What's for Dinner?

{Note: This is how I intended to make the meals until I made Tuesday's meal last night and totally spaced setting out the ground turkey for what was supposed to be tonight's dinner. Oi. The best made plans aren't how they seem. I'll be sharing the meal ideas anyways in hopes it will still help. We shall see.}

I am going to do. I am hoping that if I write this down here it will be another source to help me stick to it.

To what?

My meal plan.

I've had the title link there under the header for forever and hardly write about food on here. I want to. I need to. So I am going to give it a go.

Here is what we will be making for the next 2 weeks.

Monday: Crock Pot Chili {It's a turkey one found in the fix-it and forget-it cookbook. I can't find the recipe online.}

Tuesday: Fiesta Chicken Enchiladas (I found this on Pinterest)

Wednesday: Meatloaf

Thursday:  Breakfast for Dinner

Friday: Stuffed Peppers (found this on Pinterest too)

Saturday: Fish Tacos

Sunday: Hamburgers & fries

Monday: Lemon Spaghetti (Requested first day of school dinner... a family favorite)

Tuesday: Chicken Casserole {A recipe my dad passed down to me. It's so good!}

Yep that is about all that I have figured out so far. Won't get me very far huh? Hey we all have to start somewhere. :)

I am feeling very good about this though and praying to stick with it. This summer's activities have thrown things off and I am so looking forward to schedules and homemade meals again.

What's for dinner at your house?

Homeschool Mother's Journal - First official week of summer break

{It's been so long since I have linked up. :( I have missed this journal and you all so much! Thank you Sue for creating this. I am hoping to not miss any more.}


In my life this week...

We enjoyed some my laid back fun. We started the week, on Sunday, with a sleepover at our house that resulted in some much needed mommy hang out time when it was time to pick up. We then just hung out the rest of the week. It was glorious to do nothing honestly. My husband and I enjoyed a trip the dentist on Wednesday and last night there was a birthday party to attend. As well as some adult hang out time with friends. Where I should add the kids did fantastic together even though we left around 10pm.

We have also been working on reorganizing all over our house and gearing up for next school year. Working on our budget and cash envelope system as well.

It's been an awesome week.

My favorite thing this week was...

That we completed even all of our Science mini-books as review. Even though we finished school last week we wanted a quick refresher before we gave a little brain break.

So ready for the break now. ;)

I'm reading...

I am reading Candace Cameron Bure's new book Reshaping It All. I am loving it so far but really I wish I had more down time to just curl up and get lost in it.

I'm cooking...

Ummm.... Tonight I am making Fish Tacos. The last 2 weeks I did not stick to my meal plan whatsoever but am hope full for these next too. I plan on posting my planner tomorrow.

I am grateful for...

Honestly as corny as it may sound... my family. There is just something about this week that has seemed to take the ordinary "I'm grateful for them" to new exciting heights. I guess you could say it has just been a period of wonderful growth for us as God revealed more of his will for us this week. A renewing love and appreciation all the way around.

A photo, link, or quote to share...

This week since I didn't pick up my camera at all, except for my Sweet Shot, I have a quote to share that struck me this week.

"Sometimes God redeems your story by surrounding you with people who need to hear your past so it doesn't become their future." - Jon Acuff {a member of the Dave Ramsey Team}

I have found this to be so true in our own story. Such true true words.

Hope you have had a fantastic Summer so far!!

Click over to Sue... The Homeschool Chick... to link up and share your Homeschool Mother's Journal.

All Things Randomly Yummy

{Pls note most of these were taken with my cell phone. Please excuse the poor quality}


The last couple weeks {thanks to beautiful inspiration from a dear friend} I have been on a homemade making frenzy. My family has been thankful for this said inspiration and I am eternally grateful for the caring share of my friend. Let me tell you a.) she is simple amazing and b.) she is encouraging and inspiring in all areas especially with her walk with the Lord. God placed her in my life for a short time face to face but the years now of our friendship has blessed me beyond words!

I love you Erin and I am so very thankful for you!!!

I will share all of the yumminess {cause that is totally a word right???} shortly... promise.

In my household we love all things homemade... from scratch... whichever way you prefer to title it. Sadly our hearts and desire out weigh the actual doing but we are working on getting better at the follow through. We are also looking at it all in a light of is it more cost effective? I have to be honest if you break these down {sorry I haven't done it yet... just mental} I would think you really are saving money... just not time. Although I totally think it is worth it though.

Shall we begin?

I recommend you grab a napkin to mop up any drool... really it all is that yummy!

It's ok I'll wait.

Go ahead.

I don't mind waiting.

Alright already now?

Onto the goodies... ;-)

One of the first things I have made lately were homemade tortillas. I realize most everyone has done this but can you say yum!!?? I used butter flavored shortening and the flavor was awesome!! The only down side I faced was that once I rolled them super thin they bounced back and were thick when finished. Still edible. Still devoured by the family.

Recipe courtesy of Allrecipes.com

Mmmmm I don't know about you but in my house we eat granola like it is going out of style! Dry, as cereal, on everything! We all love it!! So when my dear friend made some of this and was kind enough to share the link I just had to try it!! I have to warn you though... Even though this recipe is doubled... IT GOES QUICK! heehee if you eat it like we did... 

By the handfuls! 

Crockpot Granola... Yum! We chose dried cranberries and dried pomegranates to mix in. We already have a running list of other dried yummy goodness to try next time. Oh yes there will be a next time.

Recipe courtesy of Three Men and Their Ladies

The very next day my same friend posted that she made YOGURT in her crockpot and how wonderful it was in all it's deliciousness. Again another must try for over here. Along with granola yogurt goes just as fast. We can never keep enough stock. So we tackled the grocery store and picked up all of the ingredients and went to work on it a couple days later. Note you really need to be home all day for this but trust me it's worth babysitting your crockpot for the day. :) 

We made strawberry yogurt. It was more drinkable consistency than spoon but just as tasty.

Recipe courtesy of A Year of Slow Cooking

Don't you just love the crockpot!! It's fabulous. I really want to use it more often though. It has to be my most favorite appliance in the kitchen. Second to my coffee maker. Hey this girl loves her coffee. :) 

Do you have any total favorite crockpot recipes?? I'd love to hear them. We are always looking for new things to try in our crockpot. 

Oh 2 weeks ago we are so long overdue to go grocery shopping and I needed to get the kids breakfast. I decided to go scour through Allrecipes.com to see if I could find anything I might have ingredients for. I found this Old Fashioned Pancake recipe and gave it a go. Literally by the skin of my teeth did I have enough ingredients. 

Recipe courtesy of Allrecipes.com

They turned out so good we made them again the next day... thanks to the fact we went to the grocery store! ;) My kids liked them so much they have asked that we only make these ones and no longer buy the big pack of mix from Costco. heehee... I'm good with that! 

What else have we tried lately? 

OH YES!! 

I have never made any recipes from The Pioneer Woman {what am I the only one!?} but while scrolling her recipes the other day I saw a Blueberry Crumb Cake that would've been perfect for a get together we were going to. It sadly got cancelled but hey who are we to turn down a scrumptious looking recipe? 

Oh Lord have mercy! 

Let me tell you what... This is absolutely divine anytime of the day! Breakfast... Lunch... Dinner... All 3.... You pick. I won't tell if you chose all 3. It seriously is that good! 

Recipe courtesy of The Pioneer Woman

Speaking of The Pioneer Woman... While I was drooling at browsing her recipes I decided I am going to give her Cinnamon Rolls a roll for breakfast today. 

Sorry no pictures yet. I'll wait till they are all rolled up and out of the oven tomorrow. Right now the dough is impatiently patiently waiting in my fridge for bake time. 

I think that about wraps up what we have made homemade lately. It's been delicious and more is on the menu in the coming weeks! I'll definitely share. 

How about you? Do you like, love, or loathe homemade cooking/baking? Have you tried anything new lately? Have a favorite you have to make often or is requested often in your house? 

I'd love to know. 

Happy Eats

Stream of Consciousness

{warning: may result in bleeding retinas due to length... I apologize ahead of time}

Wow it's Friday already!!?? Where has this week gone!?

The week's my husband has a late day in the week off really throws me for a loop. I feel like today is Thursday. It's going to be a long day.

I am proud to report that I have so far taken a picture everyday this year {except for the 2nd}. That is a bittersweet accomplishment for me. I really didn't want to jump into the new year and miss the 2nd day! But I have taken some pictures everyday since {and today isn't even close to being over yet!}. I still need to get all my kids together for a picture a month on the same day thing that I was mentioning the other day. I just don't want it to be a day that will pass by each month and get forgotten. Maybe writing it into my calendar would help?? Is that dumb? lol anyways! I have also come to realize I need *lots* of practice with my camera INDOORS! Low light. Steadiness. Grrr this is my Achilles heel. I grow a very quick love/hate relationship with my camera when shooting indoors! I only have the built in flash and am wondering if an external one would help make the difference?? I have got to get one on one with my aperture and shutter-speeds for indoors. I also need an eye exam to get the proper prescription in contacts too because I am thinking that is throwing off my focus as well.

So much I want to do. So many bright brilliant pictures I want to take... Indoors... Outdoors... In general! I however though {if I am honest} get very discouraged when I see these amazingly bright sharp pictures around and then find out they spent lots of time in Photoshop to achieve that look. I am not one that likes lots of edits. Maybe a quick enhance or a little sharpness but that is about it. Once in a while a vignette or funky color just to switch it up some. But all in all I try to achieve that sharpness and brilliantness {is that the correct word? Guess it is now} SOOC. There has to be a way to do that right??? Just one of the many things I want to figure out on my already full plate. It's a fun hobby for me though so I don't mind the work. Just venting about it all I guess.

This week in school we have done alright. Some getting caught up from before the break, and a slow ease back into the flow of "normalcy". We have made great stride in math this week. We have been doing our worksheets "game show" style. Try to beat the timer and if you do better on each section, and paper and beat your time you win a prize. Feel like double or walk away??? I throw in a second paper and if she does better on that paper than the first then she doubles her prize, or she can "walk away with the small prize she won from the first paper. It seems to have been working this week and she seems to be having a lot of fun with it as well. I realize this probably won't last too, too long but I will take what I can get. It's a lot better then crying and dragging of feet.

I am also needing to find balance with my 2nd grader... doing work with my preschooler... and my 18 month old. This is proving interesting, but I  know can be accomplished.

But how!? Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

Ballet started back up this week for my daughter. It's bittersweet. She loves it and loves the tap and jazz she did over the winter too. My husband and I really loved watching her in tap and she says she had so much fun in it, but we couldn't afford 2 classes only one. She chose ballet. We are looking into getting her into tap again come March so we'll see if we can do both. She did great this week in ballet. She has a big class this time and lots of repetitiveness from this summer. I just hope she has fun with it and will enjoy doing ballet in the spring recital vs tap and jazz like she did in the winter recital. She had so much fun in the recital last month I pray she has just as much fun in the spring one as well. She takes classes just through the community center right now. Maybe someday, if she wants, we can try to get her into a studio... if my wallet can handle it. lol

I have still be faithfully reading Proverbs everyday this month still... even though I know I have 3 days {including today} I need to update on. I wish I could express the joy my heart has been feeling while doing this nightly the past 6 days, but I am not sure how in black and white words to pull the proper elation off. I will have to try to find a way. It's like soaring really. Light as a feather... pure, abundant, weightlessness... joy! May days feel brighter {despite the clouds out my window}. It has been amazing.

Some other reading that has been taking place is my husband and I started doing a couple's kit we have had sitting on our shelves collecting dust. It's one on communication by Dr. Gary Chapman. We read on Sunday and then during the week we are supposed to fill out our individual workbooks and "meet" up on Fridays after the kids hit the hay to discuss our answers. Sadly this week has been totally nuts so neither of us have had time to write in our workbooks. Ha I guess that means we will be writing our answers and talking about this tonight. lol

We also restarted the Love Dare Day by Day devotional. We did some of this last year but sadly failed about 60-70 days in. My being gone for 7 weeks helping my dad didn't help much. We did it over the phone every night for a while and then honestly I had attitude from being gone so long that I know I am the one that didn't seem interested. I was. Really! But it was hard doing it and being gone. Once I got home we had company come and well the year just kept on going while the book kept on sitting. So New Years came and I asked if we could start it again. My husband was hesitate due to fear of failing at it again this year, but we are determined to not let life get in the way, and the first 6 days we have done great! I look forward to all the rest!

If you haven't done this book or even looked into it yet I highly recommend you do! It's really awesome!!

I am really excited to finally be getting some updated pictures of all of us up and around the house. My husband bought this awesome collage frame right before Christmas and we finally got all the pictures printed and put in last night. It looks amazing! I can't wait to get it hung up. That is something else I wanting to tackle this year. Make my home feel more cozy and decorated. We don't really have any decor and it's starting really wear on me. I hope to be able to change that this year. That would really make my heart sing, and help with all of us having pride in our home.

With that comes needing to desperately figure out something in my boys room. It's either time for bunk beds and that means my 18 month old is going to a big boy bed or we have some inconvenient rearranging to do. Both of which I nervous to tackle, but at least I know bunk bed wise we might be able to have grandpa build it. So we shall pray what route we are to take because something needs to be done. My 18 month old keeps opening the door from his crib and banging on the wall to let us know he is wanting attention. It's getting a little much. Sure that sounds like bunk beds would only keep him up and down more, but we are praying that might not be the case and that it will actually help him learn to be still when he needs to be. Lots of wishful thinking I know. One can hope right?

I need to post our meal plan for the next 2 weeks. Ours I write out based on paydays and shopping days. Both of which were yesterday. I am hoping by doing so it will help me to actually stick to it! Oh yes I am the queen of writing it out and never following through with it. I don't want that to be the case anymore. So here's to hoping!! My husband would like me to stick to it too lol. It then would help prove how helpful this might actually be. Must do it! Must do it! All part of being organized. Which reminds me I need to get to work on our household binder. I have been wanting to do this for years and this year I am going to do it. Got to get us more organized, but that is another long bleeding retina post alone. I'll spare you. lol

You're welcome. :)

Ok I guess since my daughter is now done with her math test I should probably go grade it and move onto another subject while my littlest monkey is napping.

Guess there was a lot on my mind. Sorry about that.

Hope your week has been great and your weekend beautiful! Happy Friday!

{I apologize if you have gone blind while reading... :) please forgive me}

I {Heart}

Crockpot Days!!!

There is something magical about crock-pot days. The sense of massive accomplishment because by 10am {or earlier} dinner is already decided and will be ready with no extra stress needed! I am giving serious thought to attempting every day being crock-pot day. For a homeschooling momma {or anyone} I love how simple and warm it is to know that while you are doing all you need to during the day a ton of time in the kitchen at the end of the day is not needed!

I heart that oh so very much!

Tonight is CrockPot Chili. The kids love this and have asked to never have can chili again. We keep ours very simple however we have talked about spicing it up and adding lots of other goodies. Due to the bareness of our cupboards this is what is in tonights dinner.

1lb of ground turkey
3 cans of light red kidney beans
1 can of diced tomatoes with garlic
1 can of tomato paste
chopped celery and carrots
1 diced whole red onion

As it gets time to eat I'll make some cornbread and presto... Dinner is served!


Days like this I feel I can tackle the world! I feel so accomplished and proud of myself. I love that dinner is done and I get to smell it's wonderful aroma lingering through the house all day long. Mmmmmm

I have seriously got to look into cooking by crock-pot daily. It really does rock!

This week

This week I have been trying some new recipes. Must warn you they have all been on the sweeter side of things.

First I made this...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes 
 I know be still my heart right!? Just looking at her pictures I had to say that. We made them... ate them... and definitely liked them. But I have to be honest they tasted like they were missing something. Sadly I can not pinpoint exactly would make them over the top wonderful, but they are most definitely tasty. My family came them 2 thumbs up!

Next I made...

Apples dipped in Heaven

This was really yummy but not the Carmel taste I was expecting. It was more of a Kettle Corn flavor, but still really good. I high discourage gorging on it by the spoonful. Your tummy will be doing flips all night from the sugar high. Not that I would know or anything. LOL

Then today I made these...

Cinnamon Bun Pancakes

Oh Lordy... YUMMY!!!! All 4 of my kiddos (yes I said 4 as I am including my oldest child... my husband... in there too. LOL!!!) devoured them! I did make the Maple Icing Syrup as well. It was good, but plain ole syrup tasted just as good!!

So now that the weather is cooling down have you tried anything new and just LOVED it... or would have rather passed on it??? I'd love to know! :)