Memorial Day

As I remember my grandfather's ultimate sacrifice on this special day I am also so very mindful of the men and women who give up so much of their families' lives, but get to come home! I hope everyone takes a moment to remember just how many different ways these men and women sacrifice everyday!

I saw this video on another blog and I had to share it too! Be warned a box a tissues will be needed!



Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 5-30-10

I cannot believe it is my last week of school! It has been a year full of trials and tribulations for sure! I will be a busy bee over the next few days, but much of it will be lots of fun! My boys still have two weeks left, but I like it that way! Sometimes having a different schedule has it's benefits. I'll be able to help out and attend their last day festivities and simply get to enjoy being their mama!


Here is what we have planned for this week:

Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Biscuits, Muffins, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Fruit

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


Dinners:
Sunday- Roasted Chicken, Potatoes, Sugar Snap Peas and Salad from OUR garden!

Monday- Beef Kabobs

Tuesday- Spicy Sausage Links (tasted -tested at Costco~YUMMY!), Ranch Potatoes, Salad

Wednesday- BBQ Steak and Chicken, Broccoli, Rice

Thursday- Leftovers

Friday- Fajitas, Beans, Spanish Rice, Salad

Saturday-Salad Bar


Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.


Until next time,

Cooking from Scratch

I know I said I would probably be MIA for a while, but I just had to write a little about cooking from scratch. I have been on a quest to rid our house of all things prepackaged and processed. Let me tell you it really has not been that hard to make some of our favorites from scratch. I am feeling more adventurous and my culinary skills are developing more and more every day. I love the feeling knowing that my pantry is stocked well enough that we can make just about anything. I am grateful that in this day of convenience foods I have found a community of mommas that are moving in the same direction to help our families stay healthy and well nourished. The support of my bloggy friends makes this adventure into organic and healthy living so much better!

One of my favorites that I have been making from scratch is rice pilaf. I love it! I mean I could eat it as lunch all by itself! Not that I would ever do such a thing… So here's the version I came up with after playing with a recipe I had found online. I use vegetable broth in mine, but chicken broth works also. I hope you enjoy it!

Rice Pilaf

Amy's Version

2 1/2 TBS Butter
1/2 cup Orzo Pasta
1/2 cup Diced Onion
2 Cloves Garlic Minced
1 cup Basmati Rice
2 cups Broth

Melt the butter over medium heat. Cook and stir orzo pasta until golden brown. Stir in onion and cook until onion becomes translucent, then add garlic and cook for one minute. Mix in rice and broth. Increase to high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and let cook for about 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for about 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

Until next time,

This post is linked to Gratituesday and Tasty Tuesday

Menu Plan for the Week 5-23-10

School is almost out, so I am busier than usual! We have had events at the boys' school and my school and I have to get all my records, report cards, and classroom ready for the summer. Unfortunately that means blogging is going to continue to take a hit for the next week or so. I have a lot to share, but I have to prioritize my life right now and blogging is going to have to get the short end of the stick.

In order to keep life simple at home while it's crazy at school I will continue my menu planning as always!!

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Biscuits, Muffins, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Fruit


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


Dinners:
Sunday- Tacquitos, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice

Monday- Tri Tip, Rice Pilaf, Broccoli

Tuesday- Crunchy Ranch Chicken, Potatoes, Salad from OUR garden!

Wednesday- Beef with Broccoli, Rice, Salad

Thursday- BBQ Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Squash

Friday- Beef Carnitas, Beans, Salad

Saturday- Pizza, Salad

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 5-16-10

We have had a busy couple of weeks! We were with my family last weekend to celebrate my late grandfather's life. His service was especially touching because of the Navy Color Guard flag presentation. When the sailors saw all of the memorabilia from my grandfather's Navy days up on the walls on the house they got a little choked up. It was such an honor for all of us.

I got the biggest surprise ever while we were gone. My mom and dad came to my grandma's house! They live in Idaho and we have not seen each other in 3 years. Between finances and obligations at home I thought there was no way they would be able to make the trip. I talk to my ma every day, but getting to hug her neck brought me to tears. I miss them so very much. It was a total surprise and I don't think I will ever be able to thank my cousin and aunt for making the trip happen. My grandma was so happy to see my mom. It had been five years since they had seen each other. Having her first born there was very important to my grandma and it was even sweeter to have all 7 of her kids there for Mother's Day weekend. K and my dad had a great visit too, fixing stuff and hanging out! I was sad to go home, but hopefully we won't have to wait so long to see each other again.

Needless to say I had a lot of processing to do when we got home, I even took an extra day of work and K and I just hung out together for the day. My emotions had been all over the place, so it took a couple of days for me to feel like I was back to normal. I miss my family and I am so glad summer is almost here for visiting.

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Biscuits, Muffins, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Fruit


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


Dinners:
Sunday- Tacos, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice

Monday- Leftovers

Tuesday- Tangerine Beef, Rice, Sugar Snap Peas

Wednesday- Salad Bar ~ grilled chicken, hard boiled eggs, and all the other fixings from OUR garden!

Thursday- Keilbasa, Ranch Potatoes, Broccoli, Salad

Friday- Hamburgers, Fries, Salad

Saturday- Pizza, Salad

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,

The Big Kid had the Camera

What do you do when one of your kids gets bored at a sibling's activity? I give my big kid the camera and send him on a mission. He's a boy through and through, so missions are right up his alley! Here's what he came up with on his adventure with my beloved...

First a picture of his mama, usually I'm the one on the other side of the lens!
I think I need to get some darker sunglasses! I look way too serious for a Saturday morning.

Then Z was off to harass his brothers...





Next, I got to watch him taking pictures of the ground all over the field. At first I thought he was taking pictures of his feet. I love all the different textures he captured. He has plans for using these in his video game designs!







I just thought these were cool pictures. It's always nice when one of the boys and I find something we like to do in common. I don't think Z realized how much he liked taking pictures until I let him take my beloved for a spin. I know I'm biased, but I love, love, love that camera and I am grateful for it every time I use it! Seeing the smile on his face as he snapped away was worth the little bit of nervousness I felt turning him loose with my beloved.

Until next time,

This post is linked to Gratituesday!

Menu Plan for the Week 5-2-10

Wow this weekend flew by! I am looking forward to this week for a few reasons. First, state testing will be OVER! Second, I get to see our friends and family in a few days. Finally, warm weather is on the forecast everyday this week! I am hoping it is finally here to stay. I think all of us are tired of shorts one day and jackets the next!

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Biscuits, Muffins, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Fruit


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


Dinners:
Sunday- Beef Kabobs, Onions, Peppers, Squash

Monday- Homemade Deli Sanwiches

Tuesday- Chicken Stir Fry, Rice, Sugar Snap Peas

Wednesday- Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Salad

Thursday- Leftovers

Friday- BBQ with friends

Saturday- BBQ with Family

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,