Mealplan Monday #34, with nesting and sprucing, too

Recently I spent some time nesting, organizing, and cleaning

Behold the wonder that is the crapified bar separating the den from the kitchen.  The lighting in here is terrible unless there is bright sun outside.  On Halloween night, the boys kept complaining that they couldn't see where the pizza was.

I moved the little bedside lamps from Mom and Dad's room to in here. This is so much better, especially at night when we are in here watching TV or eating.  Not to mention cleaner, as I wiped everything down and did some clearing of the clutter.

They give off a soft gold glow, which is perfect at either end of the bar. 

Monday - Pumpkin Chili, cornbread
Tuesday - Chicken Piccata, rice, green beans
Wednesday - Turkey Sloppy Joes, tots
Thursday - Country Herb Chicken and Dumplings
Friday - Beef and Bean Burritos, corn
Saturday - Dad grill
Sunday - Freezer leftovers, salad

 

I found these pretty wooden bases on clearance and bought two small and one large matching shades to spruce up our bedroom.  The light is brighter because it doesn't have to fight the colored shade.  Now I can read in here without falling asleep after 10 minutes.

 

And when HomeGoods opens, I will go hunting for toss pillows and bed linens.  

Gina

Split Pea and Ham Soup

Soup sounds good, since the temps are now more in the Fall range. 

Here's a good one that uses up leftovers on a weekend when everyone is camping and Firstborn and I have the house to ourselves:

I start with a split pea soup kit and add cubed ham, leftover carrots, and two baked potatoes from grill night - I didn't peel them, as Hubby always seasons the outsides of them before wrapping in foil and grilling.

Just follow the directions on the package, then ten minutes before eating, 
stir in the cooked veggies.

Soup and cornbread - the original comfort food combo!
Hooray for cooler weather - one more thing to be thankful for in November.

Gina

Shared with:

Mealplan Monday #33 and all that drudge...

Scenes from a Monday morning:

Grouchy kid, empty fridge

 

Halloween stuff stacked on top of said empty fridge.

Trash and recycles waiting by the front door.

Monday - Meatballs in sauce, masheds, brussels sprouts
Tuesday - Creamy Portabella Chicken Pot Pie
Wednesday - Undone Stuffed Pepper and Italian Sausage Casserole, salad
Thursday - Crock Pot Country Veggies with chicken sausage
Friday - BBQ sammies, chips
Saturday - YOYO (camping weekend) Tilapia for mom
Sunday - Freezer leftovers, salad

On Mondays I have my work cut out for me.

Gina

Omelettes for dinner

We don't do full breakfasts here - we save those for dinner!

 Freezer biscuits in a greased cast iron skillet get put in the oven.

Tater tots cook in a skillet with onion and a little butter - best hashbrowns ever.

 

Eggs, a bowl for whisking, and some toppings including our 

Camp Rustown Super Pepper Seasoning

The bacon fat might get saved - oh, who am I kidding?  I never throw it out.

 

 

Don't forget the cherry blueberry jelly.  
It's nice to have a solid breakfast for dinner.
Chow call!

Gina

Shared with:

Scout's 17th Halloween Birthday

Halloween was a lot of fun here. Scout and Miss A practiced their carving skills as soon as they got home from school.

 

 

I set out pumpkin spice cupcakes, goldfish, Muddy Buddies, 

and a honey peanut and candy corn combo.

 

 The main dish was Chili Frito Pies with some Honey BBQ chicken wings on the side. 

  Hubby was up to his usual display tricks for the treaters - the theme here was teen lawn care people, 

teen drivers, and just all-around "Beware of Teens".  I pretty much gave the kids the run of the backyard and patio, but guess where they migrated?  To the driveway where the adults sat giving out candy.

 

It was a nice break in the routine for Scout and friends!

Gina

When Scout arrived

Oh, boy!  

A 9.5 pound treat just after midnight on Halloween 1995.

 We had a "birthday party" and invited Big Bro and Big Sis.

 ...and they got the presents - no Trick or Treating that year!

 

 Firstborn got a hands-on lesson in how to hold his little brother.

 

 

 

 Our first "family of five" portrait 

 

Happy Birthday, Dylan Conner!  

We were so excited to welcome you, and so glad you are part of our family!

Gina

Mealplan Monday #32 with a basket at the sink

I wish all projects were as simple as taking one thing from somewhere in your house, sprucing it up with spray paint, and using it somewhere else. 

Monday - Pot Roast, mashed potatoes, peas
Tuesday - Bean and Bacon Mac, cheesy olive bread
Wednesday - Scout's Birthday!  Pizza, salad, cupcakes, munchies, fun
Thursday -  Chicken Tikka Masala, couscous, carrots
Friday - Smokey Turkey and Black Bean Soup, cornbread
Saturday - Dad grill
Sunday - Lasagna Hamburger Helper, corn (Bubbie cooks)

Gina