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

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. =)

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 =)

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!!!  =)