What's Happening in My House

Good afternoon. I hope you have had a good week. Ours got off to a rocky start with hubby having headaches and vomiting. Could it be stress? We must remember to cast all our cares on Him for He careth for us. Right? Sometimes easier said than done.

Home schooling was a catch-up week with Robyn redoing some of her past work. I don't know what I would do without Robert's help with Robyn's school work. I know that when that full time job comes along for him, I will be full-time teacher to Robyn (with some math help from daddy), so I really appreciate his help in easing me into this challenging job. But home schooling is something we all want to do and believe in so that makes it easier somehow. It is bringing us all closer as a family.

Our church is beginning a new series on A Homefront Alliance and our small group will follow along with this for about six weeks. Satan is attacking our homes and destroying marriages and I am looking forward to learning more ways of strengthening our home and marriage. Our small/community group is meeting on Tuesdays this year and we begin on the 24th. On Wednesday nights our church offers New Life classes and Robert and I are going to take the class His Needs Her Needs. See a trend here? lol

Today, Robert is volunteering at church and Robyn and I have been watching a movie about King Solomon. She is really enjoying this. This is coming up next in her home school bible and I thought this would be helpful to her. It has been really good. I am also climbing Mount Laundry, prepping dinner and doing general kitchen duties. I promise I am going to the store later Really.

My mom celebrates a big birthday on Sunday She will be 79! I thank God that he has brought her through cancer twice, and healed her from sepis with 48 hours to live. God is good! We will be going up to her house after lunch on Sunday and I will take her a Banana Pudding (mostly sugar-free) as a birthday treat for her. She doesn't need all that sugar, (does anyone?) and it will be nice to spend the afternoon with her and dad.

Have a terrific weekend.

Pam

Hubby is not feeling well today,

I hate it when hubby is sick. He woke up with a headache early today and proceeded to vomit (sorry). When I got up he told me he was not feeling well. I told him to go to our bedroom. We have those nice room darkening shades in there and it's a good place to be when you are sick or needing a nap. He has since vomited many times. I hope it is just the scallops he ate last night (yep we got Japanese take-out) or just a sick headache and not some nasty virus. Ugh.

When he is better I will fix him something light like chicken noodle soup or he may just want to drink a G-2. What do you do for your hubby when he is sick? Does he like pampering or does he just like to be alone? Please share your thoughts.

Pam

Menu for the week of August 16th

I didn't do a very good job of sticking to last week's menu. Mainly, because I just refused to go to the store. But I'm almost completely out of the essentials now and I have to go to the store on Monday. I have to, or my family is going to revolt. Here is my plan for this week:

Monday:

B - Oatmeal with Raisins and Yogurt, Orange and Apple Juice
L - Pintos (cooked on Sunday), Sauteed Cabbage and Fried Okra (from the freezer)
D - C.P. Chops with Carrots and Potatoes and Green Beans

Tuesday:

B - Eggs, Toast and Link Sausage, Orange Juice and Apple Juice
L - Leftovers
D - C.P. Lasagna, Broccoli Salad, Texas Toast

Wednesday:

B - Breakfast Bar, Banana, and Juice
L - Leftovers
D - Bean Quesas, Chips and Salsa

Thursday;

B - Oatmeal with Blueberries, Juice
L - Ham or Turkey Sammies with Sliced Apple
D - Weight Watchers Taco Soup

Friday:

B - Homemade Egg McMuffins, Juice
L- Leftover Soup
D - Teriyaki Grilled Chicken, Rice, Asian Vegetables

Saturday:

B - Breakfast Bars, Banana, and Yogurt
L - Sammies and Sliced Apple
D - Grilled Turkey Burgers, Corn on the Cob, Veggies and Dip, Cantaloupe

Sunday:
B - Pancakes, Link Sausage, Juice
L - Chicken Stroganoff, Noodles, Roasted Asparagus and Strawberry Cream pie
D - Leftovers or Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

Snacks will consist of popcorn, grapes, Quakes, Pretzels and Cheese

WW Taco Soup
1 lb. ground lean turkey sauteed with a pkg. of taco seasoning mix
1 can Bush's black beans
1 can Bush's chili beans
1 can drained corn
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis
1 small can green chilis
1 packet ranch dip mix
another 1/2 pkg. taco seasoning
1 1/2 cups water

Mix all together and simmer. Counts 21 points for the whole pot - 2 pts per cup for 10 cups.

Chicken Stroganoff (4 Points)

1 pound frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can fat free cream of mushroom soup
16 oz. carton fat free sour cream
1 envelope dry onion soup mix

Put frozen chicken in bottom of crockpot. Mix soup, sour cream, onion soup mix and pour over chicken,. Cook on low for 7 hours. Makes 6 servings. (serve it over rice or noodles, but be sure to add those points)

4 points 6 Servings

Strawberry Cream Pie

Reduced fat cracker crust--9 inch or homemade graham cracker crust (made this using Splenda too)
1 package (8 oz) reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 teaspoon equal or 6 packets (I used 6 pkt. Splenda)
1 cup cold water
2 tablespoon cornstarch
1 package(.3oz) sugar free strawberry gelatin
3 1/2 teaspoons equal or 12 packets ( used 6 pkt. Splenda)
1 pint strawberries, sliced
8 tablespoon light whipped topping

Beat cream cheese, vanilla, and 1 3/4 teaspoon equal in a small bowl until fluffy. Spread evenly in bottom of crust. Mix cold water and cornstarch in small saucepan. Heat to boiling, whisking constantly until thickened, about 1 minute. Add gelatin and 3 1/2 teaspoons equal, whisking until gelatin is dissolved. Cool 10 minutes. Arrange half the strawberries over the cream cheese. Spoon half the gelatin mixture over strawberries. Arrange remaining strawberries over pie and spoon remaining gelatin mixture over. Refrigerate until pie is set and chilled. 1-2 hrs. Serve with whipped topping, if desired.
200 cal,5 g pro,26 g carb,8 g fat,16 mg chol,18 1mg sodium.
food exchanges-1/2 fat, 1 1/2 fruit, 1 1/2 fat
43%calorie reduction from traditional recipe.
B - Pancakes, Link Sausage, Juice
L - Chicken Stroganoff, Noodles, Roasted Asparagus and Strawberry Cream pie
D - Leftovers or Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

Snacks will consist of popcorn, grapes, Quakes, Pretzels and Cheese

Visit from my cousins.

On Wednesday night, my cousin's wife and daughter drove down from Ohio on their way to Florida and spent the night at my house. I hadn't seen Verna in decades (sorry, it's true) and I hadn't met her youngest daughter either. But family is family. I was glad to visit with her, although we didn't have much time to do so. She was on her way to Florida to her oldest daughters home. Her oldest daughter Tia had just gotten married a few weeks ago and her loving momma was bring her some of her things, wedding gifts and such. We had a good visit and I look forward to visiting with her again in the future when she drives to Florida again.

Still trying to adjust to homeschooling Robyn. I just feel that she is not doing enough review of her materials before she takes the quizzes and tests. And she is just not into doing the projects. I am learning to have a lot of patience with this girl. I guess we are learning together!

Robert is about done with updating all the computers at church. He probably only has about one day left of that. Today, he is out at his Aunt's lake house taking care of few chores for her. He is still actively seeking full time employment. We still talk about selling our home and being entirely debt-free. It something I don't think he really wants to do. It will be a lot of hard work to move. We would have to sell the house first before buying another home and this may require two moves. Who knows. He just doesn't want to go there yet. Please continue to pray for him to find a job.

We will be starting up our small group again in our home in a few weeks. This time our study is supposed to follow along with the weekly message. This will be different and I look forward to seeing how this goes.

I still have my goals to have my house completely decluttered but homeschooling is taking up a lot more of my time than I thought it would. I just need to block out a space of time for that in my day, I guess. Most rooms in the house look pretty good right now. My bedroom, bathroom and closet are next on my list for a complete declutter and thorough cleaning. My craft room, the basement room and the garage, need the most attention after that. The study is really getting piled up with Robert's techno-geek items. The dining room, den, kitchen and Robyn's room look pretty good. Although a thorough cleaning would be nice, those rooms are staying pretty much picked up and in order with a little daily going over. Sometimes, I think a smaller home would be easier to clean and especially so if we didn't have so much stuff. All things to considered when we think about buying a different home.

Hope your week has been good. Hope all my readers have a great weekend.

Pam

I need to get rid of my recliner.

My recliner is becoming way too comfortable. I get in it and I don't want to get out of it. I like sitting in it and drinking my coffee. I often eat my meals sitting in it. I sit in it with my laptop and the world is at my fingertips. I recently placed a floor lamp next to it so I can read while sitting in it. I plan my menus while sitting in it. I clip coupons while sitting in it. I watch T.V. while sitting in it. I home school my daughter while sitting in it. I don't sleep in it. I find it hard to sleep in a chair. I talk on the phone while sitting in it. I can reach the door to let the cats in or out, while sitting in it. I think I need to get rid of it. It isn't even the most comfortable recliner I have ever sat in. It's not very cushiony. It's very hard to get out of. The screws keep falling out of the footrest part. I think it's halfway broken. It's full of stains. Dear daughter took advantage of the chair being minus her mother the other day and sat down in it and spilled her beans and weenies in it. It's very stained. Toby the boy cat, scratches the back when he wants out. So it's a little picked at in that area. Dear hubby rarely sits in it. He's more of a couch potato. I have named my recliner. I call it the "CHAR". Not chair. Not Cher. But Char. It's my char. I need to get rid of it. I could replace it with a very nice rocking chair that sits in the dining room. Hmmm...

Menu for week of August 9th

Monday:

B - Cheerios with Blueberries, Skim Milk
S - Yogurt and Banana
L - Turkey Pastrami Sammies, Carrots and Dip
D - Grilled Chicken, leftover Layered Salad

Tuesday:

B - Eggos, 2 t. butter, 1 T SF syrup, Orange Juice
S - Yogurt and Banana
L - Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
D - Turkey Burgers, Veggies and Dip

Wednesday:

B - Sausage and Cheese Muffins, Orange Juice
S - Yogurt and Banana
L - Chef Salad
D - Crock Pot of Pork Chops, Cabbage and Carrots, Green Beans

Thursday:

B - Oatmeal with Raisins, Orange Juice
S - Yogurt and Banana
L - PB&J, Sliced Apple
D - Grilled Chicken Skewers, Asparagus, Rice

Friday:

B - Cheerios with Blueberries, Skimmed Milk
S - Yogurt and Banana
L - Egg Sammies, Canned Fruit
D - Cheese Quesas, Refried Beans, Baked Tortilla Chips and Salsa

Saturday:

B - One Eyed Sailors, Orange Juice
S - Yogurt and Banana
L - Soup and Open Faced Sammie
D - Hamburger Helper made with ground chicken, Green Veggies

Sunday:

B - Oatmeal with Raisins, Orange Juice
L - C P Lasagna (recipe below), Spinach Salad
D - Sammies, Veggies and Dip

Crockpot Lasagna
servings | 10
estimated POINTS per serving | 7

1 lb of lean ground turkey
1 onion chopped
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
2-15oz cans tomato sauce
1-6 oz can tomato paste
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano
1-12 oz carton of fat-free cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
12 oz lasagna noodles - uncooked
12 oz shredded non-fat mozzarella cheese

Brown ground turkey and onions in a skillet. Add garlic powder, tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt and oregano. Cook long enough to get it warm.

In a bowl mix the cottage cheese, parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.

Spoon a layer of meat sauce onto the bottom of the crockpot. Add a double layer of uncooked lasagna noodle (break to fit) and top with cheese mixture (you may have to use a knife to spread it). Repeat layers two more times.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Menu for week of August 2nd

We are continuing our healthier eating this week after a weekend of not so healthy eating. We weren't really horrible but need to get back to following our plan. We had guests over on Friday night and had all kinds of wonderful food and then again after church on Sunday I had a sandwich buffet on Sunday just to keep things easy. We ate cookies and cake and all kinds of sinful desserts during the weekend. So today we are getting back on track!

Monday:

Breakfast-Oatmeal with blueberries, strawberries and yogurt or SF pudding
Lunch-Sandwiches with 1 cup baby carrots and sliced apple
Dinner-Grilled Chicken, Salad, Steamed Broccoli
Snack-grapes

Tuesday:

Breakfast-2 Eggos 2 t. butter. 1 T SF syrup, 1/2 banana, yogurt, or SF pudding
Lunch-PB&J and sliced apple
Dinner-Pasta and Marinara Sauce, Stir-Fried Squash and Onions, Salad
Snack-Cantaloupe

Wednesday:

Breakfast- Toast, Eggs, 1/2 cup O.J., 1/2 banana, yogurt, or SF pudding
Lunch-Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
Dinner-Grilled Turkey Smoked Sausage, Kraut, Baked Potato
Snack-Light Popcorn

Thursday:

Breakfast-Oatmeal with Raisins, 1/2 banana, yogurt or SF pudding
Lunch-Chicken Noodle Soup, Open Faced Sammie, 1 cup baby carrots
Dinner-Quesadillas (made with fat-free refried beans), Salsa and Baked Tortilla chips
Snack-Grapes

Friday:

Breakfast-2 pancakes, 2 t. butter, 1 T SF syrup, 1/2 banana, yogurt or SF pudding
Lunch-Chef Salad with Whole Wheat Crackers
Dinner-Grilled Chicken Skewers, Rice, Grilled/Roasted Asparagus
Snack-Popcorn

Saturday:

Breakfast-Toast, Eggs, 1/2 cup OJ, 1/2 banana, yogurt or SF pudding
Lunch-PB&J and Apple
Dinner-Pork Chops with carrots and cabbage, Green Beans
Snack-Popcorn

Sunday:

Breakfast-Malt-O-Meal, Grapes, yogurt or SF pudding
Lunch-Pasta and Marinara, Layered Salad
Dinner-More Layered Salad and Sammies
Snack-Banana Pistachio Pie (recipe below)

Banana Pistachio Pie

3/4 cup cinnamon graham cracker crumbs
2 Tbsp. reduced-fat margarine, melted
2 packages (4-serving size each) fat-free sugar-free pistachio instant pudding and pie filling mix
2-1/2 cups fat-free (skim) milk
1 large ripe banana, sliced
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup thawed frozen reduced-fat nondairy whipped topping
Additional thawed frozen reduced-fat nondairy whipped topping (optional)


Combine graham cracker crumbs and margarine in small bowl, stirring with fork until crumbly. Press onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate.

Prepare pudding mix according to manufacturer's pie directions, using 2-1/2 cups milk. Gently stir in banana and cinnamon; fold in 1 cup whipped topping. Pour into prepared crust. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Top with additional whipped topping before serving, if desired.

Nutrition Information per Serving:
Serves 8
calories ww points
117 2