Menu Plan Monday ~ August 21-27

This is my kids' first full week back to school (11th grade & 1st grade!!) and I'm hoping to get into more of a routine this week.  Last week was crazy & random, and I so crave order & peace!  :)  I have 3 weeks until I go back to work.....just part-time, 2 mornings a week teaching at a local church's pre-school, and I have got to get into a routine before that begins.  My family & my home are a top priority and I am not going to let those things slide because of my work.  One of the biggest reasons I felt the need to stop teaching full-time was that I recognized that my family was only getting what I had "leftover" at the end of the day.....and when you spend all day with 25 7 year old, there isn't always much left!  I was cranky, tired, short, and not very pleasant most nights to my family, and that is not what I desire for them.  THEY are my crowned jewel, THEY should be getting the very best of me.  And while I am thrilled at the opportunity to teach in this capacity (especially since my little guy gets to attend for FREE!) I am committed to doing things very differently.

OK....now that I got that off of my chest.....here's my menu plan!

Sunday:

B:  Turkey sausage biscuits

L:  Ravioli Bake (I added 2 cups of cooked ground beef) & garlic bread 

D:  Youth Group potluck (I host & assist with our church's youth)

Monday:

B:  oatmeal & fresh fruit

L:  Turkey & laughing cow cheese wraps, salad, fresh fruit  Toddler:  leftover ravioli bake, applesauce

D:  Kids: chicken nuggets & leftover white mac-n-cheese,  Me: grilled chicken & roasted veggies, DH (packed work dinner): Sandwich, chips, fruit

Tuesday:

B:  ham, egg & cheese English Muffin sandwich & fresh fruit

L:  Chicken salad sandwiches, fresh fruit  Toddler:  PB&J, yogurt, fruit

D: Italian Chicken Roll-Ups, pasta, salad

Wednesday:

B:  chocolate crepes with strawberries

L:  Turkey & laughing cow cheese wraps, salad, fresh fruit  Toddler:  hot dog, mac-n-cheese, fruit

D: Tacos, Black bean Salad (recipe coming)

Thursday:

B:  ham, egg, & cheese omlets, fruit

L:  taco salad, fresh fruit  Toddler:  spaghetti o's, fruit

D: Asian glazed drumsticks, rice, sauteed veggies  

Friday:

B:  whole grain waffles w/ honey & pecans, fruit

L:  chicken salad sandwiches, fresh fruit  Toddler:  PB&J, yogurt, fruit

D: Family outting to Frankie's Fun Park w/ DHs work - will eat hot dogs & hamburgers there!

Saturday:

B:  Turkey sausage & cheese biscuits, grits

L:  BBQ chicken breasts, twice baked potatoes, corn on the cob

D: Kids & Me: leftovers, DH (packed work dinner): turkey brats, pretzels, fruit

Kids' Snacks:  frozen Gogurt, granola bars, fruit, cheese sticks, popcorn

Blessings from my home to yours,
~K

I'm linking up to:

Menu Planning Mahem at Desiring Virtue

Menu Plan  Monday at OrgJunkie

My Cleaning Schedule

I'm not an organized person by nature, but I SO want to be!  I love making lists, schedules, plans, and the like, but sometimes have trouble actually sticking to them once the fun process of creating said list or schedule is complete.  Finally, after 2 years of being a full-time wife, mother, and home-maker, I've found a cleaning schedule that I've been able to actually STICK to.  I have my plan broken down into Morning Chores, Evening Chores and Day Specific Chores.  I also have a teen-age daughter who has assigned daily chores.  Here's my schedule:

Every Day Morning Chores:
Start Coffee
Start Load of Laundry (I do 1 a day)
Bible Reading/devotional
Unload dishwasher/drainer
Thaw anything needed for dinner
Make beds
wipe down bathrooms (with 1 wipe I wipe counter, sink, and then toilet)
Swap laundry


Every Day Afternoon/Evening Chores:
10 minute playroom tidy
fold & put away laundry
clean kitchen & sweep floor
change out dish rage & hand towel
load & run dishwasher
10 minute downstairs tidy before bed


Day Specific Chores:
Monday:
Weekend Recovery Cleaning
Sweep & mop kitchen
Daughter: clean & mop upstairs bathroom
Tuesday:
Clean & mop master bathroom
Decluttering Project (I focus on 1 area each week of the month): week 1-a bedroom closet, week 2-laundry closet, week 3-kitchen drawers or cabinets, week 4-pantry or hall closet, week 5-playroom
daughter: vacuum whole house, scoop backyard
Wednesday:
Wash/wipe down kitchen appliances
Clean out refrigerator
daughter: clean & mop downstairs bathroom
Thursday:
Monthly Deep Cleaning project (I do 2 tasks each week of the month): ceiling fans, windows, dust blinds & window sills, doors & frames, switch plates & door knobs, shampoo carpets, mouldings, vacuum & shampoo living room sofa & chairs, change A/C filter
Pay bills & balance checkbook
daughter: vacuum downstairs, dust
Friday:
Menu plan upcoming week
Clean little boys' room
daughter: wipe all mirrors, TVs, pictures, & door glass
Saturday:
Clean out van
daughter: vacuum downstairs
Sunday:
clip & sort coupons
plan shopping trips




Have you found a cleaning plan that works for you?  I'd love it if you shared!


Blessings from my home to yours!
~K

I'm linking up to:

Time Warp Wife's Titus Tuesday

Don't Waste Your Homemaking's Unwasted Homemaking Party

Menu Plan Monday ~ August 1-7

It's been a rough weekend for me & my family.  Nothing life threatening; but as parents, my husband and I have made the tough choice to turn some issues concerning one of our children over to God's control.  We've learned the brutally hard way that we are not in control  and that our efforts to lead our child in the direction we think best is only getting in the way of the path God has laid out.  We can't change the situation or improve things....but we are holding hard & fast to the knowledge that God can.  If you are felt lead, prayers regarding this issue would be appreciated more than words can say.

Meanwhile...A few chapters in Acts, and cup of coffee (with yummy hazelnut creamer!!!) and Menu Planning this morning has taken my mind off things that aren't really in my control anyway.  Loving my family, cleaning my house & cooking good meals are well within my control, though, and I plan to do it all this week to His glory!


Monday:
B: Muffins & yogurt
L: Chicken nuggets, mac-n-cheese, fresh fruit
D: Deep Dish Pizza, salad

Tuesday:

B: pancakes & sausage links

L: Sandwiches or leftovers, fresh fruit

D: Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, Mexican Rice

Wednesday:

B: Ham Egg & Cheese Sandwiches, hash browns

L: Corn dogs, sweet potato fries, fresh fruit

D: Beef Tips, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls

Thursday:

B: Sausage biscuits & grits

L: sandwiches or leftovers, fresh fruit

D: Chicken & Rice casserole, green beans

Friday:

B: 'Almost Homemade' Cinnamon Rolls

L: pizza rolls, fresh fruit

D: Grilled pork chops, Rice-a-Roni, corn

Saturday:

B: Eggs, sausage, grits, hash browns, toast

L: sandwiches or leftovers, fresh fruit

D: Hamburgers & hot dogs, raw fries

Sunday:

B: Cereal or oatmeal

L: Honey glazed Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, Outback Bread

D: Youth Group potluck

What's going to be on your plates this week?

Blessings from my home to yours!

~K

This post is linked at: 

Stone Gable's On the Menu Monday

"Almost Homemade" Cinnamon Rolls

"Almost Homemade" Cinnamon Rolls, fresh out of the oven

**This is an adapted recipe from Hillbilly Housewife

Ingredients:
Rolls:
3 1/2 cups Biscuit Mix
1 tablespoon Cinnamon
1 cup Milk
~ 1/3 cup softened margarine
~ 1/2 cup brown sugar
~ 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Pancake syrup


Icing:
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk
~ 1/4 cup powdered sugar




Directions:
1. Mix biscuit mix, cinnamon, & milk in a bowl.  Dump out onto counter top & kneed until smooth & easily workable.
2. Place dough on a sheet of wax paper and roll out into a thin rectangular layer. (I spray my wax paper with Pam to make removing easier)
3.  Spread a thin layer of margarine on dough.
4. Cover margarine with brown sugar.
5. Sprinkle cinnamon on top of brown sugar.
***I do not measure out margarine, sugar or cinnamon.  I simply apply straight from containers in a generous layer.
6.  Starting with a short end, carefully roll up dough in jelly roll fashion, peeling back wax paper as you roll.  
7.  Cut rolled dough into 16 slices.  I cut the roll in half, then each half in half again, then each piece in half again, and so on until I have 16 slices.  
8.  Lay slices in a single layer in a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish.
9. Squirt a small amount of syrup in the middle of each cinnamon roll.
10.  Bake in oven at 400 for 20 minutes.


11. While rolls are baking, cream together butter & vanilla.
12. Add in powdered sugar and mix well.
13. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.  You want it thin, but not too runny.
14. Spread icing over cinnamon rolls as soon as they come out of the oven.
15. Sprinkle additional powdered sugar on top and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.




Blessings from my home to yours!
~K

My Daily Schedule

I know I've often found it interesting and encouraging to view the daily schedules of other stay-at-home moms, so I thought I'd post my current daily schedule.  Keep in mind my children are 16, almost 6 (next week!!), and 2 1/2.  My eldest daughter is often gone during the day as she has several regular babysitting jobs this summer, so my schedule mostly centers on my days home with the little boys.  Our days are not nearly as rigid as the schedule seems and I don't get all bent out of shape should we happen to go off schedule (since this happens nearly every single day!!), but having a schedule in mind helps to form the day and give me an idea of what I should be focusing on at any given time.  So, here's my current schedule for the summer.....it will change drastically in 4 weeks when my 2 eldest head back to school for their 11th & 1st grade years!  

Daily Schedule (Summer Version):

6:20 -6:30 ~ Wake up, start coffee, start laundry

6:30-7:00 ~ Quiet Time: Bible Reading, Devotional, Prayer Time

7:00-7:30 ~ Computer Time

7:30-7:45 ~ Morning Chores: switch laundry, make bed, wipe down bathrooms, lay out dinner

7:45-8:15 ~ Cook breakfast, unload dishwasher while meal is cooking (listen to devotional podcast while cooking)

8:15-8:45 ~ Get kids up, eat breakfast

8:45-9:15 ~ Clean kitchen, load dishwasher, wipe counters, get everyone dressed

                ~ Kids play in playroom during this time

9:15-10:00 ~ Daily Chores

                  ~ Kids watch movie or play during this time

10:00-12:00 ~ Flex Time: 3 Days a week we stay home and do our “work” (bible story lessons, math, reading, letters, board games, etc) and play outside, weather permitting.  Once a week (usually Tuesday) we go on a fun outing (zoo, kids’ museum, bowling, park, etc).  Friday is our shopping day.  On our outing & errand days I have limited daily chores, so we generally leave the house my 9:30.

12:00-1:00 ~ Finish up daily chores, prepare lunch

                  ~ Kids play in the playroom during this time

1:00-1:30 ~ Lunch time

1:30-2:00 ~ Clean up from lunch, fold & put away laundry, playroom tidy for kids

2:00-4:00 ~ Nap/quiet time for children

2:00-4:00 ~ Work time for me

4:00-5:00 ~ Play time: outside, weather permitting

5:00-6:00 ~ Dinner prep & house tidy (I listen to devotional podcast or praise & worship during this time)

6:00-6:45 ~ Dinner

6:45-7:15 ~ Clean kitchen from dinner, sweep floor, replace dish rag & hand towel

                ~ Kids playing with daddy during this time

7:15-8:30 ~ Family time, outside play, board games, etc.

8:30-9:00 ~ baths & teeth for boys

9:00 ~ Books, prayers & bed for boys

9:00-10:00 ~ TV time with my husband

10:00-10:30 ~ Shower, teeth, face, etc.

10:30 ~ Start dishwasher, head to bed

I will write another post soon outlining my daily chores.

Blessings from my home to yours!

~K

I'm linking up with:

Homemaker By Choice's Week Long Blog Hop
Time Warp Wife's Titus Tuesday

Menu Plan Monday ~ July 17-23

It's the Week of the Pies!

Sunday:
B: cereal or oatmeal
L: chicken enchiladas, mexican rice
D: Youth Group potluck

Monday:
B: bacon, egg & cheese sandwiches
L: pizza rolls, yogurt
D: "Almost Homemade" chicken pot pie

Tuesday:
B: Sausage & cheese biscuits
L: corn dogs, potato chips, fruit
D: Hillbilly Spaghetti Pie

Wednesday:
B: pancakes & bacon
L: sandwiches, chips, fruit
D: Taco Pie, chips & salsa

Thursday:
B: cheese grits & sausage links
L: chicken nuggets, mac-n-cheese
D: Leftover buffet, fresh corn on the cob

Friday:
B: sausage biscuits & muffins
L: pizza, carrot sticks & ranch
D:  Honey glazed pork tenderloin, rice, corn, rolls

Saturday:
B:  eggs, grits, sausage, hash browns
L: Hamburgers, hot dogs, homemade raw fries
D:  Leftovers or frozen pizza


Blessings from my home to yours,
~K

I'm linking up with Menu Plan Monday at Finding Joy in My Kitchen

Weekly Shopping Trip ~ 40% Savings!

This week I made trips to Bi-Lo, Publix, and Kroger.  While there weren't many coupon deals (for me...since I only buy good deals that my family will actually use/eat!!) there were some great store sales to be had.  I got a good bit of meat; some of which I built our upcoming meal plan around, and some that will be frozen and saved for future meals.

I also redeemed my rain check at Kroger for 20 additional boxes of brown-n-serve sausage links.  These were on sale for .69 each, which is a phenomenal price for a product my family eats weekly.  I have plenty of storage space, so I decided to stock up on about 3 months worth.

Everything bought at the 3 stores

Here's a breakdown of my trip.  Items in blue are included in my upcoming meal plan.  Items in purple are stock up items.  Coupons used are listed in red.  

BI-LO:

2 Del Monte Corn 1.00 each

3 Southern Home Sweetener  BOGO 1.15 each

Bounty paper towels BOGO .69  - .25 coupon doubled = .19

2 dozen eggs 1.00 each

whole chicken 4.61 (will be used in 3 meals this week...chicken enchiladas, chicken pot pie, & chicken salad)

whole chicken 4.88

pork loin 7.16 (cut in half prior to freezing.  I will cook 1 half this week and will save the other half for a future meal)

2 Johnsonville ground Italian sausage BOGO 1.99 each – (2) 1.00 coupons = .99 each  (divided into 4 1/2 lb portions.  1 portion will be used this week and the rest saved for future meals)

2 4 ct bakery croissants BOGO 1.99 each (1 box used for lunches this week, the other frozen for later)

total: 57.77

savings: 27.55

total spent: 30.27

PUBLIX:

2 Vlasic sandwich stackers BOGO 1.45 each – (2) .55 coupons = .95 each  (used in chicken salad & burgers this week)

Caramel Bugels BOGO 1.30 - .50 coupon doubled = .30 (snack for the week)

Chex Mix BOGO 1.29 - .50 coupon doubled = .29  (snack for the week)

Total: 10.94

Savings: 8.56

Total spent: 2.38

KROGER:

20 Banquet sausage links (rainchecked) .69 each

2 Tombstone pizzas 2.79  (1 used for lunch this week, the other frozen & saved)

5 lb ground beef 9.98 – 10% Employee Discount = 8.98  (2 lbs made into hamburgers, the rest divided into 2 1 lb portions & 2 1/2 lb portions.  1 1/2 lbs & 4 burgers saved for future meals)

Kroger sausage 1.99 – 10% Employee Discount = 1.79 (breakfast this week)

Kroger bacon 2.79 – 10% Employee Discount = 2.51 (breakfast & club sandwiches this week)

2 kroger crescent rolls 1.29 – 10% Employee Discount = 1.16 each (dinner this week)

Kroger velveeta loaf 4.99 – 10% Employee Discount = 4.49 (1/2 used in breakfast this week, 1/2 saved for next week)

Kroger vegetable oil 2.69– 10% Employee Discount = 2.42

Kroger choc chips 2.15 – 10% Employee Discount = 1.93 (for chocolate chip cookies this week)

2 kroger miffin mix .58 – 10% Employee Discount = .52 each (breakfast this week)

8 kraft easy mac .49 each – 1.00/4 coupon = .33 each (2 for lunches this week, remaining saved for future meals)

6 pringles .85 each – 1.00/3 coupon = .68 each (2 for lunches this week, remaining saved)

3 fresh corn cobs 1.14 (for dinner this week)

4 pepsi 2 liters .89 each

total:  78.95

savings: 23.17

total spent: 55.78