What's She Cooking Now?

New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-05T08:33:00.000-05:00

Do you make them? I used to. I'm trying a new approach this year. Oh, I have things throughout the year that I try to improve, but I really try not lump them all together at one time at the beginning of the year. It can be depressing to see in print all the things I know I need to improve in my own life. (See post below regarding envy.)

It is better for me to slowly work on them one at a time. I have found that taking one new goal and focusing on it for a month or so at a time actually helps me start a new habit and hopefully give up the old one.

Farm Envy

2010-01-05T08:28:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am envious. An friend of a friend (and hopefully someone I will get to know better in the future!) has just purchased a farm in Greenwood. This has long been a dream for me and my husband, but one that has not happened yet. Check out her farm blog at http://sugarhillfarmsc.blogspot.com/.

And, to top it all off...she is getting chicks!! Yes, chicks!!

One day...

The Pioneer Woman Cooks!

2009-11-13T18:35:00.000-05:00

I got the cookbook for my birthday and I am so excited! I will hopefully be able to chronicle my journey and live vicariously through PW. Let's get cookin'!

I tried to get a photo of the cover, but I couldn't figure out how to do it. Oh well! Here is a link to her blog with more information about the cookbook.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/my_cookbook/

Gratitude

2009-11-11T08:40:00.000-05:00

21. a sprained ankle and not a broken one
22. rain, washing away all the dirt and grime
23. encouraging words from a friend
24. freedom to worship
25. hard-working husband

Memorizing Scripture

2009-11-11T08:32:00.001-05:00

Do you do it? Do you daily soak yourself in the Word in hopes of it taking permanent root? I don't.

There have been verses memorized, snippets here and there. But to know them intimately? I don't. I want to. I want to be able to wield the sword, offer comfort and encouragement, and have sweet fellowship with Jesus.

Ann encourages us today to do just that and gives us some great resources to further our explorations into the Word God gives us every day.

So, again Ann, thank you. The Holy Spirit is using you to shape me, mold me, conform me to His image and I am eternally grateful.

Giving Thanks

2009-11-09T07:12:00.000-05:00

16. hot shower on a cold morning
17. my kids running to hug me
18. Eagle Scout nephew
19. tucking in sweet ones at night
20. husband bringing hot tea to me in bed on my birthday

Just One Scarf

2009-11-05T09:15:00.002-05:00

It is beginning to actually feel like fall here in the southern US; but in Pecs, Hungary, the temps are already those of winter and snow has already begun to descend on the city.

Here is an excerpt from a newsletter sent by my dear friends, Glen and Clista Adkins, missionaries at the Gandhi School in Pecs:

"Leaves of yellow, orange, and red drift and swirl through the air as we walk on the roads. Squashes and pumpkins are appearing at the vegetable stands. Local vendors are setting up their hot chestnut and hot wine stands around town, and local Roma are scavenging and hauling wood on conveyances from wagons to bicycles. Even as the leaves are flying around in the nippy winds, people are scurrying around, trying to get everything ready before the big-time cold hits!"

This really touched my soul when I read it. I could almost feel myself there, in Pecs, smell the hot chestnuts and hot wine. And my heart began to break for the Roma all over again. You see, the Roma are what you may call gypsies. And in Hungary, they are considered lower than second-class citizens. They have long been the outcasts of society there and are still trying to prove themselves and make a good name for their people.

This is where the Gandhi School comes into play. This is a residential high-school expressly for the Roma. This is a place where they can further their education and hopefully better their lives and their family's.

One thing about the Roma...they are incredibly poor, some still living in huts, scavenging for firewood, not to mention having little to no warm clothes for the brutal Hungarian winters.

And yet, here is a bright spot, at least I hope and pray it will be one. Ben is going to Hungary for 10 days in February as part of a mission trip. I wanted to be able to send something with him for the students, and possibly even the staff/faculty at the school. We've sent Christmas stockings one year, but thought that perhaps something a little more practical would be in order for this trip. Coats are too bulky, even to ship. Then one day I was knitting and Ben mentioned me knitting a scarf for the Roma students. Well, I knew that I could knit a few before he left, but there would not be enough time to knit one for every student.

That is where you come in! If you can knit or crochet, would you consider making just one scarf for someone at the Gandhi school? Or maybe you can't knit or crochet, but have a few extra dollars to pick up just one scarf while you are out Christmas shopping. I would be eternally thankful, and I know the Roma would be as well. If we each contributed just one scarf, it would make a world of difference.

Scarves can be dropped off to me or I will gladly come and get it from you.

Thank you for your kindness to these lost and forgotten children of God.

Paper, paper everywhere

2009-10-29T08:43:00.002-04:00

That pretty much sums up the state of my schoolroom/office. It is to the point that I must do something about it. What to do though? Binders, folders, pockets?

I came across this site, recommended to me by The Home School Mom. It looks doable and broken down into enough steps as to not overwhelm me. I may just post before and after pics. That is, if I'm brave enough!

I really do enjoy organizing things. It just takes so long sometimes and I don't always have huge chunks of time to do it. So, I am learning to take small steps with an eye on the goal!

A Wife's Biblical Submission: What It Is and What It Is Not

2009-10-28T08:09:00.006-04:00

Sunny begins with a beautiful overview of what true Biblical submission looks like. Our society has told us over and over that to be submissive we must be doormats and not have an opinion. The Bible clearly tells us the opposite! We are to be pillars of the faith and our marriages, supporting with enormous strength and fortitude, not something cast to the side.

We are also called to do this willingly (it is not submission otherwise) and cheerfully. (Deuteronomy 15:10) Not with grumbling and complaining, but with a heart turned toward God and seeking His favor. So many times I just get frustrated only to find that my heart is seeking praise from my husband, instead of seeking God and His will. True submission is trusting God by following those he has placed in authority over us. It doesn't mean that we never voice our thoughts or ideas, but that once those opinions have been voiced, we follow willingly and cheerfully whether we agree or not, trusting God to "work together for good". (Romans 8:28) Because when we willingly submit to our husbands, we are obeying God and working with Him instead of against Him. He will surely bless our labors and our marriages.

So, my challenge for today is to do the things God has called me to, and the things regarding my husband I need to do with a willing and cheerful spirit, keeping my eyes fixed on God.

What is God calling you to do with a willing and cheerful spirit?

All About Me

2009-10-28T07:53:00.005-04:00

Well, not maybe all about me, but enough to let you know who you are dealing with when you pop in here.

38 years old
married for 12 years
two children - son who is 8 and daughter who is 6 (22 months apart)
live in suburbia but one day hope to move back to the country
love to read, knit, sew, bake, drink tea
follower of Christ for 30 years, not always devoted, but forever sealed by the Holy Spirit
Proverbs 31 Woman wannabe

Submission

2009-10-28T07:41:00.003-04:00

That word is so powerful and either encourages you, scares you, gets your feathers ruffled, or all three! I have long had a fascination with Biblical submission. I have read numerous books, done numerous studies, and yet still feel like I have so much to learn.

So, when I came across an online study of Proverbs 31:10-31, I was intrigued yet again. I've been looking for a Bible study that I could really get into, and this seems like it will be a great one.

If you are new to the concept of Biblical submission, or think you know what it is really about, or just need some encouragement; I encourage you to read and study and let the Holy Spirit speak to you.

This also ties in with my desire to "rise up early" and have daily devotions with the Lord. It used to be so easy to get out of bed at 5am and make it to the gym for a 5:45am aerobics class. Then I would shower and get dressed for work (at the gym) and eat breakfast before heading off to the working world. This was all before I was married, or even met my husband. Anyway, I've been thinking that if I could do it then, I could do it now. Except instead of exercising my muscles, I would be exercising my faith and devotion to God.

I still haven't managed to get out of bed at 5am (and be a member of the 5 o'clock and FAM clubs), but I am slowly working toward that goal. I know it will only help me, and I need all the help I can get!

...and the list goes on

2009-10-22T17:06:00.001-04:00

11. cool mornings followed by warm and sunny afternoons
12. hugs from my children
13. fellowship of kindred spirits
14. folding clean laundry
15. reconnecting with old friends

Thankfulness

2009-10-21T07:35:00.002-04:00

6. a husband strong and able, loving and giving, alive
7. pediatrician's offices open late and caring doctors who answer a multitude of questions with grace and kindness
8. food on hand to share
9. brokenness over sin
10. new mercies every morning

1000 Gifts

2009-10-20T07:27:00.004-04:00

I've been encouraged lately through a couple of bloggers to begin my own "1000 Gifts" list.

My heart has been heavy lately with so many external factors and internal struggles. Deep down I know the only way to make it through is praise. Frequently I forget. It is time to remember.

1. crisp, cool air
2. hot tea
3. a little girl who waves bye to her daddy every morning, rain or shine, dark or light, frosty or warm
4. new beginnings
5. warm beds

Amy Grant

2009-05-06T15:51:00.004-04:00

BooMama is hosting a sweet giveaway and I am getting as many entries as I can.

Amy Grant has a new EP released today on iTunes and I want you to know about it. Go check it out. So click on that EP that is highlighted and underlined in the last sentence.

So excited to hear Amy again!!

Busy, busy, busy

2009-05-04T16:12:00.002-04:00

Well, so much for updating y'all on my exercising. Thankfully, it doesn't seem to have affected you much, if at all.

Life has been busy and I think it is finally slowing down just a bit. I haven't been exercising lately. (Hence the lack of posting about it.) We took the kids to DC for almost a week and are finally getting back into our usual rhythm.

Maybe that means I'll actually be posting more. I'd love to be able to post as frequently and with as variety of topics as the Pioneer Woman does. Maybe one day...

Until then, I'll post as often as I feel like there is something worthwhile to share. Then again, it may not be worthwhile. I may just need a place to get my crazy thoughts out so I can look at them and sort them out a bit.

Sit-Ups and Push-Ups Week 1 - Day 1

2009-04-07T16:37:00.002-04:00

Well, I did it. I started exercising again. This time around I'm using the one hundred push-ups and two hundred sit-ups program. I've also thrown in a few lunges each day just for good measure. And to tone up the caboose. Nobody wants a caboose that's loose.

Here are my numbers for Monday. I'm starting at the lowest level of both programs. I mean really low, as in doing wall push-ups. I don't want any false ideas about how fit I am.

Sit-ups (crunches): 9, 9, 6, 6, 10
Push-ups (on the wall): 2, 3, 2, 2, 6

I'll update after each workout, or at least within a day. Let me know if you are doing this along with me so we can cheer for each other.

The first work-out went well. I'm actually looking forward to my work-out tomorrow. And I haven't felt that way about exercising in a long time.

Push-ups and Sit-ups

2009-04-01T11:42:00.002-04:00

Can it really be as easy as doing push-ups and sit-ups? I certainly hope so! After mb mentioned in the comments section of the previous post about doing the 100 push-ups and 200 sit-ups, I thought I would check it out. And guess what? It looks totally doable for me! So, I'm going to hopefully start today, although it may be better to wait until next Monday when I can realistically get in three workouts a week. I'm also going to see if I can figure out how to keep a running tally from week to week on my sidebar. That may or may not happen, but I will definitely be posting my progress regardless. I may even see if I can get one of those nifty little Mr. Linky things. That way if you want to join me you can and we can cheer each other on!

So, are you in need of a little kick in the hiney to get exercising? Come and join me by doing push-ups and sit-ups for the next 6 weeks. I think we will be glad we did. And so will our swimsuits!

Who's with me?

WFMW - Backwards Edition

2009-04-01T07:50:00.006-04:00

I've always wanted to participate in this and now that I am posting more regularly I thought I might as well give it a try. I really wanted to post today because it's the Backwards Edition. You know...I don't have to post a tip but I get to ask a question. And believe me, I have plenty of questions. For now, here is the most pressing one...

"How in the world do you have time to exercise with two children at home full-time? How do you fit it in? Do you get up before the chickens and exercise in your sleep? Do you exercise before going to bed? What gets you up out of the bed and into 'exercise' mode? What gets you off the computer/couch/bed and gets you going?"

I should just get my lazy self to exercise after the hubby goes to work, between 6:30 and 7:00. But, I don't. The kids don't really get up until 7:30 or 8ish, so technically I have plenty of time. But I don't do it. I check my email and read blogs and write blog posts, like this one.

So, if you are a disciplined exerciser, what tips do you have for me?? The sad thing is that I used to be one of those freaks that would get up at 5:00am and DRIVE to a gym so that I could exercise for 45 minutes EVERY morning. Where is that girl?? Let me know if you have seen her. We need to talk.

PS Forgot to ask this question: How do you get the WFMW logo on your blog post? Obviously I'm very new here. Thanks for stopping by.

PPS Totally forgot to post the link. Sorry! Visit WFMW and see what others are needing help with today.

Wabbits

2009-03-30T11:01:00.006-04:00

We put down a deposit on the cutest little bundle of fur yesterday.

His soft and sweet and oh so tiny.

Say hello to Butterscotch!

Sleeping In

2009-03-28T11:07:00.003-04:00

Through some sort of grace and love, my sweet husband lets me sleep in every Saturday morning. I know, you're thinking how awesome that is. And I do, too. Except that by the time I get my lazy bones out of bed the rest of the world in our little abode has been up for hours. Yes, hours. You see, they are early risers or at least earlier than me.

I feel so behind all day that I'm just not sure it's worth it anymore. Maybe I should just start taking a nap instead. I really like my sleep. In fact, as a child my body was so in tune with my need for sleep that no matter where I was or what I was doing, at 9pm I would find myself a little place and go right to sleep.

I think with another rainy day today a nap is most definitely in order. Bliss.

Company Girl Coffee (Tea) 27march2009

2009-03-27T08:33:00.005-04:00

Good morning, Sunshine! I hope you are having a fantastic day today. I woke up this morning to fog, fog, fog. But that also means we'll have more rain today and I don't have to hand-water my garden. WooHoo! Don't get me wrong...I love having a garden, or should I say I love harvesting a garden. I could take or leave the actual taking care of it. Not because I don't want to or don't like to, I just get distracted and forget to actually water it from time to time. It's a character fault I am continually working towards rooting out.

We've got school to finish up today as well as some errands. It's our CRED - Crazy Run Errands Day. In the rain and fog. Yippee. I still need to finish some laundry and get the house looking like a house instead of a bomb site.

The man and I also have a date tonight while the little girlie goes to her grandparents house for a sleepover with one of her girlie cousins and the boy stays home with a sitter all to himself. Tomorrow is a kids' birthday party for a friend from church and then tomorrow night I get a night out all to myself! I know...pure bliss. Still haven't decided what I will do with this coveted time, but I'm sure I'll think of something totally useless and random.

We are hopefully going to a rabbitry on Sunday afternoon. The princess has been wanting a rabbit for about a year now and I have a friend who raises rabbits not too far from us. We want to make sure neither of the kids are allergic to them and no asthma is set off. Then we actually have to find a place for the little critter to live. We think our screened porch is going to be it's little domain, but we don't even have a cage yet. First things first.

So, what are y'all doing this weekend? How's your week been?

Deep Thoughts

2009-03-27T08:11:00.006-04:00

I've been pondering if I could actually post every day. Still not sure about that one, as I just don't know that I would have that much to say. Those of you who know me in real life (my mom and maybe 2 others!) can stop laughing and pick yourself up off the floor now. I'll wait.

Seriously...it would probably just end up being a lot of stuff. But, maybe that's just what I need. A place to put all that stuff that's continually running around my head. It will most likely bore you all to tears. If it does, just let me know and I'll start yet another journal. I've started so many and only kept up with them for a few weeks, at most. And then I get distracted or forget or get bored with myself and move on. Hmmm, that happens with more than just journaling with me. You know...see/hear about something new and shiny, want it, dream about it, get it, play with it for a few days, move on to the next thing. Geez. I sound like a three-year-old.

Welcome to my husband's world. That man must really LOVE me. Thank the good Lord above he does.

I think that's all for now. The kids needs some schooling and the house needs cleaning and we need some groceries around these parts. I'll probably be back later with yet more deep insights into the world according to Aimee.

Bread

2009-03-26T07:53:00.005-04:00

I've been on a Friendship Bread kick lately. I love that yeasty smell and my kids like mushing the bags every day. I also like that the recipe is so basic and so versatile. You can make bread, muffins or mini-muffins, or all three if you have enough starters! We've made the traditional cinnamon (YUM!) and also the chocolate version (highly recommended!). But my favorite part is sharing with friends, old and new. Every 10 days I get an opportunity to bless someone else with something from my own kitchen. And that makes me smile.

I definitely like to show my love by cooking and doing. I am an Acts of Service kind of gal. I like to keep my hands busy. But I also like to just sit and visit. Friendship Bread lets me do both. So, I have plenty of starters if you live nearby.

I'll be baking again this weekend and I'll post some pictures of the whole process.

Happy Baking!

Weekly Menu

2009-03-20T10:52:00.003-04:00

Well, it's been awhile since I've actually taken the time to sit down and figure out what we'll be eating for an entire month. So, instead, here's what I've got planned for at least the next week. I tend to plan my weeks on a Thursday-Wednesday basis since the grocery stores here change out their ads on Wednesdays and I usually run my errands on Thursdays or Fridays. I'll try to post recipes for things if I use a specific recipe. If there's something here you don't know how to cook or have questions about how we do it in our kitchen, just ask!

Fried shrimp and Fried fish, baked potatoes, broccoli, rolls
Lasagna, Foccacia, Salad
Chicken Puffs, glazed carrots
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas, biscuit

Happy Cookin'!
Aimee

More than food

2009-02-19T12:46:00.003-05:00

Hey y'all! Just thought I'd pop in and let you know that I have been cooking these past few weeks. However, life is more than food. I know...shocking, isn't it. Anyway, just like your life, mine has been hectic lately with sick kiddos, sick hubby and now sick me. Not to mention we've had a bit of nice weather and we've been taking advantage of the sunshine and temps above 40 to get outside and tame the backyard into submission. We are expanding our vegetable garden this year as well as adding some fruit bushes and herbs. I'll take some photos of that and maybe even document our progress. Don't hold me to it, though.

So, I'm still cooking but just not writing down every detail of it. There's been a lot of leftovers, frozen pizza and reviving things from the freezer. I'll be back to posting more regularly soon. I hope.

In the meantime, whatcha been cooking? Got any good recipes to share? Got a question?

Happy Cooking!

4 Soups

2009-02-12T07:40:00.003-05:00

I found this today over at Pleasant View Schoolhouse. Anna has some great recipes over there and I thought these four soups were great for those cold, grey winter days. Hope you enjoy them!

Still here...

2009-02-06T07:33:00.002-05:00

Yep, I'm still here. It's been a little crazy around here and I haven't been able to sit down and actually put my thoughts together enough for them to make sense to me or anyone else! I'll hopefully be posting later today, or at least over the weekend, our menu options for the next few weeks.

In the meantime...what are y'all cooking these days?

January's Verse

2009-01-12T11:13:00.002-05:00

Rachel Anne, over at Home Sanctuary, has posted our focus verse for January. She always makes such beautiful artwork to help us reflect on each month's verse and this month is no different. She has taken us back to one year ago when she first started those small, daily things we could do to make our homes a sanctuary for the ones who live there and those who visit. Psalm 90:17 helps me to remember that without God's help, all the work I put into my home, including cooking, will really amount to nothing. However, if I commit my work to Him, there will be beauty and rest in all that I do. Thanks for the reminder Rachel Anne!

Shrimp Scampi

2009-01-10T16:33:00.005-05:00

We helped my husband's parents bag fresh shrimp last week. As payment, we get shrimp by the quart (about 1.5 lbs. each) whenever we want it. So, last week I brought home 3 quart-sized bags and put them in our freezer. Scampi is another quick and easy dish that we could easily have once a week I didn't mind us all reeking of garlic. I usually make homemade Foccacia bread and serve a salad if I have my act together enough to make one.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs. fresh shelled shrimp
butter (Under no circumstances are you to use margarine. If you don't have butter, wait until you get some before making this. Seriously.)
fresh garlic, minced - as much as you like (You can use the already minced in olive oil, but you need it as fresh as possible...no dried.)
white wine (I prefer to have the real stuff; better flavor and more depth.)
1 c. sliced fresh baby Bella mushrooms
1-2 tsp. flour
8 oz. angel hair pasta

Method
Saute mushrooms in plenty of butter. Reduce heat and add in garlic. Cook for approximately one minute being careful not to burn the garlic. Toss in some white wine and more butter. Add a little white wine (or water, if you prefer) to the flour to make a slurry and then add to mushrooms and garlic. You want the liquid to be the consistency of a thin gravy and you want plenty of it to coat the shrimp and be the sauce for your pasta. So, keep adding in butter and white wine until you get it how you like it. If it needs to be thicker, just make the flour/wine/water slurry to thicken it a bit. Just remember NOT to add in the flour on its on. It doesn't make friends with the other ingredients very easily and will stick together and get all lumpy. Not good.

While you're doing all this, cook your pasta according to directions; drain, toss with a little olive oil and keep warm.

Now that your sauce has come together and your pasta is ready, it's time for the shrimp. Toss it in and cook for about 3 minutes or until no longer pink. You want to keep it moving in the pan so that it all cooks together and gets a good coating of the sauce. Remove from heat and toss in pasta.

You can serve this a number of ways. Sometimes I add in little pieces of broccoli when I add in the garlic and let it cook in the pan. Other times I've blanched some asparagus and then served the scampi over it. Delicious! I've also tossed in some torn pieces of fresh spinach after I've removed the scampi from the heat and just let the spinach wilt a bit. Oh. my. So good.

I'll post the Foccacia recipe later. Time to get cooking for tonight!

Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

2009-01-10T15:50:00.003-05:00

This has become a favorite of ours. So much so that when I was preparing it the other night and my kids asked what we were having, their response was "Oh good! I love that!"

Ingredients
1 box Uncle Ben's Long Grain and Wild Rice
1-10 3/4 oz. can cream of mushroom with roasted garlic condensed soup
1-10 3/4 oz. can cream of chicken with herbs condensed soup
milk
2 chicken breasts
1 large head broccoli

Method
Preheat oven to 350F. Cook rice according to package directions. While the rice is cooking, boil chicken in large pot for approximately 10 minutes. Allow chicken to cool; dice. Cut broccoli into small pieces and steam for 2 minutes. Drain water and set aside.

Combine soups, rice, chicken, broccoli and one soup can of milk. Pour into 3 qt. baking dish and bake 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

*Quick and Dirty Method*
Use a rotisserie chicken and pull off enough meat to equal 2 cups. Microwave 2 packages of the Uncle Ben's Ready Rice, Long Grain and Wild Rice. Combine all ingredients and bake as above.

I sometimes saute a few mushrooms if I have them in the fridge and toss those in as well. You can easily substitute another veggie for the broccoli or omit it completely and serve a different side. I like combining it all because I'm lazy like that.

Shrimp & Grits

2009-01-06T12:14:00.007-05:00

A southern favorite! Here's my spin on it and what we're eating tonight!

Ingredients
1 lb. fresh shrimp, shells on
1 c. grits (I prefer stone-ground but the quick-cooking kind work fine, too.)
2 c. water
1/2-3/4 c. milk
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
3-4 shakes Tabasco sauce
butter
salt
pepper
*edited to add* 2-3 T. chopped bacon (I use the Oscar Meyer bacon pieces in the salad section of the grocery store. Less mess and tastes good, too!)
1 t. minced garlic (I use the garlic already minced in olive oil. Quick and easy and no sticky garlic fingers!)

Method
Fill a large stock pot 3/4 full with water and salt heavily. Bring to a boil and add shrimp. Cook for approximately 3 minutes, or until pink. Remove from heat, drain and rinse with cold water. Peel and set aside.

In a Dutch oven bring 2 c. water to a boil. Reduce heat and slowly add in grits, stirring with a whisk. Add 1/2 c. milk and continue stirring. Once milk is heated through, stir in cream cheese until completely incorporated. If too thick, add milk, depending on consistency needed. Add Tabasco, salt, pepper and generous amounts of butter. Continue stirring with whisk to insure the grits don't stick to the bottom of the pot. Stir in bacon pieces and garlic.

When grits are fully cooked and are creamy and smooth, fold in shrimp until heated throughout. Remove from heat and serve with hot buttered biscuits.

Easy Potato-Sausage Soup

2009-01-05T16:30:00.005-05:00

This recipe is one of our favorites. It is quick, easy, delicious and what I'm cooking tonight!

HT to Anne Garner for passing this one along!

Ingredients
1 lb. pork sausage
4 c. (16 oz.) frozen hash browns
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 can (14.5 oz.) chicken broth
2 c. water
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of celery soup
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of chicken soup (sometimes I sub. cream of mushroom)
2 c. milk
shredded cheddar cheese

Method
Brown sausage in a large Dutch oven, over medium heat, stirring until it crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain and return to Dutch oven. Add potatoes and next 3 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes. Stir in soups and milk; cook, stirring often, until thoroughly heated. Do not boil. Garnish, if desired, with shredded cheddar cheese.

Serve with pimiento cheese sandwiches or pimiento cheese toast.

Monthly Menu Plan

2009-01-05T14:18:00.006-05:00

Rachel Anne over at Home Sanctuary posted today's "Simple Thing". And guess what it was...a monthly menu plan! Hooray! I sat down this morning and made one and then found out that Rachel Anne would give me 100 points for doing it!

So, here's my plan for the month. I don't have exact days planned, because although our life and routine are fairly normal, my moods aren't and I may decide I want to cook Chicken Pot Pie on a day I have "scheduled" to make soup. And I like to have options and plenty of flexibility. I have 20 meals listed. Yes, I know it seems like that won't get me through the month, but it will. We have 2 adults and 2 children in our house and I usually cook enough each meal for 4-6 adults. There are almost always leftovers for hubby's lunch and for eating later in the week. We try to have a date once a week and the kids get "kid fare" that night. And we usually have one night that is either leftovers or breakfast-for-supper.

Oh, one more thing...I pair sides according to my mood as well. We usually have some kind of starch and at least one vegetable, and some kind of bread. One goal for this year is to incorporate more salads, but we'll see if I can really do it or not.

I'll hopefully post recipes as I make the dish, but if you see something you want more info. on and don't want to wait, just let me know. I may post pics, too. We'll see how much time I have!

Pastas

Shrimp Scampi
Spaghetti with meatballs
Lasagne (yes, I know it's spelled Lasagna, but I like the French way better!)
Ravioli

Soups

Vegetable Beef
Baked Potato
Butternut Squash
Maple Pumpkin Bisque
*edited to add Easy Potato-Sausage Soup

Poultry

Chicken Pot Pie
Blackberry Balsamic Chicken
Jambalaya
Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Pork

Tenderloin
Chops

Beef

Meatloaf
Shepherd's Pie
Steak
Stir-fry

Seafood

Athenian Shrimp
Shrimp and Grits
you could put the Scampi here too, but since it's so heavy on the pasta, I stuck it there.

Happy Cooking!