Making A Home And Family

• I can’t believe it’s been over a week since I have updated.  It’s amazing how quickly time flies by these days.  Speaking of time flying - I am 11 weeks now and the heartbeat appointment is only 12 days away.
• I have started reading two new books that are really good, and I think that they will change my perspective on a lot of things.  One is Three in a Bed and The Surrendered Wife.
• I bought a carseat cover for the cold winter days and a front carrying pack from a rummage sale for $3.  My MIL offered to buy me a rocking chair for my living room for my birthday.
• It was my 25th birthday yesterday, and it was lovely!  I went to a really cool store where I bought a pendulum, and according to it Sprout is a baby girl.  I guess we’ll see how accurate it is at the ultrasound.
• I also don’t want to admit that I had fun playing WoW last night with my DH and friends.  I somehow managed to stay up until 1am playing.  But remember, I didn’t just admit that.
• What’s new with you?!

Using our leftovers and our CSA basket really stretched a lot further last week than I had anticipated, so my weekly menu here might not look all that different from last week’s menu.  I feel good about that though… I didn’t waste nearly as much as we sometimes do.

Monday - Tacos

Tuesday - Pizza biscuits

Wednesday - Spaghetti, salads, and garlic toast

Thursday - Stew

Friday - Out to eat or leftovers

Saturday -  Sloppy joes, fried potatoes, and peas

Sunday - Grilled cheese and organic soup from a can

For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie.

Six weeks ago, I made a big decision about my hair.  After years of struggling with curly and frizzy long locks - fighting with it to be perfectly curled or unnaturally straight - I made a change.

I got dreadlocks!  Now I am not saying everyday I love my hair now because it is still an ongoing struggle, but it’s a struggle that I needed.  A struggle with patience.  A struggle understanding that my hair doesn’t have to be the societal norm or perfection for me to be pretty or have confidence in myself.  A struggle to leave my hair do its thing because that is what it does best.

In this effort, I have really began to save money on hair products and accessories.  I used to use (pretty much daily): shampoo, conditioner, bodywash or soap, gel/mouse, comb and brush.  I have cut down my washing to about every 3 days, and I now use one bar of soap for my entire body.  I use Dr. Bronner’s Castile Peppermint Soap Bar for shampooing my hair, washing my face, and washing my body.  I believe a $2.99 bar will last my husband and I at least one month.  Not only is it frugal, but it sure does smell good too.

For more frugal ideas, please visit Biblical Womanhood.

Since this pregnancy is my first, and I am trying to learn each step of the way, I thought it would be fun to share it with my family and friends also.  Every week, I get an update from Baby Center explaining in words what is going on with my body, how Sprout has grown and changed, and other such words of advice.  The coolest part of the whole thing?  There is a picture of what Sprout should look like each week!

From this week’s newsletter - “Your baby is now a little more than an inch long roughly the size of a large grape. Your baby’s arms and legs are longer. The head is more erect, and the neck more developed. The eyelids almost cover the eyes. External ears are evident and well formed. Your baby now makes some movements and this can be captured via an ultrasound exam. The baby looks more recognizable as a human being, although it is still extremely tiny.”

For more helpful ideas visit this website for Works for me Wednesday.

Monday ~ (from last week) meatloaf cups, baked parmesean fries

Tuesday ~ Fettucine alfredo with broccoli and garlic toast

Wednesday ~ Stew in the crockpot

Thursday ~ Veggie wraps and chips

Friday ~ Fried rice

Saturday ~ Pizza biscuits

Sunday ~ Spaghetti, salads, and garlic toast

For more weekly menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie!

I make this recipe a lot for birthday parties or showers, and it’s always a big hit.

Ingredients:

1. 2 packages of cresent rolls
2. 8 oz cream cheese, softened
3. 1 cup mayo or sour cream
4. dried ranch dressing mix
5. veggies of your choice

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375*
2. Roll cresent rolls onto a 13×9″ pan and connect all of the dough to create the pizza crust.
3. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool for 15-20 minutes.
4. Combine cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing and spread on the crust.
5. Top with your favorite veggies (onions, broccoli, grated carrots, tomatoes, peppers, cauliflower…).
6. Chill and serve cold.

For other 5 ingredient recipes, visit Rocks in My Dryer!

I’ve been asked a few times what Happy Soup is, so I thought I’d better take the time and write up the recipe. :)  Sorry it took so long!

Happy Soup

• 1 large can of chicken broth
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• pinch of dried basil
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 package of cheese filled tortellini
• 1 can of corn
• 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesean cheese

1.  Boil chicken broth and add spices for flavor.

2.  Add tortellini noodles until tender.

3.  Add beans and cheese and simmer for  5 minutes.

4.  Finally add the corn and simmer for 1-2 minutes until corn is heated through.

Monday - Pasties, corn on the cob, fresh salads

Tuesday - Happy Soup and grilled cheese (which we didn’t get to last week)

Wednesday - Lasagna, salad, and garlic bread.  Strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Thursday - Meatloaf cups, baked Parmesan fries, and corn on the cob.  Strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Friday - My nephew’s birthday party - eating at the cookout

Saturday - Veggie stirfry with fruit salad.

Sunday - Soup and salad with fruit salad.

For more menu ideas, visit here!

FOR TODAY June 30th, 2008

Outside My Window… A sunny, blue-sky day with a slight breeze going through the maples.

I am thinking… dinner smells good in the oven right now (beef and pork pasty.

I am thankful for… my DH who has been so helpful during my pregnancy.

From the kitchen… pasties are in the oven.  The fridge and pantry are pretty bare beyond that - I’m doing my monthly grocery shopping trip tomorrow.

I am wearing… jeans, Tar Heels t-shirt, and my hair is pulled back into a ponytail.

I am creating… a monthly grocery shopping list.

I am going… no where this evening.  We are watching a movie at home.

I am reading… Countdown my Pregnancy, My Pregnancy Week by Week, and many magazines.

I am hoping… to have a relaxing evening at home.

I am hearing… techno music from DH’s computer.

Around the house… it’s pretty calm.  DH is playing WoW, the puppies are alseep in the chair, and I have enough energy to update.

One of my favorite things…  these days?  Sleep!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: grocery shopping tomorrow, strawberry picking Wednesday, work on Thursday, and 4th of July celebrations Friday-Sunday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing… a picture from our camping trip last week.

For more Simple Daybooks visit this page!

Since I haven’t been good about planning meals, I decided to make that my goal for this week.  Well planning AND cooking!

 Monday - Fettucine alfredo with broccoli and garlic bread and salads

Tuesday - Hot dogs and diced potatoes on the grill

Wednesday - BBQ short ribs in the crockpot, mashed potatoes, and asparagus

Thursday - Happy soup and grilled cheese

Friday - Lasagna and garlic bread

Saturday - Cheese pizza

For more meal plan ideas, visit Org Junkie!