Eat from the Pantry Challenge-Monthly Menu

I have made our menu plan for the month and it looks pretty good. I'll be off to Winco and Costco this morning to replenish a few things before we start our "Eat from the Pantry" challenge. I will mainly just be buying dairy items, refilling my spice jars, and topping off my sugar and flour buckets. I think we are good to go, so wish us luck. I'm sure we'll be at the Farmer's Market for veggies and Costco for milk, but my focus is to use what we have or make do without! I am totally hoping to stay out of the grocery stores as much as possible this month!

Here's what we have on the dinner menu this month:

• Pizza x 5 (Every Friday, but I think we'll switch it up by making individual sizes)
  
• Sloppy Joes
  
• Fajitas
  
• Talapia
  
• Beef Tri-Tip x 3
  
• Roasted Chicken x 2
  
• PW's Chicken Pot Pie
  
• Poor Man's Meal
  
• Breakfast for Dinner
  
• Spaghetti
  
• Tacos
  
• Pulled Pork (may use PW's recipe)
  
• Hamburgers x 2
  
• PW's Enchiladas
  
• Lemon Chicken
  
• Fettuccini Alfredo
  
• Toasted Cheese and Soup
  
• PW's Marlboro Man Sandwich
  
• PW's Lasagna
  
• Pork Country Ribs
  
• Meatloaf
  
• Quesedilla
  
• Pasta with Red Sauce
  

Until next time,

Pantry Challenge

Well, I challenged myself to use what we have in our food supply for January and now I see the pantry challenge all over blogland. I guess great minds think alike! I always menu plan for the month since I get paid once a month, but this time I really wanted to use what we have on hand. Hopefully we'll get off to a great start since we don't go back to school until the 11th. I am hoping to prep a lot of stuff while I'm still on break so life back in the real world will be easier!

I will have to buy milk and produce over the month, but as far as everything else goes we are looking pretty good. I'll be posting my freezer inventory and pantry inventory over the next few days so you all can see where my menu plan came from!

Goals for this challenge:

*Save grocery money
*Prepare as many things from scratch as possible
*Make room for possible bulk meat purchase this spring
*Make myself really stick to my menu plan
*Have fun trying new recipes
*Keep all my mens' tummies happy

Until next time,

Gratitude in 2009

I have been thinking a lot about what I am most grateful for in 2009 and it finally dawned on me; my family.

I think the faces I get to see everyday will speak for themselves.

My "Z"


My "L"


My "N"


and my best friend "K"

With these men in my life I have it all!
I am looking forward to seeing what 2010 has in store for us!

For more Gratituesday head on over to
Laura's at Heavenly Homemakers.

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 12-27-09

I cannot believe it is the last week of 2009! It has been such a crazy year in our house, but also such a year of growth. We have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to reflect on as we begin 2010. Planning and budgets and organizing are always my favorite things, but there is something about having a fresh start that is invigorating! I am looking forward to seeing where 2010 takes us!

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Waffles , Pancakes, French toast, Frittata (I'll be restocking the freezer this week!)


Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, Leftovers, Fruit or Veggies, String Cheese, Hard Boiled Eggs, Granola Bars, Fruit Leather


Dinners:
Sunday- Leftovers

Monday- Quesedilla with Chicken or Beef, Beans, Spanish Rice

Tuesday- Beef Stew, Rolls, Salad

Wednesday- Country Ranch Chicken, Rice, Steamed Veggies

Thursday- YOYO Night

Friday- Homemade Pizza, Salad

Saturday- Sloppy Joes, Corn, Salad

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,

Merry Christmas

From our house to all of yours…we wish you a very Merry Christmas and an amazing New Year!

Love lots,

The Monkey Pak

Oh the Books I can Read!

I love to read, but I am not really a fiction reader. I love books full of information on making my life better, easier, tastier, more frugal, (you fill in the blank). I feel like Number 5 in Short Circuit, "I need more input!" (Okay, my boys and I are probably the only ones who know that line, but we love that movie!)

I am so looking forward to the stack of books I have acquired over the last few months. Some of the books I had in my Amazon cart forever, but I finally broke down decided to use some of my Swag Bucks to help with my order. I also received a couple as gifts to read over the break. I am on winter vacation, so after this week I will have a lot of time to go through all of these glorious resources.

As I go through them I will let you all know what I think. So far, so good, I think I made some wise choices. There is so much information out there about nutrition, cooking, parenting, and living. It is a lot to sort through, but I'm on a mission to do the best I can for my monkeys (the big one too). I hope I can get through most of them over vacation, but that may be a tall order. One thing is for sure, I will be trying out a lot of recipes from PW and Nourishing Traditions over the next few weeks!

So today on this Gratituesday I am grateful for the resources I am discovering in the stack of books on my nightstand and for the time off to tackle reading all of them! Visit Laura at Heavenly Homemakers to see what everyone else is grateful for today!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 12-20-09

We are finally on winter break and boy, are we enjoying not having to be anywhere! I am so looking forward to Christmas this week. The presents are almost all wrapped and we are ready for some cookie baking over the next few days. I am so very thankful to have this time off with all my monkeys, we sure needed it!

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Cinnamon Rolls, Pancakes, French toast, Frittata


Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, Summer Sausage and Crackers, Fruit or Veggies, String Cheese, Hard Boiled Eggs, Granola Bars, Fruit Leather


Dinners:
Sunday- Hamburgers, Onion Rings

Monday- Homemade Beef Tacquitos, Spanish Rice, Beans

Tuesday- Chicken Stir Fry, Steamed Rice

Wednesday- Homemade Pizza, Salad

Thursday- Toasted Cheese Sandwiches and Soup

Friday- Christmas Day Feast- Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, Gravy, Sweet Potato Casserole, Rolls, Deviled Eggs, Pumpkin Pie, Dutch Apple Pie

Saturday- Leftovers Feast

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 12-13-09

This is our last week before WINTER VACATION! I am so excited, but I still have a lot to accomplish at home and at school. We get to go to N's Christmas program on Tuesday. I had so much fun at L's program; I can't wait to see the next one! Our menu went a little off kilter last week, but we still ate at home. I am hoping to keep on track this week and just cook what I planned!

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: cereal, oatmeal, waffles (freezer batch), banana nut muffins, Frittata


Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, fruit or veggies, granola bars, fruit leather


Dinners:
Sunday- Tri-Tip, Rice Pilaf, Broccoli

Monday- Ravioli with red sauce, Italian Sausage, Buttered Bread

Tuesday- Tacos, Beans, Spanish Rice

Wednesday- Pot Roast, Potatoes, Carrots, Onions, Bread, Salad

Thursday- Poor Man's Meal, Salad

Friday- Homemade Pizza, Salad

Saturday- Fried Shrimp, Scalloped Potatoes, Broccoli

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,

Keeping Faith

I have been thinking about all of the good things that have happened in our life this year and I came to one conclusion, even with K losing his job we are very blessed people. As I wrote our family Christmas letter I realized all of the good things that have come from K being at home this year. First of all, he is happy again. Going to a job you really hate is definitely draining on your very soul. Almost as important, the boys and I have noticed a better man coming back to us. K has always been a very loving and honorable man, but he had been so frustrated at work that he had become pretty grumpy at home. I am so thankful the boys get to see this positive transformation of their daddy. K has worked hard this year to do things around our home to make it a better place for all of us, especially me! He has made me a fenced in garden, a great storage pantry, and worked hard on completing projects around the house! Having K home has meant the boys get to spend a lot more time with their daddy, which in my opinion is always a good thing!

Even with the stress we could be feeling I am pretty peaceful in my life right now. Money is not the most important thing in the world. The most important thing in the world is building strong relationships with the people you love! So today I am grateful for the blessing we received when K lost his job. I've written about blessing in disguise and this has definitely been one! I didn't know when this all started how it would turn out (and I still don't J), but I know we will have a stronger family bond because of it. We have been watched over and protected and I know things will work out the way they are supposed to. I just have to keep my faith that there is a reason everything in my life has happened the way it has, this self-proclaimed control freak is not in control right nowJ.

On this Gratituesday you should head on over to Laura's to see what everyone else is grateful for this week.

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 12-6-09

This month is flying by so quickly! I am looking forward to the next two weeks as we countdown to wait for our winter vacation from school! Nine more school days left! Can you tell we're already for a break?!?

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: cereal, oatmeal, waffles (freezer batch), pancakes (freezer batch), banana nut muffins, French Toast (freezer batch), Frittata


Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, fruit or veggies, granola bars, fruit leather


Dinners:
Sunday- Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Salad

Monday- Talapia, Buttered Noodles, Broccoli, Salad

Tuesday- BBQ Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes, Salad

Wednesday- Pork Country Ribs, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, Salad

Thursday- Tri-Tip, Rice Pilaf, Asparagus, Salad

Friday- Homemade Pizza, Salad

Saturday- Roasted Chicken, Red Potatoes, French Green Beans

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,

Busy!

I realized I haven't been posting much lately. Life is happening all around me. Halloween costume making, Thanksgiving hosting, and now Christmas projects for school fill my mind. Sorry for being a bad blogger, but real life is calling me in multiple directions. Home, school, friends, it's a busy season in my life. I am hoping I'll be able to breathe a little better after the 18th, ah Winter break! Three glorious weeks to regroup and recharge!

Anyway I wanted to share one of the songs my L and my students will be singing for their Christmas programs at school. I wasn't sure if the kids would like the song, but they love it!

Let it be Christmas by Alan Jackson.

Have a great weekend!

Until next time,

Friends and Family

We were so very lucky over this Thanksgiving weekend to have our friends and family stay with us at our home. You always learn so much more when you "live" with someone. I learned that I love having this people in my life and I missed them just moments after they left. Our house was too quiet. (I know that's hard to imagine with the boys running around everywhere.)

Today I am thankful for having the chance to get to know my friends and family even better! We had a great time and I hope this will be the first of many Thanksgivings we spend together. So today I am grateful for visiting with our company over the long weekend! Head on over to Laura's for Gratituesday to see what everyone else is grateful for this week!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week- 11-29-09

Wow! I cannot believe how fast this weekend flew by! Our company was a blast. I think we might have a new tradition for hosting Thanksgiving at our house now!

 

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: cereal, oatmeal, waffles (freezer batch), pancakes (freezer batch), banana nut muffins, French Toast (freezer batch)


Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, fruit or veggies


Dinners:
Sunday- Fried Shrimp, Rice Pilaf, French Green Beans

Monday- Tacquitos, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice

Tuesday- Beef Tri Tip, Rice Pilaf, Broccoli

Wednesday- Toasted Cheese Sandwiches, Chicken Noodle Soup

Thursday- Spaghetti, Italian Sausage, Buttered Bread, Salad

Friday- Homemade Pizza, Salad

Saturday- Sloppy Joes, Corn, Salad

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day filled with friends and family, good food, and lots of laughter!

Thankful Thoughts

I am beyond blessed in my everyday life. I don't have everything my little heart desires, but I have everything I need. I have been thinking a lot about all of the things I am thankful for in my life and it pretty much comes down to my boys, my hubby, and my friends and family. Sure it's great that we have a nice house and dependable cars, but those things are not my world. I am thankful for those things, don't get me wrong, but I am most thankful for the people I am surrounded by in my life.

This weekend we get to host our friends and family from out of town. I am so excited to see everyone and to be able to share our home. I will be running around after school for the next few days like a little busy bee, but it will all be worth it when I get to talk (probably nonstop) and cook (a whole bunch of yumminess) and shop (until we drop) with these amazing ladies.

So on this week of thankfulness I am most thankful for the people that I have in my life!

You should stop by Laura's for Gratituesday to see what everyone else is thankful for this week!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week

I am ready for this week, I think! Simple meals and clearing out the refrigerator up until the big feast will keep me sane and ready to indulge in some of my favorite treats. Here's what we're planning...

Breakfasts- oatmeal, cereal, pancakes (freezer stash), french toast (freezer stash), and waffles (freezer stash).

Lunches- ham sandwiches, PB & J sandwiches, apples, carrots with ranch, leftovers

Dinners-

Sunday-Tri Tip, Rice Pilaf, Corn

Monday- Beef Stew

Tuesday- YOYO Night

Wednesday- Nacho Night

Thursday- Traditional Thanksgiving Feast

Friday- Homemade Pizza Night

Saturday- Leftovers Feast

I hope everyone has a great week, eats lots of wonderful goodies and enjoys the time with family and friends!

For more menu ideas head on over to Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday!

Until next time,

Thanksgiving Preparations!

The ultimate vision of a wonderful Thanksgiving!

As I have mentioned we will be having a full house for Thanksgiving this year. I am beyond excited and a little overwhelmed at the same time. I want everything to be perfect because I am a certified perfectionist, but I have learned (the hard way) enjoying my company is much more important than a perfect dinner presentation. I am making myself a bunch of lists to stay focused on what is really important for the comfort of my impending guests.

1. A welcoming home
2. Lots of good food
3. Clean bathrooms
(I live with 4 boys, so this can be a struggle, what can I say just keeping it real)
4. A hostess that is not grumpy
5. Letting these amazing women help me in the kitchen

Now on to the TO DOs before everyone gets here Wednesday:

1. House cleaned
-vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms, kitchen
2. Little Boys' bedroom ready for guests
-fresh sheets, clean comforters, surfaces cleared
2. Pies baked
3. Eggs boiled for Deviled Eggs
4. Turkey defrosted
5. Craft supplies/ materials put away
6. Desk in kitchen cleared for serving dishes

TO DOs on Wednesday:
1. Go to school and enjoy my kiddos
2. Peel and cut potatoes
3. Cranberry jelly in fridge
4. Bake pies
5. Enjoy our guests

I think that's about as simple as I can make it for myself. I know I'll want to add in extras, but I'm working hard to remember to focus on what is truly important...spending time with our friends and family.

Have a great week everyone!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week

This will be a busy week for all of us. We have the boys' parent conferences on Monday and then I start parent conferences for my students on Thursday. All of that mixed with getting a house ready for 15-20 people coming over for Thanksgiving and 6 of them staying with us for most of the weekend too! I am glad we have this week and one more weekend before we have a full house, we'll need it for me to feel like we're ready for all the fun!

Here's what we have planned for our meals this week.

Breakfasts- oatmeal, cereal, pancakes (freezer stash), french toast (freezer stash), and waffles (freezer stash).

Lunches- ham sandwiches, PB & J sandwiches, apples, carrots with ranch, leftovers

Dinners-

Sunday-Lemon Crispy Chicken, Steamed Rice, Broccoli

Monday- Fettuccini Alfredo, Breaded Chicken Patties, Broccoli

Tuesday- Hamburgers, Onion Strings, Salad

Wednesday- Toasted Cheese, Chicken Soup

Thursday- Pork Country Ribs, Twice Baked Potatoes, Broccoli

Friday- Homemade Pizza Night

Saturday- Tri Tip, Buttered Pasta, Broccoli

Hopefully everything will go well, I am enjoying having the oven on with the weather cooling off so much. If you need more inspiration head on over to Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas.

Until next time,

Veteran's Day

Today I want to thank all of my friends and family members who have chosen to serve our country in the military! We have every branch covered by someone we know and love very much. I am so very proud and humbled to have these brave souls in our family circle! The Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines are lucky to have or have had your time and your dedication to the defense of our great nation!

My grandpa Don paid the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life protecting the men who served under him in Vietnam. I never had the honor of meeting this man, but I hold him in the highest of regards for the sacrifice he made. His bravery is what serving in the military is all about!

So today it is our duty to honor and salute those active members and those that have retired from the armed forces! We should be humbled by the choice made to serve, it is an awesome responsibility.

Hug a veteran or active member and say, "THANK YOU!" For all you do!

Saluting our service men and women works for me!

Until next time,

Life's Path

I am grateful today for all the twists and turns that have made up my life. None of the things I have or am doing today were in my "plan", but of course I am learning it's not really my plan that is going to be my life. My hubby tells me often, "If you want to hear the sound of God's laughter tell him your plans."

I am grateful that the university I first attended was not a good fit for me because it lead me to find my very best friend who is now my hubby! I am grateful we were blessed with three amazing kids we didn't plan for, they still like to sneak up on us! I am grateful that my career in medicine was rerouted to a career in education. Being a mom has helped me to be a better teacher and vice versa!

It amazes me every day how well the trials in my life have turned out! I have just known things would be okay, even if I did panic a little (okay, well a lot sometimes!). I guess my faithfulness that I will not be given more than I can handle has gotten me through. Although, sometimes I wish He didn't think I could handle so much! (hehehe)

I guess I am just in a reflective mood today! Things are good and I am so grateful for the messes and the busy times and even the noise (but I have to admit we talk about noise canceling headphones a lot around here). Life is what you make of it and I'm trying everyday to train myself to make the most of every moment!

Have a great Gratiuesday and visit Laura's to see what everyone else is grateful for today!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week

I have had a busy weekend in the kitchen. Lots of good stuff going on! I love this time of year, but I think my cooking gene goes into hyper-drive!

Here's what we have planned for our meals this week.

Breakfasts- oatmeal, cereal, pancakes (freezer stash), french toast (freezer stash), waffles (freezer stash), and Banana Nut Muffins (freezer stash).

Lunches- ham sandwiches, PB & J sandwiches, apples, carrots with ranch, leftovers

Dinners-

Sunday-Fajitas, Spanish Rice(turned out AWESOME, according to the men around here), Refried Beans

Monday- Spaghetti, Italian Sausage, Buttered Bread

Tuesday- Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy

Wednesday- Pulled Pork, Corn on the Cob, Pasta

Thursday- YOYO (leftovers)

Friday- Homemade Pizza Night

Saturday- Tacos, Spanish Rice, Beans

Well that's it, I am looking forward to being home on Wednesday for Veteran's Day. We have a lot to remember this year as we honor all who serve and have served! If you need more inspiration head on over to Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas.

Until next time,

Life

This has been a great week at school and at home. I am feeling truly happy and encouraged by all the good little things that are happening around me.

My boys are staying healthy and eating like crazy. (I don't think I'm going to be able to "plan" YOYO nights anymore, there simply have not been any leftovers!) I think they're eating extra as the temperatures around here are dipping (only some days, it's California weather, hehe). We have their parent conferences in about a week, so I am looking forward to hearing about their progress!

K has been busy around the house. We can walk around in the garage much easier now! It is amazing what a little organizing can do. I like having K home, so it will be hard when he goes back to work.

My students are doing an amazing job! I taught a lesson about adding -er and -est to words and one of my little boys found an example in his library book. I asked him the base word and he was correct. He tells me, "Wow, I really am getting smart!" I think those are words any teacher is happy to hear. Also, a piece of equipment that had broken 3 weeks ago was returned yesterday. I was doing the happy dance when the computer tech walked in!!! I am trying my best to stay focused on my kids and not get caught up in the politics around me. So far the more I keep my focus the happier I am to be doing what I do!

Doing all things in my life with intention has improved my attitude and I am thankful for that! So today on this Finer Things Friday I am celebrating all the little things that are making my life so rich these days!

Head on over to Amy's to see what happening on this happy Friday!

Until next time,

So Cool!

I got to do the coolest thing ever last night...I walked out into my garden with a bowl and a knife and I cut our very own homegrown broccoli for our dinner! Okay, well maybe it's not the coolest thing ever, but it sure is AWESOME!

I really thought my broccoli was never going to produce, but I decided to leave it alone and see what happened. You know what happened?!? It grew! Who knew?!? I am so stoked to be able to serve something so fresh and so full of flavor to my family! My kids and hubby gobbled it up! We will be having broccoli often as my plants continue to grow. I just hope the weather keep cooperating!

I always have broccoli on our Thanksgiving menu, but it will be even better this year coming from our own labors! Maybe we'll even feel like the pilgrims celebrating the harvest! Well, that may be a stretch, but we will enjoy the broccoli of our labor. Hehehe!

Having a garden in my back yard totally works for me!

Until next time,

House to Home

Wow! It's Tuesday already?!? The days are flying by around here, but that is okay because it means we're getting closer to Thanksgiving! I am so excited this year because we are having a lot of friends and family coming to our house to stay with us! I LOVE cooking for Thanksgiving, so when a relative asked if she could bring her family to our house this year it took me about 1/2 a second to say YES! Then I got the wild idea to invite another friend and her family to come stay with us too! She talked to her main man and he was super excited about the idea and that's from someone who doesn't like to go visit people. I did remember to ask K if he was okay with all the guests and he said it sounds like fun. Did I mention I love that man!

So today on this Gratituesday I am very grateful for a house that is turning into a home with friends and family welcome any time! I am also grateful that we have rekindled family relationships and never let friendships die off no matter how many miles are between us. Life is so good and I am trying my best to remember to enjoy every moment!

Head on over to Laura's at Heavenly Homemakers for a month of Gratitude!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week

Halloween went great for the monkeys, but I am in Thanksgiving mode now. Lots of planning to do since we will have a house full this year. I can't wait!

Here's what we have planned for our meals this week.

Breakfasts- oatmeal, cereal, pancakes (freezer stash), and Banana Nut Muffins (freezer stash), Strawberry Bread (freezer stash).

Lunches- ham sandwiches, PB & J sandwiches, apples, carrots with ranch, leftovers

Dinners-

Sunday-Frittata

Monday- Poor Man's Meal
(Check out Miss Clara if you haven't heard of her before, my boys LOVE her)

Tuesday- Tri tip, Rice Pilaf, Broccoli (from our garden!)

Wednesday- Fried Shrimp, Steamed Rice, Green Beans

Thursday- Pork Chops, Steamed Red Potatoes, Asparagus

Friday- Homemade Pizza Night

Saturday- Sloppy Joes, Corn on the Cob

Well that's it, I'm looking forward to some of our family favorites this week! If you need more inspiration head on over to Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas.

Until next time,

Homemade Halloween Costumes Part 2

Well we finished L's costume. L wanted to be a spartan from his HALO game. He had shown us this little tiny picture when we started so we did the best we could, until yesterday. He was trying to explain how something was suppose to look, I wasn't understanding so I googled it! Now I totally see what his vision was all along. Here is the image I found yesterday...

Image from Halos-Finest.com

Dundundada....Our version for L....

Complete with "Plasma Weapon"

Making our little directors' vision come to life is definitely a finer thing!

Join everyone over at Amy's for a look at the Finer Things Friday posts!

Have a happy and SAFE Halloween!

Until next time,