BBQ Chicken Pizza

So last week I talked about how our family has pizza night once a week on Wednesday. I had many emails asking me for my BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe. I am delighted to give it to y'all because it is just so yummy and so easy... :)

First it needs to be said that I either cook a huge chicken at the beginning of the week and set chicken aside from that or we have chicken and I leave a breast to the side- I use those for the chicken on the pizza.

Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

1 packet of yeast

2 c. warm water

1/4 tsp. salt

1 T. rapadura

1 T. cooking oil

5 c. whole wheat flour

Dissolve yeast in water. Add sugar, salt, and oil. Gradually add flour and mix. Knead until elastic (about 5 minutes). Oil bowl and top of dough. Cover and let stand in warm place for 30 minutes. Punch down. Flour and oil a large cookie sheet and roll dough out on sheet.

On the rolled out pizza crust, I pour 1/2 of bottle of BBQ sauce on the crust and spread it around with a spoon. I use Montgomery Inn because I love the taste and it has no HFCS. Love it!! :)

I sprinkle pizza seasoning on the BBQ sauce.

What it looks like after you sprinkle Italian seasonings and Pizza seasonings. Top with cheese. I like to experiment on what types of cheese- whatever happens to be on hand.

Chop chicken into small pieces and put on top of the cheese.

Ta-da! This looks like a HUGE pizza and it is, but this pizza usually feeds us dinner and a couple of lunches.

Once I get the pizza together, I cook it at 400 degrees for 10 minutes on the top rack and 10 minutes on the bottom.

That's all there is to it! Totally easy and totally yummy! This simple recipe works for me!

He's So Funny When He Helps

Today I am thankful for a husband that not only helps around the house but also has a great sense of humor about it. We have a lot of fun when we clean and have fun together.

These pictures wereactually posted on Wednesday November 18, 2008 but it just goes to show you how much fun we have together! Hope you enjoy them!

Batman does laundry.

Batman does dishes...

For more Gratituesday head on over to Heavenly Homemakers!

Menu Plan #22

So we had a great weekend around here- relaxed, got a few things done around the house, watched Ohio State Football, celebrated my grandma's birthday, and put up my fall decorations!

Have a happened to tell you that I L.O.V.E. Ohio State Football? I love living in a football loving state and city. It's the greatest thing ever!

So here is our family menu for the week. We didn't get everything from last week so this week we are going to do some repeats!

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Monday: Grilled Cheese, Homemade Veggie Soup (see recipe below)

Tuesday: Chicken Enchiladas, Chips and Salsa

Wednesday: Pizza Night! (Last week, I had many requests for my BBQ Chicken Pizza. I will reveal it later this week... We watching for it!! :) )

Thursday: Sloppy Joes, oven friends, fruit

Friday: I'm going to be at a Women's Retreat so Andy and the boys will be eating Tacos

Saturday: Women's Retreat

Sunday: Hot dogs, relish, chips, carrot sticks

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Vegetable Soup: Makes 25 Servings

3 3/4 quarts of chicken or beef stock

3 quarts tomatoes

1 1/4 cup celery, diced

1 1/2 cup onion, diced

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 Tbsp. parsley

1 Tbsp. garlic powder

-- Combine all the above, bring to a boil, and let simmer for 20 minutes--

1 1/2 cup frozen corn

2 cup carrots

1 1/3 cup green beans

2 cup peas

--Cover and simmer until tender.-- I put mine in a big stock pot or crock pot and let it sit and simmer on low all day long, doing that helps all the flavors blend together and the veggies to become oh so tender!

Happy Menu Planning! Head on over to Organized Junkie for more great menu ideas!

Please Come Back to the Table!

This weekend, I have been crazy lazy!!! We have not eaten a home-cooked meal for days.

This is when I start feeling like a slacker of a mother, wife, and homemaker. So as for tomorrow, Monday, and hopefully every other day this week and for a while, I will be making sure to have dinner as a family home-made and around a table every night!

What about you? What are you doing this week to make your home sing? And what kind of song is your home singing?

For more home singing ideas click here.

His First Time Out

For all of you who know us in real life, you know our second child and he is a force to be reckoned with- he gives me a run for my money. Mom says that with him, I actually get more pay backs than I deserve.

He is almost 18 months and does not talk at all. He says "MAMA!". That's it. He can talk, he just doesn't feel the need to. Why would anyone want to talk when you can point and scream at whatever you want?!?

So, back on track, I am growing very tired of being yelled at by a very cute, blond-headed boy. Earlier this week, I had had enough, so Lincoln found himself in his first time out. Here are a couple of pictures (because only a GREAT blogger mom would be tormenting her son during his first time out with pictures to show you! :) ).

Aren't those just the saddest little faces he makes? I think he was more upset that "MAMA!" had enough and finally told him "no" or to "stop yelling". He definitely has his father's authority issues.

So poor Lincoln had a rough, tough day in time out for the first time! Anyone else have any cute stories of putting their child in time-out for the first time?!

Happy 50th!

Today is my dear friend Colleen's 50th birthday if she were still here on Earth with us. Instead, she is in Heaven singing with the angels. On her birthday, I want to share a few things as if she could hear me...

Colleen:

• I love how Dylan still occasionally refers to his blankie as "Queen". He misses you so. I love how much you loved him and he loved you.
• I still cry every time I do our budget because I remember the countless hours we worked together on making my family's budget.

• I love how you were always always so much fun when we went camping.
• I love how you raced over when my dog needed help.
• I miss having someone to call for "mommy" or "wife" advise.

• I love how you and my mom were always the best of friends.
• I love how every memory I have, you were a HUGE part of.
• I love how even when you didn't agree with my baby shower, you still gave in and came because you loved us (;)).

• I love and miss all the fun we had camping.
• I love how you always lived for your family.
• I love how you were such a friendly, "bring people in" at church. You brought so many people into our church and are sadly missed.

• I love how strong you were through your battle with cancer.
• I love how you glorified God through all you did, stuck to your faith, and never gave up.
• Colleen, I love and miss YOU!

There are so many more, but to be honest friend, my emotions cannot handle anymore.

Happy 50th birthday my angel friend! I love you!!

Depression and Nausea

I was dusting my dining room shelves and I found that my dill pickles had came unsealed. I am so depressed and nauseous from dumping them. Oh, what a horrible morning! Has anyone had this happen before? This is the first time I've ever put up Dill Pickles.

Family Fun!

This week the theme has been families. Today I really want to touch on some great FREE family activities that your family can do. These aren't all 5 Star activities but when doing anything with family, it is what you make of it. So here are a few ideas that my family take part in (we really like to eat so a lot of our activities are focused around food! :) ).

• Family Movie Night - We take turns picking out movies and pop some popcorn. I really enjoy doing this on Saturday night. I don't typically like to plan things on Saturday evening due to being up for church early the next morning, so family movie night on Saturday works out great for us!


• Pizza and Midweek Ministry Night- We always do this on Wednesday night, we make pizza (usually as a family) and then we pack into the car and go to our church's midweek ministry service. We are all in different classes once we get there but making before fun with dinner and the ride to church, makes it special.


• In home and out door camp outs- The boys have a little tent that I like to set up and pretend camp with them. We make cheater smores (microwave) and lay in the tent with flashlights, telling stories. It is a blast! We also really like to go camping at campgrounds, a little mini-vacation.


• Picnics


• Hikes


• Playing outside


• Riding Bikes


• Walks around the neighborhood


• Family Farm Trips


• Gardening together


• Concerts in the Parks


• Just playing together in the park


• Family Dinners- this to me is the ultimate time to spend together. The time is already set aside, so why not use it to it's greatest potential? Talk to each other. Listen to each other and just love each other.

There are many great ideas for free or cheap family fun! Look in your local papers entertainment section. There are also two helpful sites that I have found for ideas, click here and here.

For more frugal tips and ideas, head on over to Life as Mom.

Home IS the Most Important Place on Earth

The Most Important Place on Earth by Robert Wolgemuth is one of the best books I have EVER read. It is an incredible book that gives great wisdom, advice, and encouragement towards being a "different" home.

A "different" home in that we should not be conforming into other families in our neighborhoods. We should be the family that is a family, not just rooming buddies.

This book talks about what your home should say about you and your family. Is your home filled with the aroma of Christ and His love? Is your home filled with loving words and actions?

Robert Wolgemuth showed me that there is WAY more to being a parent and wife than meeting basic needs. It is so much more spiritual and deeper.

After reading this book, I found myself asking myself: Is my today list really so important that I am missing out on key memorable experiences with my family? Is my house being spotless more important that love radiating through it's halls? This is when I started looking at my life and what was really important.

Another key idea in The Most Important Place on Earth is how words meaning and how they are said are so important. One thing that really hit me straight in the forehead was when he talked about when we know that we are going to tell our children "no" and just because we don't want to deal with it right then we say "We'll see". Now I don't think that is a blatant lie, but I also know there is more then what I am saying.

I just LOVE this book and I would recommend it to ANY parent who wants the Lords will their home and their family!

For More Things I LOVE Thursday click here!

Have You Ever Felt Like This?

Well I am pretty much feeling that way right about now and the word to describe that would be FRAZZLED!

I am just sitting here, trying to unwind after the Ministry meeting and I just cannot get my mind to stop turning.... So instead of sitting here pretending I am not overwhelmed and busy, I decided to sit down and make a list of all the things I need to get done by Friday night.

I know this might not sound like a big old list to other moms, but I am an anal/OCD/control freak/perfectionist. Those are not good characteristics for a mom of two "busy" (that is a nice term, I like to call them Ultimate Destroyers 1 and 2).

• Kitchen--- My kitchen is a pain in the butt to clean because I seem to always be in there making more food. I also dislike with a passion my white cabinets. For someone with my person (see above) these are a pain to clean. So I want to thoroughly clean every inch of my kitchen and disinfect it.
• Breakfast Nook--- paperwork and mess everywhere!
• Dining room --- thoroughly clean also
• Polka Dot Bath--- DISINFECT (can someone please tell me if boys ever in their lives hit the actual toilet?!?)
• Entry Ways--- We just always come in and toss!
• I need to get all the above areas cleaned up correctly and thoroughly because all of these areas are ceramic tile and the tile then needs to be steam cleaned.
• Living Room
• Back Room
• Clean carpets in those two rooms.
• All Laundry/Bedding
• Finish filing paperwork in new file cabinets
• Vacuum and dust stairway
• Our bedroom and bathroom
• Playroom
• Frog Bath
• Music room
• Boys bedroom
• Vacuum thoroughly upstairs
• Shop and make items for retreat... This is going to take a while.
• On top of all this, we still have school and our normal routine to get through.

See there is way too much to do and NOT enough time to do it!!

So does anyone have any advice on how to get 28 hours of work into a 24 hour day?!? How about you, do you have a full slate this week?

I Want to be Like HIM When I Grow Up!

Big Brother is so cool!

Click here for more Wordless Wednesday!

Hey Kids, It's Pizza Night!!

So we have made it a tradition to every Wednesday night have some kind of pizza. It has been a really great memory maker and treat for the boys!

Dylan is old enough to help and he loves that! I love knowing that every Wednesday is pretty set-- we're having pizza!

My kids also love that they get to have pizza once a week. Some kids would be really burnt out on the fact that it is almost always homemade, but not my kids, that just means that they get to help make it.

I also love knowing that every Wednesday night both boys are going to eat good!

I really enjoy making new (sometimes small and silly) traditions with my family.

For more ideas head on over to We Are That Family.

A Conversation With my Savior

Colleen and I

Good afternoon y'all!! I just wanted to stop in and share my heart with you.

Our women's group at church has been low on attendance- lower than I can ever remember! I am NOT a key element in the ministry team, but I try to help out as I can and my mom is actually the Yoda of the group (sorry mom if you're reading this! That's all I can think of! :)). We have a women's retreat coming up and everyone seems to be full of excuses (I'm not saying all of them are, but some just are! Does that make sense? haha! I'm a nut!) BUT, I totally understand the fears of leaving your family overnight.

So I have been fighting the Devil and thank goodness, God intervened during my quiet time a couple of days ago so here is the email that I sent all my good church friend ladies. I hope it is a blessing to you and helps you let go a little.. My mom's email asked everyone what they were waiting for (when it came to signing up for the retreat). So here goes:

Ladies- I can tell you what I was waiting for... I was waiting for a nanny, a housekeeper, a cook, and a taxi to come so I could have everything in place to go to the retreat.

In my morning quiet time a few days ago, God was at work in my heart. This is what he had to say: "Dearest Daughter- I know you will always have an excuse. You will always have something else to do. You will always be scared to leave your family and home for a few hours due to being scared it will fall apart without you. Dear Daughter, don't you know that you need to seek refreshment and Me to be able to do all those things? To find the woman I want you to be.'Come to me all you weary and I will give you rest.' Don't you seek, sweet one, that this is your chance? This is your chance to be Jodi, Daughter of the King as well as mom, wife, homemaker, teacher, taxi driver, and cook. And sometimes Sweet Daughter, you just need to let things fall apart so I can work through them. Sometimes your husbands need to rely on me to help them while your gone and they will grow from it. Sweet daughter I am always there to help. I will keep watch.

Jodi, I know your scared. I know you are frightened of opening yourself up and making new friends. Meeting people that will want to get to know, but Daughter, these woman are your companions, wisdom givers, and friends. Use them. Love them. Open up to them. Life is scary and I know you feel like if you get close to anyone, they will leave you again. Daughter, you must quit hiding behind that. Go, show them, and let them show you my Will and my Love. Daughter, let someone else take over for an evening, let Me penetrate into your being and let others love you. Daughter, let go of the excuses and the reasons. They will be there when you get home."

Friends, I wanted to share this because I know just like me, everyone else is busy, but please, please, please let the Lord use you and refresh you. Come and let your weary spirit take a break. Rest in allowing God to take care of the rest. It WILL all be there when you get home.

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As I type this in my blog, I feel there is more I need to say. There is more pain. There are more reasons behind all this. I feel like I am stepping around them because I wish they weren't true. I wish that I was stronger and I wish that I wasn't allowing the Devil to work in this but the truth is, I have let him work and I have not glorified God through this situation. Here the story goes, as well as the tears...

About three years ago, a great woman who wasn't always perfect, but always a good friend, got diagnosed with cancer. She was my mom's best friend. She was always apart of everything. She was especially pivotal in the women's ministry at our church.

When she died about a year ago, everything seemed to standstill. Everyone grieved hard. My family especially (my 4 yo son nick-named his blanket "queen". Her name is Collen. He feels her presence when he has his blanket.)

I can only speak for myself and my opinion, but I feel like I, as well as others, have not used her life as the joy and glory to God that it should be used as. I believe we let the Devil take hold of our grief and we haven't been able to move past it.

Our women's ministry needs to be rejuvenated with joy, contentment and love of the Almighty. We need to invite Him back in and find peace in knowing that HE knew what he was doing, even if we don't understand.

So please, dear friends, be in prayer as I push to help and revamp our women's ministries. I have felt God's calling and I am ready to go forth.

Any ideas for me? Please let me know!!

GratiTuesday--- My Family

Going with my theme for the week (see this post), I want to take today to tell everyone how grateful I am for my family. God has blessed me more than I deserve. I started out as a young woman who didn't want to have kids and a family. I then found out I was pregnant. If you would have told me then how God had my future in His hands, I would have laughed at you (or while I was pregnant, hit you.. ). Even while I was having my first son, the nurses were asking how many kids I wanted and I would sharply reply -- My plan was none. Then I met my husband and I found myself yearning for more children. I now have two, Dylan (4 yo) and Lincoln (1 yo). I cannot believe The All-Knowing Lord could ever trust me with such blessings. I yearn to be the wife and mother they deserve and God wants.

I also have a great extended family. We are all very close and the best of friends. I would want nothing more than for my children growing up knowing all their relatives. Three out of the four sets of my great-grandparents were alive until I was in high school. I was so blessed to have known them. They have molded the person that I have become. Without their leadership and love, I would not have grown up to be the woman that I am.

My cousin, Catie, says it best, "Friends are good, but family are ALWAYS." She is only in high school and wise beyond her years. Catie is one of my best friends, even being years older, she is such a joy to spend time with. I love her so much.

My aunt, RJ, and my mom ARE my best friends. I watched a movie the other night and a quote from it was ...

"My family, you know the types that are wacked out, but you wake up in the morning but you still love them... that's NOT my family..."

I thought that was just the saddest thing (not the family was wacked, yet still loved). There are many issues that we do not agree on, but there are a few that are must important...

1. We all know Jesus and strive to live for Him.
2. We all love our families.
3. We are all Mothers.

That is just the beginning of the list. I just love that we are always there for each other no matter what might come. I feel so sorry for women that are far away from their families. I just do not know how they coup. I would crazy. About a year ago, there was a job opportunity in New Zeland, we didn't take it. But every now and again, I joke that we should have went. Things would have been so much easier. I know that's not the case. But it's always nice to think things could be easier.

But today I just want the whole bloggy network to know that no matter I might say... I l.o.v.e my family!

For more GratiTuesday click here.

What Does Your Home Say About You?

This week I would like to dedicate all my posts to families. Right now I want to insure you that I am by no-means a "know-it-all" in any of these areas, but I would like to share with you things I have learned.

Over the past week, I have been thinking about my home and what people think when they come to our front door. When my husband and I first got married, I really worried about our home looking like "a kid" lives there. I wanted everything to be put away in a cubby-hole and not seen. This was a b.i.g struggle for me. I wanted Dylan to be able to play with this toys when he wanted to (and put them back) but I always had to get them out because he never knew where I stuck them.

As the years have progressed I have some-what meloded out. I now want people to come to my home and see love and life. I want them to feel the aroma of Christ and know that he takes up residence not only in our hearts, but in our home. The Lord's presence of the Lord that is most important to me. He is in everything I do, everything I say, and everything I hope for. He is my all. The One I pray to please, the One I yearn to know, and the One I yearn to show others to.

A family is but an earlier Heaven.... - John Bowring

I want people to feel welcomed and feel like I was just waiting to invite them in and share some love. Now I am going to tell you right now, hospitality is not my spiritual gift. I have turned into a hermit of sorts. I like my space and I like it the way I like. (Does that make sense or do I just sound down right crazy? If I sound crazy, that's fine because I AM! :) ) So this is definitely NOT in my comfort zone, but I feel called to open my home in a loving manner.

Here's a picture of my living room/back room... Now I'll ask you... Can you tell this is a home of children?

See that little, blond-headed, cutie?!?

Menu Plan for the Week

Hope y'all had a great weekend and made many great wonderful memories!



Here's a cute picture from our house.

Isn't he just getting so big?!?

And here is our family's dinner menu for the week. Happy Menu-Planning!!

• Monday- Chicken Noodle Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
• Tuesday- Salmon Patties, Oven fries, carrot sticks
• Wednesday- BBQ Chicken Pizza, Salad greens
• Thursday- Sloppy Joes, Chips, fruit
• Friday- Chicken Sandwiches, corn, green beans
• Saturday- Breakfast for dinner (sausage, waffles, eggs)
• Sunday- Chicken Enchiladas, chips and salsa

For more great menu ideas head on over to Organized Junkie!

I Miss My Friend

Tonight I was looking through some old pictures. My heart was breaking. Have y'all ever had a best friend and things just went wrong and the friendship ended?

Well I have and it has been really hard. I did not know until tonight when I was looking through those pictures just how much I miss her. I had never really had a good friend like her before. She taught me a lot of things about being a mom and a healthy person.

We just could not see eye to eye on something that I felt was very crucial. When after repeatedly asking my opinion, I gave in and told. I should have followed my intuition and have kept my opinion to myself. That was the end of it.

Now she has pulled herself away from our young adults group and church. It truly makes me sad.

So for all of you with good friends out there. Hold to them tight and be thankful for them!

A Ohio Controversy...

*I am in no way stating an opinion on either side of the situation. If you have been reading my blog for any time, you know that I was a victim of sexual crime. Please do not think that this plays any role in this post.*

For two hours Tuesday afternoon at a prison in Lucasville, Ohio, while the rest of us were at work or school or home, Romell Broom's team of executioners worked to find a usable vein which would deliver the lethal injections designed to stop his heart and end his life. First they tried his arms. Then they tried his legs. Broom himself, a convicted rapist and murderer, even tried to help at one point, flexing his hand and fingers while lying on his side. He grimaced. He wiped his brow. Nothing worked. His veins simply wouldn't hold up.

This man has been sitting in prison for 25 years, awaiting his execution. He has been found guilty of rape and murder of a young, teen-aged girl. After a long time of trying, the man just sat sobbing. He has said time and time again that he did not do it. It has actually been noted that there was evidence freeing him of the conviction, but it was not allowed to be introduced.

Eventually, long after Broom was supposed to be dead, the prison director and execution team gave up. They called the governor and asked for a reprieve. The governor relented and now Broom sits in legal limbo, waiting evidently not just for some medical procedure that would free him up to be put to death but also for some guidance from the state and federal courts about whether it now would amount to "cruel and unusual" punishment to execute him at all under Ohio's evolving (but clearly still troubled) lethal injection protocols.

Is this God stopping the process and saying, "Forgive my child, give him one more appeal and you will see... Love him my children, love as I have loved you.."?

So the question is.... Can Ohio execute the Same Man Twice?

Juice Concentrate

Does anyone else have a HUGE issue with paying extra $$ for companies to add water and stir our juice?!

Well let me tell you, I do!

On our quest to start eating healthier foods, after reading Laura's posts here and here, I have decided to get rid of all High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Has anyone else tried finding a pre-made juice without it? It is nearly impossible.

So add that to the fact that I HATE paying for people to stir my juice, most concentrates are a lot healthier for us.

I have not gotten to the point where I am ready to start making my own juice, but we are going to get there. For now, I am going to stir my own, somewhat healthier juice.

For more frugal ideas head on over to Life As Mom.

And We Wonder...

And we wonder why Americans are obese...

The new KFC Double Down...

Do we really need to ask anymore?

Little People Airport

I am not a big "we need every toy out there" type of mom. I am grateful for all the toys we have (which happens to be too many!). We do not buy a lot of toys for our kids at Christmas or for their birthday, but they have many adoring admires who do (such as my mother, who happens to love her grandbabies very much!!).

I try to put at least half of the toys they get up and bring them out when the days are trying. Over this past week, I had much to do and wanted to spend some time concentrating on it. I found this Little People Airport in the closet.

Oh my goodness! What a blessing this was! It was a gift for Lincoln, but Dylan and Lincoln l.o.v.e it!

I love that there are not a ton of parts to trip over and step on. It is just a really great toy. I, believe it or not, actually enjoy playing with them and the airport.

I love making new memories with my boys and things they enjoy. This is just another to add to the list!

For more Things I Love Thursday head on over to Diaper Diaries!

Help Around the House

Since school has begun, I have made a daily chore chart that includes chores Dylan can help me do. I have love spending time with him next to me, learning how to do chores around the house. He just seems so grown up to me.

Dylan is so excited about doing "big boy" work. He wants to help with as much as he can. I love how he absorbs everything and wants to continue learning.

I want to know that I raised a young man who can take care of the house himself. I don't want him to rely on me for everything.

Dylan sweeping the floor.

Dylan helping make bread this past weekend.

For more Works for Me Wednesday ideas click here.

A Teenaged Girl

I feel like a young teeny bopper (hmm.. that makes me sound even older... :) ) but I just cannot wait until New Moon comes out!

I absolutely adored reading the books and even neglected my children for a week. No, not really, they had clean clothes and food... ;)

With every trailer that my good friend Marrita sends me, I get a little more excited!

So please pray for my love of Twilight... It's so weird!

AND.....

Here is the latest trailer for New Moon, please watch with no children as they do not see you drool and jump around with anticipation!! :)

New Moon Trailer click here.

GratiTuesday--- A Great Start

Today I am grateful for how smoothly the first week of homeschooling went. I was so nervous and to say that I understand everything right away would be a lie, but we persevered and it was great! Dylan actually looks forward and asks me every morning if we can start school.

I am also grateful for all the great advice and encouragement my fellow blogging buddies have given. They have been quite a blessing and inspiration!

I love how God always knows your needs and he provides. Sometimes we think the things we worry about are so small, but God listens and provides.


For more GratiTuesday head on over to Heavenly Homemakers.

Menu Plan

We had a nice peaceful weekend and got a lot done! It has been such beautiful weather around here. We have been truly blessed.

Sunday:
Orange Muffins
Assorted grilled meats, corn, green beans, and baked potatoes
Leftovers

Monday:
Baked Oatmeal
Ham sandwiches, fruit
Homemade Popcorn chicken, oven fries, fruit and carrots

Tuesday:
Biscuits
Leftovers
Polish Sausage with Marcaroni and Cheese

Wednesday:
Eggs
Cheese sandwiches, fruit, and veggies
BBQ Chicken Pizza

Thursday:
Applesauce Bread
leftover Pizza
Chicken Enchiladas with salsa and chips

Friday:
fruit
chicken salad sandwiches
BBQ beef, green beans, and corn

Saturday:
French toast and sausage
leftovers
Bourbon Chicken with rice

For more menu plan ideas click here.

We Will Not Forget....

those brave men and women who lost their lives on that horrible day. Prayers be with the families.

For the L.O.V.E. of Jars/Frugal Decorating

I LOVE jars! I thought I was the only person in the world that was in L.O.V.E with jars. BUT, low and behold, I am not! I have been reading Laura's blog (for great inspiration and healthy eating and homemaking, check it out!) It seems I am not the only person who loves jars! Woot! I am not totally crazy (or am I?)!

So I thought I would let y'all into my home and show you just a few on my jars! :)

This is my jar collection before the start of canning.. My husband thinks I have too many! Oh silly man, I had to buy more! :)

The south inside of my downstairs closet. We are blessed with a closet that goes all the way around under the stairs. We ran out of room in the dining room and kitchen so we came up with this handy little space. Works great and I have a great cool and dark place for my potatoes!

The south side of the closet with my bulk foods.

So this was impromtu, and I didn't have time to clean up but here is the shelving in my kitchen.

The bottom of my kitchen shelving!

The right side of the shelves close up!

The left side of my shelves, close-up!

I love jars so much that I used my left-over baby jars and made a spice rack over my oven from them.

My latest jar find, 25 cents for each from a garage sale!

My dining room decorated in canned goods before the new canning season.

My dining room decorated as of today.

Close-up!

From the right side view!

From the left side view!

I love jars! I think that food preserved in jars is a great, frugal way to decorate. It brings so much joy and color to your home! I love sitting there eating dinner with my family and looking at all the food God has blessed us with.

For more frugal ideas click here.