Thought on Monday

We returned from a restful week in Gatlinburg, TN on Friday. It was more restful for me because I didn't move much. My back has been hurting me so much. I went to the store with my hubby so we could eat in the condo and not have to get take-out on Saturday and I rode around the store in one of those motorized carts. It made the shopping so much easier for me. On Tuesday, we drove through the Roaring Fork Trail Way and it was beautiful. I did the driving so that hubby could get out and take photographs along the way. But just sitting in the car seat was very uncomfortable for me. Fortunately, our unit was equipped with not one, but two recliners! That's a first. Normally I find our vacation condo furniture to not be so comfortable. It was nice to sit back and elevate my feet and rest my back. We drove back home this past Friday and I was in horrible pain. I thought I was going to pass out it was so bad. I had a doctors appointment today but had to cancel it due to not having gotten much sleep last night and I just didn't have the energy to shower and dress to go to see him. Please pray for healing for me and sleep. I need it badly.

Hubby is still attacking his to-do list to make the minor repairs around here and get our house on the market. I still am hoping this will happen by the end of the month. No job in site for him and we do not know what the future holds. But He does! I am trusting Him and praying daily for Him to send a job to my husband. Pray with me, won't you?

We did a couple days of school this week, even though, technically we were on vacation. I am still plugging away and hoping to finish up daughter's sixth grade year very soon. Her SAT results came in and she is average to above average in everything and we were very pleased and she was very happy too! It affirmed to us that we were doing okay in our homeschooling and that we were able to teach her. It's our first year and it has been a learning experience for all of us. I have enjoyed it. Daughter likes it too and that makes me happy.

I didn't post a menu last week since we were out of town and this week, I am depending on hubby to do the cooking. I know he can grill out chicken and we will eat that a couple of nights, hot dogs, chicken burgers and the like. I also have a couple of frozen meals in the freezer to eat, such as Sausage Quiche and Baked Ziti. So he should be able to keep us all fed this week while my back heals. We have plenty of cereal and milk and sandwich makings for breakfast and lunch. He even did laundry yesterday, which is something I am very particular about, and even when I am ailing I either let the laundry pile up until I am better, or hobble down there and muddle through it. It's a control thing, and I am learning to let go. He did just fine.

Pam

Thoughts on Tuesday

Hard to believe that today is May 3rd. Seems like this year has gone by quicker than any previous year. It hasn't been the best year for me. Sore knees and back, sleepless nights, an unemployed husband, first year of homeschooling, etc. But I am trying my best to put a smile on my face and count my blessings. I know I have been blessed and I do trust that God has a future and a hope for my family. Really, I do. It's just been difficult.

I have started packing boxes of things to clear out the dining room of dishes and crystal and all sorts of serving pieces, and that sort of thing. We are going to sell our dining room suite. I am packing up other things to make our house look picture ready for the listing. I don't want visitors who are interested in buying our house to see how we really live. Oh my! They would turn around and just walk right out. I'm not kidding. That's the thing. We live like we want to, most of the time. Prospective buyers need to see a more neutral home so they can visualize themselves living here. Little by little, day by day, it will get done. Repairs that have been on the to-do list for a long time, are slowly getting done and I am seeing progress, finally.

I was blessed this weekend with several families from church who came by early Saturday morning and worked very hard at weeding my beds and pruning my hedges and spreading mulch. It looked just like a professional team had been here. They were awesome. Then, Sunday morning, I walked out to go to church and new flowers were sitting in my flower bed out by the mail box, ready to be planted. And the flower angels came by early Monday morning and planted them for me. I feel so loved. I am so grateful for them all.

Hubby is still working in the garage sorting toys and the like. We have given several items to the little boy next door. We gave several bags of almost new stuffed animals to a friend for a medical mission trip to South America. Little children in the hospital will receive a stuffed animal from the U.S.A. It feels good to know that these pets will be loved by someone else. We still are donating a lot of things to the Knoxville Area Rescue Mission, which is one of our favorite charities. They operate numerous thrift stores in the area and a downtown homeless mission.

On Friday we are going out of town for a little while. It will be good to get away and have a little rest. We have so much to finish when we get back so we really need to appreciate this little get away. My plan is to have my friend list this house before May is over. I keep saying to myself "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."

Say a little prayer for us that we accomplish all these things in a timely manner and that my husband will be blessed with many interviews for employment and that God gives him the job that He wants for him.

Love you all!

Pam

Menu for week of May 2nd

What? May? When did that happen?

Here is my plan for this week through Thursday. We're going out of town on Friday.

Monday: Chicken Shepherd's Pie

Chicken Shepherd's Pie


* 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
* 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
* 1 cup frozen peas
* 1 can cream of chicken soup
* salt and pepper to taste
* 2-3 cups cooked, chopped chicken
* 3 cups mashed potatoes (I used instant)

Boil carrots in the broth till tender. Stir in peas, cream of chicken soup, salt & pepper and cooked chicken.

Pour into a greased 9×13 casserole dish. Top with mashed potatoes. Dot with butter. Bake 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Tuesday: I didn't make the Ham and Asparagus casserole last week because I ended up grilling the asparagus. It was so good. So I'm going to get more asparagus and make that recipe today.

Wednesday: Cajun Beans and Sausage, Collards, Cornbread

Cajun Beans and Sausage

2-15 oz. cans kidney or pinto beans
1 smoked sausage, cut into 2 inch pieces (I use turkey sausage)
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.

Thursday: C.O.R.N. (Clean Out the Refrigerator Night)

See ya next week!

Pam

Menu for the week of April 25th

It's the last week of April. I can hardly believe it. We have so much to do around here and so little time, it seems. I hope all of you had a blessed Easter weekend and didn't eat too many eggs or chocolate!




Here is my menu for this week:

Monday: Favorite Beans and Rice (This is a frugal and simple recipe that my family loves and we eat quite often. It is good topped with a little grated cheddar and sour cream. You can find the recipe in my recipe section)

Tuesday: Chef Salad (this is a good way to use up leftover Easter Ham)

Wednesday: All In One Quiche (If I still have some Easter ham, I will put that in this), Fruit Salad

ALL-IN-ONE QUICHE

1 1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. Bisquick mix
3/4 stick butter
3 eggs
Pinch salt
1 c. diced bacon, ham, turkey, chicken, or shrimp
2 green onions, chopped
1 (4 oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 c. grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Combine the first 5 ingredients in the blender and mix well. Turn into 9 or 10 inch pie plate. Add the remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Thursday: Grilled Chicken Kabobs, Tossed Salad, Fresh Corn on the Cob

Friday: Asparagus and Ham Casserole (the first time I made this I used instant brown rice and it was good), Cantaloupe

Asparagus & Ham Casserole

1 lb fresh asparagus, cut into 1 pieces
2 cup cubed fully cooked ham
3 cup cooked rice
1 cup diced celery
1 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
10 3/4 oz can condensed cream of chicken soup; , undiluted
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Place asparagus in a large saucepan with enough water to cover. Cook until crisp-tender. Drain well. In a greased 2 1/2 quart casserole, mix asparagus, ham, rice, celery and lemon pepper. In a saucepan, mix
soup and broth. Add cheese and cook until melted. Pour into casserole. Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add crumbs and cook and stir until browned. Sprinkle on top of casserole. Bake at 350º F for 35 minutes. Yield: 6 servings


Saturday: Chicken Helper (last box of this in my pantry-yay!), Asian Veggies, Egg Rolls (from the freezer)

Sunday: Crock Pot Cranberry Dump Chicken, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Green Veggie, Rolls

Menu for Week of April 18th

Monday: Oriental Tuna (Egg Foo Yung) I have all the fixin's for this in the pantry. It's a hubby favorite. I am going to eat leftovers.

Oriental Tuna (Egg Foo Yung)

1 can tuna (or 1 c. chopped, cooked chicken, shrimp or pork)
3 eggs
1 small onion, chopped
1 t. salt
1/8 t. pepper
1 lb. can bean sprouts, drained

Sauce:
¾ c. boiling water
1 t. chicken bouillon
2 t. cornstarch
1 T cold water

Mix tuna ingredients together, stirring 4-5 times. Heat frying pan. Spray with Pam. Scoop 6 spoonfuls into pan. Brown each spoonful 2-4 minutes each side. Serve over steamed rice. Top with sauce.

To make sauce: Stir together boiling water and bouillon until dissolved. Separately stir together cold water and cornstarch. Add to bouillon mixture, cooking and stirring until thick.

Tuesday: Soup and Sammies

Wednesday: Out to eat for Dd's 12th birthday!

Thursday: Breaded Chicken Sammies and Chips

Friday: Hamburger Helper (using ground chicken), Green Veggie or Salad, Rolls

Saturday: Spaghetti, Green Veggie or Salad, Texas Toast

Sunday: Easter Dinner

Menu for the week of April 11th

Monday: Beans (from the freezer), Broccoli and Rice Casserole, and Cornbread

Tuesday: Roast Chicken, Leftover Broccoli and Rice Casserole, Rolls

Wednesday: Chicken and Dumplings, Veggies, Deviled Eggs

Thursday: Soup and Grilled Cheese (Hubby going to Men's Night Out)

Friday: Bean Burritos, Spanish Rice, Chips with Salsa and Paula Deen's Mason Dixon Dip

Saturday: Hamburger Helper (using ground chicken), Green Veggie or Salad

Sunday: Crock Pot Pork Chops, Green Bean Casserole, Macaroni and Cheese

Menu for week of April 4th

Haven't been blogging much lately due to homeschooling. We are forever trying to get caught up. Anyone else forever playing catch up?

Last week's menu just fell through the cracks. I wasn't feeling well due to the second cold in two months. So Hubby helped out by making a few meals and bringing home take-out. He's getting pretty good at cooking. I did make the Picnic Casserole and the food for the potluck at church. So some of those items I didn't make, will be in this week's menu and maybe the next one too. So here is my plan for this week:

Monday:

Cranberry Dump Chicken, Broccoli-Rice Casserole, Glazed Carrots

Tuesday:

Fish and Chips
(leftovers for me)
Wednesday:

Spaghetti, Green Veggie or Salad, Texas Toast (Hubby volunteered to cook this meal)

Thursday:

Sausage Quiche, Fruit, Biscuits

Friday:

Favorite Beans and Rice and leftover Biscuits

Saturday:

Lovely Leftover Buffet

Sunday:

Crock Pot Pork Chops, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Macaroni and Cheese (since daughter won't eat the mashed sweet potatoes or green bean casserole)


Go to orgjunkie.com for hundreds of yummy menus!