First few things from the garden....

The garden has been a little bit of a slowpoke this year, but once it gave me some goodies- I quickly forgave it! :-)

Its wonderful to have fresh food from the garden!

Like to know more about Gratituesday?

Keeping recipes handy....

Anyone else have the memory capacity of a rock? Me too!

Well, what is a gal to do when she makes some things weekly or more?

I mean I could keep printing the recipes...but you know what happens with "papers" right?

I have found a solution to my short memory!

I taped the recipes inside the cabinet doors where I keep my baking supplies!

Yep, one door has a Breakfast Bread Recipe, Tammy's Pita Bread Recipe, and my Chapatis recipe!

Now my little girl has started helping with soaking the grains for breakfast, so she wants me to write up her some notes too! That way she can "follow the recipe" like Momma does! ;-)

Another little tip about recipes;

Lay them out the day before or write up a list when you plan your weekly menu and include the page numbers or attach them to your menu! You'll be more apt to cook what you planned if you can find the recipe that you planned to use! ;-)

For more Kitchen Tip Tuesdays, visit Tammy's Recipes!

MENU PLAN MONDAY...

It's hot...let's eat light...its almost time for my once-a-month-shopping trip so lets see what we can dig out of the back of the freezer and pantry- just in time for MENU PLAN MONDAY!

SATURDAY:
-granola and milk
-lentils and rice (by request of the kids!), leftover muffins and strawberry bread
-salmon patties, mashed buttermilk potatoes, mac-n-cheese (by request by DH)
Snacks: Chai Rice Milk, cake, salsa and blue chips
SUNDAY:
-coconut-almond granola and milk
-lentils and rice leftovers(my youngest, normally-picky eater says he could eat this everyday), Chard-Burger Pie
-monkey meat from the freezer with flatbread, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, sour cream, salsa
with black bean (from the freezer) salsa, sliced cucumber from the one and only one so far from the garden
Snacks: (NT) Almond Cookies, homemade bread and honey
MONDAY:
-soaked Breakfast Cake
-lettuce salad, fish sticks, green beans
-Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, brussel sprouts
Snacks: (NT) Almond Cookies, Cherry-coconut milk smoothies
TUESDAY:
-bug oats
-tuna salad in pita bread, blueberry slushes
- Shredded Chicken Sandwiches, blackberry crisp
Snacks: popcorn, popsicles HM, HM-NT rice milk
WEDNESDAY:
-coconut rice
-Sammy's, potato salad
-beans, cornbread, hopefully fried squash or okra from the garden
Snacks:carob fudge, popcorn
THURSDAY:
-soaked millet
-sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast burritos, coconut milk and fruit smoothies
-chili and crackers (from leftover beans)
Snacks: Blueberries-n-Cheesecake, homemade graham crackers
FRIDAY:
-bug oats
-chili-n-cheese
Snacks:cheese popcorn, fruit slushes

Chocolate Silk Pie....

(this one is from my little book that came with the Kitchen-aid)

1 9 inch pie shell

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 T cocoa powder

1/2 cup melted butter

3 eggs

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 t vanilla

Mix ingredients in that order, pour into pie shell and bake approx. 55 minutes.

Easy and yummy!

And if you will notice, it separates into 3 layers which makes it really pretty!

:-)

Raisin Bread...

Although I didn't do the greatest job of rolling this bread up :-)- it was soooo good! It has as good a flavor as the store-bought! (least that's what they tell me!;) This is a great snack, breakfast, or anytime bread!!!

2 teaspoons of yeast
mixed with 1/4 cup warm water
and 1 t cane sugar

Lightly beat 1 egg and the yolk of another. Set aside the white!

Warm 2/3 cup milk with 3 T butter. (just till warm and butter melts, don't boil)

Add eggs, milk, butter to yeast mixture; blend well.

Beat in 1/4 cup cane sugar, 1 t sea salt, and 1 t vanilla.
Add 1 cup raisins and approx. 4 cups whole wheat flour.

Turn out dough onto floured surface. Knead. (You may knead in 1/2 to 1 cup unbleached flour if necessary, but do will remain very soft and slightly sticky.)

Shape into ball and place in sprayed bowl. Cover and allow to rise until doubled, approx 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Punch down and roll out into rectangle. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with approx 1/4 cup cane sugar, drizzle with approx. 2 T honey, and sprinkle with approx 3 T cinnamon.

Roll up on the short end, tucking ends under. Place in buttered bread pan.
Beat the egg white with 1 T water and brush over the top. Sprinkle lightly with approx. 1/4 to 1/2 t cinnamon. Allow to rise until doubled. (This won't rise as high as a plain loaf but should come a little over 9x5 loaf pan.) This rise will take approx 45 minutes to an hour.

Bake for 45 minutes until loaf sounds hollow when tapped and sides and bottom are browned.
Cool on wire rack.

Again..so yummy! The children requested this for breakfast!!
A great Frugal Friday recipe! Beats the price of store-bought and its just as good!!!

A precious soul-winner.....

This week I continue to marvel at one precious lady that my DH is acquainted with through his work. During the past several months, the Lord has brought many people across her path. Many of them hurting, many of them struggling, many of them needy- and not even knowing it. (For most of us have been "needy" before we ever understood what our NEED truly was!)

But this dear lady understands! She has been giving these people exactly what they needed, even when it seemed that they didn't even want It!

As of my DH's last count, she has led fifty-five people to the Lord! I don't know whether to shout or cry......or rather weep!?!?!?!! Have I even told 55 people about the Lord Jesus in the last year? Its convicting, its uplifting, its joyous, all wrapped up in one!

But she has made such an impact on our home in many ways and I am so grateful! What a light she is for our Lord! What a gift she is to so many! I can hardly wait to hear how the Lord uses her next!

For more about Gratituesday, please visit Laura's!

*****************************************************

Do you know Jesus? Do you know if your are saved? Do you know where you will spend eternity? Please click HERE.Or would you like a simple pattern on how to witness to someone? Here is the pattern that this dear lady is following, using only Scripture!

Working in some nourishing food...as condiments!

I have really enjoyed experimenting with many of the recipes from Nourishing Traditions. I feel like a mad scientist! The hard part is corralling my family!!!

Just the other day my DH walked in and asked what I was making and once I told him, he said; "I hope you're not funkifying something!" I looked at him and asked what he was talking about (as if I didn't know). He said; "I never know what you are going to do to stuff...like soak it in peanut butter.." I was too busy rolling in the floor to hear the end of the sentence!

But there is one fermented food that has gained some favor! Wanna guess which one? Yes, its simply kraut! I've been able to make it with sausage and that went over very well! They almost thought they were eating the REAL STUFF from a can! ;)

My oldest saw me putting it on sandwiches and hamburgers so he will now ask for it!

I've also tried putting just a tiny spoon of it on their plates with beans since some of them have eaten chow-chow that was slightly sour and loved it. My next plan is to serve it with turkey hot dogs. I just want to try an old "kraut and wienies" out on them, since I know that some of them like it!

Another thing that they have liked is the Ginger Ale recipe!

Now, if only I could win them over on the Gingered Carrots......sigh...

But, remembering to use them as "condiments" and noting that just a spoon or two will do...makes it much more do-able to work it in!

For more Kitchen Tips, please visit TAMMY'S RECIPES!

*******

How are some of you smuggling in your fermented or cultured foods???? :-)

I'm open to all forms of smuggling!

MENU PLAN MONDAY...

...Got some dough soaking in cream cheese and butter, got some more soaking in buttermilk, so MENU PLAN MONDAY, her I come!

SATURDAY:
-eggs, hash browns, applesauce
-bun dogs, carrot sticks, raw cheese sticks, apple slices
-hamburgers with lettuce, tomatoes, onions
snacks: coconut muffins, homemade chewy granola bars (made with honey not as formally with corn syrup;)

SUNDAY:
-kids choice
-burritos and tacos
-leftovers, peaches, cheese-sticks
snacks: ice cream for some, lattes for others

MONDAY:
-soaked cherry muffins, boiled eggs
-chicken fried rice, steamed squash from the garden, lettuce salad
-baked steaks, mashed potatoes, green peas
Snacks: rugelach
(Note: soak beans)

TUESDAY:
-soaked millet
-salmon loaf, lettuce salad, steamed squash from the garden
-beans, potatoes, corn, cornbread
Snacks:salsa and blue chips, cheese and homemade crackers

WEDNESDAY:
-bug oats and berries
-tuna salad in homemade pita bread, potato salad
-chili
Snacks: popcorn, cherry-blueberry slushies

THURSDAY:
-soaked oatmeal
-chili
-Chicken fajitas, black bean salsa
Snacks: Triple Berry Crisp, popcorn
(note: soak almonds for granola)

FRIDAY:
-kids choice
-simple spaghetti, homemade bread
-monkey meat on flat-bread
Snacks: homemade coconut granola, chili-cheese popcorn, homemade graham crackers

Watermelon Smash.....

Such an easy and refreshing treat on a hot summer day!
I used half of a seedless watermelon to make these.
I simply scooped it out into the blended (yes, even the white seeds) and pressed it down in there (so as to press out enough juice to make the blender work;).
I also added just a little extra sweetener (optional, but I used a tiny bit of cane sugar)and then whirled it in the blender for 20 to 30 seconds.
Then pour it into ramekins or other dish and freeze for a couple of hours.
You want them to the slushy side but frozen enough to where they have to be eaten with a spoon!
A great dessert or snack!

******

With a couple of mint leaves, its certainly one of the Finer Things!

A few frugal ideas to cut costs......

-Make one trip to town every week or every other week.
Keep a list of what you are out of or almost out of and only go once instead of every other day.
This will save gas and help you be in your home so you can cook for your family, which will save you in the long run. Also, do errands this day...library, post office, etc. If you have dentist or doc appts coming up, save lists for that day. If you have just one day every week or every other week, this will help you to prepare food in advance for that day too! Save grocery runs for church nights if they are close together! (We try to make one tank of gas stretch for the month!- and we use our Kroger card to save .10 a gallon!)

-Cut all fans and electrical unnecessaries off at night. We cut our electric bill $30 a month doing this one thing!

-We stopped buying clothes! ...Well, I mean like "normal" people buy clothes. I have 5 boys and 1 girl. The boys often "hand-me-down" everything leaving little need for too much. Once a year or so, we spend between $100 and $200 (total)to buy each kid "what they need". This is usually socks and underwear and a pair pants if they need it, etc. For my daughter, its often a couple of bright cotton shirts from the clearance rack or even Goodwill and I make her several pull-over style dresses. If something comes up like a kid outgrows his shoes or rips his pants, it is bought within a few days. We don't buy shoes several times a year "just to have them" and we don't buy "extra" clothes just because they are "on sale" or we see something "cute". Each boy has one or two pair of jeans and 2 dress pants; khaki and black. For summer a couple of long shorts and a couple of t-shirts and then 2 collared shirts which are worn daily, and to church with the dress pants. All clothing is bought with some "growing room".

-We don't buy "pretties" for the house, etc. We usually buy USEFUL things if we spend money on our home or yard. Occasionally(once or twice a year) DH will find something "nice" at a thrift shop, usually "gifts" for me and my daughter. Such as a unique baking pan for me or ceramic doll for her, if found very cheap in thrift stores. Yes, there are sometimes little gifts or treats for all, but that is usually something to eat such as candy. Every now and then we will give them a dollar or two to spend at the dollar store. ...But we don't redecorate every season or every year.

-This brings me to another point. We don't buy lots of toys and gadgets for the kids. They get things at Christmas and on their birthday. Throughout the rest of the year, the above is about all we can swing. It saves money, space, and it teaches some valuable lessons. They really value money and "things" when they get them. There are a couple of other times a year that they get a little $$ from relatives, but again, this is very treasured to them since these times are few. They've learned to really plan and save for what they want and they've learned to really think about what they "want"!

-We don't replace things for looks-sake! It can be cracked, duck-taped, and even super-glued; but if its still workin', its still here! :-) Here's where we will spend a couple of dollars a year-- on super glue!

-Furniture is not replaced unless its broken.

-I've had the same pots for over 20 years! I've added to my collection; stockpots, cast iron, and several other pieces, but my basic set of pots has never been replaced! (Stainless steel! A worthy investment!)

-We do spend some on things that makes our home more "homey"! Things that make it good to be here; a place to have fun, relax, and learn. Ex. We have several computers, many books, and lots of movies. My kids love The Waltons, Andy Griffith, and Gomer Pyle! We've made small investments in those and they have been watched over and over. And recently, I spent $15 on a lawn set: badminton, volleyball, ring toss, etc. We also spent $5 or $6 on Skipbo. Worthy investments! These make for lots of fun times and priceless memories! They are our summer "splurges"!

-We don't spend a lot on homeschool stuff. We don't buy stuff just to try it. Now, don't get me wrong on this one, I have done that and this would be one area that I could really go overboard in but- we just can't do that. Its not frugal and there's not enough room in my house for extra "stuff"! :-) ...We use Robinson Curriculum and print out our books. We have indulged in Math books, even for younger kids. But most everything else, we print out. I've told you how we save on printing toner in this post. (about $7)We also buy cheap notebooks to write in ($5 a year) and we spend somewhere between $25 and $50 on printing paper per year. The rest is simply pencils! So our school expenses are below $70 a year!!!

Those are some of the things we find helpful! Click here for more Frugal Fridays!

Pot Roast Pot Pie, from leftovers!

I often cook 2 roasts at a time, especially in hot weather.

I try to find ways to "re-make" it the next day so my family won't even notice that they are eating leftovers! :-) (...a frugal mom must be a sneaky mom!)

This is easy and simple and it makes for a great lunch or supper.

First I make a double batch of savory pie crust. This is quick and easy and really doesn't require a lot of work. Make the dough as follows, divide in half.

2 1/4 cups plain flour

1 to 1 1/2 t salt

3/4 cup rendered beef fat (or butter, or lard, etc)

(cut fat in the flour/salt)

Stir in 6 to 8 T cold water.

Fold in water until you can knead the dough with your hands.(knead only briefly/just a couple of times)

Roll out 1/2 the dough in a rectangle and spread out in a 9x13.

Sprinkle 1 to 2 T of s.r. flour across the bottom dough.

Chop up all of your leftover roast and veggies and toss in.

Ladle leftover roast broth across the veggies until about 1/2 covered.

Roll out remaining crust in rectangle and cut into strips with a pizza cutter and lay over your filling.

Brush with butter, egg white, or simply just bake. Bake at 375 for approx 40 minutes until filling is bubbly and crust is flaky.
*To make easier, just use a top crust.

A strange vegetable called ~name...

Actually that little curvy symbol (~)goes above the "n", but I have no idea how to type it that way!

This is one of our "food adventures"! I picked up several odd veggies at the store and asked the kids to pick and the ~name won out!

There's very little about it on the net. In fact, I could only find ONE post about it.

It looks kinda like a giant sweet potato, except a little darker. And the peeling is a little different.

The insides are pretty and white! It browns quick so its best to cut it over water.

They are also a little slimy, like okra, while fresh, but once you cook them, they are like potatoes.

You cook them as you would potatoes, in salt water according to a little note above them in the store.

Along with salt, I added pepper and a little butter and they were very tasty! Everyone thought they were like potatoes!

WALNUT MOLASSES PIE...

The original recipe did not call for the nuts and to keep it more frugal, I have made it that way when I didn't have nuts, couldn't spare them, or just needed something frugal, quick, and sweet!

The addition of nuts in this recipe gives it a similar appearance to a pecan pie.

The molasses is very prominent in this recipe, so if you are a lover of molasses and/or cane sugar...this pie is for you!

5 ingredients +nuts+one pie shell =one sweet treat!

***

Mix:

4 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup molasses

2 T flour (s.r.)

1/2 cup melted butter

*opt 1 to 1 1/2 cups walnuts or pecans, etc

Pour into 9-inch pie shell and bake until set.

(approx 35 minutes)

-a quick, easy, frugal pie made from basic staples-

FRENCH COCONUT PIE....

This is an old, easy, and fairly frugal recipe that's been tucked in my recipe tin for years and years.

I made two different pies and this one won 6 votes out of 8!

5 ingredients + one pie shell! Easy peasy!

***

Preheat oven to 400.

-unbaked 9 inch pie shell (homemade or storebought)

In preheated oven, bake shell after brushing with egg white for one minute to help keep the crust from becoming soggy.

(You don't have to use a separate egg white, just dab a little from one you will be using.)

In a bowl whisk lightly;

3 eggs .

Blend in 1 1/2 cups sugar

1 t vanilla

1 cup coconut

-and slowly whisk in

1/2 cup melted butter

Pour into pie shell.

Bake at 400 for 10 minutes;

375 for 15 minutes;

350 for 15 to 20 minutes.

a few current sales in our area.....

Aldi:
strawberries .99-16 oz
bananas: .45 lb
-and as normal, eggs .49 dz

Leo's:
50# potatoes 7.99
lettuce .69
squash 69 lb
tuna .69
bostons .89lb
5lb white lily 1.69
ground beef 1.29
chicken tenders 1.49
3# onions .99
GM cereals 1.69
Wampler Sausage 1.69
(remember: Leo's will cut and grind as much meat as you like and anyway you like)

Kroger:
Birds Eye and Kroger frozen veggies 10 for 10 (good price to stock up on 16oz pkgs)
mangos .68

Food Lion:
yellow or white nectarines .99
cokes 3/9
store brand pasta .89 16oz
(the new store is pricey but they have a very good produce section and also offer quite a few organic and 'health food' products)

Goofin' around in the kitchen with sourdough...

This is my latest experiment. I'm trying to play with some sourdough!

This is some I made using white flour. When I get the recipe tweaked, and master it with both flours (hopefully), I will try to get it typed up.

The kids liked this and you could certainly taste the sour in it, but I don't have it down to an art yet.!

The starter is very simple; 1 cup of buttermilk and 1 cup of plain flour.

And you simply leave it at room temperature for 4 or 5 days, stirring once daily.

Now, to get it working predictably!.....Not quite as simple!

(Strawberry) SHORTCAKES!

DH found a neat little pan for me some time ago, in a little thrift shop here in town. I pulled it out today and made the kiddies some shortcakes to go with their strawberries! ;-)

I fretted for a bit about a recipe because I really wanted to make them with wheat flour. So, I thought to myself; "Self, why couldn't you just use your standard muffin recipe and just add a little extra milk or water to thin the batter?" And self said, "That's a great idea!" So, once we both came to an agreement, I decided on THIS ONE, minus the coconut and ch.chips. I also made sure the batter was a little thinner than I make it for muffins. Easy peasy!

Here's one kind of shortcake pans, although mine is a bit different. Mine only has 6 cups and they are connected differently. And they were only like a dollar or two!

This is the cake, straight from the oven to the bowl.

This is the cake with the middle filled with sliced strawberries, topped with whipped cream! Yummy! And it was a big hit!! They couldn't believe that I had made the shortcakes! :-)

Works for Me!!!

Gratituesday: The Day Momma Played

I know all of you have that story book at your house, right?

Well, even if you don't have the book, I know that many of you know how hard it is as MOM to actually find time to PLAY!

But yesterday, I was able to have lots of extra time as DH volunteered to do the "cooking on the grill"!

So, I got to PLAY while I normally would have been mixing, chopping, baking, cleaning, etc.

Now, don't get me wrong...I like to play with my kids...and I do play at other times...but yesterday was special because I did it for hours!!!

We played badminton, ring toss, and I even got a game of Frisbee in with DH!

Then after everyone had a bath, ate supper, and strawberries!....We played Skipbo!

WOooo Hooo!

For like an hour and a half we played, we laughed, we explained the gist of the game for the 100th time...and all that fun stuff!

I love those special times! They are so precious!!!

Yah for DH and his insane love for cheeseburgers, especially grilled ones! ;-)

For more about Gratituesday and share what's on your heart, visit Laura's!

Nacho Salad:

corn chips (my crew LOVES blue!)
shredded lettuce
ground beef seasoned with an onion, 1 to 2 T chili powder, 1 T cumin, and 1 t garlic salt
1 lb of Velveeta cheese melted with one can rotel (tomatoes and chilies, don't drain)
chopped green onions
sliced black olives
chopped Roma tomatoes

Easy, filling and yummy! And can be kept fairly frugal if you catch the cheese on sale and print a coupon from the net! ;-)

New Pop Makers...

We found these neat little things the other day. We had some years ago but they had been chewed on-- back in the day when I had teethers, ah! those were the good ole days! ;-)

But these are so handy on hot days and I get by with so much sneaking with these things!

2 of these had orange juice, and another had some juiced mixed with a yogurt blend, and the remaining ones have just a yogurt blend. The yogurt blend has plain yogurt, a good brand of juice, and a couple of tablespoons of cane sugar.

Sometimes I use leftover smoothies, sometimes I use juices, and I've even been known to mix up cranberry sauce with yogurt! Believe it or not, that's a favorite around here.

On a few occasions I've even smuggled different teas, from green tea to blueberry!

Berry Cream Shakes.....

You can use any berry to make these, but so far, this Strawberry Cream Shake is my kids' favorite. We made cherry today and they loved it, but still voted for strawberry as the best!

3 cups frozen strawberries

1 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup cane sugar (for sour cherries you'll need 1 cup)

1 1/2 cups milk

Whirl and serve! Yummmmy!! (IF you have any leftovers, you can freeze them for pops for the kiddies!)

MENU PLAN MONDAY.....

SATURDAY:
-kid's choice
-cheeseburger mac, pole beans, corn, cherry cream shakes
-grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, leftover banana nut bread
Snacks: popcorn, monkey bread, homemade bread-n-butter

SUNDAY:
- kids choice
-nacho salad, Mocha Chocolate Cookies, bananas
-Cheeseburger Pie, green beans, potato salad
Snacks: pops, popcorn, apples with peanut butter yogurt dip

MONDAY:
-oatmeal-n-blueberries
-homemade pizza, peaches
-meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green peas
Snacks: popcorn, graham crackers

TUESDAY:
-bug oats
-nacho salad, blueberry slush
-lasagna, (looks like we might have green beans from the garden!)
Snacks: boiled eggs and mustard, coconut cream pie

WEDNESDAY:
-millet
-lasagna, lettuce salad
-Roast pots, carrots, cornbread
Snacks:Cherry-Chocolate Muffins, raisins, pops

THURSDAY:
-kids choice
-(leftover) Monkey Meat in pitas, black bean salsa, lettuce salad
-Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, refried beans and cheese with chips
Snacks: granola, popcorn, muffins

FRIDAY:
-oatmeal and raisins
-shredded chicken sandwiches, name, strawberries-n-cream

A Packed Lunch and 4 bucks!

Once upon a Frugal Friday, this is how we spent our day.....

For $4, I packed up 6 little kiddywinkies, and we set out for the park/beach! Ah yes, this is one of our favorite places! We are usually alone here most of the time, and its right in the middle of no where! Often, it seems as though its just God, us, and His creation! It is a beautiful place!

*****

We love to swim!
And OH! -what a view!!!

...We even catch tadpoles too!

(Did you catch that little rhyme there? Yeah, I just sorta snuck that one in...clever huh?)

Then we play on the sandy playground...

and look at the honeysuckles that we've found!

(Hey, I did it again! Woo Hoo Me!)

Oh, and here's our packed lunch

..homemade this morning for us to munch!

(Ok, that's enough...now I'm aggravating myself!)

But about the packed lunch....I spent about an hour in the kitchen that morning before we left and whipped up some pita bread, some whole wheat chocolate chip muffins, and then I mixed up some tuna, mayo, and boiled eggs. I tucked sliced pickles in the cooler along with some shredded lettuce for the pita sandwiches. You can also see a bunch of bananas! And yep, thats a jug of homemade tea ...and water bottles, and some salsa and blue corn chips!

We had a royal, frugal blast!~

MONKEY MEAT!-

I have included this on the menu at my house since I've gotten several good deals on roast.

Its a nice change from just typical Roast, Potatoes, and Carrots.

Millie asked me about it on this post, so here it is!

Hope its something your family might like! ;-)

First- let me say that you can eat Monkey Meat on anything you want; tortillas, flatbreads, pita breads, sandwiches, buns, etc. But I personally love it on flatbread and there's a recipe here if you'd like to try it my way! ;-)

Okay, while you make up your mind how you want to eat it, I'll just type up how to make it! :-)

1- approx. 4 pound roast (If you have a normal sized family or littles, then you could get by with half of that easy or this much would easily make 2 to 3 meals!)

**Now, how I like to do this is cheat a little bit! For supper, I cook an extra roast, so for lunch the next day or supper, we can have Monkey Meat with the extra!

**Now if you don't want to do that, you can toss all of the following in the crock pot and cook it on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for about 4. Or you could cook it in the oven if you like.

In large pot:

-1 onion chopped

-1/2 cup chopped bell peppers

-2 finely chopped carrots

-2 stalks finely chopped celery

saute in 1/4 cup olive oil

Add:

-1 t minced garlic

-1 finely chopped, seeded chili pepper (opt) *I have some dried ones that I tossed in above.

-1 1/2 T chili powder

-1 1/2 to 2 t cumin

-1 t onion powder

-3/4 t garlic powder

-1/2 t black pepper

-1 t sea salt

-1 t oregano

-1 can diced tomatoes with chilies (or just tomatoes)

-1 cup of broth or water

Toss in the cooked roast, shred, and simmer while you make the flatbread or prepare sides or desserts.

(**Again, you don't have to use pre-cooked meat. You can toss it all in and cook as per above instructions.)

**Served in above pics with sour cream and sharp, shredded, cheddar cheese; on flatbread- fold like a taco and eat!

MONKEY MEAT!

WFMW- summer reading program!

We usually do the Summer Reading Program at the Public Library, but this year- the prizes tickled me to my toes!!!

Wanna guess?

Nope, not a free french fry from McD's!

Nope, not a free personal pizza from Pizza Hut!

Give up?

The children get to pick books! Yeah, their very own books!

The older two boys thought they were "too big" to do it, but the younger 4 thought it was great!

They got one free book each, just for signing up!

Wanna know what they picked?

Okeedokee:

Aesop's Fables

Corduroy Goes to the Doctor

If I Ran the Circus (Dr. Seuss)

&

Happy Birthday to You (Dr. Seuss)

****

How about you? What's Working For You this Works for Me Wednesday??

My Invisible/Inaudible Voice....

The last few days at my house, I think my voice has been invisible...or perhaps "selectively invisible"!

Here are some of the strange occurrences...perhaps some of you have experienced them as well and can offer some solutions. (I'm thinking megaphones, post-it notes, maybe sending text messages? I don't know what to do about it....)

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To daughter:
"Pick this stuffed animal up, along with these coloring pages."
10 minutes later I find them on my computer.
hmmmm

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To 9 year old:
"Pick up all the laundry that you've left behind the door in the front bathroom."
Day two:
"Pick up all the laundry that you've left behind the door in the front bathroom!"
On day three, I look behind the bathroom door and find a shirt.
"PICK UP ALL OF YOUR CLOTHES IN THE BATHROOM."
DH says, "What's all the fuss about?"
Me; "I've told him 3 days in a row to pick up the dirty clothes in the bathroom and he has yet to get them all up."
Dh says; "Well, you kinda have to get his attention."
Hmm, Mom speaks, kids listen - I don't get it....

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After supper to 12 year old;
"Since your not on dish duty, pick up the cups in the den."
At bedtime I'm handed an empty popcorn bowl that is running over with cups!
??? Hmm one plus one is still two, I don't know German, I know I'm speaking English, I know I am!

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Friday evening, I tell DH the following;
"We are running to the Cookeville Walmart to pick up a few things. We won't be gone too long."
...When I get back I relay the following to DH;
"I went to the Walmart in Cookeville and they didn't have my dental stuff nor did they have your shampoo. I think they've stopped selling both of them there. I will have to get to the Algood Walmart soon and see if they have them."
DH calls ME from town Saturday;
"I'm at the Cookeville Walmart and I can't find my shampoo ANYWHERE! And what did you say that stuff was that you needed?"
I reply;
"They do not have it. I was just there yesterday and they don't have it."
DH;
"Why didn't you tell me you came here?"
-sigh-
Dh comes home and says;
"You need to be MORE CLEAR when you say things. I never heard you say anything about going to the Cookeville!"
Me;
"Why would I TRY to be more clear? No one hears what I'm saying anyway?"
His reply;
"Huh? What?"
-sigh-
:-)

MENU PLAN MONDAY..........

Let's see....chicken cooked and shredded, bananas dried, flour soaked....I'm ready week!
Let the MENU PLAN MONDAY begin!

SATURDAY:
-kids choice
-sloppy joes, yogurt, blueberries
-cod, potato wedges, onion rings, rolls
Snacks: peaches, chocolate chip-n-cherry muffins

SUNDAY:
-kids choice
-sausage-egg-pepper-cheese wraps, cantaloupe and honeydew
-chicken fajitas, fruit
Snacks: chocolate chip-n-cherry muffins, yogurt, peaches

MONDAY:
-bug oats, sweet cherries
-shredded chicken sandwiches, fresh fruit salad
-meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green peas, broccoli
Snacks: home-dried bananas, peaches, soaked muffins

TUESDAY:
-millet
-chicken wraps, cauliflower salad, fruit salad
-roast, potatoes, carrots, cornbread
Snacks: peaches, home-dried bananas, rugelach

WEDNESDAY:
-kids choice
-Creamy chicken enchiladas, steamed broccoli, fruit salad
-Meatza Pie, mashed potatoes, green beans
Snacks: cherry slushies, Laura's homemade graham crackers, peaches

THURSDAY:
-soaked grits
-Sloppy joe cups, homemade fries, raw carrots and celery sticks with dip
-Turkey patties, whole wheat rolls, broccoli, purple hull peas
Snacks: homemade frozen juice pops, popcorn and butter

FRIDAY:
- soaked oatmeal, blueberries
-bean-n-cheese pitas, carrot sticks, pineapple
-Tossed Frugal Chicken-chickpea salad
Snacks: Wheat and Flax Chocolate Chip Cookies, peaches

Abby.....

Sweet.................... and rowdy.....................

SAMMY'S! -- (a baked sandwich roll-up)

These make for a great lunch! I like that I can clean up the kitchen while they bake so when the meal is over, plates, cups, and the table are the only clean-up!
I used this recipe, except I used about 4 cups of wheat flour and about 3 cups of white. (I also used half the yeast because I wanted a longer rise time.)
It's a nice french bread and I just sectioned it out into 4 loaves, rolled them out into a rectangle and placed the following on the Sammy; turkey ham, cheese, lightly steamed spinach, sauteed onions, and another dab of cheese. (Sprinkle lightly with garlic salt for added flavor!) Then, I rolled them up like a jelly roll and allowed about 30 minutes to rise. If you set your meat and cheese out before you use it, this would rise quicker, but if your meat and cheese are cold, it may slow it down. Also, allow steamed spinach and sauteed onions to cool before using them.
Any toppings and fillings would work but I thought my crew would really go for these!
I even made one with just cheese and garlic salt! mmm!
(They also liked mustard and Annie's Goddess Sauce for dipping the Sammy's in!)
*Also, I only used ONE pack of sandwich meat to make these!*

Link/Recipe for DH's favorite breakfast bread..

I made 2 loaves of breakfast bread this morning and they turned out so nice and good (in spite of me not paying them much attention ;-) and I wanted to share the recipe, just in case any of you may not have seen it!

It's all wheat flour, pretty quick for a yeast bread, fool-proof instructions (no-offense!:), makes two good-sized loaves, and its perfect when you are in a hurry and can't soak the wheat or allow for a long rising time!

I bake the two loaves (without dough enhancer by the way) and I allow them to cool, then I slice them up, put them in ziploc bags and store them in the fridge! Come breakfast, I pull out what I need for toast- and wallah! Breakfast Bread!

The Recipe is called Marilyn's Famous Whole Wheat Bread!
It is also a great bread for beginners!
(I have noticed that I need to bake it about 5 to 7 minutes longer and I need almost 1 whole extra cup of flour.)

Homemade Baked Donuts...

I found a great new recipe for these the other day! They are really good, even the next day if stored air-tight!
I found the recipe HERE, just in case you can't resist!

I glazed them with a half can of evaporated milk blended with about 3 cups of powdered sugar and about 1 t vanilla.

I shook the holes in a bag of sugar, cinnamon, and a dash of nutmeg.

Wanna hear about this month's shopping?

These are what's left of a large box of peaches- the rest? Oh, packed in the fridge because they are really nice and ripe and I would like for them to last for a couple of days... my six kiddies and DH will have them gone in no time, so I'm not too worried!

This box (when full of course) cost $16 and there were about 100 peaches in it!

-I asked the kids could I replace their favored apples with peaches this time because I could get a good deal- they were game, so here's a few to show you!-;-)

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What else?

Ok, buckle up!

At Leo's, I spent about $200 and here's what I got!

40+ pounds of ground beef

6- five pound roasts

10 pounds of tip sirloin cut into steaks

4 pkgs of organically raised pork sausage

the above box of peaches (like 40lbs)

8 cans tuna

2 bunches fresh broccoli

1 head of cauliflower

9lbs of onions

50 pounds of potatoes

15lbs of sugar (this is a major cut back, but I still use white sugar for iced tea;-)

20 lbs of fryer chicken breasts

****That's almost 200 pounds of food for almost $200!****

This was a great start for my monthly shopping trip!

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Two tips:

1) remember Brandy's tips about buying bulk produce!

She buys on sale items and preserves much of it!

2)When meat is on sale, regardless of the cut, you can often get your butcher to carve it up or grind it up, anyway you would like it!

Wanna play a game?

Wanna guess how much I paid for this lot of food???

What's here?

Oh, let me tell you!

There is 2 pineapples, 2 cantaloupes, 1 honeydew, and a bag with 5 very large lemons!

Give up?

Six bucks!

Yeah, six dollars!

Each item is on sale for one dollar each at Aldi!

Aldi, have I told you lately, that I just love you and I'm so glad that you came to my town?!

Won't these make great fruit salad?

Eating more fruits and veggies!

Eating more fruits and veggies comes pretty easy for me because I LOVE them! But with six kids, I know sometimes they can be more of a challenge- for various reasons!

Here's some ideas that have worked for me through the years:

-When my kids were little, I served them what we ate, fruits, veggies, and all. I mashed them, but they got what we ate and they just naturally acquired a taste for almost all of my "regular foods". (My oldest would crack their grandparents up asking for green beans and corn every time they went to visit- they always had a big garden and my kids knew this was the food at their house!)

-I've taken notes from smart ladies like Laura and I've almost stopped shopping anywhere but meats, dairy, and produce! No pre-packaged, processed food means more money for fruits and veggies!

-Stock up on the more frugal/cheaper foods: onions, potatoes, apples, grapes, carrots, celery, etc.

The others, wait for sales! And often, organic things like salads and apples go on sale for close to the average price for the non-organic.

-Muffins! Yeah I know the topic but muffins are one of my favorite 'snack' foods AND I try to make it a habit to STUFF them with fruits (and sometimes veggies, like carrots, pumpkins, zukes, etc)! Chopped apples, raisins, coconut, cherries, blueberries, etc.- even chopped prunes!

-Fruit salads for dessert! Chop any and everything and toss in some bananas and top with coconut! My kids also like it when I heat my homemade jelly and pour it over some of the more tart fruits as a 'sauce'.

-Snack "boats"! This is a romaine lettuce leaf topped with almost anything; cream cheese, yogurt cheese, mayo, spicy mustard, even peanut butter, etc. Then I put on some shredded leftover chicken, or carrot slices, cheese slices, or raisins on peanut butter- and whammo- yummy snack!

-Adding fruit to breakfast grains! This one is kinda new for me but I've been seeing just how much that I can get by with ;-). I have been topping their (soaked) grain cereals (millet, oats, steel cut oats aka bug oats, brown rice, bulgur, etc) with about 1/3 cup frozen blueberries - and so far, they love it! It cools down the hot cereal and it colors it too! All that fun- ...and its just breakfast time!

-Dips! What kid doesn't like to dip? You can use things like Laura's Ranch Seasonings etc. to mix in yogurt and/or buttermilk, and use with any and all veggies. Serve them once a day at 'snack time', or in the place of 'chips' at lunch. (cukes, zukes, celery, carrots, bell peppers, etc) My kids have a favorite fruit dip; mix yogurt about equally with a natural peanut butter! Yummy!

- A mini food processor! Its my best friend! I can finely chop alllllll sorts of veggies (onions, peppers, carrots, zukes, etc) in just a few minutes and tuck them into almost anything! - Meatloaves, meat patties, soups, slaws, etc. It also comes in handy for the muffin tip above!

-1/3 -2/3 plate OR 1/4 -3/4 plate, usually in summer! The smaller portion (1/4 to 1/3) is for the meat or main and the larger portion of the plate(2/3 to 3/4) is for the veggies! (And sometimes fruit- or fruit is served at the side in a small cup.) *This usually means a minimum of two veggies but often 3 and up!

-Serving a small side salad! This is easier in the summer because of gardens and good prices but I have often found a frugal approach even during winter months! You can often find organic romaine at $2.99 and organic carrots for .88 at Walmart. Washed, stacked, and cut into strips with a knife, can get get your whole family a small side salad from one bunch of the romaine and there are three in a bag. You can shred 1 small carrot over the top and toss in any other veggie that you have on hand and build an even bigger salad. (strips of onions, peppers, cukes, zukes, mushrooms, and even some canned foods like olives, mushrooms, peppers, etc) Most kids like salads if you can find a dressing that they like! (And a variety of veggies can be sneakily crafted into salads!)

-Side soups! You can whip up a frugal soup in minutes! Make a big batch and keep it in the fridge and bring out just a pot at a time and have 'simple' lunches. Example: meat or egg, soup, bread OR beans, soup, cornbread OR salad, soup, bread. (Make up a big salad and keep in airtight container on Monday and a big pot of soup, and you can switch them around with other things all week for yummy, frugal, healthy, and quick lunches!) And soups are another great place to smuggle in 'weird' and "not-so-kid-friendly" veggies!

-Make veggie plates for all burgers and sandwiches! Lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, onions, pickled peppers, pickles, homemade NT kraut, olives, mushrooms, shredded carrots, cukes, etc. My kids love it when I make "subway sandwiches"- which turns out more like a salad on a bun!

-Make a game of periodically trying a 'new food' and let the kids take turns picking it out! My next request is for yucca!

-Let the kids take turns picking the veggies at the meal. I will thaw out a meat, and ask one of the kids (usually the one that's been the most finicky lately) to pick out two veggies from the freezer and bring them up, and/or pick from the fridge.

-Smoothies! I'm sure you all know this one! But this is a great place to get creative! And if you have children who can be pickier, let them pick the flavor or fruits that go in the smoothie. Smuggle in a handful of spinach or even half a tomato. Weird fruits that some frown at go into my smoothies often, like kiwi. (I have a couple that say kiwi makes their mouth feel weird?!)

-I read about one mother who made her kids eat a whole serving of fruit before they could have anything sugary. Excellent idea! But how about trying to make more sweets with fruit? Cobblers, fruit crisps, fruit salads, breads, muffins, and even toppings for cakes!

Oh my! I'm getting a little too long-winded! I just looked back at what I had typed! lol

But anyway, this is some of the things that have helped me get my children to EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGGIES!

Visit Laura's for more ideas!

verse of the week:

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18

A treat from my childhood....

I was reminded of this little treat when my kids brought in some sad news the other day. An old friend from my childhood lost her father recently.

That same friend used to invite me over and we would lay across her bed in her room and read books for hours!

On a couple of occasions she fixed a treat like this- minus the homemade bread- she used store-bought bread, peanut butter (my preference is crunchy!;), and little mini marshmallows across the top. Then she would stick them under the broiler just until the peanut butter was runny and the marshmallows were lightly toasted. (Yes, I know the mm has HFCS- but who knew years ago that this would lead to so much trouble?)

And we would nibble away and read our books!

My kids nibbled these up on some homemade french bread slices, then begged to go outside, then begged to come back in, then begged for cherry shakes! (frozen cherries, milk, sugar whirled in a blender)

Then I begged them to go play so I could cook supper!

(-otherwise, they'd snacked the rest of the day away!:)

Kitchen Tip - boy is it hot!

Temperatures are starting to soar here- in the 90s! And my kitchen is starting to feel more like a smokehouse than part of our living quarters!

Well, I'm trying to remind myself and plan carefully so that when I use the oven- I REALLY USE THE OVEN!

Like a day or two a week to be 'baking day'. (Yesterday, I made 4 loaves of french bread, 2 loaves of breakfast bread and 2 dozen chocolate chip muffins, and baked a couple of roasts.)

AND

I've also drug a small box fan into my kitchen area and placed it where the closest vent is to help circulate the air, as there is NO vents in the kitchen area (I think it should be law that women do the floor plans of ALL kitchens! ;-).

These two things , along with trying to plan more "summer-friendly menus" (salads with chicken, flat-breads, tacos, tortillas with all sorts of stuffings, etc)will help me keep the kitchen more tolerable- more of the time, and help my air conditioner be a little less over-worked!

Oh and one more thing, I also have a small ceiling fan in my tiny kitchen which can help too!

FOR MORE KITCHEN TIP TUESDAYS, VISIT TAMMY'S RECIPES!

Gratituesday...Support on the homefront!

Last week, not ONE but TWO of my (sorta) smaller appliances went "out" in the kitchen. That's always a bummer but the real sweet part is how my DH always JUMPS to take care of things like that. (..wonder if he could teach the boys to jump like that when the trash needs to be taken out?)

His reason? Even sweeter! He realizes that there are certain things that the Bible says women should be and he sincerely wants to help be what the Lord has called me to be- a keeper of my home!

I am so thankful for all of the times he bends over backwards to support me! I am truly blessed!

Please visit Laura's for more about Gratituesday!

Obama on Tiller......

"....however profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence."

I couldn't agree with him more HOWEVER, what about the heinous acts of violence to the babies?

Why doesn't he disagree with BOTH heinous acts of violence?

We live in a day where it is undeniable that abortion is death to another human.

Both murders are wrong!