Find me here losing all sense of time and falling in love with new recipes, treats, ideas for learning tools for B, class organization, and organizing my ideas more.
Leave me a message if you need an invite, as well.
11.01.2011
10.30.2011
Menu Plan Sunday
Due to Husby's family visiting this week, our Menu Plan is pretty boring. This weekend we cooked a bunch of large meals, so we will mainly live off leftovers until Wednesday evening when Husby's mom comes to town.
Saturday:
*Lunch*
Homestyle Chicken Tender Bake
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. fresh chopped chives
4-6 chicken tenders (Tyson)
2 baked potatoes (cooked & mashed)
1/2 cup of milk (for mashed potatoes)
1 jar chicken gravy
1 can yellow & white corn
Aluminum foil
1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
Preheat oven to 400.
Chop chives & cut chicken into bite-size pieces.
Boil potatoes and when soft, mash adding the milk to make them creamy.
Spread potatoes evenly into 2-quart baking dish.
Top with chicken, gravy, and then corn; cover with foil.
Bake 30-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Remove foil and top with cheese and bake 3-4 minutes longer to melt cheese.
Top with chives and serve.
*Dinner*
Family Dinner @ Sonny's BBQ
Sunday:
*Breakfast*
Apple Streusel Pizza
Ingredients:
Aluminum foil
2 medium golden apples
2 Tbsp cinnamon sugar, divided
1 tube of flaky cinnamon rolls with icing
1 cup vanilla almond low-sugar granola
Preheat oven to 400.
Line baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Cut apples into small pieces and toss with 1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon sugar.
Open cinnamon rolls and unroll the entire dough on baking sheet to form crust about 9x13.
Sprinkle apples over crust and bake 6-7 minutes until edges are golden.
Top with granola and bake 6-7 minutes until center is cooked.
Let stand 3 minutes to cool.
Place icing in microwave-safe dish and microwave on medium for 20 seconds to make icing thin and pourable.
Drizzle pizza with icing, then sprinkle with remaining 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon sugar.
Slice & Serve.
*Lunch*
Leftover Baked Spaghetti
*Dinner*
Hearty Spooky Stew with Parmesan Bones Breadsticks
Ingredients:
1 pkg. meatballs
1/2 cup broccoli; chopped
1 cup cauliflower; chopped
1 cup carrots; sliced
2-3 potatoes; chopped
1/2 cup celery; chopped
2 cups Swiss Chard; chopped
1 pkg. grape tomatoes
2 cans kidney beans; drained
1 can (32 oz.) diced tomatoes
3 1/2 cups vegetable juice (V8)
4 cups beef broth (substitute vegetable broth)
After cooking:
Parmesan cheese
1 pkg. breadsticks
Add ingredients to crock pot and cook on HIGH for 6-8 hours.
Season with salt & pepper (to taste).
Dish out and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.
Follow breadstick directions and then sprinkle cheese on sticks before baking.
Saturday:
*Lunch*
Homestyle Chicken Tender Bake
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. fresh chopped chives
4-6 chicken tenders (Tyson)
2 baked potatoes (cooked & mashed)
1/2 cup of milk (for mashed potatoes)
1 jar chicken gravy
1 can yellow & white corn
Aluminum foil
1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
Preheat oven to 400.
Chop chives & cut chicken into bite-size pieces.
Boil potatoes and when soft, mash adding the milk to make them creamy.
Spread potatoes evenly into 2-quart baking dish.
Top with chicken, gravy, and then corn; cover with foil.
Bake 30-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Remove foil and top with cheese and bake 3-4 minutes longer to melt cheese.
Top with chives and serve.
*Dinner*
Family Dinner @ Sonny's BBQ
Sunday:
*Breakfast*
Apple Streusel Pizza
Ingredients:
Aluminum foil
2 medium golden apples
2 Tbsp cinnamon sugar, divided
1 tube of flaky cinnamon rolls with icing
1 cup vanilla almond low-sugar granola
Preheat oven to 400.
Line baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Cut apples into small pieces and toss with 1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon sugar.
Open cinnamon rolls and unroll the entire dough on baking sheet to form crust about 9x13.
Sprinkle apples over crust and bake 6-7 minutes until edges are golden.
Top with granola and bake 6-7 minutes until center is cooked.
Let stand 3 minutes to cool.
Place icing in microwave-safe dish and microwave on medium for 20 seconds to make icing thin and pourable.
Drizzle pizza with icing, then sprinkle with remaining 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon sugar.
Slice & Serve.
*Lunch*
Leftover Baked Spaghetti
*Dinner*
Hearty Spooky Stew with Parmesan Bones Breadsticks
Ingredients:
1 pkg. meatballs
1/2 cup broccoli; chopped
1 cup cauliflower; chopped
1 cup carrots; sliced
2-3 potatoes; chopped
1/2 cup celery; chopped
2 cups Swiss Chard; chopped
1 pkg. grape tomatoes
2 cans kidney beans; drained
1 can (32 oz.) diced tomatoes
3 1/2 cups vegetable juice (V8)
4 cups beef broth (substitute vegetable broth)
After cooking:
Parmesan cheese
1 pkg. breadsticks
Add ingredients to crock pot and cook on HIGH for 6-8 hours.
Season with salt & pepper (to taste).
Dish out and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.
Follow breadstick directions and then sprinkle cheese on sticks before baking.
10.29.2011
Weekend Plans---Impromptu Cooking & Baking & Football
Since the weather is less than stellar and I am still not feeling well...we are having a quiet, home day. This morning Husby had coaching so we all went; including our Little Lion. They had a little Halloween party, so we had some sweet treats after coaching and then headed to BJs & Publix to run errands.
After seeing a yummy recipe at Publix last night, Husby decided we would do that for lunch. So lunch today is Chicken Tender Bake (Chicken, mashed potatoes and sweet corn), while we watch some Gators Football. If the weather clears up and it is not too wet or chilly, we are planning to do the Halloween event at the zoo; "Boo at the Zoo". In the meantime, I am laying on the couch watching, Casper, Husby is carving our pumpkin, and B is napping. Depending how I feel, I was going to make an Apple Streudel Pizza later tonight and tomorrow make a pot of the Hearty Veggie Stew for weekly meals and tomorrow night's dinner.
Tomorrow, is food shopping and menu planning, as well as, league. Hoping tomorrow is a better day then today. Hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween weekend!!!
After seeing a yummy recipe at Publix last night, Husby decided we would do that for lunch. So lunch today is Chicken Tender Bake (Chicken, mashed potatoes and sweet corn), while we watch some Gators Football. If the weather clears up and it is not too wet or chilly, we are planning to do the Halloween event at the zoo; "Boo at the Zoo". In the meantime, I am laying on the couch watching, Casper, Husby is carving our pumpkin, and B is napping. Depending how I feel, I was going to make an Apple Streudel Pizza later tonight and tomorrow make a pot of the Hearty Veggie Stew for weekly meals and tomorrow night's dinner.
Tomorrow, is food shopping and menu planning, as well as, league. Hoping tomorrow is a better day then today. Hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween weekend!!!
10.27.2011
And the verdict is in...
The doctor's office finally called me back with the results of the pelvic ultrasound I had this past Tuesday. According to them, everything looks fine...nothing alarming, no growths or anything. However, it does not explain the unexpected/ "breakthrough" bleeding occurring or the immense pain I feel on the left side. They did note that one of the cysts is a follicular cyst and rather large, while the others are smaller and no cause for alarm.
So now, I wait until Nov. 7th for another appointment to discuss my options and I guess for the doctor to convince me to get a D&C. I am still in pain and with the other symptoms, but as Husby says, it's only a week to wait (since according him this week is pretty much over). So I guess, I wait and remain in pain and such until that appointment or unless it all stops on its own. What a lovely thought!
Halloween is next week, with many events/festivities this weekend. I am hoping to feel up to doing some stuff this weekend, but we shall see. Then, next week, Husby's mom and stepdad come for a visit. I am excited to see them, but with how I am feeling, I'm kind of bummed to be feeling miserable (as I do now) with people visiting (especially since we never get to spend time with them/they rarely get to see B-other than pictures). I am not getting my hopes up, but am hoping I feel better for their visit, since we do not have plans to see them through the holidays...unless they make it up to Michigan for the family wedding around New Year's.
In other news, I am still waiting to get my transcripts from Tech and waiting to hear back from UMD-CP if I got into the program....slight nerves!
So now, I wait until Nov. 7th for another appointment to discuss my options and I guess for the doctor to convince me to get a D&C. I am still in pain and with the other symptoms, but as Husby says, it's only a week to wait (since according him this week is pretty much over). So I guess, I wait and remain in pain and such until that appointment or unless it all stops on its own. What a lovely thought!
Halloween is next week, with many events/festivities this weekend. I am hoping to feel up to doing some stuff this weekend, but we shall see. Then, next week, Husby's mom and stepdad come for a visit. I am excited to see them, but with how I am feeling, I'm kind of bummed to be feeling miserable (as I do now) with people visiting (especially since we never get to spend time with them/they rarely get to see B-other than pictures). I am not getting my hopes up, but am hoping I feel better for their visit, since we do not have plans to see them through the holidays...unless they make it up to Michigan for the family wedding around New Year's.
In other news, I am still waiting to get my transcripts from Tech and waiting to hear back from UMD-CP if I got into the program....slight nerves!
10.26.2011
Brantley's 1st Year Photos & Family Photos
This past weekend, we got together with Valerie Dickens Photography to do our new tradition of yearly family photos and then also get some pictures of B for his 1st year.
You can look at a slideshow of them: Here
You can look at a slideshow of them: Here
10.23.2011
Menu Plan Sunday
Sunday:
Grilled Cheese Paninis & Tomato Bisque Soup*
Bowling night, so a quick dinner
Monday:
Baked Spaghetti & Garlic Bread
Ingredients
1 box spaghetti pasta
1 lb lean ground turkey
1 cup diced onions
1/4 cup diced bell peppers
3 large eggs
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 cups shredded Italian-blend cheese, divided
1 jar tomato basil pasta sauce
1. Cook pasta as directed.
2. Brown ground turkey, as directed.
3. Combine in large bowl: ground turkey, onions, peppers, 1 egg, oregano, seasoned salt, and garlic powder until well blended.
4. Spread mixture evenly in 13 x 9 baking dish.
5. Wash hands.
6. Drain pasta.
7. In medium bowl, whisk remaining 2 eggs until well blended and then stir in 1/2 cup cheese.
8. Add pasta & toss to coat.
9. Spread pasta evenly over meat & cover with pasta sauce.
10. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheese and Bake 30-35minutes or until 165 and meat is fully cooked.
11. While in oven, spread butter on French loaf bread and sprinkle with garlic powder. Layer with cheese and heat until bread browns and cheese melts (~10 mins...but check after 5 mins.).
12. Let dish stand 5 minutes and then serve.
Tuesday:
Chicken & Rice Casserole
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups frozen sweet peas, thawed
1 1/2 cups uncooked instant rice
1. Place chicken in slow cooker and add the 2 soups and water.
2. Stir and make sure to spread over chicken.
3. Cover and cook on low heat for 4.5 to 5.5 hours.
4. 15 minutes before serving, add thawed peas and uncooked rice to crockpot.
5. Re-cover and cook 15 minutes until rice is tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Wednesday:
Leftovers
Husby starts a new class this week; so this week is a "quick" week
Thursday:
Tuna Casserole
Ingredients
1 can of Tuna in water (Low-fat/ Low-Sodium)
1 box of Tuna helper
1 cup of Steamfresh peas
1. Follow directions for Tune Helper, adding in the can of Tuna and peas right before serving.
Friday:
Hearty Stew & Bones Breadsticks
Ingredients:
1 package of Italian seasoning meatballs
4-6 potatoes, cubed
1 cup cauliflower, chopped
1/2 cup broccoli, chopped
1 cup carrots, sliced
1/2 cup celery, chopped
2 cups Swiss Chard, chopped
2 cups cherry tomatoes
2 cans kidney beans, drained
1 can (32 oz.) diced tomatoes
2 cups vegetable juice
2 cups beef broth
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tube of Pilsbury breadstick dough
1. Add ingredients to crock pot and cook on high for 6-8 hours.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Dish out and sprinkle with parmesan cheese on top.
4. Bake breadsticks according to package except shape them into long bones. Right before placing in oven, sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
Saturday:
Family Day/Night Out
Grilled Cheese Paninis & Tomato Bisque Soup*
Bowling night, so a quick dinner
Monday:
Baked Spaghetti & Garlic Bread
Ingredients
1 box spaghetti pasta
1 lb lean ground turkey
1 cup diced onions
1/4 cup diced bell peppers
3 large eggs
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 cups shredded Italian-blend cheese, divided
1 jar tomato basil pasta sauce
1. Cook pasta as directed.
2. Brown ground turkey, as directed.
3. Combine in large bowl: ground turkey, onions, peppers, 1 egg, oregano, seasoned salt, and garlic powder until well blended.
4. Spread mixture evenly in 13 x 9 baking dish.
5. Wash hands.
6. Drain pasta.
7. In medium bowl, whisk remaining 2 eggs until well blended and then stir in 1/2 cup cheese.
8. Add pasta & toss to coat.
9. Spread pasta evenly over meat & cover with pasta sauce.
10. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups of cheese and Bake 30-35minutes or until 165 and meat is fully cooked.
11. While in oven, spread butter on French loaf bread and sprinkle with garlic powder. Layer with cheese and heat until bread browns and cheese melts (~10 mins...but check after 5 mins.).
12. Let dish stand 5 minutes and then serve.
Tuesday:
Chicken & Rice Casserole
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups frozen sweet peas, thawed
1 1/2 cups uncooked instant rice
1. Place chicken in slow cooker and add the 2 soups and water.
2. Stir and make sure to spread over chicken.
3. Cover and cook on low heat for 4.5 to 5.5 hours.
4. 15 minutes before serving, add thawed peas and uncooked rice to crockpot.
5. Re-cover and cook 15 minutes until rice is tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Wednesday:
Leftovers
Husby starts a new class this week; so this week is a "quick" week
Thursday:
Tuna Casserole
Ingredients
1 can of Tuna in water (Low-fat/ Low-Sodium)
1 box of Tuna helper
1 cup of Steamfresh peas
1. Follow directions for Tune Helper, adding in the can of Tuna and peas right before serving.
Friday:
Hearty Stew & Bones Breadsticks
Ingredients:
1 package of Italian seasoning meatballs
4-6 potatoes, cubed
1 cup cauliflower, chopped
1/2 cup broccoli, chopped
1 cup carrots, sliced
1/2 cup celery, chopped
2 cups Swiss Chard, chopped
2 cups cherry tomatoes
2 cans kidney beans, drained
1 can (32 oz.) diced tomatoes
2 cups vegetable juice
2 cups beef broth
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tube of Pilsbury breadstick dough
1. Add ingredients to crock pot and cook on high for 6-8 hours.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Dish out and sprinkle with parmesan cheese on top.
4. Bake breadsticks according to package except shape them into long bones. Right before placing in oven, sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
Saturday:
Family Day/Night Out
10.18.2011
Grad School...again
So I was going to take some time and let Husby get his Master's done, but since he is now halfway through and I am feeling the pressure to get my Biology credentials completed, I applied to University of Maryland-College Park to pursue a Master's of Science in Chemical & Life Science (with an emphasis in Biology). Thankfully the program is predominantly online, except for the necessary laboratory experience (which I might have previously fulfilled between my undergrad work and my post-undergrad work at the Medical Entomology lab) and the scholarly paper (again may previously been fulfilled). It is a 30 credit program, so probably another 2 years down the road. Between the economy and the poor job market and sadly the deterioration of the Higher Education system here, I figure I might as well get ahead of the curve as soon as I can.
Stay tuned on updates as I hear if I have been officially accepted, and as we journey down this road with both of us in school. Thankfully my Spring schedule is super flexible and we have an awesome sitter now, so I should have time to concentrate on schoolwork and gradwork at work (and at home on some days B goes to the sitter "early").
And not that I want to lean too heavily on Husby's sister, but she will be moving this way in another month. She, too, will also be going to school, but I guess if Husby & I get in a pinch, she may be able to take B for a few. She would be the last option since I do not want her to feel we are using her for childcare, but I also think we will be able to handle B and our work (especially if I continue to keep my week open for homework).
Stay tuned on updates as I hear if I have been officially accepted, and as we journey down this road with both of us in school. Thankfully my Spring schedule is super flexible and we have an awesome sitter now, so I should have time to concentrate on schoolwork and gradwork at work (and at home on some days B goes to the sitter "early").
And not that I want to lean too heavily on Husby's sister, but she will be moving this way in another month. She, too, will also be going to school, but I guess if Husby & I get in a pinch, she may be able to take B for a few. She would be the last option since I do not want her to feel we are using her for childcare, but I also think we will be able to handle B and our work (especially if I continue to keep my week open for homework).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
