This Weeks Menu!

It is going to be a strange week here. The Troll is on spring break. I am sure Steve won't get anything done. I do have one day off of work to help. The only reason I have Tuesday off is b/c I work today Sunday. No cooking day for me this week so the menu will be somewhat easy.

Sunday: Homemade soup using frozen chicken stock
Monday: Fish Tacos and Homemade Tortillas
Tuesday:Chicken Francese
Wednesday: Spaghetti
Thursday: Breakfast for Dinner
Friday: Homemade Pizza
Saturday: Tuna and Noodles Casserole


Ok gotta get going. Going to be late for work!

Exploring a Spring Day

We spent a lovely spring afternoon fossil hunting and exploring at one of the local state parks. Ok not so local. We had to drive an hour to get there. But it was worth it. Lots of sun and hiking. Found a few fossil rocks to wash up and crack open.

Here is where we went. Mazon Creek.
Links about the sites

http://mazoncreekfossils.typepad.com/mazon_creek_fossils/

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM3FKG_Pit_11_at_Mazon_Braidwood_State_Fish_Wildlife_Area_Braceville_IL

http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?showtopic=7990








Awesomely generous giveaway over at Heavenly Homemakers. Also check out FBS Books.

This Weeks Menu!

It's another cooking day here. I hope I get as much done as I can. I started not feeling well this afternoon :(. Not sure what is going on......possible gallbladder attack?

Sunday: Spaghetti and Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Apples

Monday: Italian Wedding Soup and Challah Bread

Tuesday: Cola Chicken BBQ Sandwiches and Cheesy Hashbrowns

Wednesday: Spinach Enchiladas

Thursday: Tuna Melts

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Chicken Quesadillas


I love that we are sticking to our menu's. We are eating better, not eating out, saving some money (trying to stock up the pantry is slowing the savings at the moment), and losing weight! Gotta love that. Can't wait until the morning when MPM posts so we can all link up and check out other menus. I get so inspired!

Commute

She steps out the back door. She takes a deep breath and inhales the fresh air. Enjoying the promise of spring that the air has to offer she steps off the porch towards the garage. Her key opens the door and she steps inside. She takes a shallow breath because she can't stand the smell of the garage. The fertilizer mixed with sawdust and car exhaust are almost too much. She unlocks the van door and carefully arranges her work bag, lunch bag and purse on the seat next to her.

She steps into the car. She closes the door and presses the button that opens the garage door. The room is 100% brighter. She latches her safety belt and starts the car. She turns down the blaring radio playing 80's songs, right where the dial was left when she came home last night.

She puts the car in reverse and steps on the gas. She rockets down the driveway and onto the street. Her street, still clad in Victorian brick and hitching posts, wrecks havoc on her van. Its uneven path bounces her to and fro. She silently curses the road as she hears her shocks squeal in protest.

She steps on the gas, in a hurry as usual, zipping towards the interstate. The interstate, smooth and speedy. The interstate full of other commuters whizzing their way to a place the probably don't want to be. She steps on the gas and passes big trucks. She tries to guess what they may be hauling. Some are pretty obvious others are not. She reminisces about the days she saw the overturned Oreo truck, the Slim Jim truck, the onion truck or the pig hauler. Not bad wrecks. The drivers up walking around trying to figure out how to get their load off the interstate.

She steps on the gas realizing the radio just announced she only has 20 minutes left to get to work. She is never late, but the fear is still there. She steps on the gas and leaves the interstate. She is in the suburbs. Stop and go. Stop and Go. Wait for a bus, train, or a trash truck.

She steps on the brake. She is here with 15 minutes to spare. She turns off the car, gathers her bags and steps out of the van. She inhales the fresh air, a little cooler near the lake, and steps forward. By the look of the parking lot, she is stepping into the promise of a stressful day. She is already starting to count down the hours until she can step back into the car, onto the interstate, and back into her home.

*Mama Kat's Writers Workshop over at Mama's Losin' It

Half Finished

It's only half finished. It's driving me crazy. How can you live with a half finished floor? The floor in the family room got finished in one night. How come the kitchen is taking 3 weeks? I try to make do with a kitchen with a half finished floor. I sigh and show my annoyance. I trip over uneven edges. I get splinters in bare feet. I sigh some more and pretend to be understanding.

Then I come home from work last night. I walk into that kitchen with the half finished floor and see perfection. A husband finishing up supper after working all day. He is carefully walking around the missing planks and trying not to trip over dogs.

I see dogs, fat and happy, enjoying the dinner preparation flat on their bellies on the coolness of the new wood. There nails tapping on the floor and their tails wagging and dusting it at the same time.

I see a small boy, pencil in hand writing a story with pictures to take to his teacher the next day. Toys and dogs at his side waiting patiently to be played with or fed. Asking his Daddy how to spell anything over three letters big.

The half finished floor has made my family closer. That half finished floor became the center of the home for that brief moment.

I join my son on the floor and we work on his story. The dogs pile on but still keeping an eye for dropped dinner bits. The hubby talks about his day. It may only be half finished and imperfect but that small space has already become "used". I will choose to be happy no matter what the circumstances. In this light it is what I have and it is perfection.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18


*Linking up to Chatting at the Sky: Tuesdays Unwrapped.

Menu Plan Monday

I know I am posting early, but I will be super busy tomorrow. We did the grocery shopping on Saturday. $275 for the entire month. I am going to try super hard to make it under $300 this month! I should be able to make it. I had great meals last week with bare cupboards. These next two weeks will feel like a feast!

Breakfasts this week will be: Breakfast burritos, cereal, muffins, pancakes, fruit, yogurt, juice.
Lunches this week: leftovers but I also had some extra ground turkey so I made Steve some taco meat. So if he doesn't want leftovers he can whip up a taco or some nachos.

Dinner:
Sunday: Sliders
Monday: Bourbon Chicken
Tuesday: Pizza Ziti
Wednesday: Shepards Pie
Thursday: Parmesan Tilapia
Friday: Homemade Pizza (tradition on Friday nights in this house)
Saturday: Taco Soup

*we love to try other's recipes but we always modify .we use whole wheat, organic produce, low fat, low sodium,turkey, fish and/or chicken in our meals. we rarely if ever eat red meat or pork. just not fans of them.

Communication is the Key!

12 years of marriage is a long time. In that 12 years we have found many new ways of communication. We are so good that sometimes it just takes a look to get the point across. Despite all those face to face or face to phone methods we always return to our roots.....chatting on the computer.

Many people don't know that Steve and I met on the internet.....back before it was cool I might add. We are great communicators on the computer. Short sentances apparently much easier for us! Kind of like Haiku. We are the Haiku communicators!

Jennifer
he is gone!
can I buy this book?
8:44pmSteve
that didn't take long
8:45pmJennifer
he pretty much passed out
lol
8:47pmJennifer
never mind the recipes don't sound very healthy
I'll find something better
8:47pmSteve
ok
8:48pmJennifer
I can come up with something better and more healthy
really'------hotdog casserole
ick
8:48pmSteve
and then sell it as ebook
8:49pmJennifer
yep
:)
lol
actually I was more worried about saving us time and money
8:50pmSteve
save time and money while making money... love it
genius
8:51pmJennifer
google it
everyone has done an ebook on cheap menu planning
8:52pmSteve
but you do it better ... everybody has done something. How can you do it better
8:53pmJennifer
well start investigating it boss
8:54pmJennifer
maybe we should plant a few things this year
like tomatoes, jalepenos and onions to make our own salsa
8:56pmSteve
now you are talking my language.. salsa
8:57pmJennifer
I also saw a recipe on how to grind your own corn to make your own chips
just kidding
:)
8:57pmSteve
and then we can sell it
8:59pmJennifer
maybe you should go and get another job and I can stay home and write my ebook
lol
9:00pmSteve
now that is funny... write on your laptop at work on your breaks
9:01pmJennifer
now you are funny.......i don't even get to pee at work
breaks where in the hell do you think I have time for breaks
9:02pmSteve
are you printing
9:02pmJennifer
no the neighbor
yes I am printing you dork
9:02pmSteve
i am impressed
9:02pmJennifer
that I can press print
or that it worked from upstairs
9:03pmSteve
it worked from upstairs and that you can press a button
only on a mac.. gotta love them
9:03pmJennifer
keep it up and I'll show you button pressing
9:05pmSteve
hehe
9:20pmJennifer
could I go down to a .7
9:22pmSteve
sure if we win the lotto
9:28pmJennifer
plan on making pizza tomorrow night
we will make soup on saturday
9:29pmSteve
what kind of pizza.. cheese and pep
what time do you work to? 5pm
9:30pmJennifer
in theory

Reading Sessions

THE------TOP-----CAN------TIP. NAN-----AND------NAT-----CAN------TAP.
You are an awesome reader. You can read well beyond your grade level (we have proof from the teacher in her own handwriting). You can sound out names of dinosaurs, and for all I know you could be doing it correctly! Signs at toy stores, on the Tivo guide for your favorite TV shows and any packaging that may look like it contains a cookie are almost flawlessly deciphered by you!

So how can I accurately describe the reading experience with you? I am sure your teacher wouldn't believe the struggles we endure to get through your readers every night. How there are tears, whining (by all of us), "breaks", promises and threats.

Your thoughts on this......"I already learned to read Mom".

I get so frustrated. You do know how to read. You are a good reader. You act like 20 minutes of reading will kill you. My impatience boils over!

Just when I get ready to ship you to Gramma and Grandad's for a month, I think of the blessings of the situation.

You have the ability to read and learn to read! Your little eyes can see the words and your little brain can compute and make sense of them. You are an independent spirit and if there was something else you would rather be doing, you will let me know about it. You are creative, you will read it backwards, with your eyes closed and standing on your head, just to make it more entertaining to you.

To me the biggest blessing is that I have the gift of you to teach! God gave me you and trusts me to raise you up to be able to read and understand HIS word. So no matter how impatient and tired I am I will remind myself that we will make it through. One of these days you will read on your own. No matter how painful our reading sessions are now one of these days you will be an independent reader and won't need my coaching. I know I will miss these days. No matter how frustrating!

*Inspired by Tuesdays Unwrapped at Chatting at the Sky.

Menu Planning Monday

We sure got out of the habit of menu planning. This last few weeks have been so busy that we would come home and not cook. Number 1 Son always had a hot meal but Steve and I were so tired some nights it was cereal or PB&J! So I was blog hopping today and got inspired to jump back into meal planning. Here is this weeks plans:

Monday - Apple Bacon Chicken (modified)
Tuesday - Fish Tacos
Wednesday - Creamed Chicken and Biscuits
Thursday - Tuna Melts with Tomato and Mozz Salad
Friday - BBQ Turkey Sloppy Joes
Saturday - Homemade Cheese Pizza
Sunday - Spinach Omelets

All this can be made for what I have on had. Eliminating the need to go to the grocery store this week. Well off to make some Banana bread. Happy menu planning.

Trading Spaces!

So Mom and Dad have caught the renovation bug! They are busy this week cleaning out closets in preparation for a new family room. This room will include a new fireplace! Mom was looking for ideas so I thought I would post a few pics that may suit their taste. Rustic, outdoors, lodge, natural materials is how I would envision their new fireplace. Here are some pics.

*all pics taken from the web. They do not link up. Google images "stone fireplaces"





So the trading part comes in here! Do you know what this is? It is plans for my new outdoor space. I really want a pergola! We (ok..mostly Steve) can handle most of the work. Its the big beam work that we will need help with (I have a big head and little arms :) ) Maybe we will trade work with the folks :)

Landscape Planning

March in Illinois is kind of borning. You never know how to plan your day. You have the itch to be outside and yearn for spring. You can have a little of every season all in a weeks time. This is a good time to start planning my flower beds. I have several scattered around the house. I thought my blog would be a good place to get my ideas down (since I can't draw). I'll have Steve draw out the beds later. He may have to make life sized models so I can visualize the height of the plants :)

I organized my ideas by type of light they plants would need. Up first are my shade plants. I have a wonderful shade area on the West side of my house. I have noticed in the past that hostas, ferns and primrose thrive on that side of my house. I have some hostas in back I plan on moving around to that side. Hopefully they will do better there. I am also looking for a climbing vine type of flowering plant that likes shade. I want to hide the trash cans:

Shade







Sun Gardens in the back and front of the house (both are full sun most of the day)







Some Peony's for the back corner of the house. Near the cellar door.


all images are from Spring Hill Nurseries website. Click on the pics and they will lead you to the site for purchase..

The Hardest Conversation

I was prompted by Mama Kat at Mama's Losin' It! blog to do a little writing today. I was going to do it last night but I passed out on the couch, was able to sleepwalk to my bed, and then pass back out. She has a Writer's Workshop each week and gives prompts for you to explore your creative writing side. I chose to write about a difficult conversation. Now this conversation has not happened yet, but I imagine it will go something like this.

Me: "Honey we really need to update the downstairs bath to match the rest of the house"
Steve: "You're kidding me right?"
Me: "Ummm not really. It doesn't match the look we have going with the rest of the place"
Steve: "It's fine!"
Me: "Sure if we live in a lodge, which we don't! We live in a Victorian Cottage"
Steve: "And just where do you think we are going to get the money to do this?"
Me: "I am just talking about some new tile, paint and some crown moulding"
Steve: (insert exasperated sigh here and imagine him walking off)
Me: "I'll help" (yelling as he walks into the next room)
Steve: (insert mumbling here)

Maybe if I insert pictures like these on a daily basis I can wear him down?

*all pictures taken from other sources. Click them and they will link you to that source.

Nurturing Man

Yes I would love to stay home with my child. I feel I miss so much. I envisioned myself going to school field trips, bake sales and volunteering in the school cafeteria. Things just didn't work out that way. Steve lost his job and decided to stay home and make his own way in the world. He has done an awesome job making a business. We decided as a couple I would go back to work and provide insurance for the two of us. We then expanded to the three of us. While I am sad that I have never gotten to stay home with my son I am happy that he has had the opportunity to be raised by a very nurturing man. A man who did not have a nurturing father to look up too. I am thankful he will have such an amazing example in which he can pull from if he becomes a father.

Proverbs 4:1 Listen my sons, to a father's instructions; pay attention and gain understanding.

This post linked to Chatting at the Sky (my first :) ) Tuesdays Unwrapped.

written on Tuesday posted on Wednesday - dang migraines!

love,
jen

Good Morning Loud Mouth

He is my favorite. He is loud and kind of dumb. Looking for a lady friend. He screams outside my window all year round. When the curtains are open he sees his own reflection and tries to kick his own butt! We have to close the curtains or he will likely cause himself brain damage.....if that hasn't already happened.

I like hearing him this time of year. He is singing louder. Hoping for a new friend and warmer days. March 1 today! Already? Too bad there are snow flurries in the forecast :( I still can't help think of spring when I see him. There has been a constant stream of Canadian Geese flying overhead also. Honking and getting the dogs all worked up. The bald eagles are in the area also. I have seen them fishing in the rivers and circling over my back yard. Spring is almost here! I am thinking warmer thoughts!