Holy Wars

I have 2 delightful children and am cooking the third. I love my little brood and I love their distinct personalities ...well, sometimes.

The current dilemma in our house is saying grace before meals.

My son has always been the little evangelist. He loves to say grace and I am quite proud of him. He has learned not to recite but to really make it personal. He will ask for God to keep daddy safe while at work, to help sissy with her cold or when he is really hungry he thanks God for the "best food ever". Its sweet and makes me smile.

Enter the little sister.

She is sassy. In every way. She may be little in stature but she is BIG in personality. She has figured out that it bugs her darling brother if she tries to say grace...over top of his grace.

Number 1 gets truly enraged, even daring to growl and bang his fist on the table in the middle of thanking the Lord for or food. This of course delights number 2 and results in giggles and grins. Which just makes my son all the more angry.

I am sure that the Lord is more amused that I am at these times.

I try to explain that we are thanking God for our food and that this is not appropriate. We have tried taking turns saying grace, disciplining my daughter, both saying it. I have exhausted my list of options.

Being the cooker of #3 I can hardly wait (sarcasm intended) to see what he/she brings to the dinner table.

Isn't that the great part of being in a family, though? All those moments that cannot be planned and that make you laugh later. It makes me love this job as a mama and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Well....most days anyway.

I guess for now, its our own little Holy war.

Works for me Wednesday: Making leftovers easy!

I love this style of kids trays.

They are so convenient when your kids don't like their foods touching. (Good times)I have recently found another use for them that saves me time...and that is a good thing! I can use the extra time to you know....use the bathroom or read a page in my book. :)

When putting away leftovers, I have been putting a little of the leftovers in these sectioned trays then covering it with cling wrap. I then place it in the fridge and have a complete meal, ready to eat for my kiddos. Thus, creating a meal to go! It works perfect when they have a sitter or even home with dad. I feel better than getting them junk or one of those frozen kids meals. Just pop it in the microwave and you are done!

And that totally works for this mama!!!

For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!

Recipe Tuesday: Chicken and Dumplings

This looks absolutly delisious...and more importantly these days, mild on my tummy! I can't wait to try it...happy eating!!

Chicken and Dumplings

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
6 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter

Chopped Carrots- as many as you would like

Chopped Celery- as many as you would like

salt and pepper to taste
2 cups all-purpose baking mix
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold water

In a large pot over medium heat, simmer chicken in 6 cups water until no longer pink. Remove chicken, cool and shred.

Return shredded chicken to pot and stir in butter, salt and pepper. Cook until chicken reaches desired tenderness, 15 to 60 minutes.

In a bowl, stir together baking mix and milk until smooth. In a separate bowl, stir together flour and 1/2 cup cold water until smooth. Stir flour mixture into soup; bring soup to a rolling boil.

Drop baking mix mixture by tablespoonfuls into the boiling water, neatly around the chicken. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes. Then cover and cook 10 minutes more. (Sneak a spatula under the dumplings to prevent chicken from sticking to the bottom of the pot.) Serve hot.

Menu Plan Monday: Anything goes!

So...now that the secret is out on why my tummy has been so upset these days, this menu plan will come as no surprise to you! Its all about comfort food!!!! Anything that does not make me want to hug the toilet is good for me. What you see this week is your traditional comfort food. Happy eating y'all!!

Monday: Sloppy Joes (recipe below), Tater Tots, salad

Tuesday: Chicken noodle soup, fresh baked bread

Wednesday: Leftover night...mama is not cookin!!

Thursday: Beef roast, mashed potatoes, green beans

Friday: Pizza Night!!

Saturday: Baked ziti, spinach salad, garlic bread

Sunday: Chicken and dumplings (recipe tomorrow), mixed veggies

Sloppy Joes

2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 hamburger buns

Place ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until evenly browned, stirring to crumble. I like to use a potato masher to even out the lumps. Add onion and celery, cover the pan, and cook until tender and transparent, about 5 minutes. Drain off any grease.

Stir the tomato soup (undiluted), ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce into the beef mixture. Season with salt and garlic powder. Heat to a simmer over low heat, and cook until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently to prevent it from burning on the bottom.

Spoon the hot beef mixture onto buns, which may be toasted first, and serve.