Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Some Irish Recipes for St. Patty's day :)

St. Patricks day is right around the corner! Here are a couple of recipes that the whole family (even the picky ones- yes there is one in every family!) will love!

Irish cheddar Crisps

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup yellow cornmeal

3/4 tsp sugar

3 /4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup cold water

2 Tbs white vinegar

coarsely grounded black pepper


Mix flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking soda in large bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cheese, water, and vinegar with fork until mixture forms soft dough. Refrigerate 1 hour or freeze 30 minutes until firm.

Preheat oven to 375. Grease two large cookie sheets. Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into paper thin circle on floured surface. Sprinkle with pepper. Press pepper firmly into dough.

Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Place wedges on prepared cookie sheet. Bake about 10 minutes or until crisp. Store in airtight container.


Shamrock Smoothies

1 ripe banana, peeled and cut into chunks

1 cup ice cubes

3/4 cup apple juice

1/4 cup plain yogurt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp orange extract

2 or 3 drops green food coloring


Place banana, ice cubes, apple juice, yogurt, extracts and food coloring in blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and frothy. Pour into glasses and garnish with mints or cookies.
I found these in my personal recipe box and not sure where they originated from.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: What a yummy week!

I have to tell you that my family is loving all these new diabetic recipes! We have even had some guests that had no idea we were eating so healthy! (I love being sneaky like that :) ) We are also getting a couple of warm days which makes me want to have get out the grill and splurge on some red meat ....hope you are having a yummy week!


Monday: Indonesian chicken, broccoli, corn

Tuesday: 15 minute turkey chili, salad

Wednesday: Buffalo soft tacos, re fried beans

Thursday: Grilled steak, grilled asparagus, baked potatoes with cheese

Friday: Pizza and salad night

Saturday: Leftover buffet- If its in the fridge....

Sunday: Baked chicken Parmesan over whole wheat pasta, salad, green beans

Friday, March 11, 2011

Where has time gone?

My little girl, my baby, turned 3 last week.

I look at her and still see my infant girl swaddled in pink.

She proves she is three, however by having strong opinions in almost everything. From what she is going to wear to not liking her hair in a ponytail to loving all things Strawberry Shortcake.

She announced to us a couple weeks ago, she was going to start going to the potty. Then did.

She is all girl and loves all things girlie. I especially love it when she gets up from her nap. I know she has gotten up because she wears play heels out of her room and the "clomp, clomp" sound is like a trumpet announcing her arrival.

She is fierce.

I want her to stay like this forever. Knowing who she is. (A beautiful, confident child of the king)

My prayer is that she will be fierce in her beliefs and stay true.

I know its going to be a long road.

She is pure joy.


Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Works for me Wednesday: Party on !!

I don't know about you but I hate trying to find things to fill birthday goodie bags. I have kids attend our parties that range in ages 14 - newborn so you see my dilemma. Batman coloring books for the 14 year old? I can see the embarrassment on his face already.

If I want to please everyone, I have to shop several different stores and I end up spending alot more sanity and money that I intend to.

This year for my daughters birthday party I tried something new which worked wonderfully!


Instead of goodie bags, I had a candy bar ....

I choose many different candies that would work for all ages and I placed them in several glass containers that I had. I provided some Chinese take out boxes and scoops and let all my guests belly up to the bar and fill their own favor boxes with the candy that looked good to them.

It was very economical as I bought candy after Valentines day when it was 75% off and even found some great candy at the dollar store! (I ended up spending way less than I usually do on goodie bags )

Everyone was happy that they didn't have one more trinket cluttering up their house and I could eat the leftovers :)


And that works for this mama......



For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: Balanced eating continues!!

I am well into a couple weeks of healthier, balanced eating and I have to say it has been delicious. (Along with hubs being thrilled he is losing weight :) ) I have included 3 more diabetic recipes that look just as yummy and I am excited to try them. I hope y'all have a an awesome (and healthy) week!!!

Monday: Grilled lemon pepper chicken, grilled asparagus, cheddar onion perogies

Tuesday: Beef Teriyaki skewers, Asian mixed vegetables, spring rolls

Wednesday: Leftover buffet....if its not movin

Thursday: Elbow pasta w/ Prosciutto,olives and marinara, spinach salad with cheese & bacon

Friday: Pizza Night with salad

Saturday: Chicken breast with Rosemary, green beans, tomato salad and whole wheat rolls

Sunday: Spicy shrimp kabobs on the grill, broccoli salad, corn on the cob

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Works for me Wednesday: Greatest Tip edition


This week we were asked to submit one of our greatest tips and here is one of mine! I use this all the time It helps save time and money so that makes mama very happy :)

Hello. My name is Summer and I am a......stockpiler.


I admit that when I see a next to nothing deal, I grab it. Or two or three or a dozen.


I just can't help myself. If I have 3 coupons for an item, its a manager special and it's $.20 for a bag of frozen broccoli, you bet your tushy I buy 3 of them.


I get alot of sighing and looks from my hubs but he rarely says anything because he has seen the power of the money savings. I get the looks because it is his job to go out to our chest freezer and find a spot for all the deals.


There is only one itzy bitzy problem......... I forget what I have out there. I could go out there every Sunday night and see what I have before I do my menu planning. I tell myself, however that Sunday is supposed to be the day of rest, right?!?! I know, however that I just don't want my hands to turn blue as I dig through the Mary Poppins bag of freezers.


So...... I have come up with this.


I found these magnetic whiteboards at a store for $1. I love that I can simply write what I have in my freezer, erase when I no longer have it, post dates of casseroles and baked goods and add as I go to the grocery store. It actually saves me money because we are using the things that I have gotten the deals on and nothing goes bad and gets wasted.



And that works for this mama...who would rather play games with her kidlets than dig through a freezer!



For more great WFMW ideas visit We Are that Family!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: Healthy eating !

So I found out this week that I have gestational diabetes. Which is the pits. (Like when you want some Oreos and you can't have them.) So I have just dove in and embraced a diabetic diet, which turns out is a really healthy way to eat. It has resulted in both my husband losing weight and our whole family feeling really good. So.....for the next eight weeks or so I will be featuring some diabetic recipes. I hope you find them as yummy as we have!!

Monday: Roast turkey with gravy, green beans, corn

Tuesday: Angel hair pasta with spicy shrimp, spinach salad

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- if it not movin....

Thursday: Grilled chicken and cheese whole wheat quesadillas with salsa dip

Friday: Pizza night (with large salad)

Saturday: Club sandwiches on whole wheat toast and beef vegetable soup

Sunday: Shepherds pie, broccoli

Friday, February 25, 2011

How you know your pregnant (Like you didn't already?!?!)

* Tums become your dessert of choice....and you have your favorite brand and flavor.

* You are not one for violence, but you suddenly want to karate chop the woman who is coming towards you with hands outstretched to rub your belly like Buddha.

* You just love when people tell you the following phrases:

- You are huge! (Really?!?! That is what I have been dying to hear ?!?! )

- You must be ready to go any minute! (No,actually I have two more months but thanks.)

- You haven't had that baby yet?!?! (Sorry to disappoint you )


* If anyone stands in your way of having a meal....well, good luck to them. (Including your hubs)

*Suddenly the gentle woman you have always strived to be turns into a mama lion when ANYTHING happens to one of your children. I think I have even found myself snarling...that's right.....lip back...growling)

* You can go from ranting to crying to laughing...all within 5 minutes.

* You wonder how you could possibly get any bigger....then you do.

* You have the strangest dreams , when you sleep at all, like giving birth to cats, giant babies and giving birth in the jungle.

* Having a shooting pain that starts in your tush and shoots like a dagger down your leg.

* Burps that cannot be stopped or quited and are as loud and long as a trucker. Usually these escape when your in the middle of church or a parent teacher conference. Classy.

* The baby gives you a swift kick in your special lady parts and you automatically grab your crotch. Most the time in public.


*** Not trading one burp, pain, sleepless night for the wonderful joy that is motherhood!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Works for me Wednesday: Keeping the kids craft drawer organized!


I wish I had taken "before" pictures of my kids craft drawers because they were so bad that we couldn't so much find a coloring book. (Then again maybe I am glad that I didn't take any pictures :) )

Things get out of control quickly with little excited hands throwing things in a drawer in a rush to get to the next thing.

With me nesting, I tackled these drawers and I have to say its working for us!!

All the coloring books, paper and work books are in a drawer.



In another drawer I threw all crayons and pencils in a large box that the kids can easily get to ....and dare I say throw back in when done? I also put all the painting supplies in a a large 2 gallon zip lock baggie (Hello, no more hunting for those skinny paintbrushes) All the Color Wonder markers and special paper goes into another bag. Then the bain of my existence, markers, go into a final bag.

I can monitor what they are playing with better. They can do art more often now because they just grab the baggie they want and then throw everything back in.


I see clearly if they have a purple marker out in the family room....near the new TV.

And that works for this mama!!



For more great WFMW ideas, visit We are That Family!!!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Menu Plan Monday:


Happy Valentine's day !!! We always stay in onthis day of looooove. You know we get wild and crazy with a dinner that the kids will refuse to eat, followed by baths :) I have several recipes that I am excited to try this week. The garlic herb pork roast looks like a great recipe. I plan to keep it in my recipe file for summertime when I can grow my own herbs. (Although many times I can find herbs on manager special) Happy Eating y'all!!!

Monday: Grilled steaks, baked asparagus with basalmic butter sauce, twice baked potatoes

Tuesday: Mediteranian Chicken over whole wheat pasta, garden salad

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- If its in the fridge.....

Thursday: Grilled cheese, tomatoe soup, baked fries

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Beef vegtable soup in bread bowls

Sunday: Garlic herb pork roast, mashed potatoes, sauteed green beans

Friday, February 11, 2011

The Princess Problem


I HATE entitlement!! Its my biggest pet peeve. When I encounter someone who feels like they are entitled to something in life, I let out a little growl under my breath. (( I am related to some of these said people....... More irritation ensues!))

So you can understand how I am conflicted with the princess problem.

My daughter follows in the line of ten stinky, rough, tackling, fishing, pretend gun toting cousins and brother!! (Not one girl in the whole extended family!) The first time I saw her sweet little face after so many boys my first thought was that she was sure to be a tom-boy. BOY....was I wrong!

She could not be more girly.

She is in love with play jewelry, wants to play dress up, pretends to put on make up, wears play heels around the house, wants to pick her own cute clothes, and loves the colors pink and purple. She is ALL girl.

Lately she has really been into anything princess. It makes me worry a little bit. My vision starts getting cloudy with visions of "toddlers and tiaras" and demanding things from her "throne"!

I am exaggerating of course, its all fun right now. Its my role in it that I am worried about. How should you handle the princess problem?

I have no concern with her watching the movies, dressing up and pretending. She could wear her Cinderella dress to mall for all I care.

Everywhere you turn its pictures of tiaras, castles, wall hangings that state " I'm a princess" or "spoiled". Not exactly the message I want to send to my little girl!

I have been pondering which way I should go with this for a while now. I have landed upon a conclusion that I can live with.

My daughter is a princess.


Because she is a child of the King.


I tell her often. "Do you know that you are a child of the king???" She nods knowingly that yes, of course she is.

He sees her, thinks she is lovely and wants her to act like royalty.

I am called to raise her as a royal child.

To show her that she is beautiful on the inside and out. To live up to her royal calling by putting others before herself, serving where it is needed.

By giving herself the highest of standers. Acting as princess should. Not by demanding her own way but by listening to the King, obeying and serving.

Its a tall order. One that I as her mama have been called to do. "Yikes"...comes to mind.

So I don't mind the tiaras, dress up clothes and princess wall art because the truth is that she is a princess.

But like a true princess its more about a royal calling than what is coming her way.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Works for me Wednesday: Kid Friendly dinner

Hubs has been working alot of overtime and that means that I have been trying to discover kid friendly dinners. (That doesn't take much effort to make!) I am running out of ideas....

The other night I got out some hamburger and fried it up not sure what I was going to do with it. I found a tube of crescent rolls and some cheese and decided that I would would try my hand at cheeseburger squares.


I just unrolled the crescents and filled the center with a little bit of cooked meat and good amount of cheese. I folded the crescents over and pinched them shut and then baked until golden.

I have to tell you that my kids dipped them in ketchup and then gobbled them up....it was a hit!!


I thought I would share in case you were looking for a quick kid friendly meal !!!



For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Central Ohio Readers - Coupon and free tickets to the Sports, Vacation and Boat show!


If you are like me, you are about done with this winter weather!! (And living in Ohio you know that we probably have much more ahead of us :) )

We can always dream about warmer weather though, right? The Columbus Sports, Vacation and Boat show is coming to town!! It will take place Feb 10th- 13th at the Ohio Expo Center at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. (Kids under $13 are free!!!)

I was just sent this great coupon for $3 off admission to the Columbus Sports, Vacation, and Boat show! You can print it off here!!!

If you leave a comment about what you would like to check out at this fun show, you could win a pair of free tickets!! I will be posting the winner tomorrow evening...good luck guys!


Monday, February 7, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: Comfort classics

This week I am wanting classic comfort food. (It could be all the snow and ice we have been dealing with!) I am excited to try a new stuffing and chicken recipe...I hope its as yummy as it sounds! Happy eating y'all!! (And stay warm!!)

Monday: Baked chicken and stuffing, green beans, corn

Tuesday: Baked lasagna, tossed salad, garlic bread

Wednesday: Leftover - if its not movin.....

Thursday: Pork roast with sauerkraut, broccoli, mashed potatoes

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Black bean, rice, corn, cheese and chicken grilled wrap, re fried beans

Sunday: meatloaf, twice baked potatoes casserole, mixed veggies