Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Menu Plan Tuesday? (September 29-October 5)




Hello again!

Whew! What a week! I almost forgot to post my menu, but I think I remembered in time! It is only Tuesday, after all! Tomorrow is October 1(!) and I will be sharing some fantastic crock pot recipes with you all month. Here's the menu for this week.

Monday-Breakfast for supper (Scrambled eggs, ham, corned beef hash)

Tuesday-Almost Antibiotic Soup, rolls, crock pot chocolate peanut butter fudge cake

Wednesday-Kahlua pork, rice, green beans

Thursday- "Chicken" Parmesan casserole

Friday-DH cooks

Saturday-Leftovers

Sunday-Gingered Terriyaki Chicken, rice, grilled zucchini

Need ideas for your menu? Check out orgjunkie.com!

Until Next Time,

Vera

Friday, September 26, 2014

This N' That

Hello!

I have to say, my homemade ricotta turned out very well! I will share the recipe as soon as I get the pictures off my camera. I'm super bad about that!

It just hit me that next Wednesday is October 1. Seriously? Where has September gone? I love October. It's just right...September can be too warm and November can be too cold, but October, it's perfect! It's also a wonderful time to use your slow cooker, which is why I like to call it Crock-tober. Starting next Wednesday I'll be sharing some of my favorite Crock Pot recipes with you, as well as some new favorites! As long as I remember to take the pictures off my camera!

Until Next Time,

Vera

Monday, September 22, 2014

Menu Plan Menu (September 22-28)



Hello!

I started doing pretty well there for a few days, didn't I? Lol. Then the week got hectic and I just couldn't keep up. Do you think by October things will settle down? I certainly hope so! Our weather this week has cooled down quite a bit...mid to low 70's all week! I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to Autumn temps and transitioning my menu to colder temperature foods. On DH's quest to enjoy more meatless dishes, here is the menu for this week:

Monday:

Homemade falafel (made with homemade hummus) with homemade tzatziki
This will be served "street style" with tortillas used in place of pita pockets because that's what I have!

Tuesday:

Lasagne Skillet, salad, and hopefully some homemade bread
I'm really excited about this recipe...I made ricotta cheese (recipe soon!) yesterday to use in this!

Wednesday:

Irish Root Stew, biscuits
New recipe. It uses leeks and potatoes and sounds wonderful.

Thursday:

Taco Corn Fritters, Fried Cheesy Polenta, Green Beans
Another new recipe. It certainly sounds tasty though! I've made the polenta before, but I've never fried it.

Friday:

Date Night

Saturday:

Leftovers

Sunday:

Honestly, I have no idea! Something will come to mind I'm sure! Maybe I'll find inspiration at orgjunkie.com!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Best Chicken Ever!

Hello Again!

Today I want to share a supper I made recently. Tuesday, I believe it was. On my menu was gingered skewered chicken. I first came across this recipe in a ToH publication for grilling and it was Gingered Skewered Beef. Let me tell you, it is delicious! I have made it time and time again and it is a requested recipe from my children during the Spring and Summer which is when I generally make it. However, it is a bit time consuming to thread enough beef onto skewers for seven people! And messy too!

Also, we are trying to cut down on our red meat consumption for a number of reasons, one being cost. While at the store, I found boneless, skinless chicken thighs on sale and snapped them up. I made the marinade the way I usually do, threw the chicken in, and then grilled the thighs. So. Good. So much better even, than the beef. Easier too. All the kids and DH just raved and raved about how good it was! So, here is the recipe for you to enjoy too!

Gingered Chicken
(I think it needs a new name!)
1 cup sugar
1 cup soy sauce (I use Bragg's Liquid Amino Acids due to DH's gluten sensitivity)
1/2 c vegetable oil
Onion powder (I use about 1-2 tsp.)
Garlic powder (about a Tbsp)
Ginger powder (about 1/2-1 tsp)
ground pepper
Chicken (I used a family pack of thighs)

Mix everything in a gallon Ziplock. Add your meat. It's best to marinate overnight, but I've marinated for as little as two hours and had it turn out delicious! Grill until your meat is done to your liking for beef or the juices run clear for chicken. I apologize there are no exact amounts for the spices. If you follow the link to the original recipe, you may be able to gauge better. I pretty much just dump it in.

My son had already started eating when I remembered to snap a picture! lol!

Until Next Time,

Vera
 

Monday, September 15, 2014

Weekly Menu (September 15-21)



Hello!

I can't believe how fast this month is flying! Already half over and it seems like it just started. Our temperatures have been fluctuation here for the past several weeks with loads of cooler temps, which I've been loving! Today seems a bit warmer though. I haven't looked at the weather forecast for this week, but I am trying to turn my mind to Autumn cooking. Here's the menu for this week.

Monday-Curried pork, rice

Tuesday-Gingered Skewered Chicken, leftover rice, steamed broccoli

Wednesday-Carnitas, fried cheesy polenta

Thursday-Pesto pasta

Friday-Going out for MIL birthday (it's on Wednesday)

Saturday-DH cooks

Sunday-Grilled ham steaks, cottage potatoes, green beans

Need inspiration for your menu? Head over to orgjunkie.com!

Until Next Time,

Vera

Sunday, September 14, 2014

A Wreath for All Seasons

Hello!
I think the craziness of school has finally settled down. The buses are running fairly smoothly...there's just been one hiccup. It seems that a morning routine is finally being established and I know what kind of time I have. I have been wanting to go out to the shed and get my Autumn decor, however, we've had tons of rain lately. In fact, last Tuesday the children had a two hour delay due to flooding from the excessive rain. However, I did have the materials to change out the wreath on my front door, so that's what I did!

Several months ago, maybe the end of May or so, my mom showed me a wreath she had made. Now, truth be told, my mother is *not* crafty, but this wreath was so darn cute! I can't remember where she said she got the idea, but it was a grapevine wreath and artificial flowers. I oohed and ahhed at it so much, she bought me my own wreath form and flowers so I could make one too! That particular wreath used red, white, and blue flowers, but the beauty of this wreath is that you can change it out to suit your needs.

While I was in need of a Fall Fix, I took down my summer wreath and got to work on making it ready for Autumn. Now I'd like to share with you, in case you'd like to make one. Throughout the year I'll be sharing more pictures of it as I change it for holidays and seasons. Let's get started!

First, you need your supplies:

 A grapevine wreath, assorted flowers, wire cutters

Next, cut all your flowers from the main stem. You can see in the picture below about how long to keep the stems. Too long and the poke all the way through the wreath. Too short and they won't anchor well.
 Once all your stems are cut, you simply poke the flowers into the wreath in a pleasing manner. That's it! You can add any embellishments you'd like too. I'm thinking of adding a bow to this one. I just haven't had a chance to do it yet.
Once you're ready for a change, simply pull the stems out and replace them with something else! Also, they don't have to be expensive. All the flowers and leaves used on this wreath came from the dollar store.

Enjoy!

Until Next Time,
Vera

Monday, September 1, 2014

Menu Plan Menu Sept 1-7 (2014)




Hello Blogland!

I'm back and hopefully this time it's for good. Until the next crisis, of course! Not that there's been a crisis, just have been extremely busy lately. I am happy to report that we are finally moved in to the house and the next few weeks will be a flurry of activity as I wrestle with unpacking some boxes, making curtains, trying to establish my routines, ect. First and foremost will be getting my kitchen in order. Since DH was living here before me, he has it set up a certain way and frankly, I have more stuff, so I need to rearrange it not only to accommodate the excess, but to my liking as well!

While the temperatures outside still say Summer, the calendar says Fall, for which I am grateful! While I have enjoyed mostly lazy days, I am very much looking forward to getting back to my structured routines. I started today with doing something I haven't done in weeks...making a menu. So, here it is, my meal plan for this week.

Monday- Breakfast for Supper

Tuesday- Pan fried chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans

Wednesday- Falafal with homemade tzatziki sauce

Thursday- Ham and cheese frittata, salad

Friday- Date Night (DH usually cooks)

Saturday- Leftoves

Sunday- Comforting Cube Steak, rice, corn

For more menu ideas, check out orgjunkie.com! What's on your menu?