The Healthy Stuff

This weekend my brother and Sister in Law had an open house for their new baby. My side was in charge of bringing the "healthy stuff."

Izzy had the fruit tray and I had the veggie tray, of course we were prepping in the same kitchen so there was lots of sharing going on. These are our results.

Yea, we like produce. Do you have a problem with that?

Menu June 16-21

Mon-Chicken Stir Fry

Tues- BBQ pockets

Wed- Steaks/hot dogs for kids
Belated Father's Day

Thurs- Spaghetti

Fri- Philly Cheese steaks
Family is arriving late into the night this way we can fix as they come

Sat- Open house
I'll be cooking something to bring I'm sure but not sure what

Sun- Turkey Dinner

Menu Last week of School!

Lots of easy stuff this week the schedule is jam packed with graduations, school plays and field days.

Monday -Chicken Salad

Tuesday-Spaghetti/bread sticks

Wednesday- Burgers/Corn

Thursday- Creamy chicken in the crock pot

Friday- Camping, I need to figure out a great dutch oven recipe. Last years enchilada pie went over really well. I want to keep up my reputation, but not do the same thing.

Saturday- Chef salad


Grocery list as of this point:
grapes
buns
rolls
corn
turkey
cheeses
marshmallows
chocolate
grahams

More great menu ideas here.

Themes

I'm rolling ideas around in my head about how to keep the kids occupied this summer. I'm thinking that we should have a theme for each week. We can walk to the library and pick out books. After lunch we can read books on each theme before nap time. We could also do a few activities throughout the week. Not every thing would be based on the theme, just as a jumping off point. I need theme ideas. I have a few and I am trying to covertly pull ideas out of the kids., but i need more. Help me!

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.