Summer Meals

Having 6 people in our household was trying at times with meals. It was tough because my husband needed me constantly and so taking time to make meals really was a lot of effort. I felt I was constantly washing sheets that were changed every couple hours, clothing etc. I decided at some point that kids would have to help. my oldest did great with some instruction at making this pineapple upside down cake. 

One thing I learned was my best friend is the crockpot and beans. I could make this and my husband and I could eat it all week then my kiddos could make frozen foods for themselves. That helped a ton.

Once Paul started to feel better he helped some. He made us some yummy chicken tenders and the boys helped with the side veggies. It was about all he could do to make the chicken, then he was down the rest of the evening.

At some point we made a turkey. I figured that would feed us a week. So taquitos were something Paul was able to make if I did all the prep work and he did the frying. I learned really quick he wanted to feel useful.

Breakfasts at times were creative as well. Like turning french bread into french toast because we were out of sliced bread.

My oldest did great with that turkey. He was able to help with some sides to make it last for lunches and dinners.

He got really good at making perfect mashed potatoes.

I always knew when he made dinner, it was almost always CENTERED around mashed potatoes. 

I was super thankful for this meal when my husband was feeling so much better. We saw a brisket at Walmart for $13, that fed us a week and boy was it yummy to have smoked. That is perfect for him because he can go sit a while, then just go check on it. No standing there for thirty minutes. 

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Christmas Day 2015

Stockings are my favorite gift. I love them

This is actually out of our WINTER garden, its just amazing. We had even more tomatoes that we already made salsa from.

Meal times, I love having a full house and meals at our table.

I love that teenagers get excited about their stockings, even if this year they are more about necessities

We even gave our house guest her stocking full of goodies, we borrowed it from her to fill it up since she was with us this year

Smiling faces~ always a great thing

Sometimes the practical gifts get these faces..

Paul really needed a new wallet and socks so those were in his stocking

This is my favorite captured moment. Hatchet got a new toy in our daughters stocking and Paul was playing with her, lets just say our computer chairs and dog toys are not companions, over he went~

Jakob needed money for school so he got a Tshirt and two pair of jeans as well as some new shoes

Zekaryah really loves to dress up so some ties, slacks, dress shoes and a vest was on his list

Mekenzei bought Izzy a poster and this sweater for the dog, who seems to be Izzy's friend so much these days.

Mekenzei loves her new sweatshirt and hat

I love my new salt and pepper shakers/containers and Jakob bought me a three piece measuring cup set made from glass with his own money. A much needed gift. I didn't have one.

More meal times

The best part of break is lots of game nights. Since we don't have a couch chairs around my quilting table work great

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SuperBowl and Missing Daddy

Today was kind of strange. You wouldn't have known it was SuperBowl day in our house. It was pretty quiet, it was full of movies and good food. There wasn't a game on at all, no yelling at the TV, we had a pretty important guy missing from our picture this SuperBowl day. We still made the best of it though. We had some yummy food for sure!

Every birthday I try to dedicate the entire week to the child or adult for menu items. It used to be three meals a day but we have gotten pretty busy as they hit teenage years so its mainly dinners. We had to extend Zekaryah's into next week because with the cold weather the younger two stayed at friends houses a couple of nights to weather out the storm there were they could be much warmer- in houses with central heating. I made the best enchiladas for myself. They were three chicken tenders, a can of green chilis, a bag of spinach and a half package of mushrooms. I cooked that all down in a skillet and added about 1 1/2 tbsp of cheese to my rolled corn tortilla. Then I topped it with green enchilada sauce and some colby jack shredded cheese. Its nice at times that the kids don't like food items like this one, it means I have a few days of meals for lunch. I will be looking forward to that.

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Monday Menu Planning

Our Menu this week was inspired by a great price on Hamburger Meat- one we could not pass up and the kids, who wanted something more Kid Like- rather than fancy meals.

So we are doing a Mexican Food Week

Monday

Leftover Night- pick your own- from last weeks Menu.

Tuesday

Tacos, Spanish Rice

Wednesday

Enchiladas, Beans and Rice

Thursday

Taco Salad

Friday

Quesdillas, Chips and Fresh Salsa

Saturday

Tostadas

Sunday

Burritos

Each night option for chips and queso is served- big crockpot of it was made for all week last night.

Also will be making some homemade Salsa to go on Mexican Week Items.

I just love this photo. I have some of these coming up in my yard right now, however I have all white ones. I bought some yellow bulbs, but will have to wait for them to come up until next year I think, even though they are sold now, they love the cool mornings, you can't help but love the verse too.

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday

I have so much to be THANKFUL this week. First I want to share a verse it is from

Colossians 3:14-16 (New International Version)
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

I am sharing this verse today as one of my most thankful for moments this week is my Daughters Baptism on Valentines Day. She is my youngest-all three have now been baptized and it just feels my heart with gratitude and awe that they have made their own decision to follow Christ's Ways. Such an exciting event.

I am also grateful/thankful that I finished a quilt order this week. It had been weighing on me and it was wonderful to just get in there Tue of this week, tackle it and get it sent on its merry way to its new owner.

I am thankful that my son and I got to spend a couple of hours together on Tue afternoon, I treated him to an after school snack at Sonic. That was a lot of fun.

I am thankful for my husband this week. He helped me with the quilting of the Love to Teach Quilt I finished on Sunday, he has made me hot tea with honey and some wheat toast with peanut butter on it all week as I leave for work - I was able to take it with me. Just so sweet and thoughtful. In fact it started with my Valentines Day gift because he knew I had been fighting a throat and chest cold and he purchased me a very nice stainless steel cup so that I could take hot tea with me to go every morning. Tuesday I awoke to the stove top completely clean, the kids had been taken to school, dishwasher unloaded and his one call to me was to make sure I could completely focus on my quilt order. What an amazing SUPPORTER. Yesterday after work, though I was a little tired, I met him for lunch, it was very nice, and I even took my days wages and gave it to him to pay for the meal! I am thankful the kids are in school so we can have those rare moments!

This week I am so thankful we are a Godly family, trying our best to love one another and spend time together, pray together and most of all EAT together. I have made what my children call Feasts- all week long. I am sure last night was their favorite as we had Belgian Waffles, Sausage, Bacon and Fresh Heavy Whipped Cream with Fruit toppings of Cherries- Hot Cinnamon Apples and Fresh Strawberries for Dinner. It is so nice that even though money is rough with overtime being cut we have made the best of it and have had dinner the last few weeks together. I just love our meal times!

Oh and on a side note- I received some beautiful healing hearts from a quilting friend in the UK this week. It was in rememberance of my grandfather that has just passed away. What an amazing gift. I am so thankful to have her as a friend. Thank you Janice.

So What Are You Thankful for Today?

Please visit Grace Alone and join in Thankful Thursday or maybe just read other thankful lists.

You can also see some more at Rose Colored Glasses