Menu Plan Monday, March 30, 2009

Last week was busy and filled with activity, so we didn't follow the menu plan exactly. This week should be calmer and the menu plan should fall in place very well.

Sunday~ Dinner and a Movie Date Night

Monday~Carryover~BBQ Jack Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes, Green Beans

Tuesday~Crockpot Meal~Smothered Meatloaf and Corn

Wednesday~Hockey Banquet

Thursday~Beef Stroganoff over Noodles, Side Salad and Rolls

Friday~Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Tomato Soup

Saturday~Crockpot Rotisserie Chicken, Creamy Italian Pasta Salad, Fresh Fruit Cup

For more recipes and menu ideas, visit http://orgjunkie.com

Have a week full of blessings,

Lisa

Big Girl Bedroom

Today was spent tearing down the "nursery" and putting up dd's new bedroom furniture. We cleared out the room, cleaned the walls, woodwork and floors, touched up the walls with paint and put it all back together again. DD is so very pleased with her new bedroom. She even moved the clothes from her old dresser to her new dresser all on her own. I was quite impressed! Then she climbed up on the bed, propped herself up with several pillows and began to read her books. Here are some photos of the new look:

These are her sheets. I love the colors and how coordinated they are, so I can mix and match them for different looks. (Only I would care...lol)

Our princess had a great time playing in the box that the footboard was delivered in today.

Waiting for daddy to get the bed put together...patiently, I might add.

The bedding is called Madison (just like our girl!) from Bed Bath and Beyond.

A closer look at the pillows and headboard...I love the beadboard on it!

Thank you for checking out our Big Girl Room!

Blessings,

Lisa

Spring Decorations~Show and Tell Friday

Today after school, we ventured to Michael's in search of materials to make centerpieces for the Easter table. I bought what I needed and then some. ;0) Here are some of my finds:

I just love this little guy! I added additional greens and some flowers to fill in the pedastal that he's sitting on. He sits on our dining room table.

I couldn't pass up these little bunnies. I think they will be perfect accents to our Easter table with hydrangea eggs and will also be great on the patio baker's rack when summer arrives.

This picture is a bit off center~sorry about that! I bought a grapevine wreath and added some forsynthia to it as a spring time welcome at our back gate.

I was tickled to see the first daffodil of the season blooming today and just had to share with you all.

Visit http://kellishouse.blogspot.com to see more show and tell treasures.

Have a day full of blessings,

Lisa

Simple Woman's Daybook, March 23, 2009

For Today...

Outside my window... cold temperatures and a busy street.

I am thinking... that Easter is coming soon.

I am thankful for... time spent with my brother.

From the kitchen... Spaghetti and Meatballs for dinner. Ovenight Coffee Cake for breakfast.

I am wearing... my robe and a towel on my head.

I am reading... Simple Abundance and a Busy Mom's Guide to Prayer.

I am hoping... that dd has continued success with potty training.

I am creating... a birthday card for a friend.

I am hearing... Secret Garden on my playlist, cars on the street,

One of my favorite things... the quietness of the house early in the morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week...work, laundry, cleaning and cooking. I am going to clean out dd's closet and bedroom to get ready for the delivery of her bedroom furniture. I need to wash her new bedding and press off the valances so everything is ready for her.

Here is a picture thought:

Blessings,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, March 23, 2009

The final week of March has arrived already! Here's our menu for this week:

Sunday~ Baked Ham, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Creamy Green Bean Bake

Monday~Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad and Crescent Rolls

Tuesday~Best Grilled Pork Chops, Rice Pilaf and Sugar Snap Peas

Wednesday~Grilled Steak, Crash Hot Potatoes, Salad

Thursday~Sub and Chips, Fresh Fruit

Friday~Beer Battered Fish, Pierogies, Corn

Saturday~BBQ Jack Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes, Baked Beans

View more menus at http://orgunkie.com

Have a great week full of blessings!

Lisa

Potty Training..success

We've been on a potty training quest for about a year with dd. (Refer to this post.) She has been very stubborn about not going on the potty. Last weekend we went to purchase her a big girl bed. She was excited and insisted that once she had the bed she would go to the potty. We heard all about it all week long. Yesterday I brought home bedding for her new bed (which won't be here for another week) and that started it...she peed on the potty and kept her panties dry all day. She woke up this morning and peed on the potty again! and again! I can't explain how happy this makes me...I almost cried. She is making a big effort and is so proud of herself. We're proud too! Now that she is a big girl who pees on the potty she said she can go to school, get married and use a cup without a lid. ;0)

Just wanted to share our happiness!

Blessings,

Lisa

Overnight Coffee Cake

I tried this new recipe last night. It was simple to make and tasted moist and delicious. DH even had two pieces!

Ovenight Coffee Cake

1/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:
1. Lightly grease an 8 inch square baking pan. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar, and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Beat in the egg until well blended. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Spread evenly into the prepared baking pan.

2. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup brown sugar, walnuts, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle over the batter. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.

3. The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Enjoy!
Blessings,
Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, March 16, 2009

We followed last week's menu very closely. Everything was delicious! Here's our plan for this very busy week:

Sunday~Lasagna Roll-ups, Garlic Toast, Salad

Monday~Beef Patties and Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

Tuesday~I'm eating out with friends after a meeting. Dh and the kids will have Hot Dogs with Macaroni and Cheese.

Wednesday~Grilled Steak, Baked Potatoes, Tossed Salad

Thursday~Cajun Chicken Pasta, Garlic Breadsticks

Friday~Fish Filets, Pierogies with onion and butter, Candied Carrots

Saturday~Barbecue Chicken Pizza, Salad

Thursday evening is Poker Night at our house. I'll post that menu later this week when I finalize the plans.

Check out more menus at the guest host site: http://www.5dollardinners.com/

Have a week full of blessings,

Lisa

Lasagna Roll Ups

Tonight for dinner we had the Lasagna Roll Ups that were featured in the current issue of Simple and Delicious magazine. As usual, I didn't follow the recipe exactly. Here's my version.

Lasagna Roll Ups

1/2 package (10 ounces) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 egg, beaten
1-3/4 cups light ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
8 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
1 jar (14 ounces) spaghetti sauce (I used Slow cooker Spaghetti Sauce with Meat)

Directions:

In a bowl, combine the spinach, egg, ricotta cheese, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper and Italian Seasoning. Spread with 1/3 cup spinach mixture. Roll up and place seam side down in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Top with spaghetti sauce. Cover and bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until heated through. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Let stand for 15 minutes before cutting. Yield: 4 servings.

Enjoy!
Blessings,
Lisa

Simple Woman's Time Journal

Spring is Coming

The Simple Woman is hosting a Time Journal each Tuesday. See more at:

http://www.thesimplewomanstimejournal.blogspot.com/

Blessings,

Lisa

Simple Strawberry Shortcakes

Last night for dessert, I made Strawbery Shortcakes. (I can't believe I got the coffee pot and the chip in the dish in the photo! AAUUGGHH!) The biscuits are made using Bisquick baking mix. They are sweet and easy to make and make a perfect shortcake in my opinion.

Strawberry Shortcakes

1/3 cups Heart Smart Bisquick® mix
1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
Sweetened sliced strawberries
Whipped topping or whipped cream

1. Heat oven to 425°F.

2. Stir Bisquick mix, milk, sugar and butter until soft dough forms. Drop by 6 spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Split warm shortcakes; fill and top with strawberries and whipped topping.

Sweeten strawberries before making shortcakes so sugar has time to dissolve; for each quart of sliced strawberries, stir in 1/2 cup sugar.

Enjoy!

Blessings,

Lisa

Simple Woman's Daybook, March 9, 2009

For Today...

Outside my window... warm temperatures and cloudy skies.

I am thinking... how busy my day is going to be at school.

I am thankful for... time spent with dh and the kids.

From the kitchen... Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce over Spaghetti. Yum!

I am wearing... my robe and a towel on my head.

I am reading... Simple Abundance and a variety of cooking magazines. I'm always looking for new recipes.

I am hoping... that we'll be able to build our house next Spring.

I am creating... a binder full of ideas for the new house from countertops to furniture.

I am hearing... Secret Garden on my playlist, the wind whistling through the eaves of the house, traffic on the street

One of my favorite things... Spring! I'm so happy that the weather has warmed up.

A few plans for the rest of the week... just the usual...work, laundry, cleaning and cooking. Very settled.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Please visit http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ to read more daybooks.

Have a blessed week!

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, March 9, 2009

This week should be pretty calm in our household. Travel Hockey Season is now over. DS has one night of Skills and Drills this week. When the weekend arrives we won't know what to do! lol I'm positive that we'll find plenty to do with our spare time.

Here's the plan for the week:

Sunday~BBQ Pepper Jack Chicken Breasts, Rice Pilaf, French Cut Green Beans

Monday~Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce over Spaghetti, Olive Oil and Vinegar dressed Salad

Tuesday~Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Glazed Carrots

Wednesday~Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches, Homemade Fries, Fruit

Thursday~BBQ Boneless Pork Ribs (slow cooker), Twice Baked Potatoes, Slaw

Friday~Beer Battered Fish Filets, Cabbage and Noodles, Applesauce

Saturday~Grilled T-Bones, Baked Potatoes, Lettuce Wedges with Ranch Dressing

Check out more menus at : http://orgjunkie.com

Have a week full of blessings,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, March 2, 2009

This week is filled with activities (again) so the menu will be generally prep ahead and serve.

Sunday~Gnocchi, Italian Meatballs and Sauce, Honey Wheat Bread

Monday~June's Chicken Casserole, Steamed Rice, Corn

Tuesday~Hockey Game~Dinner Out

Wednesday~Pork Roast and Sauerkraut (slow cooker) with Mashed Potatoes

Thursday~Beef Patties and Gravy, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans

Friday~Cheese Pizza on Homemade Crust, Tossed Salad with Italian Dressing

Saturday~Hockey Tournament

Be sure to check out the other menus at Laura's: http://orgjunkie.com/

Have a week full of blessings,

Lisa

Simple Woman's Daybook, March 2, 2009

FOR TODAY March 2, 2009

Outside my window...I hear the traffic of a Monday morning. That means our street has re-opened for now.

I am thinking...that this day is going to be very busy for me.

I am thankful for... my husband and that he is safely home with us after a weekend away.

From the kitchen...June's Chicken Casserole for dinner.

I am wearing...a red hooded top with black wind pants, slippers.

I am creating...my menu for the next 2 weeks.

I am going...to the doctor's today.

I am reading...Simple Abundance and A Busy Mom's Guide to Prayers daily.

I am hoping...for peace and simplicity in my life.

I am hearing...the buzz in the kitchen as the kids eat breakfast.

Around the house...cleaning and decluttering.

One of my favorite things...is teaching my first graders.

A few plans for the rest of the week...We have hockey practice one night this week. We have a game on Tuesday as part of a tournament that will also take place over the weekend. I have some more drawers to sort through and will donate more clothes to Goodwill. On Saturday, I'll attend the bridal shower for my cousin with my Mom.

A picture thought:

Read more daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Blessings,

Lisa

Gnocchi Recipe

This recipe was handed down to me from my mother. I remember her making this pasta on Sundays. Growing up we had Spaghetti every Sunday. Until my Pap passed on we ate dinner at my Nana's every Sunday. After he passed, my mom took on the cooking and had my Nana over for dinner at our house. Pap, Nana and Mom all made sauce the same way....slow simmered for hours. It's the best sauce I've ever tasted. I haven't mastered the sauce, but do a great job with the gnocchi.

Gnocchi
3 cups flour
1 pound Ricotta Cheese (light is okay)
2 Tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients with a wooden spoon. Roll out dough. Cut into strips. Pinch and slice. Cook 6-8 minutes in boiling water. They float to the top when ready. Drain and serve with marinara.

Here's a photo of what they look like before cooking:

I forgot to take a picture of them when they were cooked. Oops!

Blessings,

Lisa