Wordless Wednesday

Menu Monday

Welcome to September!!!  I know it's almost over, but this month just seems to always end up a whirlwind.  Dance started for Ladybug, we have Football games on Saturdays, plus birthday parties, and church and practice; it seems as though we live in the car during the fall.  My freezer meals have been a lifesaver and it's almost time to fill back up - but first we need a deer!  We are down to just 4 pounds of burger left and Chris isn't bow hunting this year so we have to stretch it through the beginning of November.

There's isn't a game tonight but Chris has practice every night and the Ladybug has dance on Wednesday, should be a pretty calm week (except for Saturday!)

Monday - Beef Drip Sandwiches, Tater tots, salad
Tuesday - Stroganoff Meatballs with egg noodles and peas
Wednesday - dinner at Maamaa and Poppi's maybe
Thursday - Leftover Night
Friday - Out to Buffalo Wild Wings at the request of Ladybug
Saturday - Date night for Chris and Me, the girls are going to Aunt Holly and Uncle Guy's for the evening.  Chris and I are planning to attend the Grapes and Hops Festival and then have dinner at The Bistro.
Sunday - Smoked Shoulder, potatoes and corn

Menu Monday

*Make sure you check the girls pages out for updates on Butterbeans new vocabulary and funny conversations with Ladybug.

This is a short work week thanks to the Labor Day Holiday, that also means it will be very busy!  Last week we did pretty well sticking to the menu, although I traded the Salmon for Chicken Pot Pie since Ladybug was headed out of town with her grandparents.  I still haven't been able to make the Steak Fingers - maybe once Chris gets back from the bear hunt.

Here's the plan for the week, this is very subject to change as the girls may be going to Nana's tonight and we may be going to Maamaa and Poppi's on Wednesday!

Monday - Stew and sandwich
Tuesday - Pasta Pesto with Italian Sausage
Wednesday - Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - ? Maybe Chinese or tater tot casserole
Saturday - We will see what looks good at the farmer's market
Sunday - Grill out - London Broil?

And since it's a holiday on Monday - Hot dogs for the girls!

Recipe Friday - Taco Casserole

This is one of those recipes that doesn't make sense but then ends up being wonderful.  It would freeze well also making it great to double and pull out for those busy nights.

Taco Casserole

Macaroni and Cheese (recipe coming soon), prepared
1 cup salsa
1 cup sour cream
1/2 pound ground beef
Taco Seasoning (recipe coming soon)
1 cup crushed tortilla chips or taco shells (use the crumbs in the bottom of the chip bag)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese


Preheat oven to 350, grease 8x8 baking dish.  Brown beef and add seasoning, set aside.  Layer in pan: macaroni and cheese, salsa, sour cream, taco meat, cheese.  Bake for 20 minutes, cover with crushed tortilla chips and bake for another 5-10 minutes until chips are golden.

Serve with salad.

Four Year Photo Shoot

We had an impromptu photo shoot Saturday afternoon before nap.  I think we have a future star on our hands! These are unedited, so ignore some of the background and the butterbean being cut off.

Wordless Wednesday



Party Time

Ladybug turned 4!  We had an ice cream party for her birthday that night but first we had a Mommy-Daughter day!

After dropping her sister off at the sitters we went to visit Maamaa and Poppi (and had breakfast).  Then we were off to Carytown to get tap shoes and leotards for the new dance year, I don't think I have ever seen anyone as excited about tap shoes; she wanted to show everyone who walked in the door.

We headed home for lunch and an early nap since we had reservations for tea at Feathernesters.  I think this is going to be a annual tradition, she was such a joy to sit and talk to while having tea from real china cups and personal tea pots (with strawberry lemonade for her). 

It was back home and time to set up for the party.  She was such a big help getting everything together and wanted to do everything Mommy was doing.  I like to try and get pictures of everything set up before people arrive so we can remember what we had.  Well she went to find the extra camera and was right there with me!

 This is her personal cake.



 Her helping document the cake.

 The cupcakes instead of a cake this year.

The ice cream and cake table.

Ladybug blew the candle out as soon as it was set in front of her so we had to relight it as we sang to her!