MENU FOR WEEK:

SATURDAY – ATE OUT – OCB

SUNDAY – Apple Chicken Recipe with Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

MONDAY –  CROCKPOT – Turkey Vegetable Soup

TUESDAY – Hamburger/Fries

WEDNESDAY – Slow Cooker Beef Stew

THURSDAY – Hot Dogs/ Cake – Tom’s Birthday

FRIDAY – OUT OF TOWN

SATURDAY – OUT OF TOWN

Hello…..it seems I never have anytime to post anymore.   I try to read here and there, but life is crazy.   

Josh – Has been great.  He went to South Dakota for the first time to visit his grandparents.  He took Amy with him.   He had a good time and his grandparents were so happy to see him.  He went to his grandma’s grave and took flowers as well.   He is still working two jobs and going to college.   I think he is doing very well.    Josh has been painting his room and redecorating it.  It really looks nice.   I need to find time to help him finish.  He helps me so very much so I need to help him finish. 

Erik –  got into some trouble and is struggling.   I wish I could say he has learned his lesson, but he seems to be right back to the undesired behaviors.   It is heartbreaking to say the least.  I have been home from work watching Erik this week as there is no school. 

Tommy – My baby will be 5 next week.   It is hard to believe, time has gone so quickly.    We gave him his gifts early since it was nice out.  We gave him a John Deere car you drive and a hand-held V-smile educational game.  He is doing great.  He goes to preschool three days a week and stays with his auntie the rest of the time.  Next year he will start kindergarten.  He has been going to the nursing home alot with his auntie as we try to take care of Grandma.

Grandma –  (hubby’s Mom) is in a nursing home in Stillwater.  I just took her to the orthopedic surgeon appointment on Friday and she can now start bearing weight on her legs and hopefully will be abel to walk soon.  I just got her approved for Medical Assistance and need to finish up getting their finances figured out soon.  We have an appointment with a credit counseling place next week.   Today I need to go over to my FIL’s and pay the monthly bills and maybe give him money for groceries if I have some left afer I pay our bills today.  

Hubby – He is very busy with work and a bit stressed.   Out TV broke….our second one in a year.  ARGH!!  So we bought a LCD flat screeen.   Hubby is a very happy boy!    So last night we watched a movie together.  We bought Over The Hedge when we bought the TV.   It was a good movie!  The only movies we ever buy are kids ones as we will watch those more than once.   We rented CLICK the other day and that was a pretty good movie!  

Me………

Certainly life is crazy busy….I hardly know if I am coming or going.   I work many hours and am way behind in work since I have had to take so much time off.   It is so incredibly overwhelming.   Amazingly my asthma has been under pretty good control considering the stress I am under.   I did get bit by a spider or something and got a nasty infection on my arm that was spreading to my lymps nodes.  I am on antibiotics and it is starting to get better but is pretty red still.   I quit going to weight watchers since I couldn’t afford it any longer.   My goal weight was 141 when I was going there and I hadn’t met it, I was close.  At the Dr the other day I weighted 132 pounds.  YEAH!!   I still hope to loose a few more pounds.  All my clothes are pretty baggy, so I might have to buy some new ones.    

My attorney for my car accident a few years ago called and we are moving on with my law suit.  He wants me to look into a procedure where they severe the nerve that is causing the pain.   I am not too sure about that.  It would be amazing to not be in pain every day, but it sounds scary to me.  

I have a few recipes to share and update my website.  My son reformatted my laptop and isn’t done with it yet so I dont’ have access to everything I want yet.   I try to add my recipes and books read to my blog so I remember to go back and add them to my site later.  

Next weekend we are going to Alexandria Mn.   I have to work all day on Saturday and attend a conference on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.   We are developing a new FAS group home and hope to have it up and running shortly after the new year.   Hubby and Tommy will hang out at the hotel while I am at the conference.   I am up on Duluth again in December and will stay the night there.  I sure have been traveling alot for work lately, but am getting better about that.   I used to just hate it!!  Now the time alone is a sanity improver!  

READING –

The Space Between Us – Thrity Umrigar –  Very good so far.  About two women in Modern Day India.  One rich and one very poor.   I always find it facinating to read about other cultures. 

The Historian – Elizabeth Kostova – Interesting – In this smart retelling of the Dracula story, a young girl’s discovery of a mysterious book, blank save for a sinister woodcut of a dragon, impels her father to divulge, reluctantly, details of his vampire-hunting days back in grad school. Halfway through his tale, which is told over several sessions in various atmospheric European locations, he vanishes. His daughter’s quest to find him is interwoven with letters that reveal the past in full. Kostova’s knowledge of occult arcana is impressive, and she packages her erudition in a graceful narrative that only occasionally lapses into melodrama. – I am listening to this one on CD, but I would recommend reading it as the interwoven story lines are hard to keep straight and I have found myself wanting to reread a passage many times. 

I have so many great books from the library right now.  I would love to curl up in bed for a few weeks and read, read, read…  I should be able to read a lot next weekend when we go out of town.   I have also been getting many great books from www.paperbackswap.com.   What a great site!!!

TODAY

I have much to do today and I might need to go into the office and work a few hours as well.  

• PAY BILLS
• MENU/GROCERIES
• ERRANDS – BINDERS/ORGANIZER MATERIAL, GOOD NIGHTS
• LAUNDRY
• PAY GRANDPA’S BILLS
• WORK ON A FEW BUDGETS HOPEFULLY

Hello…..it seems I never have anytime to post anymore.   I try to read here and there, but life is crazy.   

Josh – Has been great.  He went to South Dakota for the first time to visit his grandparents.  He took Amy with him.   He had a good time and his grandparents were so happy to see him.  He went to his grandma’s grave and took flowers as well.   He is still working two jobs and going to college.   I think he is doing very well.    Josh has been painting his room and redecorating it.  It really looks nice.   I need to find time to help him finish.  He helps me so very much so I need to help him finish. 

Erik –  got into some trouble and is struggling.   I wish I could say he has learned his lesson, but he seems to be right back to the undesired behaviors.   It is heartbreaking to say the least.  I have been home from work watching Erik this week as there is no school. 

Tommy – My baby will be 5 next week.   It is hard to believe, time has gone so quickly.    We gave him his gifts early since it was nice out.  We gave him a John Deere car you drive and a hand-held V-smile educational game.  He is doing great.  He goes to preschool three days a week and stays with his auntie the rest of the time.  Next year he will start kindergarten.  He has been going to the nursing home alot with his auntie as we try to take care of Grandma.

Grandma –  (hubby’s Mom) is in a nursing home in Stillwater.  I just took her to the orthopedic surgeon appointment on Friday and she can now start bearing weight on her legs and hopefully will be abel to walk soon.  I just got her approved for Medical Assistance and need to finish up getting their finances figured out soon.  We have an appointment with a credit counseling place next week.   Today I need to go over to my FIL’s and pay the monthly bills and maybe give him money for groceries if I have some left afer I pay our bills today.  

Hubby – He is very busy with work and a bit stressed.   Out TV broke….our second one in a year.  ARGH!!  So we bought a LCD flat screeen.   Hubby is a very happy boy!    So last night we watched a movie together.  We bought Over The Hedge when we bought the TV.   It was a good movie!  The only movies we ever buy are kids ones as we will watch those more than once.   We rented CLICK the other day and that was a pretty good movie!  

Me………

Certainly life is crazy busy….I hardly know if I am coming or going.   I work many hours and am way behind in work since I have had to take so much time off.   It is so incredibly overwhelming.   Amazingly my asthma has been under pretty good control considering the stress I am under.   I did get bit by a spider or something and got a nasty infection on my arm that was spreading to my lymps nodes.  I am on antibiotics and it is starting to get better but is pretty red still.   I quit going to weight watchers since I couldn’t afford it any longer.   My goal weight was 141 when I was going there and I hadn’t met it, I was close.  At the Dr the other day I weighted 132 pounds.  YEAH!!   I still hope to loose a few more pounds.  All my clothes are pretty baggy, so I might have to buy some new ones.    

My attorney for my car accident a few years ago called and we are moving on with my law suit.  He wants me to look into a procedure where they severe the nerve that is causing the pain.   I am not too sure about that.  It would be amazing to not be in pain every day, but it sounds scary to me.  

I have a few recipes to share and update my website.  My son reformatted my laptop and isn’t done with it yet so I dont’ have access to everything I want yet.   I try to add my recipes and books read to my blog so I remember to go back and add them to my site later.  

Next weekend we are going to Alexandria Mn.   I have to work all day on Saturday and attend a conference on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.   We are developing a new FAS group home and hope to have it up and running shortly after the new year.   Hubby and Tommy will hang out at the hotel while I am at the conference.   I am up on Duluth again in December and will stay the night there.  I sure have been traveling alot for work lately, but am getting better about that.   I used to just hate it!!  Now the time alone is a sanity improver!  

READING –

The Space Between Us – Thrity Umrigar –  Very good so far.  About two women in Modern Day India.  One rich and one very poor.   I always find it facinating to read about other cultures. 

The Historian – Elizabeth Kostova – Interesting – In this smart retelling of the Dracula story, a young girl’s discovery of a mysterious book, blank save for a sinister woodcut of a dragon, impels her father to divulge, reluctantly, details of his vampire-hunting days back in grad school. Halfway through his tale, which is told over several sessions in various atmospheric European locations, he vanishes. His daughter’s quest to find him is interwoven with letters that reveal the past in full. Kostova’s knowledge of occult arcana is impressive, and she packages her erudition in a graceful narrative that only occasionally lapses into melodrama. – I am listening to this one on CD, but I would recommend reading it as the interwoven story lines are hard to keep straight and I have found myself wanting to reread a passage many times. 

I have so many great books from the library right now.  I would love to curl up in bed for a few weeks and read, read, read…  I should be able to read a lot next weekend when we go out of town.   I have also been getting many great books from www.paperbackswap.com.   What a great site!!!

TODAY

I have much to do today and I might need to go into the office and work a few hours as well.  

• PAY BILLS
• MENU/GROCERIES
• ERRANDS – BINDERS/ORGANIZER MATERIAL, GOOD NIGHTS
• LAUNDRY
• PAY GRANDPA’S BILLS
• WORK ON A FEW BUDGETS HOPEFULLY

Another Busy Weekend getting things done around the house.  I am going to work on doing a hamburger plan a bit at a time each weekend.  This weekend I will be making hamubrger patties to have in the freezer.  I have not tried the hamburger plan above, but hope that it will all be great!!!  

MENU FOR WEEK:

SATURDAY – Pumpkin Soup – Chicken Salad on Crossiants

SUNDAY – Grilled Pork Chops, Rice, and Veggie

MONDAY – Spaghetti and Meatballs

TUESDAY – CROCKPOT – Roast Beef with Veggies

WEDNESDAY – Apple Chicken Recipe with Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

THURSDAY – CROCKPOT – Turkey Vegetable Soup

FRIDAY – Left Overs or Frozen Pizzas

SATURDAY – Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Another Busy Weekend getting things done around the house.  I am going to work on doing a hamburger plan a bit at a time each weekend.  This weekend I will be making hamubrger patties to have in the freezer.  I have not tried the hamburger plan above, but hope that it will all be great!!!  

MENU FOR WEEK:

SATURDAY – Pumpkin Soup – Chicken Salad on Crossiants

SUNDAY – Grilled Pork Chops, Rice, and Veggie

MONDAY – Spaghetti and Meatballs

TUESDAY – CROCKPOT – Roast Beef with Veggies

WEDNESDAY – Apple Chicken Recipe with Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

THURSDAY – CROCKPOT – Turkey Vegetable Soup

FRIDAY – Left Overs or Frozen Pizzas

SATURDAY – Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Apple Chicken Recipe

Here is a recipe that I saw in Saving Dinner, by Leanne Ely, host of www.savingdinner.com . If you haven’t checked out her site or book, take some to do it today. Here is the recipe:

1 1/4 teaspoons vegetable oil

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

4 Granny Smith apples, cores and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges        

3/4 cup dry white wine

3/4 cup chicken broth

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup cider vinegar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce

1/2 teapsoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add chicken and brown on all sides. Add apple slices, saute 3 minutes, stiring occasionally. Add 1/2 the wine and chicken broth, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10 minutes.Mix remainig wine and broth together with remaining inredients; add to skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sauce thickens.

Serving Suggestions: Baked potatoes, baked butternut squash, and steamed broccoli.

I got this recipe from Saving Dinner, The Menus, Recipes, and Shopping Lists to Bring Your Family Back to the Table.

Have a blessed day!

Apple Chicken Recipe

Here is a recipe that I saw in Saving Dinner, by Leanne Ely, host of www.savingdinner.com . If you haven’t checked out her site or book, take some to do it today. Here is the recipe:

1 1/4 teaspoons vegetable oil

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

4 Granny Smith apples, cores and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges        

3/4 cup dry white wine

3/4 cup chicken broth

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup cider vinegar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce

1/2 teapsoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add chicken and brown on all sides. Add apple slices, saute 3 minutes, stiring occasionally. Add 1/2 the wine and chicken broth, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10 minutes.Mix remainig wine and broth together with remaining inredients; add to skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sauce thickens.

Serving Suggestions: Baked potatoes, baked butternut squash, and steamed broccoli.

I got this recipe from Saving Dinner, The Menus, Recipes, and Shopping Lists to Bring Your Family Back to the Table.

Have a blessed day!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

3 pounds cubed beef stew meat

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup baby carrots

4 large potatoes, cubed

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups boiling water

1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix

3 tablespoons butter

3 onions, sliced

1/2 cup warm water

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions

Place meat in a large plastic bag. Combine 1/4 cup flour with 1/2 teaspoon salt; pour into the bag with the meat, and shake to coat.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add stew meat, and cook until evenly browned on the outside. Transfer to a slow cooker along with the carrots, potatoes, parsley, and pepper. In a small bowl, stir together 2 cups of boiling water and dry soup mix; pour into the slow cooker.

In the same skillet, melt butter and saute onions until softened; remove to the slow cooker. Pour 1/4 cup of water into the skillet, and stir to loosen browned bits of food on the bottom. Remove from heat, and pour into the slow cooker.

Cover, and cook on High for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to Low, and cook for 6 hours, or until meat is fork tender. In a small bowl or cup, mix together 2 tablespoons flour with 1/4 cup warm water. Stir into stew, and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until thickened.

Yep, I am a government employee, but you have to admit this is funny……*smirk

Yep, I am a government employee, but you have to admit this is funny……*smirk