Today was our first football scrimmage of the year for the Troy Titans. Colton plays on the junior midget team and loves it. It is fun and I do love the whole aspect of fall...a little cooler in the evenings, football beginning, yes, I like that time of year. Each time it rolls around, though, it means I and my children are growing older...o.k. for me but oh I miss those little ones sometimes. Brett was always, "me do it, mommy!" Colton was "why, mommy, why?" And Andrew just talked (and still does) all the time, all day long, every minute of the day. What precious memories! So, today I watched the football game, saw that 10 pound baby....I mean 100 pound 12 year old and saw the pages of the calendar turning again all too quickly!
So, a recipe for a day like today...super busy, tiring, and still everyone wants to eat (what's with that?) Well, it's called Chicken pasta and it's a skillet supper that's super quick! Here goes...2 fried or grilled chicken breasts from the grocery store diced with skin, 1 box bow ties or penne pasta cooked al dente, 1/2 cup crumbled bacon, one jar/can of mushrooms (or fresh if you have it), 1 tsp. minced garlic, 3/4 cup half and half, 3 tablespoons butter, 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, dash salt, 1 tsp parsley, scallions and shredded parmesan to garnish. Put butter, half and half and spices in skillet and saute stirring constantly to not burn the cream. Add chicken, bacon, and mushrooms and simmer for a few minutes. Add pasta and mix well. Simmer with pasta in for about 4-5 minutes. Top with scallions and parmesan and serve. It's quick (15-20 minutes) and easy! If you really want to cook your own chicken, go ahead....on a busy night, this is a super quick way to get supper on the table. Happy eating!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Score a deal...
Score a deal...gotta love that, right? Today I went into Schnucks, one of the more expensive grocery stores in the area, but when they do a deal, they do a deal, and they always have double coupons up to .40 cents. I nearly passed by a display for Sarah Lee breads and bagels. The coupon with the display was, "purchase any loaf of a certain kind of their bread, get a package of mini bagels free." The bread loaves were on sale for $1.99...not a total deal on bread, BUT, when the bagels were free, then that makes it $1 per item...great for bread and excellent for good bagels. So, I got to the check out and the bread was $1.99 and the regular price on the bagels...was $3.99...now FREE...that's a stinkin' deal!!! Wowsers...I'm going back again to do that a couple more times and freeze them.
So, on a busy night, like tonight where, in addition to the dab of groceries purchased, we had softball practice, football practice, and church all at staggered and overlapping times, what do we fix for supper? I fell back on my crock pot staple called, Italian Chops, and they could NOT be easier. Purchase enough chops (we prefer boneless) and layer them in the bottom of your crock pot. Cover the chops with a full bottle (16-24 oz.) of your choice of Italian dressing and cook on low for 4 hours. They will be so tender that they fall apart. We serve with mashed potatoes and a veggie of one child's choice. It's a fairly quick meal, super easy, and can be served in shifts if necessary as it was today...happy eating, happy Wednesday, and happy back-to-school!
So, on a busy night, like tonight where, in addition to the dab of groceries purchased, we had softball practice, football practice, and church all at staggered and overlapping times, what do we fix for supper? I fell back on my crock pot staple called, Italian Chops, and they could NOT be easier. Purchase enough chops (we prefer boneless) and layer them in the bottom of your crock pot. Cover the chops with a full bottle (16-24 oz.) of your choice of Italian dressing and cook on low for 4 hours. They will be so tender that they fall apart. We serve with mashed potatoes and a veggie of one child's choice. It's a fairly quick meal, super easy, and can be served in shifts if necessary as it was today...happy eating, happy Wednesday, and happy back-to-school!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Recipe!
Totally forgot to add a recipe today! Bad blogger! So, today, with a busy day and two very tired folks coming home, we went easy but definitely a comfort food...yep...
Crock pot spaghetti. This is so easy, hardly homemade at all, but hey, in a pinch and in a hurry, it's a good one. One jar of spaghetti sauce, 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef browned in onion, 1 can of tomato soup with one can of water to dilute it, 1 package of spaghetti seasoning, 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning or your taste of Parsley, salt and pepper, and basil. Drain your beef before putting in the crock pot and add in all other ingredients. Cook on low for 1-2 hours. Break one 12 oz package of spaghetti into thirds so the pieces are smaller and add to your pot and cook on low for another hour. I make sure the added spaghetti is under the liquid and top with about 1 cup of mozzarella. It's yummy!
Crock pot spaghetti. This is so easy, hardly homemade at all, but hey, in a pinch and in a hurry, it's a good one. One jar of spaghetti sauce, 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef browned in onion, 1 can of tomato soup with one can of water to dilute it, 1 package of spaghetti seasoning, 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning or your taste of Parsley, salt and pepper, and basil. Drain your beef before putting in the crock pot and add in all other ingredients. Cook on low for 1-2 hours. Break one 12 oz package of spaghetti into thirds so the pieces are smaller and add to your pot and cook on low for another hour. I make sure the added spaghetti is under the liquid and top with about 1 cup of mozzarella. It's yummy!
Home Safe
Yeah! They are home safe! My husband and son made it home this afternoon, a bit tired, somewhat cranky, but really not to bad. They were filled with funny stories of this person and that. My son went to sleep in less than 5 minutes and my husband has been "napping" on the couch for the last hour. We are so thankful they're home!!
Andrew was glad to see Daddy, and Brett was too. Brett, however, was trying to delay seeing his brother because he knew he had confiscated Colton's new book and had been reading it while Colton was gone. This was a problem...you see Colton has "rules" as to how you read HIS books and there are only two...#1, you must use a book mark and NEVER "dog ear" pages and you never put the book down open to the page you're on so it's open but flat, and #2, you must NEVER read one of his books in the bathroom.
They are all three back in place this evening, a little arguing, lots of laughs, calling who gets the hall shower first/last, and getting to bed with prayers and songs...yep, it's good to have all my chicks home in the nest!
Andrew was glad to see Daddy, and Brett was too. Brett, however, was trying to delay seeing his brother because he knew he had confiscated Colton's new book and had been reading it while Colton was gone. This was a problem...you see Colton has "rules" as to how you read HIS books and there are only two...#1, you must use a book mark and NEVER "dog ear" pages and you never put the book down open to the page you're on so it's open but flat, and #2, you must NEVER read one of his books in the bathroom.
They are all three back in place this evening, a little arguing, lots of laughs, calling who gets the hall shower first/last, and getting to bed with prayers and songs...yep, it's good to have all my chicks home in the nest!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
School Shopping and Growing Up
I did it...went to three stores (in close proximity) to purchase school supplies at the lowest price possible. One cent folders and ten cent packages of paper at one store. Index cards for .39 and erasers for .29 at another. This list goes on, but WE ARE DONE!! While out, I did totally snag some shirts for the boys for $2-$5 each, love a deal!
My oldest son is on his first "youth" trip, a float trip, which my husband also went on. I know in my heart that all will be well, he is after all better off in the hands of God than mine, but that's such a hard reality for me! I guess it's true, the real job of a parent is to actually work yourself out of a job...yikes! I told a friend that it is going to take all of my friends and family to get me through this one. This is much more difficult than pregnancy, potty training, kindergarten, first over night sleepover, everything!
So, I must get our supplies put away and prepare for their return from the float trip tomorrow! We're having a favorite no cook supper tonight...pork nachos...yep, it's tortilla chips however you want them, out of a bag or make your own out of tortillas, top with that prepared BBQ pork from the grocery store, any veggies you would like to top them with (we prefer red peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, jalopenos or banana peppers, sour cream or ranch dressing, and salsa...and cheese, of course!), melt in the microwave and enjoy.
God bless you and your family as you prepare for the back to school events!
My oldest son is on his first "youth" trip, a float trip, which my husband also went on. I know in my heart that all will be well, he is after all better off in the hands of God than mine, but that's such a hard reality for me! I guess it's true, the real job of a parent is to actually work yourself out of a job...yikes! I told a friend that it is going to take all of my friends and family to get me through this one. This is much more difficult than pregnancy, potty training, kindergarten, first over night sleepover, everything!
So, I must get our supplies put away and prepare for their return from the float trip tomorrow! We're having a favorite no cook supper tonight...pork nachos...yep, it's tortilla chips however you want them, out of a bag or make your own out of tortillas, top with that prepared BBQ pork from the grocery store, any veggies you would like to top them with (we prefer red peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, jalopenos or banana peppers, sour cream or ranch dressing, and salsa...and cheese, of course!), melt in the microwave and enjoy.
God bless you and your family as you prepare for the back to school events!
Friday, July 31, 2009
It's the Back to School Countdown!
I cannot believe that school will start 2 mere weeks from Monday. Where has the time gone? What happened to our summer? I've got so much left on my "list" for the summer! Yikes, is all I have to say!
The next week will bring a float trip for daddy and Colton and a trip to Incredible Pizza for the other boys and myself. It seemed like a fair trade.
There will be school supplies to buy next week, a trip to Six Flags the following week, a trip for the last nephew to spend a night with Auntie, shopping for school, and trying to fit in just a few other things.
With school comes preparations for our next AWANA year, training, getting leaders in place, and getting all the details for the kick off ready to go.
It all makes me dizzy to think about it.
Oh, and we've got to make sure the old or too little clothes are out, the new ones ready to go, drawers and closets cleaned out, and what we don't keep, donated.
So, what's for supper in such a busy day? I've got a few of what I call, "skillet" suppers that don't heat up the kitchen...key on hot summer days! One of my new favorites is Kielbasa and rice...so easy! Here goes:
2 pounds of Kielbasa or Polish sausage cut in half lengthwise and sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
1/4 cup chopped onion (or in my house minced dried onion, about 1 tablespoon)
4 bacon strips, chopped
1/2 cup barbeque sauce
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon minced garlic
dash of red pepper flakes
Hot cooked rice enough to serve 6
Saute the Kielbasa, onion and bacon in skillet until onion is tender. Add bbq sauce, brown sugar, horseradish, water, garlic and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil and stir until sauce thickens. Serve with rice. The total time from beginning to table is 20-25 minutes...it's quick and easy and cool.
The next week will bring a float trip for daddy and Colton and a trip to Incredible Pizza for the other boys and myself. It seemed like a fair trade.
There will be school supplies to buy next week, a trip to Six Flags the following week, a trip for the last nephew to spend a night with Auntie, shopping for school, and trying to fit in just a few other things.
With school comes preparations for our next AWANA year, training, getting leaders in place, and getting all the details for the kick off ready to go.
It all makes me dizzy to think about it.
Oh, and we've got to make sure the old or too little clothes are out, the new ones ready to go, drawers and closets cleaned out, and what we don't keep, donated.
So, what's for supper in such a busy day? I've got a few of what I call, "skillet" suppers that don't heat up the kitchen...key on hot summer days! One of my new favorites is Kielbasa and rice...so easy! Here goes:
2 pounds of Kielbasa or Polish sausage cut in half lengthwise and sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
1/4 cup chopped onion (or in my house minced dried onion, about 1 tablespoon)
4 bacon strips, chopped
1/2 cup barbeque sauce
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon minced garlic
dash of red pepper flakes
Hot cooked rice enough to serve 6
Saute the Kielbasa, onion and bacon in skillet until onion is tender. Add bbq sauce, brown sugar, horseradish, water, garlic and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil and stir until sauce thickens. Serve with rice. The total time from beginning to table is 20-25 minutes...it's quick and easy and cool.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Here again...
I'm going to try to be more faithful this time around to blogging a bit about our life. I keep thinking that somewhere, someone may very well need the information I've just learned...hopefully that's so.
One of my new favorite crock pot recipes...seriously easy...discovered just the other day. I found a great swiss chicken recipe and thought, "why can't I do that in the crock pot?" So, I gave it the old college try and it worked! Wonderfully! Put your frozen chicken breasts in your crock pot and layer a slice of swiss cheese on top of each chicken breast. Dice a fresh portabello mushroom cap and spread over the chicken and sprinkle with just a bit of parsley and basil. Quarter about 10-12 new potatoes freshly scrubbed and layer them around the edge of your chicken. Cook on low for 4-6 hours and serve with the vegetable of your choice. This is a great, easy recipe that will be ready when everyone arrives home from the long, busy day! Enjoy!
One of my new favorite crock pot recipes...seriously easy...discovered just the other day. I found a great swiss chicken recipe and thought, "why can't I do that in the crock pot?" So, I gave it the old college try and it worked! Wonderfully! Put your frozen chicken breasts in your crock pot and layer a slice of swiss cheese on top of each chicken breast. Dice a fresh portabello mushroom cap and spread over the chicken and sprinkle with just a bit of parsley and basil. Quarter about 10-12 new potatoes freshly scrubbed and layer them around the edge of your chicken. Cook on low for 4-6 hours and serve with the vegetable of your choice. This is a great, easy recipe that will be ready when everyone arrives home from the long, busy day! Enjoy!
Monday, March 30, 2009
A Peaceful Home?
I think we all desire peace but we are so pressured by so many other people and things that we end up in a very unpeaceful, chaotic home and we don't quite know what to do about it.
That's when, I think, we need to go back to basics and think about why we do what we do...why do you do all the things you do? What's your ultimate goal for your home? What do you want the relationships to be? What is your home priority?
Mine is peace, ours is peace, so even when things seem hectic and sometimes they are, I still want my home to be peaceful. There are tactics that help, one of which is tag-teaming with my husband. On a super busy day, we literally think through where each person needs to be and when, how/what are we going to do for supper and figure out how we will do it together. Sometimes that means that we pack a cooler with snacks, sandwiches, etc., making sure that all items needed for all of the activities are in the van, etc.
The frustration, many times, comes when you don't plan ahead and are left without dinner options or forget the items needed for piano, football, etc. The planning ahead takes time on the front end, but it saves so much time and so much frustration on the back end and everyone arrives home peaceful, content, and in a good mood.
That's when, I think, we need to go back to basics and think about why we do what we do...why do you do all the things you do? What's your ultimate goal for your home? What do you want the relationships to be? What is your home priority?
Mine is peace, ours is peace, so even when things seem hectic and sometimes they are, I still want my home to be peaceful. There are tactics that help, one of which is tag-teaming with my husband. On a super busy day, we literally think through where each person needs to be and when, how/what are we going to do for supper and figure out how we will do it together. Sometimes that means that we pack a cooler with snacks, sandwiches, etc., making sure that all items needed for all of the activities are in the van, etc.
The frustration, many times, comes when you don't plan ahead and are left without dinner options or forget the items needed for piano, football, etc. The planning ahead takes time on the front end, but it saves so much time and so much frustration on the back end and everyone arrives home peaceful, content, and in a good mood.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
It'a all in a Day
Yep, it's all in a day...around here anyway. Let me see, Karate, piano, guitar, drums, football, basketball, legos, computer, homework, AWANA, Grand Prix cars, snack time, laundry, dishes, laundry, dishes, laundry, dishes (they seem to go like that...), breakfast, lunch, dinner, movies, friends, outside, inside, chores, reading, ipods, games, uno...
I used to think that those ladies who said they were, "taxi moms" were just not managing their time well...you know that's what you get for being judgmental and shortsighted...that is exactly me! I could give you a list of things that I am, things that I do, but in the end, it comes down to the fact that I AM a taxi mom. The van is the taxi extraordinaire and the list is seemingly endless of places to go, things to drop off, and on and on.
But, most everyone out there with kids the same ages as mine are doing the same thing and lest you think I'm "complaining"-- well, I'm not...I love it and wouldn't trade this time with my kids for anything. You would be better for the job? No one...it's the place God chose for me to be at this point in time and I'm thankful and grateful for the post to which He has called me...mileage and all.
Have a super rest-of-the-weekend and play some Uno with the kiddos...I am
I used to think that those ladies who said they were, "taxi moms" were just not managing their time well...you know that's what you get for being judgmental and shortsighted...that is exactly me! I could give you a list of things that I am, things that I do, but in the end, it comes down to the fact that I AM a taxi mom. The van is the taxi extraordinaire and the list is seemingly endless of places to go, things to drop off, and on and on.
But, most everyone out there with kids the same ages as mine are doing the same thing and lest you think I'm "complaining"-- well, I'm not...I love it and wouldn't trade this time with my kids for anything. You would be better for the job? No one...it's the place God chose for me to be at this point in time and I'm thankful and grateful for the post to which He has called me...mileage and all.
Have a super rest-of-the-weekend and play some Uno with the kiddos...I am
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
I love Wednesdays...
I love Wednesdays..."why," you ask? Well, most obviously because it is the proverbial "Hump Day" meaning that there is now less of the work week left and more of it under the bridge...woohoo!
One of my kids really is not a morning person on Monday through Wednesday, Thursday he begins to perk up, and on Friday he jumps out of bed. I can appreciate that outlook. Sometimes it's difficult to face the day when the bed is so comfy. He is the same child who named his bed as one of his three favorite places in a language essay earlier this year. He said it was one of his favorites because (and I quote), "it's warm and cozy."
I also love Wednesdays because it's AWANA night at church and I get to see tons of friends mid week. Actually, that mid-week breather offers a time to remember that our lives as Christians is not a once-a-week, Sundays only kind of thing. Wednesdays are the middle of the week pick-me-up when you can enjoy friends and activities and then realize that there are only 2 more days until the weekend!
This morning in a Bible study I was reminded of Psalms 90, written by Moses after the death of both his sister and brother and the incident that resulted in his not being able to enter the Promised Land. I never realized that this Psalm was written at this point or by Moses. I've always heard the verse that talks about how God writes the number of our days even before we are born...we have a time appointed to live and a time appointed to die. This Psalm by Moses talks about us numbering our days...making the most of them so that we can offer our hearts to God as full of wisdom. I pray that this is true for me! Since God knows the number of my days already, may I use each and every one to its fullest potential and leave nothing to regrets...live every day to the fullest!
One of my kids really is not a morning person on Monday through Wednesday, Thursday he begins to perk up, and on Friday he jumps out of bed. I can appreciate that outlook. Sometimes it's difficult to face the day when the bed is so comfy. He is the same child who named his bed as one of his three favorite places in a language essay earlier this year. He said it was one of his favorites because (and I quote), "it's warm and cozy."
I also love Wednesdays because it's AWANA night at church and I get to see tons of friends mid week. Actually, that mid-week breather offers a time to remember that our lives as Christians is not a once-a-week, Sundays only kind of thing. Wednesdays are the middle of the week pick-me-up when you can enjoy friends and activities and then realize that there are only 2 more days until the weekend!
This morning in a Bible study I was reminded of Psalms 90, written by Moses after the death of both his sister and brother and the incident that resulted in his not being able to enter the Promised Land. I never realized that this Psalm was written at this point or by Moses. I've always heard the verse that talks about how God writes the number of our days even before we are born...we have a time appointed to live and a time appointed to die. This Psalm by Moses talks about us numbering our days...making the most of them so that we can offer our hearts to God as full of wisdom. I pray that this is true for me! Since God knows the number of my days already, may I use each and every one to its fullest potential and leave nothing to regrets...live every day to the fullest!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Mothers Of Boys
That's me...I'm a MOB...Mother of Boys...that's plural, as in more than one boy. As a matter of fact, I have 3. When I tell people that and they lean their head slightly to one side and give me that look, I tell them, "God thinks I'm special!" He must! It's just not a girly place around here, that's for sure! There isn't a shred of pink to be found and when we do have to shop for the occasional girl birthday or Christmas gift going down "the pink aisle" in the store gets a reaction equal to making them eat broccoli. One time in particular, one son said loudly, "it's burning my eyes (the pink)." Too funny!
It is a different world on more than one count. Another MOB and I stood by a little girl who was shrieking that blood curdling shriek that girls seem to do so well and both stared as if we were encountering something from another culture and I guess we were. There are yells here, some rough-housing, lots of wrestling but never high pitched shrieking. So, here we are, snips and snails and puppy dog tails, although I think the modern version would be football, video games, and dirt, that's what little boys are made of.
All the fun aside, it pains me to see the day that I know is coming when they outgrow me physically and they don't think me, "cool." For now, though, I relish the laughter we share, the fun we have, the games we play, and pray without ceasing that it continues without interruption throughout the rest of my life!
It is a different world on more than one count. Another MOB and I stood by a little girl who was shrieking that blood curdling shriek that girls seem to do so well and both stared as if we were encountering something from another culture and I guess we were. There are yells here, some rough-housing, lots of wrestling but never high pitched shrieking. So, here we are, snips and snails and puppy dog tails, although I think the modern version would be football, video games, and dirt, that's what little boys are made of.
All the fun aside, it pains me to see the day that I know is coming when they outgrow me physically and they don't think me, "cool." For now, though, I relish the laughter we share, the fun we have, the games we play, and pray without ceasing that it continues without interruption throughout the rest of my life!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Truth Project
So, do you believe that what you believe is really real? That is the question posed by Dr. Del Tackett in the Truth Project Bible Study by Focus on the Family. What is Truth? Truth is God and everything we choose to do and to say and how we act must be measured against God as Truth and nothing else. I think we often miss the boat by being more conscience of what others think...other parents, other kids, other anything over what God thinks. That's a huge mistake. We learned tonight that by going outside of God for Truth is just like the Isrealites who began to check into what other gods might offer, idols, taking on the religions of the pagan nations in the promised land.
We have enjoyed the Truth project so far and we're on "Tour 8" tonight. Well worth checking into if you're not familiar with it. Great biblical foundation, right on the money theologically, and doesn't mince words when addressing the common thoughts of our day, science, philosophy, etc.
If we are to turn the tide in our country back to God, it will have to be with the generation that we are raising. What in important task, what a great responsibility, what a humbling thought...
We have enjoyed the Truth project so far and we're on "Tour 8" tonight. Well worth checking into if you're not familiar with it. Great biblical foundation, right on the money theologically, and doesn't mince words when addressing the common thoughts of our day, science, philosophy, etc.
If we are to turn the tide in our country back to God, it will have to be with the generation that we are raising. What in important task, what a great responsibility, what a humbling thought...
Saturday, March 21, 2009
AWANA Games
We went to AWANA games and Sparks-a-Rama today! We took 2 T&T teams and one Sparky team. Our T&Ters placed 2nd...both teams placed 2nd, and the Sparky team placed 4th. The most important part, though, was that they all had so much fun and that they presented Christ to others through their attitudes and actions. Good lesson to learn for all of us, really.
As I watched the kiddos playing and the parents watching I was reminded of that quote by Maya Angelou (I think) that goes like this..."motherhood, it's a momentus decision, it is to forever have your heart walking around outside your body." I'm sure I've paraphrased it somewhat, but what truth there is in that statement! I watched my own kids, wishing for them and somehow trying to will their bodies to move this way or that but having no control over their bodies actually doing that, desiring for their sake to be successful, all the time not realizing that for them, it wasn't the, "success," it was just about the fun. There is much we could learn from our kids, huh?
As I watched the kiddos playing and the parents watching I was reminded of that quote by Maya Angelou (I think) that goes like this..."motherhood, it's a momentus decision, it is to forever have your heart walking around outside your body." I'm sure I've paraphrased it somewhat, but what truth there is in that statement! I watched my own kids, wishing for them and somehow trying to will their bodies to move this way or that but having no control over their bodies actually doing that, desiring for their sake to be successful, all the time not realizing that for them, it wasn't the, "success," it was just about the fun. There is much we could learn from our kids, huh?
Friday, March 20, 2009
I'm here!
Hello everyone! I did it! I started a blog! This is exciting for the totally non-techy gal I am! Woohoo...
So, what shall we do then? Let's talk family, friends, home life, cooking, cleaning, and other aspects of a peaceful home. Let's not forget that a peaceful home begins and ends with the presence of God therein.
My goal is to share what I love and to be able to invite friends and family, old and new, to check in on our family...
So, what shall we do then? Let's talk family, friends, home life, cooking, cleaning, and other aspects of a peaceful home. Let's not forget that a peaceful home begins and ends with the presence of God therein.
My goal is to share what I love and to be able to invite friends and family, old and new, to check in on our family...
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