Love It – Splade
Jake surprised me a couple months ago with a cool and practical gift! Love those types of gifts! A splayd!!! Before getting my gift I didn’t know what a splayd was and my first thought was that it was a spork (which is similar, but not the same).
My husband had been noticing how our silverware drawers would be empty before the dishwasher needed to be run so he came up with this great utensil that would cut back on the silverware we would need to use for each meal. Since is a combination utensil we shouldn’t need to get out both a fork and spoon for each meal.
“Love It” is a series of posts on items that I use regularly in my household that I love! There are some items in our daily lives that make life more enjoyable, efficient, or just plain fun. I will be sharing with you some of the products that have been given to us (or to me) that have made it to the top of my list. It’s my way of giving a huge thumbs up!
Quick Tip – Recipe on the Bowl
Recipe written on a bowl with a dry erase marker!
The other day while Jake was making a meal he prepped another meal for the following day. Since he prepped the meal and I was the one who was going to make the meal the following day he wrote the directions with a dry erase marker on the outside of the stainless steel bowl holding some of the ingredients. When I opened the fridge the next day I saw the bowl with all the directions on it. It was awesome pulling out the bowl, following the directions, and enjoying a delicious meal with the family. After dinner all I had to do was wash the bowl and all the dry erase marker came right off. Thankful for a husband who is thoughtful, creative, and willing to help around the house. It was a great meal too! Thanks Babe!
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
It has been a little wild around here lately and I haven’t been posting my weekly dinner menu for awhile even though I am doing it (most weeks). Since I am already planning the menu I might as well share it with you too. The menu plan is especially important when we are busy. The normal Wednesday and Thursday meal entree’s are switched around due to our schedules that day, I needed to be able to do something that didn’t take a lot of prep and with items we already have in the fridge or pantry. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Spaghetti and Meatballs, Green Beans
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Buffalo Avocado Chili (they wanted to make it a “cereal night” but when they found the Buffalo Avocado Chili that we made awhile ago and stuck in the freezer they opted for that instead!)
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Cubed Steak Sandwiches, Sauteed Onions & Mushrooms
- Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Roasted Chicken, 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 or seafood 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
Birthday Dinner at Joe’s Crab Shack
Joe’s Crab Shack was the girls choice for their birthday dinner!
We promised the girls that we would take them out to dinner for their birthday and gave them the choice of what type of food they wanted to eat. Both girls agreed they wanted a restaurant that served seafood. Once we narrowed down a few options they both chose Joe’s Crab Shack for their special dinner. They both love seafood and Joe’s Crab Shack is a fun place to celebrate too.
We made it to Joe’s Crab Shack! They look excited! Whose hungry?!
Brina and Karlie were not sure about the “bibs” but when they saw other birthday adults wearing the birthday bibs they decided it would be okay for the evening. “Let’s Get Crackin – Birthday Crab”
It didn’t take them long to figure out the table had a lot of cool coins, post cards, and neat items sealed into it. It was like a scavenger hunt looking for the coolest items!
Happy Birthday Brina and Karlie! Dinner is served!
Wow look at all that delicious food! They are getting better at shelling the seafood, although at times pieces would come flying across the table which was rather entertaining. Thankfully Jake was there to help!
The waitresses at the restaurant gave the girls blue blown up guitars to strum while everyone sang the Joe’s Crab Shack version of “Happy Birthday!”
Opening their gift from Grandma! It’s not every day you get to open a gift at dinner time!
Thankful that Jake was able to meet us at Joe’s for the birthday dinner! Even though he was probably covered with the flying pieces of seafood by the end he was still smiling!
Thankful for the opportunity to go out to dinner and spend some time with the girls. We are blessed to have them in our lives and look forward to celebrating many more years with them. Praying for them as they continue to grow up (too quickly). Hopefully, they’ll look back on these birthdays and our moments together with big smiles!
The girls had a great birthday with a lot of fun activities and sweet messages, wishes, cards, calls, texts, and even videos with the happy birthday song from family and friends. We appreciate each person that reached out and made their day extra special. They went to bed feeling loved and grinning from ear to ear!
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
This past weekend we got to spend some time with my parents who were in town, celebrate my nephews birthday, and spend some time with our family and two cute kids. The week is packed full of activities, it should be fun being a family of 6 for awhile too. The menu plan is especially important with everything that is going on this week. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Green Bean Tator Tot Casserole, Fruit Salad
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Homemade Pizza, Steamed Vegetables
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Chicken Calzone, Fresh Fruit
- Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Roasted Pork Loin, Vegetable Bake
- 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 seafood 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
Looking forward toward a normal week with the family. We are finally get back into a more normal routine again. Hoping the menu plan will help keep us on track so our evenings will go smoothly. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Beef Taco Calzone, Corn
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Pasta Dogs, Fresh Fruit
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Curry Chicken, Jasmine Rice
- Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Grilled Seasoned Pork, 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 or seafood 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
Last week had a few unexpected events pop up including a full day with one child in the doctors office and hospital doing tests. Jake was in Charleston part of the week, we had appointments, events, and activities throughout the week. We have several busy nights this week again so the menu is going to be pretty simple. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Roast, Mash Potatoes
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Homemade Pizza, Fresh Fruit
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Special Event
- Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Pasta Casserole, 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 or seafood 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
Travel & Vacation: Cruising with the Family
Snapping a picture of Jake from across the table
After a fun full day at Labadee, Haiti swimming in the Aqua Park, zipping down the giant water slide, and time at the beach while some people went parasailing. We enjoyed some evening activities on the boat after our great day at Haiti. That night the girls ate lobster, tiger shrimp and steak for dinner. They had a grand time hanging out with the entire family.
Karlie was so happy! She got her own lobster tail (and she eat it all)! 🙂
One kiddo down during dinner….it’s been a busy day!
Singing “Happy Birthday” to Amber! Happy Birthday Amber!
Singing “Happy Birthday” to Josh! Happy Birthday Josh! Amber and Josh got an awesome piece of cheesecake in celebration of their birthday.
Family at evening dinner
Zach and Nicko hanging out at the table
Leo all smiles
Karlie Kool Kat
Hanging out with my sweet nephew!
Do you see the girls in this picture? They are on up a floor higher than us.
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
Last week I did not get our menu planned posted because our evenings were packed full. Jake was in Charleston part of the week, we had appointments, events, and even had some time with that we were able to spend with family and friends. We have several busy nights this week again so the menu is going to be pretty simple. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Tuna Fish, Fresh Fruit
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Special Event
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Chicken Salad, Fresh Vegetables
- Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Bread
- 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 seafood 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
CONGRATULATIONS to Our Panera Bread Gift Card Winner!
The name has been drawn for the giveaway!
CONGRATULATIONS to
Elena
for winning a
Panera Bread Gift Card!
Thanks for making a comment in honor of our Giveaway!
An email has been sent to you with more information*
Enjoy your next trip to Panera Bread!
Don’t forget to enter our next Giveaway (the next giveaway will be announced later this morning)!
*Giveaway must be claimed within 5 business days of the prize being announced. Failure to claim the prize within the allotted time frame means you forfeit the prize. The actual gift card may or may not be identical to the one pictured above.
