Meal Planning Monday-MPM

The Menu for the week....

Monday- Taco Tortilla Pizzas
Tuesday- Chicken, Bacon, Rice Bowl 
Wednesday- Stroganoff
Thursday- Chicken Noodle Soup
Friday- Pancakes

What's for dinner at your house this week?

Meal Planning Monday

Menu
Monday- Tacos
Tuesday- Hot Beef Sandwiches
Wednesday- Crock-Pot Chicken Cordon Blue
Thursday- Veggie Mac
Friday- Chicken, Bacon Rice Bowl
Saturday- Tortilla Taco Pizzas
Sunday- Honey Pecan Pork Chops/ Cheese and Cracker Party


A glimpse at the latest Cheese & Cracker Party at our house...

When I was younger my family had a tradition for Sunday nights, we would watch "America's Funniest Home Videos" and eat in the living room. It started out with just different kinds of cheese, crackers, sausage or deer sticks, and occasionally apples and dip. I recently decided to bring the tradition back with our family. The kids look forward to it and a little part of me does too!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Halloween!

Warning.... Picture overload

Pumpkin Carving at Mada's... The kids ended up carving a game controller, face with its tongue out, and Glee

Wolverine and Batman get into a fight.... I thought they were on the same team?

Showing off our Super Hero poses and muscles

Ready for Candy!!!

Time to sort and count the loot!

My Favorite line of the evening was Dex coming back from a house with a thumbs up saying "next one!"

A look inside

Besides seeing the yummy food, beautiful sewing projects, and wonderful how-tos on blogs, I also enjoy getting a peek an insight into what goes on in their house. I guess you could say I am a nosy curious person. So today on this wonderful dreary day this is the goings on...

Halloween Costume making has taken over the dinning area... 

I believe either the toy bins exploded all over the living room or they boys are having fun..

Despite all those things going on, I feel compelled to bake cookies... 

with the help of J-man and his men!

We decided to make Egg-less Chocolate Chip Cookies  

So there you have it.... the chaotic, multi-project mess my house is usually in.
I am trying to stay busy so I don't think about being out of Diet Coke. I told dear hubby that he NEEDS to bring me some home. IF I am unconscious from lack of caffeine then he should start an iv drip of 100ccs of Diet Coke STAT!

A little Late

Man I guess I have become a little lazy, withdrawn lax on posting lately. It isn't because there has been a lack of activity in this house, but the week just gets away from me and I have been trying to finish 3 Halloween costumes.

My Costume Playbook!

Here is our menu for the week...
Monday- Fettuccine Alfredo
Tuesday- Pizza Ranch- A new one opened up!
Wednesday- Lund Po'Chops
Thursday- French Toast and Bacon
Friday- Pot Luck and Trunk or Treat at G's School

MPM

Last week had to go out just like it came in... with a trip to Urgent Care! Jayden ended up with tonsillitis accompanied by a fever of 103. It is weeks like that, that make me thankful for our health insurance and being a stay at home mom!

On to our Menu for the Week...
Monday- Chili with Doritos (the best way to eat it!)
Tuesday- Rush Hour Chicken Fajitas
Wednesday- Crock Pot Pizza Pasta
Thursday- Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Friday- Clean the fridge or Little Caesars

Whats on your menu for the week?

Crazy Start...MPM

 

This little LEGO stick made a rough start to the beginning of our week. (I know kind of a strange thing to take a picture of, but I must document life) Monday night we made a quick trip to Urgent Care, because Gabby was poked in the ear with this stick. 

It was a frightening moment. I had never heard my child scream with such fear and agony. I knew immediately she was really hurt, the blood in her ear canal told me we needed to see the doctor. At Urgent Care we found out she indeed had a hole in her ear drum. The extent of the damage was unclear, so we needed to see the ENT first thing Tuesday. That night it wasn't easy to sleep with the fear of hearing loss looming. Gabby kept saying she couldn't hear very well out of that ear, which just made me sick. All I could do was blame myself, If only I wouldn't have made the kids pick up the legos together this wouldn't have happened.

Tuesday, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Gabby raise her hand so many times during her hearing test, made me want to sing praise! They tested everything, and found no bone or nerve damage. She does have slight hearing loss due to the hole, but when the hole heals the hearing should return.

Now that everything has settled... here is what we are eating this week!

Monday- TatorTot Casserole

Tuesday- Spaghetti and Salad

Wednesday- McD's 

Thursday- Tuna and Noodles

Friday- Eggs and cinnamon roll muffins --Happy National Egg Day!

Saturday-

Sunday- Cheese & Cracker Party 

And by the way.... it is also National Cookie Month!

Perfect supper for a chilly night!

On a cold night, its nice to have a warm comfort meal. Although this wasn't a meal I have made before it looked promising. For one it was all done in the crock pot and it involved being able to use my homemade noodles. You could serve the noodles over mashed potatoes, but I decided KFC biscuits sounded way better. Although driving to KFC was not in the agenda, so I decided to make my own. If I wouldn't have told the fam I made them, they honestly thought they were KFC! That is a win in my book!!!

Leah's Beef and Noodles

from Two Maids a Milking

1 Beef Roast

1 beer-can or bottle
1 package dry onion soup
3 cloves of garlic
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
10 cups of water
1 pound of homemade (store-bought) noodles

Place roast in crock pot and pour beer, onion soup, and garlic over top.

Cook on low overnight. In the morning, break meat apart. Add the mushroom soup and six cups of water. Add salt and pepper to your liking. Cook on low all day. An hour before you eat, add noodles as well as more water. Up to four cups depending on how moist you like it. 

*I used a roast that was almost 1 1/2 pounds, and only added the first 6 cups of water.



KFC Copycat Biscuits
adapted from recipelion.com

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup butter flavored vegetable shortening

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
    
2. Sift together flour, salt, sugar and baking powder into a bowl. Make a well in the flour mix and add the milk. Add shortening and begin kneading with hands (to cut in) the vegetable shortening and flour in the milk until thoroughly mixed. Add milk, if needed to form, and mix.
    
3. Turn onto floured surface, and knead gently 6 to 8 times. Pat dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into biscuits using a biscuit cutter, cookie cutter, or cup.
    
4. Place on baking sheet and brown in oven 10 to 13 minutes.

 

MPM

Here is what we are eating at La Casa this week. After being gone last week, I actually had to do meal planning early!

Saturday- Tacos
Sunday- Buffalo Meatloaf (lunch), cheese and cracker party (supper)
Monday- OMG Chicken
Tuesday- HyVee Kids night?
Wednesday- Beef and Noodles
Thursday- Pork Chops and potatoes
Friday- Creamy Bacon Fettucine
Saturday- Grilled Pizza

Review: Asian Beef Cucumber Bowl

I actually stuck to my menu this week, I think that is the first time all summer! Tonight we had Asian Beef Cucumber Bowl. Sorry I didn't take any of my own pictures, it isn't really a picture worthy meal. Feel free to click the link to the original poster for pics!

The first thing I didn't like about this meal was that I had to buy a few ingredients that I didn't have in my pantry. I really like being able to use what is already in my pantry. The prep of this meal was super easy, and quick you can't beat dinner in less than 15-20 mins (I didn't really time it, I am just guesstimating how long it took).
How did it taste? Well, the kids weren't impressed. They didn't eat very much of it. As for the Adults, we liked the flavor of the meat, just unsure of how the cucumbers fit in. I thought the cucumbers would at a crisp crunch like water chestnuts do, but it wasn't quite like that. The sauce was similar to the taste of the sauce I use at HuHot. Which is probably due to the garlic and hoisin. I think I will keep the sauce recipe around and try making my own Asian dish with more veggies and some rice. That is our 2 cents on this meal, if you try it let me know what you thought of it!

 
 On a side note, I forgot to buy the chili sauce. I just added a little garlic.

Asian Beef Cucumber Bowl (adapted from Real Simple’s Asian Beef and Mango Salad)
Ingredients

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 3/4 large onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp. hoisin sauce
• 2 tbsp. rice vinegar
• 2 tsp. chili sauce with garlic
• 2 tbsp. light soy sauce
• 1 extra large cucumber

Directions

• Sautee onion in a pan sprayed with cooking spray until tender
• Add beef and brown
• Add hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, chili sauce and soy sauce and let simmer for approximately 5 minutes
• Slice cucumber
• Top cucumber slices with beef mixture and enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday- Jayden's 5th Birthday

I know it has been almost a month, but here are some picture of the big Super Hero celebrations!

MPM... Meal Planning Monday

Here is what the Brady Crew will be feasting on this week...

Monday- Pizza Ranch (I know it isn't kids night)
Tuesday- Swedish Meatballs
Wednesday- Steak and Salad
Thursday- Crock-pot Minestrone Soup
Friday- Asian Beef cucumber bowl

Please share any recipes or meals you have tried lately that you and your family enjoy. We like trying new things, especially when they are recommended by people we know!

First day of Preschool

 

Today was Jayden's First Day of Preschool. He was more than ready to start, and not a single tear from momma or baby was shed! He is an old pro at this school thing. Jayden is getting to attend the same Preschool that Gabby attended when she was 4. Plus there is nothing better then actually getting to celebrate holidays, enjoying homemade treats, and having a small class size. I hope he enjoys every minute of these times, they are something to be treasured.

  

His school has so many toys, I can see why this boy likes it there. Check out the cool tower we built!

 

 

 To top off his first day, we ran to Walmart to spend some of his birthday loot. There we saw Brad Keselowski's car. He thought this was pretty cool and inspected every angle of the car. He even bent over to look under the car... I am sure he made his daddy proud!

Thanks, sh!tty shoes! (Mike’s guest blog)

I’d like to thank the fine workers of Indonesia for yet another product that has taken me a long way, literally.  Manufactured February 4, 2005, I present to you my sh!tty shoes:

Yes, that slab of leather and rubber appearing atop our kitchen island

Early 2005 would have put them on the trailing end of a Junior year at Iowa State, so the start of their left-right-left routine was spent pushing pedals and resting on the seatbacks of absent classmates.  Within several months they were removed from special-pair-only status to become the nice run-arounds, making accidental appearances at the car dealership and apartment move days.  Scuffs and stains only served to make them worn more.  They survived long enough to enjoy some casual days during an internship in 2005 and full-time job in 2006.  6 years later and countless miles heel-toeing gas and brake pedals, they have finally kicked the bucket.

Figuratively speaking, as there’s not enough padding on the front to kick anything without some pain.

Based on a survey that I made up right now, 86% percent of you reading this blog have a pair of junk shoes.  You know which ones they are.  These are the sneakers you don’t tie because you perma-knotted them 6 months ago and stretched out the shoe-mouth to shove in your meaty hoof without bending over.  These are the shoes you grab when you need to do anything that’ll drip, stain, scar or burn.  Need to run the garbage down to the curb?  Sh!tty shoes.  Gotta mow the lawn?  Sh!tty shoes.  Dog poop cleanup?  Sh!tty shoes.  Working the graveyard shift at the factory?  Steel toed boots (come on people, safety first!).

But we all know that it’s not just that the shoes can take the abuse, else we’d grab a black pair of rubber boots for all these tasks.  No, we wear the sh!tty shoes because they are second-to-none on the comfort scale.  They have become a second skin, so perfectly molded to your feet that nobody else can really understand the relationship you’ve garnered with your sock’s sock.  That’s why they’re just too good to get rid of, right?  I mean, sure you may have paid $50 for them a few years ago, but they’re still in one piece.  Plus, who wants to mess up that new pair you just stole-bought from that wicked Kohls sale (AM I RIGHT LADIES!?).

But alas, their time has come.  Their finer qualities are quickly minimized when small puddles are immediately absorbed from the hole in the toes and the sole-flap catches rungs sending you Clark Griswold-ing down ladders.  They certainly still have their character, and their memories.  So farewall, sh!tty shoes.  Thanks for the miles and memories.

Happy 5th J-Man!!!

Happy Birthday Jayden... today you turned FIVE!!

"I'm a whole hand" - J-Man

Little man you go 100mph with no end in sight. Playtime is loud and heroic. You have a humorous version of Narcolepsy, an adventurous attitude, great dress up style, and you are a caring big brother! Your favorite thing to wear is your skeleton shirts, and comfy pants/shorts. Although I barely remember the days of you being an infant, it is really hard to believe you are 5 and will be in Pre-K this year. 

MPM... Monster Cookies

Our Menu this Week...
Monday- Chicken Alfredo
Tuesday- French Toast (Jayden's Bday pick)
Wednesday- Grilled Burgers, Sweet Corn?
Thursday- Chicken Noodle Soup
Friday- Fish Sticks


I realized recently that I never really make Monster cookies, therefore I don't have a go to recipe for them. Today I tried this recipe...I liked how crisp they were on the outside yet chewy and soft on the inside.
Do you have a go to Monster Cookie recipe that you like?

Monster Cookies

Ingredients

1 c	vegetable shortening
2 c	brown sugar, lightly packed
1 1/2 c	granulated sugar
3 c	creamy peanut butter
1 tsp	vanilla extract
6	eggs
4 tsp	baking soda
9 c	old-fashioned oats
2 c	m & ms
2 c	chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven 375 degrees.

Cream together the shortening and both sugars.

2. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.

3. Beat in eggs.

4. Stir in baking soda and oats.

5. Mix in M & Ms and chocolate chips.

6. Using teaspoon, spoon mounded dough onto cookie sheet.

7. Bake 7-9 minutes. Allow to cool some before removing from cookie sheet and transferring to plate.

MPM

I figured out today that I am in a minority, when it comes to how often I wash the sheets in our house. I try to wash them every month (compared to once a week). Part of the reason I don't wash them very often is I absolutely hate making beds, especially the boys' bunk beds. 

How often do you wash sheets in your house?



Menu
Monday- Tacos
Tuesday- Meatloaf, Cheesy Potatoes, & Corn Casserole
Wednesday- Chicken Noodle Soup
Thursday-Goulash
Friday- Chicken Salad Sandwiches

A Boys room to grow with... hopefully!

The boys room is finally to a point that I consider done!

I have been wanting to redo the boys' room since Jayden moved to his big boy bed. I bought the street scape bedding at Target and just couldn't decided where to go from there. I searched to internet for ideas. I thought I wanted to do a large city mural on one wall. I sat on that idea for almost 3 years, and boy am I glad I did! By piecing together ideas I saw on pinterest. I was able to create a room that I LOVE... seriously I think this might be my most favorite room in the house. Not only is it personal, but I think it will be able to grow with them a lot longer than a large mural. 

*I apologize, I can't seem to locate any before pictures.

 

 

The bedding is from Target, yes they don't match, that is what happens when you buy the one set on clearance before you know your having another boy! Anyway... The valance is made from license plates from previous cars of ours. It will be fun when they get older to explain the history behind them.

  

 

The numbers in the racing strips are the years the boys were born.... if you haven't guessed that already! The numbers came from Menards. I couldn't believe how hard it was to find wooden numbers. 

 

The pegboard is a work in progress, I hope to add to it as the years go on with different mementos from trips we take.

Funfetti Dip- aka Dunkaroo Dip

 

Do you remember Dunkaroos? I loved having them for a snack. It was delightful little kangaroo graham crackers that you could dip in a sprinkled vanilla frosting. There are several recipes circulating the pinterest/blogger world that replicate this wonderful treat. Funfetti dip tastes like something unhealthy, but it isn't too bad for you.

Funfetti Dip  

1 box of  Funfetti Cake Mix 

2 cups plain or vanilla yogurt 

1 heaping cup of Cool Whip

This makes a large batch. It about filled a 2qt bowl. You could used lite or lowfat yogurt and cool whip to make this treat a little lighter in calories.

  

You could also make these into a nice skinny ice cream sandwich, by spreading a thick layer between 2 graham cracker halves and freezing them.

Our Busy Weekend/ MPT

Saturday Morning....Watching the Parade

Saturday night... Cy made an appearance at a Friends wedding reception.

Sunday.... Adventrueland with the Family

 

We had a very busy weekend running around and making memories. These types of weekends maybe exhausting, but I hope they are ones that the kids will remember for years to come.

And finally, Meal Planning Tuesday!

Tuesday- BLT Salad and Cantalope

Wednesday- Pork Greek Kabobs w/ mushrooms, potatoes, and zucchini

Thursday- Veggie Mac and Cheese

Friday- Breakfast Grilled Cheese and Mini cinnamon rolls

New Restaurant in Town

Ankeny has a new restaurant, Number 7 Brewing Company it is the first brewpub in town. It moved into one of the oldest buildings in Ankeny, 302 SW Maple. The owner (Matt) used to work at Principal with Mike. Matt brews at least 2 beers right now, makes his own bbq sauce, and smokes his own meat.  

 

 

The appetizer...  soon to be the best wings in Ankeny! They are smoked then grilled. This combination made the outside a little crispy with a smoky undertone. We had the bbq and they were perfection in my opinion... sweet, but with a little spice.

 

 Mike ordered up the Shandy a beer brewed by Number 7. I even liked this beer, which says a lot! It was light, but had a bit of a fruitiness to it.

  

The kids had a round of rootbeer, doesn't Jayden look to be enjoying it?! The bottle says this was brewed in Amana, IA. That is another thing that is nice about Number 7, they use local ingredients and products. They have a saying that is on the waiters/waitresses shirts and on the menu... "Drink Local. Eat Fresh. Live Well."

 

Now for the main event.... the food. We had the Brisket, Smoked Meatloaf Sandwich, Hot dog, and BBQ Chicken Sandwich. I must say here that we are huge Hickory Park fans, so we always compare a bbq place to that unfortunately. Mike and I both agreed that the food here, or what we had anyway, was just as good! I still crave the bbq chicken. I just loved the bbq sauce that Matt makes. The meatloaf sandwich was really different. I had never heard of it, and Matt was explaining it to Mike a few days before we went and it sounded different and tasty. So naturally I had to try it. Unfortunately I can't really remember all about it, but I know it was smoked. Sorry I am horrible at describing food. The only thing we didn't try that I wish we would have, was the Sweet Potato Fry Pie. It is an appetizer that totes it could be a dessert with its sweet seasonings and marshmallow cream. 

 

 

 I loved that they brought extra napkins and condiments to the table in a beer box. As I looked around they were all different. It was really unique.

  

Dex was really excited to be there! Don't you just love that big barn door behind him, I do! I don't know the history behind it, but I guess most everything in this building has a story behind it. Like the tables are made from the bowling alley lanes from Ankeny Lanes. 

So, Please go try their food sometime! If you go let me know what you think.