Weekly Meal Plan....

I'm doing the "bad blogging thing," and I'm not putting any photos on this post....

It's cold and yucky outside, and it's going to get colder and yuckier. Luke and I have spent the day inside, and we will probably be spending the next couple of days also inside....

This afternoon, I'm working to get some last minutes things finished before the snow hits, and getting this menu organized is one of those tasks.

Here it is....

Monday, January 31, 2011
Fish and Chips
(a.k.a. Fish and Fries)

Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sarah -- Will be eating at Mom 2 Mom at church (unless weather prevents)
Marc and Luke -- Sandwiches and Chips

Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Chicken Enchiladas

Thursday, February 3, 2011
Spaghetti w/ marinara sauce and Italian Sausage
Veggie

Friday, February 4, 2011
Pizza Hut or Papa Murphy's

Saturday, February 5, 2011
Lunch: Rummage

Supper: Sloppy Joes and Chips w/ Ranch dressing

Sunday, February 6, 2011
Lunch: Rummage

Supper: The "Big Game" Party here at our home with our small group

A Prayer Request....

This is a prayer request that's been out for a couple of weeks. I wanted to get this on my blog in hopes that prayers from even more people can be added by Monday, January 31 -- the date of an important doctor's appointment.

Here's the information...

Meet Madelyn Rose (Maddie)....



Maddie is the sweet little baby daughter of Jeremy and Renee....



Maddie was born on November 22, 2010; therefore, Maddie is just a little over 2 months old.

I actually have never met Maddie or her parents, Jeremy and Renee....They live out in sunny southern California.

But, I do have the privilege of knowing Maddie's paternal grandparents, Rich and Carolyn.

I serve on the Community Life Council at our church with Rich. I've gotten to know Carolyn through our Mom 2 Mom program at our church. These are two people I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know.

Anyways, Maddie was recently been diagnosed with Congenital Ptosis.

Basically, Maddie has only been able to open her eyes through little slits. For some reason, the muscles in her eyelids are very underdeveloped. Because she can only open her eyelids a bit, she is not able to get enough light into her eyes for proper development. If something is not corrected VERY SOON, Maddie risks being blinded for life.

Last I knew, Jeremy and Renee have an appointment with any specialist for Maddie on Monday, January 31 -- henceforth, the importance of this e-mail requesting prayer.

This is directly from an e-mail from Carolyn....

Apart from this, Maddie is a very healthy, sweet, mild little baby. She
cries only when hungry, and does love to eat! Hey, she's a Dewey! From birth
she's been so pretty with gorgeous porcelain-doll-like skin and such a
pretty little mouth. Her eyes (which are fine, thankfully!) are a navy blue,
we'd just like to be able to see them and have them see us!

So requests would be:
* a prompt appointment and surgery date at UCLA
* wisdom, discernment, peace for Jeremy and Renee as they seek the best for
Maddie
* Maddie's eyes would get enough light for their development
* may God, and only God, be glorified through all of this

Please pray, and please continue to check Carolyn's blog as I'm sure she'll update on Maddie's progress.

Thanks so much!

I Have Nothing....

Actually, I have more than I could ever ask for. BUT, I'm drawing an absolute BLANK as to what to blog about today. We're having a nice, calm January....

So, here are a few ramblings. I'm typing this as I enjoy my favorite hot cup of tea.

1) If you've been "following" our family for any length of time or if you know Luke in person, you know that Luke LOVES hats -- all different types of hats.

His latest discovery is Marc's taekwondo helmet....Pretty funny, if you ask me.



2) I'm doing a "switch-a-roo" on tonight's and tomorrow night's supper.

So, for tonight, we're having a boxed Macaroni Grill meal....



We've had these meals before. They're quite tasty. We recommend them.

You can purchase at Wal-Mart, and if you're local, Dillon's.

3) I recently discovered this cream for my coffee....Coffeehouse Inspirations. Perhaps you've had one before. This one, Hazelnut Cream, is quite tasty. I bought it because Wal-Mart had them on sale. I'm really hoping it wasn't on sale because the inventory's not moving. Then, there would be a chance of it being there no longer.



4) When Luke and I were on our weekly grocery trip the other day at Wal-Mart, we found this by the poultry....



Philadelphia Cooking Creme (not a misspelling, according to the package)....

I think, basically, it's a cream cheese type mixture. There were several different varieties. They all had a recipe on back.

So, on an impulse, but WITHOUT going over our grocery budget, I bought one. I'll be fixing the enchiladas next week.

Stay tuned! I'll do a review.

5) Luke received THIS BOOK before he was even born....it was a gift from some friends of our's.



It's a cute book, and Luke really likes it right now. We read it quite a bit. It's a "Lift-the-Flap Adventure Book!"

My only issue is some of the rhyming. It's sometimes hard to read.

Example: On the bank, or under water, slithery, sliding, I am otter....

(Try saying the "S" words fast....NOT EASY).



How about this one?

Strutting through a friendly flock. Spread those feathers peacock....

(This one, you have to be careful....It's easy to accidentally say words you shouldn't say).



Did I mention that this post contained a bunch of ramblings? See what I mean?

Later....

Weekly Meal Plan and One Lone Photo....

I didn't post a meal plan last week, but trust me, I had one :)

So, here's our plan for this week...

Monday, January 24, 2011
Chicken Salad on croissants with bacon
Mixed Fruit

Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Lasagna
Bread Sticks
Salad

Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Savory Chicken Squares (from Shannon)
Vegetable

Thursday, January 27, 2011
Lemon Chicken Piccata (from Macaroni Grill)
Vegetable

Friday, January 28, 2011
Tacos

Saturday, January 29, 2011
Lunch: Rummage

Supper: DATE NIGHT!

Sunday, January 30, 2011
Lunch: Rummage

Supper: Crescent Chicken, Salad, Brownies

**Marc & Sarah to eat dessert at small group; dinner provided for ourselves and Sarah's parents (who will be watching Luke)

*****

If you read THIS POST (two posts ago), you might remember that I mentioned that Luke really likes to "copy" what we do now....especially Marc.

Well, Marc's been building AWESOME fires in our fireplace this winter -- keeps us rather toasty. Luke likes to "build fires" as well, but he is a bit limited as we don't want him burned.

After Marc gets a fire started and going, Marc always stands in front of the fireplace with his hands on his knees and watches the fire (I think it's a "guy thing").

Luke has started doing this as well....VERY FUNNY AND CUTE to watch in person -- especially from the perspective of this mama.

A Recipe....Easy-Cheesy Lemon Bars....

So, I haven't shared a recipe in awhile. I think it's time.

This recipe creates the BEST lemon bars. I say that because MANY people have told me so. WHENEVER I make these lemon bars, somebody is most certain to ask me for the recipe.

It's not my recipe. My very good friend Tammy has a sister-in-law named Angela. Angela is an incredible baker. This recipe comes from Angela. I don't know if Angela made it up; if Angela got it from somebody; OR if it's specifically from Duncan Hines. Honestly, it doesn't matter. These lemon bars are just good.

Recently (like back in October), I made these for the evening edition of Mom 2 Mom at our church. So, you might possibly have had them there.

I made them this morning -- to be served tomorrow evening at Life Link, once again at church. A few of you who are also making desserts for tomorrow night (Community Life Council wives) could possibly be reading this blog. So, Jill, Jess, and Carolyn -- I have the lemon bars covered.

Here goes....

Easy-Cheesy Lemon Bars

1 Package Lemon Cake Mix (I like Duncan Hines)
1/3 C. Butter
1 Egg

1 Can Lemon Supreme Frosting (again, Duncan Hines)
8 oz. Cream Cheese
1/2 C. Chopped Nuts (optional)
1 Egg

(I opt OUT of the nuts in this dessert)

Sooooo, the ingredients....



PLEASE, spray a 9 X 13 baking dish....Things will stick if you do not.



On low speed, mix together first three ingredients (cake mix, butter, and egg) until crumbly. Press into 9 X 13 sprayed baking dish.





Next, mix together frosting, cream cheese, and egg (and nuts, if desired).





Spread 2nd mixture on top of "crust."



Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Chill two hours. Sift powdered sugar on top.

(Shown here WITHOUT powdered sugar; will be done when ready to eat).


A couple of notes....

1) My oven ALWAYS bakes this dessert faster than what the directions say. Today, I baked it in 35 minutes.

2) I do NOT sift powdered sugar on top. I merely sprinkle powdered sugar on top. It's always been fine.

3) I have found that if these lemon bars chill overnight in the refrigerator (as opposed to just the two hours), they are much better. That's why I made these lemon bars this morning even though they're not needed until tomorrow evening.

Enjoy!

A Bunch of Randomness....

1) This past Friday evening, I had an evening out alone -- something I LOVE and CHERISH! I'm the type of person who does like to be alone on a somewhat frequent basis. I think it's because a) I'm fairly independent, b) I lived alone for a number of years before I got married, c) I worked for 10 years at a job where I traveled alone frequently.

But, please don't think I don't LOVE my husband and child and being around them. I do....I just like my occasional alone time.

Anyways, I went to these places for my evening....

Target
Chipotle
Barnes & Noble
DQ (to make a quick visit to my brother and to pick up a Diet Pepsi)

At Barnes & Noble, I discovered a new tea that I am IN LOVE with....Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea. It's from Harney & Sons....Try it sometime. I know you'll love it.



2) Marc and I are really enjoying watching Luke imitate things that we do -- especially things Marc does. It is Luke's usual routine after a nap to have some juice and Cheez-It crackers.

Yesterday, however, Luke did something a bit different.

He insisted on taking off his shirt (not sure where he got that since Marc really doesn't walk around here without a shirt on) and sitting in the recliner covered with a blanket (this could be from Marc or myself) while eating his crackers and drinking his juice.



He didn't want this next photo taken, but I snapped one anyways.



3) Marc and I do NOT watch any reality TV shows, typically. However, we have gotten into one show on the NatGeo channel. That show would be the Alaska State Troopers.

Neither Marc nor I have been to Alaska, but it is on our "goal list of places to go in life." Everybody we know who has been to Alaska says it's amazing.

Alaska State Troopers does show some amazing scenery and wildlife (which is the appeal of Alaska). But, this program does show some sad facts about Alaska -- its high rate of suicide, its high alcoholism rate, its high rates of crime in certain areas.

I think it's so cold and dark through the winter (and so far away from the rest of the country as well as so desolate in areas) that people get depressed and ultimately end up making some poor choices.

Hmmmm.....Sounds like a great place to do some mission work. Sounds like people need a Savior -- just like the rest of us.

Anyways, I'm rambling....Watch the show if you have the channel. It's interesting.

Finally, Christmas Photos....

Some of you have mentioned how behind you were on posting Christmas photos (this was over a week ago). Well, not that it's a competition or anything, but I have you beat :)

I'm just now posting Christmas photos.

If you need a recap on our Christmas Eve, click HERE and HERE.

I have tried not to make this blog too much "about our kid only" (though I know I have done that on occasion), but upon looking through our Christmas photos, Luke was obviously the subject :)

So, enjoy the Luke photos....

A couple of things first....

1) We gave Luke a tricycle and a helmet for Christmas. If you know Luke, you know he likes hats -- A LOT! The helmet is a "hat." Therefore, it was hit in this house!

2) Luke has a ways to go on mastering the tricycle, but he'll get it -- we know. The weather needs to warm up a bit so we can go outside :)

3) We spent Christmas morning and afternoon at home. When we first got married, we established "that tradition." Christmas morning will hopefully always be relaxing and enjoyable with our family unit.

4) After Luke's nap in the afternoon, we headed to Marc's parents' house....about 15 minutes from here. We spent the evening with them.

**And, Robin -- the "truck" book was a HUGE hit with Luke (still is)....There's a photo in here with Luke reading it.























And yes, once we got back inside, Luke had to wear shorts....This would be because Marc nearly always wears shorts in the house -- even in the winter.

Luke likes to do everything just like Marc :)





And -- the evening at Marc's parents' house....Yep, the helmet and sunglasses went along.

A Needed Release of Energy....

On Thursdays, during the month of January, I have Luke signed up for a "Toddler Gym Time" at our local recreation center.

It started last Thursday, the 6th, but we were unable to go as Luke was slightly under the weather.

Today, however, Luke was GOOD TO GO....I'm glad we went since after today, there are only two classes left.

Since it's been so cold, Luke's been needing a way to release some energy. This class was a good way to do that -- for a bit, anyways.

I was impressed with the organization -- I think it was organized as well as one can for having 10 toddlers and their mothers/baby-sitters.

To start out....the parachute was brought out. Luke LOVED this....The photos don't do any justice. I had a hard time getting good photos this morning since this class is most definitely "parent involved." It's hard to take photos as well as participate.







Then, all of the kids did some "dancing in the hoops" while music played. When the music stopped, they were to FALL suddenly to the floor. It took a bit for Luke to "get" this activity.



For the rest of the time, the kids did things like use bats to hit balloons (watch out on this one), bowl, and play with "tumbling equipment."











Overall, I'd say, at least so far, this was a VERY WORTH WHILE activity to enroll Luke in.

We might just have to do it again :)