It's menu planning time, and with it being the first week of September, I'm feeling all autmn-like. Not because of the weather...not here, anyway!

We just got back into town from an awesome weekend up in the mountains. We love Asheville, and I got to explore a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway that I've never been on!! The brisk mountain air has inspired me to start the Fall posts, so be on the lookout! I'm really looking forward to some pumpkin and apple dishes, and some pretty autumn decor.

But in the meantime, my dear husband informed me to expect a large amount of beef to be delivered to my house--in the next week or so. He and his coworkers went in together on a cow, so this week will be dedicated to clearing out both freezers as much as possible! I'm also making a dish for a friend who had surgery, so we'll make the same dish for our family, too. So here's the plan:

Monday: Baked Penne, Bread, Salad


Tuesday: Teriyaki Chicken, Broccoli, Rice
Wednesday: Easy Savory Meatballs put into Sandwiches, Corn, Fruit


Thursday: Waffles, Bacon, Fruit
Friday: Date night! The kids will eat leftovers.
Saturday: Pork Chops, Baked potatoes, Bread
Sunday: Parmesan & Chive Crusted Tilapia, Tater Tots, and Salad


Are you vowing to start the new month with a clean (er) freezer or pantry? Are you eating food that's more autumnal?

Hi! So sorry if you went looking for a post here yesterday. I'm still trying to get back on track after the crazy last few weeks. I have a super easy project that will take less than 10 minutes if you don't include dry time: a Silver dipped plant pot that I use for organization!!


I'm still trying to reclaim my office. I actually can make it to my desk (such that it is) and we can see a little of the top. To help make myself excited about organizing, I decided to dress things up a little.

I've been using these adorable Skrurar plant pots from Ikea to hold pencils and paint brushes. But let's face it, when you have white walls, you need to add a little bit of accent to anything else that's white.

So I took some liquid gilding in silver and started brushing it on! Since there are already grooves to delineate the sections of the pot, I didn't even bother taping it off--I just started painting. It really is a quick project. You could use regular paint, but I'm really digging the metallic look, aren't you?


I'm already more excited about this storage option! Don't you find pretty organization to be inspiring?

If you're looking for some quick fall inspiration, here are a few that you can find here at Architecture of a Mom. Keep posted over the next few weeks for even more inspiration!

It's menu planning time!


Tomorrow, I officially have a First Grader. I told her today that she needed to stop getting bigger. She matter-of-factly told me that people get bigger--that's just the way it is. Yeah, I think she's growing up.

I just want normal around here. Between an unforeseen trip to Mississippi because of a funeral, back to school preparations, and two accidents beating up my van (seriously--two accidents in 10 days where we were sitting still both times! Obviously not our fault). Let's hope this menu plan helps--it really can't hurt!

Here's the plan

Monday: hot dogs, corn, fruit
Tuesday:  Crockpot Chili, bread, fruit


Thursday: Beef & noodles, Fruit
Friday: Hamburgers, Fruit
Saturday: Out to Eat
Sunday: Leftovers

Hi folks! I'm super excited today to share my "secret" craft tool--my Silhouette Portrait...and a giveaway!


Anybody who reads Architecture of a Mom with any regularity is laughing--I use my Silhouette all the time. I've etched tile, made bookmarks, decorated for the holiday...and the list goes on. If you want to check out all the projects I've done using the Silhouette, you should check them all out here.

But what is a Silhouette? Basically, you can create any graphic or text you want with your computer, and then the Silhouette acts like a printer...that can cut instead of print. My most recent project was bookmarks for my oldest. My favorite project? Probably etched coasters!

But enough of that...anyone want to join me and some of my favorite blogging buddies for a Silhouette Gift Basket giveaway?
 

You know you want to win all of these amazing goodies...including some of the newest supplies from Silhouette, including the new roll feeder, pixscan mat, and sketch pen holders and a lot of other fun and amazing supplies! 

Just follow the instructions of the Rafflecopter widget to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Many of you are already in the throes of the school year. We have one more week of summer left. But in the meantime, I'm wracking my brain to think up some easy weeknight meals to make while helping Lil Bit with her homework. This Easy Cheesy Taco Meat fits that bill perfectly--there's only 3 ingredients and it takes 20 minutes from start to finish!


Here's what you need:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 tsp cumin
1 package Fresh Take breadcrumb and cheese mixture in Southwest Three Cheese flavor


Using a non-stick or cast iron pan, cook ground beef and cumin until brown over medium high heat.


While the meat is cooking, mix the cheese and breadcrumbs (although the two are packaged together, the pouch is divided).


Turn off stove. The next step needs to go very quickly, and you need to have your taco shells and toppings ready, or your taco meat will stick to your pan. Toss the meat with the breadcrumb mixture until the cheese is melted.  Place in taco shells, taco salad, or tortillas with your choice of toppings.



Enjoy your easy cheesy meal!

It's menu planning time again! We have one more week until the routine of the school year hits. I'm happy and sad at the same time. But I'm also hoping for a normal, quiet week this week.


Here's the plan for the week:

Monday: Parmesan Pepper Sausage Pasta, Salad


Tuesday:  Breakfast for Dinner, Fruit


Wednesday: BLTs, pears
Thursday: Parmesan Chive Tilapia, Carrots, Bread


Friday: Easy Cheesy Tacos (recipe coming this week)
Saturday: Birthday party with Family
Sunday: Leftovers

What are you eating this week?

A while back, I was invited to check out Sauder and their furniture products. I am always looking for better ways to utilize my space with furniture, so of course I said yes!

Want to Check Out More Silhouette Projects?

My Silhouette Challenge buddies and I are all sharing projects on our blogs today, so peruse the projects below for a wealth of Silhouette inspiration!
1. Weekend Craft // 2. From Wine to Whine // 3. Life After Laundry // 4. Adventures in All Things Food // 5. Dragonfly & Lily Pads // 6. Sowdering About // 7. The Kim Six Fix // 8. Architecture of a Mom // 9. greylustergirl.com // 10. Please Excuse My Craftermath // 11. Simply Kelly Designs // 12. My Paper Craze // 13. Sweet Tea & Saving Grace // 14. Black and White Obsession // 15. Ginger Snap Craft // 16. It Happens in a Blink // 17. Creative Ramblings // 18. Little Blue's Room

Sometimes the key to menu planning is to be flexible.

First, wrap your elastic cord around your doll's waist. Cut the length a little longer than her waist so that you have room for the tulle and so you can tie a knot at the end.


Figure out how long you want the tutu, and then double that length. Cut your pieces of tulle that long. Then, take two pieces of tulle at the time and double knot the pieces around the elastic cord. The knots should be in the middle of each length of tulle.


Continue tying the tulle until it covers the full circumference of the doll's waist. Tie a knot in the elastic to secure the skirt.


 You can stop there, but everyone knows that you need a little bit of bling when you are up on stage. Embellish the tutu using whatever embellishments you choose, attaching with your glue gun. I love how the mod melts turned out!


And then get ready for loads of dance productions in your living room. With a tutu like this, you just have to dance!