Menu Planning Monday #3

It's been a super busy week here. All 4 of our girls have been sick and 1 year old is teething AND sick with a cold. Not fun, but we are pulling through and getting slowly back to normal. I've got to do some grocery shopping tomorrow so thought I would jump in on Menu Planning Monday and get myself organized for the upcoming two weeks.

With the cost of food going up so quickly I really need to keep myself in line with the menus this time as to stick to our budget. I took a very specific inventory of what we have on hand and have planned around those items. This is what I have come up with, in no specific order of day as to allow for schedule changes and such.

• Lentil Stew, Oatmeal Pan Rolls
• Lasagna, Salad
• Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Refried beans, lettuce, sour cream, salsa
• Chicken Stir Fry, Rice
• Jamaican Red Beans and Rice, Salad
• Shepherd's Pie, Salad
• BBQ Chicken Sandwiches (Crock Pot), Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Chicken Noodles
• Beef Stew with Dumplings
• Pinto Beans, Collard Greens, Born Bread, Hot Dogs

Bible Study: Romans (Part 4)

I can't believe it's taken me so long to get to this post, I do apologize to those that are following along with me in this study.

We did not go to church today due to our children having colds. We are about to do a Family Devotion Time so I thought I would quickly add to the series that I have been doing on the Book of Romans. We finished Chapter one last time so today I am starting in chapter 2. If you are new to this study, you can read the previous posts here.

OK, let's get started...

In Romans Chapter 2 we are first warned against judging others because we too do the same things as those we judge (maybe not the "same things" but sin in general , we too are sinners so we should not judge others sins). We are told that God judges according to truth. God will judge us that judge others. This is something we really have to be careful of as Christians. It is very easy to fall into the trap of holding others in judgement without thinking of our own sinful nature.

In verse 4 it says that it is God's goodness that leads us to repentance. Judging someone and condemning them of their sin can't make a person change, it is only by the goodness of God that a person can change their ways. God will judge us righteously according to our own works (verse 6).

We are told in verses7-11 "how" God will judge us. If we have patience in doing well, look for glory and honor and incorruption, we will gain eternal life. However, if we are factious and do not obey God's truth we will receive God's wrath.

Let's keep these things in mind as we continue to study the book of Romans and as we have opportunity to fellowship and spend time with our brothers and sisters in Christ. More on Romans to follow VERY soon... :0)

Sick Day

Yesterday night my 4 year old kept telling me she had a "sticky throat". She was saying it with a funny face and laughing so I thought she was making a joke. She seemed fine and I didn't think too much about it. Well, this morning she woke up with a fever and I realized she must have been getting sick yesterday. So, today we had a "sick day". She (and her sisters too of course) got to have popcicles and watch some morning PBS TV shows and generally relax a while.

She is still a little feverish but doing somewhat better and so far no one else in the house is showing any signs of the illness. Praise God!

I'm hoping to get the next part of the Bible study on Romans up before the end of this week. We have had a busy past several days and I haven't been on-line much. It has been such a blessing for me to read through Romans again, I pray this study is blessing all who are reading along with me.

Hope everyone is having a blessed week!

Cheesy Ham and Veggie Chowder

September is when I really start to think a lot about warm meals. Even though it can still get quite hot outside around here, I begin to crave nice warm comfort foods. My kids really like potato soup. I found a copy cat recipe on-line for the potato soup at Wildflower Bread Company and I changed it up a bit and my girls love it.

This time I made the soup, I wanted to come up with something a little more hearty since my husband is a person who likes to have meat with all his meals. After taking a peek to see what we had on hand, I came up with this variation of the recipe that we all love. This recipe makes A LOT so be prepared to freeze some (it freezes great!) or serve this at a get together. Your guests will love it!

Cheesy Ham and Veggie Chowder

1 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into bite sized pieces
1 lb. bag frozen corn
2 onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 lb. bag frozen cauliflower
1 lb. bag chopped frozen broccoli
1 red or green bell pepper, diced
1/4 head of cabbage, chopped
1 lb. diced ham, smoked turkey sausage or crumbled bacon
4 Qts. chicken broth
1 stick butter, divided in half
1 c. whole milk
1/4 c. corn starch
1 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 tsp. dried dill weed
1 block cream cheese
Season salt and pepper to taste
sliced scallions for serving

In a large (8 or 12 Qt.) stock pot, melt 1/2 of the butter. Add onions and celery and cook over medium heat for about 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until veggies are soft. Add broth and vegetables. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cover and let simmer for about 30 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Mash a few of the potatoes right in the pot to release the starch as a thickener. Stir the corn starch into the milk then slowly pour into the pot while stirring. Stir in cheddar cheese until it melts. Cut cream cheese in small pieces and stir in until it melts. Stir in dill. Stir in ham or sausage or bacon. Season with seasoned salt and pepper to your taste. Finish by stirring in the last of the butter until melted. Serve garnished with bacon bits and sliced scallions.

The ABC's Of Homemaking

I saw this on Girly's blog and thought I would participate, it was fun! If you want to play too, post it and leave me a comment.

Aprons--y/n If y, what does your fave look like?
I only own one right now, I made it and it's a bright red/brown/gold pattern. I have another cut out with a pattern of grapes that I need to sew up.

Baking--Favorite thing to bake?
anything! I LOVE to bake!

Clothes line?
I wish we had one, we have an electric dryer.

Donuts--Have you ever made them?
No but I would love to try!

Everyday--One homemaking thing you do every day?
laundry, dishes, cook, vacuum

Freezer--Do you have a separate deep freeze?
No but I want one!

Garbage Disposer?
nope!

Handbook--What is your favorite homemaking resource?
The Internet

Ironing--Love it or Hate it? Or hate it but love the results?
Hate it and never do it unless it for a sewing project. My hubby is the best at ironing and doesn't mind doing it either.

Junk Drawer--y/n? Where is it?
2 in the kitchen

Kitchen--color and decorating scheme.
eclectic, homey

Love--what is your favorite part of homemaking?
being at home with my family

Mop--y/n?
rarely but if I have to I will

Nylons, machine or hand wash?
rarely wear them but I machine wash them when I do

Oven--do you use the window or open the oven to check?
both

Pizza--What do you put on yours?
pepperoni, bell pepper, onion, black olives

Quiet--What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
Internet, read or just sit and think.

Recipe Card Box--y/n? What does it look like?
yep, and a binder and a blog

Style of house--What style is your house?
it's a sort of generic style around here, most of the homes look the same

Tablecloths or Placemats?
tablecloths

Under the kitchen sink--organized or toxic wasteland?
petty organized, could use a little work

Vacuum--How many times per week?
2-3 a day, we have carpet under our dining table

Wash--How many loads of laundry do you do per week?
too many to count!

X's--Do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off?
yep, I have lots of lists

Yard--y/n? Who does what?
not much out there but rocks, the kids pick up their toys and hubby pulls weeks or hires someone to do it

ZZZ's--what is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
turn on the dishwasher

Anyone else want to play the ABCs?