Friday, April 30, 2010

April Meals in Review

Homemade Pizza--I continue to love using my bread maker for pizza dough. I love experimenting adding spices to the crust.  The crust also browns beautifully if you brush a little olive oil around the edges!
5- Breakfast for Dinner--Experimenting with new Flour

Crock Pot Black Bean Salsa Chicken Great topped with brown rice or noodles!

 Brown Bag Burritos--Also made some with re-fried beans and pinto beans--YUMMY!



 Muffins
My little lady loved my strawberry flax muffins. I can't wait to try another flavor in May!

Chick Pea Snacks
FAIL--these were not good.  I have several cans of chick peas that I need to use up.  I coated them in sugar and cinnamon and baked them in the oven.  They were supposed to be all crunchy and tasty.  The texture was not good.   The house smelled great though!

Now, onto May Meals!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Giveaway--A Book for the Mommies!

 This giveaway is now CLOSED.  The randomly chosen winner is--

Marjorie

  • Winners will receive an email with details on how to collect their prize and must respond within 48 hours in order to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.

I had a lot of fun doing this giveaway--so it won't be my last :)


My very FIRST giveaway, from a great friend who is now a published author!



My dear friend Alison spent 5 years in Paris with her husband raising two beautiful children and three years later has written a funny, poignant memoir of her experiences as a mommy in Paris, France. 

The book had me laughing, crying, and wanting more at the end!

In Alison's words:

"This is very much a 'mommy book'  (full of situations only women who have given birth can relate to) so I'm hoping the mommies of the world will love it and recommend it to all their friends...thus catapulting my book to the top of the bestseller list! (well, I can dream, can't I?)."




I will be giving away an autographed book to one lucky reader!

To enter--

Leave a comment below stating why you would like to read this book complete with your email so I can contact you if you win!

Extra ways to Enter--
* Become a Facebook fan and leave a comment on the wall.
*Tweet this post, with @cupcakemommie in the tweet

Winner will be chosen on April 30th, by Random.org


This post is linked to:
Thrifty and Chic Mom
Mom Advice
Luv to Save
Frugal & Fabulous
Mommy Gaga
Smart and Trendy Moms
Money Saving Mom
Money Saving Manie-ac

Menu Plan Monday--April 26th



 Yup, this meal plan does not resemble the plan I originally had.  It is going to be a busy couple of weeks around here!  Daddy is going camping next weekend and we are visiting with Grandma so I am not doing much cooking. I love to cook, but I am always grateful for a break.

What are you cooking this week?

Has anyone ever made Italian Chicken Subs?  I don't have a recipe...but it sounds like a good plan to me with some Italian shredded chicken.

Sunday- Pizza
Monday- Italian Chicken Subs--Homemade Sub Buns too!
Tuesday- Spaghetti
Wednesday- Daddy's Birthday Dinner Out
Thursday-Brown Bag Burritos
Friday-Sunday-- Visiting with Grandma :)

Don't forget to enter my first giveaway by Friday!

Be sure to visit Orgjunkie.com for more great meal plans!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Snacks on Sunday

This week I happened up a few recipes that you need to know about---

Tammy's Homemade Wheat Bread--wonderful for a snack of toast and jam

The best wheat bread I have made so far.  It was a huge hit, especially when paired with--

Kate's Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

This was awesome comfort food.


Happy Sunday!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

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Square Foot Gardening Update #7--April 24th

Guess what we picked this week?

Five Strawberries!!!!!!

**Please note I am NO miracle worker.  These were transplants bought from the genius farmers at the farmer's market who have many more years of growin' under their belts!**

I also read that it takes 3 years for strawberries to bear fruit if grown from seeds...not patient enough for that!


We also enjoyed looking at our Azalea bushes we planted last year (at least the ones that survived--3 out of 5 is not bad since I got them on super sale at the end of the season!)



Be sure to check out $5 Dinners for more gardening updates!

Come back Monday for my first giveaway!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Menu Plan Monday--April 19th

I'm playing catch-up!  I was gone this weekend.  Now, I need to make sure I have the food to make these meals :)


Monday-- Baked Mac and Cheese Cups w/Spinach
Tuesday-Eat Out or Leftovers
Wednesday-Chicken Philly Boats
Thursday-Spanish Rice with Ground Beef
Friday-Bacon Waffles, Fruit
Saturday- Daddy's Birthday Dinner
Sunday- Grill

Check out my April Meal Plan here.







Be sure to check out Orgjunkie.com for many more menu plans!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Snacks on Sunday--Ranch Dressing

Ho hum...this is YUM-MY

Ranch dressing is like magic--it gets my kiddo to eat veggies--now he is even enjoying salad!  

We don't put on a lot..just a little :)

Ranch dressing is something we love in this house, it is also something just as equally that I hate buying from the store or paying the price for the dressings that do not contain MSG or other hydrogenated oils.

After much experimentation here is a homemade ranch that is very tasty!

Homemade Buttermilk Ranch

Ingredients

1/2 c light mayo
1/2 c sour cream
1/2 c butter milk (or 1/2 cup milk mixed with 1 1/2 tsp vinegar)
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 TB fresh chives
1 TB dried parsley
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Mix it up with a wire whisk and store in a tightly sealed container

It is great for dipping and salads.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Square Foot Gardening Update # 6--April 17th

It's been a busy week at our garden!

First we transplanted our pumpkin plants and watermelon plants to the ground---

Our "Pumpkin" Patch

Watermelon Sprouts

Since taking these pictures these plants seem very happy to be in the ground!  

Plant of the Week

Sugar Snap Peas

I can't believe these sturdy fast growing plants!  They are so fun to watch.

This week we also added in some zucchini vine plants, a couple cucumber bushes, and oregano. 

I just can't resist the beautiful plants at the farmer's market and being only a second year gardener--I'll take some transplants, please....any help I can get!

Lastly--I need your HELP---

We took out some dying buses in the front of our house and now we have to figure out what to do with that space.

Here's what the space looks like--






Any suggestions?  Please leave a comment below!





For more garden fun visit $5 Dollar Dinners

Monday, April 12, 2010

Menu Plan Monday--April 12th

I'm trying out a few new recipes this week.  It's also been awhile since I pulled out the crock pot and I'm looking forward to the new chicken recipe.

Our biggest meal blessing has been how much our children have been enjoying our dinners--new ones and old favorites.  It brings me pure joy when they enjoy a dish I have prepared for them.

This week I've joined in on the Ultimate Blog Party 2010. It's a great chance to meet new bloggers.  I've already found many new blogs that I'm so excited to follow!  

Monday--Veggie Burritos
Tuesday---Crock Pot Black Bean Salsa Chicken
Wednesday- Chicken Pomadoro
Thursday- Hamburger Puffs
Friday- Bacon Waffles
Saturday- Out for Girl's Night!
Sunday- Taco Pockets

Be sure to check out Orgjunkie.com for many more menu plans!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Snacks on Sunday--Muffins and Oatmeal Bars

After what seems like weeks, I finally have my freezer stocked with some delicious treats.  It is really important that I make our snacks rather than buying a box at the store.  It's healthier and budget friendly.

Strawberry-Banana Flax Muffins

I used this base recipe, and pureed the strawberries, banana, and flax seed in my blender.










Apricot Oatmeal Bars

I'm really hoping to re-create a fruit-grain bar, so I started with these oatmeal bars.  They are more like cookies, but really good either way!

A cook has to start somewhere right????










We also loaded up on these banana cinnamon waffles--for half the recipe I folded in some chocolate chips (and that was an excellent choice).

This should keep us stocked fora few weeks and keep us out of the center grocery aisles!

I'm joining in on the Ultimate Blog Party 2010 this week--come check it out!

Check out more yummy treats at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Square Foot Gardening Update #5--April 10th

I love looking at the garden.  My son keeps saying "It's growing Mommy, it's growing!"

We have lettuce, spinach, broccoli, and pea sprouts.














Lettuce
 
Spinach




Next up--Once the sprouts get a little bigger I have to pull some out to so there is enough growing room/ square foot.



Lettuce--4 plants


Spinach--9 plants


Broccoli-1 plant


Peas-9 Plants

We put in strawberry, red pepper, and cherry tomato starter plants.



The pumpkins and watermelons need to be transplanted into the ground before they over take the deck!

 Pumpkin Sprouts



Lastly, here's a picture of the growing Peony  we got last year from our Grandma JuJu.

I love seeing plants come back every year!


What is growing in your garden or yard?

Be sure to visit $5 Dollar Dinners for more gardening fun!


I've joined in on the Ultimate Blog Party 2010 this week--come check it out!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

I'm exciting to be participating in the Ultimate Blog Party 2010 hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom.





What a great way to meet other bloggers, learn more about your passion, and have some fun bloggy-style!

If this is your first time here--Welcome!  I'm glad you checked in!

Currently you'll find that I am planning meals weekly and monthly.  I've got a big passion for my garden which I update on Saturdays.  I share recipes on Sunday.

Some of my goals include enjoying  every minute of my growing family, feed them with real ingredients, and continue to learn and grow in my journey as a mom.

I hope you'll visit again soon....and I'm excited to meet some of you!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Menu Plan Monday--April 5th

 
Monday-Breakfast for Dinner

Tuesday- Meatloaf Cups
Wednesday-Chow Mein
Thursday-Chili
Friday-Pot Stickers
Saturday-BLT Wraps
Sunday-Homemade Hummus


You can check out my Monthly Meal Plan here.

Be sure to check out Orgjunkie.com for more meal plans!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Square Foot Gardening Planting Plan--Update #4

We've built our boxes--

We've thought about what we want to plant---

Now--it's time to get busy planting!

First I made a plan--

Get your free garden planners @ 5 Dollar Dinners!

We spent some time soaking the seeds we were going to plant and preserving the extra seeds.

My little one did a great job labeling the jars for me.  We store the extra seeds in the refrigerator.

We planted the following--

Spinach

Romaine Lettuce

Broccoli

Parsley



AND

Sugar Snap Peas...too cute!!!

The last bit of news is that the pumpkin seeds and the watermelon seeds have sprouted!!  I would be over the moon if we grew our own pumpkins and watermelons!.

Next up--more planting or little sprouts??? We'll have to see!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Square Foot Gardening Box--Update #3


Daddy finished up our boxes this week.

Here are some pictures--

Starting to put together "Mel's Soil Mix."




Next up--Planting!

Be sure to visit $5 Dollar Dinners for more gardening fun!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

April Meal Plan

 I'm late posting my meal plan because we were busy learning about farm animals today :)

I've got some cooking and baking to do this month.  In March we were busy tending to minor illness and injuries so the cupboards and freezers are looking pretty bare around here!




April Meal Plan--


1- Chicken Loaf (from the freezer)
2- Leftovers
3-Homemade Pizza
4- Happy Easter All!!!
5- Breakfast for Dinner--Experimenting with new Flour
6-Meatloaf Cups
7- Chow Mein
8- Chili with ground beef, kidney beans
9- Pot stickers
10-BLT Wraps
11-Hummus, Chips, Veggies
12- Veggie Burritos
13-Crock Pot Black Bean Salsa Chicken
14- Chicken Pomadoro
15- Hamburger Puffs
16- Bacon Waffles
17- Out for Girl's Night!
18- Taco Pockets
19- Baked Mac and Cheese Cups w/Spinach
20-Eat Out or Leftovers
21-Chicken Philly Boats
22-Spanish Rice with Ground Beef
23-Breakfast
24- Daddy's Birthday Dinner
25- Grill
26- Tater Tot Casserole
27- Brown Bag Burritos
28- Daddy's Birthday Dinner
29-TBA
30-TBA

Baking List--

Breakfast Bars
Granola
Muffins
Cookies
Chick Pea Snacks

Head over to 5 Dollar Dinners and Once a Month Mom for more great Meals by the Month