breakfast-Orange Rolls, fruit
Lunch-Taco Soup (freezer meal)
Dinner-Sausage Quiche (make one for freezer), Fruit, Crescent Rolls

Sunday:

Breakfast-Oatmeal
Lunch-Ham, Roasted Asparagus, Glazed Carrots, Deviled Eggs, Rolls, Apple Crisp with Frozen Yogurt
Dinner-Leftover Buffet

After spring break and eating way too much of the bad stuff, I am determined to get more fruit and veggies and less processed foods into my family's bodies. I still have some "bad" stuff in the fridge and pantry and will be incorporating those into the more healthier meals. Gotta start somewhere!

Hope you have a blessed week cooking and dining with your family.

Pam

It's so good to be back home.

We spent spring break in Colonial Williamsburg. Family and friends had a wonderful week visiting all the historical sites there and in Jamestown and Yorktown. We couldn't have asked for a prettier week weather wise either. But it is always good to be back home.

I will post some pictures later this week but today I have many things to do today. I need to unpack, do laundry, post my weekly menu, work on that grocery list, etc. Dh is going to mow the lawn and probably run to the store for me as I am having some difficulties with my back.

Tomorrow, daughter has a dental appointment and we need to return the van to my dad and mom. We enjoy using their van on vacations as it gets better gas mileage than hubby's Lexus and is much more comfortable that my Mazda. Plus it is roomier. Vans can be quite handy that way!

Well, time for that second cup of ambition and on to getting my chores done for the day. Hope your day is blessed with God's best!

Pam