Catching Up

Things have been busy;  first it was the holidays - you know, Thanksgiving and Christmas, then it was New Years and birthday season for our family.  Then work - oh wow have we been busy at work, which is strange for the beginning of the year.  So here I am, back to the blog.  This is going to be a quick recap of everything between Mid November and now.  Warning, it'll be long!

Poppi's birthday was on Thanksgiving and we were all blessed to celebrate with the whole family!  Eight cakes - one for each decade!

 We took the opportunity to get family pictures - a professional photographer would have been wonderful.

 Guess who loves her cousins?

Christmas card outtakes!

I got to go to New York - what a great weekend!  Thanks Sue!

Ladybug singing in church.

Have I mentioned that I love my fridge?  Here it is Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning - notice that the sun is not up!

Happy birthday Butterbean!  We went for a girly farm theme.

Snow, this was it for the season, but we really enjoyed it.

Valentine picture out takes.

Every Woman Should Read This

Wonderful perspective:
http://www.stevewiens.com/2013/03/06/these-are-the-lines-of-a-story/

Wordless Wednesday

Ladybug singing in Church!

Menu Monday

It's the last week of football!!! I am so proud of Chris and the whole Matoaca Minor team, they won the Southern Division Title on Saturday and will play in the Super Bowl this weekend.

We aren't going to know what to do with Chris home in the evenings, but we will enjoy it.

Here's the plan for the week - most likely subject to change:

Monday - Taco Soup
Tuesday - Hawaiian Pork
Wednesday - At Maamaa and Poppi's
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - ?
Saturday - Chicken Soup
Sunday - London Broil, Sweet Potatoes

Missie

You were my first baby, gone to soon. 
My constant companion through the years, you fell in love with Chris right along with me and even accepted Chase, his dog, as a playmate.  You loved to lay on my belly when I was pregnant with Ladybug -  no matter how much she kicked you off!  You were up with me through midnight feedings and right back to 'tuck me in' bed.  How do we say goodbye to unconditional love and acceptance?  I can still see you running through the kitchen or waiting at the door.  Thank you for your time with me, and us.

Missie - May 2002 to November 8, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

Guess what I did over the weekend!

Happy Halloween

Hurricane Sandy put a little kink in our trick or treating plans (nothing like New York or New Jersey though) by canceling football on Monday and Tuesday (during playoffs!) so Chris had practice Halloween night until 6:15.  We met him out off a River Road to go trick or treating after stopping by Maamaa and Poppi's.  Our theme this year was Alice in Wonderland -

Meet Alice:

And the Cheshire Cat:

The Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts:

 They really were excited to be dressed up and going house to house.

Here's the whole group -

We are still knee deep in candy and we only went to a few houses before riding due to the cold.

Wordless Wednesday

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!

Menu Monday

Football is in full swing and it's starting to feel like Fall weather (which is really unusual for August).  There isn't anything planned for the week so we will probably just go for walks in the evenings while dinner is in the oven.

Monday - Taco Casserole
Tuesday - Salmon, Rice, roasted Veggies
Wednesday - Sloppy Joes, tater tots, green beans
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - At the football field, so sandwiches when we get  home
Saturday - Still trying to make those steak fingers!
Sunday - Beer can Chicken

What's your week look like?

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Cooking Day

Since our evenings are going to be filled from now until November, I decided to try my hand a freezer cooking.  I didn't get everything finished that I wanted but did manage to put 32 dinners in the freezer that can be ready in about 30 minutes.  I will share recipes over the next few weeks as we put them on the meal plan.  Here's what we have now:

• Lasagna - 2
• Meatloaf - 2
• Chicken Enchiladas - 1
• Baked Spaghetti - 2
• Tater Tot Casserole - 2
• Hawaiian Pork - 1
• Tai Pork - 1
• Stroganoff Meatballs - 2
• Taco Soup - 4
• Italian Soup - 3
• Sloppy Joes - 3
• Shepherds Pie - 2
• Brunswick Stew - 4 
• Chicken Soup/Chicken and Dumplings - 3

I also have plain meatballs, salmon, pizza, chicken stock, shredded chicken, and hot dogs ready to go.  Now we just have to hope the power doesn't go out!

Menu Monday

It's officially football season in our house so that means practice Monday through Friday 6-8pm.  I'll tell you tomorrow how I prepared for the craziness.  It's also Ladybug's birthday this week.  That means lots to do and little sleep for Momma.

Monday - Birthday dinner for Uncle Michael
Tuesday - Chicken Burritos
Wednesday - Dinner at Maamaa and Poppi's (and try to bake Ladybug's cake and cupcakes)
Thursday - Leftovers (and decorating cake and cupcakes)
Friday - Birthday party - Ice cream, cake, and pizza
Saturday - Steak Fingers
Sunday - Beer Can Chicken

What's your plan for the week?