What's Cooking?

Here is what is on the menu at our house for the next few weeks!

M - Crispy Ranch Chicken, corn, sauteed spinach

T - Spaghetti Bake, left over veggies

W - Leftovers, Peas, Greenbeans

Th - Mexican Manicotti

F - Creamy Pasta with Lemon Pepper Chicken, Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower

S - Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken, Homemade Fries

Sun - Out to Eat

M - Taco Salad

T - Texas Chicken Quesadillas, Southwestern Dip

W - Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

Th - Leftovers

F - Spanish Rice Bake, Beans

S - Chicken Packets, Baked Sweet Potatoes

Sun - Out to Eat

M - Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

T - Rotel King Ranch Chicken, Rice

W - Taco Ring, Chips & Salsa

Th - Leftovers

F - Chicken Piccata, Salad, Greenbeans

S - Taco Soup, Cornbread

Sun - Out to eat

Month of Menus - August

Whoops...looks like I kind of goofed up and skipped July! But, here's to a fresh start for August.

I hope you find something that you can use. I've added some new recipes this month along with the family favorites. Again, I only gave 24 options because I'm counting on a few Simple Supper Sunday's and leftover nights.

Have a blessed August!

Meal #1 - Buffalo Wings, Baked Fries

Meal #2 - Mexican Manicotti, Rice

Meal #3 - Tator Tot Casserole, Squash Casserole

Meal #4 - Grilled Cheese, Chips, Fruit

Meal #5 - Taco Salad

Meal #6 - Shish-ka-bobs, Grilled Veggies

Meal #7 - Grilled Burgers, Baked Sweet Potatoes

Meal #8 - Sausage Links, Mac and Cheese, Mixed Veggies

Meal #9 - Roasted Red Pepper & Tortellini Bake, Salad

Meal #10 - Crispy Ranch Chicken, Greenbeans

Meal #11 - Chili Dogs, Baked Beans, Corn

Meal #12 - Taco Ring, Salsa, Chips

Meal #13 - Meatballs, Asparagus, Salad

Meal #14 - Texas Chicken Quesadillas

Meal #15 - Chicken and Dumplings, Corn-on-the-Cob

Meal # 16 - Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread

Meal #17 - Fried Chicken, Okra, Squash

Meal #18 - Pepperoncini Beef Roast, Baked Potatoes

Meal #19 - Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken, Fruit Salad, Broccoli

Meal #20 - Eggs, Bacon, Biscuits

Meal #21 - Lasagna

Meal #22 - Meaty Mexican Pizza

Meal #23 - Meatloaf Muffins, Sauteed Spinach, Roasted Cauliflower

Meal #24 - Chicken Packets, Sweet Potato Fries

For more menu ideas visit OrgJunkie!

Something I've Learned

With all the trials that I have faced the past two weeks, I have learned something. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, but He also has the power to give again! See, I had the first part figured out, but I guess that last part of that sentence never dawned on me. So, even though the experience of my miscarriage was devastating, I have a hope that perhaps, one day, the Lord will see fit to give again. What an amazing promise!

I have heard so many testimonies during this time from other woman who have experienced miscarriage. Miscarriage is actually a very common occurrence, happening in about 1 out of every 5 pregnancies. However, just like life in general, we all have a different story to tell. Some women miscarry on their own, perhaps not even knowing they were pregnant until they start to miscarry. Some at 6 weeks, some sooner, some later.

In my particular case, I had what is called a "missed miscarriage or missed abortion". A missed miscarriage is when it is determined that your fetus is no longer viable but your body has made no attempt at expelling the fetus (when I had my ultrasound, it was determined that the fetus had been dead for about a week).

I have absolutely no regrets at choosing to go forward with the D&C. That one night that I had to spend at home knowing that the baby inside of me was no longer alive was extremely excruciating. But, because of my faith in Jesus Christ, He ministered to me during that difficult time (and still is/does) and I made it out on the other side. I cannot imagine facing such a trial without having Him on my team!

I have been studying the book of James this summer with a group of wonderful ladies. The first part of James talks about walking through trials and how we should consider ourself blessed to have walked through them. I just couldn't imagine how I could consider myself blessed to have gone through such an experience. I continued to search my heart and ask the Lord to please reveal to me this "blessing" because I just wasn't seeing it. But, the Lord is faithful to reveal to you that which you seek to know! I am truly blessed, beyond all measure to be His daughter and know that my life has been sifted through His hands. I am sure that my experience will be put to good use one day, perhaps it already is and I don't even know it yet.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010, will forever be a day stamped in my memory because my life was changed forever. In the parking lot, Lance prayed that we would be like Job and reach the place that we could say, "It is well with my soul". I think I have arrived at that place.

To our family and our adopted family (aka friends), thank you so much for your outpouring of love and support during this time. You guys were so faithful to stand with us during this trial!

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Month of Menus

In an effort to get back on track with blogging about my menu planning, I am posting an entire month of menu plans!

I would love to do the Once a Month Cooking plan that you can read about HERE, but without a deep freeze, it just isn't feasible at this time. So, this is the next closest thing!

I also decided not to assign a particular date to any certain meal to add a little flexibility to my menu. Below you will find 24 menu ideas...I didn't do a full 30 days because I am factoring in a few Simple Supper Sunday's and Leftovers (cook once, eat twice)!

Out of the 24 choices, I hope you and your family find something that you like!!

Meal #1 - Chicken Bruschetta Pasta, Eggplant Parmesan

Meal #2 - Corn, Black Bean, & Pepper Jack Burritos, Spanish Rice

Meal #3 - Crispy Ranch Chicken, greenbeans

Meal #4 - Slow Cooker Hoppin' John

Meal #5 - Texas Chicken Quesadillas, Ranchstyle beans

Meal #6 - Taco Ring, Chips & Salsa

Meal #7 - Italian Chicken, Asparagus

Meal #8 - Pepperoncini Beef Roast, Potatoes

Meal #9 - Breakfast Casserole, Biscuits, Fruit

Meal #10 - Rotel King Ranch Chicken, Corn

Meal #11 - Grilled Steaks, Grilled Veggies

Meal #12 - Shish-ka-bobs, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Cauliflower

Meal #13 - Taco in a Pan

Meal #14 - Chicken and Dumplings, Cornbread, Sauteed Spinach


Meal # 15 - Chicken Packets, Sweet Potato Fries


Meal #16 - Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

Meal #17 - Taco Salad

Meal #18 - Sausage Links, Steamed Cabbage

Meal #19 - Grilled Pork Chops, Grilled Squash & Zucchini

Meal #20 - Spaghetti with Meatballs, Garlic Bread

Meal #21 - Meatloaf Muffins, Broccoli, Corn-on-the-Cob

Meal #22 - BLTs, Baked Beans, Fruit Salad

Meal #23 - Meaty Mexican Pizza

Meal #24 - Chili Dogs, Homemade Fries

For more menu ideas please visit OrgJunkie!

Back to Life?

For those of you who may not know, mine and Lance's first "child" is Hoss, a miniature dachshund. He is a grumpy fellow, set in his ways, obsessed with food, and just down right cranky. Contrary to popular belief, these are the qualities that, quite frankly make Hoss, Hoss, and the reasons why he is such a cool dog! However, knowing he is this way, we do take precautions when other small people are around...he's like a magnet. He's the dog all the little ones want to mess with...it's kind of like the girl that hates cats, but the cat ALWAYS jumps up in her lap.

Anyway, on to the point, Hoss is almost 10 years-old and sleeps a lot. I guess Lindsay finally noticed this and asked me why he sleeps so much. I proceeded to explain to her that Hoss is getting old, and, trying to prepare her for the inevitable, that one day he wouldn't be with us anymore. I did not use the word "die". Lindsay emphatically replies, "But he'll come back to life." I immediately think, Where in the world did she get that? My mind went to Snow White and thinking that maybe she somehow got confused about Snow White being asleep when the prince kissed her, not dead. So I asked her, "Where did you hear that?" She repeats herself, "He'll come back to life." I say, "Who do you know that did that?" I'm trying to explain what I mean (I'm still thinking that she's gonna say Snow White). She replies enthusiastically, "Jesus did!!"

OK, duh! Why did I not assume that she was referring to our Saviour instead of some dumb cartoon? It turned out to be an excellent opportunity to talk about Jesus and how He conquered death! So, be on guard momma's...you never know when your day-to-day, ordinary conversations can be such a tremendous opportunity to impart the Lord's truth to your child!

"Free" Years Old

I have been told that having a three year old is much more difficult than the notorious "terrible twos". We are currently on day 5 of being three and I think I have to agree! It seems that turning three makes you more independent, opinionated, wise, and moody. But, aside from all of that, turning three has been lots of fun! We've had days filled with Princess nightgowns, pretend cupcakes, weenie dog purses, tutu dresses, tricycles, family, and friends this past week and it has been a blast.

We had a mini-party at school complete with Krumballs and balloons. Those kids went crazy over those balloons. Just a reminder that the simple things in life are still so very exciting to a small child!

Some of Lindsay's favorite things:

Painting toenails, Wearing lip balm, Riding her tricycle, Putting on a thousand bracelets at one time, Bubbles in the bath tub, Trixie (one of her dogs), Wearing other peoples shoes, Imagining & carrying on conversations with anybody and everything, Singing along to the music, Playing with her cousins, Asking a ton of questions, Bedtime stories, and Snuggling with her bunny. She has such a sweet spirit (most of the time) and loves to be around people. She cracks us up on a daily basis with the things that she says about how she percieves things in her little world!

Where has the time gone? It is so hard to believe that my baby girl is three!!

Quick and so, *so* easy Dinner!

Last night I made Meatloaf Muffins for supper. They were delicious! I tweaked the original recipe by adding brown mustard, worcestershire, omitting the soup and mixing ground beef and turkey together. Hey, a recipe is more like a guideline anyway!! Oh and if you decide to try it out, don't bake them for an hour like the recipe says...25 minutes is about right.

I prepped some fresh asparagus with olive oil, salt, pepper, and spices and put them in the oven about 10 minutes before the muffins were done. Wow, Rachael Ray would be proud of my Thirty Minute Meal!

I beLIeVE

I do believe that the Lord will one day heal me of my thyroid disease. I do believe that He has already healed me from the ultimate sickness...death. So, even if I have to deal with my thyroid disease for the rest of what is left of my life here on earth, there WILL come a day when I will be restored and renewed!!

While I wait upon the Lord to work out His perfect plan in my life, I choose to LIVE. I could write a list of ways that my sickness has affected my life; from day-to-day life to "my" plans for a family. These are all, some more than others, extremely difficult issues to deal with. But, I've tried extremely hard to keep my head up and live life! And the blessings in my life far out weigh my problems!

I did have a bit of good news from my last doctors appointment. All of my thyroid numbers are within normal range and that is an awesome bit of news. Keeping them there is another story, it will involve a constant tweaking of medicine, until my body restores itself or my thyroid just burns up completely.

Thank you for your support during this time and keep on keeping on with me as I live out this beautiful life that God has given me!

Food Revolution

Did any of you watch the first episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution that was on TV last night? Frankly, the previews grossed me out so I had no intention of watching the show. However, curiosity won me over and I tuned in to see what it was all about. All I have to say is WOW!! (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, click HERE to see Jamie's website).

I am completely ignorant when it comes to school lunches. That is a bridge that I have not had to cross yet and I am quite certain that things are a lot different now than they were when I was in school! However, based on what I saw last night, I would be packing my kid's lunch so I would have (some) control over what they were eating!!

The next episode airs on Friday night. If you need some motivation to start cooking healthier meals for your family, tune in!

MPM - Week of 1/18/10

Sorry I'm a little late with this post!! I had my plan all written out but forgot to post it on the blog! :)

Mon - Toasted Cheese, fruit, Veggie Chips

Tues - Home Group

Weds - Swedish Meatballs with Egg Noodles, green beans

Thurs - Beef Roast with carrots and potatoes

Fri - Mexican Casserole

Sat - Left overs

Sun - Simple Supper Sunday

For more dinner ideas visit OrgJunkie.

Have You Bathed in a Horse Trough Lately?

We spent Christmas weekend with Lance's family at his sister's ranch in Starr, TX. This was the first time that we had the opportunity to visit and stay at the Boot Jack Ranch. We had such a great time. Since everything is very rustic, Lindsay took a bath (and we showered) in a horse trough.

I am very disappointed that the pictures that I took of her ALL turned out blurry (darn camera)! But, you get the jist, so I'm posting a couple of them anyway :)

You can tell from her rosy red cheeks that she spent too much time outside in the wind. Her cheeks are not red because she was hot!! Quite the opposite in fact!! It was so cold while we were there and we even ran out of propane (that is what the central heat/air runs on) in the middle of the night on Friday night. The temp in our room was 58 degrees when we woke up on Saturday! Thankfully we were able to build a fire in two different fireplaces to warm up. Lindsay had such a blast with her three cousins that she didn't even notice that it was cold!

Moving on Up!

Lindsay has finally moved on up into her new big girl bed. It's been a long time coming, but we finally got it done!

She's been ready for quite some time and outgrew her crib months ago, but it just took a little time to get her furniture. She's been sleeping in the new bed for a week and has done great! The best part about the transition is that she will not get out of the bed until you come into her room to get her. I have pondered "teaching" her that she can get out on her own, but have decided to hold off on that for later. :) So, we'll see if she figures it out before then!!

We still have some kinks to work out in order for her "new" room to be completed. We need to get some new sheets and curtains and rearrange some of the things on the wall. She doesn't care though...this afternoon she told me "Thank you for my new big girl bed"!!

MPM - Week of 1/4/10

I hope that you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you are like me, you love the holidays, but are glad when life finally gets back to normal!! So, here's to the first full week of the New Year, may it be a "normal" one. :) And, in an effort to get back on track with my menu planning, here is the first MPM of 2010!



Mon - Taco Ring, corn-on-the-cob



Tues - Crispy Ranch Chicken, green beans



Weds - Homemade Chili



Thus - Left overs


Fri - Swedish Meatballs with Egg Noodles



Sat - Left overs again??



Sun - Simple Supper Sunday



For more recipe ideas visit OrgJunkie.

Menu Plan Monday - Week of 12/14/09

I hope all of you are able to enjoy this week without too much stress before Christmas! I've got a couple of parties and a shopping trip with my dad this week, plus all of our normal weekly activities, so it will be a busy one!! Lindsay and I made our weekly trip to the grocery store today and it was pretty crazy, so I'm already dreading next week's trip. Score one for menu planning - I can get in and out of the store with only the items on my list and not spend forever wandering the aisles trying to decide what I need!

Mon - Lance & Lindsay are on their own - I have a Christmas party!

Tues - 15 Bean Soup

Weds - Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Thurs - Left overs

Fri - Marinated Chicken Drumsticks, Sauteed Spinach

Sat - Hopefully more left overs :)

Sun - Simple Supper Sunday

For more dinner ideas visit OrgJunkie.

Menu Plan Monday - Week of 12/7/09

Ok, so it's Thursday night and I haven't posted my menu plan in a few weeks. Sorry about that, I will try to do better! I'm not even going to start giving you a long list of excuses!


Weds - Spinach & Asiago Cheese Sausage, Baked Acorn Squash



Thus - McAlister's (going to Athens to see the Christmas Lights)



Fri - Pork Cutlets, Corn on the Cob, Fried Squash



Sat - Hmmm...not sure



Sun - Simple Supper Sunday

For more dinner ideas, visit OrgJunkie!

Menu Plan Monday - week of 11/16/09

Here is what's cooking at our house this week!!

Mon - Baked Penne Pasta, spinach, mashed potatoes

Tues - Taco Ring, chips & dip

Weds - Left overs

Thurs - Pork cutlets, baked sweet potatoes, broccoli

Fri - Crock pot chicken & potatoes, steamed cabbage

Sat - Left overs

Sun - Simple Supper Sunday

I am also going to bake some cookies with Lindsay (hopefully tonight). Here's the recipe that we are going to give a try:

Stamped by Design Cookies

1 pkg. chocolate or white cake mix
2 eggs
1/4 c. vegetable oil
sugar

Icing:

2 c. confectioners sugar
2 to 3 Tbsp. milk
food coloring

In large bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, and oil. Roll into 1 in. balls.; place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheet. Flatten with glass dipped in sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 6 to 8 min. Lightly press a 1 1/2 in. cookie cutter onto cookies, making a slight indentation. Remove to wire racks to cool.

In a small bowl, whisk confectioners sugar and milk to achieve drizzling consistency. Tint w/ food coloring if desired. Place icing in a small, heavy duty plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Carefully pipe icing into indentation.

Menu Plan Monday - 11/2/09

Can you believe that it is already November? Wow, life is getting ready to be really crazy around the Barker house (as if it's not already)!

I did not get to make my Dinner in a Pumpkin on Sunday, so I am going to give it a try this week, assuming I can find a pumpkin. Pretty much all of my menu plan from last week got derailed in some form or fashion, so there are a couple of repeats this week!

Monday
B: Oatmeal
D: Crispy Ranch Chicken (hold over from last week), green beans, Fire crackers

Tuesday
B: Cereal
D: Dinner in a Pumpkin,

Wednesday
B: Pigs in a Blanket
D: Rotel King Ranch Chicken, Salad, Beans

Thursday
B: Breakfast Casserole
D: Left overs

Friday
B: Blueberry Muffins
D: Pork Cutlets, Fried Squash, Salad

Saturday
*Out of town*

Sunday
B: Peanut Butter Toast
D: Simple Supper Sunday

Check out OrgJunkie for more recipe ideas!

Daily Deals

I've kind of become addicted to daily deal websites! Daily Deal websites are well, just that, websites that offer a daily deal. Some offer multiple deals...once one deal sells out, they offer another product until it sells out and so on... You can find some GREAT prices on stuff by checking out these websites. The best deals usually go very fast, so you have to pay attention! The only problem with that is that a lot of the websites reset at midnight, so the new deal comes up while I'm snoozing away!!

I am by no means sitting at home just buying stuff because it is a good deal. I'm not insane! I've actually only purchased one thing thus far through one of the Daily Deal websites. But it is lots of fun to check them out and see what they are offering!!

Here are a few Daily Deal websites that I check out:

mamabargains.com
kidsteals.com
babysteals.com
woot.com
kids.woot.com
1saleaday.com

Many of these sites, such as 1saleaday.com have several different divisions, so the site offers a deal in several different categories.

This list is just the tip of the iceberg in Daily Deal websites. Do you have any that you enjoy looking at? Please leave a comment and share!!

Dinner in a Pumpkin

I love fall!  I love pumpkin...pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread...  MMmmmm!!  Most of my favorite pumpkin recipes fall into the "sweet" category, so I was excited to find a great recipe that we can have for dinner!  

Dinner in a Pumpkin

1 medium pumpkin

2 to 3 lbs. ground turkey or beef

1/4 c. soy sauce

2 T. brown sugar

1 can cream of mushroom or tomato soup

1/3 can of water or milk

6 c. cooked rice

1/2 c. chopped celery

1/2 c. chopped onion

Wash and clean pumpkin.  Brown the ground turkey/beef.  Combine all ingredients and stuff in pumpkin.  Put on the pumpkin "lid".  Bake at 375 degrees for one hour or until pumpkin is tender.

Doesn't this sound yummy?  I can't wait to give it a try.

Menu Plan Monday -week of 10/26/09

Maybe I should start doing Menu Plan Tuesday because that always seems to be the case for me (at least the past couple of weeks)!  I have really been enjoying my menu planning and I'm thankful to have my plan to "fall back on" when our schedule gets rearranged.  

Monday

B:  We skipped breakfast for some reason!

D:  Out for dinner

Tuesday

B:  Snacks

D:  Chili Lime Drumsticks, Baked Acorn Squash 

Wednesday

B:  Oatmeal, Bananas

D:  Roasted Pork Loin, Fried Okra (didn't get to this last week)

Thursday

B:  Breakfast Casserole (from freezer)

D:  Left Overs

Friday

B:  Cereal

D:  Crispy Ranch Chicken, Roasted Potatoes

Saturday

B:  Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Burritos

D:  Left Overs

Sunday

B:  Left Over Burritos

D:  Dinner In A Pumpkin (I'll share this recipe in a separate post)

For more dinner ideas visit OrgJunkie.