The Absence of Solitude

Eat from the Pantry

This month I am working on cutting my grocery budget and making use of what I already have stored in my pantry.

This is my menu plan and some recipes.

Breakfasts:

Cereal, toast and fruit x 7

Eggs on toast or bagels x 3

Bacon, eggs, and biscuits x 2

Fruit smoothies and toast x 4

Oatmeal and fruit x 4

Apple bread and peaches

Pancakes and fruit x 3

Sticky buns and fruit

Blueberry muffins  or Cherry White Chocolate Chip Muffins and applesauce

Waffles and fruit x 2

Peach French Toast

Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts

**All the fruit is either fruit I canned over the summer like peaches, apricots, and applesauce or it's apple slices from our supply in the basement or cantaloupe and oranges I got at Aldi's.

 

Lunches:

Mostly leftovers

Peanut butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Tuna fish Sandwiches

All with fruit, cheese, and pretzels

 

Dinners:

Italian Crockpot Chicken x 2

Creamy Potato Soup and homemade bread

Rice, Beans  and Cornbread x 3

Homemade Pizza with homemade garlic bread sticks x 4

Beef Tacos with Beans and tortilla chips

Spaghetti, homemade garlic bread and corn x 2

Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches and fruit

Baked Ziti, homemade garlic bread, and green beans

Turkey Pot Pie and fruit

Italian Beef Sandwiches, roasted potatoes and fruit (I use the first recipe in the link.)

Taco Soup with tortilla chips, cheese, and sour cream

Baked Potatoes with chili

Baked Chicken and Salad

Chicken Taco Soup  with tortilla chips, cheese, and sour cream

Turkey Noodle Soup and homemade bread

Quesadillas, beans and guacamole with tortilla chips

BBQ Brisket Sandwiches with homemade buns, carrot sticks and fruit

Corn Chowder and homemade bread

Chicken Enchiladas, beans, and tortilla chips with salsa

Chili and cornbread

Nachos

Chicken Taquitos with black beans and rice

Hamburgers with homemade buns and sweet potato fries

 

Snacks and Desserts:

fruit, cheese, granola, goldfish, pretzels, almonds and craisins

Cinnamon Chip Bread

Too Yummy to Eat by Yourself Cookies

Apple Crisp

Lion House Brownies

Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Blueberry Sauce

Raspberry Crumble

 

And onto the recipes:

 

Cherry White Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup canola oil

2 eggs

1 cup cherries, pitted

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400. Line muffin pan with papers or spray with non-stick cooking spray.

In large mixing bowl combine flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another mixing bowl combine buttermilk, oil, eggs. Beat well to combine. Pour wet mixture over dry and add cherries. Fold in with a rubber spatula just until combined then add white chocolate chips.

Scoop batter into muffin cups, about 1/3 cup in each. Bake for about 20 minutes or until tester comes out clean.

 

Apple Bread

3 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon vanilla
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups chopped, pared, cored apples (about 3-4)

1 cup chopped pecans, optional

Topping:
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to slow 325. Grease and flour two standard loaf pans (or use those mini loaf pans.)

2. Stir together the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla in medium sized bowl until well mixed.

3. Combine the flour, soda and cinnamon in another bowl and then then stir into the liquid ingredients until just evenly mixed. Stir in the apples and pecans. The mixture will be very thick and gloppy. Divide between the loaf pans.

4. Prepare the topping: combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small cup, and sprinkle over the loaves.

5. Bake in preheated oven at 325F / 170C for 1 hour and 10 minutes, approximately. Check it carefully with a tester inserted in center comes out CLEAN. Make sure it's done. Sometimes in my oven they take longer than the time specified. Make sure they are done. Nothing worse than raw middle.

Let the breads cool in the pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around the edges of the pans. Remove the breads from the pans to wire racks to cool.

Smoothies

12 oz. grape juice

2 scoops frozen yogurt

1 cup strawberries

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup raspberries

OR

12 oz. orange juice

2 scoops frozen yogurt

1 cup peaches

1 1/2 cup strawberries

 

Peach French Toast

From my Aunt Gaye

3 lg. eggs

6 pieces French bread

3 Tbsp. Peach Jam

3/4 c. Half & Half (I use 2% milk)

Cinnamon (optional)

Mix together eggs, jam and half and half. Place bread in a 13 x 9 x 2 baking dish.

Pour mixture over the bread. Let stand for at least 1/2 hour. (Can be refrigerated overnight.) Sprinkle with cinnamon. Fry as you would regular French toast.

Topping:

1/2 cup marg. or butter melted

1/3 cup peach jam

Mix until the consistency of whipping cream. Spread on top of hot French toast.

Optional: Sprinkle with powder sugar, place peach sections on each piece. May also serve with maple syrup.

 

Homemade Pop-tarts (from Heavenly Homemaker.com and adapted by my cousin Shannon)

3 1/2 cups flour ( 1 3/4 cup wheat flour and 1 3/4 cup white flour)
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 cup melted butter
1 cup plain yogurt
Jelly or jam
 
Begin by mixing the flour, salt, sugar, butter and yogurt in the stand mixer until it comes together. Take the dough out and knead until smooth on a floured surface. Roll the dough out on a large well floured surface. Use a knife to cut the dough into the desired pop-tart size. Place about 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp jelly (depending on the size of your square/rectangle) on half of the squares. Spread the jelly around leaving the edges free. Lay each pop-tart in single layer on cookie sheet. Sprinkle the tops with just a little bit of sugar. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned. 
 
YUMMY!

 

Cinnamon Chip Bread

2 cups hot water

¼ cup oil

¼ cup honey

1 ½ tsp. salt

1 TBSP instant yeast

5-6 cups flour

1 1/2 cup cinnamon chips

Put hot water, 1 ¼ cups flour and the yeast in mixer.  Mix on low with the paddle attachment for 3 minutes.  Add oil, honey and salt and mix for 3 more minutes.  Switch to dough hook and add 3 ¾ cups of the remaining flour.  After dough comes together, knead on low speed for 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic.  Add additional flour a little bit at a time if dough is too sticky after kneading for a few minutes.  Add cinnamon chips and knead until chips are incorporated. Remove from mixer bowl and place in greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray 2 loaf pans (8x4) with Pam and set aside.  Punch down dough and divide into two equal pieces.  Shape into loaves and place in prepared pans.  Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30-45 minutes.  Remove cover and place in oven.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Immediately remove from pans and place on wire rack to cool.

 

The Best Bread

1 C. oatmeal
2 C. boiling water
1/3 C. warm water
1 1/2 T. yeast
1/4 C. veg. oil
1/2 C. honey
1 T. salt
3 C. wheat flour
1 3/4 C. white flour
1/4 C. gluten

Pour boiling water over oatmeal.  Let cool (this takes a while, let it get down to 110 degrees before mixing with remaining ingredients).  Soak yeast in warm water.  In a large bowl mix flours and gluten together (I have done this with all wheat flour and love it too).  In your mixer combine oatmeal, vegetable oil, honey and salt.  Add yeast and two cups of flour.  Mix until flour is incorporated.  Continue mixing in flours one cup at a time until dough cleans sides of mixing bowl - this is usually all of the flour.  Knead for 10 minutes in mixer.  Let rise until double.  Punch down and divide into two parts.  Let it rest for 5 minutes.  Form into loaves and put into greased pans.  Let rise until pans are full.  Preheat oven to 350 and bake for 30 minutes (I would check at 20 or 25 minutes; you can use a thermometer if you are worried about doneness).  Remove from pans.

 

Apple Crisp

From my sister-in-law Angela

3lb. Apples (granny smith or macintosh)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

½ cup brown sugar

½ tsp nutmeg

1/3 cup sugar

½ stick (4T) butter

½ tsp cinnamon

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup oats

½ cup chopped nuts

Peel, core, and chop apples. Toss immediately into bowl with lemon juice. In separate bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, stir into apples. Set aside. In another bowl, combine flour, sugar, and oats. Cut butter into 8 pieces using a pastry blender, cut butter into flour until mixture looks like crumbs. Stir in nuts.

Butter a 10x10 dish. Spread apples onto bottom and sprinkle with flour mixture.

Bake 375. 45 minutes, until topping is lightly browned.

Serve with ice cream or whip topping.

 

Homemade Whole Wheat Hamburger/Hot dog Buns  (from Heavenly Homemaker.com)

**I am actually planning on making these today. I think I will use half whole wheat flour and half white flour. Randomly, my cousin Shannon said she made homemade buns yesterday with rave reviews. I am not sure if she used this recipe or not.

5 cups  (+) whole wheat flour (
1 1/2 cups warm water
2 pkgs. regular or active dry yeast (4 1/2 t.)
2 T. honey
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup milk
2 T. butter
2 t. sea salt

In a large mixing bowl, stir together 3 cups of whole wheat flour and 1 1/2 cups warm water.  Set aside to let rest for 30 minutes.  In the meantime, mix together 1/4 cup water, yeast and honey.  Allow this to sit for at least 10 minutes to activate the yeast.

Melt butter, milk and salt in a small saucepan on the stove.  Do not allow the mixture to get above 120 degrees.

Pour yeast mixture and milk mixture into flour mixture.  Add remaining two cups of flour (more if needed). 

Knead for about 10 minutes until dough begins to look “shiny”.  Put dough back into the bowl, cover and let rise for at least an hour…or until it has doubled.

Pull dough onto a clean countertop and knead for a couple of minutes to get any air bubbles out.  Roll dough on a lightly floured surface until about 1/2 inch thick. 

Cut circles from the dough with a large drinking glass or wide mouth jar.  Place circles on in a well buttered baking dish about an inch apart. 

Allow to rise for about 30 minutes.  Bake for 20-25 minutes in a 350 degree oven.  Makes about 18 buns.

 

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

From my sister-in-law Kim

1 cup butter softened

1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese softened

2 1/2 cups of sugar

6 large eggs

3 cups sifted cake flour

1/8 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup whipping cream

3 Tbs sugar

 

 

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add 2 1/2 cups of sugar, beating well.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined.  Stir in flour by hand until combined.  Stir in salt and vanilla.  Pour batter into a greased and floured 10-inch tube pan.  Bake at 350*for 1 hour and 50 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pan on wire rack for 10-15 min; remove from pan, and let cool completely on wire rack. 

 

 

Chicken Taquitos

 

From my sister-in-law Marchelle

 

1 T. olive oil
1 c. chopped onion
2 Cloves garlic
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. paprika
½ tsp. sea salt
¼ c. chopped cilantro
2 c. shredded cooked chicken meat
1 c. shredded cheese
flour tortillas

 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Add onion & cook until starting to soften & turn translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic, cumin paprika & salt. Stir to combine & cook 2-3 minutes longer, until fragrant. Take from heat & stir in cilantro & chicken. Set aside.

Put couple of tablespoons of the chicken mixture on the tortilla, top with cheese, and roll. Place seam side down on a cookie sheet. I usually spray the cookie sheet with Pam and cook for 12 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them, they do cook quickly.

**This recipe is to your taste. You can leave stuff out or put more in depending on what you like. If you have left over chicken use that.

 

 

 

Too Yummy to Eat by Yourself Cookies

 

From my sister-in-law Kim

 

I halved this recipe and still got nearly 5 dozen cookies.

 

2 cups sugar
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups butter
4 eggs
Mix first 3 ingredients well, add 4 eggs. Mix together and add:
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla
4 cups flour
3-4 cups oatmeal

Mix everything together well & add 2 packages semi-sweet chocolate chips. Scoop teaspoon sized amounts onto a non-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 11-14 minutes.

 

And this was Jillian after she ate the yummy cookies:

 

Not much

going on in these parts right now. But I do have a few random things to share today:

1. We have a goal to read The Book of Mormon as a family this year. (And me, Allen and Ethan to individually read The New Testament.) Sometimes family scripture time can get a little crazy and I often feel like there is no point to it. However, I have found two things that are really helping to get that time everyday.

The Mormon Channel has a children's scripture radio program and so far my kids love it, especially singing along to the songs. Here is the link: Scripture Stories  They have archives of The Book of Mormon and are currently reading The New Testament.

Lds.org also has a Scripture Stories site where you can follow along with a video of pictures to go along with the reading. Here is the link: Scripture Videos 

2. Lauren has been wanting to help shovel snow from the driveway but the big shovels are just to hard for her to maneuver. I found one just her size the other day and she eagerly gets her snow gear on to help Allen.

 
 
3. I am doing another "Pantry Eating Challenge" this month and have made my menu and done my shopping. I decided to try shopping at Aldi this time and see what kind of savings I could get. Um, why have I not been shopping there all along? I spent $55 there and got everything except two things I needed for the month. Crazy! I will post menus and recipes tomorrow.

4. Last week as I was going to check the mail, I totally bit it on the driveway. My feet came out from under me and I went down HARD. I hit my head on the driveway and it hurt! (In the picture above you can see where Allen is standing the driveway starts to slope. That's where I fell.) Of course the garbage truck was right in front of my house when it happened...awesome. The guy asked me if I was ok and I said yes as I got up, but as soon as they drove on to the next house, I started crying. I had a horrible headache for a couple of days and a stiff neck the next morning, kind of like whip-lash. Oh man, it was bad.

5. Lauren and I just finished knitting her first hat. She was so excited about it and can't wait to wear it today!

 
 
 
So that's about it for today. I just realized it was five things. I should have waited to use this for a "Five on Friday" post. Maybe a "More on Monday" post today instead?

 

Just because

its a huge goal on my path to a lifetime of healthy living, I am posting this...I RAN 10 miles this morning. Yes, TEN MILES!! I may not be good at any organized sport but I can run.

I am not excited about that accomplishment or anything. ;-)

10k

One of my goals for this year was to get fit. I started running again in February after a very long hiatus and I eased into it by doing the Couch to 5k program. Kylee also started running again this year. We would talk to each other and either gripe about our inability or encourage each other with our little triumphs. To keep ourselves motivated, Kylee and I decided that when we got together we would run a race. We found one that was a half marathon/10k. I knew there was no way I would be ready to run a half marathon so we decided on the 10k--6.2 miles.

 
This is a view of our course from the Space Needle. We ran around the lake.

Getting closer to our trip, I began to think I wouldn't even be able to run the 10k. I would tell someone I was running a 10k and then say, "Run, being the operative word." I had a plan to run 2 miles, walk 2 miles, and run 2 miles. The week of the trip, Kylee called and said, "We are running the entire way." I said, "Ok, let's do it." All the while still thinking there was no way I would run the entire way.

But I did. I ran the entire way!

And it was awesome!

My time was nothing to write home about but it felt good to start and finish without stopping. We found a good pace, chatted, enjoyed the beautiful course, and just kept going. It's amazing how much farther I could go with a running partner. With Kylee's encouragement, she helped get me to the finish line just under my goal time. 

Before the run...feeling a bit nervous. 

I can totally see how people catch the running bug. The race atmosphere, the anticipation, the actual run, and crossing a finish line are truly exhilarating.

After the run...feeling really proud of ourselves. Look how much bigger our smiles are in this picture!

Kylee and I were on a high the rest of the weekend. We kept saying, "We ran a 10k!" It was an amazing experience. I came home and have already been looking at other runs to participate in locally.

The last week of the challenge

Whew! It's done and we found out we could eat pretty well with what's in our pantry. Now I have the task of finding good deals and restocking the shelves. For the month of January I spent about $155 on groceries which is WAY less than my usual $320-$400. I think I might have to do this challenge a couple times a year just to rotate things and take stock of what we have on hand.

Menu:

Breakfasts:

• cereal, toast, & fruit x 2
• oatmeal & smoothies
• blueberry muffins
• toast & eggs
• biscuits, eggs, & sausage
• leftover biscuits, muffins, & fruit

Lunches:

• grilled cheese sandwiches & applesauce
• PB&J, carrots, pretzels, & apples x 2
• leftovers
• frozen pizza
• ham sandwiches, pretzels, & fruit x 2

Dinner:

• Beefy Ranch Casserole
• BBQ Chicken sandwiches, Onion Strings, & fruit
• Taco Soup
• Baked Ziti, garlic bread, & Greek Salad
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Leftovers x 2

Desserts:

• Blueberry Bundt Cake
• Chocolate Fudge Ribbon Cake

 

Beefy Ranch Casserole

1 lb. ground beef, cooked & drained

2 cans Ranch Style Beans

2 cups Shredded Cheese

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

Tortilla Chips

1 can Rotel tomatoes or 1/2 c. Picante Sauce

Mix together meat, soup, beans & tomatoes. In a 9x13 baking dish, layer beef mixture, chips, & cheese. Repeat. Bake @ 350 for about 30 minutes or until bubbly.

You can also use chicken for this recipe. Instead of beef, use 1 lb chicken breast cooked & diced. Also substitute Cream of Chicken soup for the Cream of Mushroom.

 

Mandy's Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef, cooked & drained

1 can whole kernel corn

1 can diced tomatoes

2 cans Ranch Style Beans

1 pkg. Taco Seasoning

1 c. water

Combine all ingredients and simmer until heated through. Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, and sour cream.

BBQ Chicken

2-4 Chicken Breasts

1 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce ( I like Sweet Baby Ray's)

1/3 c. water

Place chicken (can be frozen) & water in crockpot and pour BBQ sauce over them. Cook on low until chicken is done, about 5-6 hours. Shred chicken and serve on buns with your favorite toppings like pickles and onions.

Baked Ziti

1/2 lb. sausage, cooked & drained

1/2 lb. ground beef, cooked & drained

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1 can diced tomatoes

2 cups Mozzarella cheese

1 lb. ziti noodles, cooked al dente & drained

Mix together meat, noodles, tomatoes, & sauce. Place half in 9x13 baking dish and sprinkle with cheese. Add the rest of noodle mixture and sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake @ 350 until cheese is melted and sides are bubbly.

Leslie's Blueberry/Raspberry Bundt Cake

1 pkg. white cake mix

3 eggs

3/4 c. oil

4 TBSP. flour

1/2 c. water

1 pkg raspberry jello (I used cherry.)

2 c. frozen raspberries or blueberries

Mix all ingredients together and then fold in the berries and pour into a well greased & floured bundt pan. Bake @ 350 for 30-40 minutes. or until tested done.

Icing:

Powdered Sugar

pinch of salt

lemon juice

Mix together to make a runny consistency. Glaze warm cake.

Brooke's Chocolate Fudge Ribbon Cake

Cake:

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

4 sq. baker's chocolate

1 1/3 c. milk

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. butter

Cream butter & sugar. Add eggs & vanilla, mix well. Add melted chocolate squares. Combine flour, baking soda & baking powder in separate bowl. Alternate adding flour mix and milk to chocolate mixture.

Filling:

4 T (1/4 c.) butter

2 eggs

2 (8 oz.) cream cheese bricks

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1/2 c. sugar

4 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter & cream cheese. Add sugar & cornstarch. Then add egg, vanilla, & milk.

Layer cake batter with filling in the middle. Bake @ 350 for 1 hour.

Frosting:

1/4 c. milk

1/4 c. butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 1/2 c. powdered sugar

In medium sauce pan, melt chocolate chips in milk. Add butter, sugar & vanilla. Combine & melt together. Spread over warm cake.  

I will try to post recipes more often as I try new ones. It's been fun trying so many new ones to use up stuff I already had on my shelves.

My Challenge

I have a few favorite bargain blogs that I frequent, one being Money Saving Mom. (www.moneysavingmom.com) She and her husband are really inspiring in how frugal they are and how they set financial goals and usually meet or exceed them. One thing I am in total awe of is the fact they just finished saving to pay 100% down on a house. Cash for a house...what a huge accomplishment!

Anyway, at the end of December she and another blogger, FishMama (www.lifeasmom.com) decided they both had a lot of food in their pantries and freezers that needed to be used. The decided to challenge each other to eat from the pantry for the month of January and also invited others to join as well. I decided after taking stock of my freezers and pantry that I had A LOT of food, yet still found the need to go to the store. So while not officially joining their challenge, I am doing it.

My goals for the month are to eat at home for every meal, only shop for milk, eggs, produce, and diapers for the month. So far it has gone really well and I hope I can continue the rest of the month. I thought it might be good for me to post some progress reports or menus on my blog for a little accountability and to share recipes I am using this month.

So far this is what I have done for a menu:

12-28 B: ham & eggs w/ toast  L: grilled cheese, applesauce D: potato soup

12-29 B: cereal & smoothies L: leftovers D: pinto beans, rice, and cornbread

12-30 B: blueberry muffins & apple slices L: sandwiches, fruit, & pretzels D: leftovers

12-31 B: toast, eggs, & smoothie L: leftovers or sandwiches D: homemade pizza & salad

1-1 B: oatmeal & bananas L/D: cheese/bean and meat queso with chips

1-2 B: homemade biscuits, bacon and eggs L: sandwiches, carrot sticks, & pretzels D: leftovers

1-3 B: cereal & toast L: sandwiches, applesauce, cherries, & pretzels D: turkey soup & crackers

1-4 B: cinnamon rolls L: leftovers D: pork chops with apricot glaze, green beans, rice, & rolls

1-5 B: cereal & smoothies L: sandwiches, applesauce & pretzels D: chicken taco soup w/ tortilla chips

1-6 B: pancakes, apples & oranges L: leftovers D: Chili Dogs & chips

1-7 B: leftover pancakes L: sandwiches, applesauce & pretzels D: meatloaf, peas and mashed potatoes

1-8 B: sticky buns and fruit L: mac & cheese, carrot sticks, applesauce D: spaghetti with meat sauce, salad & bread sticks

1-9 B: cereal & smoothies L: sandwiches, cheese stick, & chips D: pizza

1-10 B: toast & fruit L: leftovers D: clean out the fridge night (every man for himself)

I have also made a peach cobbler, chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate cookies. For snacks we have had crackers, cheese, carrot sticks, granola bars, fruit, pretzels,and nuts.

Here are the recipes for some of the things I don't have a link for:

Jenny's Chocolate Cookies

2 sticks butter (1 cup), softened

1 c. sugar

3/4 c. brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

2 c. flour

1/2 c. cocoa

Add peanut butter chips or semi-sweet chips if desired.

Mix wets, add drys, and bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes until cracks on top of cookies appear. 

Leigh's Meatloaf (The best meatloaf I have ever had.)

MIX:

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1 c. milk

1 c. bread crumbs

1 egg

1/2 chopped onion

salt & pepper

Put in lightly greased bread pan and top with sauce:

1/3 c. ketchup

2 T. brown sugar

2 T. mustard

Bake @ 350 for one hour.

Clark's Cheese Dip

1/2 lb. ground beef, browned

1/2 lb. sausage, browned

2 lbs. Velveeta, diced

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 c. milk

1 can diced green chilies

1 tsp. garlic powder

salt & pepper

Put in crock pot and cook until cheese is melted.

I added a can of ranch style beans too.

Aunt Helen's Chicken Taco Soup

1 can beans (pinto, kidney etc) I used pinto.

 

1 can diced tomatoes

 

2 can rotel tomatoes

 

1 pkg. taco seasoning

 

1 pkg. ranch dressing mix

 

diced cooked chicken

 

1 can corn or frozen corn

 

I added water to thin it out a little too, probably about 1-2 cups.

 

Mix together and simmer for about 1/2 hour or you can put this in a crock pot on low for the afternoon.

Brendon's Sticky Buns

BUNS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons white sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup margarine
1 cup milk
1/3 cup margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

GLAZE:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
5 teaspoons milk
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease one 12-cup muffin pan. In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in the 1/4 cup of the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the middle and pour in the milk. Mix until blended. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead 8 to 10 times. (You might have to add more flour while kneading it until the dough is no longer super sticky. I think I usually add about 1/2 to 3/4 cup.)  Roll dough out into a rectangle 12 inches long and 1 inch thick, trim off any uneven edges. Cream the 1/3 cup butter and the brown sugar, stir in the ground cinnamon. Drop small amounts into the greased muffin pan. Spread the remainder over evenly over the dough. Starting at the short end roll the dough up (jelly roll style) and cut into 12 pieces. Place 1 each in the muffin pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Combine glaze ingredients; spread over warm rolls. Serve immediately.

Shannon's Baking Powder Biscuits

2 c. flour

2 T. sugar

1 T. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/3 c. shortening

3/4 c. milk

Preheat oven to 450. Whisk flour, sugar baking powder, and salt together in large bowl. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until the mixture looks like small peas. Add the milk and stir until just blended. Dump out on lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and cohesive. Roll into rectangle and cut with biscuit cutter and place on baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes 6-8 biscuits that are approx. 3 in. wide. Can be eaten as regular biscuits or split and served with fruit and whipped cream.

I have found that the 6-8 biscuits is right on. If you get more than that, you have rolled it out too thin. I usually double this recipe.

Cream of Potato Soup (I can't find the source for this one.)

1 lb bacon, chopped

2 stalks celery, diced

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 potatoes, peeled and cubed

4 c. chicken broth, or enough to cover potatoes

3 T. butter

1/4 c. flour

1 c. heavy cream

Cook bacon in large stock pot over medium heat until done. Remove bacon from pan and set aside.

Drain off all but 1/4 c. bacon grease and saute celery and onion until onion begins to turn clear. Add garlic and continue cooking 1-2 minutes.

Add cubed potatoes and toss to coat. Saute for 3-4 minutes.

Return chopped bacon to the pan and add enough chicken stock to just cover potatoes. Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender.

In separate pan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Cook stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes. Whisk in heavy cream and bring to boil and cook stirring constantly until thickened. Slowly pour cream mixture into potatoes. Stirring constantly and simmer a few minutes to combine mixtures. (I like to break/mash some of the potatoes for a creamier soup.)

Top with bacon bits, cheese and/or green onions.

Can you tell I have no original recipes? :-) I will post my weekly menu and recipes on Mondays for the rest of month. I hope I can rise to the challenge. Honestly, the hardest part will be not eating out since we usually do dinner a couple times and meet up with Allen for lunch a couple times as well. Wish me luck!

I will add my cinnamon roll recipe later today...

April goal update

I got nothing!! April just kind of flew by and I really couldn't say exactly what I accomplished. So I am committing to a much better May!

Goal Update

Well, March was just not a good month for me and goals. Between our trip and illness in the family, I just didn't accomplish much. Here is my measly update:

• I read two books. (This was only accomplished beacuse I had tons of time sitting in a hospital.) I read the second book of the Twilight series, New Moon. I really liked it. I didn't realize there would be another big twist. It was a good one though. It was a bit slower than the first book but still a good read. I am starting the third book tonight. I also read Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. Cute book, a quick read and I loved the ending. I have another one of Shannon Hale's books waiting to be read. Maybe I will get to it next month. When Leigh was here she brought me a whole stack of books to read. YEA!
• We had FHE every week.
• THAT'S ALL FOLKS!!!

Hopefully I will be a little more productive in April!

Goal Update

I can't believe February has already come and gone! So it's time for my end of month goal update.

• I am doing much better at having sincere, personal prayer. I have found it's not always kneeling down by my bed. (I get easily interrupted there.) Most of the time it is while am doing my morning walk.
• I started scrap booking again! I sent over 300 pictures to get printed, so I will have not have the excuse that I don't have any pictures. I got together with some gals last week and finished about 5 pages.
• I read three books this month. If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard by Sheri Dew. It was a very inspiring book. I could really apply it to my life. We have challenges for reason and we can and should learn from them but we don't need to face them alone. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I first heard about this book at YW Girls Camp. The girls were so excited for the third book to come out over the summer. I thought they were all kind of silly and never thought about the book again after camp. Then my sister and friend Kylee said they read the books and liked them. I finally borrowed Twilight from my niece. It totally sucks you in. (No pun intended...for those that don't know it's about a girl that falls in love with a vampire. And if you just read that...I know, I know! But trust me. It was good.) I read it in two days. I am starting the second book in the series tonight. One of the YW at church is letting me borrow it and she was so excited I was reading the series. It took every thing she had not to tell me what happens. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. After reading chick lit, I decided I needed something of a little more substance. I went to Barnes & Noble and started looking at the high school required reading table. I picked up Catcher in the Rye because I never had to read it in high school. I got about 100 pages in and still really didn't think there was a point to the book. It did have a point in the end, but I don't think it would be a book I highly recommend.
• Allen & I have gone on a date every weekend. A couple of times it was just running a couple errands without kids, but I am still counting it as a date since we were by ourselves.
• We have been a little lax in our family scripture study this month. I think it was because Allen was gone so much. We really need to get more serious about it. The difference in attitudes, peacefulness, and patience in the home was definitely noticed.
• I started investigating home-schooling more. This is one I need to work on more in March.
• We had FHE every week!
• We paid off all credit cards and now we can start saving all that money we were using to pay those every month.
• I have blogged at least twice a week.
• I lost another 3 lbs. ...but gained 2 lbs. back last week. It was just not a good week for exercising and eating right.

Here's to March!!!

Goal update

I thought since I had a lengthy goal list for 2008 that at the end of every month I would write a little update to keep myself on track. 

January was a good month. Not overly successful at everything, but I did accomplish a few things and I am working on others. Here are a few accomplishments:

1. I completed two books and I am almost done with a third. I read The Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright. It was an okay book. I could take it or leave it. Great premise but a little too sappy and at times, unbelieveable. I also read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I started this book a few months ago and had to put it down. It is very intense and has some disturbing events in it. I decided to finish it after some family and friends told me I should because I would love the book when I was done. I am so glad I did. It was absolutely fantastic. In fact I don't know that I want to see the movie that just came out, because I don't want it to ruin the book for me. A wonderful story of trying make a wrong right the best way he can. Loved it! I am currently reading The Starter Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer. It's okay. One of those books where you are already half-way through and might as well just finish it.
2. We had Family Night every Monday. The kids are actually wanting to do it more than just once a week.
3. We have set a limit on tv. The kids can watch one show in the morning and one in the afternoon. I am ashamed to say that this started just in the last week becasue I realized I had let Lauren watch nearly 8 hours of tv/movies in one day (well it was more than one day if am I am going to be honest.) I know, I know....way horrible!!
4. We have started reading scriptures as a family, but I still need to have personal scripture study. 
5. I think that because we are doing #4, it has really helped me keep my yelling under control. I am just more patient when we read each day.
6. I have tried something new with Lauren. I have not been making Lauren take naps. So when Simon is asleep, I can have one on one with Lauren. (It also helps her go to bed much easier at night...something we have been having issues with lately.)
7. And lastly, I have lost another 3 pounds...not a whole lot for a month, but I really haven't focused on it either.

I hope I can keep this up for the entire year...