Lots of cooking....
U
Outings....
Play...
Undecorating...
Damons' photos....
A quiet few weeks..recovering from Christmas and New Years :)
Monday, 9 January 2012
Our last few weeks in pictures...
Firstly A Happy New Year.....
Lots of cooking....
U
Outings....
Play...
Undecorating...
Damons' photos....
A quiet few weeks..recovering from Christmas and New Years :)
Lots of cooking....
U
Outings....
Play...
Undecorating...
Damons' photos....
A quiet few weeks..recovering from Christmas and New Years :)
Menu Plan 7th January 2012 - 13th January 2012
This week we have decided to follow the same pattern as last week. Each of the kids and myself was assigned a meal and we were responsible for planning that meal.
We are also linked to At Home with Mrs M!
Mum - Breakfast and snacks
Avril - Lunch
Damon - Dinner
Adele - desserts
Here is our plan:
Saturday:
B - Fruit on the bottom baked oatmeal
L- Greek Couscous
D - Samoan Taisi Moa (Samoan Chicken with banana and sweet potato)
Sunday:
B - Strawberry Granola (see last weeks post) with yoghurt and strawberries.
L - Greek Couscous Salad
D - Scrambled eggs on toast
Monday:
B - Eggs and crumpets
L - Bagels (expermiment with toppings)
D- Yakitori (Skewered grilled chicken)
Tuesday:
B - Chocolate, Raspberry and banana breakfast trifle
L - Cheesy, bacon, chicken, avocado quesadillos.
D - Crispy Fish and salad
Wednesday:
B - Bagels and granola
L - Avocado, tomato, cucumber, mozzarella salad.
D - Russian Stroganoff
Thursday:
B - Granola and yoghurt
L - Scotch Eggs
D - slow Cooker Lasagne
Friday:
B - Eggs
L - Icecream lunch
D - Left over Lasagna
EXTRAS....
Snacks:
1. Nutella Cupcakes
2. Cinnamon, sugar crackers and fruit
3. Homemade yoghurt
Dessert
1. Frozen Yoghurt Strawberries
2. Zebra Cheesecake
3. Strawberry soft serve
We are also linked to At Home with Mrs M!
Mum - Breakfast and snacks
Avril - Lunch
Damon - Dinner
Adele - desserts
Here is our plan:
Saturday:
B - Fruit on the bottom baked oatmeal
L- Greek Couscous
D - Samoan Taisi Moa (Samoan Chicken with banana and sweet potato)
Sunday:
B - Strawberry Granola (see last weeks post) with yoghurt and strawberries.
L - Greek Couscous Salad
D - Scrambled eggs on toast
Monday:
B - Eggs and crumpets
L - Bagels (expermiment with toppings)
D- Yakitori (Skewered grilled chicken)
Tuesday:
B - Chocolate, Raspberry and banana breakfast trifle
L - Cheesy, bacon, chicken, avocado quesadillos.
D - Crispy Fish and salad
Wednesday:
B - Bagels and granola
L - Avocado, tomato, cucumber, mozzarella salad.
D - Russian Stroganoff
Thursday:
B - Granola and yoghurt
L - Scotch Eggs
D - slow Cooker Lasagne
Friday:
B - Eggs
L - Icecream lunch
D - Left over Lasagna
EXTRAS....
Snacks:
1. Nutella Cupcakes
3. Homemade yoghurt
Dessert
1. Frozen Yoghurt Strawberries
2. Zebra Cheesecake
3. Strawberry soft serve
Friday, 6 January 2012
Friday Favourite Finds
Well here we go Friday Favourite Finds. After two weeks on Pinterest I have found many wonderful things :)and here are a few..
My first pick is from Sandy Toes & Popsicles And it looks so, so much fun!!!:
CANDY BUTTONS
My second pick is from Betty Crocker. I love dessert pizzas and this one looks divine!!
BROWNIE AND BERRIES DESSERT PIZZA
My next pick is from Fast Meals from the Pantry. I think the kids will love these :)
OVEN FRIED PARMESAN CHICKEN STRIPS
My next pick is for the kids. I am always trying to make the food fun :)This pick is from Kitchen Fun with my Three Sons
A GRILLED CHEESE ICECREAM LUNCH
My next pickis for all those making their own yoghurt. It is from The Highland View Pantry.
STRAWBERRY OR CHERRY HOMEMADE YOGHURT
I have been searching and searching for some new breakfast recipes. This is one that I have found, from QUICK DISH.
FRENCH TOAST KEBABS
And another breakfast recipe from Bacon Today.
BACON PANCAKES
And one more breakfast recipe from A'la Mode.
BANANA, STRAWBERRY OATMEAL BRULEE
I hope you enjoy my Friday favourite finds being hosted by Finding Joy in my Kitchen.
My first pick is from Sandy Toes & Popsicles And it looks so, so much fun!!!:
CANDY BUTTONS
My second pick is from Betty Crocker. I love dessert pizzas and this one looks divine!!
BROWNIE AND BERRIES DESSERT PIZZA
My next pick is from Fast Meals from the Pantry. I think the kids will love these :)
OVEN FRIED PARMESAN CHICKEN STRIPS
My next pick is for the kids. I am always trying to make the food fun :)This pick is from Kitchen Fun with my Three Sons
A GRILLED CHEESE ICECREAM LUNCH
My next pickis for all those making their own yoghurt. It is from The Highland View Pantry.
STRAWBERRY OR CHERRY HOMEMADE YOGHURT
I have been searching and searching for some new breakfast recipes. This is one that I have found, from QUICK DISH.
FRENCH TOAST KEBABS
And another breakfast recipe from Bacon Today.
BACON PANCAKES
And one more breakfast recipe from A'la Mode.
BANANA, STRAWBERRY OATMEAL BRULEE
I hope you enjoy my Friday favourite finds being hosted by Finding Joy in my Kitchen.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Tempt my Tummy Tuesday!! (on thursday!!)
Linking to Tempt my Tummy Tuesdays hosted by Blessed with Grace.
I have decided to share a recipe that I have had for a while...Super Snickers Brownies!!!
8 tbsp butter, melted
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 tbsp water
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 pinch salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup cocoa
3/4 cup all purpose flour
8 fun size snickers, chilled
1) Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 9" x 13" pan with butter.
2) Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl until blended.
3) Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then stir in 2 tbsp of water and the vanilla.
4) Sprinkle salt and baking powder over the mix, beat in. Do the same with the cocoa. Stir in flour until blended.
5) Put the snickers in a blender and pulse on low speed until all bars have reduced to a coarse crumble. Fold the bars into the batter.
6) Scrape batter into pan. Bake 30 mins until set but still kind of squishy, and top slightly cracked. Cool completely, then cut into squares.
I found this recipe at Cooking with Good Morning America.
I have decided to share a recipe that I have had for a while...Super Snickers Brownies!!!
8 tbsp butter, melted
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 tbsp water
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 pinch salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup cocoa
3/4 cup all purpose flour
8 fun size snickers, chilled
1) Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 9" x 13" pan with butter.
2) Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl until blended.
3) Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then stir in 2 tbsp of water and the vanilla.
4) Sprinkle salt and baking powder over the mix, beat in. Do the same with the cocoa. Stir in flour until blended.
5) Put the snickers in a blender and pulse on low speed until all bars have reduced to a coarse crumble. Fold the bars into the batter.
6) Scrape batter into pan. Bake 30 mins until set but still kind of squishy, and top slightly cracked. Cool completely, then cut into squares.
I found this recipe at Cooking with Good Morning America.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
What has God taught me this week...
Now first I must start by saying I am not a theologian... I have just decided to share some of the things that God has been leading me to think about during my morning bible times :)
I have always struggled to get into a regular routine with my Bible. I seem to establish a great routine and then for some reason I lose it!! Whether it be interruptions or busyness.. I find it really frustrating! I love having a great routine and learning from God. But when I lose the routine I find it really hard to re-establish! I don't know if any of you experience this also.
I was given some great advice recently in regards to reading my bible. This advice was just read and when something jumps out...stop. Re-read it. Memorise it. Look deeper into it. Pray. Listen to God. As when something jumps out then it may be the Holy Spirit at work, teaching us something.
So I slowly began to do this. The first thing that jumped out was the 10 Commandments and Exodus34 where God describes His character to Moses (see post - Who is God?).
It has taken me a couple of weeks to start memorising scripture. I have started with the 10 Commandments. I will then move onto Exodus 34. And then onto Leviticus 19 (where God has stopped me now).
Here is what I am learning:
1) Who God is.
2) How we can be Holy as God commands.
3) I am reminded that He has saved from slavery and punishment from our sins.
4)I am reminded that we create other 'gods' which steal our affections from the one true God.
5) I am reminded to honour the Sabbath day - but how?
I will now explain...
God has shown me that the dictionary is a valuable tool when you don't own a concordance :). Recently as I have been reading I have felt lead to discover the definitions of words found in scripture, to give me a deeper understanding about what I am reading. I have been finding this most helpful.
This week for example I was reading Leviticus 19:1 - Be Holy, because I, the Lord your God am Holy. Be Holy? How? What does that mean? This is what I discovered so far... To be Holy means to be dedicated or devoted to the service of God.
But how do we do this?
First we need to commit our whole selves to Christ. It is a choice, we do or we don't.
But how does this look?
We need to study His word. Just as the lady adviced me to do, with an open heart to God. Learn how He wants us to live. And then start to pray (talk) to God about what you have discovered and ask Him to help you to begin to live in His ways. We can't do it alone! In your own strength - you will fail. It is only through His strength that we can live for Him. In our weaknesses He is strong. He will help. Just pray to God for help. He will hear your prayer.
Be open and willing to take His lead (we all fail at this, but He is patient with us). Be dedicated to His service. How can you glorify God? A kind word...a prayer...through our actions...telling someone else the Good News...serving others...there are many ways. Just trust Him and He will lead.
Other 'gods' in our lives :(
We all have them...be it sport, computer, tv, food....whatever pulls our affections from God. Whatever distracts you from spending time with God. Whatever distracts you from being committed to God's service.
For me it can be cooking or computer. we need to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit here, when He convicts us. This happened this week for me. I had just found Pinterest and I love new recipes!! So I spent hours being distracted by this new toy of mine :(. I couldn't concentrate on praying or reading my Bible because it was like Pinterest was calling me away!
I knew it was wrong, but the desire was so strong! I heard the promptings and half listened. It took a week of promptings and this verse for me to stop. Leviticus 19: 4 Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves, I am the Lord your God. I felt immediately convicted! A metal god!!! My computer!
My time on the computer was making me tired, as I was going to bed late! I was not spending time with the kids. It was not good for me or my family. And I was not spending time with God. God convicts us of things that are bad for us. He is for us.
I am so thankful that He has helped me to kick my bad habit. I am thankful that He made me listen and gave me the ability to overcome this trap. He is awesome and always saves me from myself!
Honouring the Sabbath
This had me thinking. God creates directions and instruction for us in His word because it is good for us. And one of those instructions is to honour the Sabbath - a day of rest. God knows what is good for us. So a day of rest is a good thing for a family.
Also when resting from work, I felt it would be a good time to reflect and share God with the family and others. I feel that my family need to honour God with our time on Sunday when we are resting from work. But how?
Here are some of my thoughts. After church on a Sunday we could take off with a picnic to a park. We could share a meal and reflect on Gods' goodness through family devotional surrounded by Gods' glorious creation. Some weeks I would like to share this time with another family as well. To share our time and glorify God.
I think this will encourage our family (and others) and give us time to spend with one another whilst honouring God.
God is wise and knows what is best for us.
I have always struggled to get into a regular routine with my Bible. I seem to establish a great routine and then for some reason I lose it!! Whether it be interruptions or busyness.. I find it really frustrating! I love having a great routine and learning from God. But when I lose the routine I find it really hard to re-establish! I don't know if any of you experience this also.
I was given some great advice recently in regards to reading my bible. This advice was just read and when something jumps out...stop. Re-read it. Memorise it. Look deeper into it. Pray. Listen to God. As when something jumps out then it may be the Holy Spirit at work, teaching us something.
So I slowly began to do this. The first thing that jumped out was the 10 Commandments and Exodus34 where God describes His character to Moses (see post - Who is God?).
It has taken me a couple of weeks to start memorising scripture. I have started with the 10 Commandments. I will then move onto Exodus 34. And then onto Leviticus 19 (where God has stopped me now).
Here is what I am learning:
1) Who God is.
2) How we can be Holy as God commands.
3) I am reminded that He has saved from slavery and punishment from our sins.
4)I am reminded that we create other 'gods' which steal our affections from the one true God.
5) I am reminded to honour the Sabbath day - but how?
I will now explain...
God has shown me that the dictionary is a valuable tool when you don't own a concordance :). Recently as I have been reading I have felt lead to discover the definitions of words found in scripture, to give me a deeper understanding about what I am reading. I have been finding this most helpful.
This week for example I was reading Leviticus 19:1 - Be Holy, because I, the Lord your God am Holy. Be Holy? How? What does that mean? This is what I discovered so far... To be Holy means to be dedicated or devoted to the service of God.
But how do we do this?
First we need to commit our whole selves to Christ. It is a choice, we do or we don't.
But how does this look?
We need to study His word. Just as the lady adviced me to do, with an open heart to God. Learn how He wants us to live. And then start to pray (talk) to God about what you have discovered and ask Him to help you to begin to live in His ways. We can't do it alone! In your own strength - you will fail. It is only through His strength that we can live for Him. In our weaknesses He is strong. He will help. Just pray to God for help. He will hear your prayer.
Be open and willing to take His lead (we all fail at this, but He is patient with us). Be dedicated to His service. How can you glorify God? A kind word...a prayer...through our actions...telling someone else the Good News...serving others...there are many ways. Just trust Him and He will lead.
Other 'gods' in our lives :(
We all have them...be it sport, computer, tv, food....whatever pulls our affections from God. Whatever distracts you from spending time with God. Whatever distracts you from being committed to God's service.
For me it can be cooking or computer. we need to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit here, when He convicts us. This happened this week for me. I had just found Pinterest and I love new recipes!! So I spent hours being distracted by this new toy of mine :(. I couldn't concentrate on praying or reading my Bible because it was like Pinterest was calling me away!
I knew it was wrong, but the desire was so strong! I heard the promptings and half listened. It took a week of promptings and this verse for me to stop. Leviticus 19: 4 Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves, I am the Lord your God. I felt immediately convicted! A metal god!!! My computer!
My time on the computer was making me tired, as I was going to bed late! I was not spending time with the kids. It was not good for me or my family. And I was not spending time with God. God convicts us of things that are bad for us. He is for us.
I am so thankful that He has helped me to kick my bad habit. I am thankful that He made me listen and gave me the ability to overcome this trap. He is awesome and always saves me from myself!
Honouring the Sabbath
This had me thinking. God creates directions and instruction for us in His word because it is good for us. And one of those instructions is to honour the Sabbath - a day of rest. God knows what is good for us. So a day of rest is a good thing for a family.
Also when resting from work, I felt it would be a good time to reflect and share God with the family and others. I feel that my family need to honour God with our time on Sunday when we are resting from work. But how?
Here are some of my thoughts. After church on a Sunday we could take off with a picnic to a park. We could share a meal and reflect on Gods' goodness through family devotional surrounded by Gods' glorious creation. Some weeks I would like to share this time with another family as well. To share our time and glorify God.
I think this will encourage our family (and others) and give us time to spend with one another whilst honouring God.
God is wise and knows what is best for us.
Weekly Menu Plan 31st December 2011 to 5th January 2012
This week I have decided to get the kids to help with the meal plan. I scrunched up bits of paper with the meals written on them. Each of the kids picked a paper and they became responsible for planning a weeks menu and helping to cook it.
And this week I am starting to link up with 'I'm an organising Junkie'
This is how the week looked:
Mum: Breakfast and snack
Damon: Lunch
Adele: Dinner
Avril: Dessert
Here is how our week has looks:
Saturday:
Breakfast: Strawberry Almond Granola and English muffins
Snack: Malteser Cookies
Lunch: Honey Banana Wholewheat toast and yoghurt
Snack: Fruit
Dinner: Sweet hot drumsticks with honey roasted potatoes
Sunday
Breakfast: Egg Sandwich with baby spinach, brie and maple bacon (all upon homemade english muffins :) )
Snack: Fruit
Lunch: Roast turkey, roast vegies, yorkshire pudding and gravy.
Dessert: S'mores cobbler with homemade malteser icecream.
Snack: Fruit
Dinner: Rice Bubbles and Yoghurt Pops
Monday:
Breakfast: strawberry granola, Honey and vanilla homemade yoghurt and maple syrup.
Snack: Fruit
Lunch: Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread
Snack: Malteser Cookies and milk
Dinner: Hot Dog Spaghetti
Tuesday:
Breakfast: Banana Coconut oatmeal
Snack: Honey and vanilla yoghurt
Lunch: Scrambled egg wrap
Snack: Cinnamon Swirl raisin toast
Dinner: Garlicky baked fries and home made chicken nuggets
Wednesday:
Breakfast: Strawberry Granola and yoghurt with maple syrup
Snack: Fruit
Lunch: Animal shaped roll sandwiches
Snack: Yoghurt and fruit
Dinner: Bubble Up Pizza and salad
Thursday:
Breakfast: Home made Pop tarts
Snack: Fruit and yoghurt
Lunch: Animal Shaped roll sandwiches
Snack: Rice crackers and fruit
Dinner: Crispy Honey Garlic Wings and home made tater tots
Friday:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs on toast
Snack: Fruit
Lunch Icecream Bread
Snack: Yoghurt
Dinner: Cheese stuffed meatballs and spaghetti
And this week I am starting to link up with 'I'm an organising Junkie'
This is how the week looked:
Mum: Breakfast and snack
Damon: Lunch
Adele: Dinner
Avril: Dessert
Here is how our week has looks:
Saturday:
Breakfast: Strawberry Almond Granola and English muffins
Snack: Malteser Cookies
Lunch: Honey Banana Wholewheat toast and yoghurt
Snack: Fruit
Dinner: Sweet hot drumsticks with honey roasted potatoes
Sunday
Breakfast: Egg Sandwich with baby spinach, brie and maple bacon (all upon homemade english muffins :) )
Snack: Fruit
Lunch: Roast turkey, roast vegies, yorkshire pudding and gravy.
Dessert: S'mores cobbler with homemade malteser icecream.
Snack: Fruit
Dinner: Rice Bubbles and Yoghurt Pops
Monday:
Breakfast: strawberry granola, Honey and vanilla homemade yoghurt and maple syrup.
Snack: Fruit
Lunch: Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread
Snack: Malteser Cookies and milk
Dinner: Hot Dog Spaghetti
Tuesday:
Breakfast: Banana Coconut oatmeal
Snack: Honey and vanilla yoghurt
Lunch: Scrambled egg wrap
Snack: Cinnamon Swirl raisin toast
Dinner: Garlicky baked fries and home made chicken nuggets
Wednesday:
Breakfast: Strawberry Granola and yoghurt with maple syrup
Snack: Fruit
Lunch: Animal shaped roll sandwiches
Snack: Yoghurt and fruit
Dinner: Bubble Up Pizza and salad
Thursday:
Breakfast: Home made Pop tarts
Snack: Fruit and yoghurt
Lunch: Animal Shaped roll sandwiches
Snack: Rice crackers and fruit
Dinner: Crispy Honey Garlic Wings and home made tater tots
Friday:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs on toast
Snack: Fruit
Lunch Icecream Bread
Snack: Yoghurt
Dinner: Cheese stuffed meatballs and spaghetti
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