Two Moms and a Pushcart

Menu Monday

2012-03-12T14:11:00.000-04:00

This week is getting off to a great start. The sun is shining, shopping is done, windows are open, dinner is prepped in the fridge and off to the park we go for some FUN in the SUN!!!

I always seem to get more things done when the weather is good outside. Something about sitting in a nice clean house with the windows open and drinking a glass of ice tea just makes me happy :)

Menu Monday

Monday-Bacon wrapped chicken, potato salad, corn and salad

Tuesday- French dips and waffle fries

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
approx 3 1/2 lbs beef chuck roast
16-oz. beef broth (1 1/2 cans)
1 10.5-oz. can condensed French onion soup
6-oz red wine
1 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper, to taste
4-6 French rolls
sliced provolone cheese, optional

Trim excess fat off of beef roast and season meat all over with salt and pepper.
Pour beef broth, condensed French onion soup, red wine and garlic powder into slow cooker and place beef roast into liquid.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Slow cookers have different time intervals that you can select, so work with your cooker. Depending on how the settings on your slow cooker work, the time will vary. Since this is cooking in liquid, you don’t have to worry about the meat drying out in the same way you might if you were roasting the meat in the oven. Mine took 7 1/2 hours and was falling apart tender.
Take beef out and rest it, covered with aluminum foil, for about 15 minutes. Slice beef and return to slow cooker on low or very low for 30 minutes.
Lightly toast the bread and evenly distribute cheese between rolls, if using. Divide beef onto rolls and spoon the beef juice* into ramekins or other small bowls and eat everything while it is hot. Serve each sandwich with its own dip.

Wednesday- Leftovers for the hubs,kidgit night for myself and Isabella

Thursday- Sour cream noodle bake, broccoli and garlic toast

1.25lb ground chuck
15oz tomato sauce
1/2 t. salt
freshly ground black pepper
8oz egg noodles
1/2 c. sour cream
1 1/4 c. small curd cottage cheese
1/2 c. sliced green onions (less to taste)
1 c. grated sharp cheddar

{1} Brown meat in large skillet. Drain and add tomato sauce, 1/2 t. salt and plenty ground pepper. Stir and simmer while preparing other ingredients.

{2} Cook egg noodles to al dente. Drain and set aside.

{3} Combine sour cream, cottage cheese, and plenty fresh ground pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in noodles and green onion. (I totally forgot the green onions at the store, so I just added some chopped yellow onion to my meat while cooking. I'll try it with the green next time though.)

{4} To assemble - spread half of noodles in to a baking dish. Top with half of meat mixture, then half of cheese. Repeat each layer once, ending with a final layer of cheese. (So - noodles, meat, cheese, noodles, meat, cheese.)

{5} Bake for 20 minutes at 350, or until cheese is melted.

Friday-Dinner at G's, I am making dessert

Saturday- Leftovers

Sunday-Braizilian chicken stroganoff

Have a great week!!!

Menu Plan Monday!!

2012-03-12T07:40:00.001-04:00

Well good morning everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend. I spent mine cleaning, spending time with Kateena, a new show- Grey's Anatomy- late to the party on that one I know!- and a lovely day out with the hubs and manlet. I made the DIY febreeze that is featured on http://fakeitfrugal.blogspot.com/ which is FABULOUS!!! (both the spray and the site!). I finished off the weekend making my meal plan and shopping list whilst watching all my Sunday shows, Once upon a time, Jerseylicious, Big Rich Texas, and the new GCB- which is awesome. So here is the meal plan for me- and remember if you don't see anything you like hop over to Menu Plan Monday at www.orgjunkie.com .

Monday: Crock pot ranch chops, smashed potatoes, spinach

Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie

Wednesday : Kidgits night!

Thursday: Raviolis

Friday: Friends house Friday ( my week) Bliss@home night. (Bliss is a favorite eatery of Kateena and I and the kids, I am going to recreate it)

Saturday: Happy St. Patrick's Day!! After we get home from the parade with the kids, I am making... you guessed it... Corned beef and cabbage, with potatoes and carrots. Nutty Irishman cupcakes for dessert courtesy of Cupcake Charlie himself!

So that is the plan for the meals this week. Definitely check out the fake it frugal site, she had TONS of great ideas!

Have a great week, talk to you later!!

KONY 2012

2012-03-08T19:25:00.001-05:00

In NO way am I trying to spark a debate. I simply think this needs to be shared.

Super Tuesday, super confusing???

2012-03-06T07:37:00.003-05:00

I promise this is not a political post- least not in which the good and ills of candidates are discussed. In fact, I promise no candidates, parties, referendums, or partisan arguments will be made here. I am me, and I support this message. Ok.... today here in Massachusetts it is SUPER TUESDAY!

For the first time in my voting career, I honestly am confused as to who I want to vote for. On one hand is the guy-because they are all guys this year- who I was really behind for some time and I think has the chops to run this country and do it well. On the other hand is a guy who I see looks very sincere and concerned about this country. I don't know much about his background, but something in me whispers " this guy? This is good guy, he wants the best for us" but I wear my heart on my sleeve and it very well could be that clever campaigning was designed to speak to that part of me.

WHAT am I to do? Ugghhh I have to go vote in less than an hour. If I wait till I am in the booth am I just letting panic take my vote? Or is it instinct then and should I go with it?

I am going to vote- for who, will not be revealed, because I know people with their own political views feel they need to defend them fiercely- I know this because I am one of them. lol

So if you are in a participating Super Tuesday state, go vote! Voting is our most precious right. People die for that right, both here and abroad. Please send me good thoughts, I still have no idea what I am going to do, well except for vote.

TGIM!!!

2012-03-05T07:12:00.000-05:00

Seriously, I find the weekends exhausting! I am getting ridiculously attached to routine in my old age. Not for nothing, I do love the craziness that Saturday adventures with Kateena bring, because having to pull over on the side of the road because you are now laughing so hard you can't see where you are driving is good times! Come Monday though, I am grateful for the return of the boring predictability.

This week will be a bit busy as I am prepping to host my first Lia Sophia Party. Actually it's the first kind of these parties I have ever done. I hope everyone has a good time. BTW if you are into Lia Sophia jewelry, feel free to hop onto this site www.liasophia.com/xtina and purchase to your hearts content. ( shameless plug I know, but hey I had to try.)

Question! I am hosting a bachelorette party in a few months. The bride to be wants nothing really wild, so I am going with a sort of cocktail sort of party thing, drinking, dancing etc. etc. I have never thrown a bachelorette party before, are favors given out at something like this?

Now, with out any further adieu..... MENU PLAN for the week!!!

Monday: Parmesan crusted Tilapia

Tuesday: Cowboy casserole - link here ( my pinterest project for the week- thanks to The Cutting Edge of Ordinary!!)

Wednesday: Paula Deen's Chicken pot pie

Thursday: Honey Baked Chicken Legs ( thanks to Hot Eats and Cool Reads for the recipe here )

Friday: Friends house Friday at Kateena's I have to make dessert, I am thinking Pineapple cupcakes??

Saturday: Maybe grilled something? It's supposed to be nice out?

So that's menu Monday for me. Hope you all had a great weekend, don't be shy about checking out the Lia Sophia link and letting me know what you think about the bachelorette party question! And like always if you don't like my menu, check out our friends at Org Junkie http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday .

Friend's house friday

2012-03-03T07:27:00.000-05:00

Last Friday night indeed. Kateena came over and I made ravioli and home made sauce with garlic bread. The kids ate it really well, which surprised me, I thought the homemade sauce would be too strong for them. Ice cream sodas for dessert, yum!

We ordered the Leo Dicaprio movie J Edgar and found it very tough to watch. We both had the same feeling that we were watching a show that kept switching channels intermittently. We eventually gave up and started watching the showtime show Shameless. Really good- little shocking as some of it was quite racy- but the story line and acting was great.

We painted our nail with the new China Glaze polishes were picked up on Friday and Kateena did my hair.....

Kateena did my hair..... DID IT IN is more like it. I sat there trustingly whilst listening to the sprays of aerosol and Teena mumbling something about high hair and God. GOD?! Hold up, I just agreed to let you give me a new style. I took a look in the mirror- the first time...... I had been Snookied. You know, Jersey Shore big haired bimbo? Yea, not good.

Literally, my head looked like this. Amidst her giggling I sat down again so she could fix it. I kept awaiting to see my old high school 80's hair re emerge, instead next I heard " hmmm bozo the clown?" WHAT!?!?! OH HELLL'S NO! At that point she started taming it down giving me a respectable small poof in the front. I have awoken this morning to empty ice cream soda glasses around the living room, torn up bits of paper towels soiled with nail polish and hair, well, I just wish I had gotten to enjoy the party that my hair apparently did. Holy mother of pearl, it is a HOT MESS!

LOL, Kateena said that it will be a breeze to style today. Good grief. lol

Have a great day! Be kind to you hair!!!

Missing Person. Have you seen this guy?

2012-03-01T09:53:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone. I am posting this because I hope someone who reads this may be in the area and have seen this man. He is a very talented and well loved poet, whose family and friends want him home desperately. Please take a look and be on the look for him. His vehicle is sporting Rhode Island plates, hopefully this is something that will stick out deep in the heart of Texas.

Thank you guys. If you click on the pic above a larger version of the insert can be seen more clearly.

Tasty Tuesday, Pinterest Fail.

2012-02-28T07:50:00.001-05:00

It was bound to happen. A pinterest project fail. Yep, and something so simply went so wrong.
Mac and cheese recipe..... yea not so much. I think it was more me than the recipe, or to be specific the cheese is where I failed. I know, right? Cheese fail- how could it be? I don't know, but it happened.

Here is the recipe link:

http://www.macaroniandcheesecake.com/2011/09/revolutionary-mac-cheese.html

I have to say, while cooking the pasta in milk was a pain, it was very tasty- HOWEVER, I shoould have stopped there. I added the cheese and the sauce turned grainy- grainy. Don't know, but I am a little traumatized. Pinterest fail, however. I did try. Oh well, bring on the hamburger helper!

Have a great day.

Thanks to Tasty Tuesday for the link.

http://beautyandbedlam.com/what-can-i-make-for-dinner-tonight/

Menu Plan Monday

2012-02-27T12:40:00.002-05:00

Well, when I said I was getting back to a routine, it's a good thing I did not specify a time table. Better late than never right?
Ummmm, oh right menu plan.

Monday: Macaroni and Cheese and spinach

Tuesday: Hamburger helper and corn

Wednesday: kidgits night

Thursday: Tilapia with mixed veggies

Friday: Friends house Friday- mini cheese ravioli with homemade tomato sauce and garlic bread

Saturday: Well, Saturdays are tricky- if Lucy and Ethel don't make an appearance, we will be having creamy Italian chicken.

So there you go. Menu plan? Check. Shopping? Check. (also was able to coupon 9 boxes of Kelloggs cereal and a gallon of milk for under 15 bucks!!!) Fly lady routine, is taxing down the runway, clothes are in the wash and coffee is a'brewin and I am looking to drag Kateena to Zumba tonight!!!

Lucy,Ethel and a Menu

2012-02-26T22:45:00.001-05:00

EXHAUSTED!!! That is the only word that explains how I am feeling at 9:36pm on this Sunday night. I have been ready for bed for about 2.5 hours. Sorry Oscar but I will have to read about the wins in the morning. I have the Oscars recording but know that as soon as I turn on the t.v or the computer the winners will be flashed all across the screen .I did watch the red carpet show which is my favorite part..lol:)

The princess has been on school vaca all week . The past week was all about keeping a four year old entertained and not much of anything else as I was battling a cold at the same time. I eventully won the battle on FRIDAY!! Well maybe I shouldn't say I won the battle so much as just took enough NyQuil that it is probably still lingering in my system. Friday is also being known as the day I broke my "lady parts" in spin class at the Y...not good...STILL NOT GOOD!! So I think I should have used the sick card that day, ohh well you live... you learn, right, probably not because I'm quite certain that G will drag me to another class this week.

The weekend ended with a shopping trip with the family. My hubby is from Brasil and with a trip coming at the beginning of April we decided a trip to the mall was needed. While at the mall I decided to go ahead and make the switch to Bare Minerals make-up. I have thought about for a long time and since my Mama, Sis , Niece and Gretchen all use it and have nothing but good things to say I decided today was the day. Now I am all about the make-up but have always just bought mine at Target etc...or as my husband points out CHEAP!! I have never been a "make-up snob" but as I am getting older my skin is changing and at 31 my skin is breaking out more than at 15. I am really going to concentrate on taking care of my skin and think that switching to whichever brand is on sale might not be the best thing. I am also going back to get the Urban Decay NAKED eye shadow palette . I almost got it today but just could not bring myself to buying it and the starter kit for Bare Minerals. Lucky for me I have the bestest(yes I know bestest sounds cheesy but I do believe he his;)) hubby a girl could get and thinks that I deserve that splurge. He told me to go buy it this week. Our mall trip wouldn't have been complete without a trip to the Disney store. Isabella may or may not have lead the way without our help, is that bad?!?!....Yes, yes my child can get me from any random location in the mall and direct us straight to the Mouse!! We ended out day with dinner at Olive Garden which was super yummy. I always say I am going to buy a bottle of dressing but always walk out empty handed. Next time the bottle comes home!!

I am determined to start the week fresh and getting back to a schedule so I am going to go ahead and post Menu Monday. This week I have also added in breakfast and lunch.

2/27-3/4

Monday-B cereal and bananas

L leftover pasta

D Chicken stew over rice, salad

Tuesday-B bacon,egg and cheese biscuits

L tuna salad,wheat thins

D hamburger stroganoff, salad and corn

Wednesday- B cinnamon toast(Bella requested)

L ham and cheese sammys

D leftover for the hubby Kidgit night for Bella and myself

Thursday- B oatmeal

L soup and crackers

D pork chops, mashed potatoes and broccoli

Friday- B peanut butter and bagels,yogurt

L turkey sammys and pretzels

D dinner @ G's so I am taking dessert which will be Ooey gooey bars...YUM!!

Saturday -B cereal

L free for all....if we are home but that never is the case it seems on Saturdays no matter how hard we try....lol.. For example this past Saturday excursion was suppose to last 2 hrs max and be home by 1:30 and well it ended up being more like 5:30 and 2 yes I said 2 ROUND TRIPS to Rhode Island!!! We are the REAL modern day LUCY AND ETHEL!!!

D---See above !!

Sunday- B Eggs and toast

L-out with the family

D Baked chicken, potatoe casserole and green beans

Homemade sweet treat will be a new recipe I am trying for banana cake...The hubs and princess love anything banana .

Good night Ya'll and happy Menu planning!!

Check out our friends over at http://orgjunkie.com/2012/02/menu-plan-monday-feb-2712.html for more menu ideas.

Vacation week survival slacking

2012-02-26T09:26:00.002-05:00

UGGHHHH, the manlet was home this week and I got NOTHING done. By the look of Mount Dirty Clothes, close to no laundry was done. I think I cooked maybe twice this week ( shameful- I am aware ), I flaked off Friend's House Friday altogether. Kateena took it in stride ( thank's T). We were supposed to go spinning with a friend of mine in the island of rhode, forgot completely- sorry April :(. Play dates with numerous friends that never materialized- apologies all around guys, I really meant to get together with you all.

We did a tour of local gyms. Kateena and I both decided on one to join, took a spin class- where due to TERRIBLE bikes, we are both experiencing pain in place where no one should endure outside the confines of childbirth. Make no mistake- Kateena and I are a spin veterans! Not so long ago we would spin twice a week. The bikes were horrible at this class and the music..... ALL WHITNEY HOUSTON! Don't get me wrong, I like the late Ms. Houston, and have been more apt to listen to her in recent times, but her genre was not of the spin suited variety. I need a strong up beat, I need tempo sir, TEMPO! Plus the instructor getting off his bike and dancing in front of Kateena and I was most distracting. Maybe we are spoiled, our former instructor was all about the boot camp mentality- the shout at us " ladies, quit your giggling and GET YOUR KNEES UP!" and " you are all right- no one dies in my class" oh! and the heavily rotated " if your legs aren't burning right now, something is terribly wrong." We loved the way ( ok I loved the way) she would see I was lagging and play Ozzie Osbourne's "Crazy Train" to get me to push thru. siiigghhhh I miss Sue. But the upshot is this place offers many classes including the dance-like-a-fool-zumba, and water aerobics, the pool, hot tub (which never fails to amuse Kateena when I step into and do the "eeccch oooch ouch, that's really hot" dance. The sauna and steam room are nice too.

MONDAY, fresh start, routine to return! New routine too. Return to Menu Plan Mondays, Tasty Tuesdays and the rest. I am also going to resurrect my Fly-lady routine. Fly Lady, if you don't know, is a site that helps you develop a routine to make cleaning your house easier. I am not a neat person by habit. Never have been, just my nature I guess. So years ago I googled 'become a compulsive neat freak' and Fly Lady came up. I tried it, didn't really stick and some years later I met Kateena and she told me about the site. Like exercise, cleaning is easier when you have a buddy. Kateena is a AWESOME homemaker, I just don't have her talent or motivation, with this site and her encouragement, the cleaning bug seems to bites harder.

The site is Flylady.net and I thoroughly recommend it. This post is silly long, so I am going to close and go wash and shine my sink.

Have a great day!

Blah, but wait! there are Kateena doughnuts!

2012-02-23T09:15:00.000-05:00

I have been having a real case of BLAAAHS lately. I don't know why. I think I have a small underlying cold, that thankfully has not gotten ugly, but is just lightly lingering. I think that is why I haven't posted really. That and the manlet is home for February vaca and underfoot ALWAYS.

Never the less, I made doughnuts for the men. Proof positive I am just a bit off- I am not really wanting to eat them. Kateena made these for the kids a few weeks ago and they were DEE LISH!! So I re created them myself, manlet is completely sticky right now and I am certain the hubs will enjoy them as well. This may be one of those well known things to do, but I was flabbergasted when I saw Kateena do it.

Easy PEASY to do. Fill a pan with about and inch of cooking oil and heat over medium heat. Take a can of biscuits, lay them out and cut holes out of each one. I could not find a small enough cookie cutter ( shocking as there are more than 100 in this house) so I improvised and used the wrong end of my baster....that's right, it's not just for turkeys anymore. ooohhhhh turkey. yum.

When I was finished cutting the holes, I took a small bit of dough and tossed it into pan to test the oil temp. When it starts to sizzle you are good to go.

Carefully place ( I used my hands, but you could use a spatula or other utensil if you are more cautious) each doughnut and or whole into the oil. Allow to cook in oil for about 45 -60 seconds, you want to make sure the dough cooks all the way thru. Flip to cook other side using a bamboo skewer.

When the dough is cooked thru, remove from the oil and place on a paper toweled plate to drain off excess oil.

Glaze? Too easy! Milk, powdered sugar, and a teaspoon and a half of vanilla. Mix till you have the thickened consistency you would like and BATHE, yea I said it BATHE the doughnuts in it.

It's a good thing we are joining another gym- more on that later- because we are going to need it with these hanging around.

We interupt this Tuesday for Menu Monday!!

2012-02-21T08:38:00.001-05:00

So I know we normally post our menus on Monday but I have been sick and well here in lovely Massachusetts it is also February vacation week for the kiddies from school .I was still working on my meal plan as I headed to the store yesterday. I did get my list made and stuck to it for the most part . I did put several...okay alot of "extras"in my shopping cart but I still managed to do pretty good overall with the amount I spent.

Menu 2/20-2/26
Monday- Oven baked Tacos, spanish rice (These were a huge hit with my family) Thank you Pinterest once again!!

Oven Tacos

2 lbs ground beef
1 can refried beans
8 ounce tomato sauce
1 pkg taco seasoning or homemade taco seasoning
1 ½ cups shredded cheese
18-20 hard taco shells
lettuce, salsa, sour cream, etc for serving.

Brown ground beef. Drain off any fat and add refried beans, tomato sauce, and seasoning.
Spoon mixture into taco shells.
Place filled shells into a 9×13 pan, standing up. Sprinkle with cheese.
Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.
Enjoy!

Note: For those of you with a smaller family you may want to half this recipe. You could also easily stretch this for a larger group and get a few more tacos out of it by adding extra beans.

Tuesday- Creamy Italian chicken, egg noodles, salad

Wednesday- Kidgit night at the Mall for Isabella and myself . The hubby will have leftovers

Thursday- Chicken Stroganoff, white rice

Friday- Dinner at Gretchens . I will be making Ooey gooey butter cakes ala Paula Deen..YUMMO!!

Saturday night-Cowboy steaks, mashed potatoes and corn

Sunday- Spaghetti with meat sauce , salad and garlic bread

Friends house friday's

2012-02-17T19:31:00.002-05:00

Good Lord did I ever eat too much tonight. Kateena's night for dinner and she made Paula Deen's chicken pot pie..... Sooooooo gooooood. Here is the link for the recipe- FYI she left out the egg. I am ready to burst, and of course I was responsible for desert- which came from the local bakery-I got the kids cupcakes and indulged Kateena and I with lobster tails. Let me tell you, short of going to Mike's in the North End of Boston, these were the best lobster tails around. That being said, I am currently having a hostile debate with my body over keeping all this food down. Holy Moley, I am in actual pain from eating too much, curse you delicious food, curse you!!!

You'll have to excuse me now, Kateena is peer pressuring me into buying 10 boxes of Hamburger helper as it will be on sale for .39 a box after our coupons. Yikes, forget the over eating, I feel sick just thinking about where to put all the boxes.

Once I have tabled the matter of the Hamburger helper, she and I then have to start hashing the details of the birthday parties of the manlet and his quite frequent accomplice. It's months in away, but a party planned in advanced with some careful thought can be spectacular.

decisions, decisions.....

2012-02-16T07:48:00.003-05:00

Unhappy with the gym we are currently with, Kateena and I are searching for a new place, which is turning out to be a work out in and of itself.

Is it so much too ask-and apparently it is- to have a gym that has ample equipment, group classes, and a kids room, reasonably located for a non astronomical monthly fee? Magic 8 ball answer...... all signs point to yes.

I want to take Kateena's suggestion on doing to couch to 5k program and overcome my terror of running. However, we really only have the wee hours of the morning to work out and I am not crazed about the two of us running in the dark. Just the non safeness of the whole thing.

About to dress the manlet for school, and then off we go in search of the apparent Holy Grail of gyms. Wish us luck.

We interrupt this Tuesday Lose day for ......

2012-02-14T08:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentines Day!!!! There is no way I am working out or weighing in today, today is a day of love and that includes the love of oneself. So no hateful weight machines, treadmills, elliptical, or cross trainers. I am all about the hugs, kisses from the manlet, smelling the roses from the hubs and enjoying the day- which yes includes Godiva chocolates! We will resume the self image hatred programming tomorrow. lol

Valentine's day started yesterday for Kateena and I due to the kids school schedule. We were invited to deliver valentines the kids had made in school to a local senior residence. I am embarrassed to admit, I was not whole heartily up for the activity, but I went as I knew it was a good experience for the kids. I am SOOOO glad I went, the kids liked handing out the cards and I loved spending some time with the residents talking.

Ok, so clearly my photo placement skills need work, but these were too cute not to post.

The manlet awoke to find his Valentine display and was soooo loving it! Lot's of hugs and kisses! It's the 1st real Valentines where he understood, he was excited to give his bus driver his gift and his teachers too!

Poor skills, I know.

I was even so in love with the manlet I made heart-ish shaped pancakes.

I am now going to open my chocolates and enjoy a few chocolates with my coffee. Happy Valentines Day!

Valentine's a day early?

2012-02-13T13:54:00.001-05:00

It's nearly valentine's day so I had to send the manlet into school with Valentines for his school mates (some kids go MWF others just Tue Thurs). The teacher and the school gave great care to advise that treats be non edible- as to avoid allergies and parents who may frown upon sugary treats. I assure you I am not against the candy, I am a HUGE fan of candy and have the waist line to prove it, especially on the holidays. Kateena and I made very cute treats using glow sticks a month ago and sent them in today. Manlet gets off the bus and lo and behold..... CANDY! A sack full. Now again, for the sake of redundancy, I have no problem with candy, however, it would have been much more convenient to go ahead and make some sweet and crafty treats. Instead we played by the rules and sent in the glow sticks. I wish that the rules applied to everyone not just some.

The teacher and bus driver gifts came out super cute and were super easy. check em out. FYI the bus box came from the target dollar spot.

The tags read "you were 'mint' to be my valentine." Teachers always seemed to have mints when I was a kid so..... well it's the thought that counts right?

Menu Monday. TGIM!

2012-02-13T07:36:00.002-05:00

What a weekend.Exhausting! The kids went for a Valentine Stroll sponsored by the local business owners. It was so adorable. Cold but adorable.

We then ran around- as we swore we would not do to get the last of the teacher/bus driver gift supplies. It was not the early night we planned by a long shot.
Home to find the shocking news that Whitney Houston had passed away. Such a great talent to be lost for such foolishness is heartbreaking. I hope where she is now, she has found freedom from the demons that hounded her in this world. Jennifer Hudson's Grammy tribute was lovely. I normally am not a Grammy watcher but I was interested in seeing how the passing of Houston was acknowledged. Katy Perry, liked her performance. Tabloids were all a buzz about how she was slamming her ex in it. I didn't see it. Eminem picked up an award for his album Recovery. I may lose followers, but I am a fan of Eminem and am happy to see him pick up the grammy for the latest work. Nicki Minaj? Have no idea what that whole this was about, but I did not enjoy it. Ick.

So onto my menu plan:
Monday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans.

Tuesday: Asparagus Chicken and pasta and here is the recipe:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

2 cups chicken stock
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup white wine
1 (8 ounce) package sliced mushrooms
1 pound asparagus
1 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Place chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
While the chicken is baking, place the chicken stock, garlic, and onion in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, and cook until liquid is reduced by half. Stir in wine, and continue to cook until reduced and slightly thickened.
Add the mushrooms and asparagus to the chicken stock mixture. Reduce heat, and simmer until mushrooms are tender. Stir in the heavy cream, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Season with salt and pepper, and serve over the baked chicken

I serve it over bowtie pasta.

Wednesday: Kidgits night at the Mall

Thursday: Left overs

Friday: Friends House Friday @ Kateena's- I make dessert- I am thinking watergate salad.

Saturday: Italian Creamy crockpot chicken.

So there is my meal plan. Nothing exciting, but hey, it is what it is. Kateena most likely will be posting later and if you are still looking for ideas- pop onto Orgjunkie.com for their meal plan blog hop

Have a great week!!!

Friend's house Friday

2012-02-10T19:37:00.005-05:00

All is quiet here on this Friday. The chillins' have been remarkably good- and with out the aid of any controlled substances! lol Dinner was a great success as well, the crock pot lasagna was a hit with all!

and soooo easy! I got the idea from Creating thru Life here. And THEENNNNN

Despite being exhausted from an all night reading 55 Shades of Grey ( a book recommended by my friend ) all night (and make no mistakes it will keep you up all night!)- Kateena made this most incredible creation.....OMG Ready? It's called Banana Caramel Xango ( pronounced Cha-ngo). It was voted Dallas' best dessert by the Dallas Observer - so of course my Texan gal had to make it. It is so good you'll wanna slap your mamma, her mamma and a couple of old biddies just out of sheer joy.

Using a heavy hand mixer or stand type mixer, beat the cream cheese and the sugar together until it is soft and smooth. Add the cheesecake and flavoring and continue beating, until smooth.

(Place this mixture down the center of Tortilla Shell if you want the Cheesecake center)

Place a generous portion of Cream down the center of the Tortilla shell. *I removed 3/4″ on both sides, but this is optional. Fold in sides, then begin rolling from the bottom – up and over the cream. Roll as tightly as possible, then secure with toothpicks before frying in hot oil. Once golden brown, place on paper towels to drain. Coat thoroughly in Cinnamon and Sugar mixture.

Well all is quiet now, so I am going to take advantage and post. Have a great weekend.

What's cooking Wednesday? OPA!

2012-02-08T07:45:00.001-05:00


I really do like this recipe and it has been far too long since i made it. My sister in law is the QUEEN of this dish. You how the song goes "if I die young, bury me in satin"? Ya if I die young, bury me with these potatoes! Chicken with lemon -- Kotopoulo Lemonato

Ingredients
2 to 3lb. ready to cook, quartered Roaster 1/2 cup Butter juice of 1 1/2 Lemon 1/2 cup hot Water 1/2 cup chicken stock 2 teaspoon Salt 1/4 teaspoon Pepper 5 Large potatoes quartered length wise
1 tbls oregano
Preparation
Saute chicken in frying pan in hot butter until golden on all sides; remove to 3 quart casserole.Add potatoes, pour over the strained lemon juice and water. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and oregano. Bake covered for 1 hour, or until chicken is tender, basting every 20 minutes. Remove chicken to heated platter; pour sauce over chicken.

Tuesday Lose day....

2012-02-07T11:29:00.001-05:00

Sounds so much worse after this weekend. I think I would be more okay with no weight loss ( mind you no gain either and that may be due to the gym-ing every day last week) if the Patriots had won the Superbowl. Alas, they did not and I ate my way thru 4 hours of football and ate away at the tons of leftovers. Let me tell you, loss is not a dish best served reheated. Blech. The upshot is that I worked much of the said left overs into my meal plan for the week.
Zumba tonight to add some cardio- because it is NEEDED.

Well when one get's off track there is nothing left to do that get back on. Here I go.... can someone give me a boost? Those deviled eggs went right to my thighs.....uggh.

Menu Monday and Cleaning Too!

2012-02-06T20:18:00.001-05:00

This week starts off a little bit on the sad side.....The Patriots lost the Super Bowl.Next to the Cowboys they are my favorite team. I'm not sure what happened but it was a good game till the end.

Big Y had a great sale this week so I was able to stock up on alot this week which was great since I only needed 10 things after doing my menu plan. I was able to use the extra money towards stocking up. As a bonus I also bought TAB!! I have not seen TAB in years.It is currently in the fridge chilling for Wednesday night when G comes over to watch Ringer.

Menu Plan 2/6-2/12

Monday-Parmesean crusted tilapia,green beans and ranch rice

Tuesday-Tomato basil chicken, butter noodles and peas

Wednesday- Kidgit night for myself and Isabella, leftovers for the hubby

Thursday-Chicken salad wraps and apple slices

Friday- Brazilian chicken stew in the crockpot for the hubby. Dinner at G's so I will be making strawberry oat bars for dessert.

Saturday-leftovers:)

Sunday-Chicken marsala, green beans and mashed poatoes

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars from the Ree aka Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

1 3/4 sticks salted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for greasing pan
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cup oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
One 10 to 12-ounce jar strawberry preserves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan.

Mix together the butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Press half the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Spread with the strawberry preserves. Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the top and pat lightly. Bake until light brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely, and then cut into squares.

This week my goal is to deep clean my bedroom and organize our closet.I'm not sure who has more shoes....Me or the Hubby....I need to get it under control and hopefully keep it that way :) I'm hoping that putting it out there it will make me more accountable. So next week when I do Menu Monday I will give a update and the goal for next week.Maybe I will be brave and post before and after pictures..maybe ?!?!

P.S I would love for someone to tell Gisele that you do not PRAY for personal gain.You pray for strength,healing,comfort and understanding. NOT that your husband wins a GAME! ( I will step down off my milk crate now)

Menu Plan Monday 2-6-2012

2012-02-06T07:29:00.002-05:00

I am feeling very "Eyore-ish" this morning. Despite disaster, the sun rises and life goes on. I won't lie that I am thoroughly disappointed in my beloved Patriots, and this game could have been theirs had they just been a but sharper on the receivers. I am trying desperately to hold to the ideal I had a week ago that win or lose they made it and some one has to go home without a trophy. Unfortunately it is us today. no good.

So here is my menu plan for the week. Simple because I need to get rid of ALL this left over food. YIKES.

Monday: BBQ kielbasa with mashed potatoes and spinach

Tuesday: Spaghetti and meatballs

Wednesday: Greek chicken thighs with lemon and potatoes with green beans


Chicken with lemon -- Kotopoulo Lemonato

Ingredients
2 to 3lb. ready to cook, quartered Roaster 1/2 cup Butter juice of 1 1/2 Lemon 1/2 cup hot Water 2 teaspoon Salt 1/4 teaspoon Pepper 5 Large potatoes quartered length wise
1 tbls oregano
Preparation
Saute chicken in frying pan in hot butter until golden on all sides; remove to 3 quart casserole.Add potatoes, pour over the strained lemon juice and water. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and oregano. Bake covered for 1 hour, or until chicken is tender, basting every 20 minutes. Remove chicken to heated platter; pour sauce over chicken.

Thursday: Hamburger Helper

Friday: Crockpot Lasagna - my Pinterest project

Saturday: Leftovers

Nothing exciting, but that's going to be the tone of the week. I can only hope a good score from my coupon guy may lighten the mood.

PS. Redtinis? not terribly impressed...maybe we made them wrong. Kateena and I added more liquid and by liquid I mean vodka, but nothing really to write home about. hmmmm

And if you don't like my menu you check out others at http://orgjunkie.com/2012/02/menu-plan-monday-feb-612.html

Of Superbowls and Shopping

2012-02-03T20:17:00.002-05:00

Friday is upon and so is the Super Bowl! GO PATS!!!!! This week was Kat's turn for dinner, she made a cheesy alfredo chicken bake that was tasty and hearty, very good. I made something called Banofee Pie.... Good lord is it sweet..... like so sweet it is LUDICROUS! Check it out.

This starts with a graham crust and then you pour in a can of Dulce de Leche, layer sliced bananas, another can of Dulce de leche and then top with whip cream and chocolate shavings..... OMG. One piece could literally do you in...... so sweet. So I made it, it was not food porn necessarily, but I am getting better.

We also reserve Fridays to watch one of our favorite shows- The Ringer- it just came back from hiatus and both of us are completely mystified...... WHAT IS SHE THINKING?!?!

We made out menu plan and shopping list for Sunday, turns out I had a lot of the stuff already- score!

Menu Plan : Super Bowl Sunday

Chili
Spinach Artichoke dip
Corn dip
Ham sliders
BBQ Keilbasa
Meatball Sliders
Chips
Black Magic cake
Soda
"red-tinis"
Beer
Strawberry Champagne slushies

That's it- I have a raging headache from a busy sort of stressed day and possibly a toxic level of sugar in me right now. Good thing I hit the gym every morning, because this pie was a pound packer on.

Good nights!
wine

Good for a WHOLE Year!!!

2012-02-01T21:16:00.001-05:00

Bella : Momma where is the Christmas tree??
Me: Its in the garage sweetie with all the Christmas decorations.
Bella: When can we put it up again??
Me: Next Christmas.
Bella: When is that??
Me:In about 11 months.
Bella:Then I can open presents, YAY...I LOVE PRESENTS!!
Me: Well, yes then you can open presents.But only if you are a good girl this year.
Bella: AWE, so I have to be good for a WHOLE year,thats NOO FUN!!