Small Successes~January 28th

This week's small successes are:

1. I've now lost 7 lbs since starting the wii fit routine. I've lost 10 since December. Pretty good, huh?

2. I've deep cleaned every room in the house except for one...that will be done this weekend.

3. I've gotten my classroom decorated for Valentine's Day. It's been a busy and hectic week there.

Blessings and peace,

Lisa

Simple Woman's Daybook 1.25.10

FOR TODAY... Monday, January 25th



Outside my window... rain is steadily falling, with a chance of it changing to snow.


I am thinking... about the challenge at Heart to Heart with Holley. I'm writing my story.


I am thankful for... my loving, sweet children.


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




I am remembering... our romantic getaway last Valentine's Day. I would love to do it again.


I am going... to have another jam packed week with hockey, dance, did I say hockey? and a party.


I am currently reading... a few magazines...All You, Southern Living, BHG


I am hoping... for my prayers to be answered.


On my mind... changing the negative words in my self vocabulary to positive ones. It's taking some effort!


Noticing that... the chimes just rang at the church.

Pondering these words... Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:12



From the kitchen... cake doughnuts, hot dogs with homemade kraut


Around the house... continued deep cleaning, packing and sorting.


One of my favorite things~ kisses from my kids


From my picture journal...

Thanks for stopping by today! Be sure to read more daybooks at http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday 1.25.10

Welcome to another Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie. This week will be another week jammed with after school activities and other obligations. Here's our plan for the week:

Sunday~ Pot Roast with Potatoes, Carrots and Celery, Crescent Rolls

Monday~Hot Dogs with Kraut, Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Beans

Tuesday~Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes with Country Gravy, Green Beans

Wednesday~Cheese Kielbassi Sandwiches, Oven Fries and Corn

Thursday~ Hockey Game and Poker Night at our house

Friday~Pizza and Wing Night

Saturday~Italian Wedding Soup

Be sure to visit Laura's for 1oo's of weekly menus at http://orgjunkie.com

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Cake Doughnuts

My guys wanted homemade doughnuts today, so I obliged. ;0) This is my first attempt at making doughnuts, and I'm pleased with how they came out. I tossed some in cinnamon sugar and coated some with powdered sugar.

Cake Doughnuts

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar, divided
3 eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup 2% milk
Oil for deep-fat frying

Directions
•In a large bowl, beat butter and 1 cup sugar until crumbly, about 2
minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Combine the flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, salt and
nutmeg; add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beating well
after each addition. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

•Turn onto a heavily floured surface; pat dough to 1/4-in. thickness.
Cut with a floured 3-1/2-in. doughnut cutter. In an electric skillet
or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°.

•Fry doughnuts, a few at a time, until golden brown on both sides.
Drain on paper towels. Combine remaining sugar and cinnamon; roll
warm doughnuts in mixture. Yield: about 2 dozen.

Enjoy!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

LOVE Mini Banner

I have a small shelf in my kitchen that needed something hanging from the pegs on it, so I made this mini "love" banner. It's about 2 1/2 inches in width and 10 inches long. Of course, I used the cricut! I used the George and Jasmine cartridges. I chose love in honor of Valentine's Day.

Thanks for stopping by today!


Blessings and peace,
Lisa

Simple Woman's Daybook 1.18.10

FOR TODAY... from Lisa' Daybook

Outside my window... cold and gray...higher temps than last week!

I am thinking... how nice it is to be off of school today.

I am thankful for... for all the hardwork dh is putting into getting this house ready to sell and in preparing for the building of our new house.

I am wearing... t-shirt, yoga pants and socks. I just finished working out.

I am remembering... how nice it is to not have to pick up every little thing in the house ALL the time.

I am going... to Michael's for a new cricut mat and some cardstock for a few projects.

I am currently reading... Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber. Also, a devotional.

I am hoping... that my prayers will be answered.

On my mind... still that new house...lol...all the designing and decorating

Noticing that... I'm getting toned! All this time on the wii is paying off!

Pondering these words...God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer. ~Mother Teresa

From the kitchen... tacos tonight for dinner. I have to make room for some cereal containers that are on top of the fridge in the cabinets. We have to get that cleared off.

Around the house... cleaning woodwork and walls in the last two bedrooms today.


One of my favorite things~ my cricut!



From my picture journal...

My brother and I on Christmas Eve

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, January 18, 2010

Welcome to another Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at http://orgjunkie.com. I won't be cooking much this week because we will have something going on every evening this week.

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

Monday~Tacos, Seasoned Fries, Corn

Tuesday~Dinner Out

Wednesday~Chicken Fingers and Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Beans

Thursday~ Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes, Steamed Carrots

Friday~Pizza and Wing Night

Saturday~Pot Roast with Potatoes and Vegetables

Check out the other menus at http://orgjunkie.com or join in the fun!

Blessings and peace,

Lisa

Small Successes~January 14, 2010

Thank you for stopping by to read this week's small successes. Each week I join the ladies at Faith and Family Live in sharing my small successes for the week. I hope to continue to join in each Thursday because it is important to celebrate the little things in life.

Here's this week's successes:

1. I exercised every day the last week. I'm down 5 lbs now. I feel so good about that!

2. We're making progress in the house building process. Things are slowly, but coming together.

3. I will have a movie night with the kids tonight. I like to do it weekly, but lately events have been getting in the way.

What are your small successes this week? Share them with other moms at Faith and Family.

Blessings and peace,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, January 11, 2010

Welcome to another Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at http://orgjunkie.com. This week should be more settled than the last few...we have hockey only one evening this week. Woo Hoo! I also found some great deals on groceries this week and spent less than 50 dollars for this week's food. Here's our plan:

Sunday~Penne with Meat Sauce, Breaded Veal Cutlets and Crescent Rolls

Monday~ Steak Salads and Pears

Tuesday~Cheeseburgers, Curly Fries and Baked Beans

Wednesday~BBQ Jack Chicken Breasts, Rice Pilaf, Green Beans

Thursday~Kielbassi, Macaroni and Cheese, Corn

Friday~Pizza and Wing Night

Saturday~Date Night with DH

Be sure to check out the 100's of other menu plans at

I'm An Organizing Junkie!

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings and peace,

Lisa

Valentine's Day Tin~Teacher Gift

This is my first tin for Valentine's Day. I made it using Recollections Basics Scrapbook Paper, Bazzil Cardstock in red and my Cricut. I used the George and Basic Shapes Cartridge and the Jasmine cartridge for the font.

This is the top of the tin, which we'll fill with Hershey's Kisses for the kids' teachers. I am probably going to add some red ribbon to the tin above the heart....just don't have any red ribbon at home.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lisa

The Easiest Dinner Roll

I made these rolls for dinner yesterday. The recipe is from Southern Living's December 2009 issue.

Hurry Up Homemade Crescent Rolls


Yield: Makes 1 dozen


Ingredients
1 (1/4-oz.) envelope active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water (105° to 115°)
3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose baking mix (Bisquick)
2 tablespoons sugar
All-purpose flour


1. Combine yeast and warm water in a 1-cup measuring cup; let stand 5 minutes. Combine 3 cups baking mix and sugar in a large bowl; gradually stir in yeast mixture.

2. Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead, adding additional baking mix (up to 1/2 cup) as needed, until dough is smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes).

3. Roll dough into a 12-inch circle; cut circle into 12 wedges. Roll up wedges, starting at wide end, to form a crescent shape; place, point sides down, on a lightly greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.

4. Preheat oven to 425°. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden.

Note: To make rolls in a heavy-duty electric stand mixer, prepare as directed in Step 1. Beat dough at medium speed, using dough hook attachment, about 5 minutes, beating in 1/2 cup additional baking mix, if needed, until dough leaves the sides of the bowl and pulls together, becoming soft and smooth. Proceed with recipe as directed in Step 3. I used Bisquick All-Purpose Baking Mix.

To Make Ahead: Rolls may be frozen up to 2 months. Bake at 425º for 5 minutes; cool completely (about 30 minutes). Wrap in aluminum foil, and freeze in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature on a lightly greased baking sheet; bake at 425° for 7 to 8 minutes or until golden.

They were really good!

Blessings,
Lisa

Small Successes~January 8, 2010

I'm a bit late in posting my small successes for the week, but I thought I would share today. Yesterday was just filled with activity and I had little time to spend on the computer between school and hockey my time was filled.

1. I have continued to work out on the Wii Fit for 30-40 minutes each day.

2. I finished my scrapbook calendar that I made for myself.

3. I have been following The Love Dare on K-LOVE each day and have followed through with each day's activity for dh (and our kids). It's only been three days, but I am feeling good about what I'm doing. It runs through Valentine's Day.

Thanks for stopping by today! Read other mom's small successes at Faith and Family Live!

Blessings,

Lisa

2010 Calendar~My Snow Day Project

I made a scrapbook calendar for myself yesterday during our snow day. It took me all day, because of my little helpers and several other necessary tasks, to finish. I'm pleased with the results. I used a scrapbook calendar kit by Basic Grey. I had made one last year using the same kit and loved the ease of having everything together in one spot. You can view it here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lisa

Simple Woman's Daybook, January 4, 2010

Outside my window... freezing temps, about 2 more inches of snow, and a wind chill in the negative teens. Brrr...

I am thinking... about all the organizing I need to do in the attic, but it is so cold up there.

I am thankful for... family.

I am wearing... pajama bottoms, slippers, and my robe.

I am remembering... how nice it was to sleep in over vacation.

I am going... back to school today.


I am currently reading... The Pioneer Woman Cooks cookbook that my brother got me for Christmas.


I am hoping... for a simple week at school.


On my mind....selling this house!


Noticing that... I get quite anxious when I have to return to work.

Pondering these words...To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. ~Anatole France


From the kitchen... spaghetti with meatballs, sandwiches for lunches, peanut butter kiss cookies.


Around the house... tidy up, make the beds, do more laundry and enjoy an evening at home before being on the run the rest of the week.


One of my favorite things~ Spring


From my picture journal...

New Year's Eve with my girl.

Blessings and peace,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, January 4, 2010

Welcome to the first Menu Plan Monday of 2010, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie. It's going to be another busy week for us, but I'm planning on cooking as much as possible, so we can avoid the fast food/pizza trap.

Here's the plan:

Sunday~ Dinner out with family after the hockey game



Monday~Spaghetti and Meatballs, Tossed Salad, Hard Rolls



Tuesday~Super Sloppy Joes, Homemade Fries, and Corn



Wednesday~Awesome Baked Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans



Thursday~Oven Baked Chicken, Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes, Fruit Salad



Friday~Beef Tips and Gravy over Noodles, Steamed Carrots



Saturday~Ham Pot Pie and Rolls



View more menus at http://orgjunkie.com/




Have a week full of blessings,

Lisa

Wizard of Oz Fleece Throw

This is the throw my friend Karin made for me for Christmas. It's made from a Wizard of Oz fleece and a solid fleece. It's very snuggly and warm! I'm not sure where she purchased the fabric, but it would probably be from JoAnn's or Walmart.

Blessings,

Lisa

Check out Vocalpoint - Don’t Put Away Those Decorations

Here's a link to an article on Vocalpoint - Don’t Put Away Those Decorations It's a great article about how to keep your home feeling festive by keeping a few decorations out through the winter months.

Blessings,

Lisa

Dream Banner

This is my banner using my word for 2010. I made it using my cricut and the cartridge that was included with it. I'm pretty proud of the way it turned out.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lisa

Dream: My Word for 2010

"For I know I have plans for you...plans to give you hope and a future."

~Jer. 29:11

I chose the word DREAM, as my focus word for 2010. I thought it was interesting today when I visited inCourage that the topic was What is your God Sized Dream? Holley mentioned how hard it is to keep our hearts open to make our dreams happen. That's totally how I feel...those bricks and roadblocks I put up to prevent my dreams from coming true. (too busy, too tired, too hurt) In order to dream, I must open my heart to God's dream for me. I may have stopped dreaming, but God hasn't stopped dreaming for me.

Blessings,

Lisa