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I started meal planning about three weeks ago. Last week was a little crazy-this week I'm back at it. Life is less stressful when we know whats for dinner.
Sunday- Pot Roast
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Burgundy-Roast-Beef/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=beef%20roast&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe- super easy and oh so good. We're having ours with mashed potatoes and salad.
Monday- French Dip Sandwiches- left over pot roast meat shredded, au jus made from beef broth and lipton onion soup mix
Tuesday- Oakie Tacos- This one is from my sister Megan- taco meat and all the fixings over frito chips topped with queso and sour cream.
Wednesday-Christmas Party
Thursday- Potatoe and corn chowder- this is a crock pot meal. throw chopped potaotes, corn, chicken broth, lots of spices and let it go. An hour before you serve it chopped cream cheese from a block and green chili if you like. Some yummy bread from the bakery
Friday- pork chops with apricot sauce-pan cook chops and make sauce from apricot jelly and a little apple cider vinegar, stuffing and broccoli
Saturday- Avery's concert and dinner out
Christmas Trees are going up and being crafted. Fabric trees, a woodland tree and a candy tree.
Happy Holidays and hold your family close.
The weekend before thanksgiving Riley and I did the St. Jude's walk. This is the second year that we have done this and both of our bands this year and last had lymphoblastic leukemia on them. This was the same leukemia my dad had. He is in remission and we are so very thankful for that. Give to St. Jude's. It's a great hospital.
I didn't the desert would be a great place for fall color, but here in our community I've found some great leaves.
So I thought I would share.
Pinterest is a love of mine. I find so many great ideas on that sight. Diet, Debt reduction and Health had me wanting to make more meals at home, but there is nothing more frustrating than spending time and effort on a dinner and having the family turn their noses up at it.
Meal planning has been a God send. The family can help plan. They know what's going to be made and because of the planning it's stress free. We've been doing this for three weeks now and I can't say enough good things about it.
Pinterest has free down loads for meal planning forms. Find one that works for you.
Better late than never, right? Last month the family and I took a little trip north to Pagosa Springs, CO. We rented the cabin above.
It was a block from Lake Pagosa and the girls and I did kayak on it with the little dogs. We took lots of walks and I read three books. There was no TV and it was a beautiful thing.
We explored and found this beautiful waterfall. The drive to Wolf Creek is every bit as pretty as Yosemite.
One morning we drove to Durango CO and walked the streets of Old Town.
The drive was absolutey gorgeous.
We got to see Chimney Rock
And the fall colors
We even got to see a hot air balloon which was funny because we traveled during Balloon fiesta at home. We had some wonderful food and great beer at Pagosa Brewing Co. I hope we get to go back soon.
There were a few things I got right this week.
1. I made dinner every night this week. Had a meal plan. Stuck to it. Got it done.
2. Walked everyday. This new dog has me walking lots.
3. Read a verse everyday. I have a few websites that email me verses and most times they are so spot on.
Now I can't promise I will be as good next week but I'm gonna try
I mentioned that my Nana passed. She passed on Saturday and two days later I found this creature in the staff parking lot at work. I took her to the vet to see is she was microchipped and she was not. She had a collar but no tag. I took her home. I put out information on the internet and put up signs and made an announcement at school. I found her family. They came and got her and four days later they asked if I wanted her. I have wanted a big dog for a while- they make the best walking buddies. Don't get me wrong I LOVE Jack and Charlie, but after two miles their little legs are ready to give out. So after much thought and prayer Nana is now ours. Nana to honor my grandmother who I still have a hard time believing is gone and because the dog in Peter Pan was named Nana. My goal is to train her to be a therapy dog. I have a lot of work ahead of me. She is only a year old. I was right about a walking buddy this week I have walked 38 miles.
This is one of my favorites. We are in one of our favorite places- Pebble Beach. This past October 21st we celebrated 19 yrs of marriage 21 yrs together. I am very thankful for this man who is a wonderful husband, outstanding father and the leader of our family. He is my best friend and soulmate and loves me even when I bring home dogs:)
If you are reading this consider yourself one of the chosen few. For the first time in many years there were comments on my blog that led me to make it private. I love the journaling of our life, but will not put up with disrespectful comments.
So since the last post- Avery is no longer seeing Austin. My Nana passed away, as well as my uncle. Emergency root canal, Change in Riley's schedule. A Halloween party at Doug's work and a new dog.
The picture above is my sister Leah and my Nana. The quilt was made by me for my Nana a few years ago. She was wrapped up in it when she passed. Love her so much!
It was Homecoming weekend and we are blessed to have a very nice young man courting Miss Avery.
Austin gave Avery this beautiful coursage. They had a good time, went out to dinner, went to the dance and made it home safe and sound.
I promised Riley some chocolate chip bread pudding for cleaning her room (another post on that later) and doing her homework
And I found a little time to play with fabric. We have two teachers at school who are expecting this school year. Two quilts are needed.
Peace out from crazy Charlie.
It's been a while since I have posted anything. School is back in session and life has gotten very busy with two teen girls. I find myself making an effort to find balance. I have lacked in blogging, in reading my bible, at exercise and when I do that my stress levels go up and how I deal with things goes down hill fast. How do you keep balance in your life? Don't sweat the small stuff. Keep calm and remember to give thanks for the blessings in your life. God is so good. This week I am thankful for the people God has put in my life, the friends he has given me. I am thankful for my Dad's report of remission.
As you may remember our neighbors from New York were here for a visit. One of the many things I took from that visit was sitting outside and enjoying my yard. I tend to get holed up in the house. I put a hummingbird feeder out and watch the many birds, breath the air and just relax.
I took my seat and looked up and two doves were hanging out on the wall under the brush.
I got out my many magazines and started going through them. Tearing out recipes and building my menu for the week.
This line was awesome:
The mind determines the success of loosing weight or staying in your fat pants.
It is so true. YOU HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT IN YOUR MIND
Down 4 pounds so far- wahoo! Thank you Lisa. I sure love you and miss not living next door to you.
Someone I love needs a hug and I'm not there to give it to them. This is why I love quilting so much.
This pattern came from one of the many quilting magazines I love and enjoy. The fabric was from my stash and it by Moda.
The back I made from all the scrap pieces. Bound in white. Hand sewing the binding on is my favorite part of quilting. Sitting with the quilt on my lap and putting some personal love into it.
With the strip scraps I wrapped pens for work and topped them with a button. Idea from Pinterest. Love that site. My loved one should have her quilt in the next few days.
Wow, what a difference three years make. These girls are growing up. Dang. Young woman at the zoo. We had a blast at the mall, shopping, cooking, and seeing the animals at the zoo. We love these ladies.
You know what's cool about having company? You see things in the town you live in that you may not have seen otherwise. We have lived here two years and haven't been to Petroglyph National Park. Now I would advise you NOT, I repeat, Do Not, go on a 2 1/2 mile in the desert in 90 plus degree heat. You could kill your youngest child. I almost did.
Instead do the short hike with great views and plenty of petroglyphs to take pictures of.
We went to the Indian Pueblo Museum and got treated to an hour of dancing and singing
Which was almost as good as the re enactment in the backyard
The next day was shopping and looking at galleries in Madrid
The girls had no problem finding things they liked
Super cute little town in the middle of no where on the turquoise trail
And the highlight of the trip- a herd of wild horses with the stallion guarding the mares and foals. There is water right in that tree line.
This is what I've been doing the last few days. I had this fabric talking to me for a while so had to use it up.
It's a good size lap quilt. I quilted it with wavy lines going from top to bottom and it is trimmed with burgundy binding. I have another one in the works and hope to be able to show it to you soon.
Company's coming! I'm so excited. Haven't seen them in three years and I'm sure it will be a shock how the girls have changed- both theirs and ours. I've made chicken salad, potatoe salad, and chocolate chip cookies. The house is picked up and I am ready to play! Now just get here already:)
After two and half weeks traveling and seeing family it felt good to be home.
We did lots of cleaning and nesting
Well I did, the girls, well not so much. There was X box calling
And things to draw
I made some amazing cookies- white chocolate, cranberry, pecan
Heaven!!!!
When we were at my mom's we stumbled upon pretzel covered chicken tenders. No bread crumbs in the pantry so we ground up pretzels and they were so yummy- had to make those again.
My sisters and cousin make this bread. It is called "heartattack bread" Not for people on a diet. 1/2 butter, 1 cup mayo, 1 cup parm. cheese. Mix it all up and spread parsley and paprika sprinkled on top. Bake 350 for 20 minutes. There are no words.
And I will end by sharing a sunset with you
