What kind of wife are you?

I saw this quiz on this fabulous blog. I took the quiz and got......

82 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Superior http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/">Take the test!

It must be because I don't smoke in bed or wear red nail polish..... Take the quiz and let me know how you do!

Works for me Wednesday- Saving Money Through Organization

My friends and I were talking the other day about how we try to save money in our households. The normal comments began to surface such as cutting and printing coupons, looking for great deals and setting and sticking to a budget. It seems in this economy my friends and I are always looking for some extra and creative ways to stretch a dollar. Not only to save but to be able to do some extras with with our kids. ( We are fearful of a toddler mutiny fueled by boredom and sharp little minds. We try to stay one step ahead of the angry mob.... so far we have been successful.)

It was at this conversation that I realized how organization saves me a ton of money. If I am organized, I can find things. When I find things I don't go out and buy more only to lose those same things later and spend yet more money.

A classic example is my pantry. It can grow wild and I swear some small pantry troll goes in there and messes it up. I can't find the items I need and think we are out. I buy said item at the weekly grocery store outing. I then find the missing item a couple weeks later, after it has gone bad and feel awful as I throw it in the trash. There is nothing I hate worse than wasted food!! It also makes it hard to fully menu plan when you don't fully know what ingredients you have, still need or need to use.

It doesn't have to revolve around food however. The same goes with almost everything in this house. Scissors seems to be a problem for me. I can never find a pair when I really need them. I then pick up a pair at the store only to stash them somewhere and the cycle continues. I bet I have 567 scissors lurking in this house. That is kind of scary now that I think about it. Note to self: Find all scissors before my son finds them and "styles" his sisters hair. For my girlfriends reading this.... you may be getting scissors for your birthday. Act surprised.

Craft items are really hard for me. I get all excited about starting a craft and then along the way I lose my craft material and my excitement and I stash it away vowing I will come back to it. I don't of course... because I can't find it. I bet I have enough foam letters and numbers to start a preschool but don't ask me where they are.

So its with these admissions that I am vowing to save money in a new way this year. I am going to try to put the extra time and effort into staying organized this year. It may seem like extra time each day making and keeping things tidy. I know however that extra time will result in saved money and headaches. Lists and organization containers will help me with my quest. Who knows..... maybe I can take the money I save on scissors and put it towards a nights out with my mama friends. Now that is motivation enough for me :)

Tuesday: Daddy's recipe of the week- Its back!

Daddy's Recipe of the Week

It's been a long while since I have done daddy's recipe of the week. I was blessed enough to have a hubby that actually likes to cook and does..... with delicious results. To top that he does all the dishes in our house! WHAT A MAN!!!

This dish comes directly from his cookbook. ( Yes he has a little album with just his recipes in it.) I have never had this dish but he said he used to make it all the time when he was single and all his single guys liked it. I am posting it because I thought it sounded nice for kids. Happy Eating!

Tater Tot Casserole

1 1/2 pound ground beef

1/2 cup diced onion

salt and pepper to taste

1 can ( 10 3/4 ounces) cream of chicken soup

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup milk

1 package (32 ounce) frozen tater tots

4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup canned french- fried onion rings

Preheat oven to 350.

Brown meat and onion. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Combine both soups and milk

In a casserole, layer meat, tater tots and soup. Cover and bake 45 minutes. Uncover. Top with cheese. Bake 10 - 15 minutes longer. Top with onion rings. Bake until browned, 5-10 minutes longer.

Menu Plan Monday

This week I am really excited about my menu plan. Not because its really exciting but because I am using what I have in my fridge and freezer which equals next to nothing at the grocery this week. WOOHOO!

I also have a great recipe that kids love and that is actually heart healthy. ( It can't get better than that , right? )

Monday: Cheesy oven fried chicken (recipe below), rice, salad

Tuesday: Leftover night

Wednesday: Fish, mac and cheese, green beans

Thursday: Chicken broccoli Alfredo, salad, garlic bread

Friday: Pizza night!

Saturday: Potato, ham cheddar soup, beer bread

Sunday: Pork stir-fry, rice, egg rolls

Cheesy Oven-Fried Chicken
Ingredients
Vegetable oil spray

2 cups bite-size, low-fat cheddar-cheese-flavored crackers

1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or turkey breast tenderloins, all visible fat removed tablespoons fat-free milk

Cooking Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a shallow baking pan with vegetable oil spray.

Place crackers, basil, and pepper in a large plastic bag with a tight-fitting seal (leave end open so air can escape) and use a rolling pin to crush the crackers. Or place crackers, basil, and pepper in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade and process until finely crushed; transfer to large plastic bag. Set aside.

Cut chicken or turkey into 16 strips, about 1x3 inches each. Dip chicken or turkey in milk. Add chicken or turkey strips, a few pieces at a time, to bag with cracker mixture. Seal bag and shake until chicken or turkey is coated. Place coated chicken or turkey in a single layer on prepared baking pan.

Bake, uncovered, 5 to 7 minutes, or until chicken or turkey is tender and no longer pink in the center.

Nutrition Analysis (per serving)
217Calories
3.0 gTotal Fat
1.0 gSaturated Fat
0.0 gTrans Fat
0.5 gPolyunsaturated Fat
1.0 gMonounsaturated Fat
67 mgCholestrol
317 mgSodium
17 gCarbohydrates
1 gFiber
1 gSugar
29 gProtein
Dietary Exchanges
1 starch, 3 very lean meat