Menu Plan Monday

My friend Elizabeth recently posted about her two-week meal rotation. It made total sense and made everything seem so easy! With the craziness of our school days, I thought this might be a good thing for us to do this fall, also. However, we will have a four-week meal rotation so that we don't get tired of eating the same 'ol thing. And I tried to choose things that everybody pretty much likes to eat. Here goes:

Week 1

Monday ~Meatball subs and chips
Tuesday ~ Jalapeno chicken enchiladas
Wednesday ~ Fend for Yourself (FFY) and Wine Wednesday
Thursday ~ Baked salisbury steak and homemade mac and cheese
Friday ~ Crock pot chicken and noodles
Saturday ~ Easy chicken cordon bleu sandwiches and linguine
Sunday ~ Hot dogs and brats and chips

Week 2

Monday ~ Salmon and rice/fish sticks for the kids
Tuesday ~ Chicken fettucine and breadsticks
Wednesday ~ FFY/WW
Thursday ~ Tacos
Friday ~ Burgers and fries
Saturday ~ Potato soup or American stew and subs
Sunday ~ Calzones

Week 3

Monday ~ Spaghetti and french bread
Tuesday ~ Fried chicken strips, mashed potatoes, homemade mac
Wednesday ~ FFY/WW
Thursday ~ Chicken or beef stirfry
Friday ~ Cheesy chicken and rice or chicken tetrazzini
Saturday ~ Chili and chili/hot dogs
Sunday ~ Burritos

Week 4

Monday ~ Goulash
Tuesday ~ Crock pot beef stroganoff and corn
Wednesday ~ FFY/WW
Thursday ~ Reversed stuffed peppers
Friday ~ Chicken and bows
Saturday ~ Carryout pizza
Sunday ~ BBQ beef and cheddar wraps or French dip sandwiches

Much Needed

I have completely and totally needed this weekend! This was a tough week. I was behind all week from being in Missouri last weekend. I didn't have lesson plans done or grades entered and felt like we were winging it all week. We had some hiccups with the two main curriculums I purchased for Dawson and had to come to the realization that they just weren't going to work for us. And I was just weary and downtrodden. I didn't sleep good, didn't eat good, didn't feel like exercising. It was just a bum week.

But boy, oh boy, am I feeling better today! I came home from Homeschool Co-op on Friday at about noon and hunkered down until this morning. I put my hair up, put on some comfy knit capris and a t-shirt, and determined to get some things accomplished at home with some intervals of resting.

I cleaned the kitchen, and then took a nap. We went and picked Eli up from school, and then I came home and watched Project Runway while laying on the couch. I fixed the kids an easy dinner, started some laundry, and read for a bit. I sat on the back porch and got caught up on some blogging. I tidied up and vacuumed the upstairs, and went to bed at 9:30 p.m.

Yesterday I did a couple loads of laundry, and then took a little nap. Rick took Brynne for a couple hours to go bowling and to eat lunch while Eli and I relaxed in the quiet of the house. I researched some science lessons for Dawson, and rested on the back porch. I did loads of laundry in between periods of resting and lesson planning. I got our entire week of lessons planned, with copies made and all things organized. And I finished all of our laundry. Rick picked us up Mexican to go for dinner, and I watched some t.v. And I was in bed by 10:00 p.m.

After church this morning, I am going to run to the grocery store for a few groceries. Then when I get home I'm going to power-clean the downstairs while Rick is gone playing golf. We'll have an easy dinner, and then I'll input grades from the past two weeks (while sitting in bed drinking some hot tea). When I go to bed tonight, I will be completely caught up, organized and prepared for the week ahead, and well-rested.

I am thankful for a husband who recognizes when I have overdone it and encourages me to take some time for myself.

I am ready to tackle another week!

It's Official ....

... and it was inevitable, really.

I snore.

I woke myself up snoring two nights ago.

I had suspected that maybe this was going on because recently I have found myself waking up in the night laying flat on my back. I have always been a side sleeper, so I have found this to be odd. But, none-the-less, I have found myself in that flatlined position more than once. And we all know that gravity works. So that means that my mouth has had to be wide open. I bet that's an attractive sight.

Not only does the flat-on-the-back scenario spell S-N-O-R-E, but my family history doesn't help any.

My paternal grandmother is a sweet old lady by day, and a chainsaw by night. Her snoring could saw the rafters in two.

My dad. Well, let's just say that I can't remember the last time my parents shared a bedroom. Crazy snorer plus crazy light sleeper equals murder.

On our Spring Break trip to Florida, I shared a room with my sister. She doesn't exactly snore. It's more of a "caw" .... "caw" .... "caw" .... yet still annoying. Had I had a shoe nearby ...

So, like I said, it was inevitable.

On Tuesday night I woke myself up snoring ... not caw-cawing, not breathing loud, not whistling, but SNORING!!!

Thankfully my husband could sleep through a train driving through our bedroom. So it shouldn't bother him. But I am just warning you all, so you will know not to share a hotel room with me should we ever go anywhere together. You can thank me now that I will just foot the bill for my own room.

Grandma and Papa's

My parents recently sold their spacious home out in the country and moved to a small (but absolutely perfect and adorable) old house on Main Street. We went for our first visit to the new house this past weekend.

It was sooooo nice! They have a screened-in porch on the front of the house that has the most perfect breeze blowing through it. I spent about 85% of my time on that porch, sitting in a wicker chair.

It was SeptemberFest while we were there. The parade came right past my parents' house, so we just stepped outside when it started so the kids could wave and gather candy.

The Dairy Queen is two doors down from their house, perfect walking distance for a sweet treat. And the elementary school is across the street, complete with playground and plenty of room to ride a scooter.

My parents are so happy there. They seem so at peace. The house is the perfect fit for them, and a great place to visit!

Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... Sunny, but 55 degrees! My ears were cold when I got back from my walk!

I am thinking... about teenager drama.

I am thankful ... for cooler temps and the beginning of fall.

I am wearing... a Backstreet Boys concert t-shirt and gray sweatpants!

I am planning... this week's Co-op study on New Zealand.

I am creating...  (helping Kyndal create) a 50's hairdo poster for Cosmo.

I am going... to be behind all week because I didn't have the weekend to wrap up last week's school lessons and prepare for this week or clean house.

I am reading...  A Need so Beautiful by Suzanne Young, Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone (Dawson's read-a-loud), lots of books each day with Eli and Brynne,  More Faith in My Day by Emilie Barnes (daily devotional).

I am hoping... that the cooler weather is here to stay!

From the learning rooms... It's going to be a short week for Kyndal and Dawson as they leave on Thursday for their annual visit with their dad and his family. Brynne is studying about Minnesota. I am looking into a Logic/Critical Thinking curriculum for Dawson. Kyndal is working on a report and demonstration for 50's hairstyles for Cosmo. Eli had a cold this weekend, so I am hoping he does okay at school this week.

Noticing that ... it's so much easier to make excuses for people than to do the hard work of instilling changes.

From the kitchen...
Tuesday ~ Pork stirfry
Wednesday ~ Wine Wednesday and Fend for Yourself
Thursday ~Smothered pork ribs, linguine, green beans
Friday ~ Ham and swiss stromboli
Saturday ~ Turkey wrap and pasta salad
Sunday ~ Grilled hot dogs and burgers, chips, mac and cheese

Around the house... unpacking and laundry.

One of my favorite things... the fall lineup of my shows.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Back to school today, and Eli is bowling tonight. I'm going to head to the library, and slip into the nail salon to get my nails done. I have some projects to put together for Co-op on Friday. Kyndal works tonight and tomorrow night, and then her and Dawson will be gone from Thursday until Sunday. We will definitely be staying home this weekend! I just can't stand the thought of being away from home two weekends in a row! I need my weekend home time!

From my picture journal.

Me and my sister heading out for a little ride in my dad's Scout.

Lots of women Daybook. See what they have to say at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Boys and Girls

We have been so blessed to be able to join a couple of clubs, starting this month. Both clubs are sponsored by Modern Woodmen of America and with the purchase of a $7,500 life insurance policy for $24 per year, the cost of the clubs are FREE!

Some great moms have been volunteering their time one Tuesday afternoon a month to lead a Boys' Club and a separate Girls' Club.

Boys' Club this week met at a local park and splash pad where "boys could be boys" and throw water on each other for two hours, with occasional breaks for popsicles.

At Girls' Club, the girls made bookworm rice krispie treats, had snacks and drinks, made magnet bookmarks/booklists, and played lots of games.

They both had a really great time and can't wait to go again next month!

Picture Day for Eli

Eli had school pictures last Thursday. Thought I would share a few I took on our practice run ....

To live well we must have a faith fit to live by, a self fit to live with, and a work fit to live for -- something to which we can give ourselves and thus get ourselves off our hands. We cannot tell what may happen to us in the strange medley of life. But we can decide what happens in us -- how we can take it, what we do with it -- and that is what really counts in the end. How to take the raw stuff of life and make it a thing of worth and beauty -- that is the test of living. Life is an adventure of faith, if we are to be victors over it, not victims of it. Faith in the God above us, faith in the little infinite soul within us, faith in life and in our fellow souls -- without faith, the plus quality, we cannot really live. 

~ Joseph Fort Newton

One Roast and a Crockpot

Mary at Homegrown Learners has a Linkup called "What's for Dinner?" And this week she is looking for easy recipes. I have two. All you need is your crockpot, the roast of your choice and a few other ingredients.

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

Slow cook a roast of your choice (about 4-5 pounds). I put three our four slits in my roast and stuff in a piece of fresh garlic, then add about 6 cups of water, 4-6 beef bouillon cubes, and some finely chopped onion.

About two hours before mealtime, remove the roast from the crockpot and cut it in half (or so). Cut into small pieces. (Reserve the other half for Recipe #2). Drain the majority of your broth off, except for about a cup or so. Add a can of cream of mushroom soup and a 16 oz. container of sour cream. Mix well. Add chopped roast and stir.

Cook a package of egg noodles according to package instructions. Add to mixture in crockpot. Cook on Warm until dinnertime.

BBQ Beef and Cheddar Wraps

Later in the week, pull out that reserved half of roast. Shred it into small pieces and put in crockpot. Cover with BBQ sauce. Slow cook on low/warm for a few hours.

At mealtime, warm a tortilla shell, add BBQ beef, sprinkle on some shredded cheddar cheese, roll and eat.

My husband loves to add fresh, sliced jalapenos from the garden for some extra kick.


Mary has other great meal ideas on her blog. Go check them out for some inspiration! I'm headed there now.

Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... Well, just when we get teased with a couple of days in the cool mid-90's ... WHAM! 103 degrees today and 105 degrees tomorrow. Yippee.

I am thinking... about how badly I need a good sweating exercise session! I know I would feel better with more of that.

I am thankful ... for September coming up. I am dreaming of Fall.

I am wearing... my jammies and robe. I apparently forgot to turn on my alarm to get up to exercise this morning, so missed that part of my day.

I am planning... a geography study for the older kids at Co-op.

I am creating...  my Christmas list.

I am going... to Missouri this weekend to visit my parents. I am excited to see their new house completely re-done, to see my grandma, and to just chill.

I am reading...  A Need so Beautiful by Suzanne Young, Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone (Dawson's read-a-loud), lots of books each day with Eli and Brynne,  More Faith in My Day by Emilie Barnes (daily devotional).

I am hoping... to find a way to gain a little energy. I am working so hard, but am eating well, drinking lots of water, exercising (not as consistent as I would like), getting adequate sleep, but I am still a zombie by about 6:00 p.m. It feels worse than it has in the past.

From the learning rooms... We are just learning so much! Kyndal is in the full swing of cosmetology school now. She really likes it a lot! She is trying to find balance between her school classes, cosmetology, working and friends. It's tough. Dawson had his first guitar lesson yesterday. I think he is really going to enjoy it! He is finding that his weaker subjects, Biology and Algebra, are intense this year, and he's not liking it too much. Eli is doing some fun stuff at school, and doing lots of reading. I have seen so much improvement in his reading! He is reading a book each night, once to me and then again to Rick. At this rate he'll have 100 books read by Christmas break. THAT would be something! And Brynne, oh Brynne. I imagine she is why I am so tired. She accomplishes so much and wants to do so much more. We do so much math, reading, notebooking, art, crafts, science .. it's just constant! She is so smart.

Noticing that ... I have been sooooo tired this past week! It's going to take me a bit to get used to all of the daily activity.

From the kitchen... Here are some pizza muffins I made for Bunco the other night, at the suggestion of my friend, Amy. They were so good and so easy!

Just pinch off some refrigerated pizza dough (in the tube) and stuff into a mini-muffin pan. Spoon on a bit of pizza sauce. Finely chop pepperonis and sprinkle some on (I cut mine up in my electric mini-chopper) and sprinkle on some mozzarella cheese. Bake at 425 degrees for about 8-10 minutes.

Around the house... it's peaceful and quiet. Everyone is sleeping (except Rick and Kyndal who are already gone). I soak in these last moments before the day explodes into a hotbed of activity.

One of my favorite things... is this time, right now. So quiet. So peaceful. All I hear is the whir of the ceiling fan and the tick of the clock.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Today is our busy day! After school, Eli and Brynne have Boys' Club and Girls' Club in a nearby town. Then immediately after we are done, I will drop Eli off at the bowling alley to bowl with Rick. On Friday, me and three of the kids are going to Missouri for the weekend. Rick is staying home to dog sit and play golf. Dawson is staying home so he can go on a youth float trip. We've got Co-op that morning and then will head to the grocery store. And we get our first day off from school on Monday for Labor Day. Yea! We already need a break!

From my picture journal.

Our little cosmetology student.

Lots of women Daybook. See what they have to say at The Simple Woman's Daybook.