Thanksgiving, Thankfulness

We made our yearly treck down the highway to visit my inlaws for Thanksgiving and it has been WONDERFUL! Somehow eating in Kentucky just seems different from Texas. I think it is because everything is cooked with LOVE. (not that it isn't at home, but I get to be pampered by food while I am here)

Hubby's Mom and grandmother cook for the whole crew while we are here and I try to cook a dinner the Friday after Thanksgiving, but always feel SO inadequate. :) Even Salmon Patties hold some magical power over my boys. They don't like eating them at home, but when Gran Gran says here you going honey .. they eat them all up. :)

I am most looking forward to Thanksgiving Day where I already know TOO MUCH is on the menu, but I don't think any of us would have it any other way.

Turkey, Ham, Greens, Green Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Potato Salad, Mac & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Pinto Beans, Cranberry Salad, Caramel Cake, Jam Cake, Custard, Cherry Delight, Sweet tea and of course, Gran Gran's famous rolls. (she really is famous for these ... even made the local paper).

Even I am on a new eating plan, I WILL have my seat at the table and step when the time is just right.

I am thankful for family, mine and his and the way we love each other .. especially through FOOD.

Happy Thanksgiving from my house to yours!

Weekly Menu

Sunday - Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup
Monday - Taco Bar, Salad
Tuesday - Pork Chops, Spinach, Diced Potatoes and Apples
Wednesday - Pizza, Salad
Thursday - Veggie Stir Fry, Rice
Friday - Salmon, Salad

Brand vs Generic

Life has been so busy lately, that I have not been purchasing my groceries all in one monthly trip. When we run out of this or that, I've just been running to the store to "get a few things". Worst budget buster ever. (that's another post all together)

This may not be earth shattering for you, but in the last few months, I've noticed that most store generic ziploc sandwich and freezer bags are MUCH better than the famed Ziploc ones. Really. I use coupons a lot and recently got a deal on Ziploc freezer and sandwich bags, so I stocked up.  Boy howdy was I shocked when the first few bags ripped while I was trying to open them just to put a sandwich in. That has never happened with my WalMart or Walgreens bags. The Ziploc bags continue to rip, so when we run out these, I am done.

So again not earth shattering or anything, but enough for me to warrant a quick post. :)

Birthday Celebrations

Hubby's Birthday is during the week, Jack's birthday is THIS weekend and Jordan's bday is Thanksgiving day ... we have NO plans to go out to eat. Do you KNOW how much it costs for a family of five to eat out?? ... even McDonald's is $20.00 .. so can you imagine the tab at Bob's Steak and Chop House or even Applebees ....

Besides, the kids have had a LOT of homework latetly, so I decided we would celebrate indoors and at home. I ordered a special meal for the Birthday Dad (Beer Can Chicken from Babes) and the Birthday Boys  on their special day (Burgers and Steak) from their favorite resturaunts and a slice of cake from one of the best bakeries in town to celebrate. I then cooked a special meal for me and the other children that we could all eat together. Wasn't sure how this would make the non birthday people feel, but it actually turned out great. (and I spent a LOT less money) I just need to make sure I do this again for Dylan in the Spring. :)

How do you save on BDay celebrations?

Weekly Menu

It has been one heck of a month around here. I am SO looking forward to the Thanksgiving Break. We have some funny kind of weather, so I can't cook for the "season", but for my family's taste.

This week we are having ...

Sunday - Crockpot Roast, Carrots and Red Potatoes
Monday - Chicken Tacos, Black Beans
Tuesday - Breakfast for Dinner
Wednesday - Sub Sandwiches
Thursday - Baked Chicken, Rice, Spinach
Friday - Tilapia, Fries, Salad

Sweet and simple.

Cooking for others

Several families around me celebrate births and a few others are mourning family members moving onto Heaven. Anytime there are life events that happen in my friends lives, I want to be able to do SOMETHING, but I am never sure what is appropriate - except food. I can provide a meal for friends and family that they can have immediately or freeze and whip out when needed.

Some of my favorite things are Pot Pies, Chicken Noodle Soup, Gumbo, Chicken Spaghetti, Meatless Spaghetti and Breakfast Casseroles.

All of the above are things I can cook on a marathon weekend, freeze and break out when needed or cook quickly within 30 minutes or so.

I usually add a crispy loaf of bread and lemonade so the family can heat and eat.

What are your goto meals?

It's Raining and It's Cold! ....

.... and I am a VERY happy camper!

See what happens when you post twice in one week? You fall off the wagon and miss two weeks of blogging. No seriously, LIFE happened and things came crashing down on my world.

We are better now ... but for the last two weeks I didn't even start dinner until Hubby called and said, " You need anything?, I'm on my way home". (Thankful for him).

This is why I make a weekly menu, but you also have to go to the GROCERY STORE and by the vittles you will cook for your family.

That being said, we ate whatever was here that I could make into "something" and a couple of times we actually got in van, threw caution to the wind and ate out. OUCH! Yes, for 5 hungry people. You know what happens when you eat out???? You don't have ANY leftovers, redos or lunches for these SAME 5 hungry people the next day. So then what happens? The teen and the husband take $10 out of your purse and you end up spending more money on food than your budget allows.

But I'm back on the bandwagon, there are groceries in my pantry, fresh fruit in my fridge and lunch items on my island.

Cold, rainy blew in today, so I made Twice Baked Potatoes again for dinner. Tomorrow, we'll have pancakes and eggs. Thursday and Friday will feature Grilled Chicken roll ups and fruit and Calzones & Green Salad and Saturday will host a BIG OLE POT of Pinto Beans. (that way I have ammunition for next week's snacks and meals)

This is my FAV OR ITE time of the year and I am looking forward to warm, comforting make ahead and freeze or store meals ... and spending a lot of time with my family.

 ... family .. love them ... thankful for them .... blessed by them .....

Kingdom Women COOK!

My friend, Chrystal Hurst , Author of Kingdom Woman is having a Recipe Blog Hop and I decided to join in with a family favorite ... This is a hearty meal that fill the big bellies in my house.

 
My mom used to make Smothered Steak Patties for us when I was growing up and it was SO comforting .. just like a warm blanket .... especially when she served it with Mashed Potatoes and Sweet Peas. :)

Salisbury Steak
1 lb ground chuck
1 packet onion soup mix
1/4 cup of water
1 can beef broth
1 package brown gravy mix
Red and/or green bell peppers

Mix ground chuck, onion soup mix and water together. Form into patties. Brown patties on medium to low heat, cooking each side for 10 minutes. Add broth and gravy mix, and simmer w/ lid for 20 minutes, until gravy thickens. Add sliced bell pepper just before serving.

I started some of my own traditions and now serve the patties with these twice baked potatoes .....

Twice sweet baked potatoes

6 sweet potatoes, cleaned
4 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons softened butter
4 ounces softened cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
1/2 cup pecans
marshmallows (small)


Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Place sweet potatoes on cookie sheet and bake for 1 hour or until soft.
Split potatoes down the middle and remove the inside to a medium sized bowl. (use a melon baller if you have it)
In another bowl, add brown sugar, butter, cream cheese, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger and mash and pecans and mash with a fork. Dash of salt to taste.
Add this to the sweet potato pulp, meat, you know, the inside of the potato and put the mixture in the potato skins.

Bake for 15 minutes, add marshmallows on top for 1 min or until golden brown.


Looks like I'll be adding this to my Weekly Menu next week .. I'm getting hungry!!!

Try them out and let me know what you think!!

It's Fall Ya'll ...

Fall is OFFICIALLY here and you know what that means??? Crockpots, Soups, Stews and Cornbread ... lots of cornbread.

God did NOT disappoint with our weather this weekend either ... we were in the 80's for Saturday and Sunday (in TX that is a cold front!) and we continue to cooooool way down .. my menu making will become a lot easier because my family doesn't mind soup for dinner. THANK YOU LORD!

I became acquainted with SKINNYTASTE a few years ago and have been hooked to her blog ever since. Gina has a fantastic way of recreating treasured recipes and comfort food that my family loves, but with less fat, calories and GF in a lot of cases, but her dishes still have robust flavors and wonderful taste. I don't know how she does it, but every single thing I've tried has been a winner with my menchildren and husband. One thing I can't wait to make again is Gina's Stuffed Pepper Soup. Oh, my goodness ... I'm in love ... Hopefully in a few weeks ...

Meanwhile, we still have a few warm days this and next week, so my menu will be an eclectic mix for sure. I'm calling it All Request Week - you know like radio stations used to do??? :) **Picture Get Down on it by Kool & the Gang)

Sunday - Football wings, pizza and Root Beer Floats (by request of my kiddos)
Monday - Fish Fry (Also known as game night) BIG Salad
Tuesday - Chicken A la King, Sweet Peas
Wednesday - Honey Glazed Salmon, Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans
Thursday - Tilapia Pockets, Zucchini, Brown Rice
Friday - Sloppy Joes, Home Fries

Last week was BUSY, so I hope this week will be a slow one and we won't be eating on the run. I like to SIT down and enjoy the food and my family.

Have a great week!

What's For Dinner (Almost Fall)

This week will be really busy for the family, so everything we eat will be easy or store bought (which is included in our budget).

Sunday - Chicken Tenders, Smashed Potatoes, Cream Corn (Sunday Special at the local Chicken Joint, I added the sides)
Monday - Fettuccine Alfredo w/ Grilled Chicken & Peppers, BIG Salad
Tuesday - Chili Mac (yes, hubby like noodles in his Chili)
Wednesday - Breakfast for Dinner
Thursday - Pizza Inn (On Sale)
Friday - Salmon Patties, Served over Rice and Gravy
Saturday - Big Ole Pot of Pinto Beans, Cornbread, Brown Rice

I work eating out in my weekly menus because the cost is the same or less than cooking at home. This is where using restaurant coupons, Facebook savings, or Kids Eat Free comes into play. It limits where we can eat out, but every Mommy needs a break here and there.

As our kids get older and eat from the Adult Menu, eating out even at Chili's can top $60.00 for one meal, so we reserve the typical BIG DEAL places for Birthdays, Vacations and Date Nights.

What about you .. What's on your menu tonight?

Making Menu Plans

Hubby grew up on home cooked, made from scratch meals and that is one of the things that is important to him in our married life. My mom told me if I started cooking that way while we were dating, then I might as well get prepared to cook like for the rest.of.my.life. My boys have absorbed this habit, often asking me to "whip up" something for snacks, football games and of course dinner time. Their poor wives. :) Funny thing is, I would NOT have it any other way.

As our family grew in size, I realized, I just could dream up nice, hearty meals and ALWAYS have the stuff I needed on hand, so I had to become a planner with my meals. When I came home FT and we were on ONE income, I REALLY had to watch my pennies. Every single one COUNTED. So, I started planning my menus and tried to make it fun for my family too. Just because we were having Salmon Croquettes, doesn't mean we couldn't eat on the beautiful dishes my Hubby and I recieved as wedding gifts.

When money was really, really tight. I would plan my menus from the sale at the grocery store. Coupled with my coupons and VIOLA ...we still had meat regularly and spent little money to feed my brood. Once I started working outside the home PT, I STILL needed to stick with a menu plan so I wouldn't overspend or go off track.

I started planning with school lunch menus, blogs, throwing meals in a hat (Picking out what we would eat) and gathering data from the internet. Pretty so I started sharing my menus with a mom's group I belong too and found that I was helping some other mommys with their meals. I can say for sure that when I have a plan, I stay on budget, but when there is no plan, off the tracks.

I do "allow" for weeknight school meetings, working late and that every once and again, I don't FEEL like cooking so let's run through McDonald's, so I didn't beat myself up about what we ate. When we were on one income, there was NO room to eat out, so I try to stick with that same "plan" so we don't add on the $$$$ or the pounds.

I do "theme" weeks, types of food week, breakfast at least twice per month and "clean out the freezer and let's see what we come up with for dinner" kind of meals.

All in all, it has been a GREAT thing for my family and for our pocketbooks. (That phrase alone will date me)

This week we are having the following:

Baked Chicken, Rice and Lima Beans
Twice Baked Potatoes, Green Salad
Homemade Chicken Wide Noodle Soup w/ Veggies
Sub Sammies, Home Fries
Tilapia Pockets w/ Spring Veggies
Homemade Pizza
Saturday - Pinto Beans and Cornbread (It is still 100 degrees around here, but a big ole Pot of Beans WILL hit the spot)

Happy Planning!

Afternoon School Pick Up: I'm SO Hungry!

Now that the boys are 16, 8 and 6 I am cooking more and have had to expand my school lunch and snack "meals". Cookies and milk, cheese and crackers are just the appetizers BEFORE their snacks. :)

I've been able to come up with a few things that have satisfied their hungry tummies.....

Peanut Butter and Bananas
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches
Ham & Cheese Wraps
Grilled Cheese
Pancakes
Apples and Cheese
Strawberries and Yogurt
Smoothies
Carrots, Celery and Ranch Dressing
Pasta Salad
Buttered Noodles in Chicken Broth
Lettuce Wraps
Bean Burritos
Smores
Homemade Fruit Cocktail

and many more ....

Even though this seems like a lot, I am running out of ideas ...

What are some of your ideas?

Please share!