MENU PLAN MONDAY

I missed planning a menu last week so, I am really glad to be back this week. I have been going through the freezer to use up some food I have had froze for awhile. I am especially glad to get the turkey out of there as it really needs to get used up. Here's what I am planning for dinners this week....

MONDAY- leftover lasagna

garlic bread

TUESDAY- out???

WEDNESDAY- grilled pork chops

rice

harvard beets

THURSDAY- macaroni and cheese (Kraft) I am cheating tonight

little smokies

green beans

FRIDAY - roasted turkey

mashed potatoes

broccoli

SATURDAY-* quick and easy turkey casserole

peach cobbler

SUNDAY- on our own!

* Quick and Easy Turkey Casserole

3 cups cooked turkey, cooked,cubed

1 package of frozen mixed veggies

1 (10-12 oz) can of cream of chicken soup

1 (10-12 oz) can of cream of celery soup

1 10 count can of refrigerator biscuits

Combine both cans of soup in a bowl with one can of water. Thaw the veggies in the microwave. Place the turkey in a casserole with half of the soup mixture. Add the veggie mixture and cover with the remaining soup mixture. Bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly Place the individual biscuit's on top of the casserole and bake until the biscuits are done.

busy, busy, busy

I am going to make this posting short tonight. Hope everyone had a good week. It has been busy, busy, busy around here all week and I feel it also. I now have plenty of tomatoes and tomato juice and I hope a little tomato sauce for the winter but, we will see. After this week I am feeling a bit on the lazy side. The sale is not going too well but, that is life. The weather has been against us all the way. But, that is okay I am not going to sweat over it. The ad was supposed to be in the paper and it never got in. That little incident has not pleased me none in the least again, it's no big deal. It is my last sale of the year and as always, for me, the first time in the spring is the best time for a sale. After a long winter, most people are starving for a good yard sale. I know that is for me. I will be donating most stuff that is left. I figure I have all winter to collect ....persay...more stuff. Besides, then I don't have to store it, which has always been an issue with only so much storage space. While Hubby has been helping run the sale, Becky and I have been sorting coupons. She enjoys organizing and for me I find it tedious work so, I am very thankful for the help she has given me. Next week? Well, looking just as busy! While some of the chaos will disappear. I'm left with a messy house and frazzled set of nerves. Hee- Hee.... Ah, life.

Spending time with family

My DH

My sister Debbie with Sassy ( She just loves her Aunt Debbie)

Me, Debbie and Dad

Dear ole" Dad

I had a really awesome day today. I didn't get anything done but, it's Sunday and aren't we supposed to rest on the Sabbath anyways? I think I am going to need this rest because the rest of the week will be extremely busy for me. I will be canning more tomatoes and juice besides getting ready for my sale. I can tell you right now, I am hardly super woman when it comes to these sort of things. This is going to be a tiring week for sure. Anyways, I love spending time with my Dad and Sister and today was just that. Debbie made lunch and brought it over.We had stuffed green peppers, ( DH loves these and Debbie had promised she would make these sometime for him) corn on the cob, fresh sliced tomatoes, cheese, kohlrabi, and green tomato bread. YUMMY! Debbie is a fantastic cook and I don't believe there hasn't been anything she has made I didn't like. In fact, I usually end up with the recipe afterwards. She takes alot of pride in her cooking. Dad was invited to eat with us also. We all had good food, and good fellowship. I believe spending time with other family members is important. Time goes by more quickly than we realize at times. I don't want to look back and wish that I could have spent more time with family members like my dad or sister but didn't because of whichever reason it was at the time. Have a great day everyone!

Cleaning mood

Today I spent cleaning.You know how you sometimes get into one of those "CLEANING" moods on a rare occasion I get into one of those moods. I've been aching to clean up around the ceiling fan in our living room. The globes needed taken down and washed, the fan blades wiped down and so forth. Even though I had done this last spring, you could never tell. Yikes! the dust was awful and the fly specs ( you know, those little black or brown dots on the blade YUK!) It didn't take long and it is all clean again now. Next is behind the refrigerator... Not sure what I will find lurking behind there. I never got to this tackle in the spring so it could be scary. Never less it needs done. Let me tell you all kinds of things can be found under mine. Not only did I clean under and behind the fridge I also cleaned the outside and inside I used 2 Tbls. baking soda to 1 quart warm water to wash the inside of the fridge. Baking soda is a great sanitizer and odor remover and did I say cheap? I must say, it sure was overdue and now is so much better. So...next on the cleaning list?....the bathroom cupboard I suppose. It is in dire need of organization. I love days like this. Looking forward to another tomorrow.

Thankful Thursday

Hello, and Welcome to another Thankful Thursday. and thanks for stopping by! When I think of my life and the blessings I have, I really have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for the many friends Hubby and I have and for the few friends that I am really close to. I'm thankful always thankful for my other half, my husband and best friend, for his love, friendship, support, encouragement and tender touch. I am thankful I can lean on Jesus and trust him in all situations. It is so comforting to know he is with us ALWAYS! For God's word and wisdom for God's provisions. I am thankful we have enough and are making ends meet. He has provided us with blessings upon blessings and continues to provide for our daily needs. All things are possible with God.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

There are no words to express this! Hubby and I just got back from fishing last night and this is what we saw.

Free Download

You can download the entire album A Peaceful Rest at

http://http://davemincy.bandcamp.com/album/a-place-of-quiet-rest This is a piano arrangement of favorite hymns like Sweet By and BY, What a Friend We Have In Jesus, Tell It To Jesus and more. I have previewed it and I love to listen to this as I play on the computer. It is so very relaxing....Its truly a quiet place to rest. You will have to enter your e-mail address and zip code, download instructions will be e-mailed to you.

Menu Plan Moday

It is Monday again already and you know what that means. Where does the time go? My menu plan this week is as follows....

MONDAY- MY friend Becky and I are getting together to making dinner at her house today and eating there also. We are having...

Venison BBQ meatballs, homemade macaroni and cheese, green tomato bread

TUESDAY- Eating out!

WEDNESDAY- Pork chops with cabbage and tomatoes

THURSDAY- BBQ pork spare ribs on the grill, corn on the cob, cucumber salad

FRIDAY- leftovers?

SATURDAY- Spaghetti, tossed salad

SUNDAY- ON our own!

See more menu ideas at http://orgjunkie.com/ and save time, save money with menu plan Monday!

Another garden update

Well it has been pretty lazy here in the Herlan household the past few days. I haven't worked in the garden the past week or two because of my allergies. Which somehow I am blessed with. so, staying in the house more in the air conditioning instead of working outside is what I have had to do. The garden is getting pretty much done sadly to say. My zucchini squash and summer squash, the cucumbers have all slowed down now quite a bit however we are still getting 1 or 2 cucumbers here or there. We had a very successful year for these and have given many to my sister and neighbors. Our tomatoes are ripening now at a very fast pace. Hubby and I picked a bushel full tonight to can up tomorrow morning. So many of my tomatoes this year has been getting blossom end rot and I have had to throw so much away. Right now, I am not sure if I will have any to make juice. However we will see.Blossom end rot is a very common problem on homegrown tomatoes. My dad has had the same problem with this also. It appears as a depressed brownish, rather dry rot, the size of a dime to a half dollar on the blossom end of the fruit. Has anyone else had this problem this year? The tomatoes we picked tonight we took to my friend Becky ( she lives 3 houses down the road from me)We will can the tomatoes together. It will be nice to have the help as tomatoes have never been my favorite to can because it can be so messy unlike green beans and not to mention more time consuming. And like Walter Cronkite used to say, That's the way it is this August 16, 2009!

Great giveaway!

Megan over at http://dailyessentialsanddeals.blogspot.comis/ giving this awesome giveaway! One lucky person will win a Keurig platinum brewing system with 4 packs of K cups. This is an awesome giveaway if you love coffee or maybe hot chocolate is your thing but, whatever it is if you know anything about this brewing system at all it is the best! It is easy to use, easy to clean and absolutely makes the best coffee or hot chocolate ever. So, give Megan a visit and enter this great giveaway while you are at it. What have you got to lose? Hurry because this giveaway ends Sept. 1, 2009 at 8 pm est.

39 cents-Peanut Butter M&M's

I sent my husband to CVS today because you can go to CVS right now for peanut butter m&m"s in the medium 11.4 oz bags, regular price is $3.99, but, they are ringing up for a mere 39 cents!This is only the peanut butter that is ringing up 39 cents and they are not marked. This is an awesome deal. My darling Hubby got 20 bags! Holey Moley! I don't know what he was thinking. but, I will take it! Perhaps I will give these to the kids for Christmas. I believe this deal is only for this week so hurry if you like peanut butter m&m"s. to avoid missing out on this great deal!

Thankful Thursday

I just love Thankful Thursday! I have so many things to thankful for this week.Being thankful opens us up to receiving all kinds of wonderful blessings. I feel really blessed. As you know my best and dear friend Becky has come back from Indianapolis to stay for good. She is such a blessing to me because she is a good christian lady who is a dear friend that I can go to her for anything. She listens and will pray with me, She never judges, and always has an open mind. I am so very thankful she is back. I have been helping her get her house back to the way it was, as, her kids left it a mess! She has so much work to do to get it back to the way it was. I am glad I can help her. Her friendship is everything to me. Speaking of friendship, I am thankful for the friendship I have with my Sister Deb, and the good times we have. We had a good time of fellowship last Sunday For the relationship with my Dad, The many times we have coffee together and chat. I love that and look forward to it. Family is so important. I am thankful the Lord has blessed me with a wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally. I have never been as happy as I have with him. I am thankful for all the veggies I have grown in my garden and that I have had some to share with others who might not or can't have a garden. I love to give, our neighbors told my husband I am such a giving lady. I will take that as a compliment.
Remember being grateful today leads to abundance tomorrow! See Iris at http://www.eph2810.com/ She is hosting Thankful Thursday this week. Visit some of the other Thankful blogs. You will be Blessed!

Wordless Wednesday

My prize pepper, finally red, finally I picked it! As you can see it is bigger than this softball.

Menu Plan Monday

I cannot believe it is Menu Plan Monday again. This month is going so fast already . In fact this whole summer has been flying right on by. Sorry about this posting being late. I have been busy this morning and afternoon watching my 2 grandaughters and then visiting with my best friend. I haven't had the chance to get on my computer until now. This week is supposed to still be hot so not much into cooking and eating much neither. Here is what I have planned this week...

MONDAY- We went out tonight as we had a few things to do in town anyways

TUESDAY- BLT"S, some kind of fruit or melon, cottage cheese

WEDNESDAY-goulash, garlic toast ,vanilla strawberry sorbet swirl (from Schwan's free promotion)

THURSDAY- eating out

FRIDAY- chef salads

SATURDAY-hamburgers on the grill, corn on the cob, root beer floats

SUNDAY- on our own

For more menu ideas check out http://orgjunkie.com/ BON APPETITE!

Becky"s Back!

If you have read my March 15, 2009 post called My best friend, it"s labeled under friendship. I talked about my dear good friend, and neighbor Becky., the inspiration she is to me and how she left for 6 months to go live in Indianapolis, IN to live with her sister. She is back! She stopped in this morning to say hello. She said she tried to call but her sisters phone wasn't working right and they didn't have long distance. In the 6 months, I have only gotten to talk to her once on the phone. My, it was awesome to see her. I have missed my good friend alot! We talked and talked and talked. She has her house back and is here to stay. As you recall, Becky has dementia and quite frankly I was afraid she wouldn't remember me. That's crazy I know. The Lord knows and watches over us and allows things to happen for a reason. Sometimes we don't always understand at first. Because,Becky had been on cymbalta. This is a prescription medication for the treatment or management of fibromyalgia, major depression and general anxiety disorder which in turn was causing most of her dementia and confusion. She isn't on this anymore although ,she still has fribromyalgia but, Praise God has improved greatly. She also, finally, a while back started receiving her disability. She looks great! Everything from her health to her mind. I think the Lord knew she needed this long vacation .I am very happy for her and most of all glad she is back home. I am looking forward to many times of fellowship and praying together like we used to. Hubby and I plan on going to her church sometime with her. I've been wanting to visit this church because it's just down the road from where we live. Yes, I truly believe the Lord knows what is best for us. Thank you Lord for bringing Becky safely home and all you have done for this woman who loves you so very much and who is obedient in your word.

Summer Heat, Summer Fun

Summer here in Northeastern Indiana has finally gotten Hot ! We have a heat wave! With a heat advisory warning in effect. Which means that it is a prolonged period with high temps at or exceeding 100. Now , the way the summer has been going, I thought I would never see that. Summer here has been rather cool with below normal temps. It is really too hot to do much of anything unless you are playing on the lake or staying in the air conditioning.. Anyways, We still had a good time today. Hubby and I had breakfast out really early this morning and I made a quick trip to Walgreen's and CVS. We had my sister and her friend here for lunch She made a large southwestern salad, brought cantaloupe and brownies made from scratch. Which was perfect food for such a hot day. Dad stopped in for coffee and to chat. This is a regular thing every Sunday to have my dad over for coffee. We always love having him stop by. Later, after Dad left, we all took a pontoon ride around the lake and swimming. There is nothing like great fellowship, Good food, and staying cool playing in the water. We enjoyed ourselves alot! For the rest of the day I am staying in the air conditioning and vegetating. Now that sounds good for the rest of the evening. Stay cool everyone!

Seasonal Allergies

It's about that time of year when many of us with seasonal allergies are starting to grumble. One of those many is me. My allergies are starting to flair up for me again. It's a seasonal thing starting in August right through the first frost. Although I really don't like to grumble but, allergies can make you feel miserable and moody. Right now I'm not too bad, like none of that sinus nasal thing yet. except for some sneezing and the last few days my eyes have felt like sandpaper 100% of the time and are extremely itchy. I am never without my trusty bottle of visine. Also for me it is hard to avoid pollen exposure altogether as I enjoy the outdoors this time of year way too much. Sometimes coping with my allergies can be difficult. It sometimes effects my sleep and my energy levels. My eyes feel tired all the time. There is some ways I deal with these symptoms or should I say try to.

1. I minimise early morning activity outside as between 5-10 am is when the pollen count is the highest.

2.I stay indoors when the pollen count is reported high or on windy days when the pollen is present in higher amounts.

3.I avoid mowing the lawn and fresh cut grass

4. I keep windows closed and if needed use the air conditioning ( I hate this one as this isn't very frugal on the electric bill )

5.I machine dry bedding and clothing because pollen can collect on laundry if it is hung outside ( this is another hate on the list and not very frugal. I love hanging my clothes outside )

6. I bathe at night to rid myself of all pollen on me before going to bed. This helps me to sleep better.

They say if something irritates you, avoid it, that's the motto that allergy sufferers must adopt. I can't avoid it all but I try my best.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

King Salmon 38 inches 23 lbs (above)

Brown trout, 34 inches 141/2 lbs

Although both of these fish are my hubbys, someday I would just love to snag one of these on my fishing pole!

Fish, fish and more fish

Some people fish for a sport and some people fish well, to eat. That is my hubby and I. We love to fish but, those who know us also know we love to eat them just as much. This weekend DH and I fished all weekend. We go out in the middle of the lake to our favorite little fishing spot and fish. This last weekend seemed to be the perfect weekend to be out on the lake and just do that. Hubby with his 2 poles and me with my 2 poles and using worms my dad gave us that he himself raises. We are hoping to catch enough to make it worthwhile to clean them. Hubby says that is nothing less than 5 fish. Bluegill is what we fish for. If we catch a sunfish or perch a bass or anything else we throw them back. Friday afternoon we went out and caught 25 nice gill. Saturday afternoon we went out and caught 35 good ones. Sunday night we went out and caught 28 really nice bluegill. In fact, I caught one gill that was 8 and 3/4 inches. I would of taken a picture but I didn't take my camara along and it was dark when we got done fishing. I am not sure if it was the worms or what. Maybe it was the moon or the airpressure, really hungry fish, call it what you want But, this was a really good fishing trip. It is really good.that we now have quite a few containers in the freezer for later, like this winter when my husband gets layed off. This will help so much on the food budget. The summer here seems to be going way too fast. There may not be another opportunity to fish like this again. As fall approaches DH will be thinking hunting deer again. We are thankful for this fish, fish and more fish!

Menu Plan Monday

I am so amazed how fast the summer is going. We are still eating alot of the garden this week. The tomato's are starting to ripen now. I am sure in a couple of weeks I will be canning them and making juice. This is what I have planned this week....

MONDAY- Ridiculously easy crock pot roast ( we just love this) with potatoes and carrots

TUESDAY- leftover burgers that DH grilled Sunday
Cole slaw
rice pudding

WEDNESDAY- Beef and noodles ( made from the leftover roast that we had Monday)
Green beans

THURSDAY- out!

FRIDAY- BLT"s
cottage cheese
strawberry/banana smoothies

SATURDAY- Chicken and stuffing in the crock pot
veggies

SUNDAY- On our own!

What is on your menu this week? Be sure to check out http://orgjunkie.com for more menu ideas!