School's Back in Session!

I'm so excited! School has started up again, and all three of my munchkins are at it full speed ahead! I can't believe this is the last year with my oldest. He will be graduating this spring, and going out into the big bad world on his own. Wow! Time flies!

I'm also back at it this semester with a full plate of classes. I have mixed emotions about the whole thing. On the one hand, I'm incredibly thankful and enthusiastic about my opportunities, and on the other I'm getting tired of the reading/writing/studying day after day. Of course, I don't believe I'll ever really be 'done' with school in this modern age we live in. There are too many things to learn, too much technology to keep up with, and let's face it... to stay mainstream we've just got to keep swimming or we'll sink.

So.

Here's to another semester.

Here's to fall.

AND here's to kids being in school so I can concentrate!

Things I'll be doing today: Yeah. What else...

I Love Summer.... But I'm Bored

Summer is definitely the best season of the year. I love everything about it:

• the sunshine
• the green grass
• the blue sky
• the warm days

But, after we've been swimming a hundred times, done the library run every day, played in the sprinkler, visited the park in the heat, and done everything else we could possibly do in this small town of ours what is left is boredom. I'm bored. I think I need a vacation.

www.twohigs.com

Ok! NOW we're talkin'! I could LIVE on a boat like that all year around. Who needs land anyway?! Who says getting stranded on a deserted island is a bad thing? Not me! ..... well..... I guess I would miss my computer connection..... nah!

tourwaysinternational.com

Which would you take? The ones above, or the one below? I know my answer!

www.stormeyes.org

Another Week of Food

The first menu plan I made worked out pretty good. I hope some of you tried those recipes. My family liked some of them, and didn't like others. So, I'm going to throw out the ones they didn't like (the curry stew), and keep the ones they did with the goal of making a family recipe book that all three kiddos can take with them when they fly the coop. I think this is going to be a fun project, and it'll give the kids a book full of (hopefully) good memories to look through regularly.

So, after asking everyone which recipes from last time they liked best, we'll be keeping everything but the curry stew. (Can I pick 'em, or what?!)

Here's my menu plan for this week:

Breakfast Menu

• Monday: Oatmeal w/fruit
• Tuesday: French Toast
• Wednesday: Rustic Applesauce w/Oatmeal
• Thursday: Fruit Smoothie
• Friday: Breakfast Burritos
• Saturday: Ham & Cheddar Waffles
• Sunday: Pancakes

Lunch Menu

• Monday: Refried Bean Tostadas
• Tuesday: Hot Dogs & Chips
• Wednesday: Leftovers (Choice: Asian Noodle Salad, or Red Beans & Rice)
• Thursday: Tuna Sandwiches on homemade Oatmeal Bread
• (I make mine with 1/2 all purpose, and 1/2 whole wheat.)
• Friday: Leftovers (Spaghetti Garlic Bread sandwiches)
• Saturday: Chef Salad
• Sunday: Leftovers (Choice: Chicken Thighs w/Carrots & Potatoes, or Chef Salad)

Supper Menu

• Monday: Asian Noodle Salad
• Tuesday: Cheese Tacos w/Pico de Gallo & Beef Tacos
• Wednesday: Red Beans & Rice
• Thursday: Spaghetti w/Garlic Bread
• Friday: Chicken Thighs w/Carrots & Potatoes
• Saturday: Twice Baked Salmon Potatoes
• Sunday: Coffee Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

Snack Menu

• Fresh Fruit
• Carrots & Celery w/Ranch Dip
• Cottage Cheese & Pineapple
• Cheese & Crackers
• Frozen Grapes, Strawberries, Melon Balls
• Homemade Granola
• Pickle Rolls
• Homemade Juice Popscicles

We'll see how this week turns out. I'm sitting here looking at all these recipes, and though I'm excited to try them, I'm also thinking, "WOW! That's a lot of cooking!" Wish me luck!

Cíao!
Steph

Things I'll be doing today: Cooking, watering the lawn, cleaning house, and prepping food.