My most dreaded chore-groceries

I dread the trips to the grocery store. They wear me out. I do have foot pain, knee pain and back pain, so that is not unusual. It is my most dreaded chore.

Today, I went to our new Aldi's and then to Food City for some great bargains. I carry in about four sacks and then daughter and hubby bring in the rest. I figure if I plan the meals, cook the meals and buy the food, then they can carry in the groceries. ; 0

I am going to a couple more nearby stores tomorrow for some bargains and use some coupons. I try to do my "big" shopping every two or three weeks, depending on my energy and how I am feeling. My hubby is wonderful about picking up things that we run out of like bananas, milk, bread, cat food, etc. Now that he is working again, he can easily do this on his way home. I can't wait for my 12 year old to start driving! Won't that be wonderful?

What is your most dreaded chore?

Menu for week of February 27th

Monday: Chicken Tetrazzini (making an extra pan or two for the freezer), Salad

Chicken Tetrazzini

10 oz dry spaghetti -- (10 to 12)

3 cups grated cheese - Jack or Cheddar

3 Tbs. margarine

1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion

1 can cream of mushroom soup -- (10 3/4 oz)

1 can cream of chicken soup -- (10 3/4 oz)

1 10 3/4 oz soup can milk

3 cups cooked -- diced chicken

salt & pepper

Cook spaghetti as directed until al dente; drain. Sauté onions in margarine.

Mix onions and remaining ingredients with spaghetti in a large bowl. Put

mixture in containers and freeze. To prepare for serving, thaw tetrazzini and put in a baking dish. Bake uncovered in a preheated 350* oven until bubbly, about 30-40 minutes. (or can microwave or heat on stove) For 2 people makes 5 casseroles.

Tuesday: Porcupine Meatballs, Corn on the Cob, Broccoli Cornbread

Wednesday: Taco Soup and Fritos

Thursday: Wild Rice Chicken (make an extra for the freezer), Layered Salad, Rolls

Wild Rice Chicken

(Freezer Friendly)

1 c. cooked, deboned, diced chicken

8 oz. water chestnuts, sliced, drained

1 c. finely chopped celery

1 c. finely chopped onion

6 ¼ oz. pkg. Uncle Ben's fast-cooking long grain and wild rice

¾ c. mayo (regular or light) used on serving day

1 can cream of mushroom soup, used on serving day

Cook rice. Mix with all ingredients except mayo and soup and freeze. When thawed, place in 11 x 7 inch dish. Stir together mayo and soup. Spread over mixture. Cook covered 325 degrees for 1 hour.

Friday: Pigs in Blankets, Layered Salad

Saturday: Sausage Casserole, Roasted Asparagus, Rolls

Sunday: Crock Pot Cajun Chicken, Noodles, Mixed Vegetables, Rolls

Homeschooling Mother's Journal

In my life this week…this week has flown by quickly. Having Monday as a holiday for hubby has thrown my whole week off.

In our homeschool this week…I think daughter has the winter blues. It's been harder this week to get her motivated to do her schooling. I think we need to shake things up a bit. I need to think on this.

I am inspired by…our warm weather. Spring is just around the corner.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…on Sunday, we went to my MIL's to visit and leave Robyn for an overnight visit. MIL prepared fresh croissants and strawberry preserves with cream. Oh my, was it good! We had a little tea party. It was a sweet time of fellowship. On Monday, hubby had an eye exam appointment and we started our day off early with that, breakfast at the Cracker Barrel and a nice countryside drive. We ended our drive with a sundae from DQ. We are fast, cheap and easy!

My favorite thing this week was…spending the day driving through the countryside with my better half.

What’s working/not working for us…I got to bed early last night. I do that on occasion, when I am just wiped out. But I was awake at 1:30 and didn't go back to bed until 4:30. Insomnia. I's got it! LOL

Things I’m working on…climbing Mount Laundry, forever doing dishes, forever cooking, forever putting off grocery shopping...

I’m reading…nothing new.

I’m cooking…check out my Monday posts to read my weekly menus.

I’m grateful for…a loving heavenly father, a hard working and intelligent hubby and a sweet almost teenage daughter. Also, some unemployed friends recently got work. So happy for them.

I’m praying for…some energy to do the things I need to do and for my insomnia to let up.

Thank you for stopping by Second Star Academy at Chaos Cottage. I always enjoy your visits. Come by and visit again. And today is my birthday! I will have a super duper day with the family and dinner out tonight. Yes!!!

Menu for week of February 20th

I'm a little late getting this on here today. Hubby had the day off, and we started off the day with a trip to the eye doctor for his exam, breakfast at Cracker Barrel and a nice drive through the country side, stopping at favorite places, and of course, an ice cream from the DQ. What a terrific time together. Oh, and dinner tonight is the new fish sandwiches from Wendys. No cooking for me all day today, unless you count making coffee this morning. :-)

Tuesday: Turkey Meatballs with Spaghetti, Salad, Texas Toast

Wednesday: Freezer Meal-Chicken and Bows, more salad, Rolls

Thursday: Taco Soup (didn't get to this last week)

Friday: Birthday dinner out with family at P.F. Chang's. I haven't been there since last year!

Saturday: Baked Ham, Potato Salad, Corn on the Cob, Rolls (didn't get to bake the ham last week so we will try again this week)

Sunday: Ham and Swiss Sliders and leftover Potato Salad

Thank you for visiting Chaos Cottage.

The Homeschooling Mother's Journal

In my life this week…it's been a stay at home week for me. I have just been tending to my home and schooling my daughter. Nothing new to talk about here.

In our homeschool this week…we had a pretty productive week and I was able to sneak in a badly needed nap one day and leave Robyn with assignments and that was a nice change.

I am inspired by…my daughter, who is growing into a sweet young lady.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…we plan on visiting my Mother-In-Love on Sunday after church and leaving daughter for the night. Hubby has Monday off and we are going to get up early Monday morning for his eye doctor exam and then go for a drive in the country, maybe visit our favorite bookstore, eat out, etc. It should be a nice and sorta belated anniversary/Valentines day.

My favorite thing this week was…reading the sweet Valentine and Anniversary card that my hubby got me. It was our 14th anniversary on Valentines Day.

I’m cooking…lovely and yummy meals. Check my blog for weekly menu posting and a recipe I posted this week for a fabulous turkey soup. It was so good.

I’m grateful for…for the Lord's blessings in our lives. His love never fails!

I’m praying for…jobs for our unemployed friends and families.

Thank you for stopping by Second Star Academy at Chaos Cottage. Please come by again.

Menu for week of February 13th

It's Valentine's Week! It's also our anniversary. Fourteen years! Time sure has flown by. Here is my menu plan for this week.

Monday: Taco Soup, topped with grated cheese and sour cream and Fritos. Yummo!

Tuesday: Dinner out with my Sweetheart!

Wednesday: Baked Ham, Potato Salad, Corn on the Cob, Sister Schubert Rolls

Thursday: Ham and Swiss Sliders (from Pinterest)

Friday: Goblin Good Turkey Burgers, Leftover Potato Salad

Saturday: Lazy Lasagna, Salad, Texas Toast

Sunday: Ham and Bean Soup (crock pot), Corn Bread Muffins

Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup

This is one of the best soup recipes I have ever made. My family loved it. Thought I would share it with you along with a photo.

Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup

1/2 cup diced onion

1 cup chopped carrot

8 Tablespoons flour

6 Tablespoons butter

2 cups milk

5 cups turkey broth

3 cups diced cooked turkey meat

1.5 cups or a 476 ml can of cooked wild rice (I just used a small box of wild rice mix)

Salt, pepper, herbs to taste

Make your carrots small enough they are easy to eat and won’t take long to cook but not too small. Add olive oil or some of your broth to a frying pan and saute the veggies. You want the onion fully cooked and some bite left in the carrot. The carrot is going to soften more when frozen, thawed and reheated so don’t over cook it.

Now take your stock pot and melt the butter with a med-high heat. Add the flour and whisk it well, it will combine easily. Keep whisking and add about a quarter of the broth, when that thickens add the rest of the broth. Whisking still, add the milk and let this come to a boil to thicken. You want it to coat a spoon but not get too thick. When it’s thick enough remove it from the heat.

Add your cooked onion and carrot, diced turkey and cooked wild rice to the broth mixture. If you use canned rice be sure to drain it first. Taste for seasoning. Add salt and pepper to taste. If the broth you used was a little bland add some other herbs, oregano is good in this recipe.

Your soup is ready to serve or cool before going into the freezer.

How to Freeze Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup:

Freeze your creamy turkey soup in hard plastic containers or freezer bags in useable quantities based on the size of your family. If you use freezer bags make sure to let them freeze flat so they take less freezer space, stack better and thaw faster. Laying them flat in single layers on a cookie sheet helps.

This recipe makes about 12 cups of soup.

How to Reheat Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup:

Cook from frozen in a saucepan, add about 1/4 cup water to the pan to keep the milk and rice from burning. I use medium heat and leave the lid on the pan. A 2 cup portion from frozen takes around 10 minutes to cook. Stir once or twice and your Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup is ready when it starts bubbling. No need to boil since it’s already cooked.

You could also let it thaw overnight then reheat in the microwave or on the stove. Larger portions take longer to thaw.

The Homeschooling Mother's Journal

In my life this week…we were busy this week. On Monday, Robyn and I met with my MIL for lunch at Panera Bread and then we went to a store to exchange some clothing that she had purchased for Robyn. We also went to our favorite bookstore this week. We both had eye doctor appointments on Tuesday. My eyes have relaxed and that has caused my vision to improve! Really! Robyn has a new prescription and will be getting new glasses soon. We also had a service call here on our treadmill and my hubby is going to order the needed part and repair it himself. So soon, no more excuses for not exercising!

In our homeschool this week…we have enjoyed homeschooling this week and daughter has especially enjoyed the weather portion of her science lesson. She watches the weather channel all the time. This is right up her alley.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…Saturday night we went to church to hear a professor speak on creationism. His name is Andy McIntosh and he is from England. We really enjoyed him. He is in Wikipedia if you'd like to look him up. One of Robyn's friends has been here twice this week. His father attended a Men's Night Out with my hubby on Monday evening and then he was here again on Thursday evening. So Robyn had fun playing online games and the Wii with him. Oh, and the watched some old Muppet show DVD's. She really enjoyed those.

My favorite thing this week was…finding cheap St. Patrick's day items at Dollar Tree. We are planning a St. Patty's day celebration here next month.

Things I’m working on…just trying to keep my head above water.

I’m reading…my Bible and a biography of Booker T. Washington.

I’m cooking…good stuff. Ready my Menu plan every week. I also post recipes there. I made some awesome Creamy Wild Rice Turkey Soup tonight and Creamy Pimiento Cheese. Guess what hubby is taking in his lunch to work tomorrow?

I’m grateful for…God's forgiveness.

I’m praying for…friends who are unemployed, marriages that need repair, my nephew who had to have emergency gall bladder surgery, and my hubby to do well in his classes at work and on his tests.

Thank you for visiting Second Star Academy at Chaos Cottage. Come back and visit again.

Menu for week of February 6th

Monday: Freezer Meal-Meatballs (I'm going to make meatball hoagies with these with some jarred spaghetti sauce and shredded mozzarella on hoagie buns), French Fries, Salad

Tuesday: Baked Chicken Fingers (much better than the frozen nuggets or tenders from the store), Macaroni and Cheese (having an 11 year old over for the evening, so kid friendly food it is!) I will freeze extra chicken fingers for another time.

Wednesday: Turkey Wild Rice Soup (never got around to making this weeks ago and I already have all the ingredients), Cheese Bread. Extra servings of soup will go in the freezer.

Thursday: Sloppy Joe Meatloaf (made with ground chicken), Pat Summet Corn Casserole, Salad

Friday: BLT Rollers (new recipe), Crudities, Fruit Salad (a lightish dinner)

Saturday: Freezer Meal-Dump Cranberry Chicken, Green Bean Casserole (a hubby favorite), Mashed Potatoes and Sister Schubert Rolls

Sunday: Chicken Fried Pork Chops (crock pot), Stuffing, Brussels Sprouts, more Sister Schubert Rolls if there are any left in the freezer, or Mayonnaise Rolls (so super simple)

BLT Rollers

4 oz. cream cheese, softened (can use reduced fat)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
2 flour tortillas (8 inch)
1/2 cup shredded romaine lettuce

Mix cream cheese and mayo in medium bowl. Add bacon and tomatoes; mix well. Spread onto tortillas; top with lettuce. Roll up tightly. Cut each into 7 diagonal slices. Makes 14 appetizer sized servings.


That's my plan. How about you?

The Homeschooling Mother's Journal

In my life this week…still giddy about hubby working! Made our eye doctor appointments now that we have wonderful insurance. More doctors appointments are to come. Three years of no insurance means we are all overdue to see our doctors.

In our homeschool this week…we were hit and miss this week as life just got in the way. We will catch up though, we always do!

I am inspired by…our wonderful warm weather. My daffodils bloomed in January! I know there are folks who are wanting to see snow, but in my "old" age, I don't really care for it any longer.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…we have a friend who is taking a counseling class at our church on Thursday evenings and now his son stays with us while his daddy is in class. This week he and my daughter enjoyed watching some old Muppet shows on DVD and playing on the Wii together.

My favorite thing this week was…getting my new Mary Kay products! It's been so long since I've had any new skin care products, and MK is my favorite! I ordered from my good friend's daughter in Ohio and the products were here in two days! Doing the happy dance!

What’s working/not working for us…trying to stick to a schedule is difficult for me. I go to bed every night with a plan in mind for the next day and the things I want to accomplish. One of these days...

Things I’m working on…still trying to get motivated to start packing up things again. I make plans, but haven't done a great job of following through. I feel like homeschooling is my first priority here along with feeding my family and keeping us all in clean underwear! After that, I like to surf the web and watch the TV way too much! One of these days...just being honest here.

I’m reading…my bible daily, and Mansfield Park with the mood strikes me.

I’m cooking…yummy goodies for my family. I post my menu every Sunday evening or Monday morning. Check it for recipes and ideas for your family.

I’m grateful for…God's providence, love and care for my family.

I’m praying for…friends who are unemployed, having marital problems, a cousin who is trying to get SS benefits and for me to get into a early bed/early rising routine. I accomplish so much more when I've had a good night's sleep and get a early start on my day. One of these days...

Thank you for visiting Second Star Academy at Chaos Cottage. Please come back again.

Pam