Menu Monday

 

 

Monday: Horseradish Salmon, wild rice and peas.

Tuesday: Roast beef and mashed potatoes

Wednesday: Crock Pot French Dips and green salad

Thursday: Beef and Broccoli with roasted brussel sprouts

Friday: Date Night

Saturday: Chicken & Artichoke Alfredo, breadsticks and green salad.

Sunday: Crockpot Chicken and stuffing and green salad.

Green Bean and Ground Beef Casserole

Now that fall is on the horizon, my brain is brimming with new casseroles ideas! I really love casseroles! They remind me so much of home. Which, technically, is only 14 minutes away... but that's not the point! ;) The point is, that this casserole is the perfect dish for a cool autumn evening. Or anytime for that matter! Anytime is casserole time! ;)

2 cups uncooked rice (with water to cook)

1 can cream of mushroom soup (feel free to make your own, I used the canned stuff)

1 can of cream of celery soup

1 can cut green beans

1/2 lb ground beef

1 small onion

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp seasoned salt

Cook your rice according to package directions.

In a pan, cook your onion and ground beef until done.

In a LARGE bowl, mix rice and ground beef together. Then add your cream soups and seasonings. Transfer to a 9x13 casserole dish. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.

Make Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches

These are so gosh darn easy! And yummy! Perfect to have in the fridge, for a quick breakfast, or even an after school snack for the kids!

To make 10 sandwiches:

10 english muffins

10 slices of cheese

10 eggs

10 slices of bacon (I used turkey bacon)

Pretty self explanatory! Cook bacon and eggs. Then I set up all the muffin bottoms in a row, and add 1 slice of bacon (broken in half) to each, then add about 1/4 cupish of eggs. 1 slice of cheese and pop on the muffin top! 

Wrap in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 5-6 days. I'm sure you could freeze them as well! Although, I haven't tried it, but if yo do, leave a comment and let me know how you do it!

To warm, nuke in to microwave for 30-45 seconds.

Menu Monday... on Tuesday

Whoops! Sorry! A day late! can you ever forgive me!?

Monday: Pesto Chicken Pizza - This time I added mushrooms and it was even better!!

Tuesday: Asian BBQ Drumsticks and steamed broccoli

Wednesday: Meatloaf and mashed potatoes

Thursday: Mexican Lasagna and spanish rice.

Friday: Spaghetti, green salad and Breadsticks

Saturday: Hot Dogs and Macaroni Salad

Sunday: Tots and Gravy, green salad and corn.

Aloha Chicken Sandwich with warm pineapple salsa

I made these sandwiches the other day for dinner when I had NO time to make dinner. And they were amazing! Definetly a keeper!

For 2 Sandwiches:

1 large chicken breast

2 burger buns

1 cup Kraft toasted sesame asian dressing

2 TBS thick teriyaki sauce

Salsa:

1 can pineapple chunks

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

1 red bell pepper - large dice

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp garlic powder

another 1/4 cup of the asian dressing

Butterfly chicken breast, so you have 2 thin fillets. In a gallon sized ziplock bag, place chicken, Kraft dressing and teriyaki sauce. Marinade in the refrigerator for 2-6 hours. or however long you have! ;)

Preheat a skillet to medium, and add marinated chicken. Cook 8-10 minutes, until no longer pink.

While your chicken is cooking, in a smaller skillet, add pineapple, mushroom and red pepper, then add the remaining dressing and seasonings. Heat through on med/low until chicken is done.

Assemble sandwiches. We used mustard and mayo, and garnished with lettuce.

$20 Fall Wreath Challenge

I was just a tad excited to get started on my fall decor this year! In fact, I wouldn't even technically say that it's fall yet here in So. Utah, but nevertheless... My decor made its way up! 

I was really excited to make a new wreath this year, after browsing hundreds of ideas all year via Pinterest! So one fateful night when my sweet Mom had my kids, and the husband was out hunting, I very kindly handed myself a $20 bill (Thank you, Self) and marched into Joannes on a mission. I was going to do my whole wreath for under $20. And By-Golly. I did it!

I wish I took more pictures of the 'During' process, but I had a friend over and we were too busy chatting and chasing kids to worry about cameras! But I'll give you a little run-through...

What I had on hand:

Grapevine wreath (but these are really only like $4)

Yellow flowers

Twine

Orange and Yellow Polka Dot Ribbon from the Etsy shop Hairbow Supplies Etc.

(seriously, I can't tell you how many times I've used this ribbon pack!)

What I bought:

most things were on sale at Joannes

Welcome Friends Sign - on sale for around $3.00

Burlap - about $2.00 worth

Green Tulle - $2.50

Acorn picks - .99 and 1.50

Moss Roll - $2.50 with coupon

Berry garlands -  $1.50 each

cream polka dot ribbon - $2.00

Autumn leaves - $1.50

So total - around $17.50... give or take. I estimated due to sales.

I started by weaving the tulle in and out of the wreath, and then did the same with the ribbon. You'll notice I ended up not using the yellow, I had to edit a little. It was getting too busy.

After I had all the tulle and ribbon I wanted, I glued chunks of the Moss onto the wreath, then proceeded to add things here and there until I reached the fullness I was looking for! 

I did separate the acorn picks into smaller sections, and I cut up the berry garlands to makes them more like berry 'sprays'. Lastly, I glued the sign to a piece of scrap ribbon, and tied that around the wreath to secure it. I tried gluing it directly onto the wreath, but that wasn't happening, so I improvised!

All in all, I am super happy with how it turned out! And I am even more happy that it only cost me $20!! 

I think I might make this an "Every Holiday Challenge"! What do you think!? Want to see more of these!? 

What are your favorite ways to save on holiday decor? 

Menu Monday

My little guy started PRESCHOOL! Can you believe it!? Am I old enough to have a kid in preschool!? Apparently I am? Who knew!? ;) 
In other news... I am sick. Bluck. Mom's should not get sick. Although, neither should 5 month old baby girls... and she's in the same boat. Whenever I get sick, I always think of this song from the album My Turn on Earth. You can't be grateful for your health if you've never been sick! But gosh darn it... I want to feel better!

Monday: Ranchhouse Porkchops and twice baked potatoes

Tuesday: Fish Sandwiches and green salad.

Wednesday: Hawaiian Haystacks

Thursday: Horseradish Salmon and baked potatoes

Friday: Date Night

Saturday: Kung Pao Chicken and white rice

Sunday: Roast and Potatoes

Sweet Cinnamon Fruit Salad

I am always looking for really quick, yummy side dishes to serve with dinner. I made this salad on a whim the other night, with things I already had on hand, and it turned out amazing! It would even be yummy as a breakfast!

4 cups fruit - large diced- I used nectarines, apples, bananas, and peaches, but the possibilities are endless! Strawberries, grapes, plums, pineapple, mango... use what you have!

4 TBS Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 TBS milk

1 tsp cinnamon

In a bowl, mix your milks and cinnamon. Toss with fruit.

What I Love Wednesday :: Avon Edition

1. Cheek Color Stick :: This blush stick is so amazing! It gives an instant, dewey color, instead of the chalky look you get from powder!

2. Glimmersticks Waterproof Eyeliner :: Dare I say... that this is my #1, all time favorite Avon find. I use this baby every single day without fail! It goes on SO smooth, without having to push hard, like you do with a normal pencil. Plus, it twists up, so no more searching for that dumb sharpener! If I had to tell you to buy just one product... THIS WOULD BE IT! They come on sale often too! I've seen them as cheap as like $2.99!

3. Ideal Flawless Concealer Stick :: I couldn't of lived without this after I had my babies! It hides those under eye circles amazingly well! It's also perfect for blemishes and uneven skin tone! 

4. Cream to Powder foundation :: This is my go to foundation on days that I want really great coverage! 

5. True Color Eyeshadow :: I love this eyeshadow! I have a really hard time finding a dark eyeshadow that, for one, stays all day, and two, doesn't smudge all over my face... this does the trick! I especially love the plum burgundy color!

Avon's kids line is so much fun! You can find all of the kids bath and body products here, but a few of my favorites are...

1. 2-in-1 Body wash and bubble bath :: I love having a bubble bath that would irritate my son's skin! It's gentle enough to use in every bath! Not just for special occasions!

2. Bath Time Body Paints :: These have to be my sons favorite part about bath time! They have rollers on the top, so you can paint all over their arms and legs and it rinses clean when you're done! SO much fun!

3. Shampoo and Conditioner :: Okay, I'll be honest... them smells are what got me hooked on these to begin with, but I really do love them! They do a great job at getting his hair soft and clean! I'm currently using the coconut... and I'd be lying if I told you I didn't want to use it for myself! They smell SO yummy!

 My mother in law introduced me to this line when I told her that I was concerned about Blake's dry skin and eczema. I have LOVED LOVED LOVED both of these products for not only him, but for me  , my husband, and I've used them on Quinn also! It is honestly the BEST lotion I've ever used! I used to by cetaphil lotion, and now I have two big costco containers just sitting in the closet, because I ONLY use this stuff! It works WONDERS on eczema! 

left :: Intense Healing & Repair Extra Strength Cream

right :: Intense Healing & Repair Hand Cream (this stuff is REALLY thick and it phenomenal for elbows and knees!)

Ok ONE more! Most people only think of Avon for makeup... not mixing bowls... but these have been my very favorite bowls for years now! In fact... I may be sure for a new set!

** I was not compensated for this post in any way. All products were purchased and used by me. I just really love them all that much!**

If you are looking for a Avon Rep in the Southern Utah area, contact Sandy at 635-7361 to place an order!

Cake Mix Snickerdoodles

I really really love cookies. However, baking is not my forte. At all. You may have noticed, that I rarely post a bread recipe that doesn't use the bread machine... and my cookie/cake recipes are... well frankly, 90% of the time they are from a box! 

These, however, are amazing! And easy! Even I can bake them! Which is a plus! ;) My husband loved them, and he isn't easy to please in the 'sweets' department! I'll definitely be whipping these up again!

1 box of yellow cake mix

2 eggs

1/4 cup of melted butter 

3 tbsp of sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon -- to roll cookies in.

Mix all ingredients. 

Spoon into rounded tablespoons, and roll into balls.

Roll balls in cinnamon sugar mixture and place on cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for about 9-10 minutes.

Menu Monday

We had a party for Blake on Saturday, and one of my sister in laws didn't end up being able to come into town. So since I had already done the grocery shopping, I am currently left with about 30 or so hamburger bins, that need to be eaten. Like now. So this week, our house will be burger/sandwich/bun central! I literally have to use them in every meal! Wish me luck!

Monday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches and leftover salads

Tuesday: Skinny Chicken Parmesan (My hubby literally requests this every week!!) with Garlic bread (using buns)

Wednesday: Mini Garlic Bread Pizzas, using the buns as the crusts

Thursday: Steak Sandwiches with Potato Salad

Friday: Date Night.... where I will NOT be ordering anything with bread. ;)

Saturday: Spaghetti Sandwiches

Sunday: White Bean and Chicken Chili with... you guessed it, garlic bread buns.

Happy Birthday to my sweet little man!

I can't believe my baby is 3!? What happened? That 3 years went entirely too fast! I still remember the day he was born SO clearly! 

He was the sweetest little guy and the most easy going baby! He was so smiley and everyone just loved him!

I remember him being about a week old, and I sat with him in his rocking chair and cried. I cried and cried and cried... for probably a good hour, begging him not to grow up too fast. To stay my sweet little baby forever. To never grow out of kisses and cuddles, and to always need his mommy. 

He didn't listen.

Now he's a big rough and tumble little boy with attitude and opinions! He loves his sister more than anything and could eat a mountain of blueberries! He loves cars and animals and starts PRESCHOOL tomorrow! (Mom is SO not ready for that!) He is getting so big and growing so fast, I don't feel like I can keep up! I'm so grateful he is our first born! He has taught me so many things about life that no one else every could. 

I love you Mr. Blake! Thanks for making me a momma!

I love watching him learn and grow, but in all honesty.... SLOW DOWN PLEASE!!

Spicy Maple Sausage Breakfast Tacos

As I was taking this picture before I sat down to eat, my husband made the comment that "Those aren't that fancy?"... and you know what... he's right! But, we don't eat fancy at our house too often! Most days it's pretty basic food!

I make breakfast tacos a lot for lunches and dinners, and breakfasts of course! This is a fun sweet and spicy variation that I like to make when I don't have a lot of time to get... well, fancy!

Makes 6 tacos

1 cup Maple Breakfast Sausage

1/2 tsp (or less) crushed red pepper flakes

4 eggs + salt and pepper

6 fajita size tortillas

hot sauce

In a skillet, cook your sausage and at the end, add in red pepper flakes. In a separate pan, scramble your eggs. Heat tortillas and assemble tacos, topping with hot sauce.

Sunday Meatloaf

We LOOOVE meatloaf at our house. It's always been one of my very favorite meals, and my husband requests it pretty much every single week. So much so, that I usually don't even follow a recipe anymore! But here's mine anyways!

2 pounds lean hamburger

2 eggs

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 c. milk

2 t. onion powder

2 t. garlic powder

1/2 t. red pepper flakes

1-2 cups Italian breadcrumbs

Mix all the ingredients together (I use my kitchenaid) and shape into 2 loaves on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for about 1/2 an hour.

THEN...

mix the following in a bowl...

1/4 c. Ketchup

1 T. yellow mustard

2 T. Brown sugar

and spoon over par-cooked meatloaf.
Continue to cook for about another 1/2 an hour, depending on how well done you like your meatloaf.
Serve with potatoes, and salad (or at least, I do!)

Menu Monday

It's Blake's birthday week! Well, technically his birthday isn't until sunday... but all week will be spent preparing for it! I can't believe I am going to have a 3 year old!? Yikes! I've heard numerous times that 3 is WAY harder than 2!? Is it true!? I hope not! 2 was pretty rough! ;)

Anyways, so here's whats on the menu for the week!

Monday: Chubby Chicken Flautas

Tuesday: Skinny Chicken Parmesan

Wednesday: Tilapia and steamed veggies

Thursday: Pork chops and green salad

Friday: Date Night

Saturday: Blake's birthday party... Hot dogs and potato salad

Sunday: Happy Birthday Blake!! Pesto Chicken Pizza and Breadsticks with green salad