So I heard it from the ultimate source - my MOM.  She told me that lately all my blogs are my "menu posts."   That's what I thought might happen and that's exactly what I didn't want to happen.  Food just isn't that exciting to read about for me...and apparently for her either.  I know that I'll keep up with the menu planning even without posting it because I've seen the huge difference it has made for ME.  Seriously, I hope someone has felt inspired by all this food talk because it's so much better than last minute kitchen scrambles.   I don't mind continuing posting my menu, but if my bloggy friends are of the opinion that it's deathly boring and you're totally fine without my amateur recipes and opinions, hey! I totally understand. 



I wouldn't doubt that I've become Our Best Bites most dedicated follower.  We've loved everything we've tried and I love that most of the recipes are normal person meals.  Like yes, I do have a life outside of the kitchen and no, I don't want to spend 4 hours at the grocery store (with helpers) searching for ingredients that no one's heard of.  These ladies are real people too.  

Sept. 27 - Oct. 3

Monday:  BBQ pork sandwiches
Tuesday:  chicken cacciatore
Wednesday: jambablaya
Thursday: Spinach raviolis
Friday: tacos
Saturday: grilled chicken
Sunday: black bean soup

Last week was a pretty darn successful week of dinners.  I'm having a hard time deciding which recipe to pass along.  I'D love to share them all, but my kids seem to think that it's time for me to get off the computer.  So for the sake of time, I'm forced to choose.   We LOVED the creamy chicken taquitos.  I used flour tortillas instead of corn, so they were more like baked burritos, but the flavor is soooo good.

Biscuits and gravy have become a favorite for everyone.  I think Reas and I were married about 2 seconds before I discovered his thing for biscuits and gravy.  I had no clue how to make sausage gravy, but being the good little 21 year-old wife that I was, I called up Crystalin, the dinnertime diva (keep in mind, she would never go as far as calling herself that) to find out how she made it.  This was pre-blogging days of course, so she instructed me over the phone while I scribbled down notes with an actual pen and paper.   Now you can find her recipe for the gravy as well as the most awesome buttery biscuits you will ever lay your paws on, right here.  If you're a biscuits and gravy kind of person, really these biscuits are the ONLY way to go.

At 8:25 the kids get picked up for school.  At 8:20 I saw Maggie's empty folder sitting on the sidetable. "Maggie, go get your homework, put it in your folder, and put it in your backpack."  If I'm being completely honest I know I said it with just a little exasperation in my voice.  Afterall, she is in 4th grade, and she should be a little more responsible, right?

"Mom! I can't find my homework.  I think I left it all right here, and now it's gone."

Ugh. We all go scrambling around looking for the missing homework.  We have like 3 minutes to find it.  It's not in any of the usual places.  Luckily carpool seems to be running slightly behind, so we start looking in all the unusual spots.   Behind couches, under beds,  between pillows, even in the laundry room, and the kitchen trash.  It is nowhere.   Carpool arrives, they agree to wait a minute while we keep looking.  Now we're looking in really weird places...the pantry, Reas' church folder, my closet.  All the while I keep saying things like, "THIS is why you should put your homework in your backpack as soon as you finish it."  Finally, we have to let the carpool leave and I'll have to drive Maggie to school after we find the homework.  I would've rathered just sent her without it, but the look on her face!  She was so sad, nearing hysterics, but trying to hold it back all at the same time.  She IS responsible.  She wants to do everything right, and going to school without her homework, where she'd have to sit on the wall during recess for coming to school unprepared would be torture for her.  During the frantic search I'm torn between trying not to get mad and showing it by lecturing her the whole time, OR breaking down right along with her because I can remember being in 4th grade.  I remember knowing the world would truly end if I had a missing assignment.  I totally understand it, but STILL.  This all could have been avoided if she would have put her things away.   So I try to keep the lecturing to a minimum, but little comments kept slipping.  By this point she was desperate, and I knew that homework wasn't going to turn up by itself.  So we said a prayer.  A simple, heartfelt "help us find the homework" prayer.  Then we did the only thing that was left to do...we kept looking.

I made my way back to the trash, obviously not my favorite place to go digging.  This time I must've dug a little farther or searched down the other side of the bag because there it was.  All 3 pages of her homework glued together with chocolate pudding and sausage grease.  I was happy, relieved, and instantly humbled.  I was the one who threw those papers in the trash.  I KNOW it was me.  I turned toward Maggie expecting and hoping to see smiles.  Instead, she was mostly worried about what to do with her soggy homework.  I wiped off dinner the best I could, smoothed out the wrinkles, and wrote a note to Maggie's teacher taking full blame for the huge mess.  I apologized to Maggie for accusing her of not taking care of her things.  She knew right where she had left her work.  She put it safely out of reach of little hands, but unfortunately not out of reach of a mom who all too often spins around in a frenzy trying to be rid of clutter.  I hate being wrong, especially when it's at the expense of others.

We jumped in the car and pulled up to the gate one minute before the tardy bell would be ringing.  The van had hardly stopped and she was out the door, racing across the playground trying to get to the door before she'd be locked out and have to go through the office where she'd be given one of those horrible pink tardy slips.  That's the the other thing about Maggie... she hates being late.  I sat there watching her run, backpack and lunch box flying behind her, and feeling completely helpless.  I know now it doesn't sound like a big deal...not turning in homework ONE time, and being a little late to school.  For Maggie though, it IS a big deal.  And I could even get over the fact that the whole ordeal had been my fault because it was just an honest mistake, but the way I had accused her the whole time when it had really been me, and the little comments I kept making, makes me sick.

She made it to class before they locked the door so I guess it was a happy ending.  But all I can think about is how I sent her off to school without giving her a hug and making sure she really knew how sorry I was.  We were in such a hurry to leave I couldn't even talk with her about how we found her homework after we said a prayer.  I felt cheated out of a moment with her.  I know I can say it all tonight when she's home again, but I'm feeling it now.  I'm feeling the weight and responsibilty of motherhood now.  Life is short and my time to be Maggie's, Ty's, Claire's, and Lily's mommy is even shorter.  I know parenting, like everything else we do, is a learning process, but it's scary that while we are learning and unfortunately making mistakes, we're permanently shaping another life.   Or 4 other lives, in my case.  It's kind of like the studying for the test and the actual taking of the test is all going at the same time.  I know I'm going to mess up more than I'd like.  I just hope that if each day I can do a little more to be the right mom for my kids, be more loving and understanding of their needs, and mess up a little less during the process, that that will be good enough.

Sept. 20-26

Monday: sweet and sour chicken
Tuesday:  biscuits and gravy
Wednesday:  creamy chicken taquitos
Thursday:  English muffin pizzas
Friday: bacon and cheese omelets
Saturday: fry bread and beans
Sunday:   steak fajitas

Sorry. No super exciting recipes to pass on from last week.  Just keeping it real here.

Although, I will say that in the last couple of week's I've learned that fresh lime juice squeezed onto just about anything Mexican-ish is absolutely necessary in our household now.  I know the restaraunts always provide limes, and I KNOW the recipes always suggest them.  So why it's taken me so long to use them regularly in my own kitchen...I DON'T KNOW.  I'm a slow learner, I guess

P.S.  No, I'm not really going to name any future daughters Katniss, although I'd think it was pretty cool if someone else did.

Just me and Lily home tonight.  Reas took the others camping. Wonderful, isn't it.  I opted out this time after realizing that the camping nightime memories of Yellowstone with a one year-old are still a little too vivid in my mind.  Being home alone with only a sleeping baby is completely weird.  I don't remember the last time I was this alone.  I'm realizing that when I have the freedom to do whatever I want, I don't know what the heck to do.  All day I tried to come up with a plan for after everyone left so I wouldn't waste a single minute.  I never did really decide.  I called my party animal sister in CA to see if she wanted to come for a sleepover.  She declined...something about her 5 kids and husband needing her and needing to be responsible.  Gah!  Some sister.  So Lily and I jumped in the car and just waited to see where we ended up.  First the car decided it wanted to go pay a visit to the Michael's parking lot.  Huh!  How convenient for me...I was needing some spray paint and stuff.  Then the car smelled Chinese food from down the road and insisted we follow our noses.  Then Lily reminded me about the filled up punch card for Golden Spoon that was burning a hole in my pocket.  I don't know who put that in there.  And finally, Red Box was just calling to me.  See how obedient I am?  I seemed to fill up my evening just fine.  I totally forgot what it was like to sit through a whole movie uninterrupted.  Not kidding.  I didn't get up once (except when I decided I was ready to get my frozen yogurt out of the freezer...totally worth the 12 steps to get there).  Too bad the movie was a bust.  The Proposal - I don't recommend it.  I thought I'd be safe with Sandra Bullock.  Is there anyone who doesn't love While You Were Sleeping?  Probably, but that's not the point. Guess I just should've watched that one for the kabillionth time instead.  Now I'm heading upstairs to finish Mockingjay.  Have to say, I LOVED the first two books.  In fact, Reas doesn't know it, but our next girl will be named Katniss Gale.  He better pray really hard for a boy.  I just don't think I could do Peeta.  It sounds so wussy.  Now "Katniss" on the other hand, just makes me think G.I Jane meets beauty and perfection. Book 3, sadly enough, isn't grabbing me quite the same way as the others, but yes I have to finish it.  Wow.  This is really a weird all over the place post, fitting for a weird out of my mommy element night.

 Wonder how Reas is faring... he he.

One more thought on The Hunger Games.  When I first started reading the first one I remember thinking, "Katniss?!"  How can I fall in love with a heroine name Katniss?  And now....Katniss is a nice name.  Funny how that happens.

I got around to getting my menu done - good thing because the week is upon us. 
On the menu this week:

Monday - smothered burritos
Tuesday - Italian Beef Hoagies
Wednesday - Stroganoff
Thursday - Chicken nuggets, fruit salad
Friday - Dad's taking the kids camping...I'm off the hook
Saturday - BLT's
Sunday - Chicken Pot Pie

I really can't post this without explaining why my Thursday menus will be pathetic for the next 6-8 weeks.  The kids will be playing soccer with the primary kids at church right during dinnertime every Thursday.  We'll either be packing up dinner to take it with us or eating something fast before heading out the door.
This week, chicken nuggets. 
Onto the fun part - a recipe to share.

I can't remember exactly where this recipe originated, but I think it was maybe my sister- in- law's. 
This is a great recipe for using up leftover pork roasts or chicken.  I just chop it up small and a little will go a long way after it's mixed in with all the other ingredients.  This recipe looks a little involved, but really it's a pretty easy one frying pan deal, especially if you try the alternate version I discovered this week. 

Egg Rolls

2 Tbs. oil
1 lb. ground pork or chicken
salt and pepper
1/2 C minced yellow onions (I've used onion powder)
2-3 cloves chopped garlic (or minced)
1 lb. shredded cabbage (I like to use the handy bags of coleslaw mix - I like the crispiness the carrots give)
soy sauce, to taste
1 Tbs. sugar
1 lb. fresh bean sprouts (I've never actually used these in this recipe.  No reason, except I've never used bean sprouts for anything...I probably should one day)
1/4 C. green onion, green part only
egg roll wrappers
oil for frying

Preheat oil.  Add meat, season with salt and pepper.  Stir fry 3 minutes.  Add onion and garlic, cook 2 minutes.  Add cabbage, season with salt and pepper. Stir fry 1 minute.  Season with soy sauce and sugar.  Add sprouts and green onion.  To assemble, spoon 1/4 cup filling in rectangular shape, fold in ends, roll up and seal with egg wash.  Fry until golden 2-3 minutes.  Drain on paper towels.

Here's my little alteration:  I had a lot of filling left over, but didn't feel like frying up more of the eggrolls.  Instead, I mixed it in with left over spaghetti type pasta, added a little more soy sauce, and created my own quick chow mein to use up the extras.  Besides, I'm thinking the egg rolls wouldn't be that great reheated.  The crisp factor ya know...

Enjoy.

I have victoriously avoided the whole pet owning part of parenthood for a good long time.  It's not that I don't like animals, it's just that I don't like caring for animals.   See the difference?  There is a difference, but in the eyes of my children it's all the same: I'm just a big ol' meanie out to do my family a terrible injustice by keeping fluffy little furballs out of their hearts and our home.  I know.  It's a terrible thing, right?  Mine and Ty's killer allergies to anything with paws, fur, or fluffy cuteness doesn't help the situation, although it has made my case easier to win.  BUT in the last year, Maggie has come to us at least a dozen times begging, pleading, sometimes crying her eyes out for a pet...any pet (as long as she could cuddle it. That was the only requirement).  A couple of weeks ago she left a note on my pillow:
 

Yes, the cake deserves a post all to itself. Please. Let me have a proud moment here.  First, I will say I am not a cake decorating person.  I am in complete and utter awe of people who are.  Sprinkles are generally where my creativity ends.  No, that's not true.  A couple of years ago I made Ty a chocolate cake, gave him a bowl of frosting, crushed oreos, chocolate chips, and army men with accessories and told him to make a battle scene all over the top of his cake.  I thought that was pretty creative, but deep down I knew it was just a good way to get out of feeling depressed about my lack of cake decorating skills AGAIN.  So, today for Maggie's party I attempted to make a cake my friend had posted on her blog (hi Jori!) ... a real true birthday cake.  Then when I went to pull out a box of cake mix there was a similar cake that Betty Crocker has going on on the back of her box.  Ok, so it's nothing new, but I did it in my own kitchen with my own two hands.  Wahoo!!  And really, how can you go wrong with polka dot M&Ms, great colors, and cupcakes?

Today we have a party going on!  Maggie's turning 9 and the world is about to hear about it.  I'm busy with frosting, watermelon, and markers...not all together in the same project of course.  That would be somethin'.
So next week's menu is not on my list of things to do at the moment.  Tomorrow...I hope.  For now, 10 screaming girls will be running through my front door in only a matter of hours.  Reas can't wait.

Me and Claire, we're pals.  It has been so fun having a bit more one on one time with her now that school is back in.  Of course, occassionaly I hope I'll be able to sneak in a nap while Lily is sleeping, but that is yet to happen.  Claire's good.  Without fail she somehow talks me into reading Cinderella, playing babies, or creating something out of popsicle sticks and googley eyes.  Her convincing me usually involves a killer smile and some kind of wild promise of doing something for me in return.  How can I say no? Sometimes my eyes are half closed and I'm falling asleep between turning pages, but it's all good.

I really don't want this girl to grow up.  And darn it, I know she will all too soon.  This is our last year together before she walks out our front door and into a classroom.  She makes me laugh...she makes me crazy too.  But she always seems to make everything better when she starts talking.  Seriously, I could listen to her ramble on all day long.

Last week's menu tasted as great as I was hoping, but there was an obvious favorite.  I've had this recipe scribbled down on a crumpled half sheet of paper for ever. Have no idea who to give the credit to, and don't know why it took me this long to try it out.  This easy Summer meal is great.

Chicken Club Salad with Avocado dressing

For the salad:  Layer romaine,  pea shoots, sliced tomoatos, crisp bacon, red onion, cold chopped turkey or chicken.

For the avocado dressing:

3 avocados
1 clove, or minced garlic
2 Tbl. hot sauce
salt to taste
2 Tbl. red wine vinegar
a few good squeezes of fresh lemon juice
enough olive oil to thin out for dipping or dressing

Mash it all together and you're done.

We made sandwiches on big, soft bolillo rolls instead of having it as a salad. I made the dressing thicker - more like guacamole - just by using less olive oil.  Then we lathered up the rolls with the dressing and stuffed those babies with all the fixins. Divine! Just don't use that word when describing it to your manly man - he might be afraid to eat it. Instead, put an extra squirt of hot sauce in his dressing and rip open a bag of salsa verde doritos for him. Macho for the man, divine for the lady. As for the kids, they went for the chicken and lettuce minus the dressing, but they were happy too.

Here's next week's menu:

Monday -  Taco Salad
Tuesday - Egg rolls and fried rice
Wednesday - Spaghetti
Thursday - Fry bread and Beans
Friday - homemade pizza
Saturday - leftovers
Sunday - Bacon wrapped teriyaki skewers

happy eating!