Whatcha Eatin'? Week of March 24

Well, I finally got a membership to Costco. We made a trip there on Saturday to do a little shopping.  Thankfully my sister and mother came along to help with the three kiddos.  Come to find out, you can spend an awful lot of money in a little time. Plus, all the darn samples they are handing out makes you want to buy more.  That is why I ended up purchasing the $15 Chicken Alfredo meal we had last night.  It was delicious, but not so nutritious.  I admit, I loved the convenience of it!  However, $15 a meal is just not in the budget.  Needed to plan my menu based on what I already had in the pantry for the rest of this week.  Here is what I came up with:

Monday:  Costco Chicken Alfredo, Green Beans, Salad
Tuesday:  Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Dinner Rolls
Wednesday:  Taco Meatball Ring, Cooked Carrots
Thursday:  Steak Stir Fry over Rice, Cottage Cheese
Friday:  Upside Down Pizza, chips, veggies & dip
Saturday:  Family Get Together...not sure what I am bringing yet. 
Sunday:  Grillin' out!  Forecast is 64 and sunny...it better not change.

I am linking this up with many other bloggers on Organizing Junkie's blog...join me and get some recipe inspiration! 

Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles

This is one of my favorite meals.  It is simple.  It is yummy.  It is NOT healthy.  Sometimes we just need a little comfort food, and this is definitely the recipe that I go to. 

Original Recipe:

2 Cans of Cream of Chicken Soup
2 Cans of Chicken Broth (14.5 oz)
1/2 Cup of Butter
1 Package of Split Chicken Breasts (Usually 4 halves in a package)
1 24 oz package or Reames Egg Noodles (Must be this brand)

Cook chicken breasts, butter, soup and broth on low for 6 hours in crock pot. Pull chicken, then add Reames noodles. Cook another 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Salt and pepper to taste.

Changes I made: 

* I just use frozen chicken breasts...usually 3 for a full batch and 2 small if I halve it.
* I added a little chopped carrots and celery.  It makes you feel a little better about eating it.
* I added my salt and pepper to the crock pot when putting it all in.
* My noodles didn't take as long to cook. 
* Keep extra chicken broth handy if it gets too thick for your liking.

This makes a huge batch.  For our family of five,  I can get two meals out of it.  It is so tasty that my entire family will eat the leftovers.

***Special shout out to my sister-in-law Heather for sharing the recipe with me.***

Whatcha Eatin'? Week of March 3rd

After several months of eating out and whipping together dinners, I am finally fed up and ready to make a menu this week!  I am organizing and cleaning out my pantry & freezer this month.  In fact, I am going to start phasing out all the processed foods in our home over the next month so we have quite a bit of food to get rid of. 

Monday:  Cream Cheese Crock Pot Chicken over Rice, Cooked Carrots
Tuesday:  Goulash, Salad, Garlic Bread
Wednesday: Leftovers or Chicken Strips & Fries(my hubby will be gone)
Thursday: Chicken and Noodles (Super Yummy and Super Easy recipe I will share this week!)
Friday:  Pizza
Saturday:  Cheeseburgers, French Fries, Baked Beans, Cottage Cheese
Sunday:  Chili, Cheese & Crackers, Veggies & Dip

I am linking this up at Organizing Junkie's blog.  Check out the other blogs to get some recipe inspiration.

Getting Back to (a new) Normal

Today marks two months since I lost the most important man in my life, my daddy. 

It still seems so unbelievable. It just happened so fast. Stupid Cancer. He fought for two months.  No more pain.  No more suffering.  For that, we are thankful.  It hurts. A lot.  It's different. But, it is definitely real.  I know it was all part of God's great plan, but there are still times that I question God.  Why my dad?

What about my children?  They still need their grandpa.  He loved them so much.  I still need him.  And my Mother. She's only 63.  Sometimes it just doesn't seem fair.

The past two months have been hard. Very hard. But, today as the sun is shining, I am reminded that there is always something to be thankful for.  Our God is always good.  While I miss my daddy, I rejoice that he is in Heaven. I am thankful for the two months that he fought to give us time. My siblings and I became closer.  We spent many nights together sleeping on the floor of my parents' bedroom during his last days.  We laughed together and cried together.  Now we grieve together, but I am thankful that we have each other.  My husband and I grew closer.  He was an amazing support during his illness.  Making sure I spent as much time as possible with my father.  Seeing my husband say goodbye to my father was a very hard, yet wonderful thing to experience.  Their relationship was special and for that I am thankful.   I have an amazingly strong mother and an incredible family.  I am truly blessed.   My three children will remember their Grandpa who adored them.  Between afternoon naps, tractor rides, trips to Florida, and everyday snuggles, my children were lucky to have a Grandpa who made them feel special and loved.  Yes, we miss him. A lot. He left behind wonderful memories and so many life lessons.  We must continue to make the best of each and everyday...and that's what I intend to do. TODAY, I am going to stop feeling sorry for myself and get back to (a new) normal.  I am going to start living life intentionally.  Join me.