Black Bean Salsa

YIPPEE! Let the summer begin! The kids are out of school, it's finally starting to warm up outside, and it hasn't even rained here for a few days. Best of all...my garden is finally all planted!
One of my favorite things about having a garden is so I can have fresh salsa and pico de gallo all summer. It's soooo much better with fresh tomatoes and cilantro.
I have several different recipes that we like, but this is probably my fave. I ♥♥♥ salsa with lime, so I added it and cumin to the original recipe that I had and this is where it ended up. Mmmm...can't wait 'til those maters start ripenin' in my garden!

Black Bean Salsa
3/4 to 1 cup of your favorite bottled Italian dressing (I use Kraft Free Zesty Italian, but any kind will work.)
1 Tbs cumin
2 to 3 Tbs lime juice
1 tsp salt
4 to 6 tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 to 2 avocados, diced
1 can or 1 1/2 cups corn, drained (Fresh cooked corn is REALLY good here too.)
1 can black beans, rinsed
Cilantro as desired (I use about 1/4 cup)

Just mix everything together and eat with your favorite tortilla chips...or with chicken...or with fish (I like Tillapia)...or on a taco...or whatever way you can imagine.
It tastes best after it has sat in the fridge for an hour or so, but I usually have kids staring at me with chips in their little hands before it ever makes it that far. But hey, if it gets 'em to eat veggies, they can dig right in. Yup, I'm just fine with that...'cause I'm usually right there with 'em. Ü

Here's what's on the menu here this week...
MONDAY - Buffalo Sticky Finger Wraps, Broccoli Salad, Honeydew Melon
TUESDAY - Pasta Carbonara, Green Salad, Bread Sticks
WEDNESDAY - Leftover Buffet
THURSDAY - Baked Macaroni & Cheese, Honey Glazed Carrots
FRIDAY - French Toast, Sausage, Fruit Salad
SATURDAY - BBQ Little Smokies, Sliced Potatoes, Fresh Veggies & Dip
SUNDAY - Roast Beef, Smashed Potatoes, Steamed Veggies, Sour Dough Bread

Have a great week everybody!

Moon Pie

I'm not exactly sure where I acquired this recipe, but I'm sure glad I did. It's gotta be one of my favorite dessert recipes EVER! My kiddlets have been begging me to make it for a few weeks now, and I finally got around to making them the happiest little kids on the MOON!
What's your all time favorite dessert? Ya know...the one that really makes your mouth water and your eyes roll back in your head???

MOON PIE
Crust:
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup flour
4 eggs, room temperature


Preheat oven to 400°.
Bring water and butter to a boil. Rapidly mix in flour until it makes a pastry ball.
Let it cool for about 10 - 15 minutes.
Beat in eggs one at a time until well combined. (I use my hand mixer.)
Spread onto 11x14 inch sprayed baking sheet.
Bake at 400° for 25 - 30 minutes. It will look all bumpy and wavy when it comes out.
Let cool.


Topping:
2 large boxes instant vanilla pudding (I use sugar free - fat free)
8 oz softened cream cheese (I use fat free with this too)
8 oz Cool Whip or whipped cream
Magic Shell Chocolate Syrup


Mix pudding according to package directions. Add softened cream cheese and combine well.
Spread mixture over the crust. Top with a layer of Cool Whip then drizzle with Magic Shell.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.


Here's my menu this week...
MONDAY - Ham & Cheese Casserole, Swiss Chard, Cornbread
TUESDAY - Tater Tot Taco Salad
WEDNESDAY - Leftovers
THURSDAY - Red Mac & Cheese, Green Salad, Cheese Toast 
FRIDAY - German Pancakes, Bacon, Fresh Fruit
SATURDAY - Sticky Buffalo Chicken, French Fries, Fresh Veggies & Dip
SUNDAY - Chicken Rolls, Rice, Green Beans, Fluffy Jello

Have a wonderful week!

Menu Monday - Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Wow...my little wanna' be cooking blog just hit 1000 viewers today. I know that doesn't sound like much, but it still makes me feel good. Ü  Thanks to everyone who keeps coming back! Hopefully you're enjoying some of my recipes.
The recipe I want to share today is probably one that most people have heard of by now, but out there somewhere, is someone looking for that quick, throw it together meal. I love this one because it's pretty versatile and it really doesn't get much easier than this.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs
1 16 oz pkg frozen meatballs or homemade meatballs (depends on what I have in the freezer)
1  12 oz bottle chili sauce
1  18 oz jar grape jelly (or 16 oz can jellied cranberry sauce if you want your sauce more tangy)

Combine jelly and chili sauce in a crock pot set on high heat. Mix in the meatballs. Cook on high for 1 - 2 hours or low for up to 6 hours. We love to serve them over rice.

It doesn't get much easier than that! I've also made them in a pan on the stove top and cooked until the meatballs were heated through and they still tasted great. I've also used Popcorn Chicken in place of the meatballs and the kids loved it! (Just don't cook as long.) This is definitely one quick meal I always try to have in my pantry/freezer for those days when the menu plan just isn't going to happen. And I never have to worry about the picky eaters...there's rarely any leftovers!

Here's the menu for this week...
MONDAY - Chicken Alfredo, Green Salad, Bread
TUESDAY - Orange Chicken, Teriyaki Rice, Mixed Veggies
WEDNESDAY - Leftovers
THURSDAY - Spaghetti, Green Salad, Garlic Bread
FRIDAY - French Toast Casserole, Fresh Fruit
SATURDAY - Loaded Beef Nachos
SUNDAY - Beef Chuck Roast, Smashed Potatoes, Brown Sugar Carrots, Rolls

Have a great week!!

Menu Monday - Broccoli Salad

I'm sure getting excited for summer. It's so nice to have a more relaxed schedule everyday, the kids can play outside, hardly a cough can be heard and I get to change my menu up a bit with some cool and refreshing comfort foods. Broccoli salad is one of my favorites during the summer and luckily I've been getting broccoli in my Bountiful Basket orders lately, so I've already made it twice to get us in the mood for summer even though it's having a hard time even acting like spring around here lately. Another plus to this simple salad is that my kids love it. Even The Trail Boss, who claims to hate broccoli, will eat it. That makes it a winner in my book!

BROCCOLI SALAD

1-2 bunches broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces (I blanch them to brighten the color)

1/2 red onion, diced

1 1/2 cup cheddar-Jack cheese, shredded

1/2 lb diced bacon, cooked and drained

1/4 cup sliced toasted almonds*

Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise (I use light)

1/4 cup sugar (I've substituted Splenda before and I could taste much difference)

1 tsp red wine vinegar

Mix dressing and combine with remaining ingredients. It tastes best after it's been able to chill in the fridge for a while, but we don't always wait that long. Ü

*To toast the almonds, put them in a non stick pan and sprinkle about 1 Tbs of sugar over the top. Cook over about medium to med. high heat until the sugar starts to melt and almonds start to turn a golden brown. Move them around in the pan a bit so they don't burn.

Now for Menu Monday...I know I'm a few days late, but Buckaroo #3 hasn't felt very good for a few days and has been attached to my side (or my lap if he's having his way) and neither of us has had much sleep. But, better late than, roght?

MONDAY - Crunchy Asian Chicken Wraps, Fresh Fruit

TUESDAY - Baked Penne with Mozzarella, Green Salad, Cheesy Bread Sticks

WEDNESDAY - Leftovers

THURSDAY - Sloppy Joes, Pasta Salad, Fresh Veggies/Dip

FRIDAY - Breakfast Burritos, Fresh Fruit

SATURDAY - Homemade Corn dogs, Onion Rings, Fresh Veggies/Dip

SUNDAY - Chicken Pot Pies, Spinach Salad, Fluffy Jell-o

Hope everyone has a wonderful MOTHER'S DAY!

Menu Monday

MENU MONDAY and CHICKEN BOW-TIE SALAD

I think I've mentioned before that I have a great group of friends that I get together with once a month to share recipes, laugh and have conversations that thankfully aren't centered around Disney Channel shows and Wii games. We take turns hosting and coming up with a theme for the night. This month was Favorites for Easter/Spring. I knew exactly what I wanted to take as soon as I heard the theme. Chicken Bow-Tie Salad! If you don't like pasta salads because of the mayo, you really need to try this. Most of my friends were surprised at how much they liked it, thinking it was made with just mayo or Miracle Whip. I love to take it to family parties and pot luck dinners since it makes so much and because I think it's just pretty! What are some of your favorite dishes to take to family get-togethers?

Chicken Bow-Tie Salad

4 cups cooked chicken (or turkey), diced                         

5 green onions, chopped

1 20oz can pineapple tidbits, drained             

1 cup cashews

2 cups red grapes, halved                                
2 cups celery, diced
12 oz pkg tri-colored spiral pasta, cooked      
12 oz pkg bow-tie pasta, cooked
16 oz Kraft Cole Slaw dressing (I've tried a few other dressings, and Kraft is definitely the best for this salad.)                       
1 cup mayonnaise                   
Salt and Pepper to taste

Following instructions on package, cook pastas and drain.

Mix together Cole Slaw dressing, mayonnaise, salt and pepper.

Combine dressing with cooled pasta and remaining ingredients. Mix lightly. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

And now for Menu Monday ---

MONDAY - Chicken Bow-Tie Salad
TUESDAY - Ham and Cheese Manicotti, Green Salad
WEDNESDAY - Leftover Buffet
THURSDAY - Ham and Cheese Casserole, Broccoli Salad
FRIDAY - Biscuits and Gravy, Fresh Fruit
SATURDAY - Tater Tot Taco Salad
SUNDAY - Pork Roast, Baked Potatoes, Honey Glazed Carrots, Rolls

Pineapple Mango Salsa and Sticky Buffalo Chicken

Pineapple Mango Salsa and Sticky Buffalo Chicken
When I went to pick up my Bountiful Basket order Saturday morning, I was a little worried about the 7 mangoes I was taking home. I had no idea what I was going to do with them all. So, I started searching Tasty Kitchen for mango recipes and found one that I knew I wanted to try. It was Pineapple Mango Salsa from The Pioneer Woman and Oh. My. Goodness. It was sooo good! I added an extra mango just because I was a little worried about them going bad before I could use them all, but we liked it so much I think I'm going to make more for an Easter get together this weekend. Go check out that there link and make ya some Pineapple Mango Salsa....yum! If you have a favorite way to use mango, give me a holler! I'd love some more ideas :)

The other day I realized that I had promised Buckaroo #1 that I would share the recipe for his favorite chicken right now. He loves his Sticky Buffalo Chicken and wishes I would make it every week. He doesn't usually like anything with any kind of a kick to it, so I was really surprised that he liked it so much. Maybe I'll start sneaking in a little more heat each time I make it and see if I can spice him up just a bit. Ü
I love how easy this recipe is...

Sticky Buffalo Chicken
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
2 Tbs Franks Red Hot Buffalo Wings Sauce- add more or less if ya want to
1 lb breaded chicken tenders (At my local grocery store, the meat dept sells bulk "chicken fritters" and they are more bite size pieces.)

Bake or fry the chicken according to the instructions on the package. (Just so ya know, I bake mine.)
In a sauce pan, combine the remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat, stirring until the brown sugar dissolves. Cook about 15-20 minutes until it starts to thicken.
When the chicken is done, transfer it into a large bowl and pour the sauce over the top. Carefully toss the chicken to make sure all the pieces are coated with the sauce.
Serve with extra sauce, ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Tasty stuff I tell ya!

Before I get to carried away posting recipes, here's what I have on the menu this week...
MONDAY - Chicken Bow Tie Salad
TUESDAY - Evil Chicken and Rice, Green Beans
WEDNESDAY - Leftover Buffet
THURSDAY - Joyce Gale Casserole, Green Salad
FRIDAY - Belgian Waffles with Fresh Fruit and Whipped Cream
SATURDAY - Easter Picnic with family
SUNDAY - Easter dinner

Have a fun holiday weekend!

Menu Monday and a Breakfast Parfait

I know that there are a lot of kids out there who could eat cold cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Buckaroo #3 would AND snack on it all day, if I let him. Buckaroo #1 on the other hand is very pick about eating so much cold cereal. He freaks if it gets too soggy. But breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? I'm not saying that cold cereal bad. It totally has a place on my menu. Monday mornings are always a pain at our house, so cold cereal it is. Thursday mornings, Buckaroo #1 has to be to school 45 minutes earlier than Buckaroo #2 for guitar lessons, so it's a cold cereal day. Then we have Saturday. Once again it is on my menu as a backup if mom hasn't rolled out of bed yet and they need to get their own breakfast. (Although, most Saturdays The Trail Boss makes them their favorite, Ham and Egg Sandwiches.) As for the rest of the days of the week, I try to mix it up a little, but still keep it simple. I used to feel a little bad about feeding them frozen or prepackaged stuff, but they take a healthy home lunch 4 out of 5 days, a balanced dinner at home and healthy snacks, so I try not to feel to guilty about it. Besides, my sanity is a bit more important when I'm trying to get everybody off to school on time! :)

Here's what a typical week of breakfasts look like on my menu...
MONDAY -Cold Cereal, Fresh Fruit
TUESDAY -Frozen Waffles (cut into strips for dipping) or leftover Pancakes or French Toast, Syrup, Fruit
WEDNESDAY -Instant Oatmeal, Fruit
THURSDAY -Cold Cereal, Fresh Fruit
FRIDAY -Fruit, Granola and Yogurt Parfait or Yogurt, Fresh Fruit and Toast
SATURDAY -Cold Cereal, Fresh Fruit
SUNDAY -Hot Cooked Breakfast

Their favorite new addition to the menu is the Breakfast Parfait. It a fun, healthy way to change things up a bit. It's also EASY to throw together when you make a little assembly line. Change the flavor of the yogurt, the granola/cereal or the fruit and it can be a whole new creation each time. Here's a pic of one of The Trail Boss and Buckaroo #2's favorite combinations.

It has Mandarin Oranges, Sunbelt Berry Basics cereal and Vanilla Yogurt. Buckaroo #1 and The Littlest Cowgirl like sliced Bananas, Sunbelt Banana Nut Granola cereal and Yogurt. There's just so many possibilities!

Give it a try and let me know what your favorite combinations are!

Menu Monday - Short & Sweet

This is going to be sorta' short & sweet today. Short because as I was getting ready to walk the two oldest Buckaroos to school last Thursday, I tripped over one of the dogs trying to catch the other one before he ran out of the gate. To make a long story short, I'm now wearing a splint on my right hand and typing has turned out to be pretty awkward and time consuming.

So here's a peek at what I have on the menu this week...
MONDAY - Tortellini Alfredo, Green Salad, Garlic Bread
TUESDAY - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & Tomato Soup
WEDNESDAY - Leftover Buffet
THURSDAY - Pizza
FRIDAY - Ham Cheese Mini Frittatas, Fresh Fruit
SATURDAY - Sticky Chicken, Sweet Potato Fries, Fresh Veggies & Dip
SUNDAY - Chicken Cordon Bleu, Alfredo Pasta, Green Salad, Rolls

Now for the sweet... One night The Trail Boss decided that he was needing a sweet snack. He called his mom, made a few scribbles on a piece of paper and then whipped up this yummy little treat.

CARAMEL POPCORN
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup mini marshmallows
2 qts popped popcorn (we used 2 bags of Jiffy Pop Homemade style popcorn)
2 cups mini marshmallows
Nuts, M&Ms, Chocolate Chips, Butterscotch Chips or whatever other fun add-ins you can come up with.
(We used mini M&Ms)

Place butter and brown sugar in a large glass mixing bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes. Stir and add 1 cup mini marshmallows. Microwave for 1 more minute.
In a large bowl, combine popcorn, 2 cups mini marshmallows and whatever else you decided to throw in.
Pour syrup over popcorn and mix lightly.
At this point the recipe says to shape into balls, but ours has never made it that far. There's always too many little hands grabbing at the bowl.
Have fun with this one next time you're lookin' for an easy Sweet Treat!

Menu Monday - Just a short break...

Ok, so maybe 4 months isn't quite so short. Christmas gets crazy around here because The Trail Boss has a job working for a big retail store and we don't see much of him from about a week before Thanksgiving until after New Years. To top it all off, I was recently diagnosed with ADD. Ha, and all these years I just thought I was weird and crazy. I also have a Buckaroo with ADHD so between the two of us, life is pretty interesting at our house.
But anyway, I'm hoping to get this blog thing rolling again and get back to sharing one of the things I like to do best...cooking.

Let's start by seeing what we're gonna be eating around here this week!
Monday - Cracker Barrel Chicken Casserole & Corn
Tuesday - Taco Soup
Wednesday - Leftover Buffet
Thursday - Beef Stroganoff, Steamed Mixed Veggies
Friday - Breakfast Burritos
Saturday - Tater Tot Taco Salad - from the girls at Better than Burgers
Sunday - Salisbury Steaks, Mashed Potatoes, Brown Sugar Carrots, Rolls

*Note: If you've read any of my past posts, you know about the camera incident. Well, I did get a new camera for Christmas, but I'm still learning how to use it. So hang in there with me while I get the thing figured out. I'll get it eventually. :)

Here's a pic of the bread I baked yesterday. Whenever I need a little ego boost, I make make bread for my family. First the kids all want to help play in the dough  knead the dough. Then they can't leave the oven door closed stop talking about how good it smells while it's cooking. But the best is seeing those happy faces as a soft, warm buttery slice gets shoved in their little mouths eaten ever so carefully so not a single crumb is wasted. It does a mommy's heart good to see them all so happy.

So here's the recipe I use to create such family happiness...

90 Minute Bread

4 cups warm water (100- 110 degrees is best for the yeast)

1/4 cup melted shortening

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup yeast

1 tsp salt

7-8 cups of bread flour -sometimes I substitute 1-2 cups of wheat flour

to make me feel like I'm being healthy

Combine warm water, sugar and yeast in a mixing bowl. I use my KitchenAid to do all of the mixing. Give it a little stir to make the yeast happy with the warm sugariness. (spell check just told me sugariness is not a word, but it is now) Let it sit and get even happier for about 5 - 10 minutes.

Mix in your salt and melted shortening, but make sure it's not so hot that it's going to kill the yeast. Dead yeast is not happy yeast.

Slowly start mixing in the flour a cup at a time until you get a medium soft dough with just a tiny bit sticky left to it. I used to think that the dough needed enough flour so it didn't stick to the bowl at all, but since I've learned that it ends up lighter and softer if it has a bit of stickiness to it. Yes, there's a bit more mess to deal with, but it's worth it.

Sprinkle your surface with flour and plop the dough on top. Knead it into a nice big loaf shape, sprinkling more flour if needed (this is where you get rid of some the stickiness) and cut it into 4 smaller loaves. Cover and let them rise in a warm place for 15 minutes.

Pound each loaf down and form into loaves. (Makes some tasty rolls, too.)

Place your bread into greased/buttered pans, cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Tops should be golden brown.

I hope it makes your family happy too!

Menu Monday

Wow! I can't believe Thanksgiving Day is almost here. My side of the family cheats a bit and has Thanksgiving dinner the Sunday before the real deal so there's no missing out for anyone. There's still dinner at The Trail Boss' parent's house on Thursday, and more pies for me to make.
About a week and a half ago, I lost my camera. After several days of searching and racking my brain, I finally remembered one of the cats knocking my purse over (which is where I always keep my camera) onto the floor near some boxes that were going to go out to the trash. Luckily, The Trail Boss saved the day and dug it out of the garbage. If it took bad pictures before, then it might not even be worth posting them on here at all now. I think it's vacation in the garbage can may have scratched the lens a bit or something. Sooo.... hang in there with me for a while until I get a new one. Hopefully :/

Here's what we're havin' this week...

Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Breakfast Burritos
Wednesday - Red Mac & Cheese, Salad, Cheese Toast
Thursday - TURKEY DAY...Gobble 'til ya' Wobble!
Friday - T-Day leftovers
Saturday - Chili Cheese Dogs, Tater Tots, Baby Carrots
Sunday - Carnitas Burritos, Cilantro Lime Rice, Green Salad w/Salsa Ranch Dressing

Have a delicious Thanksgiving!

Menu Monday

All of my kids are sick. Again. And again. I think they all started out with something different and just keep on sharing. I feel so bad for the little stinkers, but on  the other hand, I'm about ready to pull my hair out. I'm thinking maybe we should ask Santa about bringing them each their own bubble to live in just to avoid going through this again. LOL I can dream can't I?

Well hopefully they are all on the downhill of it.
Here's what we'll be trying to get around to making this week...

Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Scrambled Egg Muffins, Fresh Fruit
Wednesday - Joyce Gale Casserole (I know, we have this a lot when Buckaroo #2 cooks dinner.)
Thursday - Print Shop Cheese Soup, Bread Bowl
Friday - Enchiladas, Refried Beans, Salad
Saturday - Spaghetti, Salad, Cheese Toast
Sunday - Early Thanksgiving Dinner (We celebrate Thanksgiving with my side of the family the week before Thanksgiving so no one has to rush away to get somewhere else.) I'm making the rolls and pies. ☺

Have great week!

Menu Monday and Lunch Ideas

Do you ever get into a lunch rut? My boys take a lunch to school 4 days of the week and and eat 1 school lunch of their choice the other day. When school started this year, I decided to do a little experimenting to come up with some fun things for their lunches. I'm not talking about making lunches that consume my mornings, just something a little different than a plain old sandwich once in a while. Here's a few fun ideas that I came up with, just in case your kids might be suffering from the same sandwich trauma that mine think they do.

Checkerboard sandwich - Use white bread on one side and wheat on the other. Cut into 16 squares (4 cuts each way) and flip over every other square.

Tortilla wraps - Layer your child's favorite condiment like mayo, ranch, mustard, etc... lettuce, cheese (sliced or shredded), turkey or ham, and whatever other veggies you can get them to eat (tomato, cucumber, radishes, etc...) and roll it up and cut it in half. There are some really great tasting wheat wraps out there now days if you're one who tries for the healthier version.

Bagelwich - Any sandwich can be tasty on a mini bagel.

Bread rolls - Roll out sliced bread until flat. Top with favorite sandwich stuff and roll it up.

Salads - My kids actually love it when I send a salad with a boiled egg, ham or turkey, carrot curls, and any other favorite veggies. Pour a little dressing in a sealed container and a few croutons in another and they are happy little boys.

Lunchables - We make our own Lunchables with sliced meats, cheese and crackers.

Meat and cheese kabobs - Ummmm... well meat and cheese cubes on a wooden skewer. They LOVE these. Just remember to cut off the pointy end after you get the goods on the stick. I was afraid my kids would find them a little too useful as weapons.

Inside out sandwiches - Cover pretzel rods with cream cheese or Laughing Cow Cheese and wrap with sliced ham, turkey or beef.

Thermos stuff - They love it when I send Spaghetti, Spaghetti-O's, Ravioli, Mac & Cheese, etc... Buckaroo #1 isn't too into soup, but I send it with Buckaroo #2 on the days that  Buckaroo #1 is eating school lunch. We've done leftovers in the thermos too.

A few other tips -
*This year I wanted to do something fun, so each day I usually put a joke or sometimes just a note in their lunch box. I printed some kids jokes I found on the Internet and cut them into strips. I found some fun  holiday jokes that they've really had fun with.
*I like to save some of the little plastic baby food containers to put dips and dressings in. I also use them for cut up fruits/veggies and small cookies or treats.
*I bought a couple of small plastic water bottles and fill them with about a 1/2 cup of water and freeze them overnight. Fill them up with water the next day and I send a little sugar free punch packet to pour in. I found a bunch of flavors on the $ Spot at Target and also at a few of the $ stores. They think these are pretty cool. They also like to get chocolate or strawberry milk too.
Hopefully there might be some kind of info up there that might be useful to ya'. If you have any fun ideas you do for your kids, well for heaven's sake share 'em! I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love some new ideas. I have a few more to try on the kiddies, so I'll be sure to post 'em if they give it a thumbs up.

Back to Menu Monday...here's what we're cookin':

Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Breakfast Pizza, Fresh Fruit
Wednesday - Pigs in a Blanket, Mac & Cheese, Carrots
Thursday - Corn Chowder, Breadsticks
Friday - Monterey Chicken, Crashed Potatoes, Salad
Saturday - Tacos
Sunday - Easy Lasagna, Salad, Bread

Happy cooking!

Menu Monday

I'm sad to say that Halloween was not much fun for us this year. It rained like crazy most of the afternoon and evening so the kids didn't get to do much Trick or Treating and poor Buckaroo #4 has a cold and didn't get to go out at all. At least I don't have to worry about too much sugar overload since they're bags weren't overflowing.

Here's what's cookin' at our house this week:

Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - German Pancakes, Bacon, Fresh Fruit
Wednesday - Cheesy Bacon Chicken (from Better Than Burgers), Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Veggies
Thursday - Potato Soup, Bread Sticks
Friday - Chicken Alfredo, Green Salad, Bread Sticks
Saturday - Tator Tot Taco Salad
Sunday - Roast Beef, Roasted Parsley Potatoes, Mixed Veggies, Rolls

Have a great week!

Menu Monday for October 25 to October 31

Is it just me, or does time go faster during the fall months. It's hard to believe that Halloween is just a week away.
The day after we get to celebrate Buckaroo #1's 10th birthday. I can't believe he's that old already.
Then before you know it Thanksgiving and Christmas will have crept up on us too. Ahhhhhh.... my brain is starting to hurt!

Before I get too crazy here, I'll tell ya what we're havin' this week...

Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Tomato Soup
Wednesday - Buckaroo #2 has been begging to male Pizza again, so Pizza it is.
Thursday - Eggs in a Basket, Sausage, Fresh Fruit
Friday - Halloween Party with my side of the family. I'm taking White Chicken Chili.
Saturday - HALLOWEEN! Going to The Trail Boss' parents' for dinner.
Sunday - Cheese Enchiladas, Smokey Refried Beans, Green Salad with Salsa Ranch Dressing

Have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Menu Monday for October 18 to October 24

Wow, yesterday kinda got away from me. I totally forgot to post my menu for this week. Sorry about that.
I just have to throw out that the Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes were such a BIG hit that Buckaroo #1 has requested them for his birthday in a few weeks instead of the usual fancy, store bought cake. (I know, it's a convenience thing.)
Ya' really gotta try 'em!!

Here's what we're munchin' on this week:


Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Taco Pie from Mommy's Kitchen
Wednesday - Buckaroo #1 is making Ham & Cheese Casserole, Carrots
Thursday - Fried Potatoes with Kielbasa, Creamy Scrambled Eggs
Friday - Baked Pork Chops & Rice, Green Beans
Saturday - Chicken Tortilla Soup
Sunday - Grilled Dijon Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Jell-O Salad, Rolls

Have a great week everyone!

Menu Monday for October 11 to October 17

We've had a fun week at our house decorating and getting all ready for Halloween. We get to have our first Halloween Party this week and the kids are so excited! It's been a bit of a challenge for me though. The party is with our 4-H club and the two oldest Buckaroos have to dress up...with their horses. Buckaroo #2 decided in a second that he wanted to be The Headless Horseman from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. That wasn't too bad...dress him all in black and paint his head/face to look like a scary pumpkin. Buckaroo #1 on the other hand has had a terrible time coming up with a costume. Since we were running out of time, The Trail Boss started giving him ideas. One of which was to go as Ichabod Crane and Buckaroo #1 freaked out. There was no way he wanted to have a big ol' Adam's apple (like I could figure out a way to make him have one). But, The Trail Boss finally got him to agree to it, but now he has to be Brom Bones. Ahhh...should be a fun night!

Well, here's what's cookin' at our house this week...
Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Tortellini Alfredo, Green Salad, Bread
Wednesday - Buckaroo #2 Decided to make Pigs in a Blanket, Mac & Cheese, Corn
Thursday - Bird's Nest Breakfast, Bacon
Friday - Red Mac & Cheese, Bread Sticks
Saturday - Cheeseburgers, Sweet Potato Fries, Baby Carrots
Sunday - Ham, Hashbrown Casserole, Fruity Jell-O, Cornbread

Have a great week!

Menu Monday for October 4 to October 10

FALL is definitely in the air and I LOVE it. I think it's gotta be my favorite season. I love the weather, the smells, the colors and especially the food. Of course you could cook with apples and pumpkin any time of year. You can make soups and comforting casseroles whenever you want. But to me, it just makes FALL that much more special.
I tried a great recipe for White Chicken Chili from my backyard neighbor a while ago, and I think I may have changed a few of my guinea pigs' family's minds about beans and chili. (You can find Trinna at Adam's Apple Pie. Yummy stuff over there!) Of course Buckaroo #1 still thinks beans are from the devil, but the rest of them chowed down. It does my ♥ good to see 'em eat like that. I'll have to get the recipe up soon, 'cause it sure is a keeper.

Well, I'll shut up now and tell ya what we're having this week...
Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Chili Cornbread Casserole (Mommy's Kitchen)
Wednesday - Buckaroo #1 is baking some Ham & Cheese Manacotti, Green Salad, Cheese Bread
Thursday - German Pancakes, Bacon, Fresh Fruit
Friday - Cheatin' Sweet & Sour Chicken, Rice, Green Beans
Saturday - Spaghetti and Garlic Bread
Sunday - BBQ Chicken Packets, Rice, Green Salad

Hope ya'll have a wonderful FALL week!

Menu Monday for September 27 to October 3

I ♥ FALL because it means a bit of a change in my menu, as far as more warm comfort foods and less cold meals to keep us cool.
I've really started to ♥ cooking with pumpkin. It shocks the heck out of me that Buckaroo #1 actually likes most anything made with pumpkin. He is constantly asking me to make things with it. I've really been craving Pumpkin Roll lately, so I might just have to make me us one this week.

Here's what else we're cookin' up this week...

Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Sliders, French Fries, Baby Carrots
Wednesday - Buckaroo #2 is whippin' up some Taco Salad Tacos (from Better than Burgers)
Thursday - Breakfast Burritos
Friday - Country Fried Steak, Baked Potatoes, Corn (I'm trying a new recipe from Mommy's Kitchen)
Saturday - Baked Potato Soup, Bread Sticks
Sunday - Chicken Cordon Bleu, Rice, Green Beans, Rolls

Hope ya'll have a great week!

Menu Monday for September 20 to September 26

Okay, I totally spaced Menu Monday...again. The past week has been sooo crazy. Yes, even crazier than the one before! Our neighbor trapped our cat and took it to the Animal Shelter (on purpose :/) so my kids were a bit freaked out for a few days until we found him. Then Buckaroo #4 started a puking spree. Followed by The Littlest Cowgirl a day later. Buckaroo #1 and Buckaroo #2 haven't shown any signs of the bug...yet. Hopefully they got lucky and aren't going to catch it. But with my luck, one or both will have it by tonight when we are supposed to go pick up The Trail Boss' parents from the airport. They've been gone for about 16 months to Sweden on an LDS mission. His dad got really sick a few weeks ago and so they're being sent home where he can be under the care of his own doctors. The Trail Boss has been working like crazy to get their house/yard ready for them to come home today. All I can say is AAHHHHHHHH!!!

Well, now that I've gotten all that off my chest (thanks for listening,by the way) I'll get on with the menu for this week. With every thing going on, I hope we can stick to it and not get sucked into the fast food drive up.

Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Chicken Alfredo, Green Salad, Toast
Wednesday - Buckaroo #2 is making Battered Fish (yes the frozen stuff), Angel Hair Pasta with brown butter and Mizithra Cheese, Green Beans
Thursday - Mountain Man Breakfast
Friday - Spaghetti, Cheese Bread
Saturday - Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Chips, Baby Carrots
Sunday - Pork Burritos, Cilantro Lime Rice, Salad

Sorry again for the delay. I'll try not to let this weeks recipe get away from me too.
Hope ya'll have a great week!

Menu Monday for September 13 to September 19

Well, I think we're finally getting back into a schedule around here. Ya know the one where no one wants to get up for school? And when they finally do, no one wants to get ready. Except the kids that don't even go to school, which makes it that much harder to get the kids ready for school that actually need to be there.
I LOVE MY JOB!!

Anyway, I'm adding a new label to my side bar. Lickity Split Meals are those meals that are ready in a snap for those nights that you are in a hurry or just flat out don't have the energy to cook much. I hope these recipes will be helpful to ya. Most would be a nice simple meal to get the kids to help out with.
I'm also changing Leftover Buffet night to Mondays. It's turned into a much busier (hair pulling) day since school started.

Here's my menu for this week:

Monday - Leftover Buffet
Tuesday - Pork Egg Rolls (I love the one from Costco and the box will feed us 2-3 times) and Chicken Chow Mein
Wednesday - Buckaroo #2 is helping me make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza (I'm trying Better than Burgers' recipe)
Thursday - Breakfast Egg Muffins, Fresh Fruit
Friday - Buffalo Wings, Tater Skins, Carrot & Celery Sticks
Saturday - Sloppy Joes, Chips, Fruit Salad
Sunday - Chicken Lasagna, Bread, Green Salad

Have great week everybody!