Yoga Mat

I've been wanting a bag for my yoga mat since before Ethan was born. Now it seems I need some way to carry it. Try juggling an infant, sometimes car seat, a large diaper bag and a yoga mat all at the same time! I didn't want to shell out the $40 or so for a bag. When I was at yoga last week, one of the other moms had a very simple strap that velcroed around her rolled up mat. I almost asked her where she got it but then I thought "That's so simple! I can make that." After thinking about it for a few days, here it is!!! I used 3 long strips of cloth, velcro and added a little shoulder pad. It took me most of the day to make it while tending to Ethan but I think if I didn't take breaks I could have had it done in 1/2 an hour! Can't wait to try it out on Thursday.

Can you see the teeth?

This is not a great pic because I was too close with the camera but can you see his teeth? If you enlarge the pic by double clicking on it you can see them better. Hopefully we will have two more on top soon!

Meal Plan Monday

My first week of Meal Planning is over and I must say it went well. I stuck to it mostly except I did switch up a couple of days. I only had to go to the store once and only spent $20! This week will be a little different because we seem to be out of everything. I had to break out the old cookbook for ideas and I think I've got a good plan.







*I had a sudden inspiration on Friday to make little baked apple pies. I guess I was channeling my Grandmother! I had some frozen apples I made a filling out of it with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract. They were good but I think they needed more sugar.







Sunday-



Lunch- Left over Stew (It's too HOT* to cook! Our air went out on Friday night and it took all day Saturday to cool down the house. Ethan and I went to the movies to stay cool while poor Eli had to stay in the hot house to wait on the guy to come fix it. Thank goodness I made the stew for Saturday on Friday or we would have been eating out!)



Dinner- Whataburger (See above* )







Monday-



Chicken and Pasta Primavera (I just happened to have all the ingredients):
1 T marg or butter
3/4lb of chicken, cut into thin strips
2 cloves of garlic chopped (you know I like my garlic!)
1 1/2 c water
1 package KNORR Veg soup mix
1/2 t pepper
8oz linguine, cooked and drained
Parmesan cheese


Cook chicken in marg (I might use olive oil, better for you) and garlic. Stir in water, soup mix and pepper. Bring to boil over high, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer 5 mins or until chicken is cooked. Toss with linguine and cheese.


Tuesday-
Broccoli, Chicken and Rice (again, had all the stuff)
1 box Uncle Ben's Broccoli Rice Au Gratin Supreme
2 c boiling water
4 chicken
1/4 t garlic powder
2 c frozen broccoli
1 c reduced-fat cheddar cheese (I'm going to use Velveeta)

Oven at 450. In 13X9 in pan combine rice and seasoning packet, boiling water and mix well. Add chicken; sprinkle with garlic powder. Cover and bake 30 minutes.

Add broccoli and cheese; continue to bake covered, 8-10 mins or until chicken is done.


*I might cook the chicken first. I always like to know the chicken is well done before mixing it with anything else. This seems like a good one to mix together in the afternoon when Ethan is happy. Then I can toss it in before Eli gets home from work.




Wednesday-



Spaghetti with homemade sauce

HOMEMADE ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE

1 lg. can tomato sauce
1 med. can tomato
1 med. can stewed tomatoes
1/2 tbsp. oregano
1/2 tbsp. basil
1 tbsp. parsley
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
3 cloves garlic
1/4 c. oil
1 sm. can tomato paste
In a large pot brown garlic in oil. Add tomatoes, paste, sauce and puree. Add all other ingredients. Bring to boil. Then simmer for 1-4 hours. Serve over pasta of your choice

I think I'll add some bell pepper to the mix. If I had a can of mushrooms I would add that too.





Thursday-



Turkey Smoked Sausage w/onions and bell peppers







*Sometimes I buy bell peppers at Sam's club. They come in a pack of 6 (2 green, 2 red, 2 orange) for a little under $7. We do a good job of eating them but never seem to eat them all before they start to go bad. Last week we had 2 1/2 left and they were starting to show signs of softening. So I cut them into strips and froze them on a cookie sheet. Once they were frozen I moved them to a freezer bag. They look so good! I can take them out and cook with them and they taste just like they were freshly cut. We won't be able to use them on salad but I can put them in so many other things. I never knew they would freeze so well or I would have been doing it all along.

Friday UPDATE-
Chicken Parmesan or something like it! (leftover tomato sauce from Weds)

Saturday-Happy 4th of July!!!
Hamburgers, Homemade Potato salad, corn on the cob (I got another great deal on corn this week! Target has it 10/$1 max is 20. I got 20 today and will go back tomorrow for 20 more! We are up to our "ears" in corn. LOL Eli will grill it like last time and I will freeze it.

Happy 6 Month Un-Birthday Ethan!!!

Today is Ethan's 6 month Un-Birthday!! (Eli won't let me call it a Birthday :) I wanted to take a stroll down memory lane and post some pics of the last 6 months. How much he has changed! Can't wait for the next 6.

I'm cute; I know

Here are some "just because I'm cute" pics: My best impression of the Fonz.

Eating my bath toys; my new favorite thing to do.

In my new bath seat. Yea! Mom and Dad don't have to hold me up anymore.

Here is our latest crop of tomatoes. The bell peppers are just now beginning to grow.

Sewing Sewing Sewing

The week before we went to OK I was sewing up a storm. Here's a look at what I did:

Newborn dress and bloomers for Emma Leigh, Jason and Holly's baby girl due in July. I also made them 6 prefold burp cloths with various materials. These come in so handy with a new baby!In my effort to reduce waste, I have made produce bags. These are see through enough that the checker can read the label and they have a draw string to close. I love them! You can store the fruit and vegs in them and they help them to breath better then plastic. I got the material for $1.50 a yard at Wal*Mart and made 6 out of 1 yard. They might become my Christmas presents this year! Any takers?I made 2 twirly skirts for Boo and Enemme. Unfortunately no one got a pic of the two of them together but Karla did get this one of me and Boo:

Their moms found tops that matched perfectly. Apparently she wears it all the time! I guess I need to get started on another one. Maybe poodle skirt next?

Pot Pie

Here is my much anticipated tutorial of my pot pie!! You can ask anyone (Jee Jee, Grandpa Scotty, Eli, Grandma) that it is awesome!

What you will need:
Chicken Breast (I use 2)
fresh garlic
onion
olive oil
frozen vegs (I use store brand)
2 potatoes
1 or 2 cans of cream of chicken (depends on how creamy you want your pie)
Salt and Pepper to taste
store bought pie crust (I make my own when I have time) you can find it next to the butter at the store (also great when you have to make a million pies for Thanksgiving!!)
Cut your chicken bite size. Cook them in a pan with a little olive oil, crushed (or chopped garlic if you don't have a wonderful garlic crusher, thanks mom) and chopped onion.
Peel and chop your potatoes. Cook them in the microwave for about 5 mins.
Mix everything together:
The vegs are still frozen, although Eli suggested I cook them a little first so they are softer. I will try that next time.
Place first pie crust in bottom of baking dish. Add filling. Cover with second pie crust and pinch around edges. Poke with a fork a few times and bake uncovered until you can hear it bubbling and the crust is brown. Enjoy!!

Week in OK/ Family Reunion

Driving in the car!! (don't worry, Ethan only went from the front to the driveway)

Jee Jee's turtles LOVE strawberries so I had to spoil them while I was there.

First time on the slid and swing. I don't think he knew what was going on!

We just got back from another fun filled week in OK! This one went by so fast! Here are a few pics. You can see more on Karla the Great's blog.

Meal Plan Monday

In an effort to cut grocery spending (so I can spend more $ on Cloth Diapers LOL) I have taken the idea that other frugal moms have been doing for awhile. I am going to start meal planning. I want to post it on my Blog for two reasons: So I stick to it and so I can share my recipes. Here goes!!!





Sunday: Happy Father's Day!!!





Lunch- Left over- This was given to me by a friend of Jee Jee's. Yummm and freezes well.


CHICKEN SPAGHETTI

1 CHICKEN BREAST PER PERSON TO FEED
BOIL WITH 1 STICK OF BUTTER AND A CUT UP ONION (IF DESIRED)
COOK PKG SPAGHETTI IN THE CHICKEN BROTH LEFT OVER FROM BOILING.
MIX TOGETHER:
1 MEDIUM PACKAGE VELVEETA
1 CAN CREAM OF MUSHROOM
1 CAN CREAM OF CHICKEN
1 CAN TOMATOES (STEWED OR PIECES)

POUR OVER CHICKEN THAT HAS BEEN CUT UP
POUR ONTO SPAGHETTI AND MIX





I made it and mixed it up ahead of time. Then when Eli got home from work I stuck it in the oven to warm and melt the cheese. We had left over that I had frozen.





Dinner- Steak, Corn, Pan Fried Potatoes





This was what Eli wanted for his first Father's Day, even though he had to cook the steaks himself. A few weeks ago I got a great deal on fresh ears of corn ($1 for 5, I bought total 20 ears for $4!!) We had roasted it on the grill and I cut it off the ear and froze it in serving size. We will have corn for awhile.


The pan fried potatoes were fried in lots of butter! A first for me, being a veg oil girl, but they were really good.
It was also my first time to use a Mandolin. Don't worry, I used the guard most of the time :). I just discovered we had one. Eli and I were watching the Food Network (I know, big surprise) and I said I wish we had one and Eli said "We do!" Thank goodness I married a former chef.
Monday- Pot Pie......tutorial coming soon.

Tuesday- Charro Beans, Corn Bread w/ onions and bell peppers.

I love my Charro Beans. Cook pinto beans with butter, salt, pepper, bacon and cumin. When they are done add more cumin to taste, garlic powder, onion salt, tomatoes, onion, and cilantro. Simmer without lid till thick.

Weds- Stir Fry Chicken w/ broccoli and bell peppers.

Thurs- Pork chops, oven green beans w/garlic, black eyed peas

Friday- Bean Patties made something like this, chow chow bought in South Carolina, broccoli with garlic

Saturday- Beef Stew (if I get around to making it sometime this week, its always better the next day)

Lizard in the House

The other night we found a lizard in the house! He was at the back glass door trying to get out. Eli calmly says: I thought I saw a lizard. He was on the trash can trying to catch flys. We successfully freed him into the great outdoors. Ethan never knew what was going on.

Smartipants Review

I've been looking at a new one-size diaper and want to try the Smartipants. Full Nest had nothing but great things to say about it. She's giving away a free diaper! Wish me luck.

Mail Poop

Great recycling idea! And so thoughtful ;)

In my Yellow Chair....Again

These are all so cute I just had to share. I think I had Winnie the Pooh on (thanks April). He has his cookie in the hand held net so he won't choke!

We have Teeth!!!

Ethan has his two front bottom teeth coming in!!! Both Jee Jee and Grandma Vicki told us he was teething and he is. As soon as they come in enough to show I will try to snap a pic. It's time for cookies!!

Saturday Night Live

Here's Saturday Night Live's idea of the best diaper!

Cloth Diaper Sewing

I have finished my First Cloth Diaper!!! I have not sewn actual cloths in a long time so it took awhile to get back in the groove of things. There is a lot I will change for the next one like: thicker Velcro, tighter elastic in the legs. This one is un-wearable because of the gaps in the legs but I'm proud I finished it! There are lots of free patterns on line. I used this one.