Another week passed and a new one begun. And each one seems to get busier than the last! Planning a weekly menu helps take some of the pressure off, both in grocery shopping and meal prep. If you aren't a menu planner, try it this week. Look at what's on sale at your local grocery stores, then come up with a simple menu based on the sales. This week chicken is on sale here, so I've got some chicken dishes planned.
Here's what is coming up this week:
Sunday
Burgers and fries
Monday
Pizza, breadsticks
Tuesday
Grilled chicken, grilled asparagus, hash brown casserole
Wednesday
Rice and bean burritos, tortillas chips, salsa
Thursday
Chicken nuggets, fried potatoes
Friday
Garlic butter shrimp and pasta, lemon pepper broccoli
Saturday
Grilled steaks, baked potatoes
For more meal planning inspiration, visit Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Mondays.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Mini Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
I was thinking about posting this recipe and thought, "Gee, how many people need to be coached in making ham and cheese sandwiches?" Then I got to thinking that these aren't ordinary ham and cheese sandwiches. Oh, no. They're buttery and garlicky and mustardy and simply delicious.
I make these often when we're having a church fellowship or get-together. They can be used as appetizers or eaten as a meal with a side dish or two. And they're super easy, just the way I like my recipes!
Here's what you need:
A package of heat and serve dinner rolls (I use Sara Lee)
Several slices of deli ham (so precise, I know)
Several slices of cheese - American, cheddar or Swiss
2 TBSP butter, melted
1 TBSP dried minced onion
1/2 TBSP mustard
1/2 teas poppy seeds
1/4 teas garlic powder
Mix together the butter, onion, mustard, poppy seeds and garlic powder. Set aside.
Slice the rolls in half horizontally. It's much easier to do this as one big rectangle.
Place on a baking sheet and remove the top. Layer the ham and cheese, overlapping as needed to completely cover the rectangle. You can use as much meat and cheese as you want, depending on how thick you want your sandwiches to be.
Replace the top and brush the butter mixture over it.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. You might have to cut apart the middle to check.
Cool for 10 minutes, then cut apart into individual sandwiches. Serve warm.
This can be easily doubled if you're feeding a crowd. Or if you want to switch up the meat and cheese, just replace the ham with deli roast beef and use provolone or mozzarella. Turkey and Swiss would be great, too. But don't mess with the topping. It's fabulous!
For more tasty recipes, visit Blessed with Grace's Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.
I make these often when we're having a church fellowship or get-together. They can be used as appetizers or eaten as a meal with a side dish or two. And they're super easy, just the way I like my recipes!
Here's what you need:
A package of heat and serve dinner rolls (I use Sara Lee)
Several slices of deli ham (so precise, I know)
Several slices of cheese - American, cheddar or Swiss
2 TBSP butter, melted
1 TBSP dried minced onion
1/2 TBSP mustard
1/2 teas poppy seeds
1/4 teas garlic powder
Mix together the butter, onion, mustard, poppy seeds and garlic powder. Set aside.
Slice the rolls in half horizontally. It's much easier to do this as one big rectangle.
Place on a baking sheet and remove the top. Layer the ham and cheese, overlapping as needed to completely cover the rectangle. You can use as much meat and cheese as you want, depending on how thick you want your sandwiches to be.
Replace the top and brush the butter mixture over it.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. You might have to cut apart the middle to check.
Cool for 10 minutes, then cut apart into individual sandwiches. Serve warm.
This can be easily doubled if you're feeding a crowd. Or if you want to switch up the meat and cheese, just replace the ham with deli roast beef and use provolone or mozzarella. Turkey and Swiss would be great, too. But don't mess with the topping. It's fabulous!
For more tasty recipes, visit Blessed with Grace's Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
What's up with the 80's remakes?
Okay, I grew up in the 80's. I have fond memories of movies and TV shows from that era. But lately it seems that Hollywood is obsessed with remaking them. Why? Are there no more stories to tell?
Was Clash of the Titans just that good that it demanded a retelling? I know that new technology has allowed for spectacular special effects, especially when compared to the original. But c'mon.
Other remakes coming to a theater near you include The Karate Kid, The A-Team, Red Dawn, Highlander, and Knight Rider. Ya know, some things are just meant to be remembered for their 80's campiness. What is Red Dawn without the Soviets and Cubans as the enemies? And no one will ever be able to replace Mr. T as BA Baracus in The A-Team.
But Hollywood seems determined to try. All I can say, they'd better not even THINK about touching Remington Steele. I mean it.
Was Clash of the Titans just that good that it demanded a retelling? I know that new technology has allowed for spectacular special effects, especially when compared to the original. But c'mon.
Other remakes coming to a theater near you include The Karate Kid, The A-Team, Red Dawn, Highlander, and Knight Rider. Ya know, some things are just meant to be remembered for their 80's campiness. What is Red Dawn without the Soviets and Cubans as the enemies? And no one will ever be able to replace Mr. T as BA Baracus in The A-Team.
But Hollywood seems determined to try. All I can say, they'd better not even THINK about touching Remington Steele. I mean it.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Vacation Preparation 101
Summer's coming which means vacation season will soon be in full swing. I thought I'd share a couple of tips I've found useful when getting ready to hit the road for a family getaway.
1. Make a list of toiletries you need to take - sunscreen, hair gel, toothpaste. Purchase some plastic bottles (available in the travel size section at Target or Walmart) and fill them up. Don't forget to label them! Place them in a Ziploc bag in your suitcase. If they leak, your entire suitcase won't smell like Tropical Rainforest.
2. Make a list of other items you want to take - a power strip, wet wipes, Uno cards, extra batteries for your camera, etc. As you accumulate these things, place them in a central location. For instance, we use a plastic tub to put all of our take-alongs in. Sometimes we start gathering things a few months before we leave. If we find a great deal on batteries, we go ahead and buy them, then put them in the take-along tub until time to pack. No more last-minute hunting for that item you put aside last month! It's all in one place.
3. If you're planning on doing a lot of walking, say at Disney World, buy a new pair of walking shoes now! Don't wait until the week before and think you'll have time to break them in. Trust me on this. You'll need a month or so of moderate use to get your shoes really broken in for Disney walking. Oh, take an extra pair of shoestrings, too. Go ahead - buy them right now and put them in your take-along tub. You'll thank me for it.
4. Speaking of walking, get yourself in physical condition before attempting to walk around Disney (or New York City). Go for a daily walk, again starting a month or more before your vacation. Did you know the average person walks at least 10 miles a day at Disney? So, please, don't punish your poor feet by going from zero to 10 without working up to it a bit.
5. If you're driving a long distance, check out your route before hand. Are there any interesting stops along the way? Can you schedule a break for lunch at a scenic national park? Or visit the world's largest ball of yarn for a photo op while passing through? Knowing these things will help make for a more pleasant trip. And you'll get to look really smart to your kids.
Above all, plan to have fun! Isn't that what vacations are all about anyway?
For more great tips, visit We are THAT Family's Work for Me Wednesday. You'll find helpful hints and tricks to make your life easier. Why don't you jump in and share your own tip?
1. Make a list of toiletries you need to take - sunscreen, hair gel, toothpaste. Purchase some plastic bottles (available in the travel size section at Target or Walmart) and fill them up. Don't forget to label them! Place them in a Ziploc bag in your suitcase. If they leak, your entire suitcase won't smell like Tropical Rainforest.
2. Make a list of other items you want to take - a power strip, wet wipes, Uno cards, extra batteries for your camera, etc. As you accumulate these things, place them in a central location. For instance, we use a plastic tub to put all of our take-alongs in. Sometimes we start gathering things a few months before we leave. If we find a great deal on batteries, we go ahead and buy them, then put them in the take-along tub until time to pack. No more last-minute hunting for that item you put aside last month! It's all in one place.
3. If you're planning on doing a lot of walking, say at Disney World, buy a new pair of walking shoes now! Don't wait until the week before and think you'll have time to break them in. Trust me on this. You'll need a month or so of moderate use to get your shoes really broken in for Disney walking. Oh, take an extra pair of shoestrings, too. Go ahead - buy them right now and put them in your take-along tub. You'll thank me for it.
4. Speaking of walking, get yourself in physical condition before attempting to walk around Disney (or New York City). Go for a daily walk, again starting a month or more before your vacation. Did you know the average person walks at least 10 miles a day at Disney? So, please, don't punish your poor feet by going from zero to 10 without working up to it a bit.
5. If you're driving a long distance, check out your route before hand. Are there any interesting stops along the way? Can you schedule a break for lunch at a scenic national park? Or visit the world's largest ball of yarn for a photo op while passing through? Knowing these things will help make for a more pleasant trip. And you'll get to look really smart to your kids.
Above all, plan to have fun! Isn't that what vacations are all about anyway?
For more great tips, visit We are THAT Family's Work for Me Wednesday. You'll find helpful hints and tricks to make your life easier. Why don't you jump in and share your own tip?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites
It's no secret that I love peanut butter and chocolate together. I love them apart, too. But together...oohh, la, la! And I love making anything with them together. So I was delighted to find a recipe for a small batch of Reese cup-like treats, perfect for those moments when I'm craving a little chocolate and peanut butter yumminess.
Here's what you need:
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 12 squares)
1/2 cup melted butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup chocolate chips
In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs with the butter and mix well.
Add the powdered sugar and peanut butter and stir well to combine.
Press into a greased 8-inch square pan. I used my hands and kept pressing until the mixture didn't move anymore. You want this mixture to be packed in tightly so it stays together! Chill for 30 minutes.
Melt the chocolate and carefully spread over the entire pan.
Chill for another 10-15 minutes until set. Then cut into small squares and enjoy!
For more yummy recipes, visit Blessed with Grace's Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays.
Here's what you need:
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 12 squares)
1/2 cup melted butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup chocolate chips
In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs with the butter and mix well.
Add the powdered sugar and peanut butter and stir well to combine.
Press into a greased 8-inch square pan. I used my hands and kept pressing until the mixture didn't move anymore. You want this mixture to be packed in tightly so it stays together! Chill for 30 minutes.
Melt the chocolate and carefully spread over the entire pan.
Chill for another 10-15 minutes until set. Then cut into small squares and enjoy!
For more yummy recipes, visit Blessed with Grace's Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Menu Plan - April 25- May 1
The last week of April! Can you believe it? Summer will be here before we know it! This week will be a busy one. I'm administering achievements tests to a fellow homeschooler, in addition to keeping up with my own children's assignments.
My husband is participating in our church's radio fundraising program every evening but Friday. You can listen in online by going to Truth Radio and clicking the "Listen Live" button. I've planned meals that he can reheat when he gets home or that I can take to him easily. I'm also trying out a couple of new recipes, too.
Here's the plan:
Sunday
Chicken and rice soup
Monday
Stuffed peppers, roasted potatoes
Tuesday
Bacon chicken sandwiches, home fries
Wednesday
Sausage veggie calzones, chips
Thursday
Chicken white bean wraps, cole slaw
Friday
Grilled brats on soft sandwich rolls, grilled veggies
Saturday
Pizza
For more great menu planning inspiration, go to Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday. You'll find all sorts of recipes and get some ideas for meals if you're in a meal planning rut.
My husband is participating in our church's radio fundraising program every evening but Friday. You can listen in online by going to Truth Radio and clicking the "Listen Live" button. I've planned meals that he can reheat when he gets home or that I can take to him easily. I'm also trying out a couple of new recipes, too.
Here's the plan:
Sunday
Chicken and rice soup
Monday
Stuffed peppers, roasted potatoes
Tuesday
Bacon chicken sandwiches, home fries
Wednesday
Sausage veggie calzones, chips
Thursday
Chicken white bean wraps, cole slaw
Friday
Grilled brats on soft sandwich rolls, grilled veggies
Saturday
Pizza
For more great menu planning inspiration, go to Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday. You'll find all sorts of recipes and get some ideas for meals if you're in a meal planning rut.
Homeschool Field Trip - Tennessee Aquarium
Here are some highlights from our recent trip to Chattanooga and the Tennessee Aquarium!
The Princess and the penguins:
The upside-down jellies:
Bright seahorses:
I love this leafy sea dragon! Doesn't it look cool?
A Tennessee rattlesnake: (as I was taking this picture, my darling husband gently caressed my shoulder, just enough that I could feel his hand slithering toward my neck. He almost lost that hand!)
Scary shark headed right for us!
Me petting a stingray. It felt slimy and squishy!
Mr. Lego and the alligator:
After visiting the Aquarium, we walked a block to Sekisui, a Japanese sushi place right in downtown Chattanooga. The kids both ordered the child's sushi plate. The people behind us marveled that children would like sushi. What can I say? My children are unique!
We had a blast, with the exception of the screaming lady in the hotel. Even that was turned into a learning experience for the kiddos.
The Princess and the penguins:
The upside-down jellies:
Bright seahorses:
I love this leafy sea dragon! Doesn't it look cool?
A Tennessee rattlesnake: (as I was taking this picture, my darling husband gently caressed my shoulder, just enough that I could feel his hand slithering toward my neck. He almost lost that hand!)
Scary shark headed right for us!
Me petting a stingray. It felt slimy and squishy!
Mr. Lego and the alligator:
After visiting the Aquarium, we walked a block to Sekisui, a Japanese sushi place right in downtown Chattanooga. The kids both ordered the child's sushi plate. The people behind us marveled that children would like sushi. What can I say? My children are unique!
We had a blast, with the exception of the screaming lady in the hotel. Even that was turned into a learning experience for the kiddos.
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