Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Are you ready for menu planning today?


There are just some weeks when it's just not worth the fight of introducing new food or trying to get children to eat food that they have decided to dislike. For those of you who aren't aware, both my husband and I work outside the home. We share many responsibilities in parenting, and although I cook most of the time (because I like to cook!), we tag team many household chores. However, this week I know that I am going to have to bear the brunt of parenting and home duties because of my husband's work schedule. So I'm not ashamed to say that I'm planning on using easy recipes and some convenience foods for much of the week. I tell myself that it's better for my budget than going to Chick-fil-a all week, and with a rather crazy outlook this week at my work, as well, I'm looking for simple this week for dinner.

So here's the plan:

Monday: Spaghetti with Dressed Up Sauce


Tuesday: Chicken Nuggets, Corn Salad
Wednesday: Fish Sticks, Roasted Brocolli, Fruit


Thursday: Frozen Pizza, Fruit
Friday: Crockpot Chili, and Salad before Trick-or-Treating


Saturday: Out to Eat or Leftovers
Sunday: Steak, Roasted Potatoes and Garlicky Sour Cream Dip, Fruit


What are you eating this week?

This past weekend, we had family pictures for the first time in years. As in, there were only 3 people in our family, and I wasn't even pregnant with my 3 1/2 year old twins. Suffice it to say, we were overdue. We had a family friend take our pictures, and I can't wait to see them! But she had few non-holiday related picture props, and at the very least, I wanted a chalkboard for a prop. So only a few days before the pictures were scheduled, I got to work.


Remember when I redid Lil Bit's dresser?


When I painted it, I took off the center portion's door. And I just stored it in my garage, knowing that I would find another use for it. This chalkboard project was perfect, since the door already had an inset panel--so I had a ready made frame, and the bevel edge of the panel made a perfect place for the chalkboard surface to stop. Not to mention, it is already stained--so I could leave the "frame" as is if I wanted to do so!

So I grabbed some sandpaper, a foam brush, and some chalkboard paint (all of which I had on hand) and went to work.

First, I sanded down the panel that I was going to paint. Do not skip this step. I tried to, and the chalkboard paint came right off when I tried to write with chalk. Basically, you want to sand it enough to knock off the gloss. That's it.

Paint the chalkboard paint on the surface, going with the grain. Allow to dry. After the first coat is dry, paint a second layer on the surface, this time perpendicular to the first coat. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours--this cures the paint.

Use the side of a piece of chalk to coat the entire chalkboard surface with a light coat of chalk. Whipe off, and then you're ready to write anything!



Although I made this as a quick photo prop, I have a feeling that this project is going to make an appearance on my holiday mantel. Stay tuned!

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Enjoy!!

Hi everyone! It's time to menu plan today--I'm super excited because we've had a great week, and we're looking at having loads of fun over the next couple of weeks. The twins are finally at an age where they are looking forward to Halloween...as in every day asking if it's time to go Trick-or-Treating! This week I'll be sharing part of their costumes, and how we make them exciting at night, too!

Anyway, the food this week is going to be pretty simple. This mama is still struggling with a cough she's literally had for a month.

Here's the plan:
Monday: Chicken Fajitas with Rice
Tuesday: Crockpot Beef Stew, Bread

Wednesday: Chicken Caesar Salad
Thursday: Tacos with Squash, Fruit

Friday: Fish Sticks, Roasted Brocolli, Fruit


Saturday:  Hamburgers, Fruit, Salad
Sunday: Spaghetti with Dressed Up Sauce


What are you eating this week?

Are you tired of pumpkin recipes yet? I'm not, but there might be people in my house that are not as fond of pumpkin as I am. Oh, they like pumpkin, but they don't like it when the pumpkin flavor is too strong--you know, when it's so strong, it tastes more like squash? Well, these Pumpkin Caramel Truffles have enough pumpkin to satisfy pumpkin lovers like myself, but are light enough (and sweet enough) that everyone loves them--pumpkin lover or no pumpkin lover!!


One package of Vienna Fingers
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tbsp (heaping!) caramel apple dip
16 oz of white chocolate chip or candy melts (I used white chocolate chips and they did not melt well. Use the candy melts!)

Crush the cookies--you want them to be fine! Add the pumpkin, spice, and caramel dip and mix well. Use a small scoop to make balls the size of walnuts. Arrange on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour (I chilled them overnight).


Then, melt your white chocolate in a double boiler or a metal bowl over a pot of boiling water (why take up cabinet space with a double boiler you rarely use?). I found the white chocolate chips to melt too thickly. Cover each ball with white chocolate and allow to cool. I keep mine in the refrigeratoro.


Makes 24 truffles.

Enjoy!

And really, that's all you need to make a custom designed, not-so scary pumpkin. The good news is that it only cost a dollar for the pumpkin--I had everything else on hand.

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. Create & Babble // 2. Lil Mrs. Tori // 3. unOriginal Mom // 4. Zanaree // 5. The Kim Six Fix // 6. One Dog Woof // 7. Cupcakes & Crowbars // 8. Living My Given Life // 9. Architecture of a Mom // 10. Put A Bird On It // 11. Just Add Paper // 12. Weekend Craft // 13. Silhouette School // 14. Minted Strawberry // 15. My Paper Craze // 16. McCall Manor // 17. Chicken Scratch NY // 18. Mama Sonshine // 19. Creative Ramblings // 20. From Wine to Whine // 21. Please Excuse My Craftermath... // 22. Dragonfly & Lily Pads // 23. The Thinking Closet // 24. Simply Kelly Designs // 25. Sandpaper & Glue //
Enjoy!

Howdy! It's menu planning time!



Anybody know how did it get halfway through October already? I feel like I can hardly get a breath with how fast this year is going. We've kept busy this week--I'm proud to say that all four of us females in the house now have new haircuts. The last time that happened--never. Of course, this is only the second time the twins have had a haircut, so I guess that's really not so bad.

This week, I'm going to make a real effort to make some things with my cast iron skillet. I was really excited to get it for my birthday, but I haven't been using it much. This is the week I'm going to make something with it! I'm setting aside Friday to make it, since I should have some time to experiment. If it turned out well, I'll be sharing a new recipe with you next week.

Here's the plan for the week:

Monday:Leftovers
Tuesday: Chicken Nuggets, Roast Broccoli, Bread, Salad


Wednesday: Parmesan Chive Crusted Tilapia, carrots, fruit, salad


Thursday: Beef Roast in the Crockpot
Friday: Cast Iron Pot Pie (or some other concoction with my cast iron skillet!)
Saturday: Barbecue Chicken Pizza

Sunday: Hamburgers, Salad

What are you eating this week?