Organized Chaos

  • What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    It is a little different week for our family because we have some special plans for the Memorial weekend!  I look forward to sharing our fun adventures with you soon.  Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef or Pasta Entree):  Homemade Hamburger & Vegetarian Pizza, Cesear Salad
    • Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree):  Sesame Teriyaki, Asian Noodles
    • Wednesday (Kid’s Night to Cook):  Brina & Karlie’s Night to Cook Dinner
    • Thursday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree):  Special Event
    • Friday, Saturday, & Sunday:  Memorial Weekend Celebrations! 🙂

    I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or pasta entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth).  It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned.  I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.

    Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family.  On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home.  As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes.  If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).

    As a family of four our life can get busy.  What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget.  Our family typically eats 6 to 7  dinner meals at home a week.  We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat.  Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family.  Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day.  Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends.  The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety.  We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.

    Photo by Liz

  • What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    I am excited to announce that the menu has been altered a little bit this week.  Since the girls already help and love creating goodies with us in the kitchen I have decided to do a trial run and let them be in charge of dinner on Thursday night.  The girls are now seven years old and have been putting together most of their school lunches so I think they should be able to come up with a few fun items to make for family dinner.  I look forward to seeing what the two of them come up with to eat!  I will be in the kitchen to assist and help when called upon but for the most part I want them to do as much as of it as they can on their own.  Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef or Pasta Entree):  Lasagna, French Bread
    • Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree):  Spicy Citrus Glazed Shrimp, Angel Hair Pasta
    • Wednesday (Kid’s Night to Cook):  Brina & Karlie’s Night to Cook Dinner
    • Thursday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree):  Special Event – Around The World
    • Friday, Saturday, & Sunday:  Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting

    I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or pasta entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth).  It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned.  I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.

    Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family.  On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home.  As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes.  If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).

    As a family of four our life can get busy.  What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget.  Our family typically eats 6 to 7  dinner meals at home a week.  We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat.  Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family.  Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day.  Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends.  The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety.  We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.

    Photo by Liz

  • What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    With the last few weeks of traveling, family staying with us, and everything going on it has been difficult getting the menu posted.  This past month we had over two weeks when our household went from four people to nine.  There were even days when we had 18 to 26 people over for a meal.  This is the first week in several months that resemble “normal” and I am trying to get caught back up again.   This weeks meals are simple, based off the items we have in the kitchen, and using up the leftovers from having guests.  Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef Entree): Cube Steak Sandwiches, Watermelon
    • Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree):  Ham, Green Beans, Fresh Leafy Salad
    • Wednesday (Chicken Entree):  Chicken & Broccoli Stir Fry, Jasmine Rice
    • Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree):  Pancakes, Fresh Fruit
    • Friday, Saturday, & Sunday:  Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting

    I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth).  It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned.  I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.

    Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family.  On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home.  As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes.  If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).

    As a family of four our life can get busy.  What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget.  Our family typically eats 6 to 7  dinner meals at home a week.  We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat.  Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family.  Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day.  Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends.  The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety.  We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.

    Photo by Liz

  • Organized Chaos: Clean Pantry

    Organizing the Large Kitchen Pantry

    Since I cleaned out the white pantry cabinet it is time for the large pantry to be cleaned out.  It is wonderful having a large pantry in the kitchen but when it gets all disorganized it makes it difficult to find the items that you need.  Thankfully I have a system where the different types of food go but there are times when they don’t get put away in the right place so it becomes a little crazy over time.

    Organizing the left side of the pantry

    • First Shelf (from the top) – Flour and Sugar
    • Second Shelf – Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar & Powdered Sugar
    • Third Shelf – Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Chicken, Mushrooms
    • Fourth Shelf – Tomatoes (Diced, Whole, Paste, Sauce)
    • Fifth Shelf – Pasta & Spaghetti Sauces
    • Bottom Shelf – Pasta & Spaghetti Sauces, Oatmeal, Oils

    The middle shelves hold a lot of other food items from soup, pickles, olives, salsa, tuna fish, jam, jelly, frosting, and more!  It is nice having it all organized.  Now I know exactly what items I need to pick up at the store and which ones I have plenty of in the pantry.

    Organizing the back right side of the pantry

    I didn’t get a picture of the full right back side of the pantry.  The first two shelves have boxed items from desserts to pancakes to muffins and more.

    • Third Shelf – Boxed Food Items
    • Fourth Shelf – Canned Fruit
    • Fifth Shelf – Canned Vegetables
    • Bottom Shelf – Canned Beans

    It makes me happy having a clean and organized pantry!  Let’s hope it stays somewhat organized for at least a few months (who am I kidding maybe a few weeks) with both of us and the kids going in and out of it!   Although I am thankful for a husband and kids who enjoy helping out in the kitchen.

  • Organized Chaos: Re-Organized Pantry

    Kitchen Pantry

    I had some motivation to clean out our white kitchen pantry recently…..we had company coming!  It was time to clean out some of the stuff that was getting close to expiration and re-organize the items that go together.   Plus I wanted to find out what we really had so I could re-stock with items we need before company arrived. I forgot to take a “before” picture but here is the “after” picture:

    • First Shelf – Instant Strawberry & Chocolate Milk, Power Bars, Magic Straws, Raisins and Nuts
    • Second Shelf – Hot Pasta Sides, Cold Pasta Sides, and Regular Pasta Noodles
    • Third Shelf – Lasagna Noodles, Potatoes & Potato Mixes, Rice & Rice Mixes
    • Fourth Shelf – Fruit Chews, Chips, Crackers, and Rice Cakes

    It always makes me happy opening cupboards and seeing them organized.  Somehow the pantry areas have a way of getting messy quickly when everyone is busy cooking (including me, ha!).  One of the best parts about re-organizing is it gives me an opportunity to put the items that are expiring the soonest in front to make sure I use those first.  Next step after getting the cabinets in order is to make a list of items I need at the store!

  • What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    I have taken a few weeks off from posting the menu with all the traveling.   It was wonderful traveling around the world (India, Charleston, and a few places in between) but thankful to be back home again.  We have some family coming into town for a visit so I will do my best to stay up to date but my regular menu may not be back on track for a few weeks once life “returns to normal”.    This week the menu is based on what I already have in the freezer / pantry that needs to be eaten so it does not necessarily follow the “meat” for the day.  Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef Entree): Lasagna, French Bread
    • Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree):  Green Bean Tator Tot Casserole, Fresh Fruit Salad
    • Wednesday (Chicken Entree):  Chicken Noodle Soup, Bread
    • Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree):  Enchiladas, Steamed Vegetables
    • Friday, Saturday, & Sunday:  Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting

    I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth).  It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned.  I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.

    Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family.  On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home.  As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes.  If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).

    As a family of four our life can get busy.  What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget.  Our family typically eats 6 to 7  dinner meals at home a week.  We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat.  Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family.  Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day.  Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends.  The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety.  We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.

    Photo by Liz

  • Review & Giveaway: Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler

    I am thrilled to introduce you to the new Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler that I have recently received PLUS I will be giving away 1 of the Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler’s to one lucky reader (details below)!!!  It includes everything you need for your waste and recycling in one container for your kitchen.  Even though we have only been using it for a short time our family has enjoyed having a specific spot to put all our recycling materials.   The recycled items are contained within the Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler so we don’t even have to see them until we are ready to take them to recycle. I am very excited to be giving one of these great Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recyclers to one of my readers!

    Here are some of the benefits of the Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler:

    • Keeps recyclables off the counter by giving them a place to live in your kitchen
    • The bottom tilt out bin holds a standard 8-gallon trash bag AND features LinerLock™ bag management, so your bag stays put and does not slip
    • Both the top bin and bottom bin have convenient handles when needed to transport recyclables to wherever your recycling is stored for pick-up or transport
    • The 2-in-1 Recycler fits more recyclables while using 25% less floor space compared to typical divided containers
    • Made with recyclable materials and is recyclable

    The Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler has quickly become a hit with my family.  My favorite part about this great product is that it takes up less floor space and contains all the recycled material in one spot.  The recycled items are out of sight until it is time to take them and Rubbermaid has made it easy to transport the items with the handles.

    Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler details:

    • Two unit bin 2-in-1 Recycler
    • Contain trash and recyclables all in one location or sort your recyclables
    • Sleek design blends into kitchen décor
    • Features LinerLock™ bag management in lower bin
    • Removable lid
    • Fold-away handles
    • 5.8 gal sorting bin
    • 7.4 gal tilt out bin with Liner Lock™ handles
    • Total capacity = 13.2 gal
    • Perfect for multi-stream or single stream recycling
    • Suggested Retail Price is $39.99

    I encourage you to check out more information on Rubbermaid’s 2-in-1 Recycler if you are interested in finding a nice solution for your recycling needs.  These Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recyclers would make a great birthday or wedding gifts for family or friends!  The Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler can be purchased at Rubbermaid’s website or at your local Meijer store.

    Giveaway

    As a way to say thank you to my readers and to share Rubbermaid’s great 2-in-1 Recycler I am hosting a giveaway!

    The winner of this giveaway will receive:

    • 1 Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler (see picture and details above)

    Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

    1. Sign up to follow my blog (if you haven’t done so already) and leave a comment below telling us how you follow Blessings Multiplied.  You can sign up to receive Blessings Multiplied via email or like on Facebook.
    2. You can get a bonus entry into the drawing if you leave a separate comment below sharing your best recycling tip!

    All comments must be made by Monday, April 30, 2012 at 10:00 PM EST to be entered into the drawing.

    More information about Rubbermaid and the 2-in-1 Recycler can be found:

    *I was given this product for free to write an informed review.  The opinions expressed in this post are my own.  I was not paid to write this post.  A special thanks to Rubbermaid for providing this 2-in-1 Recycler to review and for the giveaway for my readers!

  • What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    This week is pretty busy with a lot of extra activities so I am gong to try and keep it fairly simple.  Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef Entree):  Spaghetti & Meatballs, Fresh Salad, Garlic Bread
    • Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree):  Catfish, Strawberry Cucumber Salad
    • Wednesday (Chicken Entree):  Easy Crockpot Chicken Tacos
    • Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree):  Special Event
    • Friday, Saturday, & Sunday:  Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting

    I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth).  It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned.  I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.

    Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family.  On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home.  As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes.  If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).

    As a family of four our life can get busy.  What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget.  Our family typically eats 6 to 7  dinner meals at home a week.  We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat.  Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family.  Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day.  Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends.  The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety.  We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.

    Photo by Liz

  • What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    It is a super busy week with a lot of additional activities going on but I have a simple menu planned out to help make our evenings flow even more smoothly.  Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef Entree):  Hamburgers, Steamed Vegetables
    • Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree):  Hotdogs, Pork & Beans
    • Wednesday (Chicken Entree):  Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Fresh Fruit
    • Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree):  Blueberry Pancakes, Homemade Strawberry Sauce
    • Friday, Saturday, & Sunday:  Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting

    I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth).  It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned.  I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.

    Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family.  On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home.  As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes.  If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).

    As a family of four our life can get busy.  What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget.  Our family typically eats 6 to 7  dinner meals at home a week.  We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat.  Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family.  Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day.  Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends.  The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety.  We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.

    Photo by Liz

  • What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    It is a “new kind of normal” around our house this week.  Trying to eat up through some items in the pantry and fridge.  Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef Entree):  Homemade Hamburger & Pepperoni Pizza, Fresh Leafy Salad
    • Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree):  Tuna Fish Salad, Fresh Fruit
    • Wednesday (Chicken Entree):  Chicken Noodle Soup, French Bread
    • Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree):  Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Tomato Soup
    • Friday, Saturday, & Sunday:  Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting

    I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth).  It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned.  I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.

    Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family.  On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home.  As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes.  If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).

    As a family of four our life can get busy.  What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget.  Our family typically eats 6 to 7  dinner meals at home a week.  We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat.  Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family.  Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day.  Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends.  The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety.  We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.

    Photo by Liz