Recipes

I found these in the cookbook... Robin to the Rescue(a Robin Miller cookbook).

Quick Fix Beef Bourguignon
4 slices of bacon, diced
1 1/4 lbs. beef sirloin or round steak cut into 1" cubes
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 c. all purpose flour
2 cloves garlic, mined
1 tsp. thyme
1 c. dry red wine
2 c. beef broth
2 Tbs. tomato paste
3 med. carrots, chopped
2 c. frozen pearl onions( I used 1 c. chopped onion)
1 c. frozen peas

In large stock pot or Dutch oven over med-high heat, cook the bacon until browned and crisp. Remove bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside to drain on a paper towel.

Season beef with salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow dish, add beef, turn to coat evenly, tapping off excess. Add the beef to the hot pan and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5 mins. total. Add the garlic and cook 1 min. Add thyme and cook for 1 min., until fragrant. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Add the broth, tomato paste, carrots, and onions, and reserved bacon and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to med.-low and continue to cook until beef is cooked through and the sauce is thickened, about 20 mins.


Bank a batch: Make a double batch and freeze the extra in a freezer ziploc. Don't skimp here.. this is worth the money for good quality bags. Be sure to squeeze all of the air out. Label and freeze flat. Thaw the night before in the frig. Reheat in large sauce pan until heated through. Serve over noodles or rice.

I made this dish on Sunday when we arrived home from church. In the time that it took to cook the noodles; dinner was ready. Add a salad and crusty bread. YUMMY!!!!

Seared Chicken with Sun Dried Tomato Sauce

1c. drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes plus 1 Tbs. oil from the jar

4 boneless chicken breasts

Salt and pepper to taste

1c. chicken broth

3 cloves garlic, peeled

1/4 c. chopped basil

Heat the sun dried tomato oil in a large skillet over med-high heat. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the hot pan. Cook until golden brown, about 2 mins. per side.

Meanwhile, in the blender, combine the sun dried tomatoes, broth, and garlic and process until smooth. Add the sauce to the chicken, bring to a simmer, and let simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 2 mins.

Remove from heat, sprinkle with basil and serve.

To make a meal kit to freeze: Season the chicken place into ziploc. Make sundried tomato sauce and place in ziploc bag. Store both bags in large ziploc. Label and freeze flat. Thaw overnight in frig. Cook according to directions above. Serve over angel hair pasta.

What's for dinner????

What' for dinner this week???? It's something from the freezer. Last week we enjoyed the Quick Fix Bourguignon.... it was super yummy. We also like the Pan Seared Chicken with Sun dried tomato sauce over angel hair pasta.
This week... we will be having some freezer meals and some cooked by me.
Mon- Pasta bake(freezer meal)
Tues- Pepper Steak over rice(freezer meal.... I'll cook the rice)
Wed- Pork Chops, potatoes and carrots(this is Curry's fav. we usually have it on Sun)
Thurs and Fri are still up for discussion(since it's Oct. I don't have my menu planned). We have lots to choose from in the freezer.

Because of all of the cooking that I have done ahead of time.... I will be able to put off going to the commissary for a few extra days(maybe even a week) and all I have to purchase are a few potatoes.

I haven't had much luck cooking potatoes last week. I sure hope it was the bag of potatoes that I bought and not me. We'll see how they turn out on Wed. I am not going to get them from the commissary.... I think I'll try WM instead.

I am looking at new recipes and hope to try some more freezer recipes in Oct. I'll have to post the recipes to my two favorites above. I'll see about getting that posted tomorrow.

A special moment

Logan and I were a part of some thing very special today....
Brad is currently stationed in Africa..... Amanda, his beautiful bride, is one of my dear friends. Tonight, Brad flew in for R&R.... we were invited to come and take pics and video the homecoming. I can not tell you how wonderful this experience was for me and Logan.

As I stood and watched Amanda peer out the airport window while the plane landed.....Walker, their youngest(2 yrs. old) was saying, "Daddy's plane, Daddy's plane".....all the while I was being blessed by this wonderful family that God has placed in our lives.

Brad was about the third person off of the plane... but he was the first one through the doors. The other passengers allowed him to enter the airport first. The love that I saw was indescribable.....there were tears of joy, hugs, smiles and a peace that comes with having your loved one back in your arms again.

I have been on the receiveing end of having my husband coming home.... but never have I been a part of someone else's hubby coming home..... it is a very special time. Thanks for sharing it with us...
WELCOME HOME BRAD!!!!

this is too stinkin' cute

Here is Logan after her third class of cake decorating. I think she has a talent here.

I love the clown on the side looking at the other ones. She did add yellow polka dots on the side.

She is improving with each cake. She has homework this week( I love this kind of home work)... she has to practice making flowers. Next week I think she will be learning how to make roses.

Logan has received her first cake request.... my friend, Amanda's hubby is coming home on R&R... they plan to celebrate everyone's birthday while he's home. Logan will make the cake for them. She is quite excited!!!!

Brace Face

Okay, that wasn't nice; I know. We don't really call her that. She had her braces put on the Monday after flying home by herself. This was one of those, "by herself" things, too. I was glad Dr. Jones has a "no parent in the back" rule. I think it makes life easier....at least mine. Logan does so much better with out me there and I am okay saying that. Once I figured that out; life was alot easier.

We have a wonderful orthodontist. Actually, the whole staff is wonderful. Dr. Jones recently moved to Lawton and we like to believe that he came here especially for us. (okay, we know that's not ture). He bought a practice here and we are fortunate to have him for Lo's Dr.

Can you tell how much we like him???

His office manager, Lisa, is a hoot. She is from Alabama. (Dr. Jones went to school in B'Ham). She was sweet to take pics of Logan while she was getting her braces put on.

oops, I forgot to flip the pic.. sorry

Lisa had me take this picture for Logan's Daddy......

WAR EAGLE..... Lisa..... WAR EAGLE!!!!!!

Logan "finally" gets a cell phone

Logan has asked and asked for a cell phone.... probably since the 4th grade. We have said no.. no... no. Then, it all changed. I am not quite for sure how it changed or why it changed. I know it changed on Labor Day weekend other than that I am still wondering the above question... when and why. Oh, that's right because she asked her DADDY. And DADDY said, "YES". Actually, what happened was we took a trip to Sam's club to get a few things.... this just happened to be the place that Logan looked at the phone earlier in the week. She picked out a phone.. showed it to Curry and that's all she wrote.

The agreement was we would pay for unlimted texting and she had to buy the phone... and pay for the extra line. (I was certain that she would never part with that much money at one time nor would she want to give up part of her allowance each month.) She couldn't make up her mind so we left Sam's and headed back home.(Thank goodness we only live about 10 mins. from Sam's because I think within an hour we were back at Sam's). I grabbed my camera and off to Sam's we went. This just happened to be the weekend before Curry was going TDY(temporary duty) to Kansas for three weeks. UGH!!! Now, I was going to be left with this new electronic device to help Logan figure out..... needless to say, Daddy and Logan got the basics down and she was good.

Curry was a little shocked to see how much she had texted the first hour of having the phone. She loves it and loves texting everyone.......if she has your number... she'll probably text you at some time.

Picking out the new phone....

Curry loved this part!!!!

this was our sales person

whew... i'm glad that's over

Can you say "dinner's in the freezer"? Well, I sure can. I haven't had a cooking session like that in quite some time. Obviously, long over due. Here's what I was able to accomplish today.. first, I had to organize my freezer. In doing so, I realize just how much I hate my chest freezer. But a new one will have to wait until retirement..... plus, we don't have any place to put it here. For now, we will count our blessings..... 1. we have a freezer & 2. we have lots of food in it to organize.

Hang on a minute.. something freaky is going on with this blog. It says my request could not be processed( I didn't request any thing)... auto save has failed. That's what I need.... no auto save... UGH!!! This blogging thing can be stressful at times. I am going to continue to type and hope it's all there when I go to post this baby.

Okay, now back to my day. After I organized my chest freezer and my frig freezer.... I started my cooking session. To make a long day short... I was able to make everything on my list except the choc. chip muffins and the blueberry muffins. The scalloped ham and potatoes are still in question... I forgot to add flour (I was try to remember a recipe.... not too smart when you are multitasking). I cooked them; will allow them to cool and then freeze. (We have lots of cereal in the event these dishes are not edible).

The Quick Fix Bourguignon is yummy. Logan tasted it when she got home and wanted to have it tonight. I also tasted the sun dried tomato sauce and can't wait to have it. YUMMO!!!
In addition I was able to make taco meat and enchilada bake(with hamburger). All in all it was a successful day!!! I am very tired and considering getting a pizza or cereal for dinner.

I'll post the results of the meals once we actually eat them... that will be next week.

another day shopping....

Today's grand total savings at the commissary wasn't near what it was last month, but it was still savings.... $35.00. The cashier was quite surprised... I even shared some coupons with some other customers(the c's were going to expire before I'd head out again for another shopping trip). I am going to have a cooking day tomorrow... here's what I have planned to cook.
Sour Cream and Chicken Enchiladas
Seared Chicken w/ Sun Dried Tomato sauce
Quick Fix Bourguignon
Pepper Steak over rice
Quiche in a Bag( I'll test this one when I take snack to church)
Pigs in a blanket(for breakfast)
Red Beans and Rice( Ginny, I'm trying your recipe...)
Ham Crescent rolls(bought crescent rolls for $0.39 a can.... I think we have about 5 of those bad boys to use up.)
2 pasta dishes... using left over pasta and sauce from dinner tonight.. I'll add some mozzerella cheese and call it good... I may get a little crazy and throw in some pepperoni.. it was on sale and I bought two.). I am going to make 2 8x8 pans.. one for our dinner later and one to give away.
Ham and scalloped potatoes( A friend was kind to share her c's and I was able to get ham for $0.49 per lb.... so I bought ummmm, 8 packages.)
If I have time I'll make pumpkin spice muffins, blueberry muffins and chocolate chip muffins.
All of these items will go into my freezer for dinners this month and some next month. I love to cook but there are some days that I just want to or need to have some thing on hand to pull out and pop in the oven. The key with that is to remember to defrost it the night before.
Since I'll be cooking solo tomorrow... and I am limited on time.. I won't be taking any pics. I'll try to post tomorrow what I actually was able to accomplish.

the rest of the story

My favorite part... the icing!!! This stuff uses a ton of powdered sugar!!!!

The first pic is Logan turning the cake and icing...

the second one is me turning the cake for her....

and the final product. She has an icing tip that really does a good

job icing the sides.

First one she finished in class middle one (same cake) she finished tonight at home

And my fav.....My girl and her cake

another cake....

Here's pics of Logan's second cake. I will tell you that I am going to the gym so that she can take this class. She made 2 lbs. of icing on Sunday... I tasted every bit of it. It was yummy!!! She is getting pretty good at it. Now, keep in mind this is her second cake that she has made.. and iced. I was impressed when I saw the other ladies' cakes...Logan is holding her own in this class.

This week they learned to use the star tip, how to transfer piping icing onto the cake, the base of a rose; I'm sure there's some thing that I have forgotten.

Good old fashion greasing a pan...

Somebody is pretty excited about this cake.

Okay, now into the oven...... WOW what a pretty cake.

Have you ever wondered how to cut the top off of the cake evenly??? Use a cake leveler and

there it is.... a perfectly leveled cake.

Okay, I have to post the other pics on another post... they only allow so many on each post.

what's in a name????

I would like to rename our family blog... what would you suggest????? If you have an idea and would like to share; all you have do is click at the bottom of this entry "comments". Another window will open.... on the right hand side type in the "leave a comment". Then click on the Name.... this will allow you to leave your name.
I prefer to not have our name in the title.... just something catchy.

inexpensive teacher gift idea

Every month I try to give Logan's teachers an inexpensive gift, but something special. Of course, having the same teachers two years in a row... I am having to become even more creative. Here is some thing that I read online some place(next time I will remember in order to give credit where credit is due).
Ask your child's teacher for her mailing address. Head over to the Dollar Tree and buy some mailing labels( you get a ton for $1.00!!!)... load their address into your computer under labels(do not ask me where b/c I can only tell you it is some place in word on my computer). Fill in the teacher's info... cut and paste and make a whole bunch of 'em. After you print them off, add to a basket or mug with a pretty or fun pen(you should probably make a note to pick these up while you are at the Dollar Tree, too.) You can add a healthy snack with a note.... here's a little help with your Christmas cards this year.
I am going to give mine to my daughter's teachers right before Thanksgiving break.

Here's another idea.... when Bath and Body Works has hand sanitizer on sale... grab one of your favorite scents to share with the teacher. Logan's teachers loved it at the beginning of the year. Simple things are the best in life.

a year of "firsts"

The first year of your child's life you have the year of "firsts".... first smile, first tooth, first time rolling over, crawling, first step.... etc. That is a year of amazement... you stand in awe as your baby grows and reaches each of these firsts. This has happened all over again in our house... 11 years later. This is the year of "firsts" again for us. Logan has experience many new things this year and it's only Sept.

Here's a look at our "firsts" at 12 years old..... Logan had her first tooth pulled(it just happened that she had to have 5 baby teeth pulled at the same time), she attended church camp(sleepover camp for a week and no calling home.... we both were just fine), her first unaccompanied airplane ride(there were a few minor details to this adventure... Logan handled this better than I did), her first set of braces(hopefully the only set; pics to follow), her first cell phone(will post pics and more later), cake decorating class, and band. WOW!!! What a year.

With these new "firsts" comes release. I am having to let go just a little bit more and not hold on so tightly. This was not an easy task at first.... I knew many new things would be coming this year and I also knew that I couldn't go this road alone. What's a mother to do?????
I gave Logan back to God. Yes, God had a heart to heart with me and I knew that if I wanted to have peace through this journey.... I would have to hand her over to Him. He is the one who gave her to me in the first place... she isn't mine to keep.... but He wanted me to give her back willingly. Many times I have been "afraid" for Logan and a few years ago I was told that I needed to give her back to God. Well, being stubborn and controlling by nature I refused to listen and therefore still had fears for her. Before she left for camp; I knew that was the time. I prayed and prayed... I gave my precious daughter back to our Maker. She's yours now, Lord... protect her and keep her safe as only you can do.

Not once while she was at camp did I loose sleep. I wasn't afraid for her. Yes, I missed her and I talked about her daily....actually Curry and I were both ready for her to come home about mid way through. I can not tell you the freedom that I have from worry over Logan. There's a difference in being concerned and being fearful..... when she away from me....I do not have fear because I have God traveling this road with us. The weight has been lifted from me now, and I do not live in fear for Logan.
I can not wait to see what else is in store for us... I'm sure this is only the beginning.

FREE...

That's right...I got all of these things for free.

It took some time and lots of training by my friend, Christina, but I am getting the hang of it. Last month I saved over $200.00 with coupons, discounts and etc. I haven't figured out my total for this month just yet. I am getting into couponing (is that a word?). As crazy as it may sound I bought some coupons today. Now, you may ask why would I buy coupons??? I buy a Sunday paper in order to get the coupons and some I end up throwing away... this way I get the coupons that I want and I can get multiple of the same ones. Christina was ordering some coupons and asked if wanted to order some, too. She orders from www.thecouponclippers.com; she uses paypal to pay for the coupons. For those of you that have Publix... there are some really good coupons on there for Publix. Be sure to read the description to make sure you are getting manufacuter's coupons and not Publix ones(unless you want the Publix ones). Happy couponing to all. I will post more about couponing as I learn more.

ear plugs, please

6th grade has privileges of being the "oldest" in the school. One of these privileges is beginner band. Yes, I did say beginner band. We all know what that means... band=instruments. We received a note on Thurs. about a band informational meeting on Fri. at 9am. Logan attended the meeting and by the end of day she had made up her mind that she wanted to play the clarinet. This totally blows my mind because I have no musical ability at all. Friday, we went in search of a clarinet to rent. We didn't have to look too far(there are only three musical instrument stores in this town). Next was gaining approval from Dad. Of course, Dad is TDY(temporary duty)... this is usually the case when decisions like this have to be made. A phone call and a few days of thinking about it. Monday I was off to rent the clarinet. This is when I encountered the question that I blogged about earlier... what was I suppose to put in the blank about my occupation... I laughed when I came to that question and I simply told the guy, "I am doing my job right now". He didn't see too much humor in this remark. Now, Lo has an instrument and I am in search of good ear plugs.

Here are a few pics that I snapped tonight while Lo was watching her informational DVD.

I am still learning how to post pics, so please bear with me.

Cake Decorating 101

Tonight was Logan's first cake decorating class. She was very excited!!! She is taking this class at Hobby Lobby all by herself... no mom, no friends... just her(and the other three girls in the class). She had a blast and she didn't even decorate anything. All of the ladies were very kind to her and I am thankful for that. Her instructor treated her with respect and was extra kind in making sure Logan was with everyone before moving onto the next task. I think this is going to be a great thing for Logan.
Her homework is to bake a cake...... this will be very interesting as cake baking is not my strong suit. I am going to be the "silent partner" in this one, or maybe I should say the silent board member as I am the one that will be funding this adventure. Ladies, let me caution you before you take a cake deco. class or encourage your children to do so..... take out a small loan. This stuff isn't cheap, but most of it will be able to be used for years. Of course, my little angel is smarter than I give her credit for.... she asked before the class started if she would have to buy the things(with her allowance) or if I would. Silly me, I thought, a couple of cake mixes, a pan, & a Student Kit.... no big deal. HA HA....... I still haven't totalled up the amount. When I picked Logan up tonight... she simply asked; " Do you have your credit card, Mom??" The buying adventure will have to wait until tomorrow.

Question to ponder.....

What exactly do you put on the line...... occupation.... when you are a stay at home mom???? I thought about writing stay at home mom, but I am rarely at home. Then, I thought domestic goddess, but realized that I would be setting the bar way too high with this one..... imagine this... I am running an errand after being at the gym(I do not look my best anyways- I call it a succes if I remember to put on deoderant.) and have to fill in "that blank"; now here's the tricky part..... I really am not holding up to my title if I use domestic goddess looking like I do. So, I just wonder what do I write on that line????? There isn't enough space to list all of the things I do, but have no offical title for. Maybe, next time when I am asked to fill in "that blank" I will write: make grocery list, shop for food, put food away, cook food.... clean up kitchen, hunt for dirty laundry in preteens condemned room, wash, dry, fold and put away laundry(not preteen's), drive to and from school and any other place the preteen needs to be taken; in addition to that.. transport animal to/from vet visits and to get yummy doggie treat after nails cut, clean house(too much to write out); etc, etc. Do you think they would give me another sheet of paper to answer the question??? Maybe I should just write it out and have a few copies in my car.... then, I could write "see attachment" and simply staple the copy to the form. I am still pondering exactly what to write on this particular line. Any sugesstions are welcomed.