Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is My Mom's birthday. My Dad sent me this photo from the time they had with ds last week. The same gentle hands that held and comforted me are now doing the same for my babies. I am so blessed and thankful to have my Mom near me and my family. Happy Birthday Mom, here's to a wonderful 2009 and many more. I love you.

The big O

I was just trying to get your attention. O for Organization. I think it's one of the keys to my happiness. Maybe not happiness, maybe inner peace (there is a difference right??). This week I implemented an idea I had brewing in my ever churning mind. My problem-"the pile". "The pile" sits on the corner of my kitchen counter, in plain view of anyone entering my house from ANY direction, entering the kitchen from any direction and even anyone who happens to pull up in my driveway. "The pile" drives me crazy, and back. "The pile" contents are ever changing but some of the most popular items include (please don't judge me on this!) shopping lists, coupons, ponytail holders, stickers, stray game pieces, magazines, jewelry, pens, anything the girls dug up, drug home or found and spare change. My plan- I had 3 matching baskets I placed on another counter and one 9x13 size to place in the original spot. The three baskets are one for each daughter. ANYTHING that is theirs goes in there. It is then their responsibility to find a home (ie:their room or the trash) for it. If their basket is too full, it gets thrown away (within reason, I'm not that Mom!). The 9x13 basket is mine, when it is full I have the same rules. File, put away or recycle what shows up. This system has been in effect for a week and seems to be working. What to tackle next??

New Orleans, Jambalaya and Memories....

In honor of fat Tuesday (February 24) here's a recipe. This recipe was created by combining many different recipes and my recollection of cooking school in the french quarter (1984 at age 11). My memories of New Orleans from my second trip, ten years later, are much different than the first, but still involve the beloved Bourbon Street. I consider this recipe a success as my Mississippi livin, spicy food lovin Father in Law eats it by the bowlful!

** this may look a bit involved, but it makes a lot and it can be customized to satisfy most everyone. a heavy bottomed pot works best (I use enameled cast iron). I make 2 batches, one for the timid and one for the daring. If freezing do not add the rice until ready to eat. Be sure to not overcook the rice, unless you like it mushy)

1 1/2 lbs raw boneless chicken, chopped
season with creole seasoning, salt, pepper and garlic powder
1 lb smoked sausage (use hot or mild depending on preference), chopped
brown meats together in 3 T oil and set aside

In same pot- saute until tender-
(all chopped)
4 c onion
2 c green pepper
2 c celery
2 cloves garlic

Drain excess oil and add
2 16-18 oz cans crushed or diced tomatoes with juice
5 c chicken stock
2 t old bay seasoning
1 t oregano
1 T paprika
1 t thyme crushed
add to taste-creole/Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, Tabasco sauce) Simmer 15 minutes.
Return meat to pot. The mixture should be spicy and salty at this point to flavor the rice as it cooks. Bring to a boil and add 4 c long grain rice. Cook uncovered, turning the rice, not stirring, from the bottom. Can add shrimp during the last 5 minutes of cooking. May need additional liquid. Cook until rice is almost done but still al dente.

February Meal Plan

This is a continuing work in progress, but I'll give it my best shot. If you see something you like and want a recipe, I'll be glad to share, but only if you share back! I tend to get stuck in a rut and love to hear of tried and true family approved recipes. Listed are meals that I have groceries on hand to make, with the exceptions of a few perishables. I do not decide WHEN we will eat each meal, only that it's available.


Boiled dinner (roast, potatoes, cabbage, onions and carrots)
Grilled t-bones (I am hoping for warm weather!)
Turkey ( roast a 12 lb turkey then have at least 3 meals- roast turkey, hot turkey sandwiches, turkey-rice soup)
Veal scallopini (please don't hate me for eating baby cows....but it was only $1.99 lb regularly $12!!)
Spaghetti
Beef veggie stew
Jambalaya (I plan to post this recipe soon)
Deer brats and morel mushrooms
Homemade pizza (4) (cheese, mushroom and bbq chicken pizza)
BBQ pork sandwiches oven french fries
Hamburgers oven fries (2)
Talipia with mushrooms
Salmon
Roast chicken
Lasagna (in freezer ready to cook)
Veggie Lasagna (in freezer ready to cook)
Homemade mac and cheese (in freezer...)
Chicken, rice and broccoli casserole
Shrimp scampi
Grilled sirloin, sauteed onions/mushrooms and brown rice pilaf
Tuna and Noodles

Most meals I cook with plans for leftovers, usually taken in Paperman's lunch. As far as sides for meals, I'm not very creative, usually veggies (fresh, canned or frozen) fruit salad and/or a green salad. A new favorite is spinach or romaine with dried cranberries, slivered almond and a sweet and sour dressing.

21 hours....

It sounds like a long time if your thinking of staying awake, riding a bike without stopping or being sick. It sounds like a very short time if your thinking vacation. That was the length of our midwinter getaway last week. It had been over 2 years since we'd been away for over 12 hours. It was enough time for us to remember what WE are all about when we aren't being double teamed at home. Time enough to eat 2 straight meals with conversation. Time enough to sleep until WE were ready to wake up. Time enough to shower without thinking about the septic system, the bathtub needing cleaned or having to wash the towels. Time enough to thoroughly relax and enjoy being together. Time enough to miss our kids and appreciate all they bring to our lives. Time enough to be totally grateful and indebted to all 3 families that had a part in caring for the kids and the dog. Little do they know, it was only a test....everything went so well we might just have to do this again!!

Out of the mouth of DD3

Tuesday we were heading to town, at the intersection of our road and the next paved road DD3 looked to the right and saw 2 horses and riders. (Background, DD3 was a cowgirl for Halloween, used to ask for horses, but after being told "no" too many times now says she will be a real cowgirl when she grows up and have her own horses. She really really likes them.)
She said "Look Mom, horsees!" I said " Cool, looks like they're having fun doesn't it?" She said, "Roll down your window!" I said, "Why, Can't you see them?" She said, "I can see them, but I want to hear the clippity-clop, clippity-clop!" I cried, as it hit me as one of those super sweet- only -a -mom -can -understand things your kids say. DD1 looked at me with "that" look only a 9 going on 14 year old can do and asked why I was crying. Just a reminder, this blog is as much for me (to remember) as it is for those who read it (to share). This may be one of those remembering posts, but I can show it to DD3 when she buys her first horse.

7 things I Love

I don't know why I picked 7....but just go with me on this one. There are the very obvious things, I tried to dig deeper.

Music....loud, when I can sing and pretend, hope and pray no one is listening! Like in the car, by myself. Does anyone else have the false sense of security that others can't see you behind the windows of your car. I am amazed at the power music has, to take you to a place you haven't been in many years, to bring a smile to your face or make you cry, to make you walk faster or want to go to sleep. I know this is not a new revelation, hence the mp3 revolution, but give me a break here, I'm trying to be philosophical.

Our neighbors....ever have one of "those" people in your life, we all have them. The song "find out who your friends are" was written about them...well we're lucky enough to have them a big strong stones throw away from us...about 1 minute from a phone call in the middle of the night, away from us. I can only try to list the phone calls I've made....my baby's not breathing right....I need eggs for the cookies.....I hear voices in my back yard....the garage is flooding....we're out of toilet paper for the birthday party...someone's arm hurts, they have a rock in their ear, they won't walk on their leg (fyi, they are paramedic, fireman, and rn wrapped up in one awesome package), the snowblower is broke and we just got 8 inches of snow (we didn't even have to ask on this one).... I try to have extra eggs on hand to repay all those favors, but goodness, I'm going to need to buy chickens. It's not only the things they do for us, but just their family in general that is a bright spot in our day. Thanks guys, never ever leave us, ok??????????

Soft sheets...I remember buying sheets for the first time and thinking, "like it really matters...sheets are sheets" now when I lay my weary old body on my 600 thread count softies, I realize...yep, it really matters.

Stetson... that's what Paperman wears, always has. nuff said.

My Sleeping Babies.... It's not what you're thinking...yep, they sleep, she's off the hook for a good 10 hours. It's the innocence, the renewing of their bodies and souls for another day of growing, learning and loving, it's all that it takes to make everything right with the world (mine anyway) to look at them so peaceful.

Sunsets and rainbows... One of my oldest and bestest friends and I used to have a saying whenever we saw a beautiful sunset.... "Wanna go?" That was over 20 years ago but I could still call her up, look out the window and utter those 2 words. She would respond "Sure!". I have passed this on to my kids too. Often we'll be driving and someone will say "LOOK!" with responses of "cool..." "wow" and in my head I hear "Wanna go??" We have also been known to jump in the van and chase the rainbow to get a better view.

The ice cream truck... yes, the prices and the music are both outrageous but they can't overshadow the pure excitement that rushes through this house with the faintest tune. Being willing to drop everything, grab a fistfull of cash and run down the lane (Paperman has been known to jump on the 4 wheeler with a kid or 2). It is ice cream, it is summertime and it is being able to give my kids everything they ever wanted (for those 5 minutes anyway).

Crockpot recipe

Made this today, pretty much a made up recipe that everyone ate except for dd3. She only eats things made with sugar and/or American cheese, and broccoli. She may grow up to be a diet book author and I will not be able to wear a shirt that says "my kids are not picky eaters" as she has taken that from me.... I'll just keep plenty of broccoli and mac and cheese on hand and hope she doesn't waste away the other 6 days of the week!

Beef Veggie Stew
1 lb stew meat, cut small
1 large onion diced
1 c chopped celery
2 c sliced carrots
1 can beef broth
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 T tomato paste or ketchup
salt/pepper
3 cups chopped cabbage
1 c water (or as needed to cover veggies)
mix well in crockpot and cook on high 4-6 hours.

Recipes...

Below are some recipes I've tried new or tried and true this week!

(New) Crispy Baked Kale
1 large bunch kale, washed, dried and tough stems removed
1T olive oil
1-2 t. sea or kosher salt

Prepare kale, toss with olive oil and salt, bake in 375 degree oven until crispy (about 20 minutes).
** This had a generally good review with the family. A fun way to get your greens. It was healthy and the kids can tell no matter how it's done, but everyone tried it and some even had seconds.

Roast Turkey

1 turkey, thawed
1 oven roasting bag
onion/celery
Tastefully Simple Seasoned Salt
vegetable oil
1 T flour

Place flour in bag and shake, add onion and celery (reserve some for turkey cavity). Rub oil on turkey and season inside and out with Seasoned Salt. Place turkey in bag with onion and celery. Roast per directions. Lots of drippings for gravy!!
** I have made turkey many different ways, but I think this is my keeper based on the compliments from my family.

Boneless BBQ Ribs (6-8 servings)
5 lbs boneless pork ribs
cover ribs with water. add salt, pepper, bay leaves and onion or garlic (optional). Simmer about 1 hour. Remove from water and place in covered roasting pan, pour favorite bbq sauce over and bake 1 hour or until tender. (325 degrees)
BBQ sauce-
1 onion diced and sauteed in 2 t oil. add 1 t wor sauce, 1 c ketchup, 1 cup brown sugar and 2 t cider vinegar. simmer 15 minutes, stirring often.
** these came out just the way I like them, sweet and tender. The brown sugar is the kicker for dd3, and even she ate some.


Snow Ice Cream
1 big bowl of fresh, clean snow (easy to find after and 8 inch snowfall)
1 T vanilla
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 c milk (plus more depending on snow consistency)
sugar to taste (start with 1/4 cup)
Gather snow carefully! mix liquid ingredients and sugar together, pour over snow and mix well. Add more milk as needed. Eat right away.
** I had this for the first time at Tina's house growing up. I'm not sure it's ever tasted as good as it did that first snowy day....but it's still good and something the kids ask for after a big snowfall. Not to be made after school or on a weekend, best on a snow day from school!

Fareway, Sams and Aldis....

I visited each of these stores last week and spent just shy of $400. You're probably thinking, we must have been hungry or had a party, or both! No parties and not hungrier than normal, just trying something new. I have read of people who shopped for their groceries once a month with a couple of quick stops for milk and fresh fruits and veggies. So, I decided to try it. I wasn't incredibly organized, but did create a list of what we had on hand and what we needed to make meals to go with those things. We have enough for roughly 27 meals, most with leftovers (lunches). This does not include breakfast foods that we just have on hand (cereal, ingredients for waffles and pancakes, oatmeal, smoothie fixens, eggs, toast). Paperman and I discussed the $400. We decided that amount wasn't bad, comparing it with a 2 person household with two "expensive habits" would spend that much on "feeding the need" as we spend feeding our 4 expensive blessings (and ourselves too)!!! My ultimate goal is to do more OAMC (once a month cooking) along with my OAMS (once a month shopping). I did buy 10 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts and prepared 5 meals for the freezer in 1 hour. They included chicken taco meat, diced for stir fry, chopped for bbq chicken pizza, marinated, browned for something to be decided. DD3 enjoyed this day as she loves to squish her hands in raw meat...wierd I know, but it keeps her busy while I'm cooking. (yes, she washes very well when she's done!) I have thoroughly enjoyed pulling meals from the freezer and crossing them off my list along with having at least 2 extra hours a week not spent at the grocery store. I guess I'll discontinue meal planning Monday and as I get this down, I can share our monthly plan. I'm always looking for new recipes to try so feel free to share!

Brrrrdy Brrrrdy BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

It's cold outside. We have a lot of snow. We live in Iowa and it's January. There's not really a lot else to say besides I need my slippers and blankie. Stay warm, drink cocoa and cuddle lots.

The Trendy Dollar

If you want some good reading or have some new year's resolutions based on debt reduction check out www.trendydollar.com.
Heidi is from Iowa and they have paid down a lot of debt and changed their lifestyle using the Dave Ramsey system. This is her new site. Enjoy!

2009

The new year...even if you don't make resolutions, it's a fresh start, opportunity for change, wonder in what lies ahead.... I always have a plan in place for my year, the picture in my minds eye that never changes. A healthy, happy, in shape, organized picture.... Will this be MY year? It just could be. Stay tuned, I'll let you know. Happy 2009!

Menu plan Monday

The new year is here.... back to trying to develop good habits and one of those is Menu planning. Here's the plan for the first full week of 2009-

Meatloaf/ Roasted Carrots
French onion Soup/Cheesy Vegetable Soup
Pasta with mushroom sauce/salad/Garlic bread
Shrimp/Broccoli light Alfredo pasta
Roast chicken/green beans/applesauce
Pita pizzas/fruit salad
Fish Tacos/refried beans

in a nutshell...

I did it. I took my break but now, I'm back. The last 2 weeks were busy and eventful. As I was writing my last post on 12/23 I made it short as I had a lot of things to take care of. I didn't want to be "busy" on Christmas Eve trying to get things organized, food ready, etc.... I got a lot done that night, got up early the next morning and got ready right away (instead of my usual when we don't have to be somewhere in the morning...). DD3 woke up and for the 5th day in a row, vomited. I decided it was time to take her in. The doctor decided it was time for her to STAY in. She spent 24 hours in the hospital on Christmas eve. She was a trooper and didn't take her long, once her iv was started, to get feeling better. Paperman was working and my Mom and Dad kept the other kids during that time. They might think twice now when they agree to watch 3 when I "run one to the doctor"!!! Santa with his magical wisdom still found each child where they were that night, hospital and all. My sister was sick and Paperman ended up being sick on Christmas eve also. Our celebrating was delayed a bit, but all family gatherings finally happened and we hope and pray we stay healthy the rest of the winter.

Break time...

Not that I will have any "official" break time, so I'm just gonna make some of my own...this week I'm taking a break from meal planning Monday and pretending to exercise. This will also be my last entry until 2009. There will be plenty of time for organization and exercise in the new year! Merry Christmas everyone and a blessed new year.

Triple Grrrrr...

Today was day one of Christmas break for the girls. I always manage to have grand plans for my days that never quite end up grand. First item on the agenda was grocery shopping which went off without a hitch, except dd3 begging for candy at the checkout, as usual. Then there was a stop at preschool, and two stops for final gifts to pick up. The kids were all patient and helpful and got cheeseburgers and apple slices for lunch! They were happy with their treat and bonus for me, easy cleanup. I'm glad that happened as the groceries are still not put away at 10:30 pm. Ds decided his 20 minute nap in the van was plenty for the day so he came outside when the girls played and I shoveled. I spent 30 minutes on the phone trying to figure out year end insurance spending and calling back to try to find a customer service rep who had a clue. It worked and she helped me with my problem. Dh "requested" pictures emailed from deer hunting, "if I had time". To his credit, each item he asked me to do today he prefaced with "if you have time, I know you're busy". I guess he can just hear it in my voice! Dd2 is still not able to keep things in her belly for any length of time but doesn't seem sick otherwise. At 3:00 I figured out that I forgot to return our movies that were due at 5:00. Grrr.... So everyone loaded back into the van and I managed to get stuck in our driveway. Double grrr.... we abandoned ship and any chance of ditching a late fee, headed back to the house and Ds and I both had 1/2 hour naps that we greatly needed! We made it through supper and baths, now it's time to make food and organize presents for the next 4 days. It will be a late night, but I hope to find some fun time with the kids tomorrow(and the next 12 days), since I didn't manage it today...triple grrrr.

Out of the mouths of babes...

Yesterday Paperman was reading a take home page from preschool to DD3. It was talking about the Savior being born. DD3 listened intently during the story then commented "Mrs. S has a Savior in her class." I had to think for a bit, then it hit me, (one of those "turn around and your shoulders shake trying to be quiet" incidents) the boy's name.....Xavier.

Cost Cutter...

That's my Mom. She's our resident cost cutter. (my estimate is that she saves us nearly $1000 a year) Today was haircut day as everyone was getting tangles and heads full of static. A beautician (cosmetologist...) for over 40 years she cuts the hair of everyone at our house, except me. Funny huh? Only the daughter of a beautician could understand. Who wants to blame their mother for their bad hair day! It's much healthier to blame a perfect stranger. . Well, now that I'm an adult, with a husband who is capable of paying for my haircuts, I make someone else, besides my Mother, responsible for the way my day goes. It's just too much to ask....birth me, watch my children, trim my hedges AND be held responsible for my bad hair days...No, I'll pay for my haircut, it's the least I can do.

You don't have to laugh, but I did!

On Sunday evening, I had sat the overflowing family hamper in the hallway to start laundry after everyone was in bed. As our laundry is in the basement I also tend to stick other things (toys, books, etc) in the hamper to take down at the same time. DD1 needed a drink so she got up and stopped to talk to me in the hall. As she casually put her hand on the laundry mountain, it began playing "if you're happy and you know it...." in a sing song fisher price tone. I showed her the culprit, a little people car buried beneath a pair of jeans. Her response ... "Freaky..." and rolled her eyes. Then she went back to bed.