Tonight's dinner was as follows:
Cereal and milk
Toast
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Dinner-5th Installment
NOT YOUR BORING OL' POTATO SOUP
I love this recipe. You can cook it in a crock pot or not. I don't. It takes about 1 hour to prepare. This makes ALOT of soup...so cut recipe in half if you have a smaller family.
10 c. water
12 potatoes peeled and cubed
8 cubes of chicken bouillon
1 stick of butter
1 c. diced celery
1 c. chopped carrots
1/2 c. dehydrated onions (you can use fresh onion, I like dehydrated because my kids never notice them, they are really small and seem to disappear)
4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
3 c. milk
8 oz of sharp cheddar, shredded
1 pound frozen chopped broccoli
1 pound frozen chopped baby spinach
Combine all ingredients except the milk and cheese. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes and broccoli are tender (about 20 minutes or so).
Add cheese and milk. Heat through until cheese is melted, maybe another 5 minutes.
If you do this in the crockpot, cook all ingredients except milk and cheese for 7-8 hours on high. Then stir in milk and cheese. Heat thoroughly, until cheese melts.
I served this in bread bowls. My kids (the younger ones) think it's pretty fun to eat out of a bread bowl and so they seem to eat more. : ) ****4 stars
So far, can you tell I like one dish meals?? So much easier... and I NEED easy!
I love this recipe. You can cook it in a crock pot or not. I don't. It takes about 1 hour to prepare. This makes ALOT of soup...so cut recipe in half if you have a smaller family.
10 c. water
12 potatoes peeled and cubed
8 cubes of chicken bouillon
1 stick of butter
1 c. diced celery
1 c. chopped carrots
1/2 c. dehydrated onions (you can use fresh onion, I like dehydrated because my kids never notice them, they are really small and seem to disappear)
4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
3 c. milk
8 oz of sharp cheddar, shredded
1 pound frozen chopped broccoli
1 pound frozen chopped baby spinach
Combine all ingredients except the milk and cheese. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes and broccoli are tender (about 20 minutes or so).
Add cheese and milk. Heat through until cheese is melted, maybe another 5 minutes.
If you do this in the crockpot, cook all ingredients except milk and cheese for 7-8 hours on high. Then stir in milk and cheese. Heat thoroughly, until cheese melts.
I served this in bread bowls. My kids (the younger ones) think it's pretty fun to eat out of a bread bowl and so they seem to eat more. : ) ****4 stars
So far, can you tell I like one dish meals?? So much easier... and I NEED easy!
A Spring Sunday
Today was a typical Sunday. Although church begins at 1pm, we didn't make it on time. *sigh* It really cuts our day in half to have church so late. By the time we come home and have dinner, the day is pretty much gone.
We decided after dinner to go for a drive. This is a family favorite. We all piled in and drove around, looking for baby animals. We headed out towards Benjamin and down to Payson, driving by the fields to see if we could spot any baby cows or lambs. We did! We also saw some baby goats.
In Payson, we were driving and I spotted some little lambs. They were adorable! As I tried to get John's attention to pull over, I was squealing and could not form my words to let him know. He figured it out, however, because of the squealing. I was incoherent, but me squealing = something cute. Hee hee. They were adorable and we all enjoyed oogling at them.
By the time we got home, it was pretty late. Sundays always go by way too fast and I stay up way too late in a vain attempt to keep Monday from coming. It never works and then, here I am Monday morning, extremely tired. I always regret it, but never change it. Oh well.
Here's what we had for dinner...this is a family favorite and gets ***** 5 stars because everyone loves it.
Creamed Corn Over Toast
3 or 4 cans of creamed corn
2 or 3 cans of corn
butter-maybe half of a stick
1/2 can of condensed milk
garlic salt, onion powder and pepper to taste
Combine and heat.
While that's warming, toast some bread. We need 1 loaf. Then to serve, break up a piece or 2 of toast onto your plate and then pour the creamed corn over top. Sooooo good and very easy. A great meal for a Sunday.
We decided after dinner to go for a drive. This is a family favorite. We all piled in and drove around, looking for baby animals. We headed out towards Benjamin and down to Payson, driving by the fields to see if we could spot any baby cows or lambs. We did! We also saw some baby goats.
In Payson, we were driving and I spotted some little lambs. They were adorable! As I tried to get John's attention to pull over, I was squealing and could not form my words to let him know. He figured it out, however, because of the squealing. I was incoherent, but me squealing = something cute. Hee hee. They were adorable and we all enjoyed oogling at them.
By the time we got home, it was pretty late. Sundays always go by way too fast and I stay up way too late in a vain attempt to keep Monday from coming. It never works and then, here I am Monday morning, extremely tired. I always regret it, but never change it. Oh well.
Here's what we had for dinner...this is a family favorite and gets ***** 5 stars because everyone loves it.
Creamed Corn Over Toast
3 or 4 cans of creamed corn
2 or 3 cans of corn
butter-maybe half of a stick
1/2 can of condensed milk
garlic salt, onion powder and pepper to taste
Combine and heat.
While that's warming, toast some bread. We need 1 loaf. Then to serve, break up a piece or 2 of toast onto your plate and then pour the creamed corn over top. Sooooo good and very easy. A great meal for a Sunday.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Saturday Is A Special Day
Today's been pretty great. When Lincoln woke up at 6am, John got up with him and I slept until 11am. Wow, that was wonderful. Thanks, hun! I returned the favor and he had a nap...then our day got pretty busy.
We went out on a date to Subway and then to Walmart (I don't suggest going to Walmart on a Saturday). The weather was wonderful today and so we decided that a BBQ was in order. We got all we needed for the BBQ, plus milk (we always need milk), diapers (we always need diapers) and wipes (we always need wipes).
Both Mark and Savannah had been hanging out with friends today but both came home so John and I could go on our date. As soon as we got home, however, the friends all seemed to reappear. Ugggg. But, maybe because of the extra sleep I had, I was in a nice and pleasant mood. So I decided that Mark and Savannah could have their friends over for dinner. We put those kids to work. Some cleaned up in the backyard, others sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, or sliced avocado and others cleaned the table outside.
John grilled hot dogs (all beef angus, yum), turkey burgers/regular burgers and bacon on the BBQ. All six of our kids, John and I, and four friends, gathered outside. It was noisy, chaotic, and a lot of fun. Dinner was delicious (thanks, hun)! I felt such happiness as my kids had fun and we enjoyed the nice weather.
Mark and Savannah took off with their friends after dinner and John and I enjoyed "Family Movie Night" with the "little ones", as we call them. Four kids is much quieter than six. And different. They are all so sweet and think that John and I can do no wrong, whereas Mark and Savannah know the truth...that we are not perfect. (You can only keep kids in the dark about this for so long).
They day is winding down and the "little ones" are headed to bed. I will be enjoying some much needed alone time with John. Saturdays are usually busy like this and I never get ready for Sunday, as the primary song suggests. My house is seriously messy (don't come over unannounced, please). The sink is full of dishes, the laundry is not done, and there are toys strewn all about. But I still feel today was a success.
Saturday's Dinner
Hot dogs, burgers (beef and turkey frozen patties) cooked on the BBQ
Buns
Condiments and toppings: lettuce, tomato, avocado, relish, pickles, banana peppers, sliced pineapple, ketchup, mustard, cheese, bacon
Grapes
Cheetos
We went out on a date to Subway and then to Walmart (I don't suggest going to Walmart on a Saturday). The weather was wonderful today and so we decided that a BBQ was in order. We got all we needed for the BBQ, plus milk (we always need milk), diapers (we always need diapers) and wipes (we always need wipes).
Both Mark and Savannah had been hanging out with friends today but both came home so John and I could go on our date. As soon as we got home, however, the friends all seemed to reappear. Ugggg. But, maybe because of the extra sleep I had, I was in a nice and pleasant mood. So I decided that Mark and Savannah could have their friends over for dinner. We put those kids to work. Some cleaned up in the backyard, others sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, or sliced avocado and others cleaned the table outside.
John grilled hot dogs (all beef angus, yum), turkey burgers/regular burgers and bacon on the BBQ. All six of our kids, John and I, and four friends, gathered outside. It was noisy, chaotic, and a lot of fun. Dinner was delicious (thanks, hun)! I felt such happiness as my kids had fun and we enjoyed the nice weather.
Mark and Savannah took off with their friends after dinner and John and I enjoyed "Family Movie Night" with the "little ones", as we call them. Four kids is much quieter than six. And different. They are all so sweet and think that John and I can do no wrong, whereas Mark and Savannah know the truth...that we are not perfect. (You can only keep kids in the dark about this for so long).
They day is winding down and the "little ones" are headed to bed. I will be enjoying some much needed alone time with John. Saturdays are usually busy like this and I never get ready for Sunday, as the primary song suggests. My house is seriously messy (don't come over unannounced, please). The sink is full of dishes, the laundry is not done, and there are toys strewn all about. But I still feel today was a success.
Saturday's Dinner
Hot dogs, burgers (beef and turkey frozen patties) cooked on the BBQ
Buns
Condiments and toppings: lettuce, tomato, avocado, relish, pickles, banana peppers, sliced pineapple, ketchup, mustard, cheese, bacon
Grapes
Cheetos
Friday, April 23, 2010
Friday's Dinner
CHILI
1 pound of ground beef browned and drained
4 cans of chili beans
1 can of tomato paste
1 pkg of chili seasoning
1 can of diced tomatoes
Combine ingredients, heat through. Serve with Frito Scoops and Cheese.
I give this **** 4 stars. All but Hunter and Micah liked it. They'll be having a big breakfast.
(This is my second installment for what we have for dinner...I'm doing this for just one week.)
1 pound of ground beef browned and drained
4 cans of chili beans
1 can of tomato paste
1 pkg of chili seasoning
1 can of diced tomatoes
Combine ingredients, heat through. Serve with Frito Scoops and Cheese.
I give this **** 4 stars. All but Hunter and Micah liked it. They'll be having a big breakfast.
(This is my second installment for what we have for dinner...I'm doing this for just one week.)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Earth Day and Dinner
In honor of Earth Day, I will confess my "ecological sins."
1. I use a wad of toilet paper to wipe my behind. Sorry, Sheryl Crow, one square just doesn't do the job.
2. I have 6 children. I have contributed to the "diminishing resources" of the earth because of having so many offspring.
3. Said children wore disposable diapers (and Lincoln still does).
4. A couple of us girls use disposable feminine products (uh, pads/tampons). Yes, I have stumbled across some websites that sell reusable, cloth pads. Ewww, gross!
5. I own a gas-guzzling suburban. If more than 5 of us go anywhere, this is what I drive.
6. I have been known to let my suburban, and also my Hyundai, idle while I wait for my kids to be let out of school.
7. I drive 3 blocks to drop off and pick up my youngest 3 from school. I also walk to the library and park that are only 4 blocks away.
8. I leave the porch light on all night to keep the bad people away.
9. I leave the light on in the closet of the kids' bedroom all night to keep the monsters away.
10. I breastfed the 1st 5 children, but I bottle feed Lincoln. I use Playtex nurser bottles with the disposable bottle bags.
11. At least one time per week I forget to put the leftover food away after dinner and it ends up in the garbage.
12. I let Hunter and Micah play in the kitchen sink with the water on for hours...it totally entertains them and they stay busy and out of my hair.
13. We cut down our Christmas tree every year. You can't beat the smell of fresh pine needles.
14. We often go for Sunday drives. No destination. Just driving for fun.
15. When my recycling bin gets too full, I just throw my recyclables in the garbage.
16. I eat "pesticide-laden" produce.
17. I use paper plates most days of the week.
18. I eat animals. Yum.
19. My husband hunts and kills animals.
20. I use chemicals to clean my home.
But, to my credit, I do TRY to be earth conscious.
1. I do recycle. But it all goes in one bin, so it is fairly easy to do. I don't rinse out things first, though.
2. We use those energy efficient light bulbs.
3. I don't litter.
What's For Dinner?
I'm always curious about what people eat for dinner. I have a wonderful niece who cooks gourmet meals for her family. She and some other friends I have, LIKE to cook. I don't. So, what about us simple folk? What do we eat?? Well, for the next week, I will post daily what we had for dinner.
Tonight we had Chicken Fried Rice. Now, don't get excited. Most of this meal came from a box or a bag. I cooked 3 pounds of chicken, added "Chicken Helper" (3 boxes), following those directions. Added 2 bags of frozen stir-fry veggies and then finally, I added 8 scrambled eggs. Voila! Dinner is served. Wynter, Hunter and Micah hated it; John, Mark, Lincoln and I loved it; Savannah didn't have any because she wasn't home. I give it *** 3 stars! It was fairly easy to make and the majority of my family liked it. I consider that a success!!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Puking Perspective
There's nothing like a lot of puking that gets life into perspective for a person! We've all been sick with the stomach flu. It began with Lincoln on Monday morning, then to Micah Monday night, then to me Tuesday morning, then Wynter, Mark and Savannah Tuesday night, then John late Tuesday night, Wednesday morning...oh yeah, it completely skipped Hunter. How did he get to be so lucky?
It definitely took all the of the appeal for food away. I need that. But, more needful, was putting my life into perspective. I really have been simply surviving life and not really enjoying it. I guess that is understandable in some ways. I spend each day doing the same things over and over. A lot of what I do goes unnoticed and unappreciated from my family. Don't get me wrong, I love being a Mom, but it can get pretty darn redundant.
But, while lying there, very very still...I wished I could be up, doing those everyday things. The several loads of laundry, the loads of dishes, picking up toys, vacuuming, organizing, going for a walk at the park, reading a book to my youngest kids, sitting in the backyard while the kids jump on the trampoline, playing with my kids, etc., etc.
I began to feel a little bit better Wednesday morning and felt eager to get some cleaning done. What a satisfying feeling, even if it gets messy again in 17 seconds flat. Today I thorougly enjoyed prodding Hunter to get his homework done and have him read his book to me. Playing with Lincoln was pure joy and making dinner for my family was okay (I don't like making dinner, so for this to be okay, is a step up).
I don't think this illness was a coincidence in time. I really believe that all things happen for a reason. And the reason this happened now was because I was beginning to really resent the tediousness of my life.
I have been a mother for nearly 16 years. I have been pregnant for 4 years and 10 months of my life (that is for 6 living children and 2 miscarriages). By the time Lincoln is potty trained (in maybe 2 1/2 years from now), I will have changed approximately 36,000 diapers. I have breastfed for 5 1/2 years of my life. I have done probably 5000 loads of laundry since my first child was born. And dishes? At least one load of dishes per day for 16 years x 365 days...that's 5840 loads. These things do get pretty monotonous, but all the other stuff...that is what makes it all worthwhile.
*The countless "I love you, Mommy" s.
*The many, many drawings that have been given to me (and many of which hang on my bedroom wall).
*The late nights spent talking with my oldest 2 children about really important things (and not so important things, too).
*The slobbery baby kisses.
*The cuddles on the couch while we read a book or watch a movie.
*The tickle fights.
*Sunday afternoon drives as a family.
*The hugs I still am given by my 13 and 16 year old children.
*The homemade cards I receive on birthdays and mother's days.
*The many mornings when the children have all ended up with John and I snuggling in our bed.
*All the times my kids have surprised me by cleaning for me without being asked.
*The times I sit quietly and observe my children playing nicely with one another.
*All the giggly, silly times that we laugh over basically nothing...but it's funny anyway.
This list could really go on and on. It does and it will. Overall, being a mom is pretty great. The world certainly doesn't think so, but I don't do what the world says I should. I have followed my heart on this one. I knew I wanted to be a mother since I was very young and I have followed through with that. Honestly, I have failed at pretty much everything I have ever done. But, at being a mother, I haven't. I don't always know what to say or do (well, mostly I don't), and I mess up every day, but I feel like I am doing my very best. My kids know that I love them. They know that their Father in Heaven loves them. They know that they have a Savior. Those are the most important things.
So, yes, my life will be tedious to a point...it has to be. Kids thrive in routine and frankly, so do I. But, I also know there will be those magical moments sprinkled throughout the routine that make it all worth it. Someday I will look back and miss this...
It definitely took all the of the appeal for food away. I need that. But, more needful, was putting my life into perspective. I really have been simply surviving life and not really enjoying it. I guess that is understandable in some ways. I spend each day doing the same things over and over. A lot of what I do goes unnoticed and unappreciated from my family. Don't get me wrong, I love being a Mom, but it can get pretty darn redundant.
But, while lying there, very very still...I wished I could be up, doing those everyday things. The several loads of laundry, the loads of dishes, picking up toys, vacuuming, organizing, going for a walk at the park, reading a book to my youngest kids, sitting in the backyard while the kids jump on the trampoline, playing with my kids, etc., etc.
I began to feel a little bit better Wednesday morning and felt eager to get some cleaning done. What a satisfying feeling, even if it gets messy again in 17 seconds flat. Today I thorougly enjoyed prodding Hunter to get his homework done and have him read his book to me. Playing with Lincoln was pure joy and making dinner for my family was okay (I don't like making dinner, so for this to be okay, is a step up).
I don't think this illness was a coincidence in time. I really believe that all things happen for a reason. And the reason this happened now was because I was beginning to really resent the tediousness of my life.
I have been a mother for nearly 16 years. I have been pregnant for 4 years and 10 months of my life (that is for 6 living children and 2 miscarriages). By the time Lincoln is potty trained (in maybe 2 1/2 years from now), I will have changed approximately 36,000 diapers. I have breastfed for 5 1/2 years of my life. I have done probably 5000 loads of laundry since my first child was born. And dishes? At least one load of dishes per day for 16 years x 365 days...that's 5840 loads. These things do get pretty monotonous, but all the other stuff...that is what makes it all worthwhile.
*The countless "I love you, Mommy" s.
*The many, many drawings that have been given to me (and many of which hang on my bedroom wall).
*The late nights spent talking with my oldest 2 children about really important things (and not so important things, too).
*The slobbery baby kisses.
*The cuddles on the couch while we read a book or watch a movie.
*The tickle fights.
*Sunday afternoon drives as a family.
*The hugs I still am given by my 13 and 16 year old children.
*The homemade cards I receive on birthdays and mother's days.
*The many mornings when the children have all ended up with John and I snuggling in our bed.
*All the times my kids have surprised me by cleaning for me without being asked.
*The times I sit quietly and observe my children playing nicely with one another.
*All the giggly, silly times that we laugh over basically nothing...but it's funny anyway.
This list could really go on and on. It does and it will. Overall, being a mom is pretty great. The world certainly doesn't think so, but I don't do what the world says I should. I have followed my heart on this one. I knew I wanted to be a mother since I was very young and I have followed through with that. Honestly, I have failed at pretty much everything I have ever done. But, at being a mother, I haven't. I don't always know what to say or do (well, mostly I don't), and I mess up every day, but I feel like I am doing my very best. My kids know that I love them. They know that their Father in Heaven loves them. They know that they have a Savior. Those are the most important things.
So, yes, my life will be tedious to a point...it has to be. Kids thrive in routine and frankly, so do I. But, I also know there will be those magical moments sprinkled throughout the routine that make it all worth it. Someday I will look back and miss this...
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