Daily Menu 1.21.09

Breakfast:

 

Grapefruit

 

Lunch:

Baked Potatoes with Cheese and Broccoli

Potatoes

Shredded Cheese

Broccoli

Bake the potato in the oven for 45 mins.

Cover with cheese and broccoli.

Place back in the oven until cheese is melted.

 

Dinner:

 

Beef Stew with Biscuit Topping

4 lbs of cubed beef

6 potatoes

carrots

water

1/4 cup of beef base

garlic

whole wheat flour (for gravy)

biscuit mix (I cheated today)

Place beef, potatoes, carrots, and beef base in crockpot.

Cover with water.

Cook on high for 6-8hrs.

Remove broth and put in saucepan.

Mix flour/water mixture (1 cup of flour/2 cups of water....more water if too thick)

Add mixture to broth. Heat till thickened.

Place meat, potatoes, carrots and gravy into a 13 x 9 casserole dish.

Prepare biscuit mix (doubled mixture)

Spoon biscuit on top.

Bake in oven for @ 20 mins.

 

Daily Menu 1.18.09

Breakfast:

Oatmeal and Fruit

 

Lunch:

Clean out the fridge....ie...leftovers.

 

Dinner:

 

Potato Soup

48oz of chicken broth

5-6 medium golden potatoes

1/2 heavy whipping cream

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp thyme

1 clove of garlic minced

 

Wash potatoes and  cube.

Pour chicken broth in crock pot. Add cubed potatoes.

Cook on high heat for 6-8hrs until potatoes are tender.

Pour broth, potatoes and heavy cream into a large sauce pan and bring to a boil.

Stir in shredded cheese, pepper, thyme, and garlic.

Simmer on medium heat until cheese is fully melted.

Serve and eat.

 

GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our boys are heading to the Superbowl...AGAIN!! wooohoooooooooooooo.

No Faith= No Moral....old blog...brought over for a friend ;)

I have been meaning to blog about this for quite sometime (I know Danielle, get off my back *wink...lol) but have been trying to find the right words to get my point across. Not sure these are the "right" words, but here I go anyway.
The subject of this actually came about because Matt's mother asked me to help her out with a topic for her philosophy class. The question that she needed an answer to was: If a person has no religion, does that make them an immoral person? Ok...and for those of you who DO know about Matt's mom then you should know her answer to this....and if you KNOW me you should also know that we DON'T see eye to eye on this one. But, the topic has been brought up on several other occassions as well....today being the latest one and being that it is all fresh in my mind. I will sit here and blog about it. (You all know that I LOVE to blog about "hot button" topics.) lol
By definition morality is as follows:
Morality (from Latin moralitas "manner, character, proper behaviour") refers to the concept of human action which pertains to matters of right and wrong—also referred to as "good and evil"—used within three contexts: individual conscience; systems of principles and judgments—sometimes called moral values—shared within a cultural, religious, secular or philosophical community; and codes of behavior or conduct morality
So the point that Matt's mother was trying to make is that if you do not follow "God's word" you are immoral (or in other words evil). But according to "God's word" you should not judge, Though I have found myself in many situations that I am being judged on my unconventional lifestyle, and honestly in almost every one of these situations the judgement is being passed by a Christian. Which is just another example of the hypocrisy within the Christian religion. I have found that Christianity sort of follows a 'do as I say, not as I do' mindset.
Generally speaking, Christian parents are preaching to their children that they should love all persons equally, but yet on the other hand they are dismissing a gay person's right to wed. Many Christians frown upon homosexuality saying that "God" feels that homosexuality is a sin, but yet "God" teaches us to love each other equally. Well how is that so if homosexuality is a sin. A person cannot help who they fall in love with.
Still generally speaking Christian parents preach to their children that you should not judge another. But yet these same people are passing judgement based on the unknown. I understand that people fear the unknown, but just educate yourself before passing judgement. Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that I have never passed judgement, because certainly I have. I would be lying if I told you otherwise. I like to think I am pretty non-judgemental (and I think some people will vouch for that as well) and for the most part I will give anybody the benefit of the doubt. I base my judgement on the way that a person carries themselves and through their actions rather than just by their lifestyle. I have friends from very different walks of life, some are conservative Christians, some are liberal atheists but the wonderful thing about that is that they are all open minded and non judgemental and realize that people can be different, and have different beliefs but still be respectful of each other.
I am sure that any parent, not just Christian parents, strive to instill these same values in their children. But I think this is where I differ. I do not preach to my children, we do not attend a church, nor do we speak of "God" in our house. But that does not mean that I don't instill morals in my children.. My children have never heard me put somebody down based on their lifestyle, and I will try my hardest to keep it that way. They realize that everybody on this Earth is different and that is what makes it wonderful. I am also trying to teach my children that it is ok to be different. And for the most part I think I am succeeding. I have raised some wonderfully, free thinking children who have their own opinions and will stand by their convictions. And I can only hope that it will continue throughout their adult lives....AND I have done all of this through being an example of how a person should act, not by preaching a book of man made stories to them. Now if this makes me evil or immoral than so be it. But I think that many people can attest to the fact that I am not an evil person and my children aren't heathens. In fact, I am sure that people can vouch for what exciting, independent, strong, free thinking WONDERFUL children that I do have.

Daily Menu-1.16.09

Well we had a "snow day" here and really didn't do anything too creative with meals today.

 

Breakfast:

Cereal or Scrambled Eggs with Grapefuit

self explanatory for prep here I think

Lunch:

Steak Salads (again)

recipes on previous menu....pic will be here tomorrow

Grapefruit again...my kids love it...lol

 

Dinner:

Take out...we were going to go to dinner...but I didn't feel like it.

Daily Menu-1.15.09

Breakfast:

Pan Fried Egg Whites

2 eggs

1tsp olive oil

 

Place a bit of olive oil in pan.

Heat on medium heat.

Separate 2 egg whites, add 2 tbsp of water and whisk.

Pour egg mixture into pan, cook till lightly browned.

 

Grapefruit

1 grapefruit

 

Cut in half.

Sprinkle cane sugar on top.

Eat.

 

Lunch:

Dipper Lunch

 

Peanut Butter Roll-up

1 tortilla

2 tbsp Peanut Butter

 

Spread Peanut Butter on tortilla

Roll. Eat.

 

Gala Apples with Homemade Caramel

apples

1 cup of cane sugar

1 stick of butter

1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream

1 tsp natural vanilla

 

Slice and core apple.

In a large saucepan put 1 cup of sugar on moderately high heat. Whisk away any clumping.

Continue to whisk until all sugar crystals are melted and a light amber in color.

Add butter and whisk until butter is melted. *

Take pan off heat, count to 3, then add whipping cream. * Whisk until smooth.

Allow to cool, then place in container.

Makes 1 cup of caramel.

 

*BE CAREFUL. Sugar crystals are extremely hot, and when you add butter and whipping cream the mixture bubbles up.

Veggies and Ranch

Veggies of your choice.

16 oz sour cream

1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dip

 

Combine sour cream and ranch packet.

Cut veggies.

Serve and eat.

Dinner:

Quesadilla

tortilas

shredded cheese

refried beans/or meat of your choice

I make ours in a quesadilla maker, but you CAN make them in the oven.

Place on tortilla down on cookie sheet/quesadilla maker

Add shredded cheese and beans/meat.

 

*sorry I nearly forget the dinner pics.

 

Black Bean Soup

2 jars of salsa (pureed) (you can also use homemade salsa @ 4 cups)

2 cans of black beans (drained and rinsed)

1 bag of frozen corn

 

Place all ingredients into a crock pot.

Cook on low for 8 hours.

Daily Menu-1.14.09

Breakfast:

Cinnamon Oat Pancakes

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup of quick oats

1/4 cup flaxseed

1 tbsp baking powder

2 tbsp cinnamon

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

3tsp vanilla

1 & 1/2 cup of milk

2 tbsp butter (melted)

Combine all dry ingredients and mix till well blended

Combine eggs with vanilla and milk. Whip together.

Combine egg mixture with dry ingredients. Stir well.

Heat pan on medium heat.

Scoop 1/2 cup of mixture into pan.

Cook until brown, flip and cook until browned on the other side.

Makes 8 pancakes.

 

Homemade "Maple" Syrup

2 cups brown sugar

1 tbsp corn starch

1 cup water

1/2 tsp natural maple flavor

1/2 tsp natural vanilla flavor

1/2 tsp natural almond flavor

Place brown sugar in medium saucepan. Place on medium heat, whisk away any big chunks.

While brown sugar is heating, combine cornstarch with 2 tbsp water. Mix until smooth.

Combine cornstarch mixture and the remaining water into the saucepan.

Whisk frequently till syrup comes to a boil, continue to whisk over medium heat for an additional 2 minutes.

Allow to cool to temperature of your liking.

Makes @ 14 oz.

 

 

Lunch:

Left over quiche

See previous recipe.

Cantaloupe

Cut. Enjoy. :)

Dinner:

Steak Salad

2 lbs. of thin steaks

Romaine Lettuce

Shredded Cheese

Hard boiled eggs

French Fries

Additional veggies of your choice.

Dressing of your choice.

Pan fry steaks till done to your liking.

Fry french fries while steaks are cooking.

Prepare salad while steaks are cooking.

Top lettuce and additional veggies with steak and fries.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Add dressing. ENJOY!

Daily Menu-1.13.09

Lunch:

Turkey Roll-ups

Thin sliced turkey breast

basmati rice

hot sauce

spices

 

Cook basmati rice according to directions. (I always make mine the day before because it does take like 45 mins to cook, plus it  gives the seasoning time to settle in.)

Add as much spice/hot sauce for your liking.

Take turkey slices, add @ 2tbsp of rice mixture, roll up turkey. ENJOY! YUM.

Grapes

rinse and eat. :)

 

 

Dinner:

Extra Cheesy Quiche

2-packages of crescent rolls

1 cup of shredded cheese (choose what you like) + extra for on top

4 eggs

water

salt and pepper to taste

muffin pan

 

Preheat oven to 350*

Put crescent rolls into muffin pan to form small cups.

Whip eggs and a small amount of water.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Whip.

Add cheese to the egg mixture. Whip.

Pour egg/cheese mixture into cups filling them half way.

Sprinkle extra cheese to cover top.

Bake for @ 25 minutes.

 

Turkey Bacon

Pan fry till crispy.

Sausage

Cover sausage with water and boil for 15 minutes.

Drain water. Brown sausage.

New Twist....

Ok so apparently I will posted a few times on my blog....daily...hopefully. :D I have decided to start posting our daily menu on here, as well as the recipes for our meals. I have been recently asked for a lot of my recipes so...here  goes. I will also be trying to get together a cookbook of all my recipes....but I think I need to get better at measuring what I put into things. That is my new GOAL!

Karate Kid x2...

kids belt tested this evening. got some great captures. going to extort...ummm....ya .....hehe. have fun. More tomorrow.

 

oh and yes I know I flaked yesterday...with both BLOG and pic. ugh Back on track now though.

Mad Science....

Ok so the party was a HUGE hit. Three of the children here said this was the BEST birthday party they have ever attended and Dawson said this was his BEST birthday EVER EVER EVER EVER to infinity. :D I guess that's pretty good considering that there were only 10 kids here....3 of the being mine. lol But all the kids seems to have a REALLY good time...I had fun too...hehe.

 

We started the the day by introducing them to the "lab" and I gave each child a turn to attempt to squeeze a raw egg in the attempt to crack it. Yes...call me crazy....but...it didn't break. Some of the kids thought I had a "fake" egg....but I made sure to crack it open and show them.

After that we did some experiments with packing peanuts (styrofoam vs corn starch) to show how HORRIBLE styrofoam was for the environment. They were pretty amazed to see the corn starch ones dissolve in water.

Then we did some static electricity experiments......we had styrofoam beads (I know I know...I just told them it was HORRIBLE for the environment) in test tubes and used our hands to show how the static electricity made the beads dance around in their tube. We then filled it with water to show the buoyancy of the stryofoam and we made them into tornado tubes for them to take home. We also poured salt and pepper onto a plate and separated the pepper from the salt with a straw using static.

After those experiments we made test tube lava lamps. SUPER cool! They were pretty excited to be taking those home as well.

We did a few "group" experiments before making our own ice cream in a bag. We smashed wintergreen lifesavers in the dark to see the light energy that they create, and we also blew up a balloon using vinegar and baking soda.

 

THEN came the time to make the ice cream. The kids shook themselves silly with that. It was a GREAT way to burn off some energy mid-way through the party.

(the kids shaking their ice cream with a VERY slow shutter speed...created a COOL effect)

 

(more ice cream shaking)

 

 

(still shaking)

After they made their ice cream they sang Happy Birthday (x2 because Ky wanted to be on camera duty and ended up with 0 pics) and had their home made slime filled cupcakes. YUM!

(singing Happy Birthday)

 

(slime cupcakes)

 

Then we opened some presents....

 

 

 

 

After presents we made squid cartesian divers. And some oobleck. OOBLECK IS THE MOST AWESOME STUFF according to the kids here....ranging in age from 7-15. SERIOUSLY they ALL LOVED it...Can ya tell?

 

(squid divers)

 

(this is the aftermath...I wasn't able to get pics of them messing with it. But we decided in the summer to have a "party"...for what I have NO CLUE...and do like "games and stuff" and we will make a HUGE pool of oobleck to play it. :D)

(more oobleck mess....aftermath)

 

We gave out baggies of oobleck to take home, along with their tornado tube, lava lamp, and squid divers.

 

As the party came to an end, we went out and dropped about 5 mentos in some coke...and watched the FUN fountain. We ended up keeping MOST of the kids here for a sort of AFTER party. lol The girls played some cranium games, and the boys played bakugan/pokemon. Most of the kids left around 6-6:15...we kept one for dinner.....(Dawson's BEST buddy from the neighborhood who is AMAZING with him...he is 10...but LOVES playing with Dawson. They get along so wonderfully.)

 

But....all in all a GOOD outcome for the party. Everybody seemed happy.

Bad Blogger...

didn't get around to blogging yesterday....not much to say today....been busy. real blog tomorrow. HOPEFULLY! We have Dawson's science party tomorrow. FUN FUN FUN!

Get Silly....

ah....these are days/nights that I LOVE having children. We had a relatively good day as far as schooling goes. We got quite a few lessons done, and had a lot of time to spare for the day. We ended up doing absolutely NOTHING other than have a good time for the majority of the evening. Dancing around, singing, playing cards, and just being US.....nowhere to be, nothing to do (though I am sure I could have found SOMETHING)....just FUN TIMES.

 

I have been doing fairly well with picking up my camera on a daily basis and NOT taking pics of the kids. Though I am kind of regretting not doing 365 of the kids, but I guess I could start at ANYTIME.....It will be neat to see the changes in them over the course of the year. I think I MAY start this on Sunday. We will see.

 

Not too much else to report really....still working through my confusing emotions that I have been dealing with lately. *sigh...I will work through it though...and maybe even post about it. :)

 

Have a good night.

Frustrated

ugh....teenagers are SOOO confusing. I have no clue what to do with mine sometimes. We got a paper allowing us access to her grades (FINALLY) and I go to pull up her stuff...and go back to looking through all her old assignments and stuff, only to find 2 BIG 0s. Granted they were from the last quarter, but her grade in Honors English was a 78 last quarter...which is SOOOO uncharacteristic of Britt. All of her grades in her other honors courses where mid-high 90s. Well I figured out the issue. It seems like when you don't hand in assignments worth 48 and 35 pts it really AFFECTS your grade. UGH UGH UGH! I cannot believe she just didn't do these 2 projects. And I know this is because she has her head so far up her boyfriend's ass she isn't thinking straight. Well I made a call to her father, and she won't be seeing him for quite some time. SOOOOO frustrating.

Happy Birthday Little Man....

So today is the little man's birthday, he is now 7 years old. I cannot believe how fact the time has gone by. I feel like he was just a baby....and soon he will be a black belt in tang soo do. YIKES! This coming Monday, Jan 12th, he will be testing for his adv. brown belt, which means just 6 short months before he can test for his black belt as long as he knows his stuff....which he is pretty good on. It doesn't seem possible.

 

I am still confused. Still thinking. Still working.....will post about it soon I hope. I am just trying to sort of some things in my head.

 

More soon...I promise.

Full House....

*not sure why this didn't publish last night, but I did blog this on Jan 4, 2009.

 

Wow.....please tell me again why I continue to host things in my *all too small of a house*.....we had a combined b-day party last night for Dawson (7), my neice K (5), my cousin A (18) and my mom. Ya I know what you are thinking....it's all good though. Things went fairly well despite the fact that my house was standing room only for the most part. lol. Dawson is pretty excited about his new gift....a GUITAR! He played for a good while last night and really can't wait to start learning how to really play.

 

 

 

*sigh.....

still sorting. still confused. i. don't. know.

umm....ya....

Um. Ya. No words really to describe the day. Well....there are but I am not sure I am ready to put them into words yet. I need some time to digest everything that has been going on.

 

On another note, Dawson is not feeling well...he has been complaining off and on since Dec. 30th of stomach pain, sometimes dull, sometimes severe. I am not really sure what is going on with his. He woke this morning with pains, he was screaming out...poor little guy. We tried to get some food in him, but it didn't work very well. He laid around for the better part of the morning, just resting and drinking. Then for lunch he was hungry...he ate a bit, and was doing ok...then started complaining again. He is  now napping on the couch....(SO RARE) and is pretty restless.....he creeps getting into the fetal position and wimpering a bit. Ugh...I think we might be heading to the ER depending on how he is when he wakes.

 

Well....hopefully I will find the words that I want to express in time for tomorrows blog. As for now...I am off to cuddle my little man.

A New Year, A New Me

Ok, I have been thinking about my TO DO list. I have decided on a few things that I want to do and I thought I would write them down so that perhaps it will give me more incentive. I am going to start in SMALL steps. So....I will be adding to the list as I check off what I get done.

 

I WILL lose 10lbs.

 

I WILL be sure to get a complete physical.

 

 

 

 

Over the course of the year.....

 

I WILL read 2 books a month.

 

I WILL take at least 1 road trip a month.

 

I WILL pick up my camera EVERYDAY...no matter what. I haven't been using it as much as I would like. I have to start getting good use out of it, especially if I want to upgrade soon.

 

I WILL be trying to blog daily, even if it is just about my day or a random picture.

 

I WILL market myself more this year. I need to get more business.

 

I know I will be coming back to this, but this is my start.