I went down to Timber Lodge Steak House for supper and my guilty pleasures contiued there as well!!!   The special of the night was steak and lobster.   Oh my…how naughty does that sound???  Well, yes, of course that is what I ordered!  

I came back to my room with a very full tummy and took a very long, hot bath!!   I think I was in there for over an hour soaking and reading my book.    I just finished my book for book group next week and now I am going to work on setting up the voting system for my in real life book group.   We are going to be selecting our picks for the first half of next year at our next meeting.  

Then I think I will either work on my website for a bit or start my net book.  The night is still young!!   yeah, I know I am pathetic.  It doesn’t take much to make me happy in life, but then again that is a good thing.   What a blessed life to find such joy in the trivial things. 

Finished Reading:

Here If You Need Me: A True Story – Kate Braestrup – 3.5/5

What a title, eh??   Well don’t get too excited, it is me we are talking about here.  LOL!!   My hubby is so great, he let me have a little night away this evening.   I had a meeting in Duluth today and got done with my meeting around 4:00.  Instead of driving the 2.5 hours home, I am staying over night!!   What a wonderful gift.   These small breaks are amazing at rejuvinating me.  

Every once in a while a few hours alone is fabulous!!  I can spend all the time I want on the computer and working on my various projects.   I can read a book for hours on end, take a long hot bath.   So those are all the guilty pleasures on my list for tonight.  

I just checked into my room and it is very nice and sooo quiet.   I just love having silence in my life.  I even got a room with a window as I thought I would have an interior room.   I stopped at Target and did a bit of Christmas shopping and bought the book we are reading for book group next month.  

I think I am going to head down stairs and have an early supper and then curl up in bed with my book for the evening!!   No laundry, dishes, cooking, or childcare for me tonight.  

Isn’t my hubby just the best……………

We are almost done with our Christmas Shopping.  We finished up everything but one joint gift to get for Tommy and Erik.   We were also about 100 dollars under budget so we went out for a very nice lunch!   It was a very nice day out together.      We even added a couple of additional people to buy gifts for.   Since my BIL is lving with us, we bought him and his son a few things since they will probably be celebrating the holidays with us. 

Our driveway is all done!   It looks great, we are very happy with it.   As I predicted the electrician did not show up.  I am losing my patience with him. 

Jen C

Tuesday is a government holiday…..sooooo ….no work for me!!  Yeah!   I have gotten alot done tonight so I don’t think I will be working that late.   Tomorrow the asphalt company is coming to do our driveway.  The electrician is also suppose to come to begin work.  I won’t hold my breathe on that one since he has not showed up a number of times already!!!   

Hubby and I both have the day off tomorrow so we are going to finish our Christmas shopping and have a lunch date.  I am going to Duluth on Friday and will finish my Christmas shopping up there as I will need to get something for hubby.  I have no idea what yet…hmmmmm.     So hopefully by this weekend I will have our christmas Shopping done!  

Have a great night!!

Jen C

This weekend we went shopping for two weeks worth of groceries.   We all went, Hubby, BIL, Tommy and I.  This can be a recipe for over spending, but it went ok!

ALDI -102.76

Extras bought at Aldi = Half a Pork Loin – 15.17
Hubby cut up the pork Loin and made about 20 Pork Steaks, which he separated into meals and froze. 

Festival – 55.88
Extra Bought at Festival – Pork Loin Sirloin Roast – 12.77
I should have cut this into two pieces, but didn’t think of it.  I will need to make it stretch for two meals.  Any ideas what to make with left over pork roast???

Total – 158.64 / 2  = 79.32 per week.  

I was slightly over my weekly budget of 75.00, but I bought some meat on sale for future meals.  I had money left over from last week as well.   I continue to save the money over from week to week so I can buy meat when I see it on sale, etc. 

Check out our menu for the next two weeks to see what we all bought, etc.  

Happy Monday!!!

Jen C

In a runt on what to cook???  Head over to Laura’s site “I’m an Organizing Junkie ” and see what the many participates on Menu Plan Monday are having this week!!

Last week, we did pretty good with sticking to our menu.  We didn’t get to a couple of the meals as we had alot of leftovers and had those instead.  On Saturday we had “Old Country Buffet” – at our house this is simply all the leftovers displayed and you fill your plate and microwave it.  For some reason if we call our leftovers meal something fun, it goes over much better. 

On Halloween, we made Squirmy Wormy Sandwiches and Garlic Pumpkin Seeds.  Both were very good and will make our online family cookbook.  

Menu Planning November 9th – November 23rd

Sunday-  9th – Steak, Dilly Mashed Potatoes Simple/Delicious sept/oct 2008 pg 19 , Green Beans

Dilly Mashed Potatoes – Good Add To Site!

2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed

2.3 cup 4% cottage cheese

1.3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 tsp butter (I actually used 2 TBS when I made it ..OOPS!)

1/2 tsp dill weed

1/2 tsp salt

Cook potatoes in water, cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender, drain.

Transfer to a large mixing bowl.  Add the cheeses, butter, dill and salt. beat until smooth and fluffy.  Yield: 6 servings

Monday – 10^th – Ground Beef Soup = 2lb – http://askmsrecipe.com/2008/09/23/ground-beef-crock-pot-soup/#comment-246

Tuesday – 11^th  – Breakfast – French toast / Eggs/ Sausages

Wed – 4 Filled Chicken Breasts (buy 4 more)/ Boxed Pasta/ Veggie

Thursday – Easy Chicken Parmesan

       2-3 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

       1 cup bread crumbs

       1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese

       1/4 tsp. oregano

       1/4 tsp. pepper

       Salt to taste

       1 clove garlic, minced* or 1 Tbsp. garlic powder

       3/4 cup melted butter

Combine bread crumbs, cheese, oregano, pepper, and salt; set aside. Lightly saute garlic in 2 T. butter then stir in remaining butter. Dip chicken in garlic butter then roll each piece in bread crumb mixture. Place chicken in 9×13 pan and sprinkle with remaining bread crumb mixture. Pour on remaining butter. Bake at 350°F for 55 minutes.

Parmesan Noodles http://jasmine1931.tripod.com/Cooking/Pasta.htm#PARMESAN%20NOODLES and Veggie

Fri – Movie Night  – Chicken Burritos – my site

Sat – Melt in Your Mouth Chicken – http://www.xanga.com/Ostara/680259740/item.html

Sunday

Baked Potato Soup

       4 large baking potatoes, baked and cooled (from Tuesday)

       2/3 cup butter or margarine

       2/3 cup all-purpose flour

       6 cups milk

       2 tsp salt

       1/2 tsp pepper

       4 green onions, chopped and divided

       12 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled, and divided

       1 1/4 cups (5 oz.) cheddar cheese, shredded, divided

       1 (8 oz.) carton sour cream

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise, scoop out pulp and set aside. Discard skins. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture is thick and bubbly. (This will take some time.)

Add potato pulp, salt, pepper, 2 tbsp green onions, 1/2 cup bacon, and 1 cup cheese. Cook until cheese is melted and soup is heated through. Stir in sour cream. Serve with remaining green onions, bacon and cheese as a garnish.

Salad

Apple Crumble

       1 cup baking mix (I use Bisquick)

       3/4 cup brown sugar

       1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

       1/4 cup margarine

       1 can pie-sliced apples, drained or 2 cups sliced apple*

       1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Grease the bottom and sides of an 8×8 or 6×10 inch baking dish. Blend first three ingredients in a bowl. Cut margarine into bits and add to mix. Spread 1/3 of oat mixture in bottom of pan. Place apple slices over mixture. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture and cinnamon. Bake 30-35 minutes at 350°F. Serve warm with ice cream.

*****************************************************************

Monday – Frozen Ravioli / Sauce / Sausage  –

Tuesday – Homemade Chicken Soup x 2 (Rotisserie Chickens to the Rescue Cookbook Pg 99) and Grilled Cheese

Wed – Fish Garlic Butter / Rice Box/ Veggie

Thursday –

       Hash Brown Soup

       1 sauteed onion (from freezer)

       3 cans chicken broth

       1 large bag frozen Hash Browns

       1 can Cream of Celery Soup (substitutions)

       1 can Cream of Chicken Soup (substitutions)

       1-1/2 cups milk

       1 pound Velveeta Cheese

Combine onion and broth, bring to boil. Add hash browns, bring to boil. Add soups (don’t dilute) and milk, bring to boil. Add Cheese. Heat until cheese melts. Optional, serve with bacon bits on top.

Dinner Rolls

Fri – Movie Night  – Hamburger/ Fries/

Sat – Enchiladas Meat

          Beef Enchiladas

       2 lbs. ground beef (from freezer)

       3 tablespoons vinegar

       3 garlic cloves minced

       1 1/2 tablespoon chili powder

       1 1/2 tsp salt

       1 package corn tortillas (24)

       2 cans Enchiladas Sauce

       1 cup refried beans (from below)

       2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded

Mix thawed (cooked) ground beef from freezer with vinegar, garlic, chili powder and salt. On your tortilla spread a light coat of refried beans down the middle, top with beef mixture and then cheese.  Tri fold and place tri fold down in 9×13 pan.  Once your pan is full pour a can of sauce on top and sprinkle with cheese.  This recipe will make two pans.  One can of sauce for each pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes.

Adapted from Betty Crocker, submitted by Lisa H.

Spanish Rice

       3 T. olive oil

       1 medium onion chopped

       1 clove garlic minced

       1 green pepper chopped, seeded

       1 c. long grain rice (or brown rice* for healthier version)

       2 c. chicken broth (if you are using brown rice add extra water)

       2 T. tomato paste

       1/2 t. cumin

Saute onion, garlic, and green pepper in oil until transparent. Add rice and brown until lightly browned. Mix the rest of the ingredients and add to pan. Cover and cook 20-25 minutes (longer, closer to 45 minutes, for brown rice).

Sun – 23^rd GROCERY DAY  – Pork loin and Baked Potatoes/ Veggie

*****************************************************************

Ideas for Next Menu

http://thefrugalmomblog.com/2008/08/family-recipebaked/ – Baked Ziti

http://frommommyskitchen.blogspot.com/2008/03/sour-cream-noodle-bake.html 

http://thematzats.blogspot.com/2008/11/creamy-ranch-pork-chops.html

http://thematzats.blogspot.com/2007/12/feta-and-bacon-stuffed-chicken-breasts.html

http://thematzats.blogspot.com/2008/02/baked-chicken-cordon-bleu.html

http://thematzats.blogspot.com/2008/01/honey-roasted-pork-loin.html

In a runt on what to cook???  Head over to Laura’s site “I’m an Organizing Junkie ” and see what the many participates on Menu Plan Monday are having this week!!

Last week, we did pretty good with sticking to our menu.  We didn’t get to a couple of the meals as we had alot of leftovers and had those instead.  On Saturday we had “Old Country Buffet” – at our house this is simply all the leftovers displayed and you fill your plate and microwave it.  For some reason if we call our leftovers meal something fun, it goes over much better. 

On Halloween, we made Squirmy Wormy Sandwiches and Garlic Pumpkin Seeds.  Both were very good and will make our online family cookbook.  

Menu Planning November 9th – November 23rd

Sunday-  9th – Steak, Dilly Mashed Potatoes Simple/Delicious sept/oct 2008 pg 19 , Green Beans

Dilly Mashed Potatoes – Good Add To Site!

2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed

2.3 cup 4% cottage cheese

1.3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 tsp butter (I actually used 2 TBS when I made it ..OOPS!)

1/2 tsp dill weed

1/2 tsp salt

Cook potatoes in water, cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender, drain.

Transfer to a large mixing bowl.  Add the cheeses, butter, dill and salt. beat until smooth and fluffy.  Yield: 6 servings

Monday – 10^th – Ground Beef Soup = 2lb – http://askmsrecipe.com/2008/09/23/ground-beef-crock-pot-soup/#comment-246

Tuesday – 11^th  – Breakfast – French toast / Eggs/ Sausages

Wed – 4 Filled Chicken Breasts (buy 4 more)/ Boxed Pasta/ Veggie

Thursday – Easy Chicken Parmesan

       2-3 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

       1 cup bread crumbs

       1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese

       1/4 tsp. oregano

       1/4 tsp. pepper

       Salt to taste

       1 clove garlic, minced* or 1 Tbsp. garlic powder

       3/4 cup melted butter

Combine bread crumbs, cheese, oregano, pepper, and salt; set aside. Lightly saute garlic in 2 T. butter then stir in remaining butter. Dip chicken in garlic butter then roll each piece in bread crumb mixture. Place chicken in 9×13 pan and sprinkle with remaining bread crumb mixture. Pour on remaining butter. Bake at 350°F for 55 minutes.

Parmesan Noodles http://jasmine1931.tripod.com/Cooking/Pasta.htm#PARMESAN%20NOODLES and Veggie

Fri – Movie Night  – Chicken Burritos – my site

Sat – Melt in Your Mouth Chicken – http://www.xanga.com/Ostara/680259740/item.html

Sunday

Baked Potato Soup

       4 large baking potatoes, baked and cooled (from Tuesday)

       2/3 cup butter or margarine

       2/3 cup all-purpose flour

       6 cups milk

       2 tsp salt

       1/2 tsp pepper

       4 green onions, chopped and divided

       12 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled, and divided

       1 1/4 cups (5 oz.) cheddar cheese, shredded, divided

       1 (8 oz.) carton sour cream

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise, scoop out pulp and set aside. Discard skins. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture is thick and bubbly. (This will take some time.)

Add potato pulp, salt, pepper, 2 tbsp green onions, 1/2 cup bacon, and 1 cup cheese. Cook until cheese is melted and soup is heated through. Stir in sour cream. Serve with remaining green onions, bacon and cheese as a garnish.

Salad

Apple Crumble

       1 cup baking mix (I use Bisquick)

       3/4 cup brown sugar

       1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

       1/4 cup margarine

       1 can pie-sliced apples, drained or 2 cups sliced apple*

       1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Grease the bottom and sides of an 8×8 or 6×10 inch baking dish. Blend first three ingredients in a bowl. Cut margarine into bits and add to mix. Spread 1/3 of oat mixture in bottom of pan. Place apple slices over mixture. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture and cinnamon. Bake 30-35 minutes at 350°F. Serve warm with ice cream.

*****************************************************************

Monday – Frozen Ravioli / Sauce / Sausage  –

Tuesday – Homemade Chicken Soup x 2 (Rotisserie Chickens to the Rescue Cookbook Pg 99) and Grilled Cheese

Wed – Fish Garlic Butter / Rice Box/ Veggie

Thursday –

       Hash Brown Soup

       1 sauteed onion (from freezer)

       3 cans chicken broth

       1 large bag frozen Hash Browns

       1 can Cream of Celery Soup (substitutions)

       1 can Cream of Chicken Soup (substitutions)

       1-1/2 cups milk

       1 pound Velveeta Cheese

Combine onion and broth, bring to boil. Add hash browns, bring to boil. Add soups (don’t dilute) and milk, bring to boil. Add Cheese. Heat until cheese melts. Optional, serve with bacon bits on top.

Dinner Rolls

Fri – Movie Night  – Hamburger/ Fries/

Sat – Enchiladas Meat

          Beef Enchiladas

       2 lbs. ground beef (from freezer)

       3 tablespoons vinegar

       3 garlic cloves minced

       1 1/2 tablespoon chili powder

       1 1/2 tsp salt

       1 package corn tortillas (24)

       2 cans Enchiladas Sauce

       1 cup refried beans (from below)

       2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded

Mix thawed (cooked) ground beef from freezer with vinegar, garlic, chili powder and salt. On your tortilla spread a light coat of refried beans down the middle, top with beef mixture and then cheese.  Tri fold and place tri fold down in 9×13 pan.  Once your pan is full pour a can of sauce on top and sprinkle with cheese.  This recipe will make two pans.  One can of sauce for each pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes.

Adapted from Betty Crocker, submitted by Lisa H.

Spanish Rice

       3 T. olive oil

       1 medium onion chopped

       1 clove garlic minced

       1 green pepper chopped, seeded

       1 c. long grain rice (or brown rice* for healthier version)

       2 c. chicken broth (if you are using brown rice add extra water)

       2 T. tomato paste

       1/2 t. cumin

Saute onion, garlic, and green pepper in oil until transparent. Add rice and brown until lightly browned. Mix the rest of the ingredients and add to pan. Cover and cook 20-25 minutes (longer, closer to 45 minutes, for brown rice).

Sun – 23^rd GROCERY DAY  – Pork loin and Baked Potatoes/ Veggie

*****************************************************************

Ideas for Next Menu

http://thefrugalmomblog.com/2008/08/family-recipebaked/ – Baked Ziti

http://frommommyskitchen.blogspot.com/2008/03/sour-cream-noodle-bake.html 

http://thematzats.blogspot.com/2008/11/creamy-ranch-pork-chops.html

http://thematzats.blogspot.com/2007/12/feta-and-bacon-stuffed-chicken-breasts.html

http://thematzats.blogspot.com/2008/02/baked-chicken-cordon-bleu.html

http://thematzats.blogspot.com/2008/01/honey-roasted-pork-loin.html

THE REST OF SATURDAY……

After Tommy’s friends birthday party in the morning, he had his last soccer game of the season.  They won and he scored one goal.  He was very happy.   We then had our extended family over to celebrate Tommy’s birthday with them.  

SUNDAY – we spent most of the day at church.  We went to service in the morning, came home and had a quick lunch before going back to church for Erik’s Celebration of Confirmation.  

After Confirmation we came home and changed clothes and took Tommy back to church for the Hallelujah Festival.   After the Festival we (Tommy, Erik, Hubby and I ) cleaned up the church.  

We came home and quickly took down our Halloween stuff out front as the demo crew was coming on Monday to start on the driveway, etc. 

MONDAY-  The Demo crew was at our house at by 7:30 to begin taking everything apart. 

As you can see everything was taken out.    We had a small mishap with the front walk.  When they were removing the front stoop, the concrete got caught on the house and they pulled part of the house off.   To the right of the front door they cracked and pulled off the tongue and groove paneling around the door.  They said they would repair.

Since I was home, I got some things done around the house.   Josh came over and we removed the carpet downstairs that they cat had messed up.   We also cleaned out 1/2 of the garage as they need to be able to roll the roller into the garage when they do the driveway.

TUESDAY-

The crew was back again to pour the concrete.  Since they were coming and would lay concrete between the house and garage, I called the electrician to come and bury the conduit before they laid the concrete.  The electrician was here by about 7:45 and the concrete crew started working around 8:00.  

Here is how things looked like by the end of the day……

The pipe was installed so wires could be ran from the house and into the garage.

Concrete slab laid that will be where the garbage can is kept on.

New front stoop and walk.

As you can see we have made a little progress, but there is so much more to do!!!  I am trying to remain calm, but it is hard.  At the point of this post, we were still waking for information from the insurance company regarding the car accident hubby was in.  They totalled the car, but hadn’t told us how much they would give us for it.   So we knew we had car shopping in our future!   ARGH!!  Not my favorite thing and the added expense is very stressful with all the home remodeling we are doing. 

But things always seem to work out ok….I have to continue to believe that!!

Jen C