Meal Plan: Nov 1- Nov 15

Here I am making lists again. There is something about a list in front of me that makes me happy inside! I love being able to cross things off as they are accomplished plus if I don't have a list then chances are it won't get done!
So in my quest for being organized (or maybe I just have too much time on my hands?), I make meal plans. It's so nice knowing all day what is already planned for dinner. No stress, no last minute throw-it- together stuff. I am flexible and allow for those kind of nights when "I just don't feel like it".
So from time to time, I am going to post my meal plan. It may not be very exciting for you to read but it will help me keep track of my dinner plans.
In no particular order:

• Veggie Soup, Garden Pasta Salad, Choco Chip Blondies
• Hearty Ham Casserole, Milk & Honey Bread
• Glazed Country Ribs, Dilly Tater Salad, Chilly Coconut Pie
• Chicken Ole, Peaches -n- Cream Muffins
• Veggie Beef Bundles, Lemon Pound Cake
• Hashbrown Ham Quiche, Blueberry Coffee Cake
• Southwest Chicken Pizza, BBQ Bacon Pineapple Pizza
• Mushroom Pork Tenderloin
• TexMex Chicken Salad
• Honey Mustard Beef Kabobs
• Au Gratin Pork Chops, Peanut Butter Oat Muffins
• Potato Sausage Supper, Bacon Cheese Muffins

I will also allow nights for some of those old family favorite stand-bys!

Memories of my Little Ones...

What happened? Did I blink and my babies got big?

Today I was sorting through some pictures and reorganizing. I came across these from 2003. Five short years and I can't believe how much they have changed and grown!

Ryan was 7, Kyle was 5, and Kaycie was only 2!!

Seeing pictures like this reminds how blessed I am to have 4 wonderful, beautiful children! It makes me slow down a little and appreciate Lindsey while she is still small. I know that it won't be long and she will seem so big and grown-up to me!

I love the one of Kaycie. My niece had given this hula outfit to her for playing dress-up. She would put it on and dance her little heart out! She loved the "swish" of the skirt!

This one of Kyle was on our new yard toy. A huge slip -n- slide that my sister had sent to the kids. What fun we had on that thing!! I even got in on the fun but, Thank God, no pictures were taken of me awkwardly slipping my way down the length of it.

Ryan is posing on a little plastic tire swing in our front yard. When we moved into that house the previous tenants had left the tire in the garage. I didn't have any rope so we ended up using 2 jumpropes. Can you see them in the picture? I eventually bought some real rope and attached it to the tire swing. The kids spent many hours on this "cheapy" tire swing when they were younger!

Memories. Sweet memories!

Pray with Me

Lord Jesus,
We love you and thank you for your unfailing love to us. We thank you that you are never surprised about what happens, you know all things. We pray for our country right now, Father, that you would continue to uphold it. Things are happening that make us unsure and a little panicky, but thank you for reminding us that YOU are in control.
I personally pray for President Obama. I ask that you would bless his presidency. That you would become a driving force in his life. That our country would return to seeking You! And if not, Father, then I pray that my family would always stand up for You and what is right. If persecution comes, then so be it. Help us to be strong in our faith and never compromise when faced with the choice to do so.
I also think of Mr. McCain. I ask that you would bless his family. Comfort them in this time of uncertainty and despair.
Thank you that we live in a country where we can pray together and read Your Word.
As Christians, I pray that we will bond together. Love each other. And put You first in our lives!
In Jesus' Holy Name.... Amen!

Blueberry Coffee Cake

Good Stuff!!

1/4 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup plus 2 tbsp flour, divided

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (if using frozen, do not thaw)

3 oz cream cheese, cubed into small pieces

Topping:

2 tbsp flour

2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp cold butter

In mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg. Combine 1 cup flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Toss blueberries with remaining flour. Stir blueberries and cream cheese into creamed mixture. Transfer to a greased 8 inch square baking dish.

For topping, combine flour and sugar. Cut in the butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter. Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

6-8 servings

The Season's Excitement!

I am normally one of those Christmas shoppers that crowd the stores the week before the Big Day. This year I decided that I would attempt to start earlier, so as to relieve some of the last minute headaches.

I am soooo proud of myself!! I have actually purchased or planned some of the gifts already. yeah!!

I love Christmas and the excitement that surrounds this time of year. I love baking with my kids, and wrapping gifts in secret. I love when I get the perfect idea for a special gift!

I love reading about the birth of Jesus from the Bible to my kids.

I know, I know! We haven't even made it to Thanksgiving yet and I'm talking Christmas. I just can't help it. I'm so glad that Halloween is over and the yucky things are off the store shelves.

So because I'm "jumping the gun" a little, I'll add a picture for both Holidays to my post. Pumpkins and a Nativity scene!

I'm thankful for Thanksgiving but I'm also

ready to be in the Christmas spirit!!

Pray for Our Country!

All I have to say tonight is:

Psalm 33:12
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord..."

Psalm 33:22
"Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You."

When Lindsey Chooses...

If you've read the earlier post about the costumes, then you know how my Angel, aka:Lindsey, would not cooperate by wearing her costume. She screamed and cried about the whole thing!

Well, look what Ms. Lindsey is wearing today! Isn't that just like an 18 month old?

She's loving her wings today!

Blintz Pancakes with Strawberry Syrup

These are really good when you are wanting something a little different. They are kinda like thick crepes. They have a smooth texture so don't think they will be like regular pancakes (not "cakey" at all).

Hope you like them!

1 cup flour

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sour cream

1 cup small-curd cottage cheese

4 eggs, lightly beaten

Combine flour, sugar and salt; mix well. Add the sour cream, cottage cheese, and eggs; mix until moistened. Spoon the batter onto a greased hot griddle. Turn when the edges are set. Cook until the second side is golden brown. Serve with berry syrup.

Berry Syrup:

I just use whatever berry jam I have on hand. Mix it with a little bit of water and warm it up.

Today we used strawberry jam. It's good with blackberry, peach, raspberry, etc.

Harvest Party/Costumes

I have a bunch of pictures to share from today.
I was the Party Planning Momma for Kaycie's 1st grade class. Lindsey went with me and we had a great little party with the school kids.

This theater play structure is in the classroom and Lindsey loved it!! I'm thinking Christmas is coming soon.... I have an idea!!

My beautiful girl. She is so trained... All I said was, "Kaycie, look at Mom." And this is the face she showed me instantly. Do you think she knew I had the camera?

One of the crafts I had the kids do. Just paint a rock orange and add the face with black sharpie once it dries. Hot glue a stick on for the stem. Kaycie's rock was multi-sided so she added more than one face.

The $0.99 Baby Angel costume. All I bought was the wings at Goodwill. The tutu is actually off of one of Kaycie's dolls. Isn't she angelic?.....

My little angel did not want to keep her wings or headband on!! I tortured her for a couple minutes just so I could get pictures. Here Kaycie is helping me by holding our sweet angel in a death grip.

This is her "I'm not happy with you right now" face!

Daddy to the rescue!!! All it took was for him to lift her up and play "flying" and she was all smiles. (The costume did not stay on for the church party or trick or treating!) I just told Ken ,"At least it only cost us $0.99!

I know, I know!! He looks like Adolph Hitler. Believe me, this was not intentional. He wanted me to paint a mustache... I didn't mean to make it Hitlerish.

The little smile softens it up a bit, don't ya think?

Surprise, guess who is an Oregon State University fan?

Toothless Cowgirl! Yee Haw!!

Pumpkin Fun!

The kids have been begging to carve the pumpkins and finally Daddy gave in. So while I made dinner, he took them outside to get the job done.


The kids took the pictures so it should be interesting to see what they "focused" on.

I can't tell if Kaycie is having fun or a little grossed out. Pumpkin guts, ooooh!

Cheesy Boy Grin!!

Lindsey had a good time feeding the pumpkin guts to Daisy Goat. I'm sure they both loved it!

Kids can take interesting pictures. I'm not sure why Kaycie's head was in the way but I kinda like this one. It's a real-life perspective.

4 Little pumpkins sitting on the walk. The cutest one is on the left!

ok now there really are 4 little pumpkins sitting on the walk! Lindsey's is on top of Kaycie's. In the middle is Kyle's and Ryan's is the funny colored one.

After loading the pics onto my computer, I realized that they did not get any shots of Kyle. I guess that's what happens when Mom hands the camera off to everyone else.