Sunday, March 1, 2009

Menu Plan Monday March 2, 2009


So Here's the Menu for this week....

Monday: Crockpot Beef Stew. This is a delicious and easy beef stew. Plus, it is made without tomatoes if you are avoiding them! I'll post personal notes and pictures soon!
Tuesday: Home Group, bringing Ramen Noodle Salad.....cut up the entire head of cabbage, use half, and save the rest for....
Wednesday: Bible Study, I'll use the other half of the cabbage to make another Ramen Noodle Salad.
Thursday: Chicken Strips and low fat, but tasty, mac n' cheese
Friday: Not sure yet. Maybe a chicken casserole.....we'll see.
Saturday: I received some bacon wrapped beef tenderloins, so I thought I would try and cook those. (If you have hints for how to cook them, please pass it along!) I'll probably serve a salad and maybe an apple crisp for dessert.

I need some suggestions for Friday's meal. I am cooking for friends of ours (this is a weekly get together) and I am looking for a chicken or ham (but not both...) casserole. I thought about Chicken Tetrazzini, but not every one enjoys noodles and I served noodles last week. I'll be reading the other Menu Plan Monday links for ideas, but if you have a great, popular stand by, let me know! I'm always looking for new recipes anyway.

Make sure to visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for many more Menu Plans!

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Baby Shower Fun!

I attended a baby shower today for one of my co-workers, and I just had to share some of the decor, games, and food served! Enjoy!


I loved that they used baby clothes as decorations! Plus, the mom-to-be got to keep the clothes.



The host worked hard on these cute baby cupcakes. Look at the little teddy graham bear! (They tasted great too).


I brought the punch, it was quick and yummy: 1 part ginger ale to 2 parts cran-apple.

The ladies enjoyed the games we played too:

Name the Baby: We had to match the baby picture to the guest!

Don't Say Baby: Each guest got a safety pin with a curl of blue ribbon on it (...it's going to be a boy). If a guest was caught saying baby or shower, they had to give up their pin to whoever caught them! Diaper pins also work, but the are hard to find.


Guess the object: Each paper bag contains a baby related item (ex: pacifier, teething ring, rubber ducky). Guests have to feel the bag to guess what the item is.

Measure the Mommy: Mom-to be was comfortable with us playing the common game of using ribbon to guess how big around she was! (I actually won this one!)

What's on My Back? Before the shower, I took note cards and wrote something to do with babies on each one. Each guest had one taped to their back. They had to ask yes or no questions to figure out the item (sample items included rattle, formula, crib, bibs).

(All the games were found at About.com)

Thanks for reading about the shower! I hope you got good ideas. I'll definitely keep the idea of decorating with clothes or fabric in mind....I wonder what other events I could use it for?

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Monday, February 16, 2009

Menu Plan Monday Feb. 16, 2009


Here is my menu for this week! As you will notice, tacos moved over from last week (hubby talked me into getting a $5 pizza last week....I couldn't say no!) The Roasted Banana Bars from last week were a hit. I will post results soon!

Monday: Meatloaf, cheesy potatoes, applesauce and veggies.
Tuesday: It is my turn to make dinner for our home group. I am making twice baked potatoes with ham. We have some people who are allergic to dairy, so I am making a few diary free. This is a new experiment for me, but I borrowed some rice milk, and bought a little nutritional yeast. Those won't be as creamy, but hopefully still good.
Wednesday: Church group, I'll probably bring cookies for dessert.
Thursday: Taco Night!
Friday: Eat Out.....celebrating a friend's birthday party.
Saturday: Chicken Strips. I cannot think of a side yet. I will probably serve carrot sticks, the rest of the applesauce, and I am debating making low fat mac and cheese to go with it.
Sunday: Leftovers.

Thanks for reading my menu. If you have any good ideas for adding to the dairy free twice baked potatoes, please let me know! For more menu ideas, visit org.junkie.com!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Valentine Gifts: Friday Show and Tell


This is my first time showing something off through Kelli's Show and Tell Friday over at There is No Place Like Home. However, when I received these special gifts this week, I knew I had to share them!

This week, I received this Valentine's Gift from my secret prayer partner at church.

I loved the cute bag with hearts and dogs!

I think the card is handmade....so creative!

Beautiful red mug with hearts on it.

I cannot wait to try this new tea. It is made with rooibos and lavender. Apparently, Rooibos (pronounced Roy-boss) is a red tea made from a plant native to South Africa.

Thank you for looking at my first Show and Tell!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Dating Memories (SWAK Carnival!)

My husband and were introduced three years ago by a mutual friend. We took to each other quickly. We also lived 40 miles apart. When we first started our courtship, he worked weekends, and had Wednesday and Thursday off. I, of course, had weekends off. But, we made it work. He drove down Thursdays (I had aerobics on Wednesday night that took precedent!) and he would treat me to dinner or a movie, or I would make him a meal and we'd watch a borrowed video. Then, on Sundays, I'd drive up in the evening, meet him at his work, and we'd go to his sister's house for Bible study.

After three weeks together, he worked extra hours during the week and was awarded a Saturday off! We couldn't wait to have a whole day to spend together. I drove to his apartment early in the morning for an all day surprise. We listened to Rich Mullins on the drive up, and discussed our surprise at our mutual interest in Frank Capra! I kept guessing where we were going....no, we were not going to the fish hatchery, no we were not going to Multnomah Falls. He took me to Sherwood for a day hike. He even packed lunch, wheat thins, peanut butter sandwich, and green apples. I remember it rained near the end of the day, but I did not care. We'd eaten lunch under a waterfall, it was autumn and the trees were golden, orange and red, plus I was with a man who made my heart soar.

Eventually, his job changed and he had weekends off. We took turns driving up on the weekend (I'd take Sat, he'd drive down Sun, visa versa), but we still kept our Thursday dates. Only, this time we met in the middle. We'd usually dine at...........We'd rehash our long workday over curly fries and roast beef sandwiches, for a treat, we'd split an apple turnover. To date, that Arby's is my favorite. Anytime he takes me to that specific restaurant, it means so much more. Afterward, we'd walk around ye old Target, or Frys Electronics store. We spent a lot of time looking at DVDs! (Also, since it was the evening, and the crowds at Frys were sparse, we were also the target of the commissioned salesmen! We limited our time there for that very reason).


After a year of this, we decided we were tired of driving back and forth, so we got married, and I moved to his town.

Although, the commute was not that fun, I will always cherish our courtship, and especially our simple Thursday dates at Arbys.

I am so blessed to be married to such a godly man who loves the Lord, is a hard worker, a great communicator, my best friend, and someone who would drive his 1988 Chevy Blazer, a car without air conditioning, cruise control, and one that shook badly when it reached 55 mph, down to see his girlfriend more times than I can count! I love you, honey!

For more stories of love and courtship, visit We Are THAT Family's S.W.A.K Valentine's Carnival!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Menu Plan Monday Feb. 9, 2009

I'm back this week for my second round of Menu Plan Monday! For more menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com. I am still mulling over my menu, so this may change...........

Monday: Cumin, garlic rubbed pork chops with rice, carrots, and apple pie for dessert
Tuesday: Either turkey stroganoff with pears, or homemade tacos with carrot sticks, I cannot decide.
Wednesday: Church Group, and leftovers. (I might bring Roasted Banana Bars from Cooking Light, but it is a new recipe, and I am always hesitant to try new recipes for a large crowd)
Thursday: Whichever I do not make on Tuesday!
Friday: Leaning toward burgers on the Foreman.
Saturday: TBA, why? it just might be a Valentine's dinner for my great hubby and I don't want to spoil the surprise! I will let you know after the fact.
Sunday: Leftovers: I have girls day with my home group!! I don't know if we will be back in time for dinner, so I don't want to plan anything specific.