Mama Knows Best : How to pick a really great watermelon

We as mamas have to be innovative and thrifty all in the same beat. Some how we find new ways of doing things that save us money, time and maybe if we are really blessed.... sanity!

My little man loves him some watermelon! I never knew what ones were really good ones, however. It was always hit or miss. Since we are starting to hit "watermelon season", I thought I would post what exactly to look for!

* The watermelon rind should be matte and NOT GLOSSY!

* The bottom should be cream, NOT WHITE!

*Growing your own? Look for the same signs above but also look for the green curly vine to start to yellow. (This means that the plant is no longer feeding the melon.)

Do you have a money/time/sanity tip to share? E-mail me at everythingmom@live.com

Menu Plan Monday: Break out the Grill!

We just enjoyed Easter and now I am getting ready for my little man's birthday party!! (Can you say tired mama ?!?! ) In honor of this very busy season, I have decided to make my menu plan all about the grill. I also am getting to use some of my leftover ham and make delicious soup beans...yum!

We are having grilled peppers this week. I just core and quarter my peppers and marinate them in Italian dressing for a couple of hours. Then just place them right on the grill. They are Delicious!

Monday: Leftover buffet - if its not movin...you can eat it.

Tuesday: Grilled Asian chicken, brown rice, Broccoli

Wednesday: Soup beans with ham hock and corn bread

Thursday: Marinated grilled shrimp (recipe follows), grilled asparagus, twice baked potatoes

Friday: Pizza Night, salad

Saturday: Birthday Monster truck party- Hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, cake

Sunday: Grilled lemon herb Pork chops, Grilled peppers, Butter noodles

Marinated Grilled shrimp

3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
skewers

In a large bowl, stir together the garlic, olive oil, tomato sauce, and red wine vinegar. Season with basil, salt, and cayenne pepper. Add shrimp to the bowl, and stir until evenly coated. Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring once or twice.

Preheat grill for medium heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard marinade.

Lightly oil grill grate. Cook shrimp on preheated grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until opaque.

Works for me Wednesday: Decorating an Easter table

Having any kind of family dinner is ...er....stressful. Decorating the table seems to be the last thing you think about! I hosted Easter last year and found some table decorating tips that I thought I would share!

* Find paper plates that look nice and add color. PLUS... no cleaning dishes. You can just visit with your friends and family!

*I always combine "real" silverware and glasses with paper products. Why not? It looks nice and is easy to wash some silverware....not so much about china!

* Use fresh flowers for the centerpieces....then give them to your guests to take home. (In this case I used both tulip plates and live potted tulips- I love how it looked bright!)

*Use what you have. I love glass cylinders that can be used in so many ways. Fresh fruit, Christmas tree bulbs, candy, you name it....you can make a beautiful centerpiece with things around your house!

* Think Spring. Birds nests, flowers cut from the garden and even your dyed Easter eggs can make any table look lovely. (I have even see blooming branches cut and placed on the table along with some votive candles. )

It is my believe that making things lovely for you guests is a blessing to them...and that works for this mama!

For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!

A low-Fat Easter

Ahhhh spring! The sound of birds, the warmer air, tulips blooming.....and bathing suit season looming. Eeeck!

I have a lovely aunt who lives in Texas. She was asking me for some low-fat Easter recipes and I thought that was a great idea! So in honor of my Aunt L, here is a complete Easter menu that is low-fat and totally delicious. There is no recipe for the fruit kabobs since its whatever type of fruit that you would like to serve. I love strawberries, fresh pineapple, starfruit, grapes...anything! It looks lovely on the skewers across a plate. ( You could also provide some melted chocolate to be really decadent :) )

Low-Fat Easter brunch!

Low fat Ham and cheese Strata

Herbed pork tenderloin

Garlic mashed potatoes

Tomato and asparagus salad

Fruit kabobs

Guilt free carrot cake

Low fat ham and cheese strata

10 ounces day-old Italian or French bread, cut into cubes
2 whole eggs
4 egg whites
2 cups skim milk
1 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
4 slices lean cooked ham. chopped
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Coat an 11 X 7-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk eggs and egg whites together. Add milk, half the cheese, mustard, spinach and ham. Stir well. Add bread cubes and toss well. Pour egg and bread mixture into baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and freshly ground black pepper.

Bake uncovered for 40 minutes.
Serves 8.
Per Serving: Calories 203, Calories from Fat 51, Total Fat 5.7g (sat 2.6g), Cholesterol 67mg, Sodium 564mg, Carbohydrate 23.8g, Fiber 2.2g, Protein 14.3g

Herbed pork tenderloin
1 pound pork tenderloin
1/4 cup finely chopped mixed fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley
Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Trim pork tenderloin of excess fat. Spray pork briefly with nonstick cooking spray. Rub with fresh herb mixture.

Place pork in a small, shallow roasting pan, tucking thin end of tenderloin under to ensure even roasting.

Roast for 20-25 minutes, until an internal thermometer reads 155 degrees Fahrenheit, and the juices run clear. Allow to stand for 10 minutes, allowing the temperature to reach 160 degrees. Slice thinly.

Serves 4
Per Serving: Calories 132, Calories from Fat 35, Total Fat 3.9g (sat 1.3g), Cholesterol 72mg, Sodium 58mg, Carbohydrate 0.3g, Fiber 0.2g, Protein 23.9g

Garlic Mashed potatoes

2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces
6 garlic cloves, peeled
1/3 cup fat-free milk, warmed
1/3 cup fat -free sour cream
1/2 tsp black pepper
Chives, freshly chopped

Boil potatoes and garlic cloves in a large saucepan for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender. Drain and return to pan. Add heated milk plus sour cream to potatoes and garlic, and mash with a potato masher until smooth. Use a little more milk if you prefer thinner mashed potatoes. Add black pepper to taste. Garnish with some chopped chives.

Serves 6.
Per Serving Calories 124, Calories from Fat 1, Total Fat 0.2g (Sat 0g), Cholesterol 1mg, Sodium 36mg, Carbohydrate 26.9g, Fiber 3.5g, Protein 3.8g

Tomato and asparagus salad

1/2 bunch thin to medium asparagus stalks
4 medium, ripe tomatoes, cored and cut into wedges
1/2 small red onion, sliced thinly and vertically
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp cumin

Break off bottom third of asparagus spears. Steam asparagus until bright green and tender-crisp—about 3 to 4 minutes. Plunge asparagus in cold water to stop cooking process, then drain. Cut asparagus into 2-inch pieces.

In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, asparagus, onion and cilantro. Whisk together lemon juice, oil and cumin (or place in a small screw-top jar and shake vigorously). Drizzle dressing over tomato and asparagus mixture and serve.

Serves 6
Per Serving: Calories 72, Calories from Fat 25, Total Fat 2.9g (sat 0.5g), Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 14mg, Carbohydrate 9.6g, Fiber 2.4g, Protein 2.2g

Guilt Free Carrot cake

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
4 egg whites
1 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup low fat buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup light cream cheese
1/4 cup fat-free cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13-inch x 9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine flours, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg in a large bowl. Stir with a whisk. In another bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Beat in sugar slowly, followed by the applesauce, buttermilk and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and stir until just moist. Stir in the pineapple, carrots, raisins and walnuts. Spoon batter into baking pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack before frosting.

For the frosting:
Beat cream cheeses together with lemon juice and vanilla. Add in powdered sugar until desired consistency. Spread over cooled cake.

Cut cake into 16 squares.

Per Serving: Calories 269, Calories from Fat 29, Total Fat 3.3g (sat 1.1g), Cholesterol 5mg, Sodium 244mg, Carbohydrate 54.9g, Fiber 2.7g, Protein 5g

Menu Plan Monday:

This week is boring I am afraid! It is the week before Easter which means a whole lot of mama running around like a chicken with her head cut off. :) So its basic, standard, easy to cook meals so that I can get all that I need to get done! I am doing a delicious (and easy) chicken noodle soup in the crock pot since it is rainy and cold here. I can even freeze what I have left in little containers to take out for lunches. Feel free to substitute bone-in, skin on chicken or even a whole roasting chicken in this recipe. Just de-skin and remove bones when shredding the chicken and skim any fat off of the soup. Happy Eating y'all!

Monday: Leftover buffet- if its in the fridge you can eat it, but mama is not cookin!

Tuesday: Slow cooker chicken noodle soup, (Recipe below) biscuits

Wednesday: Grilled chicken, grilled asparagus, roasted rosemary potatoes

Thursday: Beef taco's, re fried beans, Spanish Rice

Friday: Pizza night, salad

Saturday: Fish and chips, green beans

Sunday: Sunday dinner at Moms- HE IS RISEN!!!

Slow Cooker Chicken and noodle soup

8 cups water or chicken broth
1 cup carrot, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 cup celery, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 cup onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2bay leaves 1/2 teaspoon dried Thyme
4 teaspoons salt (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
3 skinless / boneless chicken breasts
3 cups egg noodles, uncooked

In 4-1/2 to 6-quart slow-cooker bowl, combine water, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, 4 t salt, 1/2 t pepper.

Place chicken on top of vegetables.

Cover slow cooker with lid and cook as manufacturer directs on low setting 8 to 10 hours or on high 4-5 hours.

Transfer chicken to cutting board. Discard bay leaves. Add noodles to slow-cooker; cover with lid and cook (on low or high) 20 minutes.

While noodles cook, shred meat.

Return chicken to soup to serve.

I was almost a swing set snob

I have two small children. I have 2 small children that would live outside if I let them. (The oldest won't even come inside to go #1...so you see what I mean.)

I am afraid that we have outgrown our little toddler plastic swing slide combo. It is time for the big kid swing set. During the summer, we spend the majority of our time outdoors so we have been on the lookout for the deals.

I use the term "deals" lightly.

People.....swings are expensive. Even the cheap ones are expensive! This left us in a quandary. My hubs and I even went swing set shopping.....on our date night. Now, that is hardcore.

So we found one at a popular children's store. It was $599 and it was on sale for $499. If we would open a charge, we would save another $80...bring the fabulous swing set to a measly $420. What a deal.....NOT.

We said we would think about it but it never quite set right with us. However, what was our alternative..really? It seems to be just as expensive at Wal-Mart or K-mart and don't even get me started on how expensive the ones that you build yourself...GEESH.

My hubby in his infinite wisdom decided to post about it on his fishing and work web-site.

Y'all......we have swing sets coming out of the woodwork. We went to visit one swing set that was the exact one we were looking for in the yard of one of my hubbies friends. It was in awesome condition and the only thing it needed was re-stained. Ours for $75. Another one is saying that we could have it for free if we would come and take it apart and haul it away.

I am not talking junk here either. These are quality four swing, slide, rock wall, fort, wooden swing sets that the kids are either bored with or the parents want to re-claim their yard.

They say confession is good for the soul, so I thought I would keep it real. I snubbed the idea at first. I didn't want a used swing set. My hubbie very carefully asked me "why?". You know what? I didn't have a good answer. If the swing set is sound, been taken care of and in good shape what is my problem? I came up with one answer.

Society.

We have been taught...conditioned, that we need the best, we need it brand spankin new and we need it now. This is so off the mark. This is the worst sort of entitlement, isn't it? We take our kids to the park and they have a ball on those swing sets. (How many kids has played on those? hmmmm) It humbled me in my shoes.

So I thought I would share our journey to maybe help some of you swing set hunters that are in our same situation! Here are some of the areas where we had our best luck with the Swing set mission.

*Ask Co-workers

*Tell Friends

*Post on any message boards that are in your area or that you frequent

*Place an ad on Craig's list or E-bay (Although you have to be careful of fraud situations)

*Place an ad at church /moms groups

*Look in the paper

*Ask your family and friends to put the word out at their places of employment.

Hope this helps!

Recipe for Resurrection Rolls

I walked into my son's preschool class and saw that they were making this very simple version of Resurrection rolls and liked them so much, I thought that I would share!

This is a great physical reminder that the tomb is empty!!! Happy Baking Y'all!

1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
8 large marshmallows
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons white sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.

Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles.

In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar.

Dip a marshmallow into melted butter, then roll in sugar mixture. Place marshmallow into the center of a dough triangle. Carefully wrap the dough around the marshmallow. Pinch the seams together tightly to seal in marshmallow as it melts. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat.

Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Mama Knows Best: Helpful tips

We as mamas have to be innovative and thrifty all in the same beat. Some how we find new ways of doing things that save us money, time and maybe if we are really blessed.... sanity!

Wow! I have not done a Mama knows best in...well ....forever! My BFF Monica sent me these helpful hints in an e-mail and I found it quite interesting!! Some tricks I have used and some I still want to try so let me know if any of these have worked (or not) for you!

**Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster..

**Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

**Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

**To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of Spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

**For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

**Reheat Pizza Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

**Easy Deviled Eggs Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

**Expanding Frosting When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

**Reheating refrigerated bread To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in A microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food Moist and help it reheat faster.

**Broken Glass Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip t o pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

**No More Mosquitoes- Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

** Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

** Measuring Cups Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such As peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

** Re opening envelopes If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.

**Conditioner Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

**Goodbye Fruit Flies To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup an d gone forever!

**Get Rid of Ants Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

Do you have a money/time/sanity tip to share? E-mail me at everythingmom@live.com

Living in my season

There is nearly not a day that goes by when one of my girlfriends reminds me (Or I remind her ) that this is only for a season. ((One of my very best friends has a newborn. You know how much she needs to hear that! :))) When I was breastfeeding every 2 hours weather the sun was up or not, I really cherished these words knowing that this would not last forever. I would sleep again...someday.

Its a comfort in bad times. That trials and tribulations in this life will pass and a new season will rise in its place.

I live in Ohio, so we have seasons galore. I love each and every one of them. We are now headed into the lovely days of spring. New buds are poking through the soil and the air is warm enough for the kids to start whining that they don't want to wear a jacket. I love the season of new growth and limitless possibilities.

So why do I not feel that way in my everyday life? I am so quick to tell myself that it is only for a season, but am I really living in my season?

When my babies are small and I am physically and mentally worn to the bone, am I cherishing the season as well? Living in the season means realizing that this time of wanting to be held all the time will pass. In the blink of an eye. Being replaced by a squirming, talking toddler that I wish would just let me hold them again.

My toddler crying out to play just one more game or one more book when I have a sink full of dishes is only for a season as well. Soon there will be shut bedroom doors and refusal to talk. How I will wish that I read Green Eggs and Ham again or I passed the land of the sugar fairies for the hundredth time.

I have really been convicted the last couple weeks of living in my season and not just enduring it. Enjoying where my kids are NOW but also knowing that these challenges will pass. Its a hard thing to do when the phone is ringing, a little diva is crying and my toddler is pounding on his tool bench....and my nerves.

Dear Lord, Please help me to live in my season and not just endure it to the next. Help me to see the joy in each new moment, even the tough ones!

Works for me Wednesday: Celebrating St. Patricks Day!

I always try to make each month special for my kids. This includes decorating, doing fun crafts and activities and of course cooking! I thought I would share some "Irish" recipes to make today really seem like St. Patricks Day!!!

Shepherd's Pie

1 1/3 cups instant mashed potato buds
1/2/3 cup milk
2 Tbs butter
1 tsp salt, divided
1 lb ground beef
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 jar, 12 ounces beef gravy
1 package (10 ounces) frozen mixed veggies, thawed and drained
3/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat broiler. Prepare 4 servings of mashed potatoes according to package directions using milk, butter and 1/2 tsp of salt.

While mashed potatoes are cooking, brown meat in medium broiler proof skillet over medium high heat, stirring to separate meat. Drain drippings. Sprinkle meat with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and pepper. Add gravy and veggies. Mix well. Cook over medium-low heat 5 minutes or until hot.

Spoon prepared potatoes around outside edge of skillet, leaving 3-inch circle in center. Sprinkle cheese evenly over potatoes. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat source 3 minutes or until cheese is golden brown and meat mixture is bubbly.

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.

For more great WFMW ideas check out We are That Family!

Menu Plan Monday- last cold day recipes

I have to say that I am ready to break out the outside grill, butter up some corn on the cob and start eating from our garden! So I have decided to use these last weeks of cold to bake and crock pot! You guys know that I love simple and easy and the Lemon Herb chicken recipe could not be any more simple. Happy Eating Y'all!!!

Monday: Lemon herb grilled chicken (Recipe @ bottom) over rice, grilled asparagus, salad

Tuesday: Crock Pot Pork Chops , butter noodles, broccoli

Wednesday: Shepherd Pie with Shamrock smoothies for dessert (Recipe posted on Wednesday)

Thursday: Baked ziti, salad, garlic bread

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Marinated brisket sandwich's, mac and cheese, green beans

Sunday: Leftover Buffet- If its in the fridge, you can eat it but mama's not cookin!

Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken

1 3/4 cups Swanson® Chicken Stock
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 chicken breast halves, skin removed

Stir the stock, lemon juice, basil, thyme and black pepper in a small bowl.

Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the chicken for 35 minutes or until it's cooked through, turning the chicken over halfway through cooking and brushing often with the stock mixture. Discard the remaining stock mixture.

The best fruit pizza you have ever tasted!

I made this fruit pizza for my sons preschool snack. It was so easy and ridiculously delicious! I hope you enjoy it :)

A tip that I learned: After you remove the cookie from the oven, while its still warm, go around and make an edge with a spatula. This will make a rim that the icing will not run over. Making it look nice and neat.


Fruit Pizza

12" pizza pan
1 pkg. refrigerator sugar cookie dough
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
Several fresh or canned fruits of your choice
1/3 c. pineapple juice
1/2 c. powdered sugar

Thinly slice cookie dough and arrange on pizza pan, overlapping slightly, so whole pan is covered. Bake according to package directions. Cool.

Whip softened cream cheese, pineapple juice and powdered sugar together and spread on cookie crust. Arrange fruit in circles according to your taste. Chill.

WFMW: Shoe Basket

I try to give my kids responsibility. (As much as I can being that my kidlets are 2 and 4 :) ) I think that having little jobs that they are responsible for helps them to understand that they are part of what makes this family work. Not to mention it lays the groundwork for more "chores" yet to come.

As soon as the kids started wearing shoes on their adorable fat little feet, I started keeping a shoe basket. I keep it on the floor by their door. It keeps their shoes in one place and its accessible.

When we hit the front door the kids take their shoes off and march to their room. They know they need to take their shoes to their shoe basket in their room. It an easy task that they can fill good completing. It also gives mama one less thing to pick up...and that works for this mama!

This week in our home

Hey all!!! We are just back from spending time with our in-laws from New York. That means that we have been "busy" snowmobiling, watching movies, cooking good things and resting in each others company :)

What a blessing it is to have in-laws that genuinely love you and your children.

My little man got his very own snowmobile and proved that he cannot only drive it on his own but can keep up with his daddy.

We took the little princess out in the high snow. Bundled her up in a big pink fluffy mound and pulled her around on the sled. She had this odd look on her face the whole time that read..."why are we here? Who likes being cold?". She would point a pink fuzzy gloved hand to the house and say a muffled "INSIDE!" So most of the time princess and mama would just be looking at the men folk from the window. Maybe next year she will be a little more bold....or not. :)

Since we just got back, we have a bare fridge and busy schedule.(( Of course I just looked in my sons backpack since preschool is today and found out that he, of course, is the special person this week. )) I thought this would be the perfect week to do another eat from the pantry challenge.

Y'all know I love not going to the grocery store and I am proud to say that I have not gone for 3 weeks. (Minus sending the non coupon man I love for milk, fruit and veggies.)

Therefor I will not be doing a menu plan Monday. Instead I will be trying to come up with meals to use some of the ingredients in my pantry! (And it will be the perfect time to do a re-haul on our pantry....I will post pictures if I am not too embarrassed. It has gotten quite out of control.)

I will post some recipes that I find and use this week. I will also be posting the yummiest fruit pizza recipe I have ever gotten my little hands on!

Hope this is a yummy week for y'all!