Home for the Holidays, by Thomas Kincaid

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Menu Planning Monday

Monday - Turkey Tetrazinni, Steamed Veggies

Tuesday - Southwestern Turkey Soup, Artisan Bread and Salad

Wednesday - Turkey Chili, Fruit Salad and Tortillas

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Out of Town

Saturday - Out of Town

Sunday - Out of Town

Please check out Laura's Blog, I'm An Organizing Junkie, for more Menu Planning Mondays!
Ciao!
Elizabeth

For those of you who normally follow this blog, I will be posting and visiting more from now on. My son is back to school part-time now and that has freed up my time more. Thank you for your patience! :)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Two Special Days

My hubby and I have been celebrating our birthdays together. We are one day apart. Mine is on the 17th and his is on the 18th.

For my birthday, Mark gifted me with a lovely bouquet of 2 dozen, cream-coloured roses (above). I love the ones that are at Costco, so that's where he got them.

For a long time now, I have been displaying another bouquet on my dresser top. These are the long stems my mother sent me when I had surgery in January of 2004. It was a rare spontaneous gesture when nothing was expected. It meant more to me than almost anything else, except a birthday cake my mom sent to me when I turned 20 and was far away from home.


For the last five years, I haven't wanted to take down these flowers, especially after my mother passed away in 2006. Now, my husband's flowers have center stage, but I believe that I will still find a place for my mother's flowers somewhere else in my room.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Funny Memories and This week's menus

You know life has been a little tough around here,what with chronic illness and delayed employment. Sometimes I feel like I could pull my hair out. However, I cannot picture myself bald, so during times like this I like to look back over our family life and laugh at my funny memories.

The following video recounts the craziest moment of motherhood that I have ever had.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth




Monday - Marinated Baked Pork Chops, Glazed Carrots Asian Style, Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Tuesday - Onion Chicken in Balsamic Sauce
My birthday!!

Wednesday - Beef Stroganoff, tossed salad and bread
Mark's birthday!!!!!!

Thursday - Twice Baked Potatoes, Great Green Beans, Field Peas and Salad

Friday - Orange Chicken and Fried Rice,

Saturday - Homemade Chicken Soup and Artisan Bread

Sunay - Not sure...maybe lamb??/

Be sure to check out more menu plans on Laura's blog, I'm An Organiing Junkie!
Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Happy Monday!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Homemade Mayonaise

Are you ready to make some homemade mayonnaise? It's inexpensive and so much healthier for you than the grocery store alternative (unless you want to pay top dollar for health food store brands).
All you need is a good blender, veggie oil (use Canola...NEVER use Olive Oil!), apple cider vinegar, 1 egg, salt, powdered mustard and a clean jar.

Here's the official recipe:
(NOTE: Do NOT double, it won't work! Instead make several batches)
1 egg
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. mustard powder
2 T. apple cider vinegar
1 cup of oil
Put egg, salt, mustard, and vinegar in blender with 1/4 c. of the oil. Blend on low.
<
Now, here is where you have to be careful. Uncover and pour a slender and steady stream of oil in until the mixture thicken up completely (you won't be able to put in any more oil).
WARNING: if you pour it all in suddenly, you will just have liquid salad dressing. Slow and steady wins the race! :)
When you are finished, the mixture should look something like this...
See, you have done it! You've made a tasty mayo that will please your family and your budget!
Enjoy!
Elizabeth
P.S. (This recipe originally came from "Laurel's Kitchen", by Laurel Robertson)

Sunday, November 8, 2009

A Simple Woman's Daybook


FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2009

Outside my window...it is sunny and cool, with a slight breeze. It's positively lovely! :)

I am thinking of...how much I have to do to get this house in order! :(

I am thankful for... being healthy, pain free and physically able to do all that needs to be done - thank you, dear Lord!

From the learning rooms... my son is putting of working on the paperwork he's missed at school from being ill. I am trying to be encouraging with out nagging (really, REALLY hard for me!).

From the kitchen... nothing as of yet, but later...banana bread and choc chip cookies! :).

I am wearing... dark blue jeans with a navy hoodies. I fixed my hair and face and feel so much better than when I let life take over and I don't look as well.

I am creating... a clean and orderly home for my family and a wonderful meal for our Family Night tonight.

I am going... to play music while I work to keep my mind busy and to give me a little energy boost.

I am reading... BLOGS! I am catching up on all that I've missed while being busy with a sick child.

I am hoping... for Mark's news on a job's funding to be positive! Hoping, hoping....

I am hearing... sorrowful cat mews because I want let my pussies outside. They have Fall Fever, like me, but no claws and a wanderlust. Their brother died while crossing the road, so no more outdoor pussycats.

Around the house... it is very q.u.i.e.t.

One of my favorite things... is eating a wonderful ham sandwich while reading blogs. Yum, yum. Fun, fun!

A few plans for the rest of the week... clean, air rooms, laundry, ironing, get my office into orderly shape (UGH!!!), bake, teach my son, fulfill my church calling, read something of interest, get limited exercise, go to bed early (haha) and get good SLEEP!

Here is a picture thought I am thinking..


BEAUTIFUL FALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!








Love,
Elizabeth P.S. (Would appreciate any prayers for the speedy recovery of my sweet son! - thanks)




Sunday, November 1, 2009

Menu Planning Monday

Monday - Slow Cooker Carnitas, Spanish Rice, Wasabi Guacamole & Chips, Tossed Salad.

Tuesday - Baked Chicken, Orange Glazed Carrots , Rice

Wednesday - Best Meatloaf Ever, Mashed Turnip, Green Beans and Almonds.

Thursday - Quick and Easy Tuna Casserole, Pineapple/Banana Salad, Sliced Tomatoes on Lettuce.

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Get A Husband Brunswick Stew (really), Homemade Artisan Bread, Salad

Sunday - Lasagna Roll-Ups, Salad and Bread

Please check out Laura's Blog, Organizing Junkie for more Menu Planning Mondays!

Ciao!
Elizabeth