Snickerdoodle Bars

I wish I could do a scratch and sniff for you.  We have our volunteer tea for parent helpers tomorrow and I made these.  I haven't tasted them yet, but oh, my house smells so amazing!  I wish I could invite you over for a cup of tea and a Snickerdoodle bar!

My Take on the Lost finale

First off, I have to say I really liked the way they ended it!  Here's my thoughts.


I think ppl are trying too hard find the answers.

 Here's my take:  We live life and don't always know what all the answers are.  We don't know why things happen, or what will happen as a result of decisions we make and ppl we meet.  There are events that will lead us off the path we are taking and show us how to get where we need to be.  There are also places we will journey to that we will never know the impact of.  Life is about making mistakes, and having victories.  Its about the highs and the lows.  Its about the connections we make along the way who can take us through those times when we fall.  At the end, its about forgiving yourself and others for mistakes you've made and being forgiven.  Its about choosing to move on from that past.

Some of the characters didn't move on because they weren't ready to let go and move on.

I loved this finale.  I loved the way it ended.  Yes, there were unanswered questions details about how they got there, but don't we face that in our lives all the time.  Well done for the finale.  I loved it!!

Menu Plan Monday

I had a great fundraiser with Pampered Chef and Creative Memories today.  I think I made about $250 for my Team In Training Fundraising!  I'm getting close to my goal.  Its going well :)

This weekend was busy.  I'm enjoying some down time right now, sitting and watching Fame from Pay Per View and planning my menu.  This week is going to be a little different than usual.  My birthday is on Wednesday, so we have lots of stuff going on.  Also, I am so excited that my younger brother is coming to town!  I haven't seen him since last March, before he left for Iraq.  They're coming over on Sunday.  I'm looking forward to seeing him and being able to cook for my sister in law and brother!

Here's the plan for this week:

Monday:  crock pot stroganoff

Tuesday: Pineapple chicken quesadillas

Wednesday: We are all taking the day off and heading to Cheesecake Factory for lunch.  Not sure what we'll do for dinner that night.  Its my birthday, so I'm not planning dinner!

Thursday: leftovers or sandwiches

Friday: homemade pizza

Last week, I made a couple new family favorites.  I will have to share the crockpot nacho recipe I came up with!

I have to make these!

This morning, while listening to students read, I was also checking my Google Reader.  I saw this I have to make them next week!  I'm thinking Tuesday night dinner.  I love many of her recipes, but I usually find ways to cut out the cream since I don't work on a ranch and I'm still watching my hips.  But this, oh my!  One of my favorite things as a child was a steakburger from a place called Kirk's with cheddar and pineapple.  I wonder how they'd taste with beef?  I'm thinking we are going to have to BBQ a tri-tip this Sunday, then go for it later in the week.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  If I wasn't looking forward to crepes tonight, I'd be changing our menu faster than you could say "jackrabbit"

Chicken Taquitos

Last week, I put this recipe on the menu.  When I went to make dinner on Wednesday, I decided I wasn't in the mood for creamy filling.  So, this is my taquito recipe.

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 onion, diced
1 tsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup pepper jack cheese
1 pkg corn tortillas
olive oil

Cover chicken breast with chili powder and salt.  I used my panini press to grill the chicken.  The chicken should be completely cooked through.   Tear up chicken and add to mixing bowl, set aside.  In small frying pan, add olive oil and saute chopped onion until soft and aromatic.  Mix together chicken, cheese, cilantro and cheese.  I use this method (look at step 3) to make the tortillas soft and easy to roll and assemble. Roll filling into tortillas and bake in baking dish for 12-15 minutes at 450.

Serve wirh salsa, sour cream, or Cilantro lime dressing

Stuffed Jalepenos

The one thing I would change in this recipe is to slice the jalepenos in half and fill the halves.  With the peppers I picked up today, it was way too spicy to eat the whole jalepeno with the stuffing.

4 jalepenos, sliced in half, seeded and deveined
1 cup cream cheese
1 cup grated white cheddar
1 clove crushed garlic

1/2 tsp good quality chili powder
dash salt

Preheat over to 450 degrees.  After prepping jalepenos, rinse and pat them dry.  Lay aside on baking sheet. Mix together remaining ingredients.  Stuff each pepper half with filling.  Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes.  The filling should be bubbling and just starting to brown.

Menu Plan Monday

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.  Yesterday, I had the honor of going to a bridal shower for a good friend over in Half Moon Bay at the Ritz Carlton.  Wow!  Wonderful food, and a beautiful view of the ocean.  Did I mention it was amazing?!  I think my husband and I need to go there and spend an afternoon.  I was also asked to attend the baptism of one of my former students.  Their family is Mormon.  I am so glad I could be there and share in that special day for her!  

Now the weekend is almost over and its time for me to plan our meals!  

Sunday- I've been wanting a good hamburger all weekend, so my husband is out cleaning to grill and we're having burgers for dinner!  YUM

Monday- Crock Pot Nachos

Tuesday- Broccoli, Ham and Swiss Crepes

Wednesday- Spagetti with spicy sausage and peas

Thursday: I have Open House at work.  The boys have to be one their own!

Friday: I didn't make calzones last Friday, so that's what we're having this weekend!

Running

I thought I would post this letter I wrote last night to my friends and family about my endeavor to run a 1/2 marathon for Team In Training at the end of next month.

My Journey to the Finish Line

Dear Friends and Family,
Its so hard to believe that I am more than half-way to my 1/2 marathon goal. This has been such a wonderful experience. Each week at our training, we hear about the courage and determination of another person or family who has been struck by blood cancers. These men and women who have survived treatment are so inspiring! I have heard stories of college students, fathers, mothers, daughters and sons. Just this last week, a close friend of my husband's family was diagnosed with blood cancer. I am running for these families. My prayer is that one day, there won't have to be any more of these stories. I am over 60% towards my fundraising goal. Many thanks to everyone who has helped me reach that goal!

My training is going well. I run an average of 6-8 miles each weekend. I have faced soreness and aches and pains, but I have also met new friends and pushed my body in ways I never thought possible.

Thank you for your words of support, your donations, and your cheers. I will hold them close to my heart as I run every step.

Blessings,

Things I Love Thursday

I consider myself a pretty good cook. When I was a single mom, I cooked most nights in my miniscule kitchen and turned out some pretty good meals. Now, I have a MUCH bigger kitchen, and I'm cooking for twice as many almost every night! I find I tend to make more elaborate meals. As a mom, I want to introduce as few artificial ingredients into my family as possible. My step-son has some pretty severe food reactions and I am convinced many of them are because of artificial flavors, colors, and additives. So, when I make macaroni and cheese (which my son thinks is the best thing ever) I buy white cheddar in the block and use this...

My mother-in-law got it for me as a wedding gift. She's my mother-in-law from my first marriage, and I love her! I've mentioned her here before. She says no kitchen should be without one. After having one for about 6 months, I completely agree! I can grate cheese in seconds. I can make homemade pesto, and this summer I hope to use it to make homemade salsa. I can make a mean pie crust for holiday pies. I agree with Grandma Beth, this is one thing your kitchen should not be without!!!!!

BBQ pork sandwiches (crock pot)

I'm a terrible blogger!  I forgot to take pictures of dinner last night.  It was karate night, and we are running frantic from the time we get home until I get my son to bed.  I hope you all will forgive me.  Here is my BBQ pork sandwich recipe.  My husband wanted another sandwich, but said he had no room in his tummy.  My stepson ate his (he's not a huge fan of pork) and my son loved it too!

Chili BBQ pork sandwiches

2 lbs pork tenderloin
2 tbs. high quality chili powder
1 tbs coarse salt
1 16 oz can tomato sauce
1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
1-1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/3 cup water

Rinse and pat dry pork tenderloin. Season both sides of the tenderloin with chili powder and coarse salt. Place the seasoned tenderloin in the bottom of the crock pot.  Add shredded carrots.  Pour can of tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce over the tenderloin.   Cook on low for 6 hours.  Mine sat on warm for quite a while and was delicious and tender.  This is definitely a do over!  I served it with baked sweet potato fries.

Weekly Menu

Happy Mother's Day to all my readers.  We got up and went to church, then came home and my husband cooked me a delicious brunch.  We're being lazy now, and soon I am going to head out for  run.  I'm hoping to make at least 8 miles today, I'm pushing myself for 10 though.  My half marathon is 6 weeks away.

Here's our menu for the week:

Monday: BBQ pork sandwiches

Tuesday: macaroni and cheese (by request of my son)

Wednesday: Taquitos

Thursday: out with my running team

Friday: calzones

Saturday: Beef Stroganoff

Have a great week!

Things I love Thursday

This was one of the best finds I think I've ever stumbled on.  When I got my son's, within a couple weeks, I had to have one myself.  I love how easy it makes packing lunches.  I now make my husband's lunches in them too.  They are awesome!

Here's the one I have:


And I got this one for my son for his 6th Birthday!

Love them!

Mommy time!

In honor of Mother's Day on Sunday, and this post I thought I'd post a couple pictures of my little guy, I'm not going to post one of my stepson because he would be really upset with me if he found out (he's in that time of life when he wants NO pictures taken of him!

Off to the Nursery

Today is a big day in my school district. There is a parent group trying to raise $3 Million dollars to combat the enormous cuts the state has imposed. They are more than half-way there already. With that and the furlough days we are (hopefully) taking as teachers, the 150 teachers who were laid off will be reinstated. This parent group has done an amazing job! Today, many businesses in our city are donating a portion of their profits to the effort. So, my little man and I are off the the nursery after school today to buy plants! I want to get some cucumbers, a few more strawberries, cucumbers and zucchini, cilantro and lettuce, and depending on how much I've spent, I may pick out a lavender and a new rose for the front. We'll see how much I actually get to purchase! I'll keep you posted.

What are you planting in your garden this year? Anything new?

Wednesday's dinner (oops!)

Oops! I forgot that Wednesday is Cinco De Mayo. Seeing how my stepson and my husband love anything that resembles Mexican food, I may have to rethink dinner for Weds. I'll have to look in the freezer and see if I have anything I can morf into a mexican night dinner. I think I'll sent out some stuff and they can either make burritos or I think I'll have taco salad. I'll keep you posted. Here's hoping I have ground beef in the freezer! We'll postpone the sandwiches for next week.

Menu Plan Monday

The weather has finally decided its spring around here! The weather is beautiful. This morning, I got up and went running with a friend. We did 6 miles, and my knee seems to be holding up better than last week. I'm in the home stretch training and raising money for my run with Team in Training at the end of June. After my 6 mile run, my husband and I rode our bikes down to the local Farmer's Market and got some beautiful vegetables for the week. I love the spring.

Here's my plan for the week:

Sunday: Lettuce wraps I'm going to use this recipe as a base, and play with it.

Monday: Eating on the run, we have karate and PTA meeting in the same night.

Tuesday: Pasta with fresh vegetables (we got fresh pasta at the farmer's market today!)

Wednesday: Pesto Marinated Chicken sandwiches (with homemade sandwich rolls, I hope!)

Thursday: Heading out after track workout

Friday: Homemade pizza

Have a great week, everyone!