Menu Plan Monday--Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone has a safe holiday and a wonderful new year!!
We finally tried the pumpkin enchiladas that I found on Natalie's website. They sound a bit unusual, but I like to try new things. They are sooooo good!! I didn't use the jalapeno...I used 1/2 can diced green chilies in its place and the other half of the can I mixed in with the chicken. Also, when I went to roll the corn tortillas, they were breaking, so I heated them in a little oil in my skillet first. They rolled easily this way, but it made them soft after being baked--which made it more like a casserole. So, my pictures aren't great since the enchilada just broke when I lifted it out, but the taste was still so good!! We will have these again, for sure!!



Also, my blood sugars are acting up the past few days, so I will mostly be having salad as my side dish. Not too exciting, but I'm okay with that.

*=new recipe

Monday--pecan chicken, brown rice, steamed veggies (Sadly, we didn't get to this last week--but that means we will have it first thing this week!!).

Tuesday--chili rellenos casserole, rice and beans (for the boys), salad

Wednesday--steak, twice baked cauliflower*, green beans

Thursday--Italian chicken, spaghetti carbonara* (this is in a new cookbook my sister got me for Christmas), salad

Friday--Marla's maid-rites (on buns for the boys--whole wheat tortilla for me-->kind of like sloppy joes), tater tots (for the boys), salad

Lunches (I'm making two soups this week to have on hand for lunch):

Ratatouille soup*
Broccoli cheddar soup* (I have broccoli that needs to be used!!)-->I've not decided on a recipe because I have never made this soup. If you have one or know of a good one, please share!!
salad
pb and j




For more menu plan Monday fun, head on over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Best of 2007...

This week's Flaunt it Friday is the "Best of 2007". There are lots of things that I am thankful for. Here is a list of a few of them:

• 1. We became homeowners. After years of moving from apartment to apartment, we decided it was time to buy!!

Logan in the U-haul!

• 2. We have hardwood floors in our new house, so I got to hear the pitter patter of my youngest as he learned to walk, then run!!

• 3. I learned that even if you get your baby's hair cut, he'll still be cute!!

Before:

After:

• 4. I was able to nurse my youngest until he decided he was done....which was when he was 19 months old.

The night he decided he was done...

• 5. When he did wean, I was able to quit the shots I was supposed to be taking 4 times a day (and had been on since finding out I was pregnant July 2005) and move to oral meds and one shot a day!! Of course, that means I am better about taking them...which means my blood sugars are doing great!!
  
• 6. My oldest finally learned to pee in the potty without peeing on various other things in the process!!
• 7. That means I finally don't have to clean toilets (walls, shower curtains, floors....you get the idea!!) 10+ times a day!!
• 8. Wood floors are great for playing cars---and I have the privilege of being momma to two boys to watch them play cars (which is exactly what they are doing this very moment).

• 9. The sound of laughter of two little boys is better than one!!
• 10. I'm thankful that Logan missed the cut off for Kindergarten so that I get one more year with him at home!!

Making sugar cookies.....(WW)

You can find the recipe here. They are super yummy!!

Meet my sous chef, Logan!!









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Tackle it Tuesday--Christmas edition!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Our day was pretty relaxing. We had all our presents wrapped, so it was actually a pretty relaxing Christmas Eve, too!! We don't put any gifts under our tree until Christmas Eve once the boys are in bed, so we tucked them in and off we went. We moved the Christmas tree (don't worry--it wasn't hard...we stuck to a 4 foot tree this year to keep Lucas out of it:-)!!!) to the playroom and piled the gifts around it. Logan usually wakes up and heads straight to the playroom, so we made sure we were up before him to keep him from seeing his surprise until the cameras were ready...LOL!! Okay----I'm ready......


We truly enjoyed watching the boys open their gifts!! The boys played and played and Logan insisted he didn't need to eat today....he "isn't even hungry, anyway"!! It was a great day!!

Menu Plan Monday--Christmas Edition

We have finished all of our wrapping and stocking stuffing, so we won't be rushing around to get that done!! YAY!! Bad parents that we are, we've never done the whole Santa thing with our boys. This year Logan is just starting to catch on. He knows that Santa is a guy who gives gifts to everyone (said he saw that on Polar Express). Recently while we were out and someone asked him what he asked Santa for, he told them Santa never brings him anything...LOL!! So, here is my dilemma....do I start the Santa thing with him now...at 5 years old, or do I just let it slide?? I thought about doing it this year with the gifts I hadn't wrapped yet, but then I realized that Logan was with me when I bought Lucas the Pat Pat Rocket. So, I guess if I want to do Santa next year I will have to think ahead. Gee....I never realized this whole Santa thing took so much planning ahead!!

• Monday--leftovers---->making sugar cookies and other various goodies today!!

• Tuesday--Merry Christmas!!--Italian cheese balls, green bean casserole, turkey breast*, cranberry sauce, salad, rolls, and we might just have to try this pie!!
  

*-- I use a boneless turkey breast roast. Ball up some foil and place in bottom of cooker. Pour one cup chicken broth in. Rub turkey breast with olive oil, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper and place on top of foil. Cook on high for 3 hours or until 170° F. I used my meat thermometer to make sure I didn't overcook it.

• Wednesday--leftovers

• Thursday--pecan chicken, brown rice, steamed veggies

• Friday--turkey sandwiches, tater tots, salad

Breakfasts:

• cold cereal
• oatmeal
• breakfast sandwiches
• toast with jam

Lunches:

• pb and j sandwiches
• kale salad
• pasta
• chicken salad on whole wheat tortilla
• hot dog

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!! Here are the pictures of my boys that I included with my Christmas cards....





For more menu plan Monday fun, head on over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

PB and J for boys!!

I was so excited when I found this sandwich cutter.  I mean, I've seen lots of hearts, flowers, etc.., which is okay for boys, but I knew this one I had to have for my boys!!



I'm editing to add links--
Find them here or here!!

Hey, I could use a little help here!! (WW)

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Menu Plan Monday...

This past week was SUPER crazy. None of our family lives close, so we have to mail all gifts. I've mailed 7 packages (with one to go) and almost 60 Christmas cards last week. Hopefully this week will be a bit less rushed. We went into D.C. last Monday to see the national tree, too. I only made one meal that I planned last week. Now, the good news is that we didn't eat out, we just made fast things at home. The other nice thing is no shopping this week!! So, yes...this is essentially the same menu from last week. We did try the kielbasa and cabbage skillet and really liked it. I served it with fine egg noodles, buttered. Logan loved the noodles and kielbasa and I put some of the cooked carrots and bell peppers in with it...he ate it right up.

Also, I wanted to share with you a new favorite thing of mine. I honestly can eat this twice a day and don't get tired of it!! I got this from an online friend, Tina. She got it from her friend, Julie Disser, who wrote a raw foods cookbook. I'm telling you....I love this salad!! Now, I don't mix up the whole thing since it is just me eating it. I keep all the veggies chopped so when I want this salad, it only take a couple of minutes to mix it up.

Fresh Kale Salad

1 bunch fresh kale ( may add red chard, swiss chard and collard greens)
1/2 tsp celtic sea salt or real salt (I use kosher)
1/2 cup red bell pepper diced
1/2 cup yellow bell pepper diced
1-2 ribs celery diced
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1 avocado diced
1/2 cup sprouted or canned garbanzo beans (chick peas)
1 TBSP pumpkin seeds (I use sunflower ones because I can't find pumpkin)
juice of 1/2 lemon
2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil

To remove stems from kale, take each leaf in hand, fold it in half lengthwise with the stem in the center, nd with the other hand, gently pull on the stem. You can also use a knife to separate the leaves from the stems. Once the stems have been removed, stack the leaes on top of one another and chop nto very thin strips. Add the kale (and other greens) to a large mixing bowl. Add the salt and then work the salt into the kale with your hands. The kale will wilt and take on a soft and pleasant texture without loss of nutrients involved in cooking. Add the other ingredients and toss well. Serve immediately.

Here is a before shot of the kale.  This is about 4-5 cups of loosely packed kale.

And here is what it looks like after working the salt into it.  

*=new recipe

• Breakfasts: I'm making a crustless quiche* that will last a couple of days, oatmeal, cold cereal, toast with jam

• Lunches: chicken salad on whole wheat tortilla, ham and cheese on whole wheat tortilla, pb and j, chicken strips, pasta, salad

• Monday--meatloaf, creamed spinach* (for me), mashed potatoes, corn

• Tuesday--spaghetti squash lasagna style, bread, salad

• Wednesday--pumpkin chicken enchiladas*, rice, beans, salad

• Thursday--chicken broccoli cheese casserole*, salad--I was excited to find the casserole recipe, because the creamed soups actually have a good amount of carbs in them

• Friday--chili rellenos casserole, rice and beans (for the boys), salad

For more menu plan Monday fun, head on over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

National Tree...WW

Taken on Monday--Logan and Lucas had sooo much fun!!






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Have you seen this??

Logan LOVES to watch this...he calls it the dancing house! He dances right along with it!!


Here is another one I found...


And another...


And this one set to Christmas Shoes.



Wow--there are a ton on You Tube! Who knew so many people have so much free time?? And man....can you imagine trying to sleep with all those lights on!! Some of the ones I saw included spot lights in their light display!!

Menu Plan Monday...

This past week we tried the pecan chicken I found on Carrie's blog. Oh my---it is super yummy!! My husband was disappointed I didn't plan it into this week's meals. I had already planned the menu for this week before we tried it (as we ended up having it for lunch on Saturday). However, I promised him we would have it again next week....he asked that we have it all 5 days!!! Oh yeah--it is that good!! We were bad and even scraped the extra crunchies from the pan onto our rice!! Amazing!!


*=new recipe

• Breakfasts: I'm making a crustless quiche* that will last a couple of days, oatmeal, cold cereal, toast with jam

• Lunches: chicken salad on whole wheat tortilla, ham and cheese on whole wheat tortilla, pb and j, chicken strips, pasta, salad

• Monday--pumpkin chicken enchiladas*, rice, beans, salad

• Tuesday--kielbasa and cabbage skillet*, buttered noodles

• Wednesday--chicken broccoli cheese casserole*, salad--I was excited to find the casserole recipe, because the creamed soups actually have a good amount of carbs in them
  

• Thursday--meatloaf, creamed spinach* (for me), mashed potatoes, corn

• Friday--spaghetti squash lasagna style, bread, salad

For more menu plan Monday fun, head on over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Deck Your Blog Contest...

Wow...it seems I stumbled upon this contest without a minute to spare.

I was in the process of decking my blog for the holidays, but what a nice little incentive to win something. Hurry....go check it out and deck your blog, too!

Poor Man's Eclairs

I got this recipe from my sister, who I believe got it from her MIL.

Poor Man's Eclairs

Butter a 9x13 pan. Layer bottom of pan with graham crackers. Combine 2 pkg. (4 serving size each) instant French Vanilla pudding with 3 cups cold milk. Add an 8 oz. carton of Cool Whip. Spread half over graham crackers. Top with another layer of graham crackers and the rest of the pudding. End with graham crackers.
Melt 2 ounces bitter chocolate with 2 Tbsp white Karo.*
Add:
2 tsp. vanilla
3 Tbsp soft butter
3 Tbsp milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Mix well. Spread over top layer of graham crackers. Refrigerate 24 hours.

*I have also seen a recipe where you don't have to make the chocolate topping. You simply purchase one tub of chocolate icing, microwave it until it melts (stirring often) and then pour it over the top layer of graham crackers.

Both SUPER yummy!!

Guilty Pleasures...

This week's Flaunt it Friday challenge is to share your guilty pleasure.

I am sure my first one is one that most people can relate to. CHOCOLATE....and lots of it!! Chocolate pies, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cookies, brownies, candy bars, etc.... I don't discriminate...I love them all equally!! Problem is, I am diabetic. I don't care what you say, the sugar free, low sugar stuff just ISN'T the same!! So, for me, it truly is a guilty pleasure. I have found that if I allow myself just one square of chocolate, the craving goes away and my blood sugars don't have to pay the price. Here is one of my favorite chocolates. They have a Lindt store in my local mall and I have to stop in for a sample when ever I am there.


Next, I am a reality tv junkie!! Survivor, Amazing Race, Extreme Makeover, Top Model, The Bachelor, Beauty and the Geek, Top Chef, Project Runway, and the list goes on. However, the one that my husband questions the most is My Super Sweet Sixteen on MTV. I don't really know why I like it, but I do. Mostly because I think it is insane how much parents spend on their kids for a party!! I watch it just to see how crazy people are. When I turned 16, I had a few girls over and we spent the night watching movies and eating pizza!! I am spoiled in that we have a DVR that allows me to record two shows at once just in case my reality shows overlap each other.....and they often do!

WW...Having fun with daddy...

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Easy Turtle Candies aka Poor Man's Turtles

I got this recipe from a friend on a message board a few years back. It is soooo easy to make and super yummy. My sister has a recipe called Poor Man's Eclairs and I joked with her saying these are Poor Man's Turtles.

Poor Man's Turtles

Ingredients:

• 30 rolo candies, removed from wrapper
  
• 30 pecan halves, toasted (the original recipe didn't say to toast them, but I think they taste better)
  
• 30 butter snap pretzels (they are square)
  

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 
2. Place pretzels on a baking sheet and place one rolo on each pretzel. 
3. Place in oven and bake for about 4 minutes or until chocolate becomes shiny. 
4. Remove from oven. Using a pecan half, press down on the rolo to smash it out to cover the pretzel. 
5. Cool completely.
   

Back into the swing of things...MPM

Last week we FINALLY got around to trying the homemade corn dogs and the oven fried chimis. They were both very good. I was skeptical that the chimis would crisp up, but they did!! I was also too lazy to melt butter (recipe calls for margarine), so I just brushed them with peanut oil. I learned a trick while making the corn dogs. My first one looked a little funny, but I learned that if you put the corn dog in and let it cook for just a second and flip it, it keeps the batter from spreading out flat. This way you keep the corn dog looking more like a store bought one. Of course, with a deep fryer, you wouldn't have this problem.



This week I am really focusing on getting things back in order menu wise. The last three weeks have been off. On top of that, I am diabetic and have not been watching what I eat. So, I am really trying to plan better meals so that my blood sugars are in a good range.

*=new recipe

• Monday--Smoky Appalachian chicken breasts, sauteed spinach* (for me), green beans (for the boys), baked potatoes

• Tuesday--Philly cheese steak sandwiches, tater tots (for the boys), salad

• Wednesday--pecan chicken*, brown rice, steamed broccoli

• Thursday--chili rellenos casserole, rice and beans (for the boys), salad

• Friday--Greek Lemon Chicken soup, salad, bread sticks

For more menu plan Monday fun, head on over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Working on my blog....

In case you can't tell, I am working on a new look for my blog. If you happen upon it often, you may see several new looks while I make a final decision. For now, I have to leave it like this because I am off to run some errands!

And the winner is....

I used Random.org to choose a winner for my 100th post giveaway.  

And the winner is.................

comment #19--Melody

Congratulations!!  I had a lot of fun gathering things for this and truly wish you could have all won!!

How I met my husband....

~~If you get a chance, check out my 100th post for a giveaway of a few of my favorite things!!~~

This week's Flaunt it Friday is about how we met our spouse. Strangely enough, I also met my husband on the internet. I was only 17 (and he was 21) and we had recently moved from TX to CA. I was short on friends and found myself looking on the internet to find one. I ventured into a chat room called "northern CA" on AOL and the rest is history. We had so much in common and talked for hours every night. That first night that we met online was Dec. 8, 1996!!! Hard for me to believe it was almost 11 years ago!! We chatted online and on the phone for a while and then he came down to meet me. I had to beg my dad to allow it, and he finally did so that he knew I wouldn't sneak off to meet him....and I would have, too. He came down in January to meet me for the first time. Man, did I have butterflies in my stomach!! We traveled often to see each other and then that summer I went to FL to visit my sister. When I returned home, he was there to meet me and he never went back home. Since I was 17 still, he moved to me. I turned 18 on Nov. 3rd and on Nov. 11th, I signed a lease and moved in with him. We married on June 4th, 2000. So, 7+ married years and two babies later, we, too, have beat the odds!!

Fall Photos...WW

Sorry, but I couldn't choose, so I put some of my favorites!! I took these last Wednesday.

~~Also, be sure to check out my 100th post for a give away of a few of my favorite things.~~









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