Monday Meanderings...

Monday Meanderings:

Bible Study: "The Mission of Motherhood"  Sally Clarkson

Memory Verse: "The rain came down,the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house;yet it did not fall, because it had it's foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:25
Husband Encouragment: 1.Starting the Love Dare & making some favorite meals. 2. Doing a better job of keeping things done. 3. Being more gracious about the demands that his job makes on his time. (I'm striving to be more humble this week.)


Train them up:

*To be continued...I am currently reading "The Mission of Motherhood" and processing so many things. I plan on posting what I am learning as I go. Starting tomorrow. :)




Things to do:

*Continue to work on organization...making progress!

*Keep laundry put away and OFF THE COUCH!! :)

* Finish painting our bathroom

*mail out birthday cards & gifts

Zone:

*Living room -keeping it clear of clutter and laundry off the couch!

*Kitchen- organizing and decluttering (we are overrun with tupperware bowls and various containers..it's insane!)

*van-keeping the trash, toys, shoes, etc. contained!!

Exercise plans:

Haha. Yeah. :)  Here goes:

I am not going to be focusing so much on exercising at this present time in my life. I am going to strive for 20 minutes 2 days a week or 10 minutes every other day...whatever I can fit in. Right now, with our schedule and life the way it is, we are going to be focusing on eating better and just getting as much exercise as possible. I found myself getting angry and discouraged because invaribly, when I would plan to exercise, something would come up! So, we are going to go slowly and I am going to be praying that I keep my focus first on my family, where it belongs. Exercise will happen but not if I try to force it. I don't know if that makes any sense to you but it's where we are at right now. My husband works all.the.time. and I am usually going it by myself 20 hrs.+ out of the day and with 3 children under 5 and homeschooling.....it's just not #1 priority right now! (Keep in mind, when you read our menu plan, that I will not be eating all of the things that my family eats. I use rice and bread, at times, as a meal stretcher to keep cost down. My  husband and I often forgo the starch and limit the kid's portions).

Menu Planning: (Recipes are to be posted throughout the week. Hopefully.)

Monday: Indian tacos

Tuesday: Beans & smoked sausage, cornbread

Wednesday:  Jambalaya & cornbread (This didn't get made last week. We had leftovers)

Thursday: Migas, guacamole & chips

Friday: chef salads

Saturday: Homemade pizza, salad

Sunday: Pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans,

desserts this week: chocolate delight & cheesecake (sugar free desserts)


Things I am thankful for this week:

*The weekend of sunshine and 60 degree temps! Later this week, the weather forecast calls for 70 degrees!!!!! :)

*Celebrating my birthday with the awesome family that God has provided!!

*Healthy children and a great marriage.

*Sally Clarkson and the Mission of Motherhood.

Join us at Sarah's with your Monday Meanderings! 

♥Julie♥

~A more organized alternative to bookmarking!~

I recently stumbled upon a little thing called "Delicious" on someone's blog I was reading. It was a life changing revolution! No kidding! Instead of bookmarking a site of interest on my computer, I can bookmark something, tag it with the appropriate subjects (for example: a Charlotte Mason site would be tagged: homeschooling, CM, resources) and all of my bookmarks are kept on my Delicious page so I can access them with one easy click and they can be sorted according to subjects! Awesome for a busy homeschooling mama like myself! :)

I know it may sound confusing because I am not to good at explaining things so check it out for yourself and see how easy it is! Here's my Delicious page if you would like to see what I am currently perusing through! (Also, on my sidebar is the link to my Delicious page so you can click there at any time and read away to your heart's content!)

Enjoy!

♥Julie♥

~Menu Plan Monday~.....

                                                 photo credit: The Food Network


Supper menus:

Monday: Mexican mess w/rice (recipe below), salad

Tuesday: Chicken & wild rice, broccoli & cauliflower

Wednesday: Jambalaya, buttermilk cornbread

Thursday:  Breakfast burritos, fruit

Friday: chimichangas, rice and beans, guacamole

Saturday: Charlie's choice (my husband cooks or we cook together)

Sunday: Roast chicken, broccoli & cauliflower, twice baked potatoes, chocolate delight

Mexican Mess w/Rice

1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained

1 med. onion, diced and cooked with beef

1 can Ro-tel tomatoes w/green chilis

1 small can tomato sauce

1/2 c. ketchup

2 cans hominy, drained

2 cans pinto beans

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cayenne

1 tsp. Lawry's seasoned salt

1 T. cumin

In skillet, cook beef and onions, drain. Pour in crockpot. Add cumin, salt, pepper, chili powder (opt.) and stir. Add rotel, tomato sauce and hominy. Stir. Cook on low for approximately 4-6 hrs. Serve with hot rice or chips. Easy and good!




I made this week's menu plan following my new organized way to plan menus...I just follow this simple formula and plug in what is on the list for that day. It's hard to explain so I will post it and you can read about it, here!

Have a great week!

♥Julie♥

~My journey to a more organized life~..menu planning

 *I was driving myself crazy trying to plan a menu every week with so many options and forget it if I tried to plan 2 weeks worth of meals or a monthly meal plan! I was just overwhelmed! I found myself sitting with piles of cookbooks and my computer and a notebook and just having NO idea where to start! So, I came up with this easy method based on suggestions I found on the world wide web...:)

It's pretty self explanatory but if you need clarification on anything I have written or you just want to talk menu planning, let me know! I will be happy to give you what little (and that means VERY little) advice and suggestions I may have!

Here you go, my new improved self help plan!


Menu Planning:

Breakfast:

Monday: frozen pancakes, fruit

Tuesday: eggs (buritos or breakfast bowls)

Wednesday: oatmeal, fruit

Thursday: muffins(make enough to freeze for snacks)

Friday: pancakes (enough to freeze for Monday), fruit

Saturday: biscuits & gravy

Sunday: breakfast burritos or oatmeal & fruit


Lunch:

Monday: leftovers

Tuesday: leftovers or PB & Honey

Wednesday: salads or grilled cheese

Thursday: PB & honey, bananas

Friday: leftovers or mac & Cheese



Supper:

Monday: one-dish meal (pot roast, beef stew, chili, soup, etc.)

Tuesday: casserole (baked mac & Cheese, chk & rice, etc.)

Wednesday: crockpot meal

Thursday: Breakfast for supper (migas or burritos or biscuits/gravy, pancakes, etc.)

Friday: mexican or italian or chinese

Saturday: Charlie's choice

Sunday: crockpot or pot roast or roast chicken

♥Julie♥

~My journey to a more organized life....laundry schedule~

*I know that this is really boring and most of you could probably care less when I do my laundry but I thought I would post what we are currently following in our household. I know it helps some people to see it all in black and white when you are overwhelmed and have no idea where to start. I am one of those people! So, if this can help you, great!

Monday:

~towels 
~white clothes
~sheets


Tuesday:

~My husband's clothes
~My clothes

Wednesday:

~towels


Thursday:

~kids' laundry

Friday:

~towels
~my laundry
~husband's laundry

Saturday:

~work clothes (My husband's and certain items he needs for work such as work coat, gloves,safety vest, etc.)

~kids' laundry

~quilts or bedding

~Ironing for church 

Sunday:

~towels

~anything that needs done

*I am really hoping this keeps me from doing the normal 4 or 5 loads a day! I would really like to get down to around a reasonable 2 loads a day. We are also having the children help fold and put away their laundry as it comes out of the dryer. It seems to be working well, so far and I am praying it continues!

♥Julie♥

~My journey to a more organized life....cleaning schedule~

 I sat down this past weekend and made a list of all the areas I need to devote more organization/focus to..here's my new schedule and what I am really trying to accomplish. I hope this can help someone who just needs an idea of where to start. It's very hard when you feel overwhelmed. Believe me, I know. :)

Cleaning Schedule

*Monday:

dishes
laundry (see list)
e.d.w.d.
clean appliances
sweep

*Tuesday:

dishes
laundry
e.d.w.d.
mop
dust


*Wednesday:

dishes
laundry
e.d.w.d.
bathroom(wipe down every day but really scrub today)
vacuum

*Thursday:

dishes
laundry
every day wipe down/pick up
closets
laundry room

*Friday:

dishes
laundry
e.d.w.d.
sort mail
desks
clean out van

*Saturday:

laundry
dishes
e.d.w.d.
Help Charlie
mop & vacuum

*Sunday:
upkeep

Tomorrow, I will try to post my menu planning format and schedule.Riveting stuff. :) Stay tuned...

♥Julie♥

update & a clean heart...

Well, as of this evening, all of the kids are better except Claire. Drew was the one who was the sickest but thank God, he is much better!! I am praying that Claire's will clear up, as well!! She has been sick so many times this year. Please just pray that she gets well, soon!!

Right now, I feel like I am drowning in clutter!! Homeschooling has gotten everything way off schedule but that's okay. I am just a little down right now because my house is such a cluttered mess and we are about to start some more remodeling. We have been in a constant state of remodeling since we moved in and probably will be from now on! It's just a fact with the house we live in and my husband's need to constantly redo something!! lol :)

So, this week, I am going to start this challenge!! This woman inspires me!! I really don't think we will ever have 9 children but other than that, I can relate to her on a lot of levels....and definitely with the cluttered house and spirit! (amazing fact: if you EVER think your house is too small, think about this, they live in a 900 sq. ft. house with 9 children!!!!) wow.

So, all of that rambling to say, if you are willing to join me, please do so!! I am going to start it today but you can jump in whenever! Just let me know if you are doing it so I can be sure to encourage you along the way...not nag, encourage! :)

Well, I have to go and get some more stuff done. I am starting in the kitchen because I am following flylady as well and that's where she was yesterday. (I am always behind somehow)

Menu Plan Monday....

~Monday: Crock-pot Angel chicken(recipe below),brown rice, salad

~Tuesday: Baked Potato soup(recipe later), cornbread

~Wednesday: Crock-pot Spanish Rice, salad

~Thursday: BBQ Beef in crock-pot,coleslaw

~Friday: Crock-pot orange chicken, brown rice, baked sweet potatoes

~Saturday- open

~Sunday- 15 minute Beef Stroganoff, corn on the cob, salad, chocolate praline cake

Angel Chicken

8 oz. PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 can (10-3/4 oz.) reduced-sodium condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 pkg. Good Seasons Italian Salad dressing& recipe mix

1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth or water

1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces(we use 5-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts)
1 can drained mushrooms or 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 lb. angel hair pasta, uncooked

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

BEAT cream cheese, soup, dressing and wine with whisk until blended; pour over chicken in slow cooker. Cook on LOW 4 to 5 hours (or on HIGH 2 to 3 hours).Add mushrooms the last 2 hrs. on low and the last hour on high.

COOK pasta or brown rice as directed on package about 15 min. before chicken is done(brown rice=start 45 minutes before chicken is done); drain. Serve topped with chicken mixture and parsley.

Menu Plan Monday...

It's just our menu plans this week, no meanderings!! Maybe next week...

*Monday- Grilled Chicken Breasts, Baked sweet potatoes, sauteed squash & onions, tea

*Tuesday- Beans & cornbread, oven potatoes w/onion, fried okra, tea

*Wednesday- Chef salads, tea

*Thursday- Crock pot shredded beef sandwiches, coleslaw, tea

*Friday- Chicken fajitas, salsa, guacamole w/pico de gallo & chips, tea

*Saturday- tortilla soup

*Sunday- Roast w/potatoes and carrots, homemade rolls, salad

*Dessert this week: pumpkin cheesecake & Oatmeal cookies for Charlie's snacks

~I'll try and be back later to link to some of these recipes...I am just having a really busy day and don't really have the time right now!!

Julie

Monday Meanderings...

This is in no particular order, just my order! lol

*updated to add: I totally forgot, while typing this out, to include husband encouragement!! So, here it is:

~Husband Encouragement:

*Make Charlie a peach pie from fresh peaches that we were given; yum!!

*Bible study with Charlie & praying for him

*Mowing the yard & taking care of chickens this week; giving my baby a break! :)


~Verse this week:

Romans 12: 1-2 "So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to Him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to Him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship." 2 Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect."

Bible Study/ Devotions ~
*This bible study that Charlie & I have been doing together along with Romans..

"Must Do"~

*make bread for the week
*all laundry folded & put away each day, Julie!!! lol
*Finish the painting in the house before school starts next week!!!
*Continuing to clear out clutter a little at a time!!
*Make eye exam appointment for myself


Zone~
* Family Room/Living Room
*Drew's room

Train Them Up~

* Obedience
*Potty training with Lily
*everything back in it's place

Menu Planning~

Monday- Hamburger & onions with gravy over mashed potatoes, squash & okra from the garden

Tuesday- Italian sandwiches, pickles & olives

Wednesday-Mexican food at Papa's

Thursday-Hot dogs, tater tots, pudding pops

Friday- Drew will be 1!! Spaghetti & meatballs, french bread w/butter, salad, small cake for our little family

Saturday- Supper at Granny Fogg's for Drew's birthday; cake & homemade ice cream, YAY!!

Sunday- Roast with red potatoes & carrots, salad

Okay, there's my week in a nutshell. Hope you have a blessed week!!

~Love,
Julie

my daybook today....

Julie's daybook...For Monday, January 26th, 2009

*Bible verse: (Titus 2:3-8)
3.
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4.
That they may teach the young women to be sober , to love their husbands, to love their children,
5.
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed .
6.
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded .
7.
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8.
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed , having no evil thing to say of you.


*recipe: Stuffed Cabbage Casserole, Julia Child's white bread, Texas Sheet Cake (supper last night; leftovers tonight) :)


*activity with kids: bundling up & taking a nature walk after naps; watching a movie and eating snacks

*today's target cleaning areas: organize & vaccum our bedroom closet, girls closet. * Clean ALL appliances * Do ALL laundry; fold & put away (this is ALL done already except the laundry; 1:45 pm)

*Something Charlie needs for me to do: take his phone to get fixed or get new one; make breakfast & lunch for him for entire week (put in freezer & refrigerator) (ALL done except the phone will have to do that tomorrow; 2:00 pm)

Something special for my husband: write love notes to put in his lunch ;)

Something special for my children: let the girls wear my high heels to play dress up; spend time just talking silly & cuddling all of them.

project: menu plan; Drew's baby book (my project for this week, lol)

In our schoolhouse: Slow & Steady Get Me Ready ( I will try and put these in a different post; maybe I will get it done today) :)

*For now, I am posting a picture that I love:

Claire, Lily, Drew & my sweet niece, Sarah, at church :)

Please join in if you wish! I have been doing this as often as I can (I just don't post it) but my little sister inspired me today! To read her wonderful daybook, go here! Have a wonderful and productive week, everyone!

Love,

Julie

Menu Plan Monday..

What's for supper this week (in no particular order):

Baked Potato Soup(recipe at bottom of page) & buttermilk cornbread

Baked Mac & Cheese, broccoli & cauliflower

Chicken Alfredo, Salad

leftovers

meatloaf,(2 lbs. ground chuck, 1 egg, enough quick oats to hold it together;; I just pour it in & eyeball it!), seasoned salt & pepper, 1/2 c to 1 c.. minced onion, 1 tbsp. minced garlic, 1/2 can Del Monte Traditional Spaghetti Sauce; mix together and shape into loaves. Bake at 350 until meat is done) mashed potatoes, green beans

calzones, salad

Hobo dinners(hamburger patties seasoned with Lawry's seasoned salt & black pepper wrapped in aluminum foil with thinly sliced potatoes & carrots & onion. Bake in a 350 oven for 1 hr.), salad

dessert: Pumpkin Pie & blackberry cobbler (my recipes; I will try to share them later)

Baked Potato Soup

9 baking potatoes
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups whole milk
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup bacon bits, divided
4 green onions, chopped
10 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

DIRECTIONS

Prick potatoes with a fork and cook in the microwave, 3 or 4 at a time, and scoop out the flesh (while the others are cooking).
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook about a minute. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes, salt, pepper, 1/3 cup bacon bits, 2 tablespoons green onions and most of the cheese. Cook until thoroughly heated. Stir in sour cream and heat through. Serve topped with remaining bacon, onions and cheese.

My daybook..

I have searched for a name for this little project I am starting and this is the best one I can think of. I have seen some similar ideas on some other blogs called the "siimple woman's daybook" and while I love this concept, it just wasn't exactly what I wanted to do or needed for it to work. So, I tinkered with the idea some and this is what I got.. I may not share these every day although I am doing them every day and putting them in my Home Management Binder. Just wanted to share this with you today and maybe it can help you as it has helped me! I am very disorganized and I must have a system. This system works really well, so far! lol. :)


Julie's daybook...

For Wednesday:


Bible verse: "Don't worry about anything; pray about everything" Phil. 4:6

recipe: red beans and rice and blackberry bread

activity with kids: thankful tree

today's target cleaning areas: laundry, master bathroom, scrub floors

Something Charlie needs for me to do: pay electric bill & pay insurance
fill prescriptions

Something special for my husband: write Charlie a love letter

Something special for my children: read bible stories & take a nature walk

project: work on home management binder; grocery shopping

In our schoolhouse: working on shapes and sorting today. Going to play with Kylie & Alaina.

*And, I may not always get this done until I get our new computer because mine is cranky about posting pictures but I want to post a picture every day of a "memory made today". So, for now, I am posting a picture that I love:


This picture just makes me happy! And now I must get off the computer because, clearly, I have A LOT to accomplish today!! Have a blessed day!! :)
Love,
Julie

Day 16-Husband Encouragement Challenge

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18a)

Sometimes we live so close to our spouse that we fail to see him as others do; we only see our husband's faults. Take a step back. Perhaps he is growing spiritually in ways you have failed to appreciate. How can you encourage his growth in a fresh, new way? Remember--your husband is accountable to God for his spiritual development. You are accountable to God to encourage and not hinder that growth.

Can you identify an area of spiritual strength in your husband? Does he pray or read his Bible regularly? Does he like to read about or discuss spiritual matters? Does he go to church with you? Is he a spiritual leader? What do others say about him? If you can identify a specific area, praise him for that.

If not, pray earnestly that God will work in his heart, and watch for signs of spiritual growth in the future.

*Charlie is very good about reading his Bible and we try to pray together every night. WE are both trying to be better about praying and focusing on the word of God more often as a couple. He attends church with me every time and is one of our speakers at least once a month. He is a song leader and prayer leader. He does a lot with our youth and is very active in their lives, as well. He is currently trying to get more things together for the men in the church to do as a group. He is very focused on fellowship and training our youth in the right way. I am very proud to be his wife. I am sad to say that often times I hinder him by not having things ready so that he can have more time to focus on what he needs to. He ends up helping me a lot. But, we are both learning to better organize our time so that this is avoided. I really do love my godly, kind, patient, understanding husband. I will be back in a while to post his letter he wrote that he said I could share with you. I promise to do it today! :o)

Love,
Julie

Menu Plan Monday

*This is really just a fall back menu because we have a work week going on at church and we may be eating there a few nights out of this week, if all goes to plan! I put this together Friday and I am posting it today so I guess I am pretty organized right now! So, I am off to make desserts for 50 people for today and tomorrow, pray for me! LOL!

Monday- Taco Salad, Peaches , Sweet tea

Tuesday- Baked Potato Soup, Sweet Onion Muffins, tea

Wednesday- Big Macs, Onion Strings, Baked Apple Pies, tea

Thursday- Super Salads, tea

Friday- Chicken & Rice, green beans, beets, tea

Saturday- Don't know yet; eat out maybe?

Sunday- Chicken Spaghetti(Pioneer Woman's), Salad, Chocolate Pie, tea

Head on over to Laura's for more yummy menu ideas!

Have a wonderful week!