January-February

January-February

• read 2 books
• clean out the extra bedroom closet
• clean the cars
• organize under the kitchen sink
• stitch on my stocking at least six times
• make dinner at least five times a week (as long as Whit is in town)

A Different Take

That post could start a billion sentences... "A different take on the world" "A different take on life", "A different take on... me"

It will end like this: A different take on New Year's Resolutions.

It seems as though I only write blog posts after Christmas and during the summer.  I wonder why that is?  No, I don't. I know why, I'm not in school!! :)

Here is my different take on New Year's Resolutions.  Instead of giving myself one thing to work on per month, like I've tried the last two or three years, I'm going to give my self a list of things to do that have to be completed in a two-months' span.  These can be things like "clean the car" or "read a book".  But they don't have to be completed in a month's time-- rather just giving myself extra time.

So, here is my list.  I have the right to change this list as many times before January 1, 2013.

January-February

• read 2 books
• clean out the extra bedroom closet
• clean the cars
• organize under the kitchen sink
• stitch on my stocking at least six times
• make dinner at least five times a week (as long as Whit is in town)

March-April

• organize the garage
• organize the cups cupboard
• plan and plant gardens
• stitch on my stocking at least six times
• go on a dinner date and a movie with Whit
• plan summer vacation

May-June

• organize half of the craft room
• clean out the pots and pans cupboard and under the stove
• plan all musicals for next year
• paint rooms in the house
• clean out the extra bedroom
• stitch on my stocking at least six times

July-August

• organize the garage
• stitch on my stocking at least six times
• bake some cookies
• put together frozen dinners-- at least 12 crock pot meals
• go to Bridges of Hope (july)
• re-examine financial situations

September-October

• get pictures taken for Christmas cards
• go to a pumpkin patch
• clean out the cars
• make dinner five times a week (as long as Whit is in town)
• clean out the bathroom
• get rid of 7 bags of stuff for goodwill

November-December

• Christmas Cards
• go ice skating
• make a thankful tree
• make a Jesse tree
• make a schedule of Bernard's visits
• finish my stocking

Christmas Traditions

This year, I thought I would try to make the festivities more about McCoy and less about me.  I tried to incorporate several things I either saw on Pinterest, got from my mom, or just thought up on my own.  But I overdid it, and the poor little fellow was just overwhelmed.

Countdown to Christmas included:

• a chocolate advent calendar-- of which we still have about six boxes left to open, 
• a Christian advent ornament calendar-- this was a set that I bought before McCoy was even born.  You read each little book about the story of Jesus and then you hang it up on the tree.  I had a little tiny tree that I put by the nativity set and McCoy sat through a total of about six books.  They were too hard to understand for a 3-yr old.  We have about 6 more books left to open.  Except for the Christmas Eve book-- it had baby Jesus on the front cover so of course McCoy wanted to open that book.
• Bernard.  Well, that was a fun one.  It made getting McCoy out of bed great every morning so that he could go find Bernard.  That was fun.
• Book Advent-- I saw this on Pinterest.  And although I had most of the books already, McCoy really sat through only about half of them.  I will be wrapping these up again next year, should I decide to keep it.

So, overwhelming McCoy with a count down to Christmas? I think so.  What's really sad is that I'm not really even sure he knew what Christmas was about (gifts or Jesus).  I kept saying "Oh you have to be good, or Santa won't bring you anything!"  But he didn't care.  He would reply to me, "I don't like Santa".  He didn't really understand the excitement of Christmas until it was actually here.  Next year will probably be better.

What advent should I keep and which should I do away with?  I also want to do a Jesse Tree like my friend Suzie did.  And I think I'll have to keep Bernard.  That was just too much fun.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas.  

Giving Thanks: Day 5

Today I am thankful for Daylight Savings Time.

Even though everyone else is thankful for the extra hour of sleep that they got, (which I did not), I'm thankful that the mornings were much easier for McCoy to get up and ready.  In fact, this morning we were out of the shower by 5.  Yes, I know!  We left our house at 5:55 (normally we leave at 6:15).  It made my morning a pleasure!

Not to mention, last night, McCoy was asleep at 6:30 pm!  He didn't have a nap, but he was in a fairly good mood all day yesterday.

I'm not ready to give up naps, but it seems like the weekends are usually nap-free in our house!

Giving Thanks: Day 4

Today, I am thankful for the beautiful sound of handbells!

I was a member of Rezound handbell choir for a while, until I started grad school.  Something had to give and since it was taking up a lot of time (rehearsals that were 3 1/2 hours long and concerts that took the whole entire weekend), I had to give up bells.

To take its place, though, I started a handbell choir at our church.  We only practice for an hour a week, and the church is located 5 minutes from my house.  Although we've had our ups and downs, I am glad that I'm a part of the group.

Giving Thanks: Day 2

Today I am thankful for my freedom and although right now it seems as if I have none, I really am thankful that I am an American.  I will be even more thankful if the right person is chosen to be president in a few short days.

November: Giving Thanks Day 1

Today I'm thankful for candy for breakfast.  It's the day after Halloween and although McCoy didn't get nearly as much candy as I was hoping, I did snag the good ones.  I mean, I "checked" the candy, and the "good ones" were actually the "bad ones". :)  So, I had to take them out of his basket.  You know, for protection purposes.

Freezer Meals

Well, I just posted this picture on Facebook, and several people wanted me to share my recipes (that were already tested!).

Here is the list of Frozen Crock Pot Meals that I have made before:

• Salsa Chicken
• Mexican Soup (one of my favorites)
• Honey, I Fed the Kid Dump Meal  (this is not a crock pot meal, but a make ahead meal that you grill)
• Healthy BBQ Chicken For Crock Pot
• Italian Chicken for Crock Pot
• Slow Cooker Veggie Beef Soup with Okra (didn't like this one much, but still have a bag or two in the freezer.  So maybe I'll give it another shot).
• Vegetarian Chili (Okay, this one was not a Freeze Ahead kind of meal, but I made it then froze the rest of it for another meal).

So what I do is make two or three bags of each recipe for the freezer.  Most of the time, I just make it ahead, or sometimes I do the "make one for dinner and one for the freezer".  Those meals are a little different, but only because they do not use the crock pot.

For those "Make one for dinner and one for the freezer" meals, I have done:

• Pasta Crab Casserole
• Meatloaf
• Falfafel
• Meatballs (these do go in the crock pot, but I have to freeze them separately from the sauce).
• Low-Fat Baked Ziti with Spinach (this one is GOOD)
• Chicken Tetrazzini

Anyone not familiar with Pepperplate.com really should give it a try!  It is the best thing since sliced bread!  Since I do a lot of my menu planning/grocery-list-making on the computer, this is just great for me.  Plus, they have FREE apps for the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.  If your friends are on there, you can share recipes just by sending them to your friends and they show up in your recipe box.  Let me know if you use pepperplate and I can send you the recipes.  But I will just post the recipes here as well.

Salsa Chicken

CATEGORIES

 slow cooker, frozen meal

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INGREDIENTS

• • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 jar of your favorite salsa
  • 1 can black beans (drained)
  • 1 can corn (drained)

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INSTRUCTIONS

• 1. Combine all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-6 hours. Shred chicken with two forks just before serving. Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded cheese.
  2. ~This meal can easily be frozen. Add all ingredients to a ziploc bag and freeze. To cook, place frozen ingredients in crock pot and cook low 6-8 hours. So simple
  3. Read more: http://www.kids-meal-ideas.com/crock-pot-freezer-meals.html#ixzz1ZGmtNvTX

Mexican Soup

CATEGORIES

 slow cooker, frozen meal

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INGREDIENTS

• • 1 can of chicken broth
  • 1 can of green beans
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 can corn
  • 1 can beans (any kind)
  • 3 chicken breasts (you can toss them in frozen)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Throw into a gallon size freezer bag and toss in freezer.
2. When you want to cook it, throw it in, cook it on low until you can shred the chicken (6-7 hours).

• Honey, I Fed The Kids Chicken Meal (Dump Meal)

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  INGREDIENTS

  • • 2 chicken breasts
    • 1/2 cups apple juice
    • 1 teaspoons garlic
    • 2 TBS cup honey
    • Salt & Pepper to taste
    • make 4 bags worth

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  INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Thaw.
  2. Remove chicken from marinade. Discard leftover marinade.
  3. Grill chicken breasts over medium heat until completely cooked, flipping once. Will need to cook about 7 minutes per side.

  Healthy BBQ Chicken For Crock Pot

  Frozen Meals for Crock Pot

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  INGREDIENTS

  • • (2) Green Peppers Cut into Slices split between 2 bags
    • (1) Red Pepper Cut into Slices-split between bags
    • (1) Zucchini Chopped and split between bags
    • (3) Onions Chopped and split between bags
    • (6) Red Potatoes Chopped and split between bags (you can also use Sweet Potatoes)
    • (4) Garlic Cloves Chopped & Split Between bags
    • (4) Chicken Breasts Split between bags (I cut each breast in half again)
    • (1/2) TBSP Quick Cooking Tapioca per bag
    • (1) 15 oz can of Tomato Sauce Split Between bags
    • (1) TBSP of Brown Sugar per bag
    • (1) TBSP Worcestershire per bag
    • (1) TBSP Mustard per Bag
    • (1/4) tsp Salt per bag

  ---

  INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours. Serve over Rice or Egg Noodles.

  • Italian Chicken in The Crock Pot

    Crock Pot

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    INGREDIENTS

    • • 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
      • 16 Ounce Bottle of Italian Dressing (I used non fat)
      • 1/2 Cup of Parmesan Cheese
      • 1 packet Italian Seasoning
      • 4 to 6 Potatoes scrubbed cut in half or wedges (you can peel if desired)
      • 1/2 bag of mini carrots

    ---

    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Spray crock with Pam
    2. Squirt a small amount of Italian dressing at bottom of crock-pot.
    3. Place two chicken breasts in crock.
    4. Pour some of the Italian dressing on the chicken.
    5. Sprinkle half of cheese onto the chicken.
    6. Sprinkle Italian seasoning onto the chicken.
    7. Place next two chicken breasts into crock-pot, if possible not directly on top of the first breasts.
    8. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of chicken.
    9. Pour carrots on top
    10. Pour more of the Italian dressing on top of chicken and carrots.
    11. Sprinkle Italian seasoning onto the chicken and carrots.
    12. Place potatoes on top.
    13. Pour the remaining Italian dressing on the potatoes.Sprinkle Italian seasoning on the potatoes.Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

    
    

    
    

    ALLRECIPES.COM
    

    Slow Cooker Veggie-Beef Soup with Okra

    YIELD

     4 servings

    ACTIVE TIME

     20 Min

    TOTAL TIME

     4 Hrs 20 Min

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    INGREDIENTS

    • • 1 pound ground beef
      • 1/4 cup onion, chopped
      • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
      • 1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian diced tomatoes, drained
      • 1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
      • 1 cup sliced fresh or frozen okra
      • 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
      • 1 tablespoon ketchup
      • salt and pepper to taste

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    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until beef is evenly brown and onion is tender. Drain grease.
    2. In a slow cooker, mix the beef and onion, diced tomatoes, Italian diced tomatoes, vegetables, okra, potatoes, ketchup, salt, and pepper. Pour in enough water to cover.
    3. Cover slow cooker, and cook 4 hours on Low.

    
    

    Vegetarian Chili

    CATEGORIES

     vegetarian

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    INGREDIENTS

    • • 1 (11 ounce) can condensed black bean soup (or canned black beans in juice)
      • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans , drained and rinsed
      • 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans , drained and rinsed (sometimes I use lentils)
      • 1 (16 ounce) can vegetarian baked beans
      • 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can chopped tomato puree (I use large 29 oz. can crushed tomatoes)
      • 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn , drained
      • 1 onion , chopped
      • 1 green bell pepper , chopped
      • 2 zucchini , chopped
      • 2 stalks celery , chopped
      • 2 garlic cloves , chopped
      • 1 (4 ounce) can diced chilies
      • 1 to 2 jalapeno , chopped (depending on how much heat you want)
      • 1 tablespoon chili powder
      • 2 teaspoons cumin
      • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
      • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
      • 1 tablespoon dried basil
      • 1 tablespoon cilantro (optional)
      • Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/grannys-slow-cooker-vegetarian-chili-51140#ixzz1k1SsF8mM

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    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. In a saucepan, saute the onion, bell pepper, zucchini, and celery for about 5 minutes.
    2. In a slow cooker, combine black bean soup, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, baked beans, tomatoes, corn, onion, bell pepper, zucchini, jalapeno, chilies, and celery.
    3. Season with garlic, chili powder, cumin, parsley, oregano, basil (and cilantro if using).
    4. Cook for about 6 hours on low.
    5. Serve with tortillas, cornbread, rice, or French bread.
    6. Enjoy!
    7. This freezes well!
    8. Leftovers are good on top of nachos!
    9. Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/grannys-slow-cooker-vegetarian-chili-51140#ixzz1k1Sz72At

    
    

    Let me know if you try any of these and what you think!  I also tend to add several veggies that I have on-hand... so sometimes I alter the recipe.  

    
    

    Seriously, I made those six meals in about an hour and a half.... Easy!

Happy Almost March

Yea, it's been that long.  Here I was writing about something I was going to do every week for a year and I didn't even blog about it.

Here's what I've been up to:
-My beautiful niece and nephew were born on January 6.  They are doing great (now) and my brother and sister-in-law are trying to adjust to their new family and schedule.
-I've been getting a little bit better at my duties as a (working) housewife.  I've found several things to help me make things easier and so far, I'd say it's working pretty well.  Dinner plans, shopping plans, budget plans (still could use some attention), and lesson plans.  This beginning of the year is brought to you by planning!  (Imagine that!)
-I've completely cut out Dr. Pepper from my diet.  Successfully.  I had one glass with dinner last Saturday and it wasn't as great as I remember.  That makes me sad a little bit, but the ultimate goal was to cut it out from my diet.  And I did!  As my friend once told me, "It won't kill you."
-I've been working out for the past month and lost 10 pounds.  I've been doing Zumba for two months, and going to the gym the last month.  I started a self-program called 200-situps which I've been pretty successful with as well.
-I'm drinking TONS of water.  And I'm going to the bathroom a lot.
-I'm taking this graduate class that is kicking my butt.
-I'm in love with these guys.

-Oh yea, my 101 things to do in 1001 days is coming to a close.  This might need to be a blog post in itself, because I've got a lot of explaining to do. :)

Snail Mail

I look in my mailbox everyday, hoping for a letter.  Amazon.com is my friend because I love to receive mail.  But I also love to send mail.  And that I shall.  Each week is dedicated to a person, near or far away.  I will be sending a hand-written letter to each of these beautiful people in hopes to re-kindle friendships or just say hello and put a smile on their face.  

I already sent my first one out.  

52 letters.  One a week.  Will you be getting a letter from me?