Menu planning

Yes, I know it is Tuesday.
But better late than never, right? And here lately, it's been more never, and I've ended up cooking on the fly. While it works some nights, there just isn't a lot of variety, and there are too many times we have crap for supper - like when my lucky man got canned ravioli and a pb sandwich last week. 
While I was menu planning, I didn't have those problems! And writing it out really works for me. So here goes:
Sunday: Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad
Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: Beef tips w/seasoned rice, fresh green beans
Wednesday: Spaghetti leftovers
Thursday: Grill night! Steak, potatoes and a veggie
Friday: Hamburgers and hot dogs (grilled on Thursday) and macaroni and cheese (see recipe below)
Saturday: Wedding dinner


For more menu planning tips and recipes, go to I'm an Organizing Junkie


Easy Macaroni and Cheese:
Boil 1 cup noodles (can be shells, elbow macaroni, etc.) as directed.
Strain. 
In pan, mix together 4 slices American Cheese (I use Velveeta) and 1/4 c. milk. Add pepper to taste. Stir until melted and add in noodles. 
That's it! Enjoy :)

Dippin' in

When it comes to summer parties, I don't think you can ever go wrong with dip. 
For a barbecue on Saturday, I decided to make a buffalo wild wings cheese dip. Not only is it delish, it's super easy and just sits in the crock pot. 


Here's what you will need:

- 2 c. cooked chicken (I used canned, but also shred my own sometimes)
- I c. ranch dressing
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (I add a bit more because I like it hot)


How to make it:
- Layer all the ingredients into a crock pot. Yes, it looks kinda gross.

- Stir together and turn crock pot on high for a couple of hours until all ingredients are melted. Stir occasionally. 

- If you don't have a crock pot, you can also layer it all in a baking dish (an 8x8 or 9x9) and bake at 350 for half an hour. 

- Serve with tortilla chips or celery. 

- Yes, it's seriously that easy. And good!

Friday catch-up

TGIF!
Although Friday isn't quite as exciting when you have to work a half day on Saturday, it's still pretty darn fun.
It has been an insane few days around here ...
Monday was crazy, being my first day back at the office after my four days out. And to make matters worse, I ended up having to leave early to take my darling Hank to the vet for a swollen leg. Luckily we'd gotten some antibiotics in him on Sunday (thank goodness I'm friends with our vets daughter) and he is MUCH better now. Apparently he just had some sort of an infection. 
Speaking of dogs ... see how much they love each other?

Wednesday was my day off work and I finally caught up on sleep - I didn't get out of bed until almost 11 - woohoo! I also did a lot of garden work and we had fresh green beans for supper :) And got a bunch of house cleaning done.

I'm finally starting to feel "normal" again, which is a blessing. I was a walking/driving wreck for about a week and while I know that is to be expected, I really felt depressed. I know my grandma would want me to be happy and live my life. 

Tonight we're going to watch a movie (either A-Team or Killers) and then to bed early. After I get off work tomorrow, it's nap time to get ready for a bbq and fun with some friends. Sunday I hope to relax and since I'm off work Monday, I think I'll head to my aunt and uncle's pool to work on my tan. 

Happy weekend :)

Isn't he lucky?

While I know it isn't the 1950s anymore, I love to cook and there is a satisfaction I get from serving  my man a yummy, home-cooked meal. Sure, we still have some convenience foods like frozen pizza, but I usually cook at least three times a week. 
Until the past week or so. In the last 10 days, all I've cooked is bacon and eggs for breakfast. Other than that it's been things my family has received and sent home with me, leftover grilled hot dogs or anything we can unearth. In addition to being extremely unmotivated, J has been working to haul hay and I'm not cooking that late at night. Plus I've been driving truck and helping pick up some bales too. 
You want proof my man is the luckiest alive? Here is what he enjoyed for supper last night:

Pair that with a glass of milk and a peanut butter sandwich and you've got a meal. 

J must think he's got the greatest woman in the world!

To re-enter the cooking scene, I have a feast planned for tonight! My homemade meatloaf, butter potatoes (leftover from the funeral meal), corn and crescent rolls. 

Yup, I'll be working out tomorrow!

I won!

I know everyone says they are the most unlucky person ever ... Well I really am! I rarely win anything. 

That being said, I like to tempt fate and put my name in the hat every now and then, and frequently enter giveaways on blogs. 

Amongst them, I recently entered this contest. I LOVE Jenna's blog and all the giveaways and reviews. And I won this ring!

Jimmy has been wanting a tungsten ring as his primary wedding band anyhow - with a physical job, he definitely would not want to scratch/bend an expensive one. Not only is tungsten a good, hard metal, it's very inexpensive - around $100 per ring. 

Although this isn't a huge wedding expense to get off the table, it is something, and I'm ecstatic! Now if only I can win the dress, my band, shoes, meal, dj .... 

A lot of words about nothing

- My grandma's service will be on Friday. Although she hasn't been well at all for the past few weeks and lived a full life at the age of 92, it's hitting me a lot harder than I thought. I've been surrounded by well-wishing people, however, and that definitely makes things easier. 
- These past two days have drug on and on and on. Last night after spending an hour or so with my family, I came home and slept since I tossed and turned all night on Monday. I feel a lot better rested now, but still feel like I could sleep for hours. 
- Last weekend I attended a bridal shower and bachelorette party and had an absolute blast. I can't wait until June 19 when the wedding is! I hadn't met some of the bridesmaids (I'm a cake cutter :)) but they were awesome and I know we'll have a blast. 
- I picked red tomatoes on Monday! They were just cherry tomatoes, but the others are coming along quite nicely.
- Speaking of the garden, it has come quite some way over the past week and a half. The grass was beginning to take over but with J's help, it's all cleaned up. We also replanted the okra and cucumbers that didn't come up after the first planting in mid-April. My lettuce is starting to die off, but I planted more of it, too. I'm most excited about my cucumbers, though.  
- I have no idea what is going on this weekend. I'm sure I'll want something pretty mellow after Friday. We've been invited to camp/float the river, to a birthday party AND our nieces have their annual dance recital. So we'll be busy, no doubt!
- I am SO.READY for the river though. But I really need to get in shape. I actually worked out Monday night ... and that's been put on hold seeing as I have no energy. Plus I'm busy stuffing my face with all the yummies people are bringing. 

A human story is a life told by God ...

My grandma passed away last night. She was 92.
While I am sad, I knew this was coming and am, in a way, relieved. We had to move Grandma to a nursing home less than two weeks ago because it was clear she could not stay at home, even with someone there. While she was still breathing, I don't think she was still "living" as she was not able to walk or even eat anymore. 

My grandma making me laugh about a month ago.

She was honored as the town's oldest resident and a newspaper photographer captured this. I hate having my picture taken (especially since I work at a sister paper) but am so glad this was captured!

I have so many memories of my grandma and feel blessed to have known her for more than 25 years. If one thing was evident, it was the love she had not only for her family, but also her friends and God. She always told me how she was proud of me and I hope I continue to make her smile while she is in heaven!