Wow!

I'm really having a hard time believing it has been so long since I blogged here.  I know....I say that every time!  Life gets so busy that it often seems that I barely put one foot in front of the other.  I'll update on life soon, but I had a co-worker ask for the recipes/menu.  I'm now working on an "every 2 week" schedule, so here goes!

SATURDAY
Audrey leaves for camp on Saturday and Cory will be working, so Anna and I will have.....pizza!  I love French Bread pizza when you can find a good deal on French Bread (Walmart has a large loaf for a dollar) and can make it to each of our preferences.  I'm sure Anna will just want pepperoni and cheese, but I'm thinking some Italian sausage, bell pepper, black olives, tomatoes, and onion sure sounds good!

SUNDAY
There is a three fold reason to grill hot dogs and chicken.  One, Anna and Cory love hot dogs, but Audrey is not such a fan.  So, we'll have hot dogs while she's gone to camp.  Two, chicken is always an indicator that quesadillas are coming! Three, this is a quick meal to fix after Sunday morning service.

For supper, we are having ribs.  I always try to have some type of treat when one of the girls is gone, so we'll have ribs :)  The last ribs I did were probably the best I have ever made.  And I don't normally brag on my own cooking!  I rubbed them down with rib rub and a little barbecue, and I wrapped them up in foil.  They baked slow in the oven all afternoon!  Then, I took them out, basted them with a butter/barbecue mixture, and grilled them to get that crisp outside and grilled flavor.  They melted in my mouth, so I want some more!

And, Anna will be most excited to hear we are also having Twice Baked Potato Casserole to go with the ribs.



MONDAY
Quesadillas are an easy way to use leftover chicken and are probably Cory's favorite meal.  I simply use store-bought tortillas, cheese, and leftover grilled chicken.  When making a large batch for the whole family, I use the griddle where I can cook multiple quesadillas at one time.  If just making a few, the skillet works just fine.  A friend recently told me about making them in the oven, but I have yet to try that!  Add a little salsa or sour cream to top it off!

TUESDAY
My crew is really pretty easy to please when it comes to lasagna.  They don't like a bunch of fancy stuff....just ground burger (deer if we still have some) mixed with bottled sauce.  Layer lasagna noodles, meat mixture, and mozzarella cheese.  Lasagna is one of Audrey's favorites (and it will be her first night home from camp), and it is a great excuse to have some cheesey garlic bread!

WEDNESDAY
Crescent Chicken has been requested by my girls for the last two weeks and I just haven't gotten around to it.  I will cook my chicken all day in the crockpot on low; better yet, I'll cook the day before in the crockpot so it will have time to cool before deboning.  Then prepping this meal will be a breeze!  If I can find some peas from last year in my freezer, I'll fix those too!



THURSDAY
Chicken Pot Pie at my house is almost humorous. Since we are all such picky eaters, we have chicken pot pie with potatoes, carrots, and chicken.  No other veggies!  I use a store bought pie crust when I'm in a hurry.  I can use some more of that chicken that I cooked in the crockpot for this too!  Then I just mix the chicken, veggies, cream of chicken soup, a little milk, and some salt and pepper. Comfort food at it's best!



FRIDAY
Friday is sandwich day at the lake with family!  Woohoo!!

SATURDAY
Shrimp Rice Dressing is a new recipe, and I will probably alter it a bit.  It looks a lot like my crawfish casserole recipe, and this recipe actually calls for crawfish.  But, who can afford crawfish with these prices?!



I'm always looking for new ways to cook deer that don't always involve frying.  I'm thinking some smoked sausage on the skewers and bacon wrapped around the deer sounds good for these Deer Meat Kabobs!  Wrapping corn on the cob in foil and throwing it on the grill will complete the meal!  Sounds like a good meal to eat out by the pool!



SUNDAY
My enchiladas are about as easy as the lasagna.  I brown the burger and add some canned enchilada sauce.  Let that simmer a bit.  Then I either layer the tortillas, cheese, and meat mixture or I actually roll them up like enchiladas.  Then top with the remaining enchilada sauce and some cheese.  Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly!



I love stir fry probably more than anyone else in my family does.  But, every once in a while, Mom gets a treat!  I saute chicken (or beef or shrimp).  Then add bell peppers, onions, carrots, and pineapple to saute.  In an effort to save time, I used bottled stir fry sauce.  Yes, I know....it would probably taste so much better homemade, but my life doesn't lend itself much to homemade anything! This is good served over rice, but I have gotten to where I eat it without the rice to save a few carbs!

MONDAY
Calzones are pretty easy crowd pleasers too.  This recipe calls them somethings else, but we call them calzones.  I use the thin crust canned dough so it is light and fluffy. I cut it into sections and each girls gets to personalize her calzone.  I leave the sauce out and we dip them in sauce instead.  I usually sprinkle some Italian seasonings on top.



TUESDAY
Lazy day....having frozen taquitos since Anna will be at camp and Audrey enjoys taquitos.  Maybe some chips and cheese dip to go with it?

WEDNESDAY
Shrimp and Sausage Skillet is a favorite at our house. It's quick and easy and tastes yummy!  We usually have a baked potato with this!



THURSDAY
This is a new one!  We'll see how Tater Tot Casserole turns out!

New Menu

Next week's menu includes....

Spaghetti with Meatballs
 

Blackened Tilapia and Green Bean Bundles


Raspberry Breakfast Bars


Texas Queso


Crockpot Pizza Pasta



Dinner Meatloaf Muffins



Crescent Chicken



Doritos Taco Salad


Crescent Sausage Bites


Just a quick shout out to my oldest for making the 8th grade cheer squad!!  So proud of a great group of girls for working hard!!

 We were blessed to get to go to a Mandisa and Brandon Heath concert with friends from church a few weeks ago. God has placed some amazing friends in the lives of my girls and me, and it was fun to spend some time with them.  It had been YEARS since I went to a concert and I had a blast!  We plan to make that an annual event!!

It's been a while.....

I'm really a little embarrassed to write this since it has been so long since my last post.  But, a friend posted on Facebook that she needed a menu rescue, and it convinced me that I needed to start again!  I'll spend some time later posting updates from life, but first things first.  What to eat!! Below is this coming week's menu.  I tend to plan at the end of the week, shop and prep over the weekend, and then I don't have to think about food during the week!  This one's for you, Lorna!! ;)

Tonight--Crispy baked tilapia (or seasoned tilapia baked in oven), green beans (I prefer fresh ones steamed with a little salt and pepper), and mac and cheese for the girls.....Nothing fancy!



Saturday--Guinea Grinders....a family favorite!!  I make mine a little different than this recipe.  I use sausage, burger, caraway seeds, cheese, and low sugar marinara sauce with wheat buns.



Sunday--Venison fajitas (and fajita salad.....your favorite salad ingredients topped with fajita meat and peppers)


Bag-n-season pork chops, greens (canned ones will work in a pinch), and Stove Top Stuffing.....We have activities at church Sunday night, so we need something that will be pretty quick to prepare after church!


Monday--Baked Chicken Nuggets (I sometimes use a combination of wheat bread crumbs and panko but have also just seasoned them and cooked in a skillet with a very small amount of olive oil), baked beans, and oven baked potato wedges




Tuesday--crustless pizza



Wednesday--Roast in the crockpot



Thursday--LEFTOVERS!!  I am teaching class until 8:00 so I'm taking the night off.  Everyone in my house is on their own!!

I'm still working on breakfast for the week.   The girls have Benchmark testing all next week, so we need good hearty breakfasts.....

Dog days of summer

I don't know about where you are, but it is so incredibly hot here.  Like the kind of heat where the breeze when you ride the windows down does not even provide relief.  Like the kind of heat where the air conditioner (thank you Jesus for air conditioners) can't keep up.  Like the kind of heat where the swimming pool is even hot.  I know people are tired of hearing about heat, but it is dangerously hot with no rain and no relief in sight.  Thankfully, our Lord has a plan and provides relief for us from all situations in HIS time. 

I have had to remind myself of this today.  HE has a plan and it is in HIS time....not my own. 

It has already been a super busy summer.  The girls went on a trip with grandparents, Audrey went to band camp last week, and she is at a worship arts camp this week.  We travel next week but they will be home for a few weeks after that.  It seems as though this summer is flying by.  Wow!  I'm so not ready for school to be starting back up but it will be here before we know it.  When does life slow down? 

Time to count my blessings....Cory got a promotion and will eventually change roles and schedules.  This will mean having him home on a more regular schedule, and this has not happened in our 15 years of marriage.  Super excited about that!  We have healthy, happy girls who are such a joy.  We have air conditioners (have I mentioned that I am SO thankful for this?  I'm a wimp in the heat.).  We have some family time coming up in 36 days....yes, 36....I have a countdown thing on my phone.  That's how excited I am!

It's amazing how cathartic it can be to blog.  I started out with all of these heavy, intensely personal issues on my heart and mind.  But, as I write, I realize that I have so much to be thankful for.  I looked back and read, and this whole blog seems to be struggle....thankful....menu.....kids.....struggle....thankful....menu.....kids....and so on.  Maybe I should get a life and live a little! lol

It's summertime!!

Summer is in full swing with lots of fun activities going on.  The girls returned last night from a week-long trip with grandparents to visit family and do a lot of fun things.  They came in talking at full speed, anxious to share their adventures and fun.  Camps begin next week, so things will continue to be busy.  Most importantly, the girls are having a wonderful summer so far.  Time with lots of family and friends, cool experiences, and time to just play and be kids....that's what summer is for!!

I have not done a lot of cooking in the last week or two, primarily because I don't cook much when it's just me at home.  But, I'm back on the wagon....planning next week's menu!

Friday--tacos and taco salad

Saturday--guinea grinders
                 turkey ranch club wrap
 

Sunday--double crunch honey garlic chicken


Monday--grilled chicken/shrimp and veggies

Tuesday--meat crust pizza

Wednesday--beer chicken in crock pot










Thursday--tortilla chicken casserole

I found recipe for breakfast burritos that you freeze.  I'm thinking of trying those so that we all have healthy breakfast options that are easy. 
 
I also found a recipe for apple pie egg rolls.  I love apple pie and MUST try these!!

Last week of school menu!!

Not sure who is more excited about the last week of school....the girls or me! lol  Here's the menu for the week!

Sunday--chicken and rice

 
             
meat crust pizza



Monday--guinea grinders

 

Tuesday--grilled shrimp



Wednesday--stir fry

Thursday--honey glazed chicken bites

New heart

A very dear friend of mine has a nephew who had a heart transplant as a baby.  He is now a teenager, and he went into cardiac arrest about 3 weeks ago.  He has been on the transplant list the last few weeks.  They found a heart this morning, and he is headed to surgery within the hour.  It struck me how difficult this is for his family.....not only the obvious concern and fear about his health but the realization that another family lost someone and is struggling as well.   My prayers today are for Jonathan's surgery and recovery to go smoothly, for his family to feel peace as they wait and watch, for his medical team to have skill and steady hands, and for the donor family to feel the loving arms of Jesus as they mourn.  Makes me want to go home and hug my girls and Cory.....because we are never promised tomorrow.

Light in the midst of darkness

I have discovered that in the midst of a lot of darkness, you can always find light.....if you are looking for it.  There has been a lot of turmoil in the last few weeks in parts of my life.  Our pastor abruptly resigned, and we have since found out the reasons.  The entire situation has created quite a divide in our congregation.  Satan is certainly at work as he attacks the body of believers.  Then, we lost a very dear friend this week to brain cancer.  As a matter of fact, he passed away 4 years to the day after surgeons eliminated most of the cancer from my body.  Irony.  Survivor's guilt.  Sadness.  Darkness  It is very easy to sit back and ask "why" when there is so much sadness, destruction in families, division within the church, and cancer.  Trust me....I've had plenty of time in my life to ask "why". 

But, "why" typically solves nothing.  It leads to bitterness and anger.  Searching for that answer will eat me up.  So, I am holding on to the one thing I have....hope and faith that God is in control.  He has a plan so much greater than any of ours.  He is in control in the midst of turmoil and sadness.  He is the light that we can cling to...the light at the end of the tunnel.  As a young child, when I would ask my mom hard questions, she always told me to "put it on your list" of things to ask Jesus when I get to heaven.  And, if "why" is still important then, I can ask it then.  But I don't think I'll care then. 

Rather than hold on to the negative things in my life, I am striving to find the positive things, to trust in HIS plan, and to appreciate the blessings that I've been given.  I CHOOSE to worship Him in ALL things.  I am blessed beyond measure.  I WILL find the light....because the light is my SAVIOR.

Picnic with Mom

Anna's school hosted a Mother's Day picnic for the children and their mothers.  I had the opportunity to go and eat with Anna outside under some shade trees.  We ate with two of her friends and their mothers.  It was a GREAT time!  I got to visit with a dear friend of mind, spent a fun lunchtime with my baby girl, and enjoyed the great outdoors.  We had a chance to be a little silly.....

 ate some yummy pizza.....

 and just enjoyed each other. 

It's not often that Anna and I get to do something fun, just us, so this was special!!

Tonight is the Honors Banquet at Audrey's school so more to come.... :)

Amazed

I know that all parents think their kids are AMAZING, and I am no different.  But there are some days when I am more AMAZED than others.  Today is a day that I am especially proud to be their mom.  They are growing into such AMAZING young ladies.  We are reaching the end of a school year, and I have been reflecting on their progress this year.  Next week is full of activities....band concerts, Mother's Day picnic, Honors Banquet.  We are getting ready for the children's choir musical at church and a camp fundraiser (dessert auction).  And, we are looking forward at a pretty busy summer.  Audrey has band camp, a worship arts camp, and church camp.  Anna has sewing camp and church camp.  There are family trips and vacations as well as a lot of time in the pool.  I recap the upcoming activities because I know that we sometimes get so wrapped up in being busy that we forget to enjoy each moment.  So, my personal goal in the next weeks and months is to stop and smell the roses....to enjoy this time in my life and the lives of my kids....to take lots of pictures....to share their excitement....and for them to know that there is nothing I would rather be doing than walking this journey with them.

new menu

I have tried several weeks in a row to post a menu and I keep running in to technical issues.  So, trying it again....

Saturday--chicken and cheese quesadillas, mixed berry cobbler



Sunday--blueberry pancakes



baked chicken, green beans



 muffin-tin meatloaf, homemade baked fries (sweet potato for me)



Monday--leftover grilled chicken from Saturday with sauteed bell peppers/jalepenos and pepper jack cheese

Tuesday--slow cooker pork chops, honey glazed carrots



Wednesday--Key West grilled shrimp, grilled veggies, cheese bites



Thursday--slow cooker cheesy chicken, angel hair spinach pasta, mixed veggies