Menu Plan Monday

Whew - Busy, busy weekend here! I got a lot accomplished. My biggest project was cleaning our closet. Boy, was I in the trashing mood. I really wish the trash would run soon though, cause I don't want to find myself digging through the bags because I'm having remorse from throwing away clothes that "MAY" fit again...NOT...Who am I kidding??? Anyway, it looks great, and I feel so much better to have it clean & organized.

Monday - Hawaiian Meatballs, mashed potatoes, corn

Tuesday - Weight Watcher Soup, grilled cheese sandwiches

Wednesday - Chicken Philly Sandwiches, tossed salad

Thursday - Country Ham, navy beans, potato salad

Friday - Homemade Pizza, tossed salad

Saturday - Grilled chicken, broccoli casserole, baked potatoes

Have a great Monday,

Linda

Philly Cheese Steak Subs

Joining in Colleens Recipe Swap for this week, this is my version of Philly Cheese Steak Subs.

Package of Top Sirloin Steaks (I used two)

Chopped onion

Chopped Green pepper (I didn't use this time because I didn't have one)

Can of mushrooms

Mozzarella Cheese

Sub Rolls

Butter

Steak sauce of your choice (I used Dales)

I put the steaks in the freezer for a little bit, so they would be easier to slice. I sliced the steaks into thin pieces first. I then put the steak, sauce, onions & mushrooms and cooked until done. I buttered the bread, put the steak mixture on the bread, then added the cheese. I then put under the broiler in the oven until cheese melted. These are always a huge hit with my family. I served them with tossed salad and chips. I guess I should add; this was just enough for my family of 4.

Blessings,

Linda

Weight Watcher Chili

This has turned out to be a family favorite.....(except for my daughter, she was having none of this. She turns to cereal when we have something she doesn't like). Oh well!! It's very good and I ended up putting it in the crock pot for about 4 hours. The recipe came from my friend Rachel.

Chili - WW - 1 cup = 3 points

1 can Mexican (or Italian) stewed tomatoes

1 can fat free chicken broth

1 can fat free refried beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can pinto beans

1 can black beans

1 onion

1 package chili mix

1 lb. lean ground beef

Cook beef with onion (diced). In large pot mix all ingredients and cook on low for desired time.

Enjoy!!!!

Blessings,

Linda

Watcha Working on Wednesday

I finally decided to give this a try. I've been working on these great smelling Valentine Ornaments. I still have some to finish painting, and then I will need to seal them. I got the dough recipe from Colleen at And Baby Makes Five. I will be hanging some on my ornament tree in the shop, and using some as bowl fillers here at home.

Ornamental Gingerbread Dough

3 T shortening

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup molasses

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 cup water

3 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp each: ground cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg

Beat shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Stir in molasses. Mix dry ingredients together. Stir them into sugar mixture and gradually add water. Dough will be very stiff. Refrigerate overnight.

Heat oven to 350. Cut dough into three pieces. Roll one piece at a time (between two pieces of waxed paper) to a thickness of about 1/4". Cut out desired shapes and pattern. Note: If you are planning to hang these ornaments, poke holes in the shapes now with a straw or toothpick. Bake for about 20 minutes. Allow to cool and harden for several hours or overnight.

Finished ornaments can be painted, sealed or dipped in melted wax. The possibilities are endless.

Thanks again to Colleen at "And Baby Makes Five" for the great recipe.

Blessings,

Linda

Kris Kringle Cakes

Okay, okay, I know Christmas is past, but I have to tell you....I made these pancakes last weekend and they were delicious. I got the recipe from "Finding Joy in my Kitchen". I usually just make pancakes from bisquick, but wanted to try something different. Yummy!!

1/2 cup white flour

1/2 cup wheat flour

1 cup oats (I used quick oats)

2 T. brown sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg

1/3 cup applesauce

1 cup milk - may need a little extra

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix together applesauce, egg, and vanilla

Add Milk

Then mix dry ingredients together.

Combine wet and dry ingredients and stir until moist. You may need to add additional milk if the mixture seems overly thick. Cook pancakes on a griddle heated to medium. Flip when little bubbles begin to form. Enjoy!!

Blessings,

Linda

Menu Plan Monday

So - my big plan this year is to eat out less!! I think it will help me be accountable is I join in the "Menu Plan Monday". I'm just posting dinners so far. I'm breaking myself in slowly. So...here goes:

Monday - Weight Watcher Chili Recipe - From my friend Rachel

Tuesday - Philly Cheese Steak Subs

Wednesday - Pork Medallions with Mushroom Sauce (from my friend Laura)

Thursday - Chicken Enchiliadas

Friday - Stromboli's

HELLO January!!!

Well - I had planned on doing a better job of posting on my blog. Maybe starting today I will do just that. Being a mom sure is a hard job. You know...as my children have grown, I actually thought juggling would be easier, but it seems it is just the opposite. I think my grown son assumes we have a motel here. He eats, sleeps and showers here and it is so seldom that we get to spend time with him. Between working, going to class & hanging with his friends - It feels like the beginning of the empty nest, but I still have his laundry!!! And it seems I'm just the Taxi Driver for my daughter.



Oh well....I really am going to have a hard time with the empty nest thing!!



Here are some Valentine Heart Ornaments I've been working on. They turned out really cute, and I added them to the shop yesterday. What do you think?


Blessings,
Linda