Making Lemmonade

Glazed Ham

2011-12-15T12:00:00.001-06:00

Ingredients:

1 (5 pound) ready-to-eat ham
1/4 cup whole cloves
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
2 cups honey
2/3 cup butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Score ham, and stud with the whole cloves. Place ham in foil lined pan.
In the top half of a double boiler, heat the corn syrup, honey and butter. Keep glaze warm while baking ham.
Brush glaze over ham, and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Baste ham every 10 to 15 minutes with the honey glaze. During the last 4 to 5 minutes of baking, turn on broiler to caramelize the glaze. Remove from oven, and let sit a few minutes before serving.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

2011-12-15T11:52:00.003-06:00

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Prep Time 1 Hour Cook Time 30 Minutes

Servings 10

Ingredients

5 5 pounds Russet Or Yukon Gold Potatoes

¾ cups Butter

1 package (8 Oz.) Cream Cheese, Softened

½ cups (to 3/4 Cups) Half-and-Half

½ teaspoons (to 1 Teaspoon) Lawry's Seasoned Salt

½ teaspoons (to 1 Teaspoon) Black Pepper

Preparation Instructions

Peel and cut thepotatoes into pieces that are generally the same size. Bring a large pot ofwater to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 to 35minutes. When they’re cooked through, the fork should easily slide into thepotatoes with no resistance, and the potatoes should almost, but not totally,fall apart.

Baked Potato Soup

2011-12-15T11:43:00.001-06:00

Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:

3 bacon strips, diced
1 small onion,chopped
1 clove garlic,minced
3 tablespoonsall-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon driedbasil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cups chicken broth
2 large bakedpotatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup half-and-halfcream
1/2 teaspoon hotpepper sauce
Shredded Cheddarcheese
Minced fresh parsley

Directions:

In a large saucepan,cook bacon until crisp. Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. Set baconaside. Saute onion and garlic in the drippings until tender. Stir in flour,salt, basil and pepper; mix well. Gradually add broth. Bring to boil; boil andstir for 2 minutes. Add the potatoes, cream and hot pepper sauce; heat throughbut do not boil. Garnish with bacon, cheese and parsley.

Sausage Egg Breakfast Bake

2011-12-15T11:39:00.000-06:00

Sausage EggBreakfast Bake

Ingredients:

·        1 pound bulk pork sausage, cooked and drained
·        1 1/2cups sliced fresh mushrooms (4 ounces)
·        8 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
·        2 medium tomatoes, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
·        2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)
·        1 1/4 cups Original Bisquick® mix
·        1 cup milk
·        1 1/2 teaspoons salt
·        1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano leaves or 1/2teaspoon dried oregano leaves
·        1/2 teaspoon pepper
·        12 eggs

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches. Layer sausage, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and cheese in dish. Stir remaining ingredients until blended. Pour over cheese.

Bake uncovered 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and set.

It's all about Christmas

2011-12-15T11:36:00.000-06:00

So I am finally feeling the Christmas spirit!! I have worked out the weekends menu... can't waut!

Friday: Christmas dinner/ Caitie's birthday dinner with Mom
Glazed ham, baked mashed potatoes, macaroni & corn casserole, & tossed salad

Saturday: Soup and Sandwich (plus all the cookies, etc. you can find!)

Sunday: Brunch casseroles, snacks and leftovers (since we will be at midnight mass)

So excited!!

Diabetes Medications

2011-11-07T17:46:00.000-06:00

Summer Fun!

2011-05-10T12:49:00.000-05:00

I decided it's time to start working on a summer fun "to do" list!

Scrapbooking- I am so behind! I would love to get caught up!!
Gardening- this year, heat or no heat, it's time to expand the garden.
Camping- we didn't go family camping at all last summer, I was taking classes and just couldn't ever get away! This summer... no class!!!
Paint the bathroom
Paint Sam's room
Run (at least twice a week)

I guess that's a good start to my list!

ABG's (the way I see them!!!)

2011-04-03T17:16:00.001-05:00

Respiratory Compensation                   Metabolic Compensation

H2O + CO2                       H2CO3                     H+ + HCO3-

Expelled by lungs                                      Expelled by kidneys

Acid   pH 7.35-7.45    Base
Base   CO2 35-45       Acid
Acid   HCO3 22-26    Base

*Respiratory opposite/ *Metabolic equal

EXAMPLE:

pH = 7.27 (acid)*
pCO2= 38 (WNL)
HCO3= 14 (acid)*    Metabolic acidosis with no compensation (hyperventilation)

pH= 7.53 (base)*
pCO2= 42 (WNL)
HCO3= 34 (base)*    Metabolic alkalosis with no compensation

pH= 7.26 (acid)*
pCO2= 52 (acid)*
HCO3= 29 (base)     Respiratory acidosis with partial compensation

Hormones regulating water retention and loss

2011-04-03T16:49:00.000-05:00

ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) * regulates WATER excretion from the kidneys. As serum osmolality rises (>300), it stimulates osmoreceptors that stimulate thirst to ↑ H2O intake & stimulate ADH release to allow more water reabsorption in the kidney causing dilution of body fluids.

1. water only, urine will be dark, scant, amber-colored,

2. alcohol consumption turns ADH off and you are dehydrated the next day

3. ADH & Aldosterone activate in ↓ BP

ADH keeps water from being loss through urination.

Aldosterone * Renin-Angiotensin System * regulates electrolyte balance from the kidneys by promoting Na+ & water retention and K+ loss

1. with low blood volume such as internal bleeding or cut arm, kidneys kick in to reabsorb water
2. this system works with salt to counteract effects of low blood volume & low BP to try to increase BP (water & salt reabsorbed)

Aldosterone, Renin-Angiotensin System keeps water and sodium from being loss through urination, though Potasium is loss.

ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) * cardiac hormone found in atria & released when atria are stretched by increasing blood volume or BP (CHF) works to lower BP/volume through vasodilation & suppression of RAS (rennin-angiotensin system)

ANP is a marker found through testing, signifying CHF. ANP tries to lower BP/Volume that ADH and ARAS creates.

Menu Planning Monday

2010-03-08T13:12:00.008-06:00

This is a short and strange week due to the boys basketball state games!

Monday:
BUTTER CHICKEN
MOM'S GREAT GREEN BEANS
TOASTED GARLIC BREAD

Tuesday:
BROWN SUGAR MEATLOAF
MASHED POTATOES
BUTTERED CORN
DINNER ROLLS

Wednesday:
KIDS PORK CHOPS
ROASTED POTATOES

Thursday: in Lincoln for State

Friday:
BAKED SALMON
RICE
SALAD

Saturday: hopefully in Lincoln for State

Sunday:
Tim's choice!

Hope you all have a great week!!!
Check out Menu at http://orgjunkie.com/menu-plan-monday

BROWN SUGAR MEATLOAF

2010-03-08T13:10:00.000-06:00

½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup ketchup
1 ½ lbs. lean ground beef
¾ cup milk
2 eggs
1 ½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 small onion, chopped
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¾ cup finely crushed saltine cracker crumbs (about 10 crackers)

Directions:1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 5 x 9 loaf pan.
2. Press the brown sugar into the bottom of pan and spread with ketchup.
3. In a mixing bowl thoroughly mix all remaining ingredients and shape into a loaf.
4. Place loaf on top of ketchup.
5. Bake in a preheated oven for 1 hour or until juices run clear.
6. Serve with mashed potatoes, buttered corn and brown-n-serve dinner rolls.

Kids Pork Chops

2010-03-08T13:08:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:
8 medium sized pork chops
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup catsup
1 cup Coca-Cola
Brown sugar for topping

Directions:1. Place pork chops in a baking pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the catsup and Coca-Cola and pour over the pork chops.
3. Sprinkle with tops of each pork chop with brown sugar.
4. Bake uncovered in a 350 degree F oven for 1 hour or until the pork chops are tender.

Great Green Beans:

2010-03-08T13:05:00.000-06:00

2 (15 ounce) cans green beans
1 cube beef bouillon cube
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon butter
1 pinch garlic pepper seasoning

Directions:
1. Drain the green beans, reserving 1/2 of the liquid.
2. Dissolve the bouillon cube in the reserved liquid.
3. Place green beans and liquid in a saucepan. Add Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, butter and garlic pepper seasoning to taste.
4. Simmer gently for 15 minutes.
5. Remove to serving bowl leaving beans sitting in their liquid. Use a slotted spoon to serve.

BUTTER CHICKEN

2010-03-08T13:00:00.000-06:00

2 eggs, beaten
1 cup crushed buttery round cracker crumbs
½ teaspoon garlic salt
ground black pepper to taste
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
½ cup butter, cut into pieces

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place eggs and cracker crumbs in two separate shallow bowls.
2. Mix cracker crumbs with garlic salt and pepper.
3. Dip chicken in the eggs, and then dredge in the crumb mixture to coat.
4. Arrange coated chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
5. Place pieces of butter around the chicken.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

Menu Planning Monday

2010-02-23T09:35:00.001-06:00

There was no school yesterday- so today is my Monday!!!

Here's what's on the menu for this week:

Tues: Sweet & Savory Brisket

Wed: Chicken Fettucini Alfredo

Thurs: Cheeseburger Roll-ups

Fri: baked fish

Sat: Sticky Chicken

Sun: Enchilada Casserole

Hope you all have a great week!!!
Check out Menu at http://orgjunkie.com/menu-plan-monday Planning Monday

Sweet & Savory Brisket

2010-02-23T09:30:00.003-06:00

Ingredients:

large brisket
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup grape jelly
1 pkg. onion soup mix

Combine ketchup, jelly and soup mix and spread over brisket in slow cooker. Cook on low 8-10 hours. Slice and serve with juices.

CHICKEN-CHEESE ENCHILADAS

2010-02-23T09:29:00.001-06:00

1 can Campbell's nacho cheese soup
1/2 c. milk
2 c. cooked chicken
1/2 c. salsa
1 tsp. chili powder
8 flour tortillas

In small bowl, combine soup and milk; set aside. In medium bowl, combine chicken, salsa, chili powder and 2 tablespoons of soup mixture. Along one side of each tortilla, spread about 1/3 cup of chicken mixture. Roll up each tortilla, jelly-roll fashion, place seam side down in greased 3-quart oblong baking dish. Spread remaining soup mixture over enchiladas. Cover with foil. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbling.
Top with any of the following: sour cream, black olives, salsa, guacamole, sliced green onions and (0r) shredded Cheddar cheese before serving.

Sticky Chicken

2010-02-23T09:25:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. honey
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger root
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 3-4 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients except the chicken in a shallow baking dish and stir until sugars dissolve. Add the chicken and turn to coat well. Cover the dish and chill in refrigerator for 24 hours.
When ready to eat, transfer the chicken and marinade to a large heavy nonstick skillet. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring each piece occasionally. Check the breasts for doneness (170 degrees F on an instant read thermometer) and remove to a shallow pan as they test done. Cover the cooked chicken and place in warm oven to keep warm.
Increase heat to medium and cook the marinade remaining in skillet until syrupy, stirring occasionally at first, then stirring constantly as the mixture starts to thicken, about 8-10 minutes total. Return chicken to the skillet, coat it with the sauce, and serve immediately - with lots of hot cooked rice! Serves 8

Bacon Cheeseburger Roll-Ups Recipe

2010-02-23T09:22:00.001-06:00

(image from Taste of Home)

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
6 bacon strips, diced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 package (8 ounces) process cheese (Velveeta), cubed
1 tube (16.3 ounces) large refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup yellow mustard

Directions:

In a large skillet, cook the beef, bacon and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add cheese; cook and stir until melted. Remove from the heat.
Flatten each biscuit into a 5-in. circle; spoon 1/3 cup beef mixture onto each biscuit. Fold sides and ends over filling and roll up. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet.

Bake at 400° for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. In a small bowl, combine ketchup and mustard; serve with roll-ups.

Yield: 8 servings.

Chicken Fettucini Alfredo

2010-02-23T09:15:00.003-06:00

Ingredients:

1 pkg. fettucini (12 oz)
8 bacon strips, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 pound boneless chicken breast, cubed
2 cups sliced fresh muchrooms
8 green onions, sliced
1 garlic clove
1-1/2 cups half-and-half
1/2 cup shredded parmesan
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. ground pepper

cook the fettucini according to pkg.
cook bacon until crips, romve to paper towel and reserve 1-2 Tbsp. drippings. Saute chicken in drippings until no longer pink. Add mushrooms, green onions, & garlic; saute until mushrooms are tender
stir in cream, chese, paprika & pepper. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes. Stir in bacon.
Serve over fettucini.

Lenten Friday

2010-02-19T10:29:00.004-06:00

My family likes fish, and we should probably eat more of it than we do, but for this Friday we are having breakfast because of a fantastic recipe for Cinnamon Pancakes that I can't resist!! Together with some fluffy scrambled eggs I think we have a winner! (Maybe they will cheer up my UGH- see previous post!)

INGREDIENTS:

1-½ cup All-purpose Flour
3 Tablespoons White Sugar
½ teaspoons Salt
4 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
2 whole Eggs Beaten
1 cup Milk
2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup
¼ cups Butter, Melted
1 Tablespoon Vanilla

ICING INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp melted butter, 2 tbsp milk and mix together

PREPARATION:

In medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and cinnamon with a whisk. Whisk well to make sure everything is combined.

In separate large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, corn syurp, butter and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium/low heat. Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto griddle. Brown on both sides.

Serve warm with icing drizzled over the top.

UGH!!

2010-02-19T09:14:00.002-06:00

I am in the rut of all ruts!! I have lists of things to get done, at every turn there are things that I need to take care of... but I can't seem to get into any of it! HELP!!!

All of the snow days, late starts, and Tim's traveling work schedule for the past 3 weeks have put my days into a tailspin!

Please send a drill sergeant to whip me back into shape!

Trip to Children's

2010-02-17T22:36:00.000-06:00

Mollie and I made our trip to Children's today! It's always a trip I hate and love- I hate driving all the way there, but we love to see our nurses and Dr. T. Last summer they became like extended family to us. We were there every week and it became part of our routine! Now when we go it's a chance to catch-up with our friends and they are always shocked by how much Mollie changes from just month to month.

Everything was as usual this visit. Other than her platelet problem she is a picture of health!

Her count was a bit low- but nothing to worry!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mollielemmons/journal

Jr. High Basketball Undefeated Season

2010-02-13T23:39:00.000-06:00

JH Girls Finish Season Undefeated
Ted Stubbs

February 17, 2010

Junior High Girls finish undefeated and win the Osmond "O" Club tournament
The junior high girls "A" team finished their season at the Osmond "O" Club tournament over the weekend. The young Cards finished the season with a 7-0 record. Before the tournament the girls played a rescheduled game with Hartington on Thursday the 11th and won handily 33-18. The score was 28-6 entering the 4th period and with only one game on the day everyone played, and the Hartington girls made it a little closer in the last quarter. Leading the team in scoring was Michaela with 11 points. Emily had 9, McRae, 5, while Haley, Adyson, Kelsey, and Hannah each had 2 points.
The girls ended their season on Saturday the 13th in the Osmond tournament with a dominating performance. In the first round the girls beat Wausa 48-13 and in the final took down the host Osmond girls 61-13. The Wausa game was pretty much over after the 1st quarter when the girls jumped on the Wausa girls with a 19-0 start. At the half we led 31-1 and then everyone got to play as the game ended. Ten girls scored, led by Emily's 10 points. She had a lot of help as Ady, McRae, Michaela, and Hannah all had 6 points. Haley had 5, Brooke-4, Kelsey, and Mackensie-2 each and Sydney had 1. In the final against Osmond the girls used the same formula as the first round, racing to a 22-4 first quarter lead, and a 36-10 lead at the half. Twelve girls scored in the game led by sisters Emily and Haley with 12 points each. McRae and Michaela had 8 a piece,Hannah had 5 while Malerie and Kelsey each had 4. Other girls who scored were: M. Lemmons-2, B. Hanson-2, Kasey-2, A. Bargstadt-1 and Katie-1.
Score by quarters: 1st round: WHS--0-1-5-13-18--RHS--19-12-12-5-48.
Championship: OHS-4-6-0-3--13 RHS--22-14-12-13 61

Randolph Public School Activities

Happy Birthday Caitie

2009-12-21T21:04:00.000-06:00

Caitie is now officially 12 years old!!! She had some friends spend the night for her birthday- I think they had a good time!

Happy Birthday Caitie!!

Volleyball Has Left the Building!

2009-11-03T15:53:00.001-06:00

Volleyball season is over... on to basketball!

Happy Birthday Mollie

2009-10-19T22:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Mollie!!!!

Speedy Brownies

2009-09-09T10:32:00.006-05:00

For all my busy Mom friends (and anyone else that wants a really easy and delicious brownie recipe) these are the best! Made from just a few ingredients that I always have around in the pantry.

Speedy Brownies (Quick Cooking Premier Issue)

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 tsp salt
5 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Combine the first seven ingredients; beat until smooth. Pour into greased 13 X 9 baking pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan.

*I have also used white chips, peanut butter, milk chocolate- about anything I have around.

Today I mixed the chocolate chips into the batter and sprinkled with some M&M baking pieces.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-29T09:01:00.004-05:00

Mollie meeting Mickey on her Make-a-Wish trip.
Last night I was answering some questions for another ITP mom and going through all the things Mollie has been through in the last 2 years. I wish after all she has been through we could say it is behind us... but it still continues. Maybe someday there will be a cure.

I Heart Faces- Pets!

2009-06-24T17:05:00.006-05:00

STELLA

We have adopted two kittens over the last month. Our new kitty Stella. She has 6 toes on each paw and is so darn cute!!! The kids are so in love!!!

I thought this picture of her would be great for the
I heart Faces-Pets contest!

We have also added a tiny baby stray that was found under our pick-up one morning. Picture of that kitty to come later!

i heart faces giveaway

2009-06-24T15:31:00.000-05:00

They are hosting a giveaway of these awesome camera straps.

A one-of-a-kind camera strap from Lori’s business, “Pepper: Spice Up Your Camera”!!

Check them out!!

Why did God create man?

2009-06-24T09:16:00.003-05:00

I've been struggling with my faith lately (actually for about the past year now) and decided it was time for me to really start searching for some answers. I've been doing some reading, some soul searching, took a hiatus from going to church, some praying, some talking... on and on, just trying to figure some things out.

So these are some rambling on what I've discovered:

Bad things happen to good people. Good people do bad things. Some people are hypocrites.

This is where my struggles began! I think that for a long time I've been reading too much into life- think there was some great revelations I was supposed to have or some great reward if I did what was right and followed God's plan. That puts a lot of pressure on! Since getting married and having the kids I've wanted things to remain simple (less clutter, easy cooking, more fun, etc.) and I never realized that "simple" applied to God also.

I spent some time angry with God trying to play a this isn't fair to me card. Why do bad things happen? Why do I get the short end of the stick? So on and so on. I got tired of saying "everything has a reason and lesson to learn", but it turns out that even this led to a reason and lesson!

I know I don't put a lot of trust in God. I like to be in control and know where I'm going and how I'm getting there. So very early on I recognized that this is a problem I need to work on. Next, my bigger question became why would God what to walk me through life? Which then became why am I even here?

All the time- the answer was right on my book shelf, but I'll get to that in a minute.

Could it be so simple that God wanted someone to love? Could it be so simple that He wants to share blessings with the people He loves? Could it be as simple as wanting us to enjoy our lives? Sounded too simple at first. But after some more reasoning with myself it became easier to see...

When you read the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church it says that "God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life."

The same reason that I married and had children. I didn't have them so that someone would love me or because I was going to get something from them. I have my family so that I can share my blessed life with them.

Rather than working so hard to make this a complicated thing I think there really is something to be said for asking God to bless each day and surrendering the days events to Him. And rather than wasting sssssooooooooooo much time worrying about where I'm going and how I'm getting there, I'll just enjoy the ride.

Menu Planning Monday

2009-05-18T18:22:00.006-05:00

This weeks menu plans!!

Monday: Yum Yums! (sloppy joes), green beans, cheese puffs, chocolate cupcakes

Tuesday: Easy Lasagna, lettuce salad, garlic bread

Wednesday: Beef Enchiladas, taco rice, fried ice cream

Thursday: Pigs in a Blanket, chips, fruit

Friday (husbands birthday): Chicken kabobs, dutch apple pie

Saturday: Garden Club Sandwiches, cole slaw

Sunday: homemade pizza, brownies

Check out more Monday menu's at I'm an Organization Junkie!

Garden Club Sanwiches

2009-05-18T18:21:00.000-05:00

4 slices whole wheat bread, toasted
2 Tbsp. Mayo
2 large slices tomato
1/4 cup sliced cucumbers
2 lettuce leaves
12 slices deli Shaved Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
6 slices Center Cut Bacon, cooked

TOP 2 toast slices with tomato, cucumber, lettuce, turkey, bacon and second toast slice.

'Fried' Ice Cream Recipe

2009-05-18T18:20:00.000-05:00

* 3 cups cinnamon toast crunch cereal, crushed

* 6 scoops vanilla ice cream (1/2 cup each)

1. Place cereal in shallow pan.

2. Quickly roll 1 scoop of ice cream at a time in cereal to coat.

3. Place coated scoops of ice cream in ungreased jelly roll pan, 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch.

4. Cover and freeze about 2 hours or until firm.

5. Set oven control to broil.

6. Uncover pan.

7. Broil scoops with tops 6 inches from heat about 30 seconds or until coating is light brown.

Cheesy Meat Lasagna

2009-05-18T17:59:00.000-05:00

1 lb. extra lean ground beef

3 cloves garlic, minced

1-1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves

1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce

1 large tomato, chopped

1 egg

1 container (16 oz.) Low Fat Cottage Cheese

1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

9 lasagna noodles, cooked, drained

2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

HEAT oven to 375°F. Brown meat with garlic and oregano in saucepan. Stir in spaghetti sauce; simmer 5 min., stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in tomatoes.

MIX egg, cottage cheese and Parmesan. Spread 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce mixture onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish. Top with layers of 3 noodles, 1 cup cottage cheese mixture, 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1 cup remaining sauce mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining noodles and remaining sauce mixture. Cover with foil.

BAKE 30 min. or until heated through. Uncover; top with remaining mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, 5 min. or until mozzarella is melted. Let stand 5 min. before serving.

Make Ahead

Assemble lasagna as directed; cover. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake, covered, at 375°F for 40 min. or until heated through.

These cookies rock!

2009-05-12T12:05:00.005-05:00

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday's!

These Reese's Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookies are so good. A double batch disappeared in two days!!

The recipe:

1 stick real butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup ground quick oats (chopped with handi chopper)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 bag Reese's mini baking pieces
1/2 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat butter, shortening and sugars until smooth and creamy. Slowly beat in eggs and vanilla.

2. Combine flour. oats. baking soda, and salt. Slwly add to wet mixture until just combined. Hand stir in Reese's and chocolate chips.

3. Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until just golden around edges. Let stand on cookie sheet for 2 minutes.

found at Blessed with Grace.

No Tackle-it Tuesday

2009-05-12T12:02:00.002-05:00

I have no tackle-it Tuesday this week because Mollie will be having surgery tomorrow to have her port removed. I have a ton of things to get the other kids ready to be home by themselves for the afternoon! I don't leave them alone often so I'm leaving some detailed notes for them to help out!

We'll tackle-it next Tuesday!

Menu Planning Monday

2009-05-11T11:55:00.001-05:00

Here is this week's menu:
[It's a bit goofy because of Mollie's surgery and Sam's birthday!]

Monday: sub sandwiches, chips and ice cream

Tuesday: nacho's, corn and brownies

Wednesday: Mackenzie will be in charge of either frozen pizza or mac and cheese because we won't be back from the hospital in time!

Thursday: mini meatloaf, green beans, mashed potatoes

Friday: Sam's birthday choice (still undecided!)

for more check out I'm and Organization Junkie's menu planning mondays!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-06T07:47:00.005-05:00

A new use for silly putty!!

{Sorry picture is a bit fuzzy, but too funny to delete!}

Check out more Wordless Wednesday!

Crop for a Cause

2009-05-05T09:41:00.003-05:00

Is anyone interested in a scrapbooking retreat that will not only help you get your projects done, but also help a worthwhile cause in Nebraska?

I am helping Make-A-Wish spread the word about their "Crop for a Cause" on June 19-20. The proceeds from this 26-hour long scrapbooking marathon are going to help a little boy named Cole fulfill his "wish" of being a cowboy. Cole is 7 years old and fighting lymphoma and they are working to send him to the Bar W Ranch in Whitefish Montana where he'll be able to rope cattle, sing campfire songs, and see a bank robbery reenactment. Feel good about getting projects done, feel good about helping grant wishes!

A few of the retreat highlights are their raffle prizes and food being provided. Not only can you win a ton of scrapbooking supplies, but you will also have a chance to win an iPod Shuffle, a Cricut Personal, and a Cricut Expression. Or, do you have a husband you will want to thank for letting you have a whole weekend to yourself? Another raffle item is an autographed football and two tickets to Coach Pelini's Big Red Kickoff Dinner. This is a fundraiser the Husker football coaches do for Make-A-Wish each July. All your meals and snacks are also being provided (Panera, Famous Dave's, the Cookie Company, and more!)

So, if you want to get a jump start on the summer, send in your registration for "Crop for a Cause".

A flyer with more information and registration form is attached or visit https://sites.google.com/site/makeawishcropforacause/.

Happy scrapping!

Tackle It Tuesday- Updated

2009-05-04T20:31:00.011-05:00

In the spirit of keeping with the mommy blogger's it is time for me to try out Tackle It Tuesday.
I actually have two tackles for Tuesday:

1. I want to be able to see the kitchen counter!!
2. I want to start an exercising streak today.

Wish me luck!!!

Updated picture.

Menu Planning Monday

2009-05-03T08:42:00.019-05:00

Here is what's on the menu for this week (May4th - May 10th):

Monday: Crock-pot Chicken Marsala

Tuesday: Salisbury Steak

Wednesday: Taco Roll

Thursday: breakfast sandwiches (pancake, sausage patty, egg and cheese sandwiches)

Friday: Tim's Choice

Saturday: grilling steak and hot dogs

Sunday: Sausage and Peppers

Join Laura's Menu Planning Monday at I’m an Organizing Junkie!!!

2009-05-01T09:56:00.005-05:00

I LOVE Alicia's Friday Photo Flashback. I am inspired to dig out my old prom picture (maybe!). In the meantime I have this scanned picture of Mackenzie when she was 14 months old. She was loving eating cheese doodles and drinking from her grandma's water bottle while we enjoyed a summer afternoon by the pool!

Each of our kids carried on the doodle tradition! Mackenzie will be 13 in just over a month...

it makes me sad to see her so grown up, but proud of who she is becoming!

[Alicia says: I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Be sure to visit her prom picture!!]

Taco Roll

2009-05-01T08:53:00.000-05:00

INGREDIENTS:
1/2lb. lean ground beef
1(13.8-oz.) can Pillsbury® refrigerated classic pizza crust
taco seasoning
1 cup shredded cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Brown ground beef in medium skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain. Add taco seasoning and simmer. Set aside.

2. Unroll dough; place on sprayed cookie sheet. Starting at center, press out dough with hands to form 12x8-inch rectangle.

3. Place cooked ground beef lengthwise down center, forming 3-inch-wide strip and to within 1/2 inch of short sides. Top with cheese. Fold long sides of dough over filling; press edges to seal.

4. Bake at 400°F. for 15 to 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Top with extra cheese, sour cream, lettuce, salsa, etc.

Salisbury Steak

2009-05-01T08:48:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

3 egg

1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs

1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

3/4 teaspoon pepper

2-1/4 pounds lean ground beef

1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour,divided

2 tablespoons olive oil

2-1/4 cups water

1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules

3 medium onion, quartered and sliced

3 (4 ounce) cans mushroom stems and pieces, drained

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the egg, bread crumbs, garlic powder and pepper. Crumble beef over mixture; mix well. Shape into two patties; dredge in 2 tablespoons flour. In a small skillet, brown patties on both sides in oil; drain. Set patties aside.

2. Add the remaining flour to the skillet; whisk in water until smooth. Stir in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and bouillon. Add the onion and mushrooms. Bring to a boil. Return patties to the pan. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until beef is no longer pink. Serve gravy over patties.

Crock-pot Chicken Marsala Recipe

2009-05-01T08:38:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:
2 cloves garlic
1 T. vegetable oil
8 boneless chicken breast
1/2 t. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
mushrooms
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup corn starch

Spray slower cooker with cooking spray. In cooker, place garlic and oil. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper, place in cooker over garlic. Place mushrooms over chicken, pour broth over all.

Cover and cook on low setting 5 to 6 hours.

Remove chicken from cooker. In a small bowl mix water and cornstarch until smooth; stir into liquid in cooker. Increase heat o high; cover and cook about 10 minutes or until sauce thickens.

To serve, spoon mushroom mixture over chicken breast.

2009-04-30T15:39:00.003-05:00

April Round-up:

A great idea from Katie the Scrapbook Lady! She suggests that at the end of the month you take a few minutes and roundup your memories, looking over your calendar, blog posts, or wherever you keep track of you schedule, and filling in a few quick notes using a simple format. I used her list of questions found below.

1. What books and/or magazines did I read this month?

This month I worked on the Twilight series. I'm trying to keep up with my older girls so I know what they're talking about!!!

2. What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?

We have bee watching Ghost Hunters and the Biggest Loser.

3. What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?

We had a get together with the neighbors before Easter. We had a party for Mollie's first communion.

4. What gifts did I give and/or receive?

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make?

Nothing yet, but I have my eye on the new EAS sports active for Wii that will be out on May 19th.

6. What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

Mollie's counts have been very good this month. Our biggest problem has been with Caremark getting her medication to us!

7. What were my accomplishments this month?

I pulled off Mollie's party!!! I was able to get the house clean and have a prepared menu. I was able to find a dress for her to wear! I made her cake and decorated some cute cookies for her party!!

8. What were my disappointments this month?

I wanted to get more scrapbooking done.

9. Anything else noteworthy to include?

Starting to prepare the garden- we added a new section for the upcoming summer.

What other questions would ask yourself to remember the month? Let me know your suggestions!

Wordless Wednesday - My cracked egg

2009-04-29T09:19:00.002-05:00

This is an older post that I saved as a draft. I was too heartbroken at the time to put these words out there! But now- with the success we have had with nplate I can breath a sigh of relief!

For many out there today is what's called Wordless Wednesday- posting a great picture that has some meaning. This is my first post for this and it has to come with the following explanation for the true meaning to be understood. After this original post-at the advice of our doctor we went with chemo treatments and Mollie lost her beloved ponytail. For months now she has been mistaken as a boy and had a messy growing out mop! To see her with her hair fixed and looking so beautiful was unbelievable for me.

************************************************************************************

(I posted this to Mollie's caringbridge site, sorry to duplicate)

Another ITP parent described their experience in a way that fits how I have felt for months now:

"It's like you've been handed an egg with a crack in it and been told not to break it."

How do I keep from breaking her? Better yet, how do I keep her from breaking herself? Now that Rituxan didn't work we are down to a very short list of options:

chemotherapy to suppress her immune system
nPlate (which will be FDA approved on July 23rd but the test in children are still going on)- has some side effect that concern me after using Rituxan
splenectomy
doing nothing

I've been spending a lot of time trying to research these options and any other I might find. Really I'm just running in circles because there are so few guarantees. Mollie has defied all the odds- she became one of the 20% that do not go into spontaneous remission within 6 months.

You can find more Wordless Wednesday post at

As They Grow Up
or
Wordless Wednesday

Crock-pot Italian Sausage and Peppers

2009-04-23T21:04:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:
1 package sweet Italian sausages
1 cup chopped sweet onion
4 garlic cloves
2 medium yellow peppers, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 medium red pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 jar tomato pasta sauce
4 1/2 cups uncooked rotini pasta
shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Spray cooker. In cooker mix all ingredients except pasta and cheese. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 6 to 8 hours.

Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Serve sausage mixture over pasta with Parmesan cheese.

Scrappers Block

2009-04-16T08:15:00.005-05:00

I have had scrapbooking block for several weeks now! I just couldn't get a layout started. I would stare at pictures and start collecting some items and then freeze.

I finally got myself going yesterday! I found some favorite pictures from back in 2006 and started some pages... finally!

Is It Just Me

2009-04-08T14:22:00.000-05:00

Today I did it... exactly what I never want to be accused of doing... I sat on the computer for 2 hours. I started out looking for something specific (I can't even remember what that was now) and I started looking at peoples blogs and then the blogs they followed, etc., etc.

I was amazed by how many of the bloggers were stay-at-home, organizing, frugal, Christian, crafty, homeschooling, tree huggers with a weekly menu plan women!

Now I am most of those things, so don't get upset if you fall in that list.

* I am a stay-at-home mom that carries an EXTREME amount of guilt about having this gift.

* I like to organize, have some things organized and would love to have everything organized. If I don't spend part of every day looking for something that has been misplaced call 911 because I'm dead.

* I'm frugal- to a point. Yes buying in bulk saves money. Coupons and sales save money also. But I don't take ketchup packets from restaurants and squeeze them into my bottle at home.

* I'm Christian- but I'm a struggling Christian. I have a lot of questions and I don't have matching faith. I want to, but there's something missing and I'm still searching for that.

* Crafty- ok that is me.

* Homeschooling- all I have to say if HA!

* I have lived in Colorado, which by Nebraska standards makes a person a waffle stomping tree hugger. I am not a green freak. I recycle the things I can, (considering where I live) paper and chipboard, printer ink cartridges, pop cans. I'm starting to save plastic and glass- I can drive these to Laurel and drop them off (it'll be a 30 mile round trip just for recycling so I'm less motivated with this idea). We've changed most of our light bulbs.

* I sometimes have a weekly menu planned. The problem with that weekly plan is life... it sometimes gets in the way of my perfect plans!!! So I'm trying to find some ways around the weekly planning that will still produce the same effect.

Ok, ok -so get to the point Jennifer. The point is that I spent 2 hours looking at these. It was very interesting to take a small glimpse into a person's life. Some where inspiring, some boring and some had just off the wall ideas (from my point of view).

I've been toying with the blog thing for a long time now (since 2006). I primarily just wanted it to be a stop for family and friends to see some pictures, that kind of stuff. A place to check in and get little more indepth that Facebook but not as much as a 3 page letter with photos. I really need to take my own advice from January and follow through with it- succeed at keeping everyone up to date! Nothing preachy or poetic- although I will blog for money. Just some of our funny stories and some pictures.

We'll see, maybe I'll get it done!

No rotten eggs

2009-04-08T14:09:00.003-05:00

Follow Food Safety Guidelines When Handling Easter Eggs

From University of Nebraska-Lincoln Notes :

LINCOLN, Neb. — Don't make the fun of dyeing hard-cooked Easter eggs turn into a food safety disaster when eating them later, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln food safety specialist says.

The first step to avoiding a foodborne illness when eating Easter eggs is to make sure the eggs don't crack when boiling them, said Julie Albrecht, UNL food safety specialist in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The best bet for cooking eggs is to put them in cold water, bring to a boil, then turn the heat off and let them sit, covered, for 20 minutes.

Full article - http://ianrnews.unl.edu/static/0904060.shtml

2009

2009-01-30T09:55:00.005-06:00

Yes, I know that it's almost February, not exactly the declare your new years resolution time!! I'm running behind already this year but I'm determined to get caught up.

Rather than a new years resolution this year I have a new years word. I do a lot of searching for quotes and cute tag lines for my scrapbook pages and started reading some of the poetry of Ralph Waldo Emerson. I came across this quote from him:

"Words are alive. Cut them and they bleed."

I thought this was an interesting thing to say because I'm always asking the kids to chose their words carefully. Tim and I work hard to teach the kids to use what we call their "on deck circle". In baseball you step up on deck circle to have a few practice swings and analyze the game situation. Because baseball is a team game, a successful at-bat may not be one that results in a base hit. A player doesn't step to the plate and swing at every ball. In the split second before the ball crosses the plate a player has to analyze the pitch and decide if they should take a swing.

Like baseball, there is that split second before you open your mouth that you analyze the situation. So we often ask the kids to stop and ask themselves 'do I really want to say this', 'will this hurt someones feelings', 'is this appropriate to tell someone', and so on. Some of our children are better at this than others but there is hope that they will all attain this skill.

So back to the point- I decided to practice what I preach and take in the power of words. Rather than a long drawn out list of resolution (that will likely never be reached!) I'm choosing a word and going to remind myself of it every day. So what is this word you ask.... (insert drum roll)

SUCCEED

The definition of succeed is to turn out well or to attain a desired object or end also to follow in sequence and especially immediately.

I have lists of unfinished projects and it is my goal to finish these projects and free myself from the burden I carry knowing they exist! I'm going to spend this weekend creating my list and then work to chip things off- DAILY!

My first goal is to make this list and place it here because one of the first things on that list will be to keep my family updated better with pictures and stories about what we've been doing.

What's your word?