Last Spring

Will this Spring be any different?


Credits

Menu Plan Monday

First a recap from last week. I made everything last week except for Crockpot Brown Sugar Chicken which is actually in my crockpot today. I got sick this week with a bad cold and one night we had leftovers and the other night I just ordered pizza. I'm feeling a lot better though.

Crockpot Meatloaf by Organizing Junkie was a hit. I always know when it's a hit when my family goes for seconds. My son actually ate 2 servings of meat and one of my daughters had 2 servings for carrots. My husband said it was okay. He added cheese to his portion as that's how I normally make my meatloaf so I guess he didn't want a change. I thought it was very good and easy to make. Thanks Laura f0r sharing your recipe.

Crockpot Beef Casserole was very good. The sauce was very good. I served it over rice but I think the next time I'd serve it over egg noodles. Adding to my monthly planner.

Now for this weeks menu:
Monday - Crockpot Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken with rice
Tues - Cake for Dinner? Okay, it's April Fool's Day so I figured I'd try this out as a joke. If I don't do it on Tues I will try this sometime this week.
Wed - Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Thurs - Kathy's Delicious Slow Cook Chicken I have made this before actually many times. I serve it with rice.
Fri - Mom's Zucchini Pie I have made this before and even my husband eats it even though he doesn't eat Zucchini
Sat - Mild Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
Sun - leftovers

Sorry this is going to be a chicken week since there was a sale and I over purchased chicken.

For other menus, please visit Organizing Junkie.

CT Call

Right now, Deco Pages has a CT Call going on. If you can spare fifteen minutes or so a day, have time to work with two kits a month from two designers of your choice they could use your help. You can send PatinParis a PM from either DST or Deco Pages expressing your interest and links to two other galleries to apply. I love being on the CT at Deco Pages. They have such talented designers and such a huge variety of kits and colors. I hope to see you there!

Freebie Quick Page

Click on Image for download.

This quick page was made by me using the kit Summer Memories by Michaele Burkhart. You can purchase the kit here.

CT - Roses for Mom by Deb Ammerman

You can purchase this kit here.


Here is the layout I did using the above kit.

CLUTTER

I am starting to feel overwhelmed by all the clutter in my house. I am trying so hard to get rid of things we just don't need. I'm tired of having to clean up every night the scattered toys that are in numerous rooms throughout my house. So each night I've been trashing things. And why is it that the kids just won't help? It's a never ending battle! Even if I tell them they will be rewarded I still get the whining and I wind up doing it myself because I get so frustrated. Okay, now this is not what really is bothering me.

How can you tell your family members not to purchase anything for us and give us anything from like the dollar store without hurting their feelings? It's mostly junk and I just don't need more clutter in my house! Then when I'm throwing it out I feel guilty that I'm doing so. I just don't know what to do.

New Toaster Oven - Bread Issue?

My in-laws bought us a new toaster oven. Our old one was on it's last legs. You can see the new oven on my counter there along with my bread and drinks. My question is where do you all store your bread? I just don't know where to put them. The drinks I could probably put in the fridge once our leftovers are eaten but for now there is no room in there. We just use ice to make the drinks cold.

Menu Plan Monday

Sorry I'm a bit late in posting. The days are just flying by. So much to do!

Monday - BBQ meatballs and pirogies (okay, I have made this 2 times. I made it last week and this week. So easy. I made it both times on the stove on low putting the meatballs which were frozen and cooked it for like 3 hours. The pirogies were on sale.

Tues - Chicken Cordon Bleu, roasted red potatoes with garlic, and carrots (were on sale)

Wed - Crockpot Beef Casserole with rice

Thurs - Stuffed Shells and chicken parm

Fri - Crockpot brown sugar chicken

Sat - leftovers

Sun - crockpot meatloaf (I so want to try this recipe. Unfortunately last week it didn't get made so I'm hoping to make it this week.)

For other menus, please visit Organizing Junkie.

Slow Cooking Thursday

I have been making this recipe since 2006. I have made it a couple of times. The meat just falls off the bone. I serve it over rice as the sauce is very good too.

Kathy's Delicious Whole Slow Cooker Chicken

This is Amazing

CT - St Pattys Day

The below kit is designed by Deb Ammerman. You can purchase it here.

Here are 2 kits I did using the above kit.

I know I spelled Leprechaun wrong. I need to change it on the one which I have printed for the book. Just haven't had the time.

What are the Colors of your Heart?

Your Heart is Blue and Orange

Your heart is bright and brilliant. You are knowledgeable, wise, and confident. You bring dynamism and sparkle to relationships. You know how to keep your partner hanging on your every word.

What Are the Colors of Your Heart?

This Can Only Happen to Me

After grocery shopping Monday night I watched Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller (I tivo it). She was making a dessert called Plum Pizza with Ricotta, Apricot Reserves and Peanuts. I already did my grocery shopping this week and had all the ingredients to make it except for the Apricot Reserves. After picking up the kids from preschool silly me decides to take the triplets into the store for that ONE ITEM. Getting the kids in and out of the car is no easy task. I warned them to be good and that we were going into the store to get ONE THING. I told them that they would be rewarded if they were good. I was not getting a shopping cart. They had to walk and hold hands. I kept stressing they need to hold hands and follow mommy. I am holding Justin's hand and Victoria's hand. That leaves Naomi to hold either Victoria or Justin's hand. Naomi chose to hold Justin's hand. So we walk into the grocery store holding hands. Now mind you the peanut butter and jelly are across the entire store (last aisle) so we have to walk the entire length of the store. Meanwhile, while walking across the store they have the Easter candy and goodies in the middle of the store. Of course, Naomi lets go of Justin's hand and runs to the barbie dolls. I tell her to hold Justin's hand and no she is not getting anything. We are only in the store for ONE ITEM. We proceed further and Naomi is chasing us. Meanwhile Justin refuses to take her hand. She starts screaming and whining "HOLD HANDS, HOLD HANDS" Okay, now all the old timers in the store are looking our way. We finally reach the jars of jelly. I'm trying to get them not to touch any of them so they don't fall on the floor and break. I'm also trying to check prices and see which one is on sale. Of course, I didn't bring any coupons with me but I want to get the best price. So I start telling them to read the signs. They know numbers now so it gets them to point to the signs and read the numbers so Naomi will stop screaming and whining "HOLD HANDS". I finally find the cheapest one and grab it and now I have only one hand available. I am holding Victoria's hand. She's holding Justin's and Justin is now holding Naomi's hand. We go to the self checker. I scan the item. It rings up more than the sign. The lady comes over. Did you scan your price card? I didn't. So I do and again it's still ringing up wrong. She sends the cashier to check the price. Meanwhile, my kids are taking all the candy off the shelf. Why in the world do they have to have these candy racks near the check outs? And why is it that the one item I want has to ring up wrong? Nothing can be easy and fast these days. I'm telling the kids please put the candy back. I told them we were getting one item. Finally the cashier comes back and tells me that she'll give me the item for that price but it was for a different item. The front end person takes off 80 cents. It should have been a $1 off but at this point I just wanted to get out of the store and back home. I pay for my one item and rush the kids out of the store. At the entrance they again stop me for some charity thing. I tell them sorry no thank you and I rush across the street and get the kids back into the car. Strapped in and we are off to go home.

That dessert had better be good for all the trouble I went through to get that ONE ITEM - Apricot Reserves.

Menu Plan Monday

This last week was kind of crazy. Lots of activities so I wound up altering my menu a lot. For Wed we had BBQ Meatballs (using frozen meatballs that I had made at the power cooking event on Monday. This was supposed to be a crock pot recipe but because I had a MOMS night out to go to and had to make an appetizer my crock pot was being used for the Buffalo Chicken Dip from Menus4moms so I wound up doing this on low on my stove for 2 to 3 hours. My husband loved it. I have more meatballs in my freezer so I will be doing this recipe again soon. Has anyone ever had to have 2 crock pots? Wonder if I should invest in another one? Maybe once I get some good recipes for it but at this point I have only a few that we like. I did copy a few from the Thursday posts so hopefully I will be adding more to our meal plan book.

On Thursday when I was supposed to make Beef Roast with Root Vegetables I was crunched for time and wound up doing a different recipe instead. So Thurs I made Coffee-Braised Pot Roast with Caramelized onions in the crock pot. The meat was a little dry but the gravy this made was really good. I probably will make this again. And no it did not taste like coffee.

On Sunday I made Beef Brisket with Smoky BBQ Sauce in the crock pot (recipe below). I really screwed this one up because where it said 1/4 teaspoon of celery seed I put 1/4 teaspoon of celery salt. It was so salty. Oops! We did all eat it though so I will probably make it again but will leave out the celery seed!

Beef Brisket with Smoky BBQ Sauce
1 2 to 3 pound fresh beef brisket
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp celery seed
1/8 tsp pepper

1/2 cup catsup
1/2 cup chili sauce
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbs vinegar
2 tbs worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
1/2 tsp dry mustard

1. Trim fat from brisket. If necessary, cut brisket to fit into crockery cooker.
2. Combine chili powder, garlic powder, celery seed, and pepper; rub evenly over meat. Place meat in crock pot
3. For sauce, combine catchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, and dry mustard. Pour over brisket.
4. Cover; cook on low heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Remove meat and cut into thin slices. Skim fat off juices in cooker. Serve juices with meat. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Now for next week:
Monday - Beef Stir Fry from 101 Delicious Diabetic Recipes book borrowed from my friend.
Tues - Green Chile Beef Empanadas. Since I have left overs from the roast from Thurs dinner I might as well reuse the meat.
Wed - Swiss Chicken and Corn Casserole
Thurs - Pizza (Dinner with Triplet Moms)
Fri - Easy Meatloaf in Crock Pot
Sat - Left Overs
Sun - Easter Dinner at restaurant

Thanks Laura from I'm an Organizing Junkie in hosting the Menu Plan Monday

Are you a Nellie or a Laura

Are You a Nellie or a Laura?

Your Results...

You’re a Laura!
Sweet, kind, generous and always ready to help out in a pinch, you’re easy to get along with and loyal to your family.



Take the Quiz here.

Slow Cooking Thursday

I'm not a fan of my crockpot as you have read in previous posts. I have only 2 recipes that I actually made and liked to make again. My husband hates when I use the crockpot because the meal is never a good one.

I'm going to share the one which I made recently. It's a dip called Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip (note you need to scroll down to get the recipe. I found it from menu4moms website.

I am actually cooking this right now to bring to the MOMS Club Night out. I made this back for superbowl. It makes a lot. In Feb when I made it I split it into 3 containers. One container I used for that day and 2 I froze. I wasn't sure it would be okay defrosted so I wanted to try instead of tossing it in the trash as it was really good. Just the other day my husband found it in the freezer and defrosted it to go with his chips and it defrosted pretty well and tasted great.

Check out other Slow Cooking Thursday recipes at Diary of a SAHM.

CVS Super Savings

I did my weekly trip to CVS and got all this for $1.31. It would have been -.88 but I had to add an extra dollar so I wound up getting that round box of candy in the front. Not only that I earned $10 in extra bucks to use next week. I got the mini calculator to help me with my coupon shopping. I actually used it to do my shopping trip at Shoprite tonight. Unfortunately, I haven't managed to reduce my big grocery shopping quite yet.

Good Mail? When?

It's that time of year when I am experiencing some anxiety. The last thing I want to do is go to my mailbox each day. Why? It's like every time I go to it I get unexpected bills or notices for people wanting money! Also lots of junk mail. The junk mail I can deal with since I just toss it in the recycling bin. Then there are invitations to parties that I don't know how to respond to. Now, don't get me wrong, I love parties but now that we are really strapped for money living pay check to pay check with no savings and waiting for our taxes to be done from the accountant is more stress than I can handle at this time. We just don't have the money for gifts. I have no idea how we are going to pay our taxes because we pay every year why would this year be any different?

I'm even selling some of my Stampin Up retired stamp sets on e-bay just so I can get season passes to Great Adventure for the kids this summer. Unfortunately, they are 3 years old and we have to pay for them this summer because they changed the age requirement for getting in free.
Of course, if I got my organized magazine like Laura did today maybe my post would be more on a positive side. As for today's mail, I got an invitation to a Bar Mitzvahs that I had no idea that we were going to be invited as it's from our Rabbi who's son is making his Bar Mitzvahs. How do you respond? We just can't afford to go. Of course, the Rabbi knows that we are having some financial difficulty because he is working with us to pay our monthly dues to the synagogue. We just don't have anything extra to give because if we did we would definitely give it. Luckily everything else was junk mail. Oh, I did get a Dora Leapster game for the kids that I got from ebay after selling one of my stamp sets to get it. They don't know anything about it though until tonight when they need to switch games. They now have 7 different games. Each night they switch games. Some nights it can be very chaotic when one wants the same game but the rule is they can't have the same game 2 nights in a row they have to take turns.

Here's wishing for some good mail as I don't know how much more stress I can handle.

Party Crashing

Well, I am exhausted but wanted to sit and relax and do some reading so I figured I'd do some party crashing. Here are the blogs that I visited.

For the First Time. She actually came to visit my blog today so I had to check her blog out. First she had the What type Writer Should You Be on her blog so that's where I got that from. She also wrote a very nice comment on my blog and her blog about my blog. Love the party crashing lists she made so I'm copying this as well.

Hyperactive Lu wrote a nice article about cooking at home how much cheaper it is than eating out. We too were eating out a lot last year but for 2008 I have been meal planning which has helped with the "What's for Dinner?" problem.

Mommie Daze - What inspired me about her blog was that she had a 3 year old. Since I have 3 year olds I know the chaotic life. And I loved her recipes. Since I am meal planning every recipe that is recommended would really help me out. I also loved that she had some 3 year old projects as I'm always trying to keep my kids busy. I will be following her blog in the future.

Kimmie & The Sprouts - She's sharing chips and dip and she has a beautiful quilt that she's working on.

Desperately Seeking Sanity - I can so relate! And I so need some laughter some days in my life.

Who has Time to Scrapbook - her title is so cool.

Mid-Life Bliss - oh my this woman has 11 children and is only in her 40's. I am fast approaching 40 (only 2 more years) and I only have 3 (the triplets). I couldn't imagine having any more as the triplets are so much work.

The Infertility Chronicles - Since I also had a problem with infertility I was drawn to her blog. After being told that I could never had children naturally and that IVF would be my only way and then being told that there was nothing wrong with me. Many years of unexplained infertility and 3 treatments of clomid with IUI and 2 treatments of Gonal-F and IUI we were finally blessed with triplets.

Surviving Motherhood - Great article about not being perfect.

Well, it's 11:12 pm and I swore I would not stay up late again so I'm heading to bed. Tomorrow is another day.

What Type Writer Should You Be?

You Should Be a Song Writer

You have the ability to evoke emotion, tell a story, and hook someone... In a very small amount of words, perhaps with some deft rhyming. Even if you can't write music, you can sure write compelling lyrics. Lyrics so good, people will have them stuck in their heads!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?