What's For Dinner?

I really hate HATE writing out a menu--but I like how much time-energy-and money I save when I have one done! So I set out to make 52 weekly menus so I would never have to make another menu again!!! By menu 20 I realized that I was going to repeat foods so I might as well just make 20 and rotate through them--That gives me almost 5 months worth of menus before repeating so between that and holidays I should be set--HOORAY!!

There is a "New Recipe" night once a week to satisfy my need for creativity and to add variety--we, as a family, enjoy trying new or re-invented recipes! I think I might use it as a favorites night as well! It took a while to accomplish but I am so glad it is done!! Here's to easier times ahead!!!

Yummo--pizzelles

This summer I have made these delightful cookies for two separate occasions--I love them and love to make them! I also love inventing different combinations--top gingersnap pizzelle dipped in dark chocolate and filled with a pumpkin chocolate chip filling--bottom lemon pizzelle dipped in white chocolate and lemon sugar filled with lemon filling and lemon sugared blueberries!

OraNgEs

Today I tried something new--I tried canning orange marmalade--used the peels to make spiced candied orange peels--very fun--we will see how it tastes!

Oh GOodNesS!

Been a while since I even looked at this blog--gonna give a heads up though--I am toying with the idea of 365 in a skirt?!?!?  I am still not sure I want too, but then again it is highly appealing to me.  DO you think I could do it? Would you do it? Let me know your thoughts.

I heart canning :]

Just so y'all know!

Week Eight Menu

Monday
Tacos

Tuesday
Parmesan Potatoe Sticks, Shakes

Wednesday
Pulled Pork Sammies

Thursday
AT THE BEACH

Friday
AT THE BEACH

Saturday
Smoked Turkey

Week Seven Menu

Monday
Spaghetti

Tuesday
Smothered Burritos

Wednesday
Homemade Mac and Cheese

Thursday
Zatarans Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

Friday
Baked Potatoe Soup

Saturday
Fried Chicken (didn't end up having last week)

Week Six Menu

Monday
Taco Salad

Tuesday
Creamy Chicken over noodles, broccoli

Wednesday
Roasted Red Pepper Soup and breadsticks

Thursday
Impossible Pie

Friday
Buttermilk Picnic Chicken, Mashed Tato's

Saturday
OnYourOwn

Satisfied

I feel like I am constantly in search of something to satisfy--I try hard to just live in the moment--take it all in and find the joy in the now--but most of the time I am looking--looking for something that is truly me that truly makes me feel satisfied and like well ME! Am I alone in the venture? It's not that I am un-happy--it's just feeling restless, not myself, always looking or waiting?

Week Five Menu

So I keep breakfast and lunch pretty much the same--so from here on out I am only posting dinner menu's! Maybe that way I can actually get them on here :P

Monday
Mexican grilled cheese, tomato soup

Tuesday
Oven baked chicken, garlic noodles, broccoli

Wednesday
Chili and breadsticks

Thursday
Chase's Birthday--Stromboli and Chocolate Cake

Friday
Crock-pot Chicken Cordon Blue, Carrots

Saturday
Columbus Air Show "Thunder in the Valley" Grill-out Hot dogs, Hamburgers, homemade rootbeer

Responsibilities

I made a new responsibility chart for my boys--we will see how well this one works--fairly simple!

Week Four Menu

Breakfasts:
French Toast
 Homemade Granola
Grits, Oatmeal, or Cream of Wheat
Toast, Eggs, Strawberries, Yogurt
German Pancakes
Dino Biscuits, homemade Apple Butter
With cut up in season Fruit.

Lunches:
Kids for school-- Fruit, sandwich, crackers, water or koolaid, yogurt, string cheese if we have some, dessert
Mom and Dad-- Leftovers from last nights dinner, salad, sandwich, or just some fruit.

Dinners:
Stuffed Shells
Teriyaki Chicken over Rice, Beans, Clemintines
Steak, Potatoes
Garlic Noodles, Green Beans
Homemade Pizza
Spicy Beans w/Turkey Sausage


*I do not claim to be an expert or perfect--I can only try not to use processed foods

Sometimes Life Is Just TOO Darn Busy!
that's all.....

Day 8

Take His Name

"Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name." Abraham 1:18

Read Helaman 5:6-7
Read Mosiah 5:8-9
Read Doctrine and Covenants 20:77

-Look up Jesus Christ in the topical guide. Reflect on the different names of Christ. How does each name relate to you personally?
-Today make it a priority to bear burdens, give comfort, and stand as a witness.

My tree!

I love my tree-everything on it is sentimental to me--it's my perfect tree, only difference this year is that it is a real tree--Joe and I have never had a real tree--won't be going back to a fake tree again. Love the look, love the smell.

It is by complete silliness on my part that it is real--we had a fake tree--I sold it--why--I thought that our house was going to sell lightening quick--silly me--I should have realized by now that my timing and thinking have nothing to do with Heavenly Fathers knowledge and timing. Someday I hope to master this, learn to do all I can and turn it over to my Creator to show me His way. 

Here it is--isn't it perfect?......for me :]

Day 7

In Remembrance

Read Nephi 18:6-12
Read Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-10

"The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church." Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Elder Oaks encourages members to be seated "well before the meeting begins". This may take some extra effort on our part. What things can we do on Saturday to prevent chaos and contention on Sunday morning? Do we have all necessary clothing ready and laid out? Have we packed up all the materials for lessons, meetings, and other responsibilities? Do we have items ready to help young children be reverent? Is there gas in the car? Food in the fridge?

Challenge

-Make a to do list of everything that needs to b e done prior to Sunday.
-Check everything off your list today.
-Read the Sunday School scripture assignments, and the Relief Society Lesson.

Guess you will never guess what I will be doing now--couldn't have come on a better day--it's Saturday a special day the day we get ready for Sunday.

Day 6

Keep A Record

Read 2 Nephi 4:15-16
Read 2 Nephi 25:21, 23, 26

"Keep an account of the dealings of God with you daily. I have written all the blessings i have recieved, and I would not take gold for them."  President Wilford Woodruff

Challenge
-take time to write your testimony of Christ. Include your belief in Him, your gratitude for Him, or an experience that has strengthened your relationship with Him.
-obtain and keep a journal of your process of Coming Closer to Christ, recording the treasures and discoveries that come to you as you follow this path.

I have an on-going journal titled Amanda's Lessons that I write all these things in. I will probably never put it on here--it contains all my thoughts and feelings I receive when I study my scriptures, pray, watch conference, attend meetings, etc.... I love it! I hope that someday my children will read it and love it too! Does that sound vain-I just hope that they will take the time to read it really.

Week Three Menu

Breakfasts:
French Toast
 McD's (Keddington family tradition on Thanksgiving)
Toast, Eggs, Strawberries, Yogurt
German Pancakes
Dino Biscuits, homemade Apple Butter
With cut up in season Fruit.

Lunches:
Kids for school-- Fruit, sandwich, crackers, water or koolaid, yogurt, string cheese if we have some, dessert
Mom and Dad-- Leftovers from last nights dinner, salad, sandwich, or just some fruit.

Dinners:
Stir Fry
Leftover Thanksgiving (2 days)
Teriyaki Chicken over Rice, Beans, Clemintines
Hamburgers, Relish Tray, Potatoes
Creamy Chicken Lasagna
School Fundraiser at Stevie B's


*I do not claim to be an expert or perfect--I can only try not to use processed foods

Day 5

Follow In His Steps

"One of the greatest blessings of life and eternity is to be counted as one of the devoted disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ."--President James E Faust

Read 1 Peter 2:21
Read I'm Trying to be Like Jesus, Childrens Songbook 78-79

-How can you follow in Christ's steps today?
-Identify a quality of the Savior you would like to exemplify.
-When making a decisions ask, "What would Jesus do now?"

What is discipleship? It is obedience to the Savior. It includes keeping all the commandments, and forsaking ANYTHING that is not good for us.

This is the hard part "forsaking" those things that are not good for us! How do we determine what is not good? We can usually always recognize those things which are good--but sometimes the not good is hard to recognize. At least for me anyway.

Day 4

Who Is This Jesus?

"Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."--Matthew 13:16
Read John 4:5-15, 25-26

For the Samaritan woman, this powerful teaching moment came at an unexpected time. What began as an ordinary task became life changing. Some of our greatest learning moments may come as we go about our daily work. We must learn to watch for "pearls" in our everyday lives.

-Prepare to receive a simple learning moment.
-Ask in prayer that your eyes and ears may be open.
-Try to discover, in every hour, some heavenly blessing that will bring you closer to Christ.