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MENU PLAN MONDAY -February/Week #4

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22 – (HV 4/ MPTP) – Spaghetti/Sausage and Garlic Bread

 

23 – (HV 2:30) – French Toast and Bacon

 

24 – Pizza Biscuit Bake 

 

25 – (BookGroup) –

Easy Chicken & Rice Casserole
Chicken breasts
1 cup rice
1 can your choice cream of … soup
1 packet Italian seasoning mix
2 cups boiling water
Salt & pepper, or your favorite seasonings

Mix soup, rice and Italian Seasoning with 2 cups boiling water. 

Pour into a 9 x 13 baking pan, place Chicken on top and sprnkle with paprika. 

 

Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Put in oven at 350.

 

 

26 – (Karen’s Retirement) – Tacos

Tacos For A Crowd (crockpot)
2-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans (10 oz) stewed tomatoes
2-3 cans (8 oz) tomato sauce
2 pkgs. taco mix
Salt and pepper to taste
3 dozen taco shells

Brown meat, drain and add onion. Combine stewed tomatoes, tomato
sauce, taco mix and salt and pepper in a crockpot. Add meat
mixture. Cook on high for 1-1/2 hours continue cooking for 2 hours
on medium or the low setting. Serve with shredded lettuce, diced
tomatoes, onions, olives, cheese and sour cream on browned shells

 

27 – (SAT) –  Baked Ziti

 

28 – (SUN) –  Rotisserie Chicken – Rice – Corn

 

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Tina at Mommy’s Kitchen  or Laura at Organizing Junkie.

Happy Eating!!

Library Loot: February 20th

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FEBRUARY 20th, 2010
 
 Library Loot Event is a weekly event hosted by Eva at A Striped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.  that encourages bloggers to share the books they have checked out from the library. I always find many new books to add to my reserve list!
 
I did not make much of a dent on my pile of books that came home from the library with me last week.   I am almost done listening to The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  It is a great listen!   I am still working my way through The Emperor’s Children by Claire Messud.  I am not kidding in saying I am working through that one!  It is an average book, but an finding it a slow read.  
 

bookline

The following book found their way home with me on Saturday, February 13, 2010:
 
 true colors True Colors – Kristin Hannah
 murderer The Murderer’s Daughters – Randy Susan Meyers
 
 
I  am off to read and nap a bit.  What a lovely day! 

Happy Reading!!

bookline
 

MENU PLAN MONDAY – February/Week #3

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It is that time again!!!  Time to make your week go better with a little planning.   Menu planning is a time and money saver.  I am frequently asked how I spend so little on groceries.  I only buy what I know I will be using that month.  And yes, I only get groceries once a month.  This has decreased my spending even more as I am in the store less often to splurge on treats!   And remember, always shop with a list!

Each week I put away $100 of our money to save towards grocery shopping at the end of the month.   It works wonderfully and I usually have money left to spare after buying everything on my list. 

Last week, I made many meals that I have made before.   I had one new thing on the list, but didn’t end up making it!  Favorite meals of the week included, Chicken Risotto, Baked Ravioli and Chilli and chilli Dogs.   I always make chilli and save enough to have chilli dogs later in the week.  YUMMY!!!

We have plenty of leftovers from this week so today I will not be making what in planned and will be have “Old Coyan Buffet” for supper.   This is where we make a buffet with all our leftovers.  For some reason when I call it “old Coyan Buffet”, everyone is excited about it.  

Have a great week!!!!  Remember a little planning will go a long way.

 

15 – (HOLIDAY) – OLD COYAN BUFFET

 

16 –  Easy Beef Enchiladas & Spanish Rice

 

17 – (3:30 HV) – Pork Chops and Rice  (Didn’t make carry over)

 

18 – (sorting) – Seafood Alfredo/ Garlic Bread

 

19 –  French Bread Pizza

 

20 –(SAT) – Crockpot Angel Chicken over Noodles  – Crock 4-5

 

21- (SUN) – Pioneer Woman Chicken Strips, Mac N Cheese (box), Fruit

 

 

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Tina at Mommy’s Kitchen  or Laura at Organizing Junkie.

 

Happy Eating!!

 

Library Loot: February 13th

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library loot
FEBRUARY 13th, 2010
 
 Library Loot Event is a weekly event hosted by Eva at A Striped Armchair and Marg at Reading Adventures.  that encourages bloggers to share the books they have checked out from the library. I always find many new books to add to my reserve list!

Saturday, February 13, 2010
1.  The Emperor’s Children – Claire Messud
2.  Accidental Mother – Rowan Coleman
3.  The Blue Notebook – James A. Levine
 
COMPLETED:
Duggars: 20 Kids and Counting – Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar
 

I am off to see what others have checkout from their library this week and fill up my TBR list!

Interesting Titles from other Library Loot Participants:

1.  The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson (Mug Of Moxie)

Happy Reading!!




MENU PLAN MONDAY – Feburary/Week#2

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Happy Monday!!!   Time to get ready for the upcoming week and plan my meals.  Last week, we had many family favorites, but tried the Baked Tilapi, which was a hit.  It was not as loved by the family as my Pecan Crusted Salmon, but still worth making again. 

 

My menus will have more casseroles and crock pot items as I am working extra hours.   I find it helpful to make up the casseroles either the night before or that morning and put it in the fridge.  I than can call home and have one of the kids or hubby put in the oven while I am driving home.   Makes things go a bit more smoothly.  I just have to make sure I remember to prepare it all the night before.  It has happened enough times that I have forgotten.  But when I *do remember it is very helpful!

 

Wishing you a wonderful week!!

 

 

8 – Monday (working Late) – Chicken Risotto / Vegetable

 

 

9 – (working Late) –

Duggar Family Tater Tot Dish
1 lb ground turkey cooked, seasoned, drained
2lb bags tater tots
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can evaporated milk
1 can cream of chicken
Brown meat & place in large cass. dish.
Cover with tater tots. Mix soup & milk together.
Pour over top. Bake at 350 for 1 Hour.
(One of Daddy’s Favorites!) Makes 1- 9”X13” pans

Add Mixed Veggies to meat before doing rest of recipe

 

10 – (4:00 HV) – Slow Cooker Chili

 

 

11 – (sorting/board Meeting) – Baked Ravioli/Garlic Bread

 

       2 Tbsp. olive oil

       1 (28 oz.) jar spaghetti sauce, any flavor

       24 pieces frozen Four Cheese Ravioli

       1/2 cup grated Romano or Parmesan* cheese

       2 cups meatballs, chopped (from freezer)

       5 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

       sautéed peppers and onions, thawed (from freezer or see notes above.)

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spread olive oil in an 8″x10″ baking pan and spread about 5 oz. of the spaghetti sauce around. Layer with 1/2 of the ravioli, 1/2 of the Romano or Parmesan Cheese, 1/2 of the meatballs and peppers and onions, and 2 oz. of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, saving 1 oz. of mozzarella cheese for the top. Tent the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes

 

12 – Chili Dogs (for Chilli dogs??)

 

13 – Easy Dump and Go Chicken – Crock 4-6 Hrs  (Didn’t Make)

 

14 – Steak (Marinade), Baked Potato, Salad and Vegggie  (Valentine’s Cake??)

 

 

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Tina at Mommy’s Kitchen  or Laura at Organizing Junkie.

 

Happy Eating!!

 

Animal Wax Museum

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Tommy’s 2nd grade class put on a wonderful wax museum the other day.  It was a great idea.  His teacher this year is very creative!  We just love her!

The first video is Tommy practicing his Monkey report in his costume.   I have had fun making the different costumes he has needed this year for class.  It has been years since I have pulled out my sewing machine, to do anything more than mend. 

 

2nd Grade Class Singing – The Lion Sleeps Tonight!

I am heading to bed early tonight!!   have a great night, my friends!!

Good Night!

The Organizing Junkies – 28 Day Challenge

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For years, I have enjoyed the website, I’m An Organizing Junkie!  This is the site that also hosts Menu Plan Monday each week.  I decided to join February’s Org Junkie’s 28 Day Organizing Challenge.  I have two areas of my house that are the thorns in my side.   One being our garage!  When we added the 5th bedroom we moved everything that was stored in our basement into the garage.  IT IS FULL!   I am waiting for it to warm up a bit before I start on the garage.  I think I will actually have a garage sale this summer.

For right now, my youngest son’s room drives me NUTS!   He has the smallest room and the most stuff!   I know you have seen these type of photos of his room before.  It seems I clean it up and it looks like this again in a matter of weeks.  Obviously, he simply has WAY too much stuff in here.   I need to seriously decrease the stuff in his room. 

I am going to particpate in the whole room category of the challenge and once again try to conquer the little man’s room. I don’t even want to go in there and paint on the mural as I hate the mess.  Hopefully, I will also complete the mural by the end of the month.  This is my focus on February.  It is good to have a focus, but sometimes that makes the rest of my house just fall apart.  I tend to get a bit too focued!!

Tommy’s Room BEFORE:

IMG_1634

The shelving unit that is suppose to hold all his toys!

IMG_1635

The closet which is filled top to bottom with toys.   
Yes, this is what my son calls cleaning his room!

   IMG_1636

His Dresser – this is looking really good! 
The drawers are usually all open. 
This dresser is too small for his needs
and falling apart.  I plan on going to
Ikea and buying a new one this month!

Thank you, tax return!

 IMG_1637

 The bed and the unfinished mural that
 really needs some attention.

As you can see, I have my work cut out for me!!  Wish me luck in keeping it all together during this month!  Do you have a secret mess to conquer???  Hop on over to Laura’s site and participate in this wonderful challenge. 

I always struggle with organizing small children’s rooms.  I am looking for suggestions and tips, so please share!

Happy Organizing!!

Grocery/Sam’s Expenses for February

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Grocery Shopping and Sam’s Club Expenses for February:

Sam’s Club – 194.73

Aldi – $242.78

Festival – 61.39

$498.90/ 4 = $124/ Week 

I am a bit over budget this month, but I am ok with that.  We ate mostly out of the pantry last month  and spent around $80 per week all of last month.   We were out of so much and had more things than normally needed at Sam’s.   I am sure next month will be lower again since things are all restocked again.  

I still prefer shopping for the month at a time.  It really is a time saver and money saver for me.   Check out our monthly Menu to see what we will be eating in February and get some inspiration for your own menu! 

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!!

 

 

Grocery Totals…..

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Last week, I had my hubby and children go grocery shopping for me as I had a Dr appointment I had forgotten about.   I had my list all ready so I was able to send them off to shop for me with a plan.   They did a great job!   Hubby even spent $27.63 on some nice steaks for my birthday and still was within budget!  

Grocery Total from 1/18/10

Aldi – 55.12

Festival – 16.70

Sam’s Club – 79.21

Total Spent:  151.02 / 2 = 75.51 per week to feed 6-7 people each day

I have been making sure that my meal planning has focused on using meat I already had on hand.  This has been a real money saving Technic.  

 I have mixed up a casserole for supper tonight and now it is time to ge to work. 

Have a great day!