WFMW: Bad fruit

I just love when I buy fruit and about 1 1/2 days later it starts to go down hill.

NOT !!!

I hate to waste anything so this really irks me. I have found a solution that works for us and I thought I would share it.

I take any banana, peach or berries that are starting to turn to the dark side and remove any stems or peeling. I think slice or cube it, place it in a freezer bag and pop it in the freezer.


Then whenever my littles want a smoothie for breakfast, I grab it out of the freezer. Add some vanilla yogurt and milk and you have an easy nutritious breakfast!!

(You can also do this for peppers and onions....just don't use them for smoothies. Save them for recipes and pizza toppings!)

And that totally works for this mama!


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

Menu Plan Monday: School time!

I won't even get started about my emotions on my first born starting school. (I have a tissue in my hand right now!) I do know that I need simple easy meals that I don't have to think about while we get into the swing of things!! This also means trying to stretch our meats again. (I use this weeks pot roast leftovers to make yummy beef and noodles !!!) Happy eating y'all !!!

Monday: BBQ chicken, mac and cheese, baked beans and salad

Tuesday: Pork stir fry, egg rolls, brown rice

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- Big Mama is not cookin!!!

Thursday: Crock pot beef roast, roasted carrots and broccoli

Friday: Pizza Night !

Saturday:BBQ chicken wraps (see below) with fresh garden salsa

Sunday: Beef and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans

BBQ Chicken Wraps

Take leftover BBQ chicken and cut into strips or chunks. Brush a whole wheat tortilla with some extra bbq sauce and fill with cheddar cheese and tomatoes.

Fold bottom up, then both opposite sides, until tightly folded.

Grill seam side down, about 10 minutes or until golden. (Turning halfway through)

Project Kitchen Organization: Baking Drawer

I will be the first to admit that I went a little crazy with the nesting when I was pregnant with my last princess. I was like a mad woman with the crazy look in her eye and all. My family simply stepped to the side and let me do my thing. (Often stepping over piles of containers, bags and bins)

After the baby I found the organization very useful and effective and am thankful that I got it all done. I thought I would take the next couple of weeks to go through and share some of the things that worked really well. Happy Organizing!!


I have to tell you that I love to bake! I also have to tell you that since I have three children I don't have alot of time to do it !! So when I do want to bake, I want to know where to find my apple core thingy (technical term), lemon zester, rolling pin and other essential tools.


So I made a whole drawer that is nothing but my special little gadgets and tools. (A drawer that no one has any business being in except me! :)



Today I am participating in I'm an organizing junkie

WFMW: What my child CAN do.

This week over at Works for me Wednesday, they are talking about what helps you "back to school". I have been thinking about this alot since I have my oldest baby going in to kindergarten (gulp) and the other one starting preschool. (double gulp)

I have been thinking about sending them out in this world and what tools they need to have to survive it. (I know, I know....they are only 3 and 5 but it starts young.)

I sat down and made a list of all the things that my kids CAN do this year. You know....things that they are not currently expected to do and won't kill them to start?!


* Clear their own dishes
* Put their dirty clothes in a hamper
* Pick up their own toys
* Put their book bags in their room and on their hook
* Pick out their clothes the night before
(Thus saving all the drama for their grandmama..just sayin.)
* Make their own bed in the morning (and I will resist the urge to re-do it !!)
* Start to give some of their own coins to church (I will match it )
* Help their sibling with a task. (Because we are in this together in this house!)

This list is going to go on the fridge the first day of school and hopefully will be a reminder to this mama !


For more school WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!

And the winner is......

And the winner of the Sweet Clove Sunshine cafe gift certificate is......

April !!!!

I will be e-mailing you...congrats!!

Project Kitchen Organization: Junk Drawer

I will be the first to admit that I went a little crazy with the nesting when I was pregnant with my last princess. I was like a mad woman with the crazy look in her eye and all. My family simply stepped to the side and let me do my thing. (Often stepping over piles of containers, bags and bins)

After the baby I found the organization very useful and effective and am thankful that I got it all done. I thought I would take the next couple of weeks to go through and share some of the things that worked really well. Happy Organizing!!

Everyone has one, right? A place to put those random trinkets like tape, balloons (for that "I need a balloon mama" emergency), mints, pens, post its. You name it. It's useless, however if you can't find anything in the drawer.

I found that with just a couple of dividers the drawer stays neat and I keep a little sanity. (Notice, I said a little.)

Today I will be posting at "I'm an Organizing junkie".

Don't Forget !! School countdown jar!

Don't forget your school countdown jar!! (If you forget what it is , see the original post here )

This year I have 2 going to school so we changed things up a little bit. We used some leftover pastel Valentines M&m's for the princess and primary colors for the big one. :)

I also made them count out the number of M&M's they needed.

Cause' I'm super mean like that :)

They have really been enjoying their daily m&m !!

Menu Plan Monday: Cleaning out the stockpile!

Hey girls!! My name is Summer and I am a stockpiler. Notice, I did not say hoarder. I don't collect 453 salad dressings just to feel good. :) I do however believe that if something is a really good deal and my family will eat it then I will buy however many I have a coupon for! So, this week we are living off our stockpile. (It may or may not have something to do with not wanting to a big grocery trip. Ill never talk.) I found these chicken thighs in the freezer and bunch of homemade orange french toast that I had made. To me that says, "breakfast for dinner and find a recipe for chicken thighs!" I hope you have a yummy week!!

Monday: Orange french toast, bacon, eggs

Tuesday: Lemon baked chicken thighs, brown rice, broccoli

Wednesday: Leftover buffet..mama is not cookin!

Thursday: Ravioli lasagna, garlic bread, salad with garden veggies

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Grilled chicken, grilled asparagus, corn on the cob

Sunday: Pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans


Lemon Chicken Thighs

3-4 pounds chicken parts (thighs and legs recommended), skin-on, bone-in, trimmed of
excess fat

• 2 Tbsp lemon zest
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 Tbsp fresh chopped thyme (or 2 teaspoons dried)
• 1 Tbsp fresh chopped rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 2-3 Tbsp melted butter

1 Place lemon juice, lemon peel, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, whisk to combine. With the tip of a sharp knife, cut into each chicken piece one or two times by about 1/2 an inch. (This will help the marinade penetrate.) Place the chicken pieces and the marinade in a gallon-sized freezer bag. Rotate the bag so that all chicken pieces are coated with the marinade. Seal the bag and place in a bowl in the refrigerator (in case of leakage). Let marinate for 2 hours.

2 Preheat oven to 425°F. Remove chicken from marinade and place in a single layer in a large baking dish, skin side up. Reserve the marinade. Use a pastry brush to brush a little melted butter on to each piece of chicken.

3 Bake for a total of 50 to 55 minutes, until the skins are crispy brown, and the chicken is cooked through, juices running clear (breasts have an internal temperature of 165°F and thighs 175°F). Half-way through the baking, at about the 25 minute mark, baste the chicken pieces generously with reserved marinade.

Depending on the size of the breasts, they may be ready before the thighs, so if you are cooking a mix of chicken parts, keep that in mind, you may have to take them out of the oven before the thighs.

Let rest, covered in foil, for 10 minutes before serving.

4 Pour the juices from the pan into a serving bowl. Use a tablespoon to skim the fat off the top (save the fat for cooking with later, or discard, but do not discard down the drain or it will solidify and clog your drain). Serve the chicken with the juices on the side or a little poured over the top of the chicken.

Serve alone or with steamed rice.

Confessions of a desperate housemama: Grocery store woes.

I had the best of hopes for the day.

That was my first mistake.

I needed to do some grocery shopping and I decided to take the princess with me. Since I am a human cow, I was afraid she would open her big blue eyes the moment I pulled out of the driveway and cry non stop.

I told the hubs that I would take her because she would probably snooze through the whole thing. I had grand visions of a peaceful, beautiful baby sleeping while I save my family money couponing and deal hunting.

EHHHHHHHH. (That was the sound of the buzzer signaling my wrongness at this assumption.)

I got about to the front door when the little ball of joy opened her eyes and decided that she had slept enough. I felt my belly flip flop in worry with the hours of shopping I had before me than I just as quickly told myself that she would either go back to sleep or be highly entertained by all the sights.

Do I need to sound the buzzer again??

It started with little whines and a couple grunts. Three isles in we were in full crying mode. I had to search for the right deal and then again through my coupon binder while pushing the cart back and forth, back and forth. Over and over again.

By the time I reached the canned goods that wouldn't even appease my little blessing. I thought maybe she would like to be in the carrier against me. Then she would fall asleep right?!?

I got her feet in the carrier right as she threw her arms out and knocked a jar of olives out of my hand, sending it to its death. I heard the glass break and the very nice grocery man came and assured me it was no big deal.

I broke a speed record going to the next isle.

"Clean up in isle five...just follow the screaming baby."

Little miss was not satisfied with this carrier arrangement however, so I started to bounce my body down the isle, singing the Steely Dan song that was blaring over the loundspeaker.

bounce bounce. " When you smile for the camera.....you know I love you better" People were trying to look without being rude.

Then even this would not satisfy. I felt my milk come in, a direct response to her little shrieks of discontent.

I looked around in panic. I had a cart full of food, some things left to get and a very unhappy girl on my chest.

Why oh why didn't I wear my nursing tank or a top that could be shoved to the side to nurse?!?
I had to have a t-shirt that you had to lift completely up to get to the girls...geesh.

When I hit the frozen foods, I tried to maneuver one of the girls out the top of the t-shirt while having the carrier cover any show that I might give to the patrons. I then tried throwing a receiving blanket over one shoulder, lifting my t-shirt up on one side to expose enough for her to be appeased while yanking it down in the back so I wasn't totally naked from the rear.

That didn't work and generally ticked her off.

I was a desperate woman, which isn't a far jump for me. (Ask my friends or hubs...they will tell you.)

As the beads of sweat started to form, I pushed my cart to the front of the store, looking for a chair, bench or anything where I could discreetly sit my bottom down and feed my child.

Nothin.

I saw that off to the left was a semi- segregated area.

The liqueur section.

I made my way there, screaming baby and all and hid in front of one of the shelves. I then lifted my whole shirt up. (I told you I was desperate.) and attached crying baby to an udder.

Sweet, sweet silence.

I did manage to get a receiving blanket over me but who was I kidding? My back was totally exposed and you could hear, suck, suck, gulp. (The girl was hungry, ok?!?)

Of course being my child, she was going to be leisurely about her eating. (The experts always see eat slowly, right?)

I had nothing to do but look at all the liqueur around me. I seriously contemplated opening a bottle and taking the edge off my nerves. I wondered to myself...

"Self, wonder if I could unscrew a bottle with my teeth, while only being able to hold the bottle with one hand?"

I shook my head into rational thinking again and decided that alcohol was not the answer. Especially if someone came around the bend and saw me nursing and drinking.

My thought soon turned to panic while I then thought about all the people who could come into my isle. You know, ex-boyfriends, that perfect mom from the PTA, construction workers.

The princess finally did get her fill and I gently placed her in her carrier while trying to put all my clothes back in place. I told little girl that mama had been through the ringer today so I expected her to be a quiet little angel the rest of the trip.

She responded with a goofy grin and moving her bowels in a mighty way...as in blowout in isle 20.

Not the sign I was looking for.

Sweet Clove Sunshine cafe review and giveaway !!!

I am not a breakfast person. Never have been. So when I was asked to review a brand new breakfast/ lunch restaurant, I was a little skeptical. I have been to those type of restaurants before. It's not like I didn't like them, I just wasn't impressed. Just being honest here, people.

But I went with another bloggy friend for lunch. I had just had the princess and I needed some much needed time out. We decided that we would try the new Sweet Clove Sunshine Cafe, which is owned by the Honey baked ham store. Its brand new and I like me some ham so we thought we would give it a shot.

The first thing I noticed when we sat down on a lovely terrace is that the menu that they handed me was the largest selection in a menu that I have seen in my life. And it wasn't just ham (although Honey baked ham entrees could be ordered. ) It was an extensive breakfast and lunch menu with many options and pictures that made my mouth water. I decided on the french dip served on rustic pan bread and a cup of the baked potato soup. It was excellent. (I wanted to lick the bowl, ok? )

I loved it so much that I asked my hubby to take me back for breakfast on my birthday! I had pineapple upside down pancakes that was as big as my head. (I especially liked when my lovely waitress brought out a huge bowl of freshly whopped cream and asked me if I would like some. Yes, please !!!!) Then we had the bacon.

My hubs is sort of a foodie and it takes alot to knock his socks off. He tasted the bacon and almost dropped his fork. Listen to me when I say, "This is the best bacon that you will ever taste. Period." Some genius decided to caramelize the bacon with the glaze they use on the Honey baked ham and they should win some type of award. :) Can you tell I liked it?!?!

So I liked it so much I had to share it with you. Click on the link above for the menu to see the awesome selection for yourself or the main website here. I have also been given a $25 gift card for a lucky reader. (Remember, you can always take me with you :) )

Just look at the menu and leave a comment telling me what you would order with your gift card. I will be choosing the winner next Wednesday! Good luck!!!!

Menu Plan Monday: Simple is in!

Sometimes you just don't want to think about what your gonna eat in the upcoming week. :) We are blessed to be able to join some family this week at a lake cottage. Fortunately, it comes with a great kitchen that we can cook in. So, this week we will be having very simple meals together. (Its all about the company, right? ) No new dishes or complex recipes = a more relaxed mama. I hope y'all have a tasty week....happy eating!


Monday: Spaghetti and cheese filled meatballs, salad, garlic bread

Tuesday: Taco bar, refried beans, black beans and rice

Wednesday: Hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, baked fries, fruit salad

Thursday: Leftover buffet- if its not movin.....

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Lemon pepper chicken, zucchini fritters, broccoli

Sunday: Italian beef roast, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans

Project Kitchen Organization: Coffee Shelf

I will be the first to admit that I went a little crazy with the nesting when I was pregnant with my last princess. I was like a mad woman with the crazy look in her eye and all. My family simply stepped to the side and let me do my thing. (Often stepping over piles of containers, bags and bins)

After the baby I found the organization very useful and effective and am thankful that I got it all done. I thought I would take the next couple of weeks to go through and share some of the things that worked really well. Happy Organizing!!

We are coffee drinkers in this house! When someone tells us that they don't drink coffee I shudder and question our friendship. :)

When you are a coffee drinker you may have alot that goes with the morning ritual. Filters, sweetener, creamer, stir sticks. It can become overwhelming!

I have found a solution that works for us.

I have used a bottom shelf right above our coffee maker and made it our "coffee shelf". (I also include salt, pepper, Kosher salt, our favorite seasoning and toothpicks.) Everything we need is right there for easy convenience. I also find it easier to know if we are running low on something for grocery list without digging!



Today I will be posting at "I'm an Organizing junkie".

Chicken Bruchetta Recipe

Sooo.... hubs and I had some garden tomatoes and basil and it was too hot to really cook. We had a loaf of bread that was getting sort of crusty. (Being me, I didn't want to waste it) So we decided to try our hand at some bruschetta. It was so delicious that we decided to make it again, this time with some sauteed chicken and make a meal out of it.

We used bigger style bread than french loaf so it would feel less like an appetizer. It was light and refreshing and even the kids liked it!! (It also uses your garden veggies, which I am all about these days!)

Happy Eating y'all !!

Chicken Bruschetta

• 8 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 loaf crunchy bread, toasted and sliced
• 1/2 lb chicken, chunks
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
  

Saute the chicken chunks in 3 Tbs of olive oil until cooked through. Remove to a paper towel.

Toast bread in oven until slightly browned.

In a bowl, toss together the tomatoes, basil, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Mix in the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper. Place on toasted bread and cover with mozzarella cheese. Place back in the oven until cheese is melted.

No Menu Plan this week- too hot and too busy!

Hey Y'all !!! Just wanted to let you know that I am not doing a menu plan this week due to several factors! My hubs is out of town a couple of days, the kids have VBS every night and it is so hot out!!! We are simply doing alot of simple sandwiches and leftovers. (Hey, you do what you have to do, right?!? )

I will be posting later today a recipe that my hubby and I sort of made up and it turned out so well its worth sharing! Its light for summer and the kids actually liked it so I hope you will too !!

Hope you guys have a yummy week!!