Wednesday, June 04, 2008

My Thoughts On Being A Woman

I like, no, let me change that--I LOVE being a girl--I love every thing about being female. I love to wear feminine dresses, I love to have long hair, pretty nails--I love to smell pretty, paint my toes a pretty pink. I love how a bracelet falls delicately on my wrist--I love that my small hand fits perfectly in my husbands large manly hand. I love to sew, crochet, bake bread, cook, laundry, yes laundry. I adore to be the keeper of *MY* home. I love that when I was at the hospital having a baby, my husband couldn't believe all the things that had to be done at home--I love reading about other women. I love having babies--I love having a cycle and being reminded of who I am. I love makeup---I would never want to do what my husband does or any man for that matter, nor could I. I don't think women should run for president and why in the world does a woman want to dress like a man, no thank you! I would never want my husband to wear a dress and use my bread machine. I don't want my husband staying home and taking care of my babies--even though I know he could--women are born nurturers--our children need us, the mother!! We need to breastfeed our babies, not formula feed--I take a very strong stance on that---I think formula should be handed out like a prescription for those that really *can't breastfeed*-- I know, I know there are exceptions to every rule.

We need to be women, why are so many women wanting to be so manly--When we get married and take the role as a wife and mother, we need to take that role very seriously, it was one of the most important roles in life we will ever do! Especially when we have babies, we need to give up our careers and take responsibility for our own and raise our children!!! We need to respect our husbands and never put them down, they have a lot of responsibillity too, bless their hearts. Gosh, we have totally become a materialistic world---we pay cash for everything--if we don't have the cash, we don't by it, period! Yes, I know theres always exceptions to the rule, I know this---God is very good, he is very smart and he does not make mistakes, he knew what he was doing when he made man, and when he made woman----our rolls are spelled out. We need to take responsibility for who we are , what we are doing and what we have created--we have to stop having to be so politically correct and just do the right thing. Last but not least, put the cell phone down when driving. In July California is passing a law, that you can no longer talk on the phone while driving unless it is hands free--yay!!!

..and yes, I know, there are exceptions to every rule---I am just so happy to be a woman, I totally embrace it--apron and all... :)

Recipe Day!!

Happy Wednesday!! I was looking through my recipe cards--I own the Great American Recipe Card collection--and there are over 600 cards (give or take) When I was about 22, I got a couple of cards every month for about 6.00--I had no idea what I was getting myself into..LOL--Anyway, I am so glad I have them now and I was so happy when I received a letter saying I completed the set. They sit in an organized box (2) in my kitchen and sometimes I forget that they are there--a friend had asked me to look for a recipe, and I am glad she did, I went through my whole box and found so many recipes that I want to try--here are few recipes that I had pulled out--I will share some more soon. Click on any recipe card to enlarge and read--I am going to try all five of these and I will post a picture when I do. If you would like to make any of these, I would love to hear how the recipe came out.

Don't these chocolate balls look yummy!!

..and this bread, with cheese and jalapenos---mmmmmmm

I love buttermilk, yes, I drink it, so this bread looks really good to me---

Pretzels--dipped in mustard

and last but not least, this looked like a totally easy dessert, and peach season is coming up:)


I hope you enjoyed these recipes I picked out--happy cooking!

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Laundry!




This is my Laundry Nook. The doors are closed to hide the washer and the dryer.


This what it looks like when you open the doors--neat, huh:)



The washer and dryer are going right now as I type. Little Kevin is napping and Alexis is at the dentist this morning with her Father. Tony does not have school today--so he is home also. I want to add, thank goodness for our dental insurance---Alexis has inherited soft baby teeth--I am sure I have talked about it. Tony had a lot of work done on his baby teeth too--and now all his adult teeth are in, we put a sealant on his teeth and have not had any problems with his adult teeth, they are perfect! Little Kevin goes for a cleaning on Friday and the dentist is going to make sure his teeth are doing well before we have problems. Alexis's bill this time is 1,500--OUCH--but our insurance covered most of it, but 174.00 Whew! Now on to my laundry--I have all the piles sorted, and I am going to take this day to get as much of it done that I can---over the weekend, we had two birthdays (I have pictures), Church, shopping and other fun stuff--so I am behind on my laundry----I love these days, where I can totally focus on my laundry and Homekeeping. Yesterday mid way, I took Little Kevin to the park so he could RUN---boy can he go ..and also so he could play with other children--he says *HI* to everyone--it is soo cute...LOL. I wore him out :) I was also in charge of snack at the Girl Scout meeting. Busy day yesterday--and I sure enjoyed taking breaks in between all that and going to your blogs--I just loved all the blogs I was at yesterday--So many of us our so like minded, I love that!!

My Piles:
Whites
Darks
Lights
Baby Clothes
Towels
Kitchen Towels
(Some Delicates get put in with the baby's)
Bedding

A little off topic--but if I get pregnant this month, do you know the due date would fall on my Husband's birthday--how cool is that? We shall see:)


Dinner:
Beef Roast
Mashed Potatoes and Homemade Gravy
Corn on the Cobb
Fresh Green Salad
Homemade Rolls!

Monday, June 02, 2008

Fried Chicken and Other Fun Stuff!

This is fried chicken--so wonderfully yummy and oh so not(Too) healthy--BUT it is one of my hubby's VERY favorite meals--I made it for him the other night and I took this picture to add on my blog---YUMMY!! So crisp and juicy. My motto is and has always been everything in moderation--and oh does my husband appreciate these dinners. They are truly made with love for him. Frying is not one of my favorite things ,but I do know my southern man just loves it. I dipped the chicken in eggs and buttermilk and then dredged it in flour--and fried away--I kept the fried chicken in the oven to keep cooking and to stay warm while I fried all the other pieces.

I have looked into making my own buttermilk, but the cost effectiveness does not seem good--what are your thoughts on that?

I have so many wonderful things I want to post about and I have a bunch of pictures to share too---so keep an eye out for some up and coming picture posts and a lot of homekeeping posts too--my favorite things to post about---LOL--My daily life as a wife and mother--

I got some more of my swiffer pads--I didn't realize how much I appreciate these until I ran out---I got some more at walmart--this box at Walmart cost a little under 6.00.

For the kitchen trash my husband likes me to use really good garbage bags that cling around the sides and and don't rip like Hefty. But for my recycle can I don't need such a powerful trash bag--so I bought these smelly bags for my kitchen recyclable and my bathroom trash cans--they smell of vanilla---Neat-o, huh?

Thank you for reading, and I have my cupcake post that we did at Alexis's school all ready to post too---and I just want to tell everyone, to have a blessed week and thank you for visiting me--I went to a lot of blogs last week and enjoyed my visits very much--please leave me a comment so I can visit you too---(if you want) Happy Monday!! Yay--now, lets put on our aprons and start moving---:)


Sunday, June 01, 2008

Quick Post!

You don't have to be perfect--but you should be AUTHENTIC!

*I love this*

*Weekly Menu Plan*

Yay!!! It is Menu planning Time!!!!!!!!!




Weekly Menu Plan:
In No particular order and it can change at any time--this is just a base and of course what I have on hand at the moment!

*(All dinners are served with a fresh green salad and steamed veggies of some sort---I also like to include a starch and a dinner roll of some kind---of course with the exception of certain meals like tacos)

Pork Roast
Roasted Veggies
Salad
Homemade Dinner Rolls

Beef Roast
Smashed potatoes
Gravy
Corn on the Cobb
Rolls
Salad

Spaghetti and Meatballs
Garlic Bread
Salad

Chicken--probably baked

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with homemade rolls
Salad
Corn on the Cobb

Pork Chops
Steamed Rice
Sweet, Tender Peas
Salad with Spring Mix



Thank you so much for visiting--please click on the
logo above and visit Laura's blog-Organizing Junkie and leave your own link for your menu--and visit all the wonderful links that others had taken the time to do too:) Thank you Laura for doing this--I really am having fun and loving all the new blogs I am finding through this!

(My Blog's Home)

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Thursday's Post!


You have a choice, you have a choice to wake up in the morning happy. You can wake up unhappy and then make everyone else around you miserable too---Even on days I feel sad or I am worried, I get out of it--I Let Go and Let God---and I smile--it really works if you smile--your whole body starts to change and feel better.

I was at the grocery store the other day and I was deep in thought--I had a lot on my mind and I was in the beauty isle trying to pick out the best shaving gel for my son---I was staring at all these cans, and I was standing in front of the cart with the baby as he was looking at a book. This woman came through, she must have been about 75--and she said---*You have a smart baby* I giggled and said, *and how do you know that?* She said *His eyes--- Look at his eyes*

She then smiled and told me a few interesting facts about herself and how she raised 12 children and it was very interesting, she said, this was back in the day when women stayed home with their children--and I stated, *I stay home!*---and then the last thing she said to me, I will never forget--she turned and said * By the way, I want to tell you, that I can tell you are the kind of person, that has a mind of your own and does her own thing and does not worry about what any one thinks about it--you are your own person* I thought, wow! I have friends, and I have even a few very dear best friends--my dearest friend of 20 years, is not married, no children and can still act like a 20 year old--we are so different, but I love her--and then my SAHM friends--think staying at home, means putting their kids in boys and girl club and going to a spa...When they ask me what I am going to do today, and I say, I am going to bake some bread--they say, you know you can buy bread at the store---Oh well---are they truly happy--I suppose they are very happy--who wouldn't be--but are they truly happy---when everything is said and done, when their children are grown and they see a young girl with a baby, will they turn to her and tell her something so profound or will they look and say *your nails and hair are so nice--I remember going to a spa when my children were babies*---

So after writing all that, I am going to put on a pretty dress, and then my favorite apron--and I am going to do some laundry, bake some bread and take care of my family--all with a smile--because this is what truly makes me happy!!!! :)

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Bread!

Bread: This is the VERY best French bread recipe I have used---I found it on the computer a few years ago, and I have used it a lot--it also makes a great pizza dough:
Also, it is SUPER easy!!!

About 7 cups of flour
2 packs of yeast
2 1/2 cups of water
1 tablespoon of salt and
1 tablespoon of butter
knead
cover for one hour and let rise
Punch down and cut in half and roll into loaves
cover and let rise a second time
Cut slits in the top and brush a little egg over the top
put it in the oven at 450 for about 20 minutes





...and here are my Dinner Rolls again:

I love these!!!

For these rolls I used the recipe, out of my Betty Crocker Bread Machine CookBook:

1 cup Water
2 tablespoons Butter or Margarine
1 egg
3 ¼ cups Bread Flour
¼ cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
3 teaspoons quick active dry yeast

1. Place all measured ingredients into bread pan in order listed
2. Select: Dough cycle
3. Remove loaf from pan, divide into 15 equal parts.
4. Cover and let rise, 35 minutes.
5. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet. 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
6. Serve Warm


P.S. I promise I proof read these again, and the recipes are correct---I still remember my mistake about the yeast and a dear reader used 3 Tablespoons of yeast instead of teaspoons--boy did her bread rise--I felt so bad--but I hope we can all giggle over that now:)


Monday, May 26, 2008

Memorial Day Monday!

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.
Please enjoy this day with your family and friends!! God Bless our Beautiful Country under God and all the people who have died to help make it what it is today!!
Monday's Special Memorial Day Menu:
~~~~~~~~~~

Ribs on the Grill
Corn on the Cobb
Potato Salad
Seasoned White Beans
Dinner Rolls
Green Salad


Have a Lovely day today!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

*Weekly Menu Plan*

Happy Menu Planning!!!!YAY!! It is that time again:)



Weekly Menu Plan:
In No particular order and it can change at any time--this is just a base!

*(All dinners are served with a fresh green salad and steamed veggies of some sort---I also like to include a starch and a dinner roll of some kind---of course with the exception of certain meals like tacos)

The sale adds are just bursting with wonderful produce---in this weeks menu, we will be having lots of fresh corn on the Cobb!

Blueberries, blackberries and strawberries will be in my fridge

Menu:

Ribs on the Grill
Corn on the Cobb
Salad
Pasta Salad

Chicken
Asian salad
Steamed veggies

Rib eye steaks
Broccoli Salad
Baked potato

Meatloaf
Smashed potatoes
Peas
Salad
Homemade Dinner Rolls

Roast
Roasted veggies
Mashed potatoes
rolls

Salad

Pork Chops
Macaroni and Cheese
Salad
Green beans

Spaghetti and meatballs
Garlic bread
Salad

Thank you so much for visiting--please click on the logo above and visit Laura's blog-Organizing Junkie and leave your own link for your menu--and visit all the wonderful links that others had taken the time to do too:) Thank you Laura for doing this--I really am having fun and loving all the new blogs I am finding through this!

(My Blog's Home)

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Pancakes!

Pancakes anyone?
(Click on picture to enlarge recipe--it is a recipe in my Betty Crocker Cookbook)

Mix all ingredients

Sizzle...LOL

...and served on a princess plate (Not the boys though...LOL)

Thank you for sharing our pancakes with us--they were yummy!

What did you have for breakfast?

Friday, May 23, 2008

Baking Day and *Big* Clean Day

:::::::::::WAIVING::::::::::::::::
It is a beautiful rainy day--a bit cool--perfect for baking! Here is a picture of my Classic white bread---white bread gets such a bad rap---oh well, I love it! I am going to make White bread, Wheat bread, Dinner rolls---and maybe, just maybe Blueberry bread:)

After and During all the wonderful bread baking--I am going to do my super *BIG* clean and get ready for this 3 day weekend--YAY!!! I want everything baked and sparkly so I am not bogged down with worry about if the bathrooms are clean enough--granted there is always work to be done daily--but when things are totally organized and cleaned it is much easier to keep up---and yesterday I was super busy so I was a bit neglectful with my chores---I took a ton of pictures at Alexis's school--and I even took some of her in her ballet outfit and her bun, it look so pretty all put up:) I will post those pictures sometime today or tomorrow! Her recital is soooo close, I am so excited to see her dance on stage.

More exciting and fun posts to come---thank you so much for visiting with me today--I will by your blog for a visit shortly!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Thursday!

Happy Thursday to you all! My day started at 5:00 a.m. Little Kevin and I woke up and went downstairs---he had some juice and I had my first cup of coffee for the day. Do you drink Coffee? What kind? Cream? Anyway, after a nice hot cup of coffee--I got to work--I made 24 cupcakes--I was not able to make them last night--other things came up that kept me from doing them---and so I made them this morning. I could have made them after drop off--but I am very OCD and had to get them done. Are you OCD? Yesterday, I went and picked up some frosting, sprinkles, M&M'S and American Flags to top off the star cupcake--each child will decorate them themselves---I will be taking pictures of the finished cupcakes the children make. I am going to make the frosting blue with the food coloring---I am trying to do patriotic colors, I just could not find red, white and Blue M7M's though.
Then Alexis got to lead the school in the Pledge of Allegiance this morning
They are singing *Your A Grand Old Flag*
Then she got to hold the microphone---(How exciting)
God Bless this Beautiful Country Under GOD!!
I took out some chicken to bake today for dinner--I am also going to make a pasta salad that I got on sale at Walmart for 2.00--awesome!!

At 11:45 I am going to go to my daughter's class and we will have our *Patriotic* Centers and decorate the cupcakes. Alexis has Ballet class today too--so this is quite a busy day for her. (and me...LOL)

I am so excited for this weekend--3 day weekend--YAY!!!
Thank you for visiting me on my busy morning:)

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

EGGS!

I was actually quite surprised that when I went to the store today, the price of eggs have gone down slightly in price----Some of the dozen eggs were under 3.00 and here is the price of one of the 18 packs----> Look at all those eggs--->
I went next door to Wal-Mart and there eggs were only 2.29 for 18, so that is what I bought. These are pictures of the Albertson's eggs---nice selection but their prices are so high. I did get all on my list and a little more. Little Kevin is napping, and I am contemplating about my cupcakes, I think I will make them after dinner.

People look at you so odd, when you start taking pictures in a grocery store...LOL.

Shopping List! (small)

I have to run to the store and get a few things:

Cake mix
Frosting
sprinkles
(I have to make 20 cupcakes for my daughter's class for tomorrow)

Coffee
Creamer

Lettuce
Tomatoes

Butter
eggs

Eggs are so expensive these days---an 18 pack is about 5.00, it is terrible--and we go through a lot of eggs.

I can sometimes find them on sale--OH, I am so happy when I find them on sale.

How much are eggs where you shop?--when I go to the market I will take a picture of the egg section:::Giggles:::

Wordless Wednesday!--Blowing Bubbles:)

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Update!

Happy Tuesday to you all! I know you all are curious about my garage sale---I had everything out and ready by 6:45----I didn't have any big items--just a bunch of odds and ends. I made 85 dollars--not too bad, huh? 2 doors down from me, my neighbor had a garage sale too--a really BIG one--I had no idea---I went over to look at my competition and ended up buying two things--A quilt for my bed and a beautiful serving dishes---Just think of the spaghetti dinner I could serve in that dish!
Isn't it just beautiful--I paid 5.00 for the dish....

....and I paid 5.00 for this quilt that is now on my bed, and the white really brightens up my bedroom, I love that!Today is Tuesday, and I have things I need to do--my girlfriend and I are supposed to meet for lunch, I need to pick a few things up at the store--and I was out of the house quite a bit yesterday--so I want to do some tiding around the home. It was soooo HOT all week---I had my A/C on all week---and it was quite nice. It cooled off today so I turned it off---my hubby loves to have the air on so I happily oblige:) Alexis had a very special Girl scout(Brownie) day yesterday--all the Brownies were picked up from school in a limo and escorted to the Cheesecake Factory---and then to ride the carousal at the Irvine Spectrum---it was wonderful---all the girls were given a special charm bracelet with their name engraved on it. My friend took a bunch of pictures, so I am waiting for those in my email.


Have a wonderful Tuesday--and if any of you want any of the Rachael Ray Recipes, let me know--I will be happy to post them--plus you can get them off her website too.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Hamburger and Mushroom Gravy Recipe!

I had this recipe typed out years ago---the little note I added about making it out of desperation--I can't remember why I was desperate that day...LOL--I have made this recipe so many times, that I have it memorized, but I was so pleased to find it in my files--yay!! Enjoy this recipe and also, play around with the ingredients:)



My Special Hamburger Dish

(This is a meal my family loves. I put it together out of desperation one night, and it has turned out to be a family favorite:)

1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
2 tablespoons of your favorite salsa
1 egg
2 pieces of bread broken up into bread crumbs
a dash of worshteshire sauce
a dash of garlic salt
Mix this all together and form little hamburgers......

1 can of cream of mushroom soup
water
1 onion
a package of fresh mushrooms
4 ozs shredded chedder cheese

In a skillet saute one onion until tender...take out of skillet, add hamburgers...cook well, add onion back, with the sliced, fresh mushrooms...add 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, with 1/2 can of water, simmer until thickend and soup looks like gravy..sprinkle hamburger dish with the shredded cheese..when done, serve over rice or mashed potatoes---->with a nice veggie, and a salad....ENJOY!!!!!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Weekly Menu Plan!

It is that time again:)

I am having so much fun doing this, I hope you are too!





Weekly Menu Plan:
In No particular order and it can change at any time--this is just a base!

*(All dinners are served with a fresh green salad and steamed veggies of some sort---I also like to include a starch and a dinner roll of some kind---of course with the exception of certain meals like tacos)

Baked Chicken
Fresh Steamed asparagus
Steamed Rice
Fresh Green Salad with all the Fixings

Chicken Casserole
Tender Peas
Fresh, Green Salad

Tacos--> Need I say more..LOL

Spaghetti and Meatballs
Homemade Garlic Bread

London Broil on the grill
Corn on the Cobb
Fresh Green Salad
Turnip Greens

Hamburgers in Mushroom Gravy
Smashed potatoes
Steamed Green Beans
Fresh Green Salad

Roast with roasted potatoes and carrots
Beautiful green salad with all the wonderful fresh veggies
Homemade Dinner Rolls

I always have fresh veggies and fruits available at all times--I go to the Farmers Market and stock up---going to the the Farmer's market is actually very inexpensive and it loads up my kitchen with fresh and healthy:)

Thank you so much for visiting--please click on the logo above and visit Laura's blog-Organizing Junkie and leave your own link for your menu--and visit all the wonderful links that others had taken the time to do too:) Thank you Laura for doing this--I really am having fun and loving all the new blogs I am finding through this!


(My Blog's Home)