Piano Time

As we get closer and closer to graduation, Michael has been trying to decide what song he wants to play for his Senior presentation.








I caught him playing & practicing. It has been such a blessing to our family & church for him to learn how to play the piano. I sometime just stand in the kitchen and listen(or sing along) when he plays. There is a certain song he played for his last recital by Chris Rice that just brings tears to my eyes when I hear it.






Somehow no matter where he ends up next year I know I am going to miss listening to him practice.

Menu Monday

Over the years, I have discovered that I am much better in the kitchen with a plan and some preparation. I have said before that I plan our meals out a month at a time. There are many reasons for that but here are some of the most important ones.

1. Healthy meals--I balance our types of food more. No chicken 4x a week ;)
2. Fewer trips to the store--I check each Monday to see if we have on hand what is needed for the next week so I don't just run to the store for 1 or 2 things.
3. It saves my sanity at 5 o'clock--this is worth a million bucks!
4. Keeps us eating at home and saves a lot of $

So the plan this week is . . .

Monday

Pancakes & sausage, Beans & Rice, Fried Chicken Salad(freezer meal)

Tuesday

Yogurt & Strawberries, Farmer's Casserole, Swiss Steak(crockpot meal)

Wednesday

Oatmeal, Fried Egg Sandwiches, Enchiladas(freezer meal)

Thursday

Yogurt & Strawberries, Italian Hot Dish, Lemon Chicken(freezer meal)

Friday

Blueberry Muffins, Broccoli Potatoes, DATE Night!

Saturday

Cereal, Leftovers, 3 Bean Soup

Sunday

Oatmeal, Baked Orange Pork Chops, ?

I like that my advance prep work is laid out for me. When I post my meals here I make myself some notes on my Meal Planner(posted on the frig). Like tomorrow we are having Beans & Rice--well I think we have some frozen black beans but I am not sure. So I will check before bed. If I don't then I will start some black beans in the crock pot before bedtime. That way they are done by lunch. Saves some $ too--cause dry beans are WAY cheaper than canned ones--less sodium too. While I am in the freezer I will get out the steak for the Swiss Steak and check the canned goods for diced tomatoes. It just keeps our family life flowing better to have a meal plan.

Tonight we made pancakes for supper because not everyone was hungry for a big supper. I don't like making pancakes. Lots of dishes & mixing & everything. But last week I made up my own(healthy) dry mix & only had to add milk, egg & oil. That made it a breeze & something I was willing to do. The kids loved it! I loved it because it was easy. By the way I got the recipe from here if you are interested.

So what is your "cheater" trick to make a fast, easy & healthy meal?

See more menu plans at I'm an Organizing Junkie

Not a normal routine

Well I have officially hit the wall this year. Life has been nuts for a month or two but we have kept on plugging away because I know when it warms up my self control over school will crumble. I will want to be outside in the garden & going to the park. So to keep the guilt at a minimum it is good to do school while the snow flies.

Last week I was seeing some serious boredom occurring around here. Same routine, same books, same snacks, you name it--it felt the same. So we shook things up on Friday. We did Science ALL DAY! Everyone loved it and it really felt like we got a lot done. That is one subject that everyone could use a little extra time on!

Here is the "normal" schedule for Joshua--my 2nd grader

Math--4-5 lessons a week
English--5 lessons a week
History--3 lessons a week
Science--2 lessons a week
Handwriting--4 lessons a week
Phonics--5 lessons a week

So here is the "shook up" schedule for this week. Oh there is lots of art because we haven't had time for art in MONTHS! By the way on each day we plan to do at least 3 lessons of that subject.

Monday

English or Writing & Art

Tuesday

History & Math

Wednesday

Science, English & BAKING!

Thursday

History & Math

Friday

History, Handwriting, & Art

Broccoli Cheese Soup

It feels like I have been on a long journey and it has finally ended--even though I know it hasn't really. We have had so many weekends away from home since February 1. The focus has been Bible Quizzing and now to some extent(until April) that has come to an end. At least my part of it. The kids still have practice & daily review but all the traveling is over for awhile. YEAH!!!

We have been sick this week and the regular menu & schedule has gone out the window. Sometimes that is good--not the sickness but the "winging it" as hubby would say. :)

I was telling my friend what we were having for supper & she asked for the recipe so here it is!
I got this recipe from this web site but the link isn't available any more. http://blog.lovetolearn.net It goes well with the biscuit recipe below too.

Broccoli Cheese Soup from Heart to Heart w/ Diane

4 cup diced broccoli
1/2 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup dried onions
4 cups chicken broth
scant 1/3 cup cornstarch
1 and 1/8 cup non-instant dry milk powder (or 2 cups instant dry milk)
3 cups grated cheddar cheese

Cook broccoli in 2 cups water with onions and spices until tender. Put 4 cups of broth, cornstarch and dry milk powder into a blender and blend until smooth. Add to broccoli and cook until thick. Stir in 2 cups cheese and transfer to serving bowl. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the soup. Serves 6. Yummy, filling, easy!

Baked potato topping:
Don't add the cheese to soup, but serve the soup as a thick gravy over a baked potato, topping with grated cheese.

Company dinner:
You can make this into a gourmet main dish by adding grilled chicken cubes and serving over brown rice.

Brown rice is delicious and very healthy. When I cook brown rice, I measure 2 cups of water (or broth) for every cup of rice. Then I shake some wild rice in, for a gourmet touch: 1/4 to 1/2 cup is just right. I also add a few tablespoons dried onions, dried diced carrots, and dried parsley. This makes the rice colorful and tasty. 1 cup of brown rice plus 2 cups liquid and about 40 minutes cooking time will give you 3 cups of moist brown rice. Don't take the lid off. Just cook over medium heat until the rice absorbs the water and is tender. Ummm, perfect!

Flaky Biscuits from The New American Heart Assoc. Cookbook--Makes 16 biscuits

2 cups flour
1 T baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup fat free milk
1/4 cup oil
flour for kneading

Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl sift together flour, baking powder, salt. Pour milk & oil in a measuring cup but don't stir. Add all at once to flour mixture. Stir quickly w/ a fork until the mixture sticks together. Lightly flour flat surface. Turn out dough & knead about 10 times. Roll out dough until about 1/2 inch thick & cut with medium biscuit cutter. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 12-15 minutes.

Snow Banks & Bible Quizzing

Life is CRAZY insane right now. February and March are the busiest months for our family. We are gone A LOT. That seems to make getting school work done difficult(can't imagine why) and that puts on the pressure because we sure don't want to be still finishing things up when it turns warm again.

We are really involved in Bible Quizzing and I just have to say that this group of teens is the best. I love being around them(cause they are fun!). They are loving, respectful, hard working and they live out Christ's example in their lives day to day. We do a lot of hard work but there is ton of laughter & teasing.
Last weekend we went to Iowa for a regional competition and this is what we did on the way back. It was one of the best moments I have had all winter. Now granted I was inside the suburban watching(I hate the cold!) but I was laughing hysterically as Michael rolled down this massive snow bank. He got up and couldn't walk straight. So he wobbled back up to the top and did it all over again. Elizabeth fought her way up to the top and slid down on her rump. They were all soaked when they loaded back up but everyone declared it was the best part of the trip. Next time they swore to bring sleds.

What finer thing are you celebrating this week? Share it over at Amy's Finer Things Friday!