What I have learned Thursdays... 1 of 4 in a series.

This little bit of information comes from ME!! It is not something I learned from someone else.  It is something I have learned from:

11 years of marriage

4 kids

Very little $$$

and 1 very important goal.

For 11 years, having a home-cooked meal on my table has been very important to me.  I believe now more then ever that we must find time to gather with our families around the dinner table.  Home prepared meals not only allow us that but they also afford us ways to save money and eat healthier.

This will be post 1 in a 4 post series titled:

"Being Prepared in the Kitchen."

How many of you have experienced this before?:

"Mom, I'm hungry.  When will dinner be ready?"

"There is nothing to eat."

"Could you bring dinner over to so and so who is ill?"

"I invited so and so over for dinner."

"It's our turn to feed the missionaries, co-workers, or neighbors."

"Can you bring a dessert to this event tonight?"

And then....

you look in the pantry and you have nothing. 

I. mean. nothing.  to feed them.

Well... I am here to help with that.

WEEK 1:  Organize

WEEK 2: Shop and Prepare

WEEK 3: Make Ahead and Prepare Early

WEEK 4:  Share with others

Week 1:  Organization is a huge part of being successful at anything.  I am going to show you how I am successful at keeping my family and friends happy through there tummies and meal times.

#1.  Clean out your fridge.  Never ever come home from the grocery store with a messy fridge.  It will leave you feeling frustrated and frazzled.

#2.  Decide how many times a month you want to shop.  I shop every 3 weeks or so, with a small trip about mid-way through for a few more fresh items.  If you had a dairy that delivered this would eliminate that step.

REMEMBER:  the more you go to the grocery store... the more you spend.

#3.  Pick the stores that you know you will be shopping at, and get familiar with their layout.

#4.  Organize your recipes.  I have found it easiest to keep all of mine in a 3-ring binder. I will tell you why in the next series.

a.  I have one binder for meals.  This binder is divided into categories.  ie: chicken, beef, pork, non-meat.  I also have a sections for soup, salads, and crockpot.

b.  I have another binder with bread recipes, this includes pancakes, muffins, and waffles.  It is also home to my desserts, baking, sauces, and appetizers.

c.  I also have a list inside my binder with some our favorites that come from my cookbooks.  I have recipe name with the page number listed next to it.

#5.  Now it is time to make your Menu.  I pick about 12 recipes.  That seems to last us the 3 weeks.  I write them down on this handy dandy menu planner that I found at Michaels in the $$$ section.  You could create your own on the computer.

It has a magnet on the back, and hangs on my fridge for easy reference.

a.  On the side that says shopping list, I have created a spot for breakfast ideas, lunch ideas, dessert ideas, and sides.  This way I won't forget to add these ingredients to my list.

#6.  Once your recipes are organized, it is time to organize your store list.  I have a grocery store list, and a Sam's Club list.

 

a.  each list is divided into categories.  I have filled in the categories with the items that I buy every grocery trip or almost every trip.

b.  I have them printed out ready to go with the grocery on the front, and Sam's on the back.

c.  I also have a list that I like to call my Cue sheet.  This helps remind me of the items that I like to have on hand in my pantry.  If I scan down it, I can remember, "Oh yes, we are out of this."  Then I add it to my list.

#7.  Once my menu is complete, I refer to my recipes for the rest of my grocery items.  I just fill them in the blanks that they belong. 

a.  What is typed on the list are the ingredients that I usually need to buy.

b.  The handwritten items are what I need for my meals.

c.  The items that I cross off of staples that I usually need to buy, but don't need this go round.

HINTS: 

1.  Pick menu items that use one or more of the same ingredients, and then they won't go to waste.  ie:  make two recipes that call for Catalina dressing.

2.  Be realistic in what your family will eat, and how much time you have to prepare.  If you don't you will pick something, put it on your menu, and never end up making it.  As a result, all of your ingredients will go to waste.

3.  To save money, don't cook recipes with lots of ingredients.  Maybe pick one recipe like that per menu.

4.  Make your recipes that call for fresh ingredients first.  That way they don't go to waste.  Save your recipes that call for canned and frozen items at the end of your menu cycle.

5.  Talk with your spouse about how much your food budget is, and stick to it.  Use cash if you have to, and once the money is gone you don't shop until your next paycheck.

Now go get prepared, and meet me back here next week for tips on shopping and preparing.

If you would like a copy of my lists, please let me know and I will be happy to email them to you.

For 6 short months...

You have graced our lives.

You have brought us Joy.

You have made us smile, laugh, and cry.

You have brought out the best in us.

You light up our world.

Our home feels more peaceful and calm with you in it.

Your smile makes our day, your cry breaks our heart, and when you sleep it is the most precious of all the sights.

In six months, you have grown so much.

In six short months, you have changed our world.

You have made our family complete.

Tessa Mae Swenson

6 months old

25.5 inches long

15.6 pounds

Beautiful Healthy Miracle.

I told a little fib...

I promised myself and my girlfriend Krysta that I was not tackling anymore projects until this little pile was all done.

I lied.

When Krysta was here, she got after me for having unfinished projects,  mainly unfinished scrapbooks.  That is what this little table is.  We set it up in my newly decorated room to get my behind a gear.  I stare at this table every night when I go to sleep, but I have yet to complete the projects. I thought if it was out I would get it done.  I don't know what my problem is. 

Last night, when I went to bed I said to myself, "Self, you are working on those projects tomorrow."  Yet today, I find myself puttering around and now doing a post.

I really am going to work on it right after I finish this.

This is the project I tackled yesterday.

How did I come up with this?

If I could only explain the inner workings of how my brain worked... and I would tell you.  That is a post all on it's own. 

I basically was trying to tie up some loose ends in my laundry room.  (see, I am trying to finish things)

I made this little diddy to go on a wall in my laundry room, but it turned out so cute that I decided I wanted it where I would see it more. 

Now it is on my laundry room door, which can be seen in my kitchen and my laundry room.

I found the idea here.

My sister recently made one also.

I just made it suite my needs a little more. 

It is a dry erase board for my week.

I used rub-ons for the days of the week.

I added more letters for a place for notes. (ie: grocery items, projects ideas, thought that are running through my brain)

I found the frame at Hobby Lobby on clearance, and painted it

 YELLOW.  Why Yellow?

I have been wanting to add yellow to my space for quite some time.

I wanted Stella's room to be yellow, but she was not having it.

When I got the frame home, I was taking the glass out and a corner of it broke.

It ended up being a happy accident.  I made flowers to cover it up.

I used fabric to cover the board and some ribbon as a divider.

I can't wait to start writing all my to-dos and have them in one place.

Once I saw how cute the yellow was, I had a to add a few more splashes of it.

A little here and there.

And then a re-do on my House Rules so that it would match my new style.

Last but not least, I added these adorable stitches that I found in Utah at a thrift store.  We had these exact stitches in my kitchen when I was a kid.  I am sure it was some Homemaking project in Relief Society years back.

I love the look.  I wish you could see the texture of them.  They are really awesome.

Did I finish my laundry room you ask?

Yes, I just shopped the house and added a few things here and there.  I also got a new curtain in there that I can't wait for you to see.  That's for another day.

I am now off to tackle some paper scrapbooking.  AHH!! Okay.  Maybe I am scared. It has been a while since I have broke out the paper mess.  Yes, that is what it is.  A little fear.  I am off to knock out the fear.  Wish me luck!!

I have linked up to Show and Share Day at Just a Girl!!

What I have learned Thursday...

Tonight, I had to take my turn to volunteer at the Baseball Concession stand. 

I just had to inquire about one of the items on the menu.

"What the heck is a Frito Pie?"

"You don't know what a Frito Pie is?"

"Where are you from?"

"Utah."

"What kind of things do you eat in Utah? Well we don't eat a whole lot of grease and we don't fry as much as they do here. I had never heard of Sweet Tea until I moved here, and I  know I don't recall seeing Frito Pie on the menu.  So what is it?"

"Wait, you don't eat grease?"

"No we eat some, but I try to avoid it."

"How do you avoid it?" 

"Well, when I cook ground beef, I rinse it."

"You rinse it?"

"Yeah, in hot water."

"What do you mean in hot water?"

"Well, I put it in a colander and run hot water over it.  Then, I wipe the grease out of my pan with a paper towel.  Then, I add the meat back to the pan."

"Really?  I had no idea you could do that, and it gets rid of the fat?"

"Yes, most of it...So what is a Frito Pie?"

"Fritos, with cheese and chili over the top.  You see, here in the South we like to keep it simple."

Tonight, I learned two more interesting things I didn't know about the South.

One: Fritos, cheese and chili are a meal.

Two: Meals should be kept simple.

I will add that to my ever increasing pot of Southern Culture. 

I must stock more fritos, chili and processed cheese on my pantry shelf.  Along with the jar of bacon grease that I heard is a must to have around when you need to liven up your vegetables a little bit.

I love learning about different cultures, don't you.  Isn't it neat how we can take the same ingredients but make something completely different out of them.

I like living in the South. I think my kids will too when they find out that Fritos are a meal.

I love all you Southern friends.  Thanks for showing me a new side to life.

Cool Refreshing Treat.

My husband loves cold treats.  Ice cream, sno-cones, slushys, popcicles;  if it is cold he will enjoy every bite.  I think he once ate an entire box of otter-pops in one day.

...so I made this treat just for him.

2pkgs.(3 oz. each) lime gelatin (I used sugar free)

2 C. Boiling water

2 C. cold water

2 quarts lime sherbert

Sprite, 7up or Gingerale

In a large container, dissolve gelatin in boiling water.  Stir in the cold water and sherbet until combined.  Freeze for 4 hours or until set.

Remove from the freezer and allow to stand for 45 minutes, or shave it with a spoon or knife.  Add it to a glass and pour soda over the top.

YUMMY!!

My adorable Hubby was in Heaven.(so were the kids)

New Project

That is all I need right? 

Well, I am really passionate about this particular project.  I am a pathological picture-taker.  This little project goes right along with that.  I hope I can get in the habit with it and keep it up.  I just need to find my niche and keep it going.

I am doing my own little version of a Project 365 or Project 52.  A picture a day/picture a week.

You can check out what I am posting here:

www.pictureprojectthreesixfive.blogspot.com

(There is also a link on my sidebar.)

This has a three-fold mission for me.

1.  I hope to learn more about my camera as I attempt to photograph something everyday.

2.  To capture our life once a day through pictures, not words; for 365 days and put it in a book.

3.  To find something good in each day.

I hope you enjoy checking out what I include there each day.

 

My Spring Wreath... A vintage take on spring.

I am locked up at home, with potty training and sorts.

Every morning when I go out to water my flowers I cringe when I see this pinecone wreath hanging on my door.

Although I love it, I just don't think it fairs well with my flowering bushes and pots.

Because there is no going out for me. I can't risk Isaac peeing on some stores beautiful flooring. I wanted a new wreath so bad that I made do with what I had.

Luckily, my MIL had loaded me up with a stash while we were visiting in Utah.

I had a very small grapevine wreath on hand.  It is the perfect size for this project.  I am pretty sure that I found it at Dollar tree several years back.

I wrapped it in white muslin to cover the wreath.

Then I took some wide lace from my MIL and began doing a running stitch by hand. 

Once I got it gathered to my liking, I proceeded to  hot glue it on the wreath.  It made the actual size of the wreath much larger.

Then I picked a thinner lace, gathered it, and added another layer towards the middle.

Next, came a strip of the same white muslin that I used in the beginning.  I started by cutting a small notch and then ripping down both sides until I got a two inch strip.

I then did another running stitch down the middle.  You could use your sewing machine.  I did mine by hand because I did not want to get my machine out.

Once it was gathered, I began to roll it into a circle so that it would create a flower.  I hand stitched it in the back.

Then I made two flowers out of satin and burned edges.  I cut five circles for each.  I used a lighter to burn the edges and make them curl. 

Then off to my button stash(thanks to my MIL for adding to it), and I found these little copper gems to go in the center.

I then placed the flowers where I liked them, and hot glued them down.

I added a black lace bow, and some black ribbon for the hanger.

There you have it.  A wreath, made for FREE, that is light and reminds me of spring.

I also love the vintage quality of it.

I hope you can use one or more of these ideas to make something for yourself.

P.S.  I have been using the flowers for pins and bows, and they are just adorable.  They have such a handmade vintage quality about them.

P.P.S.  I linked up to Just a Girl Show and Share Day.

Randomness...

Lots of Randoms.

This little boy...

is a stinker.(literally)  This potty training is a battle, and I think he is winning.

He was doing so well, but we seem to have lost our momentum.

Tomorrow, is a new day.  We will try again.

I am going to win this battle.

I got to take some Senior pictures this morning of my favorite Young Woman, and my kids favorite babysitter.

Here are a few favorites:

Isn't she beautiful?

  

Jex had his first official Baseball game this week.  His team did awesome.

He did awesome. 

I can tell he had so much fun.  He hasn't quit talking about it.

He asks every day when his next game is.

Like father like son.

Speaking of father.  I love that man.

Do you all have a routine in your life?

I have a routine that I follow almost every day. It just doesn't seem right not too.

Every day for almost eleven years a huge part of my routine takes place in the wee hours of the morning.

I can expect to feel a kiss on my forehead just before my husband leaves for work.

It has never bothered me that I may be deep in sleep. 

I look forward to it.

I panic if he forgets.

Every morning, I patiently wait for my loving man to start my routine.

P.S.  I hope to post more about this little project tomorrow.  I am waiting for daylight to take a few more pictures.  See you soon.