Menu Planning #3

This week was pretty easy for me as far as cooking goes. We were out of town on Monday. Several of the things I made we were able to have as leftovers.

Tuesday:
Dinner- Chicken Parmesan (Betty Crocker- very easy recipe)

Wednesday:
Lunch- Leftover Pizza from Monday night
Dinner- Pioneer Woman Meatloaf - I used crushed crackers instead of bread crumbs

Thursday:
Lunch- Grilled Cheese
Dinner- Shredded Pork Tacos (crock pot meal)

Friday:
Lunch- Leftover Pork Tacos
Dinner- Meatloaf Sandwich, Mac "n" cheese (from the freezer), then I made homemade brownies for dessert!

It always make things easier if you can use leftovers! Happy Meal Planning :)

Pinterest Finds

This morning Gus and I made a little trip to a nearby town to visit Hobby Lobby for a few things for Easter. Then we came home, had lunch, and fixed Josh's lunch and took it to him. By the time we got home from that, we were both tired! Gus is now napping, and I've been catching up on blog reading. Today, I think I want to share some things I've been finding on Pinterest.

Source: beta.abc.go.com via Catie on Pinterest

Roasted Chicken and Goat Cheese Mac "N" Cheese...... need I say more????

Source: jamhands.net via Catie on Pinterest

Cheesy Garlic Bread- looks so amazing!

Source: someecards.com via Catie on Pinterest

So true.....

Source: helmetorheels.wordpress.com via Catie on Pinterest

Aren't these cute?!?!

Source: mecoxgardens.com via Catie on Pinterest

Having lived in Dallas- this brings back memories!!

Source: stamps4fun.blogspot.com via Catie on Pinterest

It looks so delicious!

And now instead of cleaning the house, I'm going to relax for a little while and watch "Four Weddings" (did I just admit that???) Please tell me I'm not the only one who watches that!

Spring

Spring is here! The grass has turned green. Birds are singing. Flowers are blooming. Bugs are swarming. Butterflies flit around the tulips and daffodils. And it is Gus's first spring to explore his world.

First, walking the grass was a scary thing. But that was quickly conquered with Mommy and Daddy's help.

Then his new toys- leaves and sticks. He always needs something in each hand. There are new sounds, kids playing in other yards, wind blowing through the leaves, and the almost never ending sound of dogs barking.

It's a big world, but a safe one where Mommy and Daddy are never far away.

Sometimes the dogs decide they need Gus's stick and try to grab them out of his hand. It can turn into a game, as long as the dogs don't jump on Gus and knock him down.

I am loving the fresh air. And of course getting a tan on these white things.

I hope you are enjoying Spring too

Linking Here

Trip to Santa Fe, NM

This last weekend we took a little vacation to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Josh had Saturday and Monday off, so we decided to get out of town! Santa Fe is only 4 hours away from us so it was easy to get there. We drove there on Friday night after Josh got off work. And yes- we took our dogs with us! It is always an adventure traveling with two dogs and a baby.

We had a wonderful time!! We were able to relax and spend time outside.

And of course, probably our favorite thing about traveling is eating!! Now whenever I take a trip to New Mexico, I eat green chili on pretty much everything. And this trip was no different. Saturday- green chili enchiladas and pizza with green chiles on it. Sunday- Chili Relleno with green chili and a green chili cheese burger for dinner. YUM!! These pics are at my favorite restaurant- The ShedWe did a little sight-seeing while there too.

We had some relaxing times in our hotel room too- reading with Daddy-

Everyone was a pretty good traveler:

Gus enjoyed his toys and books in the car:

It is always nice to get away for a little while, rest, relax, and get ready to be busy at home again. Now it's time to clean house!

Linking Here

Friday Favorites

1) So I tried this recipe last night:

Source: rita-may-recipes.blogspot.com via Catie on Pinterest

There were called lemon brownies and were easy to make. However, it is really a lemon cake. The texture it not like brownies. But they taste great and I will be making them again.

2) I got my floor mopped yesterday!! I thought it would be "Goodbye dog prints!". But, as soon as I mopped by the back door, Samson walked to the door and laid down. It's ok, I love my dogs. And the house smells clean- yay!

3) Josh has Saturday and Monday off, so I am looking forward to all the time we will be able to spend as a family!

4) I love watching Gus play outside. We have another person to help with the yard!

Happy Friday!

Today

Today.... has just been a day....

A day to catch up on blog reading, I feel so behind sometimes!

A day to do some laundry.

A day to clean up the kitchen really well.

A day to head to Sonic for a Dr. Pepper (oh yeah, that's every day ;)!)

A day to read to my little Gus, the same book, over and over again.

A day to stay inside because the wind is blowing like crazy.

A day to cook good food- like calzones made from homemade pizza dough for lunch and Shrimp "N" Grits for dinner.

A day to spend time holding your dog, because he doesn't seem to feel very good.

And for something different:

The Last Thing I:

Ate- Calzone for lunch

Played- Words with Friends

Bought- diapers, sippy cups, and diaper genie refills- exciting!!

Person to make me smile- Gus

Cried about- Dave Barnes song- "One of Us"

Happy Thursday Y'all! Enjoy your day :)

Rain!!

1) It rained some more, yay!!! I hope it rains some more today too. However- I do not enjoy having to dry muddy wet dog feet every time I let the dogs out. Sometimes I don't wipe them off. It'll be easier to just clean the floor in a few days...... or maybe I'm just lazy!

2) I made macaroni and cheese last night and ate a lot of it.... like half the pan. I shouldn't have done that!

3) I keep pinning stuff about getting rid of a baby belly, but do I ever actually do the exercises...... ? Maybe I think that thinking about it will burn some fat.... not working too well so far! And most diets I read say the first thing to do is cut out cokes, and I am not giving up my Dr. Pepper..... end of story!

4)For example, I pinned this yesterday....

Source: get-thinspiration.tumblr.com via Catie on Pinterest

I never eat breakfast... I just have some coffee (with sugar and 1/2 and 1/2). I really don't like grilled chicken, never have. And I seriously doubt we can even buy quinoa at our grocery store and I am not even sure where to look for it. SOOOOO why on earth did I pin this???? I don't know. I think I thought"OOOO i could do the salad for lunch and then the fudge bar for dessert, that's doable.." (like the diet will work when I eat half a pan of macaroni and cheese). Moving on!

5) I'd much rather be eating something like this!

Source: Uploaded by user via Catie on Pinterest

Oh dips..... how I love you!!

6) I probably should go get out of my pajamas now.....

My Monday

We had a really nice weekend around here. Saturday after Josh got off work, we spent the afternoon outside. Last year Gus was a newborn during the Spring so I didn't get outside much. This year I am loving it! My parents arrived late in the afternoon, and we grilled fajitas for dinner and ate outside. It really was what I call a PERFECT afternoon!

My parents left this morning, and this is going to just be a normal day around our house. We have been blessed this morning with some rain- Thank you Lord!!! I have just been sweeping dust for weeks, and any drop of moisture is an answer to prayer.

I'm about to put together my menu for the week. I already had stuff for us to eat today, so I'm going to the store tomorrow. I might have to make my favorite this week- macaroni and cheese! I have been looking on Pinterest for ideas. I have found so many recipes on there. I think I am going to make a new board of recipes I have actually tried and liked!

I have to share a sweet gift Gus received for his birthday. An older man at our church MADE Gus a table and chairs. It is beautiful and made out of heavy wood. It is so sturdy it will hold adults. It is something we will have forever.

Gus said "book" this morning! He also "roared" when we read about a lion. I absolutely love him talking!! Every time he says "Uh Oh" it makes me smile!

We planted over 100 bulbs last fall, and our daffodils are blooming. They are beautiful.

We have a visitor for a few days- my parent's dog Doodle.
And to end I'll like to share a quote I found that I really like:

Source: everything-inspiring.net via Catie on Pinterest

I hope you are all having a great Monday!! It is a good day :)

And linking HERE

"Uh Oh"

Gus figured out how to say this yesterday, and it is all he has been saying today, I love it....

Meal Planning #2

I wanted to share with you what I cooked this week.

Monday:
Lunch-Tomato Basil Soup & Grilled Cheese
Dinner- Angel Hair Pasta with a Garlic, Cream and Pea Sauce

Tuesday:
Dinner- Homemade Pizza

Wednesday:
Lunch- Roast Beef Tacos (leftover in the freezer)
Dinner- Hot Dogs

Thursday:
Lunch- Tomato Basil Soup & Grilled Cheese
Dinner- Croque Monsieur (I use swiss cheese)

Friday:
Dinner- Baked Taquitos with Ranch Jalapeno Dip

Saturday:
Breakfast- Pancakes and Bacon
Dinner- Fajitas

I hope this might give you some ideas as you are planning for your family! Our food wasn't the healthiest this week, but it tasted good :)

Guest Room Makeover

We finally finished redecorating our guest room! We are very happy with how it turned out, and I am excited to share it with you.

The room was a taupe color when we moved in. It was a really nice color, but we were ready for a change. There were also a bunch of nail holes that needed patching. Here are a couple of before pictures:

And here is after:

We found the bedspread at TJ Maxx. We already had the lamps, and I have had that bed almost my whole life! We still need to decorate the walls some.

My parents inherited the antique desk and dresser, and they have been in my room for pretty much my whole life. I love them! The two small pictures on the wall came from my grandparent's house. The green plant I got at Hobby Lobby, and the decorative artichokes are from Target.

We are very happy with how it turned out, it makes me want to spend more time in there. Our first guest in there will be here tomorrow! (my parents)