Menu Plan Monday 6/13

It is a beautiful morning here in Indiana. We are having a break from the real hot weather and that is good. I feel more like cooking and eating and not to mention working outside in the garden. I don't want to let my garden look like a weed patch so I have to concentrate on my weeding. DH and I are starting to eat quite a bit now from our garden. I love all this fresh stuff! It sure helps on our grocery budget also. This is my menu plan this week.

MONDAY
pan fried bluegill
sweet potato fries
tossed green salad

TUESDAY
chicken and veggie stir fry
fresh sliced strawberries

WEDNESDAY
spaghetti
tossed salad
garlic toast

THURSDAY
out!

FRIDAY
beef brisket in gravy
mashed potatoes
steamed broccoli
summertime strawberry pie

SATURDAY
grilled pork chops
wild/brown rice pilaf
asparagus

SUNDAY
we defend for ourselves

Menu Plan Monday 5/8

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday! We had an amazing day yesterday weather wise and myself also. Hope all of you had the same. Even though it was Mothers Day, I chose to plant many of my plants and herbs DH gave me for Mothers Day. ( two flats). It was just a perfect day indeed! I worked so hard outside, I was too tired to eat my supper and I went to bed early ( it was still light outside) and I slept like a baby all night! We have another exceptional day on tap again today and I hope I can get more garden veggies and flowers planted. There is much to do yet for sure. While DH has many piers to install I have the house and garden to take care of. Spring has always been a busy time of year for us. This week will be know exception. My menu has to be easy and quick. This is what we will be having. Oh! and don't forget to check out organizing junkie for more menus!

MONDAY
sloppyjoe sandwiches
sweet potato fries
fresh rhubarb pie
TUESDAY
pan fried bluegill
pierogies
green beans
WEDNESDAY
pancakes
sausage
fruit smoothies
THURSDAY
out!
FRIDAY
beef and bean burritos
Spanish rice
SATURDAY
grilled pork chops
pea salad
brown/wild rice pilaf
SUNDAY
On our own!

Resist that gardening urge

Where I live here in Northern Indiana, we have received rain, rain and more rain plus the colder temperatures this spring. Does this sound like where you live? You may be wondering if you ever will be able to get to your garden ( and fields) to plant. Hopefully, the weather will soon cooperate so we can get to planting! I have been trying so hard to resist this gardening urge. It seems my garden starts to dry out a bit and then comes some more rain. I was very lucky a few weeks back to get my turnips, onions, lettuce, carrots, spinach and radishes planted and then worried myself sick when it never stopped raining. I was thinking I thought I probably planted for nothing as the seeds probably all washed away. The little seeds are sprouting now. This sure is a load off my mind now. Many gardeners are getting that itch to get out that tiller and work up there garden soil who wasn't as lucky as me to get that tilling done early before all this rain. Many areas are still soggy from snow melt and rain, making soils too wet to work. Here is a little bit of info on reasons to wait for the soil to dry out before planting in your garden. My dad who was a farmer and is an avid gardener once told me whether you use a tiller or just a garden spade, working wet soil can badly compact soil, and will have negative effects lasting for many years. Working wet soil will pack soil particles tightly leaving less room for water and air to penetrate. Compacted soil also makes it more difficult for plant roots and gardening equipment to move through the soil. The compression forms tight clumps of soil that become hard as rocks upon drying and are difficult to break up. This is especially true for those with clay like soil. Compacted soil soils also tend to drain more slowly, in turn delaying the ability to work the soil after the next rainfall. Once compacted, it will take many years to rebuild a healthy soil structure, requiring annual applications of organic matter, such as animal wastes or perhaps growing a green manure crop, such as annual rye or winter wheat. The best course of action is to prevent compaction in the first place. To determine if your garden's soil is dry enough to work, dig a trowel full of soil and squeeze it in your hand. Soil that crumbles through your fingers when squeezed is ready to garden. I have seen my dad do this numerous times when growing up. If however, the soil forms a muddy ball, give the soil another few days to dry and sample again later. In the meantime, you can soothe that gardening itch by sketching garden plans, making a shopping list for your local garden center and browsing online. I have most all my plants bought now including my seeds. I will be ready for action when the soil does dry enough to work.

First fishing trip of the Spring season

Here in the Midwest, the weather is finally warming up. The sun is shining....Yes, Spring is in the air. The daffodils are in bloom..Gosh, I have been aching to go fishing since the ice left the lake. There is nothing like the taste of fresh pan fried bluegill! My dad, sister and I decided today was the day. We would go to the pond. I like going there because I always catch a mess of bluegill, good sized ones too! Being on a private pond you don't need a fishing licence as, I don't have mine yet. In the beginning we weren't sure we would be able to go as my dad wouldn't be able to drive back to it with his truck, being so wet and all. We decided later that he would drive out to the pond with his lawn tractor with his wagon behind it to carry the bucket, bait and fishing poles. My sister and I would walk. It is a way to walk but, we didn't mind it as walking after all, would be good exercise. Even though at 60 degrees, the sun shone brightly,however, the north wind cut right through us. This made for a difficult time to cast our line out. Our lines at times got tangled a few times from some tall weeds amongst the shore line. The fish were hungry! It is no wonder as they do not have mosquitoes and such to eat yet. We used red worms and wax worms but the fish prefered the red worms today. It seemed my sister and I were reeling all the fish in until my dad got out his small cane pole and used it and then he was reeling them in right and left. No one got skunked .I am sure if I hadn't had to go to the bathroom so bad we would have stayed longer. Our pail was packed with fish! It was time to head back to the house. 51 fish=102 pieces divided by 3 = 30.6 pieces each to be exact. We all had enough for a meal and one batch for each of us to freeze for another meal, another day. Now, we had to clean all those fish. Most city folk would have to wonder at the sight of my dad, sister and I outside at the table cleaning fish with chickens walking all around us. My dad throws a piece of chicken gut now and then as the chickens scramble for that one piece. We laugh and talk. I had an amazing time and I really look forward to my next fishing trip on the pond. But, next time it will be 60 degrees and no wind!

New Year's Resolutions

Every year I try, I really do. I try to make wonderful and inspirational New Years Resolutions and most years, they trickle by the wayside in just a few short months. I either can't stick to my guns or I find I never really wanted to in the first place. I was sure this was year I would stick to my resolution because I even got a head start on it way back last year. Yep, I thought it would go smoothly because I have already succeeded by losing a few lbs, eating healthier, exercising by walking when ever I can, just being more active in general. But, I had a game plan and I had already been working on it....so this was a piece of cake. I had it nailed. I pledged to myself that 2011 was the year. I have entered the year sure of myself. Sure until, lets see, what's today's date? Yep, it's true. I have already managed to find a slew of excuses and reasons why I haven't managed to make my regularly scheduled workout times. I am so steamed at myself! Seriously? Okay, so I still have time to recover and go on to keep this resolution, but already my heart feels like it's failed and why bother..
Yesterday something occurred to me. I have been trying to do this all on my own. I have been deciding what I was going to do, how I was going to change myself, and going about it in my own human power.
Don't we all do that in some form or another? Maybe it's not a new years resolution and workout for you, but haven't you ever tried to do something that feels big under your own power?
To make it work, and have a sticking power, there is only one driven force that has the ability to change anything of value. And that force is God. I know, I know, sounds a little preachy when I say it out loud. But hear me out....
Only God has the power and strength to take something tired, worn, dirty and old and change it into a whole new clean, whole, and life filled beginning. It doesn't matter what it is- name anything- and God can bring new life into it. Be it your finances, your job, a relationship, or even plain ole you! He can make all things new. He can strengthen, renew and grow us. But there is something important in having this happen...we have to want it, and then ask for it. He has to be invited into the changes we desire, into the new beginnings we crave, into relationships we hold dear. Like anyone of us, He won't jump in where He's not wanted. But, He'd jump at the chance to be part of your life if you asked! It's what he desires most.
I know if I truly want to become a more healthy person this coming year, I won't resist the temptations that lead to failure without the sustaining strength that God at my side will bring. So I've invited Him into my New Years Resolution. I know that He will motivate me and help make 2011 amazing!!!
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Cooking from scratch

Who has time to cook anymore? Well, unfortunately this is the reality in many homes. Many of us have abandoned our kitchens for faster food which means that we are not choosing healthy whole foods anymore. This is sad. Have you ever noticed unfortunately people are brainwashed by the media into thinking that they don't have time to cook, and they don't have time to eat together? This is really sad Cooking from scratch doesn't have to be complicated, and it certainly will result in a healthier diet. People have different opinions on what exactly "from scratch" means. Well, scratch for me means getting your hands a little dirty, spending some time over the stove and at the cutting board and using whole ingredients to start. From now on, I am hoping to prepare healthy nutritious meals using only basic ingredients. My overall plan is to reduce my dependence on buying the food we eat hence, saving money and preparing healthier meals. Remember convenience comes with a price! Growing up my mother used to make her own butter, maple syrup, spaghetti sauce ect. and even her own soap. She did this all from scratch. She always had a large garden and grew all her own vegetables and canned and froze what we didn't eat fresh. We had our own milk fresh from the cow and raised our own beef, pork chicken and eggs. This was a benefit from having a father who was a farmer. With six children in the family, and one income, my parents had to make the most of their food dollar. My mother would not have dreamed making boxed macaroni and cheese for the family. Many prepared foods, whether from the drive thru or a microwave safe package, contain a myriad of unhealthy ingredients. Don't let cooking from scratch intimidate you. Once you start you will be glad you did. My thought is, why should I pay strangers to gather, cook, assemble my package meals when I can do it myself for pennies on the dollar, with a much lower fat content and a higher vitamin content.
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MENU PLAN MONDAY 1/10

Hello everyone! Hope everyone had a good weekend. It feels so good to be back planing my menus. What a way to start 2011. This week, in particular, the money is tight and with DH layed off for the winter, the pennies have to be pinched even so tighter. We will have to make do on what we have in stock. It doesn't seem to be much of a problem this week as we still have quite a bit left in the freezer and a fairly well stocked pantry. Ahhh.....the beauty of stockpiling. However, our meat supply is getting low. I personally, can live without so much meat as I have never been a big meat eater but, for DH that would be a catastrophe. This man loves his meat! I will most definitely need to visit our local butcher the following week. In the meantime, here is this weeks menu plan. Don't forget to visit orgjunkie.com for more menu plans.

MONDAY
pan fried bluegill
sweet potato fries
cole slaw

TUESDAY
goulash
green beans
applesauce

WEDNESDAY
chili (made with our venison)
homemade bread

THURSDAY
chicken and stuffing (in crock pot)
steamed cauliflower
mashed potatoes

FRIDAY
chicken and veggie stir fry
brown rice

SATURDAY
leftover chili
grilled cheese sandwiches

SUNDAY
on our own

A llittle of this and that

If I am not posting as much anymore during the week, It is because I have been extremely busy like tending my garden, Oh my....with all the rain and warm weather the garden is growing crazy and so are the weeds. I have been trying to stay on top of it all which is a tackle in itself these days. Oh..how embarrassing to have a weedy garden. Weeds are a fact of life with a garden and they need to be pulled. Seriously, I have to be attentive to them. Turn your back on them and they are back in your garden! When I am not tending the garden I have been fishing and having coffee with my Dad. In fact, I went again this morning with him and we reeled in 47 beautiful bluegill. The rest of the day was spent helping clean fish dividing the bluegill between us. I put 4 containers full in the freezer for this winter. We had so much fun that we fished again early this evening. This time, DH went with us. We took home 50 fish. HA! This time DH received the honors of cleaning them. I put 4 more containers in the freezer. We are ever so thankful the Lord has blessed us once again with a mess of fish. I must not forget the quality time spent with my father. Oh yes, and then there is our pet rabbit. Why have a pet if you never spend any time caring for it? I got this hair brained idea a couple of days ago to let little Bunny Boo in the house. I carefully spread newspapers all over the floor in one room. I can't trust the little guy after he peed on my friend from down the road. Okay, I am so glad this lady has a sense of humour! Anyways Bunny Boo and our little Yorkie/shitzu played and played...chasing each other like they were playing tag and were best buddies. It was hilarious! Now, I am not making a habit of bringing my rabbit in the house all the time. I have however have been making a habit of spoiling the little guy. Okay, No more excuses. I promise to get on the bandwagon here soon. Just know I am okay. Maybe you can relate?

Menu Plan Monday

It's menu planning Monday again! Gosh, The month of April is just flying on by! Way too fast for me! This week is the big week, the week of my yard sale.There is plenty to do and plenty of stuff! This sale is so huge I am not sure if my yard is big enough to support all there is! DH has been scrambling to find old wood dock sections for some of my tables. These dock sections work out great! I am a bit stressed though this morning as my neighbor that was to help me today can't now as she got into some poison ivy or something like that and her hand yesterday swelled twice the size, itching and oozing, yuck! She said she has to see the doctor today if possible.So, I am on my own completely with no one else to help me. I hope to get plenty accomplished though. With all this said, I won't be on my computer much at all this week if any. I will be back however next week on a regular basis. I am taking pictures of my sale and I will post them Wednesday though! For my menu this week, what else but simple and fast. I will be pooped!

MONDAY

grilled hamburgers

pea salad

TUESDAY

spaghetti

tossed green salad

WEDNESDAY

(breakfast for dinner)

omelets

toast

hash browns

THURSDAY

OUT!

FRIDAY

take home pizza

SATURDAY

not sure yet

SUNDAY

on our own

Check out orgjunkie for more menu's

Processing our venison

Today I helped my dad process our deer. Hubby had to work and it is too hard for my dad to do alone. The really gross part was done the night before when hubby and dad cut up the meat in chunks so that dad and I could grind it up in burger today and put in freezer. Processing deer is not that hard but it sure is alot of work. My dad has a very bad back right now and unless he gets considerably better by the time we get another deer, We may find ourselves having it processed by someone else. Anyways, on to my dads basement........


First, We grind the meat chunks by an electric grinder that has been sterilized into these sterilized stainless steel pans
I then measure out 1 lb. of meat into a little cardboard tray thingy that is lined with saran wrap, unto this scale ( we use a baby scale)

It is then wrapped again in freezer paper. My dad uses an iron to seal it.

There you have it! All wrapped and sealed.....

Labeled and ready for the freezer.

Bubblewrap window insulation

As the temperatures turn cooler, I have been thinking about how we can keep our heating bills down.We rent a mobile home so buying new replacement windows is not an option . Heating our little place costs us a fortune every winter.Our windows are those cheap mobile home single paned windows that have storm windows we take down in the spring and put back up in the fall UGH! I have 2 storm windows back up now and 6 more to go. Before I put up the rest, I have found you can use bubble wrap, you know the stuff that is intended for padding for breakables for shipping to stop cold air from creeping in at the windows. Our windows leak like sieves and there is no way to afford replacements even if we didn't rent at this time. I am planning on trying the bubble wrap thing. It is so easy to put up....just cut a piece to fit the size of the window pane, spray the glass with water, and gently press the bubble wrap in place ( bubble side of the wrap against the window) It is pretty effective stuff as they use it in green houses. The water holds the bubble wrap to the window all winter. No need for tape or glue. By placing bubble wrap in the winter it doubles the R value. This could cut the heat loss in half. This is going to be the least expensive and quickest fix to insulate our windows this winter season. You can guess what I'm going to be doing this week.

Just another day of fishing for bluegill

This was supposed to be a picture of our fish but, I goofed and had it on the setting for video. The 2 best ones are mine! I'm not bragging am I? Hee-Hee!

My hubby and I spent about 3 hours fishing out on the lake today. We took the pontoon and anchored it between the 2 willow trees by the shoreline. This is one of our favorite fishing spots. It has been a beautiful day today. I anticipated a nice mess of bluegill. However I knew even if we didn't catch any fish the time spent out on the boat was relaxing and worth it. We got out there.....I told hubby I was hoping to catch the first fish. I cast my line out. It wasn't even a mere minute a bluegill snagged my hook. A dandy it was and hungry too! I thought this is going to be a good day. I cast my line out again...Wham! another one! I thought ...this is going to be a very good day. 2 keepers in less than 2 minutes. I know if you catch 1 keeper, there are usually more where you caught that one. I was right because, we never moved the boat. We caught 11 bluegills that were keepers. We also caught a 12 inch bass, a few perch , several sunfish, and baby fish that we did not keep. I lost 3 really good sized bluegill. One of them broke my line and I lost him. The other 2 I lost by reeling them in too fast. I would just about get them reeled in to the boat and lost them. Pooh! It made me angry. Hubby told me not to rough them so much. So I will try. but, it will have to be tomorrow morning when we go out again. This time with my dad. Just another day of fishing for bluegill!

Recycling

My daughter, a couple of days ago, gave me bag after bag of the granddaughter's clothes. Now, I just had 2 garage sales and not ready by any means to have another one awhile yet. She wanted them out of the house and I wanted them out of my house. The sheds are still full so I didn't want to keep them for my next sale. So instead I posted them on http://freecycle.org It didn't take long and I had a long list of people that were glad to take them off my hands. The freecycle group is open to all who want to recycle whether its a chair, clothes, an old door rather than throw it away. It's for people interested in keeping good stuff out of the landfills. Everything posted is FREE! Check out http://freecycle.org for cities and information on the movement. Recycle that special something rather than throw it away. Maybe you might find something you can use as well. I have many times. Membership is FREE. so sign up. Let's reuse and keep good stuff out of the landfills. Have fun!

windows vista and a new computer

You all probably know by now I got my new computer. My son set it up for me last night. He is the computer wizard so it only seemed fitting to let him set it up instead of hubby who would be so much slower at it. I love this computer but, since I was used to windows xp and all that old technology this is going to take some getting used to. I have got so much to learn. It's not hard just different. I still have my dial up but Wow! this computer is soooo much faster than that old thing I had been using. Speaking of dial-up....I'm guessing it's becoming the thing of the past because,when hubby and I were shopping for a computer neither one of us gave it a thought as to remember or tell the salesman we had dial-up so I get this computer, we start setting up and realize...no Internet because modems in computers are not standard anymore! So..hubby I believe, still lives old school because him and my son go to staples and Hubby tells them He just spent $800.00 for a new computer and he is not happy! I am so glad I was not with him. Well, to make a long story short, we have a brand new modem now to go along with the new computer. Hubby says he wants everything new and wasn't going to stick our old modem in a brand new computer. Ha Ha I'm not going to argue with that. Anyways, I managed to get a few pictures downloaded from my camera. I would like to share with you these pictures.

Dalton's 1st birthday!
Jasmyne, Abby, and Jocelyne (Easter Sunday)

Reese is showing off !

On Easter Sunday...Jocelyne and Jasmyne with my stepdaughter Amanda

Homemade Hummingbird Food

Yes, It's that time of year again. Today I dug out our hummingbird feeders. Tomorrow I will hang them outside and fill them with nectar. If you are like us, we have a few hummingbird feeders around the yard. I just love watching these tiny birds. They always amaze me. Now, you can buy the hummingbird nectar but, this gets costly and there is not much in the pkgs. I label a pitcher to keep in the refrigerator with "homemade hummingbird food" This is so much cheaper. All you do is bring 4 cups water to a boil and stir in 1 cup sugar, stir to dissolve, when cool, pour into the pitcher and refrigerate until needed. As I refill the feeders, I make another batch for the next time. Do not add food coloring. I understand it is not good for the little hummingbirds. Feeding hummingbirds is an easy, inexpensive and rewarding pastime. All you need is a feeder table sugar, some water and you are set. Oh yes, remember, it is important to keep the feeder clean and the nectar fresh. Sugar water is very rich growth medium. Yeasts like to eat it causing fermentation which can harm the hummingbirds. That is why you should keep the feeder clean and the nectar fresh!

The 30 Day Challenge!

I am joining the 30 day challenge with http://dailyessentialsanddeals.blogspot.com Oh yea, for me its going to be a challenge! Diet and excercise has been on my mind now for some time. I have gotten quite lazy this winter and I wonder why I do not feel as good as I used to. This should be fun. I am going to find 10-15 minutes a day to excercise. That sounds simple enough hugh? It can be walking or crunchers, riding a bike whatever, it doesn't matter as long as its excercising. If you want to join me, just leave a comment and let me know! I will post each week my success and my hope, not too many failures. Here's my plan: excercise everyday! Keeping it simple!

Walk! and when I can't walk...

Stretch(this is very important, even before walking)

50 leg lifts

50 side to side crunchers

50 crunchers

Remember Drink lots of water 8-10 glasses everyday(this might be a hard one for me)

Let's have fun and encourage one another!

Chicken Zombie Award

Yaay! I won my very first zombie chicken award from Rita over at http://following31.blogspot.com/ Thankyou Rita, I love it! For those of you that have never heard of this award, these are the rules: The blogger who receives this award believes in the tao of the zombie chicken-excellance, grace, and persistance in all situations even in the midst of a zombie apocolypse. These bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read the inspiring words. I am passing this wonderful award to 5 other worthy bloggers as to not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all CONGRATS to........ http://tatersmamatakeonthings.blogspot.com/
http://amysmusings.blogspot.com/
http://teresagrammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/

http://dailyessentialsanddeals.blogspot.com/

http://mominin-thepeerreview.blogspot.com

It's a grooming time!

Yesterday was that time again! Sassafrass had an appointment at the Dog Parlor. This is Sassafrass before her grooming. You can see her hair is way out of control and matted. She definitely needs a haircut.

Is this the same dog? She is so cute! We had a bit of a problem getting after pictures as she was really excited to see us!

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Okay so this is what happened.... Sassafrass got her hair cut, bathed, toenails clipped and sprayed with doggie perfume. Then she was dressed in her new dress and pink polka dot collar. Susan got a new shirt from walmart for spring....Hubby got well....I guess a much thinner wallet now!

I'm Back!

Well, I'm back! I don't know for how long though. I have been sick., what I thought was the start of spring allergies or something turned out to be just a nasty virus. I guess I should have guessed, because it came on so sudden. Yesterday I felt as if a mac truck ran over me. UGH! I couldn't stand to watch TV, read, play on the computer or nothing I couldn't even sleep because my head would hurt so bad just to lay it on the pillow. I took a shot of NyQuil before bed last night and I can honestly say I feel better. Not good, but better. As for my postings, I am not sure i will be posting every day. quite frankly I do not have the time to sit here all day on the computer and be able to do this plus keep up with my e-mail, surveys and what not. I have far too much to do the upcoming weeks and I am not getting it done. However, if I get my new computer and better yet, high speed Internet, it will not be a problem. So, we will see what happens within the next couple of months. Mean time I will try to do my best to post as often as I possibly can.

Grandaughters

Tonight we have the 2 granddaughters Jasmyne an Jocelyne with us spending the night. Actually it was only supposed to be Jasmyne but, Jocelyne her sister wanted to come too. We normally take just one at a time so....we will see what happens. Hubby and I have to get up early tomorrow morning, taking the girls with us to the farm and home expo, then we will go out for breakfast. I hope the girls will not be a problem. But, I am sure there won't be They have already put in their order for pancakes! As for tonight,I am getting the girls bath early, Papa is helping Jasmyne with a puzzle and Jocelyne is being Jocelyne. Bedtime will be soon. I love spending quality time with my grand kids!