Menu Monday

Happy Halloween!

We're not quite the type who get overly excited about Halloween, but I'm pretty excited this year.  Something about seeing your little ones in costumes getting their candy on makes me so excited.  Little Miss is a Ballerina Princess (she named herself), and Little Man is going to be Batman (again).  I'm going as a preggo mom of two and Steven is going as the hunky Puerto Rican.  Those should be easy enough for us to pull off.  No costumes needed.

Now for the menu...

Monday-Mummy Dogs, Ghost Bananas, and Bloody Finger Fries

Tuesday-Nacho Pie and Corn Saute (recipe later this week)

Wednesday-Chicken Parmigiana, Salad, Roasted Garlic for Dipping Bread (Happy Birthday Mom!)

Thursday-Chicken Noodle Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Friday-Beef Tater Bake, Mashed Potatoes, Corn

Saturday-Grilled Chicken Quarters, Gratin Potatoes, and Steamed Seasoned Broccoli

Sunday-Out for Little Man's 5th Birthday!!!

I'm Going Back to School!!!!

(My Life as a Public School Teacher)

I've really struggled with the idea of going back to school.  I loved my job. Let me rephrase that.  I loved teaching kids and making a difference.  I did not like the mindless documentation of students who scored below level on one stinkin' state test.  Nor did I like the last minute meetings to go over the lastest paperwork invented.  Nor did I like the 'Let's Do This Assessment On This Assessment To See If the Assessment Is Working'.  Nope, I didn't like any of that.  I just liked teaching kids. 

Even with all the hoops I learned to jump through over the seven years I was a teacher in public schools, I have decided to go back.  Today I say goodbye to my life as a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom), and say hello again to public school.  Well, at least for an couple of hours.  I'm headed to Pre-K today with my Little Man.

He's doing so well in school and it has a big part to do with his teacher and her aide.  I worked really hard and pulled as many strings as I could to get Little Man in this particular class.  His teacher, Mrs. Snow, is amazing.  And, one amazing thing she does is invite the parents to her classroom two times a year.  Today is my day to visit and then Steven will get to go in March.

Today I'll sing songs.  Today I'll have circle time.  Today I'll craft.  Today I will learn my letters.  Today I will learn introductory Math skills.  Today I will be a Pre-K-er alongside my Little Man, and I couldn't be any happier about it.  This is going to be a great day.

I Can Relate

If you have ever nursed a child for any length of time, you'll be able to relate to this photo too.

All this mom was doing was minding her own business, and then BAM!  She's got two youngins trying to nurse.  I've never nursed two kids at once, but it's enough to nurse one.  Then it hit me.  I'm going back.  I'm headed back to the land of  'Do I Have Enough Time To Run One More Errand Before My Boobs Are Needed At Home'. 

I stood there leaning against the fly infested fence staring at this poor mom.  Eventually, she kicked her back legs and trotted off leaving her two stinkers behind.  Then I realized, I liked nursing my kids.  Yes, it seems my body and my time are never to myself, but it's such a short amount of time compared to my children's entire lives.  To sit down and cuddle and feed my baby will be a reward.  Now, can someone remind me of this come March?

Potato Kielbasa Skillet

I'm breaking a blogging cardinal rule.  The posting of a recipe without a picture.  I know, I find it annoying too since I eat with my eyes.  Unfortunately, tonight I'm tired so I went for the easier post...a recipe.  I think I'll add the picture later.  That's if I remember.

You should know that this dish is a good one.  It's a little bit of a different flavor to the usual weeknight meals, all cooked in a one skillet, and it's hearty. What more could you want?  Oh, you still want a picture.  I'll get on it.  Until then, you'll have to peruse the ingredients list to see if it's up your alley.  It's definitely up mine...alley that is.  It's up my alley.

Potato Kielbasa Skillet
1 lb red potatoes cubed
3 Tbsp water
3/4 lb smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp cider vinegar
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
4 cups fresh baby spinach
5 strips cooked bacon, crumbled

• Place potatoes and water in a microwavable dish. Cover and microwave for 4 minutes or until tender; drain.
• In a large skillet, saute kielbasa and onion in oil until onion is tender.  Add potatoes.  Saute for 3-5 minutes until kielbasa and potatoes are slightly browned.
• Combine brown sugar, vinegar, thyme, and pepper.  Stir into skillet.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes. Add spinach and bacon.  Cook until spinach wilts down and stir dish.

Happy Cooking!!!

P-Patch

Last year we won the Worst Parents Award.  We didn't take our two youngins to the p-patch.  The pumpkin patch that is.  Somehow driving 40 minutes across time just didn't fit into our schedule.  We now lack fall-y type photos of our kids at age 2 and almost 4 crawling on pumpkins.  I don't know how we'll go on.

We knew we couldn't commit the same sin again, so we put it on the calendar and we made the trip.  Little Man compared it to the amount of time it took us to get to the beach.  I think his judgement of elapsed time is a bit off.  Just a little.  Even though it was out there, I'm glad we went.  Where else would kids from Oklahoma get to crawl on pumpkins, ride horses, and feed farm animals?  What's that you say?  Oh yeah.  Aside from the pumpkins they do the above activities at any festival in the Midwest.  Sheesh.  What was I thinking?  We're country folk.

Actually, we're not country folk. The smell of manure and flies were not comforting.  It was actually grossing me out.  Not to mention the animals with their gigantically long tongues lopping out to slime my kids' hands as they held out the overpriced feed.  And the alpacas.  Well,  Little Miss and Man were not going anywhere near those things.  I hear they spit.  Not my idea of a good time.  So I, the controlling mother, lovingly told the kids to watch out or they'd get a loogie in their eye.  This led to the description of a loogie.  Yep, I'm certain the kids won't be going near an alpaca anytime soon.  I feel my job as a mother is now complete.

Now onto the photos because I love showing my kids off.  They are, after all, the cutest things ever.  Somehow the mix of Puerto Rican and Swedish genes go well together.  Who knew?

Menu Monday

It has been a productive, but tiring weekend.  I don't have many brain cells left so you just get a menu without some mindless rant or an attempt at any kind of comedy.

Monday-Grilled Chicken BBQ Quesadillas, Spicy Potatoes, Borracho Beans
Tuesday-Potato Kielbasa Skillet with Crusty Bread
Wednesday-Sausage Egg Muffin Cups and Toast
Thursday-Roasted Chicken Quarters, Broccoli Bake, Cheesy Biscuits
Friday-Chicken Stir Fry and Brown Rice
Saturday-Chunky Monkey's 3rd Birthday!!!
Sunday-Hamburgers with Chips and Queso Blanco

I'll post the recipe for the Potato Kielbasa Skillet.  It's a fairly simple meal that is welcomed at our table when traditional meals are tiresome.  Tiresome...like me.  See you tomorrow!

A Good One For Friday

I love stories that leave you feeling full, and THIS story will. 

It's less than five minutes, and you'll be glad you watched it...and you'll probably want to start antiquing!

Happy Friday!!!