Tuesday, July 27, 2010
love these guys...
I haven't blogged in a while and won't be, but to tide you over here are some great pictures of the boys! Have a good week. 
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
photo book motivation
due to our computer on the fritz and many many pictures not off of here has given me great motivation to start at Jan 2008 and finish photo books for the boys by the end of the week. Do you think it can happen? I hope so...that is why I have my blog in the first place:) They might not be the cutest things on the block, but the boys will have something in hard cover that has their picture in it:)
Time clock starts...now!
Time clock starts...now!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Meal Planning Monday
so Casey is gone again this week and he maybe isn't the biggest fan of freezer cooking, because he likes my cooking better. I can't complain, but boy it is fun when he is gone. EASY cooking for me:)
Monday:
L: Lean Cuisine - yes this the last of it...
D: Mom's Style Burger Helper - Freezer cooking with home grown corn (last year's supply)
Tuesday:
L: Lunch with friends
D: Honey Lemon Chicken on the grill with Cheesy Zucchini Casserole I am attempting to use my zucchini in ways that my boys don't know what it is. We will see if this works?
Wednesday:
L: Tony's Pizza and salad
D: Popcorn chicken and Mozzerella Sticks and salad (so not good for you, but really good to eat:))
Thursday:
L: Crafting day and Dr's Appt = eating out
D: Pool Party in Omaha - Hamburgers and Hot Dogs
Friday:
L: Green Bean Casserole
D: Leftovers
Saturday:
L: Neighbor's bday party
D: Leftovers or popcorn chicken again:)
Sunday:
Casey comes home some time...so we will let him decide.
Have a great week!
Monday:
L: Lean Cuisine - yes this the last of it...
D: Mom's Style Burger Helper - Freezer cooking with home grown corn (last year's supply)
Tuesday:
L: Lunch with friends
D: Honey Lemon Chicken on the grill with Cheesy Zucchini Casserole I am attempting to use my zucchini in ways that my boys don't know what it is. We will see if this works?
Wednesday:
L: Tony's Pizza and salad
D: Popcorn chicken and Mozzerella Sticks and salad (so not good for you, but really good to eat:))
Thursday:
L: Crafting day and Dr's Appt = eating out
D: Pool Party in Omaha - Hamburgers and Hot Dogs
Friday:
L: Green Bean Casserole
D: Leftovers
Saturday:
L: Neighbor's bday party
D: Leftovers or popcorn chicken again:)
Sunday:
Casey comes home some time...so we will let him decide.
Have a great week!
Thank you God!
As I am cleaning out our big desk...hoping to downsize this week, I found this frame with a great saying in it. It got wet so it is no longer useful to put up, but I kept it because of the saying.
Thank you, God, for Little Things
Thank you, God, for little things that often come our way -
The things we take for granted when we pray -
The unexpected courtesy, the thoughtful kindly deed, a hand reached out to help us in the time of sudden need.
Oh, make us more aware, dear God, of little daily graces
that come to use with sweet surprise from never-dreamed of places.
Helen Steiner Rice
Thank you, God, for Little Things
Thank you, God, for little things that often come our way -
The things we take for granted when we pray -
The unexpected courtesy, the thoughtful kindly deed, a hand reached out to help us in the time of sudden need.
Oh, make us more aware, dear God, of little daily graces
that come to use with sweet surprise from never-dreamed of places.
Helen Steiner Rice
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Freezer Cooking Sign up Sheet
Lincoln Freezer Cooking Group Sign up
Please fill out the information below and email it back to me. I will compile the answers and respond with results. It is essential that your voice be heard as we are developing the times, places and preferences of this group. I will be working hand in hand with Carla (Beatrice Freezer Cooking Group) in order to continue the great success she has every month for the past 5 years.
Please respond by Friday, July 16th. Please note: Responding to this email does not sign you up for anything. It is just merely giving me information about serious interest, so that I may have several opinions on how to develop this group further. Thank you for your time! Please pass on to others and have them email it to me – Rhiannon at crsvitak@windstream.net Questions – email me or call me 402-416-8345
Name: ________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
Email: ___________________________
Phone: ___________________________
What size of meal do you need? (depending on the size of your family)
- 2 - 8 x 8 portions
- 1- 9 x 13
Where would you prefer to have our exchange?
- Zion’s Coffee House (*will have to check for availability)
- Sprague Community Center
- Other: _______________________
When would you prefer to have our exchange? (note these would occur on the 1st chosen day of the month
- Monday night 7:00 pm
- Tuesday night 7:00 pm
- Wednesday night 7:00 pm
- Thursday night 7:00 pm
- Saturday morning 10:00 am
- Other: ___________________
Any other thoughts or suggestions?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Please fill out the information below and email it back to me. I will compile the answers and respond with results. It is essential that your voice be heard as we are developing the times, places and preferences of this group. I will be working hand in hand with Carla (Beatrice Freezer Cooking Group) in order to continue the great success she has every month for the past 5 years.
Please respond by Friday, July 16th. Please note: Responding to this email does not sign you up for anything. It is just merely giving me information about serious interest, so that I may have several opinions on how to develop this group further. Thank you for your time! Please pass on to others and have them email it to me – Rhiannon at crsvitak@windstream.net Questions – email me or call me 402-416-8345
Name: ________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
Email: ___________________________
Phone: ___________________________
What size of meal do you need? (depending on the size of your family)
- 2 - 8 x 8 portions
- 1- 9 x 13
Where would you prefer to have our exchange?
- Zion’s Coffee House (*will have to check for availability)
- Sprague Community Center
- Other: _______________________
When would you prefer to have our exchange? (note these would occur on the 1st chosen day of the month
- Monday night 7:00 pm
- Tuesday night 7:00 pm
- Wednesday night 7:00 pm
- Thursday night 7:00 pm
- Saturday morning 10:00 am
- Other: ___________________
Any other thoughts or suggestions?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Freezer Cooking 101
Freezer Cooking Tips and Information
- The benefits of freezer cooking are very significant in the areas of lowering stress, finances and healthy eating.
o However, don’t underestimate the work! Cooking one recipe multiple times is no minor chore. But compared to cooking supper every night for a month, there is no comparison!
- As many meals as possible should be frozen in freezer bags as opposed to foil pans to save money and space.
- Please use Zip-loc brand freezer bags.
o We have found them to be noticeably better. You can buy these by the case at Sam's for significant savings. I figure out how much the unit price is for one bag, write it on the case, and then charge the group for each bag I use. This gives me the freedom to use them for personal use throughout the month. The last time I bought a case, it came to seven cents a bag.
o Include the price of your bags or pans in your final costs.
- It is absolutely essential that certain information is included with each meal:
o the name of the meal
o the name of the recipient
o your name
o cooking instructions that are found on your recipe sheet
o what the cook should have on hand in order to serve the meal
- Do not bring any meals to the exchange that are not properly labeled. If you are bringing separate cans of beef broth, pizza sauce, etc. for the recipients to have on hand for your meal, please have each item labeled with the recipient's name and what meal it goes with. This brings lots of clarity to what the cook is receiving from you.
- Do not use staples to attach these instructions. Tape them onto your bag before you freeze the bag, using hot/cold duck tape or just slip the instructions in between your two bags when you double bag.
- Bargain hunt by way of Sam’s Club and Grocery Store sale papers! Buying bulk sauces, meats, etc. from Sam’s is a huge savings. If you don’t not have a membership, contact Rhiannon as she shops there each month and will gladly shop for you. (update: please price check between Sam's and Supermarket)
- Write out a shopping list! Do not try to do the math in the store. Double check your list, making sure you have multiplied everything by the number of people we have participating. It is very frustrating to be short of something on cooking day.
- Have personal groceries rung up separately.
- Double bag everything in Ziploc brand bags only.
- We always have room for more cooks. The more cooks, the more meals! This is never a closed group.
- Exchange day is TBA. Kids are always welcome.
- Bring coolers to haul your food home.
- Each person will receive each meal in 2 8x8’s/2 Ziploc bags or 1 9x13/1 Ziploc bag depending on personal family preference. The quantity of the food received is the same, it is just divided into two bags (2-8x8) or all in one (1-9x13).
- When making a meal with chicken breasts, please use Tyson boneless skinless chicken breasts, Member's Mark Chicken breasts or IGA chicken breasts. The group prefers the quality. Replace “fryer parts” with six breasts per meal. Sam’s breasts are on average 85 cents while Wal-Mart is $1.50/breast! NEVER buy Wal-Mart brand chicken breasts. The average Sam’s Member's Mark bag contains 16 breasts- helpful information!
- Ground beef at Sam’s is also considerably cheaper in a 10 lb. tube compared to Wal-mart. Unless otherwise specified, please use 90% lean ground beef only. Also, watch the local grocery store for slashed prices for meat.
- Please email me your totals TBA so I can email back to everyone the amounts that they need to pay in or take out. At the end, everyone spends the exact same amount. I figure the average spent by all the cooks. If you were above the average, you will get money back at the exchange. If you spent less, you will pay in.
- Please be on time to the exchange. The exchange process takes about 20 minutes, therefore being on time gives us even more time with our families.
- Once you have committed to a month's exchange you MUST carry through and bring your assigned meals to the exchange. You cannot back out during the month. Others might have already prepared meals for you. PLAN AHEAD!!! Leaving it for the last week can be very stressful and dangerous!
- One freezer cooking manual pointed out that starting your freezer cooking at 8:00 in the morning looks and feels a lot different than starting at 8:00 p.m. Look at your month and schedule this day of cooking in ahead of time.
- Hunt for great deals, give yourself plenty of time to get your cooking done and look forward to a freezer full of prepared meals!
- Email me any time with any questions you may have.
- The benefits of freezer cooking are very significant in the areas of lowering stress, finances and healthy eating.
o However, don’t underestimate the work! Cooking one recipe multiple times is no minor chore. But compared to cooking supper every night for a month, there is no comparison!
- As many meals as possible should be frozen in freezer bags as opposed to foil pans to save money and space.
- Please use Zip-loc brand freezer bags.
o We have found them to be noticeably better. You can buy these by the case at Sam's for significant savings. I figure out how much the unit price is for one bag, write it on the case, and then charge the group for each bag I use. This gives me the freedom to use them for personal use throughout the month. The last time I bought a case, it came to seven cents a bag.
o Include the price of your bags or pans in your final costs.
- It is absolutely essential that certain information is included with each meal:
o the name of the meal
o the name of the recipient
o your name
o cooking instructions that are found on your recipe sheet
o what the cook should have on hand in order to serve the meal
- Do not bring any meals to the exchange that are not properly labeled. If you are bringing separate cans of beef broth, pizza sauce, etc. for the recipients to have on hand for your meal, please have each item labeled with the recipient's name and what meal it goes with. This brings lots of clarity to what the cook is receiving from you.
- Do not use staples to attach these instructions. Tape them onto your bag before you freeze the bag, using hot/cold duck tape or just slip the instructions in between your two bags when you double bag.
- Bargain hunt by way of Sam’s Club and Grocery Store sale papers! Buying bulk sauces, meats, etc. from Sam’s is a huge savings. If you don’t not have a membership, contact Rhiannon as she shops there each month and will gladly shop for you. (update: please price check between Sam's and Supermarket)
- Write out a shopping list! Do not try to do the math in the store. Double check your list, making sure you have multiplied everything by the number of people we have participating. It is very frustrating to be short of something on cooking day.
- Have personal groceries rung up separately.
- Double bag everything in Ziploc brand bags only.
- We always have room for more cooks. The more cooks, the more meals! This is never a closed group.
- Exchange day is TBA. Kids are always welcome.
- Bring coolers to haul your food home.
- Each person will receive each meal in 2 8x8’s/2 Ziploc bags or 1 9x13/1 Ziploc bag depending on personal family preference. The quantity of the food received is the same, it is just divided into two bags (2-8x8) or all in one (1-9x13).
- When making a meal with chicken breasts, please use Tyson boneless skinless chicken breasts, Member's Mark Chicken breasts or IGA chicken breasts. The group prefers the quality. Replace “fryer parts” with six breasts per meal. Sam’s breasts are on average 85 cents while Wal-Mart is $1.50/breast! NEVER buy Wal-Mart brand chicken breasts. The average Sam’s Member's Mark bag contains 16 breasts- helpful information!
- Ground beef at Sam’s is also considerably cheaper in a 10 lb. tube compared to Wal-mart. Unless otherwise specified, please use 90% lean ground beef only. Also, watch the local grocery store for slashed prices for meat.
- Please email me your totals TBA so I can email back to everyone the amounts that they need to pay in or take out. At the end, everyone spends the exact same amount. I figure the average spent by all the cooks. If you were above the average, you will get money back at the exchange. If you spent less, you will pay in.
- Please be on time to the exchange. The exchange process takes about 20 minutes, therefore being on time gives us even more time with our families.
- Once you have committed to a month's exchange you MUST carry through and bring your assigned meals to the exchange. You cannot back out during the month. Others might have already prepared meals for you. PLAN AHEAD!!! Leaving it for the last week can be very stressful and dangerous!
- One freezer cooking manual pointed out that starting your freezer cooking at 8:00 in the morning looks and feels a lot different than starting at 8:00 p.m. Look at your month and schedule this day of cooking in ahead of time.
- Hunt for great deals, give yourself plenty of time to get your cooking done and look forward to a freezer full of prepared meals!
- Email me any time with any questions you may have.
Monday, July 05, 2010
Meal Planning Monday
Monday
L: Chimichangas (freezer meal) revised...I am putting 6 in a pan and transforming them into enchiladas.
D: Honey Lemon Chicken (freezer meal) and a vegetable that is on sale when I go shopping today
Tuesday
L: Frozen pizza (we are going to story time at the Walt Library then I am going to work out...so I need a quick lunch for the boys to take a nap shortly after we get back home)
D: Creamy Swiss Steak and Mashed Potatoes (From Busy Mom's Crock Pot Recipe book)
Wednesday
L: Left overs
D: Hamburgers and French fries
Thursday
L: Sandwiches and chips
D: Music and Mozzerella at the Lincoln Children's Museum...anyone is welcome to join us!
Friday
L: Hot dogs and homemade mac and cheese (Patton will be in HEAVEN)
D: America's Pot Roast (from same Busy Mom's Crock pot cookbook)
Saturday
L: Leftovers
D: Taking boys to Aurora...Momma is headed to CHICAGO for a week with the Pampered Chef Convention!!! Thanks to all my boys' grandparents:) They love their grandparents!
Sunday - Next week
Any ideas for things I can leave for Casey to eat? They have to be ready to eat in a matter of minutes or he will go out to eat:)
Have a great week!
L: Chimichangas (freezer meal) revised...I am putting 6 in a pan and transforming them into enchiladas.
D: Honey Lemon Chicken (freezer meal) and a vegetable that is on sale when I go shopping today
Tuesday
L: Frozen pizza (we are going to story time at the Walt Library then I am going to work out...so I need a quick lunch for the boys to take a nap shortly after we get back home)
D: Creamy Swiss Steak and Mashed Potatoes (From Busy Mom's Crock Pot Recipe book)
Wednesday
L: Left overs
D: Hamburgers and French fries
Thursday
L: Sandwiches and chips
D: Music and Mozzerella at the Lincoln Children's Museum...anyone is welcome to join us!
Friday
L: Hot dogs and homemade mac and cheese (Patton will be in HEAVEN)
D: America's Pot Roast (from same Busy Mom's Crock pot cookbook)
Saturday
L: Leftovers
D: Taking boys to Aurora...Momma is headed to CHICAGO for a week with the Pampered Chef Convention!!! Thanks to all my boys' grandparents:) They love their grandparents!
Sunday - Next week
Any ideas for things I can leave for Casey to eat? They have to be ready to eat in a matter of minutes or he will go out to eat:)
Have a great week!
7 years
Since I don't have a scanner...a picture of a picture will have to do.
Happy 7th Anniversary to my husband, Casey! 7 years, 2.5 kids, 3.5 houses (.5 was the one we remodeled in Hebron), and many other memories to add up to a great marriage. Love you Babe!
Penny stove...
Casey finds all kinds of crazy things all over the internet. He made this "stove" out of two pop cans, copper wire, rubbing alcohol, and a penny. CRAZY! The heat was very HOT coming out of this. As you can tell we took every safety precaution...and threw it out the window. Note: stove was on a towel on our wood table. NICE
The boys did a little cooking of their own. I finally put batteries in the BBQ Bubble Grill. The only problem was that we didn't have any bubbles...so I googled recipes and made them:) I don't think I will buy any any more:)
The boys did a little cooking of their own. I finally put batteries in the BBQ Bubble Grill. The only problem was that we didn't have any bubbles...so I googled recipes and made them:) I don't think I will buy any any more:)
4th of July Parade in Hebron
Can we HIT the kids mom? (see previous post for story)
Off we go!
Waiting for the parade to start...Can we go yet Grandpa?
Off we go!
Waiting for the parade to start...Can we go yet Grandpa?
Our Awesome Grandpa that let us ride in the parade and THROW candy!
Fun times while we waiting for the parade to start...too bad it took so long. We probably would have had enough candy for the entire route had we not waited for an 1 hour for it to start.
Kenner answering a question, "What did you like best?" (About last year's pagent). He said, "Talking." 
Crowning the new Mr. Firecracker
Having a picnic with the new girls in town. They were adorable and nice to be around girls. Wow there is a HUGE difference!
Fun times while we waiting for the parade to start...too bad it took so long. We probably would have had enough candy for the entire route had we not waited for an 1 hour for it to start.
Kenner answering a question, "What did you like best?" (About last year's pagent). He said, "Talking." Crowning the new Mr. Firecracker
Having a picnic with the new girls in town. They were adorable and nice to be around girls. Wow there is a HUGE difference!
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Fourth Fun Quotes
The boys were playing outside and our neighbors were having a BIG party (Which they have every year…clean fun). Kenner said, “Look mom he is having a great Birthday party.”
Then we found a baby cat outside that was very scared and was under a car. I told Kenner that the cat was scared of the fire works and Kenner said very kindly, “Well let’s go tell our neighbors to turn off their fireworks.”
While coaching the boys in the 4th of July Parade, I said, "You need to throw the candy really hard so that all the kids get the candy." Kenner inquired, "Can we just hit the kids?" Ummm well that is one way to think of it!
Happy Fourth of July!
Then we found a baby cat outside that was very scared and was under a car. I told Kenner that the cat was scared of the fire works and Kenner said very kindly, “Well let’s go tell our neighbors to turn off their fireworks.”
While coaching the boys in the 4th of July Parade, I said, "You need to throw the candy really hard so that all the kids get the candy." Kenner inquired, "Can we just hit the kids?" Ummm well that is one way to think of it!
Happy Fourth of July!
Homemade Bubbles
Bubble Emergency on a rainy 4th of July calls for a google of homemade Bubble recipes. This is one that I used and it was successful! Phew!
Ann Hallock's Recipefrom the Family.com web site Ann says: "This recipe is a winner. It's easy to mix up--and inexpensive to boot. Stir together 6 parts water, 2 parts Joy dishwashing liquid (this brand works the best), and 3/4 part corn syrup. Store in a covered container. Have your kids try experimenting with a variety of homemade bubble wands: pipe cleaners bent into interesting shapes, cookie cutters, yogurt lids with the centers cut out, and so on. For a giant bubblemaker, cut off the top and bottom of a large metal can with a can opener and hammer the inside edges until they are smooth (a parent's job). Dip either end in the solution and wave through the air."
Ann Hallock's Recipefrom the Family.com web site Ann says: "This recipe is a winner. It's easy to mix up--and inexpensive to boot. Stir together 6 parts water, 2 parts Joy dishwashing liquid (this brand works the best), and 3/4 part corn syrup. Store in a covered container. Have your kids try experimenting with a variety of homemade bubble wands: pipe cleaners bent into interesting shapes, cookie cutters, yogurt lids with the centers cut out, and so on. For a giant bubblemaker, cut off the top and bottom of a large metal can with a can opener and hammer the inside edges until they are smooth (a parent's job). Dip either end in the solution and wave through the air."
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Swimming at the Y!
It is nice to go to the closest pool to our house anytime from 1:00 to 8:00 at night! They are getting braver and braver!
