Loving Home

I have been concentrating on my other blog the last couple of months but plan to start back on this one also in the new year.  Hope everyone has a blessed holiday.

Okay it has been over a month since I last posted something.  Life has been busy.  We went to Canada earlier this month to visit family.  It was a very enjoyable time but I was happy to be home again.  Routine is a wonderful thing. So,  what are we eating this week?  We are trying to eat from the pantry as the budget is very tight right now.  If I don't make money at the craft fair in three weeks we will have no Christmas money. On to this week: Today (Sunday) B - Eggos L - spaghetti and meatballs D - chicken, asparagus and potato salad Monday B - protein shake or oatmeal L - sandwiches D - meatloaf, mashed potatoes and asparagus Tuesday B - protein shake or oatmeal L - sandwiches D - fish chowder and salad Wednesday B - eggs, bacon and toast L - sandwiches D - taco soup and salad Thursday B - protein shake or oatmeal L - sandwiches D - homemade pizza Friday B - eggos L - sandwiches D - chicken lo mein Saturday B - ...

I know this is a little late but my days have been busy lately. Sunday, September 1 B - eggs and bacon L - brats, mac salad D - pork chops, mashed potatoes and carrots Monday, September 2 B - eggs and bacon L - dh hot dogs, me at work D - chicken thighs, tomato salad and ceasar salad Tuesday, September 3 B - cereal L - sandwiches D - tacos Wednesday, September 4 B - cereal L - sandwiches D - chicken, mashed potatoes and zucchini Thursday, September 5 B - eggs and sausage L - sandwiches D - sausage, corn on the cob and salad Friday, September 6 B - protein shakes L - sandwiches D - fish, tomato salad and corn on the cob Saturday, September 7 B - eggs, sausage and toast L - hot dogs and mac salad D - chicken, potato salad and carrots Snack choices are popcorn or chips and salsa

My son turns 26 on Friday so we hope to take him out for dinner on Saturday or have him in, whichever he wants. Sunday, August 25 B - sausage burritos L - chicken strips, green beans and corn on the cob D - BLT's Monday, August 26 B - muffins L - sandwiches D - tacos and salad Tuesday, August 27 B - banana bread L - sandwiches D - chicken stir-fry with noodles Wednesday, August 28 B - eggs and sausage L - sandwiches D - baked swai nuggets, broccoli and pasta salad Thursday, August 29 B - muffins L - sandwiches D - pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and carrots Friday, August 30 B - muffins L - sandwiches D - chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli Saturday, August 31 B - eggs and toast L - eat out for Ian's birthday D - BLT's Snacks will be popcorn or cheetos

I know I have been absent from here for a while.  I had started working and I have not been handling it well physically.  I gave notice on Sunday.  So I will be home again soon. Here is the rest of this weeks menu: August 21 breakfast - eggs and bacon lunch - sandwiches and cookies dinner - fish sticks, tomato salad and green beans August 22 breakfast - banana bread lunch - sandwiches and cookies dinner - chicken thighs, corn on the cob and zucchini August 23 breakfast - banana bread lunch - sandwiches dinner - meatball subs August 24 breakfast - eggs and sausage lunch - BLTs dinner - hamburgers, mac salad snacks:  popcorn and cookies

I was able to pick a few things up at the store to round out what we already had. Sunday, June 30      B - McDonald's      L - eat out with friends after church      D - fried chicken, mac salad and rolls Monday, July 1      B - didn't eat      L - ham sandwiches, mac salad      D - dh leftover zuppa soup, me muscle milk at work Tuesday, July 2      B - zucchini bread      L - sandwiches and mac salad      D - chicken leg quarters, potatoes and grilled veggies Wednesday, July 3      B - eggs and bacon      L - grilled cheese sandwiches      D - sloppy joes Thursday, July 4      B -  eggs and bacon      L -  hamburgers, potato salad and slaw      D - chicken on salad Friday, July 5      B - zucchini bread   ...

Having to use what is in the house as much as possible.  Here is what I have planned: Sunday - Breakfast:  eggs and sausage                Lunch:  ham, potato salad and green beans                Dinner:  baked chicken on salad Monday - Breakfast:  banana bread                  Lunch:  sandwiches                  Dinner:  ham, potato salad and grilled veggies Tuesday - Breakfast:  banana bread                  Lunch:  sandwiches                  Dinner:  bbq, slaw Wednesday - Breakfast:  banana bread                       Lunch:  sandwiches                   ...

Okay,  I know I have dropped the ball with this and I hope to get better.  This is what I am planning for the rest of this week. June 19 B - oatmeal L - leftovers for me, hot dogs and slaw for dh D - hamburgers and slaw June 20 B - eggs and sausage L - leftovers or sandwiches D - grilled chicken salad June 21 B - eggs and sausage L - cabbage rolls for me, sandwiches for dh D - hot dogs and slaw for dh, Muscle Milk for me at work June 22 B - oatmeal L - hamburgers and slaw D - homemade pizza and salad Snacks will be a choice of pretzels or popcorn. I am still losing weight though it is a lot slower now.  I need to get back into getting to the gym.  Since the wedding I have not made it back but once.  I am trying to use what is in the house right now.  The only thing I need are hot dog buns for Friday night.

On June 1 my son married his sweetheart !!!  It was a beautiful outdoor wedding and the rain held off until we were taking down the chairs.  There were about 25 people to share this wonderful day with them. About to be pronounced husband and wife. Ian giving me a kiss before the ceremony.

okay this is a beginning of a very busy five weeks. Breakfast - choice of cold cereal, oatmeal or eggs and toast Lunch - choice of leftovers, sandwiches or mac and cheese Dinner - Monday:  meatloaf, mashed potatoes, carrots Tuesday:  homemade pizza Wednesday:  baked pasta Thursday:  chicken, baked potatoes and broccoli Friday:  white fish, sweet potatoes and green beans Saturday:  chicken, mashed potatoes and carrots Sunday:  chili with tortilla chips Snacks - choice of popcorn, chips and salsa or snack cake

I know I have not been on a lot recently.  I will share soon why.  Here is this week's menu: Breakfast - choice of protein shake, oatmeal or eggs and either sausage or bacon Lunch  - choice of sandwich, leftovers, hot dogs for dh or mac and cheese for me Dinner - Monday:  Ham, baked potato and asparagus Tuesday:  Fish, french fries and carrots Wednesday:  Baked pasta Thursday:  Chicken, baked potato and carrots Friday:  Date night Saturday:  Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans Sunday:  homemade pizza Snacks - choice of popcorn or pretzels We eat kind of bland dinners but it gives me the protein I need.

<img src="https://img.bzzagent.com/image/krogerSpringDinners.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=3099306862&Campaign=2600619388&Uid=464670&token=da0995b554362de031b863b272455461" alt=""/> Are you like me and get tired with doing all the cooking, all the serving, all the putting away and all the clean-up after ever meal?  Well I finally think I have found a way to share the load.  I recently got to be a part of a buzzagent campaign that was featuring Kroger brand products.  I have purchase Kroger brand in the past but not these items.  The campaign included a pork roast, a side, crescent rolls, cake mix and icing.  The photo above is the mashed potatoes and pork roast that I fixed that night. I picked a night that my college age daughter would be home.  I am trying to teach her to cook and this new recipe looked easy so I wanted her help.  We had a blast making Apricot and Mustard Glazed Pork Roast and she even commented on how ea...

I know I have been MIA the last couple of weeks.  My dh has been home on his spring break and I have been giving him my full attention.  :) Here is this weeks menu: Sunday:  Easter meal - Ham, sweet potatoes, asparagus, broccoli salad, homemade cranberry sauce                Dinner - leftovers Monday:  Chicken, sweet potatoes, asparagus Tuesday:  Ham, mashed potatoes and veggie Wednesday:  Spaghetti with meat sauce Thursday:  Chicken, mashed potatoes and veggie Friday:  Fish, coleslaw, veggie Saturday:  lunch - hot dogs and slaw                  dinner - Turkey sausage, mashed potatoes and veggie Breakfast is choice of protein shake, eggs and sausage or cold cereal Lunch is choice of leftovers, sandwiches or mac and cheese Snacks are choice of popcorn, pretzels or chips and salsa

Here was my to do list from last week: In the Kitchen: - soak, cook and can pinto beans    - soak, cook and can black beans - organize pantry - take inventory of pantry - pick up co-op order on Tuesday Housekeeping: - target room this week is living room      - take down and wash curtain      - vacuum couch and recliner really well      - go through what is in and on end tables      - rearrange what is on shelves - maintain rest of the house Crafting: - finish sewing stuffed animals for baby Carter, my mom and my sister - mail animals to my mom and sister - sew at least five more animals for craft fair on the 23rd of March - finish knitting booties for order from church So how did I do.  Not very good really. In the Kitchen:  got most of the pinto beans canned.  I still have some to process in pressure canner.  I did not even get black beans soaked.  I started...

I need to start getting better at getting things done around here so I thought that if I wrote out my goals I might get some of them done.  ~smile~ In the Kitchen: - soak, cook and can pinto beans - soak, cook and can black beans - organize pantry - take inventory of pantry - pick up co-op order on Tuesday Housekeeping: - target room this week is living room      - take down and wash curtain      - vacuum couch and recliner really well      - go through what is in and on end tables      - rearrange what is on shelves - maintain rest of the house Crafting: - finish sewing stuffed animals for baby Carter, my mom and my sister - mail animals to my mom and sister - sew at least five more animals for craft fair on the 23rd of March - finish knitting booties for order from church Outside: -  pickup seed order on Tuesday -  sweep front walk way and back patio - put money aside for co...

This week promises to be an interesting week weather-wise and on Friday I leave for the weekend to a Ladies Church Retreat. On tap this week: Sunday - Meatloaf, baked potatoes and salad Monday - Chicken, boiled potatoes and veggie Tuesday - Spaghetti with meat sauce (leftover meatloaf) Wednesday - Fish, baked potatoes and veggie Thursday - Chicken, baked potatoes and veggie Friday - dh  hot dogs and slaw Saturday - dh  sloppy joes and slaw Breakfasts are a choice of protein shake, eggs and bacon or cold cereal Lunches are a choice of leftovers, sandwiches or mac and cheese

Wow has this month flown by.  This year as a matter of fact.  Here is what I have planned to fix this week: Sunday:   lunch - eat out                 dinner -   dh hot dogs and broccoli slaw; me cottage cheese and fruit Monday:  potato, sausage and kale soup Tuesday:  chicken, potato and veggies Wednesday:  meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggies Thursday:  leftovers Friday:  date night Saturday:  dinner at a friend's house for a committee meeting for church.  Not sure what I am taking yet. Breakfast will be choice of protein shake, egg and sausage or oatmeal Lunches will be choice of sandwiches, cottage cheese and fruit or leftovers. Snacks will be choice of popcorn, chips and salsa or oranges

Here is the plan for this week: Sunday - eat at church for lunch              - chicken, coleslaw and green beans for dinner Monday - Sausage, baked potatoes and veggie Tuesday - Turkey, sweet potatoes and veggie Wednesday - Spaghetti with meatballs Thursday - Turkey enchiladas Friday - Potato, kale and sausage soup Saturday - Fish, mashed potatoes and veggies Breakfast is choice of eggs and sausage, oatmeal, protein shake or cold cereal Lunch is choice of sandwiches, leftovers or mac and cheese

Here is this week's menu plan.  Payday is not until Friday so this is based on what is on hand. Sunday - chicken fajitas, refried beans Monday - ham, baked potatoes and veggie Tuesday - salmon, mashed potatoes and veggie Wednesday - spaghetti with meatballs Thursday - chili with cheese Friday - date night - maybe Saturday - meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggie If we do not go on date night then my back up meal is sausage, corn and green veggie Breakfasts are choice of oatmeal, eggs and toast, protein shake or cold cereal Lunches are choice of sandwich, mac and cheese or leftovers Snack choices are popcorn, chips and salsa or pretzels.

Yesterday I had the car so I went to the gym.  I usually have to wait on a ride so I was excited to be able to go on my own.  I worked out 35 mins on the treadmill then spent 10 mins on the weight machines.  Then, I don't know what I was thinking, I went to talk to a trainer about what I could be doing different to get results.  He showed me three different exercises and today I can barely move.  My thighs are killing me.  Walking hurts, stairs hurts and getting up from a chair hurts.  It is my outer muscles.  I took a very hot shower and that has not helped either.  After chowing me these exercises of course Levi tried to get me to sign up to work with a trainer weekly.  $180 a month for once a week !!!!!  Yikes !!!!!  I have to pass for now. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to move and get back to the gym.

I went grocery shopping yesterday so I had to have my menus done.  Yeah me !!!  Here is what it looks like for the week: Sunday:  lunch - chicken, baked potatoes and veggie               dinner - Super Bowl - chicken wings, french fries and veggie tray Monday:  whitefish, coleslaw and veggies Tuesday:  meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggie Wednesday:  meatball subs and coleslaw Thursday:  leftovers Friday:  Valentine dinner at church (not sure we are going yet) Saturday:  Church committee meeting at one of the members not sure what I am going to take yet. Breakfasts are choice of:  oatmeal, eggs and toast or cold cereal Lunches are choice of:  sandwiches or wraps, mac and cheese or leftovers For snacks I have chips and salsa or popcorn.

I am having a lot of trouble with google and it will not always let me log in so this is late. Sunday - chicken fajita soup Monday - pork chops, baked potatoes and broccoli Tuesday - chicken breasts, sweet potatoes and cauliflower Wednesday - whitefish, coleslaw, carrots and cauliflower Thursday - leftovers Friday - sausage, baked potatoes and veggie Saturday - meeting future in laws - dd's fiancee parents Breakfasts will be choice of oatmeal, eggs and bacon or cold cereal. Lunches will be choice of sandwiches, mac and cheese or leftovers. I am trying to use up our fresh veggies before they have seen better days.  I will still have salad stuff to use after this week.

I am not sure where I got the recipe for this but I made it for the first time today and if was amazing !!!! I wish I could remember who to give the credit to but I just have to share the recipe. Chicken Fajita Soup 1 box chicken broth or 3 15 oz cans 1-2 packs of taco seasoning 3-4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded 1 onion chopped 5 stalks of celery, chopped 3 cans of Rotel tomatoes with chilies, reg or mild 1 -2 cans of black beans, rinsed 1 bag frozen corn 1 tsp minced garlic Dump everything in the crockpot and cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-5 hours.  I served it with sharp cheddar on top.  Yummy !!!!!

One of the things we have worked on today has been plans for this years garden.  We need to expand it as I need to eat more fresh veggies and fruits then last year.  We are looking at making raised beds using concrete blocks that I am going to paint.  This should make it easier for me to keep them weeded and tended.  We are hoping to plant our spring garden next month (hopefully).  We are wanting to plant cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, winter lettuce, kohlrabi, beets and maybe even brussels sprouts.  I have ordered organic seeds that I will get in March so most of these will be plants that we buy at the Amish garden center.  Their plants are always awesome so I don't mind. More plans to come soon.

Today has been a wonderful, kinda lazy day.  I went to the gym and worked out 30 minutes then my wonderful ds and his fiancee took dh and I out for lunch.  After that I pittled in the kitchen and have been on line a little bit but nothing serious.  Dh is so exhausted after work each week that all he wants to do is sleep on Saturday.  It makes it hard to plan things. I am hoping to stay up to watch the hockey game tonight (Preds) but we'll see.  It doesn't start until 9:30pm and by then I am usually ready for bed. I need to see if the chicken is thawed yet and bag up the black beans before bed though.  Planning chicken fajita soup tomorrow.

I know I am a day behind but I was struggling to get my menu done. Sunday - lunch = eat out                dinner - Zuppa soup with salad Monday - chicken stir fry with noodles Tuesday - chili with cheese Wednesday - spaghetti with meatballs and salad Thursday - leftovers Friday - pollock, veggies and baked potato Saturday - chicken, veggie and baked potato Breakfasts will be a choice of oatmeal, eggs and bacon or cold cereal Lunches will be a choice of meat sandwiches, leftovers or soup

I know I have been MIA recently.  Just not feeling well right now.  The dampness of this week is really affecting me and my fibro.  Hoping to get to the gym today and some exercise making me feel better.  The weight is still coming off.  I have lost 23 pounds since surgery and 60 pounds overall.  I go back to the surgeon for a follow up today.  Hopefully he will be happy with this weight loss. I plan on writing more later.  See you then.