Meal Plan~ Labor Day

Okay, let's try this again. Today (Saturday), we followed the meal plan. *round of applause please.  We ate tomato soup and grilled cheese for lunch (the boys also ate baby Lima beans). For dinner I make a pork loin in the oven with carrots, onions, and potatoes. It was so good I will insert a picture:

Anyways, this is Labor Day weekend so I am NOT looking forward to grocery shopping tomorrow, but it is a necessary evil. Here is my meal plan that I WILL follow!

For Breakfasts: Oatmeal, Raisin Bran (my personal fav), English muffins with egg and turkey sausage, or waffles.

Sunday:

• Lunch: Leftovers... we have plenty!
• Dinner: Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, and asparagus

 Monday: 

• Lunch: Grill Food! Burgers and hot dogs with baked beans and mac&cheese... America! 
• Dinner: Shepherd's Pie (with ground turkey)

Tuesday:

• Lunch: Broccoli Mac&cheese
• Dinner: Leftover Shepherd's pie

Wednesday: 

• Lunch: Prorogues/ homemade pizza... quite a combo, I know.
• Dinner: BBQ Chicken sandwiches, broccoli, and mac&cheese

Thursday:

• Lunch: Crab legs and corn on the cob (the boys will prob not eat sandwiches #pickyeaters )
• Dinner: Torteloni & peas

Friday:

• Crazy day at Emmett's school and my work... we will probably grab lunch somewhere 
• Dinner: something quick and easy like PB&J with yogurt and fruit

Meal Plan FAIL!

It wouldn't be unusual for us to have to adjust our meal plan a little... Things come up, no big deal. This is the first week in the history of our family that we have literally not made one dish from our meal plan. My awful week began with getting sick.  I missed work Tuesday and was still worthless Wednesday. I was in survival mode all week and it's been rough. I really couldn't even tell you what we ate this week but I faintly recall my husband making pasta at some point. 

... Here's hoping next week goes a little more smooth. 

-Destinee

Case of the Sundays...and my Meal Plan

You know those weeks that are so stressful and awful that Sunday is hard to enjoy because you know tomorrow is Monday. =(
I literally spent my entire day doing load after load of laundry, picking up the boys' snacks off of the floor, and doing dishes. It was glamorous.
We ate really crappy during my crappy work week so I sat down to do some meal planning. I am missing those days when I had a freezer supply of "lazy night" or in this case "crappy week" dinners. I see a meal-prep day in my near future. For breakfast we do a lot of waffles, oatmeal, or eggs. Here is what I have come up with for this weeks lunches and dinners:

Monday:

• Lunch: tilapia and steamed veggies
• Dinner: Left-over pizza (don't judge)

Tuesday:

• Lunch: Shrimp and potatoes
• Dinner: Pork Loin with potatoes and carrots

Wednesday:

• Lunch: Tacos 
• Dinner: Grab night (husband is working 

Thursday:

• Lunch: Grilled cheese and tomato soup 
• Dinner: BBQ chicken sandwiches, corn, and mac&cheese

Friday:

• Lunch: Left-overs
• Dinner: Swedish Meatballs, asparagus, mashed potatoes. 

Let's see if I can stick to my plan... pictures to follow =)
-Destinee 

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Between myself,  my messy toddler, and a husband that changes clothing five times a day- I have a LOAD of Laundry ;)
I was tired of trying to get 'deals' on detergent only to find that it made us break-out and we would have to go back to a free-and-clear anyway. So I finally decided to take the plunge into homemade laundry detergent, and I couldn't be more impressed. I did a bunch of research and watched a lot of YouTube videos and finally just decided to combine a bunch to make my own recipe.
Here it is:

1 Cup of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 Cup of Borax
1 Cup of Oxi Clean
1 Cup of Downy Unstopables
1 grated bar of Fels Napthia (I used the shredder on my food processor)

I found all of these items at Walmart including the glass jar, which looks nice, is completely optional, and only cost $5.

Here is a close look at the soap if, like me, you have never heard of it before.

Combine all ingredients in a Gallon-sized baggy, zip closed, and shake it shake it shake.
Pour into the container of your choice and you're in bid-ness.

 

Use between 1-2 Tablespoons in each load, depending on the soil level and the efficiency of your washer. Enjoy clean clothes and saving money =)

Operation Organization~ Pantry

Although I dream of someday having a GIGANTIC walk-in pantry with endless shelves and storage... for now I have two cabinets. Yes, I can fit a ton of food in them.. but right now they are a hot mess!

I already had all the organizing tools from previous pantry-cleaning attempts, the only thing I bought for this project is chalk-board stickers (from Martha Stewart at Staples) and I had a 40% off coupon, so they cost only $8 for two packages. I bought the chalk pen from Amazon and I don't particularly care for this one, but it works.

 

I used my new Chalkboard labels to replace the existing labels that were slightly faded... Plus, I like the look and versatility of the chalkboard labels. =)

 

I love these Rubbermaid containers. They come in two sizes for just a few dollars at Walmart. I have had them for years and while they hold up well they don't like the dishwasher. =/

 

 

Here is look at the finished bottom cabinet. I have also purchased new stacking Tupperware to replace the bin of mis-matched containers. =)

Here is the top cabinet! I love that I can now find everything easily and I have so much more space! =)

 

 

Total cost for this project: $8

Operation Organization ~ Deep Freeze

 It lives in the garage and is never seen by guests... so it's okay if it's a mess, right? WRONG! I was sooo tired of spending time searching for something or accidentally re-purchasing food we already had all because my deep freeze is a hot mess... or a cold mess... whatever.

Although it is extremely utilized in our household it is always over-looked when it comes to organization. So I decided it was time to tackle this mess once and for all! I started by taking everything out and checking expiration dates. Thankfully, everything was still in date =)

I didn't want to spend any money on this project so I looked around for something I already had. I found this crate (shown below) that I purchased from Walmart for less than five dollars and was no longer using. What I think is so great about these crates is if I ever need more storage I can easily stack on another and Viola, more food space.
On the other side of the freezer is a little blue crate (pictured above) used for pop sickles =)

I used the top sliding storage bins for things I access daily, such as frozen veggies.

In the second sliding bin I put things that I keep on hand for quick lunches... easy for the husband to find!

Now for the finished product! This picture doesn't do justice for how much more functional my deep freeze has become. It took less than a half-hour and cost no money! It could use a little de-frosting, but that's for another day.

***After***






Operation Organization ~ Linen Closet

Let me just start out by saying that this photo is embarrassing...

 

 

I always felt like I had my linen closet under control... but then I took a closer look and realized I must need glasses. I was in denial. Soooo after being in denial for longer than I would like to admit, I decided to take action and start the process of organizing my home again. Party Time.

 

 

I Started by taking EVERYTHING out of the linen closet... I had NO idea that I owned 974 blankets! How a 23 year-old accumulated so many blankets is beyond my understanding.

 

I started by measuring my space to see what type of organization I could fit. I found the large green stacking crates at the Dollar General for $5 dollars each, the smaller crates(on the left)I already owned (dollar tree), and the chalk board stickers were left-over from another project (amazon).

 

 

After taking all 974 blankets out of my linen closet I decided to tackle the medicine drawers. I have always organized our medicine in drawers so I just needed to clean them. To my surprise about half of our vitamins and medicines were well past expired =(

 

I separate our medicines into two categories: P.O., which means anything by mouth, and Topical- anything first aid related, etc. This is just what works for us and makes it easier to find what we need quickly. Finding what works best for you and your family is the key to not only GETTING organized, but STAYING organized.

 

*******

 

This is how the top shelves looked "After".

 

 

 

Top Shelf: The pouch to the left (in the photo) is full of our traveling toiletries, on the right of the "Topical Meds" drawer is my heating pad.
The Second shelf houses (from left to right): The Boys' Hair Clippers, P.O. Meds, spare tooth brushes, and the drawer organizer on the side is filled with travel tissues and hand sanitizers.
Third Shelf: Rubbing Alcohol, four small baskets with the following contents: Emmett's first aid, Emmett's medications, pillow cases, and sheets.
 

 

These bottom shelves are a bit more simple: towels and blankets. We keep the majority of our towels in the hall bathroom, this is just for the over-flow.


***The full view of the AFTER ***

 

I know it is an awkward angle, but the linen closet is in our hallway.

I was not able to fit all of our blankets back into the closet; however, as a family of three there is really no need for 974 blankets. I kept the ones I really liked and the ones I have used since I was Emmett's age... The rest I donated to my Mom, who conveniently enough, doesn't have 974 blankets.

 

Total Cost: $15

Trash .2. Treasure Tuesday

When my Mom gave me these paper sorters I assumed I would.. you know, use them for paper- but as time went on they just set in my garage collecting dust. It was then I decided they had to have a better use. They were hand-made and I couldn't bear to part with them, but they are light-wood so I decided to paint them.

 

~Here is a picture of the BEFORE~

During the painting process- I first gave them I light sanding and cleaned off all of the dust. I chose to use Rust-oleum in a gloss navy blue. I would recommend wearing gloves- that paint does NOT like to come off skin, I had blue skin for days! This project took three light coats of paint and a lot of drying time.

~After- Perfect for Puzzles!



 

If you have read any of my previous blogs you probably know that my son is a puzzle master.... well, my dog is a puzzle-piece chewing master- you see how this is a problem.

 

I love that there is room for all of his puzzles (this is not all of them) and they are off of the floor and away from our puzzle-loving coon hound.

 

I couldn't be more happy with the way the puzzle rack looks... we are one step closer to completing Emmett's "Big Boy" room. =)

*Thrifty Thursday*

I have an unnatural aversion to light-colored wood.... everything in my childhood home was either pine or maple. So after years of staring at a maple knife block, it was time to party.

That you'll need:
~ An ugly knife block
~ Acrylic Paint and Paint brush
~ 3D Paint
~ Pencil or Pen
~ You can either free-hand a design or print one from the computer.

First, you want to make sure the knife block is completely clean. Since its home is near the stove, I used a spray cleaner to make sure it was not only free of dust, but grease as well.

 

After cleaning your knife block and assembling your supplies, draw your design or use a pencil or pen to trace your design- make sure to press hard to leave an indention in the wood to help guide your paint. I used a white 3D paint.

 

I chose a "B" monogram for our last name.

 

  



After this step is it very important that you let the paint dry completely. Then, use a paint brush to paint the entire knife block the color of your choice... I chose my favorite, green =)

*The Finished Product*

 

 

"Ta-Da"!!! I absolutely love the finished product, it is subtle and adds color. A few other ideas include: adding the puffy paint last so it contrasts with your base color, using a decal instead of puffy paint, using decoupage or adding pattern. You may also chose to add a clear coat; however, it is not necessary. I hope you leave this post inspired to spice up your boring knife block =)

*Make-Up Monday*

This Monday is all about make-up storage and my new acrylic drawers. I wanted something that looked nicer than just your typical plastic drawer, without breaking the bank. If you have looked into acrylic storage items you know they can be pricey, so I was thrilled when I bought these from amazon (where I buy everything) for only $12!!! I am in love with how great these look and I love how much storage they offer and I still have plenty of empty space... for now anyway ;)




I keep the drawers on a storage cabinet in my bathroom =)



Has room for all my current palettes with room to grow! =)

 

Buy these drawers =)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KKXA58/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

Freezer Meals~ How to

All Moms are busy: working, stay at home, or anywhere in between I think we all sometimes struggle to get a home-made dinner on the table. After eating out twice last week for dinner, I decided I needed to replenish my freezer and crock pot meals. I started yesterday getting some freezer meals set aside. I made a HUGE batch of meat sauce and a pot of Chili. I set a bowl of each aside for my Hubby and froze the rest. It is also helpful to make double-batches of the meals you are already making for dinner so you don't have to spend all day cooking.

*What You Need*

• good-quality freezer bags
• measuring cup, a sharpie (not a fine-tip as it may puncture the bag... found that out the hard way)
• baking sheet to stack the bags flat for freezing
• and of course food =)

 Once you are ready to use the meal you may choose to either thaw overnight in the fridge or place in the sink under cold running water. Heat in a pot (or microwave) and enjoy. =)

Meat Sauce =)

Chili



Make sure to label each bag with what is inside and the date. Once frozen, everything starts to look the same. If you are prepping food for the crock-pot it is helpful to add any instructions and cook time.




Since I use Meat sauce in many recipes, I decided to measure the amount placed in each bag.

I found is is better to use a measuring cup to fill the bags, because it makes much less mess than a ladle.



Lay flat and place in freezer or deep-freeze... I left it over-night.

This is how thin my Chili froze. It's a full meal and barely uses any space =)



Front view of frozen Chili =)

Toy of the Month :)

It's the week after Christmas and out of allll the toys Emmett received he has been focusing on his new Melissa and Doug Puzzle set. This set is perfect for my little Puzzle master... The chunky pieces are too easy for him, while the 3+ puzzles are still too tough. I found this set at Ross for $14.99 and there are five double-sided boards. Love it!!!

Puzzle Set keeping little man entertained so Mommy can do some cleaning =)

Emmett's Nursery

I was looking through some pictures the other day and found pictures of Emmett's Nursery! I was so proud of the way it turned out and I have to share!

Below is a picture of his crib: It's a Graco convertable crib (lauren in espresso), we got it from

Toys R Us. His bedding is "Jungle friends" from target, and the mobile and other crib toy was bought second-hand. 

Note: Under the crib I added sterilite drawer I bought from Target, I keep clothes he has yet to grow into. They are the perfect storage solution!

What I may be MOST proud of is his changing table/dresser. My little brother gave this to us and it had seen better days... and was white. I sanded it lightly and painted it using BEHR interior satin paint in Blue Chaise. I couldn't be happier!

I organized his drawers according to style of clothing (onsie, pj's etc), and kept extra supplies in the cabinet.

Below is the wall where is changing table is located.

The cart is from Munchkin (target) and the wall decals are from Hobby Lobby.

Here is the view of the wall his crib is on. I hung his comforter on the wall using two screws and two binder clips- I figured he wouldn't be using it for a while. The white wall shelves are from, you guessed it, Target and the "Emmett" letters were bought white at Michael's and a friend and  I spent hours painting them to match his "Jungle Friends" bedding. LOVE!

I don't think I could have been anymore in love with his nursery.

Turkey Noodle Soup

Growing up, I always dreaded the week after Thanksgiving... Why? We would eat nothing but ham or turkey sandwiches... no thanks. I became determined to make something out of the left-overs- something more than a sandwich. Since necessity is the mother of invention, I  invented some Turkey Noodle Soup.

The great thing about this recipe is that it is extremely adaptable.. you can use whatever you happen to have in your kitchen.

                          

 

Here's What you do:
~In a large stock pot place your turkey carcass (hate that word) in plenty of water- cover and boil. I also add plenty of garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper (add to taste). This takes time, how much time depends on how large your turkey was and how much water. You will know when it is done when your water starts to look like broth and smell amazing... Mine took about an hour. The next step is VERY important: Make sure you double strain your stock- you don't want anything crazy in your broth.
~Next, place the strained broth back into your stock pot (I rinse mine out to save dishes) and while waiting to return to a boil, cut your veggies. I used what I happened to have in my fridge which was celery, and carrots, I also added a can of corn towards the end (we love corn). When the veggies begin to soften add your egg noodles (or rice) and add some shredded turkey. Once the noodles are done, so is the soup. I serve with dinner rolls, and enjoy =)

 



Chicken Corn Cowder!!!

I made the most Yummy Chicken Corn Chowder last night and I just have to share my recipe.

1 Chicken Breast- or 2 tenders
1 Can of Chicken Broth
2 Cups of Half and Half
1 Can of Corn
1 Carrot
3 Red potatoes
Onion
Butter
Water
Pepper
Red Pepper
Celery Salt (Optional)
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder

Directions:
Cook chicken breast in chicken broth and water in a large pot covered on high heat. I used frozen chicken- and added garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, red pepper, and celery salt. Once the chicken is cooked pour all contents of the pot into a large mixing/ serving bowl.
In the same pot add around 3/4 of the stick of butter and as much onion as you desire, I used a quarter of an onion. Let that cook for a few minutes and add the potatoes, cut into small pieces, and carrot which I cut into thin slices. Next, add the corn. While the veggies are cooking shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. After the veggies have cooked approximately 3 mins, add the contents of the mixing bowl (chicken ad broth) back into the pot, cover and cook. After 5 mins add 2 cups of half-and-half and stir well. Cover and continue cooking until the veggies are tender. I recommend serving with dinner rolls.
ENJOY!!!  =)

The most AMAZING French Toast EVER!!!

This recipe is a twist on the traditional french toast-it's Baked! This is a great recipe for special occasions, company, or just a delicious Saturday morning treat.

Baked French Toast

Ingredients:
1 - stick of butter
1 - tsp of corn syrup
1 - cup of brown sugar
Loaf of french bread- sliced about 3/4 in think (the amount of bread is up to you)
5 - eggs
1 - tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 - cups of milk
1/2 - tsp of vanilla extract

Combine butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil for about 1 minute. Then using a 9X13 baking dish spread the mixture at the bottom of the pan. Next, add the french bread in a single layer. Then, combine eggs, cinnamon, milk, and vanilla in a bowl and beat together. Pour over the bread and cover the pan in foil. You can then either refrigerate overnight or let sit in the fridge until the eggs mixture is soaked into the bread.
Place the uncovered pan in the oven, pre-heated to 350*F and bake for 40 minutes. ENJOY!