Menu Plan Monday

Welcome to my first MPM of 2009!

I realized I didn't leave a night or two for leftovers, so a couple of these may get pushed to next week. At least that way I'm ahead of the game for MPM next week! =)

Monday: beef stroganoff; Tuesday: beef stew; Wednesday: chicken casserole; Thursday: meatloaf; Friday: ham and cheese quiche; Saturday: chicken a la king

Thanks for coming by! Have a great day!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for this man...

Fifteen years ago today God allowed me to be united with him forever in marriage. He is my best friend, my confidante, my hero, my spider-killer, my top-shelf-reacher (he's 6'7"), and the spiritual head of our home.

My mom once said that she didn't think God could have created a more perfect man for me. She was right.

Happy Anniversary, Jim! Thank you for 15 terrific years. I love you!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'll be taking a break from posting until after the first of the year. Please check in on New Year's Day, though...I already have a post scheduled for that day.

This will be my 5th Christmas since losing my mom to adrenal cancer. Wow...five years already. I haven't cried much yet this season (excluding the potato candy incident). I don't know if that's a good or bad sign. My heart still hurts from missing her so much. But, God is good, and I'm able to enjoy the season and praise Him for His faithfulness to me and my family.

So, my prayer is that you'll also be able to enjoy the season. Celebrate the birth of our Savior. Cherish time spent with family. Hug your spouse and your children and tell them you love them. Then welcome the new year and all the possibilities that come with it.

Blessings to you all!

Free Tip Friday

A special holiday tip for you today. Ever lose gifts under the tree? Ever get to Aunt Susie's or Grandma's house and realize you forgot to get Uncle Barney's gift from under the tree? Guilty!

About a week or so before the festivities begin, I completely clear everything out from under the tree. Because, up till this point I've been a wrapping fool...wrap, throw it under the tree, wrap, throw it under the tree, wrap, throw it under the tree. You get the idea! :)

Well, after everything is cleared out, I sort according to who's gifts go where. For example, we're going to my cousin's house Saturday. So all the gifts that go there will be grouped together and put back under the tree last since they have to leave the house first. The gifts for my dad and his wife will be grouped together and put back under the tree first because we won't celebrate with them till Christmas afternoon here at our home.

That's just how I have to do it...been doing it that way for years. I also haul out one or two of my laundry baskets to help transport the gifts to and from the different get-togethers. I use the baskets because by this time I have no empty boxes left...they all been wrapped and put under the tree! :)

Thankful Thursday

Today (and every other day, too!) I am thankful for my in-laws. God has blessed me indeed with the family I got the day I married Jim.

As I grew up, I knew my mom didn't have the best relationship with her mother-in-law. However, my dad lucked out and really got along well with my mom's family. Truthfully, I never really thought much about what my relationship would be like with in-laws. Jim's folks have always been good to me, and I know they've always loved me. It wasn't until my mom passed away in 2004, though, that I realized how much I really loved them and needed them in my life. It was at that time that they became my parents, too.

I thank God that I have saved, Bible-believing in-laws. I thank God for my sister-in-law who is like the sister I never had. I also thank Him for two awesome nephews and a terrific new brother-in-law.

I couldn't have it any better than I do!

What's Cookin' Wednesday

Here's a recipe for you that I can really only dream about now. Because the main ingredient is pasta, we haven't had this since Jim was diagnosed with diabetes. Throw it together with a salad and a loaf of garlic bread, and YUM!

Spaghetti Pizza:

16 oz package spaghetti,
2 eggs,
1/2 cup milk,
1 cup shredded mozarella,
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder,
1/2 teaspoon salt,
32 oz spaghetti sauce,
1 package pepperoni and/or other favorite pizza topping(s),
1 1/2 teaspoon oregano,
3 cups shredded mozarella,

Break spaghetti into 2 inch pieces and cook according to package directions. Drain and cool.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl beat eggs lightly. Stir in milk, 1 cup cheese, garlic powder, and salt. Add cooked spaghetti and stir. Grease 10 1/2 x 15 jelly roll pan (I use 9x13 pan) and spread spaghetti mixture in pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and reduce temperature to 350 degrees. Spread spaghetti sauce evenly over spaghetti. Sprinkle with oregano and the remaining 3 cups of cheese. Top with pepperoni and/or other toppings. Return to oven and back 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into squares to serve.

Menu Plan Monday

According to the weather forecast we have an ice storm headed our way that rivals the one we had this past February. If that is the case, there will not be much cooking in our home for a day or so because we will not have power. That being said, I've planned a very easy week. A portion is already cooked or in the crock pot cooking now so it's ready to be heated on it's chosen night.

Sunday: snack and "pig out" day in anticipation of the winter storm (pizza, chips and dip, leftover chicke, etc.)

Monday: round steak and gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli;

Tuesday: leftovers;

Wednesday: baked chicken, green beans, salad;

Thursday: pork chops, baked potato, broccoli;

Friday: hot dogs, tater tots, baked beans, salad;

Saturday: leftovers.

There you have it. Nothing fancy at all. And, if we do get this ice they're calling for, this whole plan may go by the wayside. That's ok...there's enough cheese puffs and lunchmeat in the house we'll not go hungry! :)