MPM January 21

Here are the meals we ate last week:

• Sunday: Cola BBQ Chicken  This turned out really good.  I did use an orange instead of a lemon because I'd forgotten to buy one at the store.
• Monday: Panko Crusted Flounder

 

• Tuesday:  Italian Buttered Shrimp with Angelhair Pasta  For some reason this wasn't as good as the first time so the kids and I ended up eating cereal.
• Wednesday:  Sessler Salads (a gourmet salad I purchase with chicken and a specialty dressing)
• Thursday:  Pineapple Chinese Chicken and Rice  This was good although Logan wouldn't eat the pineapples.
• Friday:  Crockpot Pasta Pizza  I thought this was a little dry.  I did half the recipe and just used beef (no sausage), so that may have made a difference.

We went to my parents for the long weekend and my step-dad grilled out for us.

• Saturday:  Grilled Hot Dogs and Smores
• Sunday:  Burgers

I also made a buttermilk pie using a Homemade Gourmet mix.  It was the first time I'd ever had it and omigoodness, it was so wonderful.  Now I'm on the hunt for a recipe since I can't get the mix anymore.

Here's the plan for this week:

• Monday:  Dinner out at Johnny Carrino's
• Tuesday:  Russian Apricot Chicken
• Wednesday:  Potato Soup
• Thursday:  Enchilada Chicken Tacos
• Friday:  Chicken Roll-ups
• Saturday:  Sister's Salmon Patties
• Sunday:  CORN/Leftovers

You can check out more menus at Organzing Junkie.

Scrapping Saturday

I'm trying to get more scrapbooking done because I have all these small, specific-themed albums that are only partially completed.  I know I'll always be a little behind on our yearbook but these smaller projects need to get finished...NOW!  With that in mind I pulled out the Christmas album I started a few years ago to work on while I've been under the weather.  I found a bunch of pictures from when my mom was a child and started with them.  Then I chose a specific design for each decade since then and put the pictures on a 2-page spread for each year.  Some years are full, while others only have a couple of pictures.  My plan is that other family members may be able to add to the album.  In recent years, I've tried to include photos that have groups in them or Santa pictures.

Here are some of the pages:



This week I went through my pictures and printed ones I needed (since I hadn't added to the album since 2006). I got them printed and put in the album.  Here's the layouts I worked on this week.

What I Wore Wednesday January 16

So after 2 weeks of being sick I finally feel better.  Yay!!!  Of course, being sick also means that I didn't wear much more than pj's and sweats for the last 2 weeks.  But today, I actually took a shower, brushed my hair, put on "real" clothes, make-up AND jewelry.  Then I headed out to do some shopping.  I've been really unhappy with my "style" lately (and I'm sure 2 weeks in bed didn't help that) so I decided to check out Target and Payless for some skinny jeans and boots.  And I scored!  But first...

This is what I wore out today.  The shirt looks layered but actually isn't.  I've had it for a while (so have no idea where it's from).  The jeans are Old Navy and I'm wearing my Sketchers.  I added some bracelets that I got from a charity group plus the necklace that was the original setting in my wedding ring.  (I know these are horrible photos, I'll keep working on getting better shots.)


I found several outfits at Target and I decided that earrings are probably my best bet for accessorizing.  So I also picked out some that would go with the new outfits.  I also found some boots and they were on sale for just $20.  Here's a sneak peek of what you'll be seeing here in the next few weeks.

Pinterest Tuesday: Quiet Box

Sophie is starting to drop her nap so instead of fighting it I looked online for some ideas and found this and that.  The first link is about quuiet boxes and the second is one moms philosophy on naps (not just for the kids but for mom, too).  I decided to start once Logan went back to school...of course, being sick for 2 weeks meant that it didn't happen exactly as scheduled.  In addition to a quiet box, I'm also going to put a basket of books that are only out for rest time (hey, we have enough books, might as well use them).  I finally put a box together and we've used it a couple of times.  Part of the problem is that some days she will nap but if she knows she has toys to play with she won't even try.  So today we are going to start with resting on her bed (where she can look at books) and if she is still awake when her music goes off then she can get up and use her box.



Right now I just have one filled but I have another box and I think I'll have 2 at a time, that way I can alternate each day and I can use it with Logan on the weekend.  Then I can completely refill them every couple of weeks.  Inside I put a book with CD (and we've practiced how to do the CD player), a puzzle, a dry erase board with crayons, magnet ballerina doll, paper with stickers, a small barbie-type doll she got in her stocking, plus a couple of our tot-school activities (the pom-poms with tongs and the sticks in the jar).  I'll probably keep the same types of things (puzzle, book, drawing, stickers, magnet activity, small doll, plus a couple of manipulative activities).  It seems to keep her occupied and quiet, and gives me some time to watch a show and do a little housework.  Win-win!

MPM January 7

So I started 2013 sick, sick, sick.  I've been to the doctor twice, had an x-ray, steroid shot and 7 prescriptions.  I'm on the mend but it is slow going.  Needless to say last week's meals didn't happen.  I felt good to just get any food on the table for the kids and Paul worked late most nights so he just picked up something for himself.  My mother-in-law came to help and I only sent her home once I knew we had a pantry and fridge ready for the next several days of meal.  Oh, yeah, and our big freezer got turned off accidentally and I lost some food in it.  On the bright side, it needed to be defrosted and it wasn't full.  So new year means I get to restock and organize as I go.

Here was last week's plan:

• Monday: Dinner Out for New Year's Eve

Dinner was great, as always.  We had the special cooking base this time and it was definitely worth the splurge.  We also had some champagne (and I am such a lightweight).

• Tuesday:  Ritz Cracker Chicken

Although I was feeling bad, I did manage to make this with Paul's help.  It was pretty good and the kids seemed to like it too.

• Friday:  Pasta, Sauce, and Salad

After feeling a little better, I managed to get one more meal made for the week.

The rest of the days consisted of sandwiches, soup, and fish sticks.  Paul also brought us Boston Market one night.  The first part of this week was the same with the added dinner of pizza delivery.  But now that I've had some reinforcements I'm ready to tackle the rest of the week, pulling from the meals we didn't get to last week.

• Tuesday:  Beef and Broccoli Soup

This is what my mother-in-law made for us the first night.  I didn't think I would like it but it was really good.  i had some crouton-type bread that we got in a Christmas basket that was great in it.

• Wednesday:  Fried Rice with Ham

This is the meal my mother-in-law left for us for dinner.  It was very good and there was plenty of leftovers for lunches.

• Thursday:  Panko Crusted Flounder

I made this just last week (and I try not to repeat recipes too quickly) but it was really good so we'll have it again.  I think I'll try a new side like Honey Roasted Red Potatoes.  Forgot to get potatoes so it will probably be mac 'n cheese.

• Friday:  Crockpot BBQ Cola Chicken

Another pinterest find.  I don't typically use whole chickens but I decided Logan loves chicken with bones so much I'd fix it for him.

• Saturday:  Crockpot Pasta Pizza

Paul is starting his busy season so I decided Saturday's would be good for the crockpot.  This is a pinterest recipe and should be plenty so that we can leftovers Sunday and maybe even enough for Paul's lunch on Monday.

• Sunday:  Leftovers/CORN

This is the day we Clean Out the Refrigerator Night (CORN).  If we don't have any leftovers then we'll have sandwiches and soup or breakfast for dinner.

Thankfully, Logan has been able to buy his lunch most days this week (stuff he likes) but now that I'm feeling better I'll be back to packing his lunch.  If I have the ingredients, I'll try out new lunch possibilities this weekend and then add them into the weekly menus if he likes them.  We haven't had any of the new smoothies, but we will after the next grocery run.  Hopefully, we'll find some we like and maybe even the kids too.

You can check out more menus at Organzing Junkie.

What I Wore Wednesday

Trying something new since I'm starting to feel frumpy.  Let's be honest, I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl and that's not about to change but I can try a little harder.  Looking at the outfits on the Pleated Poppy is kind of inspiring especially since most of her clothes come from the same few places I shop (Target, Old Navy, and Gap).  My biggest struggle is accessorizing.  Let's face it...I see scarves and cardigans and layered shirts and just think "that's a lot of extra laundry".  But if I start small, a couple of day a week, it really won't add too much.  Plus I got out of wearing jewelry when I worked with kids and now I can get back to that.  Of course, big jewelry just doesn't work on me since I'm petite.  It either looks way out of proportion or just doesn't hang right.  Any way, here's this week's contribution:

• jeans:  Old Navy
• gray stripe shirt:  Target
• cardigan: Christmas present from Target
• gray quilted flats: Target

I added this bracelet, which I've had for years.  It was a gift but I honestly have no recollection from who...a co-worker maybe?

By the way, it took forever to get a good photo of it.

So, not much of an inspiration but go check the other ideas at The Pleated Poppy.

Pinterest Tuesdays

Here's a couple Pinterest ideas I've tried out recently:

• Clear cup and sharpie markers:  this was a fail.  I never could get the cup to melt enough to be flat and the the part that didn't get colored was white.  it was uploaded by the user so there's no link.

• Car Kids Meal Carriers:  I saw this and decided to give it a try with my kids.  I already had these caddies, they are smaller than the ones the pinner used but they worked for my kids.  If the kids have a juice box they will fit nicely, too.  Sorry, turned out to be another dud link.