Sorting dishes

We don't have a dishwasher, and no room to put one in without a major kitchen overhaul. That is not likely to happen this decade so I am washing dishes by hand. This week I was instructing Mallory in the fine art of dish washing and taught her to sort the dishes. I always thought that this was just a weird thing I did until I started to teach her. It did not dawn on me until then that this is something that my mom taught me. Before doing the dishes I always sort them.

Stack the glasses, all the silverware in a mug or measuring cup, plates together, then bowls and cookware.

I also wash the dishes in order. This way the messiest dishes are done last and they stack easily into the dish drainer.

This quick step also has the uncanny ability to make the chore seem more manageable. What often looks like a humongous pile of dishes can be sorted into just a couple neat stacks and then tackled one by one.

It works for me! Thanks mom.

For more great ideas visit It Works for Me Wednesday over at Rocks in My Dryer

Last Night's Creation

Last night I needed a quick, easy dessert for 6 children and a sick husband. #1 requirement was that I had to have all the ingredients on hand. No way was I running to the store. I could have gone the super easy route and handed out the Popsicles I had, but it was a touch chilly so I wanted something warm. I settled on banana chocolate chip cupcakes.

1 box yellow cake according to directions.
1 small box banana pudding.
Mix together, pour into 24 cupcakes.
Sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top.
Bake according to directions.

Cool enough to be handled by small children.
Ignore the holly cupcake wrappers; they came out of the cupboard first.
EAT!

Now, I'm not a fan of banana flavoring but the kids kept begging for more and Kevin said they were like a little slice of heaven. That may have been the fever talking but I'll take it anyways.

Menu May 19-25

Monday- I don't know, Heaven help me it has to be ready in 2ish hours. I think there are some pork chops in the freezer. I thought I would get to Winco this morning, but didn't. And miracle of miracles the kids are sleeping. We'll muddle through.

Tuesday- Tacos

Wednesday Stuffed Peppers

Thursday Chef Salad

Friday BBQ Pockets

Saturday Pizza for the Moving crew (aka Kevin, Dad and anybody else they round up) at my brother's.

Back on track (May 12-18)

Between busy end of the year stuff, quick trips out of town and sick kids I have just been jotting down my menus on scratch paper and flying by the seat of my pants a lot. It may be Thursday, but I really need to plan the rest of the week.

Tonight: Grilled chicken, salad, maybe bread sticks

Friday: Date night!

Saturday: Grilled shrimp This looks really good.

Sunday: Waffles w/ strawberries and bacon

Menu April 13-19

Sunday pork chops
Monday-Chili/cornbread
Tuesday-??
Wednesday-One skillet sausage and zucchini (p 88, 365 Dinner Menus)
Thursday- Hamburgers/Home fries
Friday-Pizza
Saturday-Lasagna

Shopping List
Hamburger
Buns
Pickles
zucchini
Mozz cheese
pepperoni

Pizza Crust

1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
3-4 cups all-purpose flour

Mix together water, sugar, yeast until dissolved.
Add the olive oil and salt.
Slowly stir in flour and knead well.
Let dough rest for minimum of 10 minutes.
Coat pizza stone in thin layer of cornmeal.
Roll or pat out dough onto stone.
Top with favorite toppings.
Bake for 15-20 minutes in 425 degree oven

Makes one thick crust pizza, double for 2 pizzas.

Menu April 6-12

Sunday- Dill Chicken Sandwiches
Monday-BBQ Chicken and rolls
Tuesday- Beef Stew
Wednesday-Fajitas
Thursday- Spaghetti
Friday- Pizza
Saturday- ??

Home fries

2 large potatoes
2 tbs olive oil
2 tsp ranch dressing mix

Mix olive oil and dressing mix in large bowl
Thinly slice potatoes
Add potatoes to oil and stir to coat
Lay in thin layer on baking stone or sheet
Cook on 400 until potatoes are cooked and edges crisp, approximately 20 minutes

Pancakes

I made pancakes this morning then Izzy called and asked for the recipe as she was making them too. Today is a pancake kind of day.

1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 tbs brown sugar
2 tbs oil
3 tsp baking powder
splash vanilla
1 cup flour

cook on medium

I usually double the batch. Kevin loves it if I add 1 mashed up banana. The kids like a sprinkle of chocolate chips.

Oh.. and beware of copying down the recipe and abbreviating Brown sugar as BS. You might mix it up with baking soda

2 Weeks of Highlights

Easter dinner then lots of left overs. LOTS of left overs. We planned on enough for for all the people that might come, then didn't have nearly as many as we thought.
Sandwiches on the yummy rolls
Ham and potato soup
Turkey soup maybe
We ate all week, but my brain is mush and I cant remember the specifics.

This week my mom was here and Kevin was out of town 4 of 5 nights.
Lots of easy things in the menu
Beef stir-fry
Grilled Cheese
I made a Tortilla soup that went over well it was based on this recipe. Minor adjustments had to be made. #1 being I don't keep beer stocked in the house.

I also made these! They turned out great. I wish I had gotten a picture. Next time, and yes there will be a next time.

Tonight we had favorites (aka leftovers) and I realized how many times I have made soup recently. What can I say, it is quick, filling, and YUMMY.