A break and an update

If you follow the blog, you notice that I took down the baby countdown. That's because my little girl came early and the countdown was no longer accurate! She is very precious, but also a lot of work! Since we're adjusting to a newborn and I barely have time to eat, it will be a while before I can update. I hope to get situated in a few weeks, but we'll see. Thanks for your patience!

Flex Your Foot!

I've started listening to the wonderful podcast "Pregtastic." Hosted by pregnant women for pregnant women, this podcast covers every topic relating to motherhood. Last week, one woman complained about getting painful calf cramps. I could relate to her pain. Several times I've woken up with the desire to stretch my leg only to be met with a painful tightening in my calf. A co host recommended she immediately flex her foot. This will ease the pain. This morning, in my sleepy state, I once again reached out to stretch my leg. Feeling a cramp coming on, I remembered the advice and instantly flexed my foot. It worked! I still feel a slight discomfort in my calf, but no pain. So, if you get a calf cramp in your leg, try stretching your foot! It worked for me.

(Check out Works for Me Wednesday at We Are That Family)

Menu Plan Monday June 7, 2010

Last week, I was out of town most of the week, so I didn't really make a menu plan. But, I did finally get around to making the Brown Bag Burritos that have been on my list for a very long time. I'm glad I did. They were delicious! I am going to make a bunch to freeze for when baby comes. They will make a perfect snack or quick dinner. My sister in law makes delicious Spanish rice. Maybe I'll make a big batch of that to freeze too.

I also got a few more meals planned. Ben was kind enough to make up 12 ground beef patties, which we froze. I made 2 meatloaf mixes, and I cooked some meat for 2 shepherds pies. I just need to add the veggies and I'll freeze those too. I It is nice to see my fridge start to fill up with meals! So far, I have the meat listed above, and 1 dinner's worth of mock lasagna. I have a lot more planning to do. I didn't get to the waffles yet. Maybe this week. This week, I'll make a chicken tetrazzini to freeze as well (maybe two). I was thinking about making up a bunch of mashed potatoes to freeze for the shepherds pie, but I'm not sure they will hold up, so I think I'll have to buy a box of instant. Does anyone have success freezing mashed potatoes?

This week is pretty light on the menu. Last week, we took advantage of our one day without rain to make lemon lime chicken. Ben grilled it and it was perfect!

Sunday: Herbed Chicken with Spring Veggies. This was good, a bit heavy on the garlic, but seemed like too much work to make again. I have some leftover chicken which I will shred and serve with the veggies. I served it with Peasant Bread.

Monday: Leftover chicken and veggies. Fruit and bread.
Tuesday: Beef Stroganoff with pears. (I need to use up some sour cream)
Wednesday: Potluck, not sure what I'll bring.
Thursday: Enchiladas. (I cannot wait. I would love to make these and freeze them, but every site I've read for advice said the sauce makes the tortillas mushy and to add it before you cook it. I make my enchiladas by dipping each tortilla in the sauce, filling it, and then pouring extra on top, so I don't think it will work).
Friday: Burgers and fries.
Saturday: Not sure...maybe the tetrazzini if I don't get to it earlier in the week. If I make it, I'll make two.

For more menus, check out Menu Plan Monday at Org Junkie.com!

Menu Plan Monday May 24, 2010

This week, my husband has some dinner plans with out me, so I'm pulling out some old recipes that I enjoy, but know he does not. I haven't made these recipes since we've been married. I'll let you know if they are as good as I remembered :-)

Sunday: Mock Chow Mein with green beans and pears (in the oven as I type. If I still like this, I'll pre-make another batch to freeze) (UPDATE, it was very tasty. I'm going to freeze another one)
Monday: Chicken Divan with leftover veggies and fruit salad (UPDATE...no, this was not as good as I remembered. Maybe I used to make it with fresh broccoli and this time I used frozen, I don't know. I will finish what I made, but I threw the recipe I had away.)
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Potluck, not sure what I need to bring yet
Thursday: Brown Bag Burritos with Peach Crisp. I didn't get to the burritos last time and I still want to try it to see if it is good to freeze ahead of time.
Friday: Herbed Chicken with Spring Vegetables. (This is a new recipe. I'll halve this and probably just use the chicken thighs. I'm keeping my eyes open for a good sale this week.)
Saturday: Waffles for breakfast. (Make extra and freeze) Not sure about dinner yet...maybe I'll make two batches of Mock Lasagna (egg noodles in place of lasagna noodles) and freeze one.

I'm also going to make a Costco trip and pick up some ground beef and frozen chicken. With the ground beef I hope to pre-make burger patties (uncooked), two batches of meatloaf (uncooked), cook some beef for one or two Shepherd's pie fillings and probably some ground beef for tacos. Then, I'll hopefully have some meat leftover for a few week's meals. This will probably not get done until the first week of June. Last, I'm keeping my eye out for some good roast sales so I can have some in the freeze for crockpot meals such as Italian Roast Wraps.

For more menus, visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Our First Family Heirloom

This week, Sandy at Reluctant Entertainers chose Family Heirlooms for her Home is.....day. I didn't get this post up in time to participate in the linky, but I still wanted to share a special family heirloom we were blessed to receive as a wedding gift.


These are the clothes my grandfather was blessed in as a baby. As my 2nd cousin shared, they are about 87 years old and were likely made by his older sister. He lived in Idaho, so he needed extra layers to keep warm under the top dress.

The slip on the left is heavier. My great aunt did the crochet on the bottom too.

My grandfather is no longer alive, so I was very touched and honored to have such a special part of his life. I hope to preserve these and pass them along some day too.

Menu Plan Monday April 26, 2010

Wow! It has been a while since I posted one of these. I've still been planning menus for each week. If I stick to them, it definitely helps us avoid eating out when I'm just too tired. (Although, we've still done a little bit of that....as you can see from my helpful ticker above, I am now in 6 months of pregnancy, so I don't push it if I don't have to!) I've also found I have to start making larger portions as I am constantly hungry! This week, I want to start experimenting with doubling my meals. I don't do a lot of freezer cooking, but I know I'll want plenty of meals stocked up for when the baby comes.

Here's what's on the agenda for this week.

Sunday: Barbecue: Surprise welcome home party at our church for a returning soldier.
Monday: Leftover night: Shepherd's Pie and Chicken Tetrazzini
Tuesday: Manicotti (make the full recipe, but freeze the leftovers)
Wednesday: Potluck, I'm bringing dessert, so I think I'll take applesauce bars.
Thursday: Chicken Dijon with Italian Cheese Bread (a new recipe) and Potatoes.
Friday: Brown Bag Burritos (A new recipe. If we like it, I'll make more to freeze for easy meals).
Saturday: Not sure yet....To be determined :-)

We have a limited grocery store budget this week. I already went over going to Costco, so I'll just be picking up the essentials: Milk, eggs, fruit, and I forgot the manicotti noodles in last week's purchase! Other than that, we should have everything for the next few days.

For more great menus, visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Delicious Chicken Dijon

I discovered this Chicken Dijon recipe from a church cookbook my aunt gave us for our wedding. This recipe is quick and easy to prepare (you have to start earlier in the day as it requires two hours to sit in the refrigerator), but it tastes like you spent hours working on it. It is very delicious. I have to add it to next week's menu as my mouth is watering just thinking about it! (Ah pregnancy...The mere mention of food makes me crave it.)



Chicken Dijon

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Marinade: 5 tsp. Dijon mustard, 1/4 lb butter or margarine, 1 clove fresh garlic.

Melt butter in saute pan over low heat. Add fresh garlic, simmer on low for 2 minutes. Blend in mustard, stirring well. Remove from heat and let cool enough to touch, but not solidify. Whip vigorously until mixture thickens.

Breading: 1 T fresh parsley, 1 T tarragon, 5T Parmesan Cheese, shredded, 1 1/2 cups crushed bread crumbs.

Mix herbs, cheese and crumbs, blending well. Dip chicken breasts in marinade, coating all surfaces, then breading mixture, packing crumbs in chicken to coat well. Place chicken in single layer in low pan. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours to set breading. Bake at 350 for 35 to 45 minutes. If desired, top with finely shredded Parmesan cheese.

Notes: I usually halve this recipe. I found I never need the full amount of butter. I only use 1 T for two chicken breasts. It is very important not to rush the chilling time. I've chilled it for a shorter time before, and the breading did not adhere as well. I've never topped the chicken with Parmesan at the end either.

Enjoy!