menu plan monday ~ november 18, 2013

November 18, 2013 – 12:26 pm

It has been a long week. Last week I was very sick for four days. Bad chest/head cold. I didn’t leave the recliner from Sunday night till Friday morning except for necessity. Needless to say, nothing toward Christmas prep was done during that time. Genny came Saturday morning, as well as my dear friends Marsha and Paul. We all worked hard on Saturday. DH and I put the beads and popcorn/cranberry strings on the living room tree. One box of ornaments (of three) was emptied and the ornaments are on the tree. A ways to go there.

Sunday morning, I rested while Genny visited a friend who lives nearby. On her way back to our house, Genny got a call about the tornado that hit Washington, Illinois. Genny’s daughter and her family live there. Meanwhile, we were under a tornado warning, as well! As information came in, we found that Genny’s daughter’s house was hit. Thankfully the family was at church at the time and are all safe. The house needs a new roof and some other work. It was on the edge of the worst damage. Just two houses down from them, Genny’s son-in-law’s mother’s house was also damaged.

We appreciate your prayers on their behalf. It will be a long haul to get everything cleaned up, repaired, and rebuilt.

After all that, it is hard to settle down and contemplate something as mundane as the week’s menu, but here goes.

Monday
Chicken and Rice
Garden Salad

Tuesday
Roast Beef
Mashed Potatoes
Steamed Green Beans
Garden Salad

Wednesday
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Garlic Bread
Green Salad

Thursday
Fridge Food

Friday
Mongolian Beef with Broccoli
Rice

Saturday
Lentil and Sausage Soup
Homemade Rolls

Sunday
Tacoritos
Lettuce, Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Cheddar Cheese
Tortilla Chips

You can find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in menu | Comments (6)

menu plan monday ~ november 11, 2013

November 11, 2013 – 7:05 pm

We had a good weekend of Christmas decorating with my sister Genny and middle daughter here to help. We finished the Putz tree, displaying some of the little glitter houses I have made. Genny found the white tree at a thrift shop for $12. The stand was broken, but DH made a box for it. We covered the box with white paper and pale blue tulle printed with silver snowflakes.

white Christmas tree

Genny also worked on the Twelve Days of Christmas tree on the chalkboard. Still a bit more to do there.

12 Days of Christmas

And in the middle of November, Genny found a few violets blooming in the yard. God’s reminder that there will be spring and warmth and sunshine again!

November violets

Next weekend, Genny will be back and my friends, Marsha and Paul, are coming to help, as well. Should be a fun weekend!

The menu for this week is as follows:

Monday
BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Homemade Buns

Tuesday
Lemon Chicken Tortellini
Garden Salad
Steamed Broccoli

Wednesday
Ham and Beans
Cornbread

Thursday
Crock Pot Rotisserie-Style Chicken
Rice
Roasted Carrots and Potatoes with Rosemary

Friday
Fridge Food

Saturday
Hearty Lentil Soup
Carrot and Celery Sticks
Cornbread

Sunday
Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs
Garden Salad
Homemade Rolls

You can find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in menu | Comments (2)

menu plan monday ~ november 4, 2013

November 4, 2013 – 3:58 pm

Another weekend of Christmas prep. Genny and I worked on the chalkboard tree. I drew the patterns and Genny did the chalk work. We’re doing a “Twelve Days of Christmas” theme on the chalkboard this year.

12 days of Christmas

12 days of Christmas

This was last year’s chalkboard tree.

chalkboard Christmas tree

I’m looking forward to seeing the finished project!

Here’s the menu for the week. Another soup because soup is just plain the right thing for this chilly dark weather. We have friends coming next weekend to help with decorating and Genny will be back. Moving right along with Christmas prep!

Monday
Fridge Food

Tuesday
Cheesy Broccoli Soup
Crackers

Wednesday
Crock Pot Chicken
Rice
Rosemary Bread Sticks
Sauteed Zucchini and Summer Squash
Garden Salad

Thursday
Cheese Tortellini with Mushroom Sauce
Garden Salad
Steamed Green Beans

Friday
Carry Out

Saturday
Hearty Lentil Soup
Ham / Turkey Sandwiches
Veggies / Dip
Chips

Sunday
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Homemade Sauce
Garden Salad
Steamed Sugar Snap Peas

You can find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in menu | Comments (4)

menu plan monday ~ october 28, 2013

October 30, 2013 – 9:59 pm

We have 17 of 22 Christmas trees up now. Making good progress. My sister Genny comes each weekend she is able, to help with the decorating. We appreciate her help more than she knows. She keeps us motivated!

We finished the Nativity Tree on Saturday.

Nativity Tree

Our cousins, Mona and Carmen (sisters), came over Saturday to help, as well. They washed all the pie plates on display in the kitchen, washed the kitchen shelves and contents, and also washed the shelves that contain some of my collection of Christmas plates. They did a great job on the Nativity Tree and also on the Three Kings tree. Thank you, Mona and Carmen!!

Christmas plates

extra helping hands

Last weekend, Genny and I worked on taking everything off the garland we have used on the banister for many years. It was looking tired. This week, I worked on fluffing the garland to help it flow in one direction. Then I spent some time with a needle nose plier, bending back the ends of some of the “pine” branches so the exposed wire wouldn’t scratch anyone. I put some of the old items back on, including some “sugared” fruit and red berries. Then I added some gold pine cones, some more glittered red berries and some glittered and some shiny ornament balls. I have some pretty red ribbon to finish it off, once it is attached to the banister. A lot of work, but I’m very happy with it.

banister garland makeover

I’ve also made the dough for Elfin Bits, and made the Oatmeal Ice Box Cookies and the Nutmeg Logs for the freezer. And yesterday, I made the chocolate centers for Chocolate Creams. Those will be thawed and dipped in dark chocolate a few days before the party.

Oatmeal Icebox Cookies

Holiday Icebox Oatmeal Cookies

We are moving right along! I’ve warned the kids to get their Amazon.com wish lists up to date. It’s time to start shopping for Christmas. And the twins have a birthday coming up, so we’ll be celebrating that soon. Time is passing by quickly!

This week’s menu is late being posted, but it was ready to go Monday morning and we have been sticking to it.

Monday
Tacorito meat for Burritos [I just made the meat mixture and we used it on tortillas, rather than using the oven. I was baking cookies all day…]
Taco Chips
Sour Cream / Lettuce / Tomatoes / Cheese

Tuesday
Mongolian Beef with Broccoli
Rice

Wednesday
Sauted Shrimp
Homemade Rolls

Thursday
Oven BBQ Pork Steaks
Mashed Potatoes
Steamed Green Beans
Green Salad

Friday
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Rosemary Bread

Saturday
Chili in the Crock Pot
Crackers
Veggies and Dip

Sunday
Lasagna
Green Salad
Homemade Rolls
Peas / Corn

Tomorrow I plan to make another cookie recipe or two. I’ll keep you posted.

You can find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday. Laura, the blog host, has been posting her weekly recipe there every week since July 31, 2006. And she invites us all to join in. Being accountable to posting my menu to her site keeps me in the menu making frame of mind. I’ve blogged my menu since May 5, 2008. Seems like a long time ago…I haven’t made every single week, but have posted most of them. Like I said, it keeps me planning!

~~Rhonda

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in Christmas, menu | Comments (0)

triple chocolate cookies

October 28, 2013 – 11:48 am

This fall, I have been making cookie treats for the high school band when they travel for competitions. Our youngest daughter is a member of the band and I have enjoyed helping them in this small way. If there is one thing I can do, it’s bake cookies!

Friday, I made these very delicious cookies for the band.

Triple Chocolate Cookies

The band got first place and the cookies got rave reviews! The recipe came from the blog Smells Like Home. I changed the recipe a bit. By adding M&M baking bits to the recipe, I made it a triple chocolate cookie rather than the double chocolate in the original recipe.

Triple Chocolate Cookies
Makes 7 dozen small cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 T unsulphured molasses
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup good quality dark cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup M&M semi-sweet baking bits

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350˚. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar and molasses together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.

Blend in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

On low speed, stir in the cocoa powder and vanilla until well blended.

Measure the flour, salt, and baking powder into a separate bowl, stir together, then add the flour to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed just until incorporated.

Fold in the chocolate chips and the M&M baking bits with a wooden spoon.

Using a small cookie scoop, place dough on the prepared baking sheets. [I was able to place 24 on each baking sheet. They did not spread much.]

Bake for 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

These cookies freeze well and would travel well, if you are mailing gifts. College students would appreciate a box of them, I am sure! The cookies could be spruced up with some frosting or a dip or drizzle of chocolate.

If you don’t have molasses on hand, use 1/2 c. white sugar and 3/4 c. brown sugar instead of the white sugar and the molasses in the recipe.

I’ve said this before, but it’s worth mentioning again. I no longer buy any brown sugar. I make it myself. That allows me to control the richness of flavor of the sugar. A light brown sugar is made by adding one tablespoon of unsulphured molasses to one cup of granulated sugar. Dark brown sugar is made by adding two tablespoons of unsulphured molasses to one cup of granulated sugar.

When a recipe calls for brown sugar, I don’t mix the sugar and molasses before adding to the recipe. I just add the white sugar and the molasses to the mixing bowl at the same time.

Another molasses tip: Adding a couple of tablespoons of molasses to a bread recipe helps the bread stay soft and moist.

~~Rhonda

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in Recipes | Comments (3)

ham and beans

October 9, 2013 – 8:54 pm

I wish I had my mom’s own recipe for ham and beans, but I think this comes close.

ham and beans

Ham and Beans

  • 1 pound dry beans, soaked overnight (I use Great Northern beans. My mom always used navy beans.)
  • 1 T dry onion (or as much fresh onion as you care to add)
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp celery seed (or use fresh celery)
  • 1 tsp dry basil
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 T. cider vinegar
  • 3 c. ham
  • Salt to taste (Remember that the ham may be very salty, so taste before adding more salt.)

Rinse the beans in cold water, discarding shriveled beans, small stones, etc. Drain the beans and place in a soup pot, covering with 8 cups of water (or to at least twice the depth of the beans). Let soak overnight. The next day, drain and replace the water. Put the pot over medium heat until the water starts to boil. Turn down to a simmer and cook until the beans soften (about two hours). The spices can be added when the beans are simmering, but do not add the salt until about half way through the cooking time. Add the ham, and taste for saltiness. Continue to simmer until done.

Personally, do yourself a favor and buy a smoked pork shank. Our local butcher recommended it to me and it makes delicious ham and beans. I put the pork shank in a crock pot on low overnight. The next day, I pull the meat and the bones, and throw away the fat. I add the bone to the beans as they simmer. When the beans are soft enough to eat, I add the meat to the beans and continue to simmer for a bit. If the beans need more liquid, I use some I’ve saved from the crock pot. If the liquid is kept in the fridge while the beans cook, the fat will harden and can easily be lifted from the top, leaving the flavorful liquid. Just be mindful that the liquid is probably rather salty.

The ham and beans should be served with cornbread, of course. Try my favorite recipe, if you like.

~~Rhonda

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in Recipes | Comments (0)

my favorite cornbread

October 9, 2013 – 4:06 pm

Wampanoag Cornbread

Corn Bread
Grease a 9×13 pan. Preheat oven to 400*.

Stir together:
2 c. flour
1 c. sugar (less is fine, if it’s too sweet for you)
1 c. yellow corn meal
2 T. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Stir together with a fork until egg is beaten:
2 c. milk
1/4 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs

Pour milk mixture over the flour mixture and stir only until dry ingredients are incorporated. Do not over stir.

Pour into a greased 9×13 pan.

Bake in a 400*F oven for 25 minutes, until golden and beginning to brown. A toothpick should come out clean.

When I measure the milk, I use a 4 c. measuring cup, measure the milk, add the oil to make 2 1/4 cups total, then add the eggs and stir. Saves cleaning extra dishes.

To make a more moist cornbread, with a bit of a tang, substitute 1/4 cup of the milk with 1/4 cup of buttermilk. Delicious!

My family loves this cornbread recipe and I am often asked for the recipe when I serve it to company or take it to a potluck. I hope you enjoy it, as well!

~~Rhonda

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in Recipes | Comments (2)

menu plan monday ~ october 7, 2013

October 7, 2013 – 5:06 pm

I am finding it hard to believe that the first week of October has come and gone. Time is flying by. We have started on the Christmas trees. Several are up and ready to decorate. Pictures to come soon. Yes, it’s early, but that how we do things here. We’re working toward that December 1 deadline. And this year, we don’t have a week between Thanksgiving and the first Sunday in December. That means everything has to be done by Thanksgiving. One of those few years when the calendar does not cooperate.

Outside the kitchen windows, the big oak tree is just beginning to turn gold.

Southern Oak

Temperatures are much lower this week. It’s nice to be able to open windows and enjoy the fall weather. I’m trying to keep the menu easy this week. And the weekend will be busy with my sister Genny here to help with the holiday prep.

Monday
Chicken and Rice
Cornbread
Garden Salad

Tuesday
Chicken Caesar Wraps

Wednesday
BBQ Pork Steak
Rosemary Chicken
Hashbrown Potatoes
Steamed Broccoli

Thursday
Hamburgers
Homemade Buns
Grapes

Friday
Homemade Pizza

oh, yum

Saturday
Alton Brown’s Pot Roast
Homemade Buns
Fruit Salad
Celery / Carrot Sticks with Ranch Dip

Sunday
Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs
Garden Salad
Steamed Sugar Snap Peas
Corn

You can find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in menu | Comments (1)

menu plan monday ~ september 23, 2013

September 23, 2013 – 10:32 am

My cat Zak had surgery to remove two injured toes last Wednesday. He came home Thursday and has spent the rest of the week sleeping in a box in the craft/scrapbook room. He still can’t quite figure out what that big blue thing is on his leg. It causes him all kinds of trouble when he tries to stand up.

Zak...recovering from foot surgery

He has tried every conceivable configuration of his body in the box to find a comfortable spot.

Zak...recovering from foot surgery

He seems to be doing fine, though sleeping a lot. He goes back to the vet this week for a check up.

Zak, after foot surger

I’ve been incapacitated the past few days with having to elevate my leg. This week, I hope I can get up and do more. I love the fall season. Cooler days mean I can begin to add soups back into the menu. The Chicken Taco Chili on Saturday’s menu is really delicious. I hope you’ll give it a try. It can be made in the crock pot as done in the original recipe, or made stove top, as I do.

Monday
Cheesy Potato/Sausage Soup

Tuesday
Ham and Beans
Cornbread
Sliced Tomatoes

Wednesday
Cheese Tortellini with Mushroom Sauce
Garlic Bread
Garden Salad

Thursday
Crock Pot Brown Sugar Chicken ~ Didn’t get to this last week, so am adding it to this week’s menu.
Rice
Peas and Carrots
Garden Salad

Friday
Turkey and/or Ham Sandwiches
Homemade Buns
Garden Salad
White Bean Dip with Homemade Pita Chips

Saturday
Lunch ~ Chicken Taco Chili
Cornbread
Supper ~ Homemade Pizza

Sunday
Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs made with my own spaghetti sauce.
Garden Salad
Jiffy Corn Casserole
Steamed Sugar Snap Peas

You can find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in menu | Comments (1)

menu plan monday ~ september 16, 2013

September 17, 2013 – 4:32 pm

The twins were here Saturday and they found a pumpkin in the garden. Pa let them pick it, of course. 🙂 They drew faces all over it. Snow White said she taught Rose Red how to make a face. “Oval, oval. Triangle. Line, line. Tooth, tooth.” That about covers it.

picked a pumpkin from Pa's patch

When the twins aren’t here, our pets entertain us. They add a lot of fun to our lives. Cedar likes to roll over on her back when she’s feeling relaxed. We should be so trusting.

one relaxed kitty

I’ve been working in the scrapbook room the past week. The invites for the Christmas Open House are almost done. The menu for this week is pretty simple, so I can keep working without taking time out for cooking.

Monday
Ham or Turkey Deli Sandwiches
Homemade Buns
Garden Salad with Basil Dressing

Tuesday
BBQ Pork Sandwiches
Homemade Buns
Cornbread
Sliced Tomatoes

Wednesday ~ DH gets to cook.
Grilled Pork Steaks
Grilled Brauts
Roasted Veggies
Garden Salad

Thursday
Crock Pot Brown Sugar Chicken
Rice
Peas and Carrots
Sliced Garden Tomatoes

Friday
Fridge Food

Saturday
Homemade Pizza

Sunday
Alton Brown’s Pot Roast
Corn on the Cob
Steamed Green Beans
Mashed Potatoes
Sliced Garden Tomatoes

You can find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

By ~~Rhonda | Posted in menu | Comments (2)