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Introducing the Newest Member of Our Family – “Spotless”
He is fast and doesn’t particularly like to get his picture taken! The newest addition in our house has been named, by the kids – Spotless! It’s been hard getting even a partially clear picture of the newest addition to our household (or at least the newest member of our fish tank).
For the first time we have a pet frog in the fish tank with our fish. The kids have caught plenty of frogs and toads near the creek, but this is the first time we got one specifically put into our big tank. Spotless likes to hide by the filter or in the leaves. It is fascinating to watch him swim around the fish tank with all the fish.
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
We are getting back into the school routine again and are running full throttle! The house was too quiet with the kids at school so I was thankful for a very busy week with a full schedule. This week will be another busy one. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Pork Entree): Shepherd’s Pie, Lettuce Salad
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Hotdogs, Fresh Fruit
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Orange Crockpot Chicken, Garlic Bread
- Thursday (Pasta or Seafood Entree): Poor Man’s Pasta, 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
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
It was a super crazy week with the girls back in school, Jake back on normal work schedule, and my days packed. I was able to accomplish some activities and make progress last week, but need to pick up pace this week. I have a lot of projects that need attention around the house. When the kids were home for Christmas break I spent the time with them so some of my items got put on the back burner. Here are my goals for this week:
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Finish reading Where the Red Fern Grows to the kids – making progress, but there was a lot of homework last week and weekend events took priority
Plan one special activity with the familyPlay a Game with the Kids– played Jake’s new game Dakato
Prepare for Upcoming Winter EventsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDr. Appointments for Kids
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each day- Continue my YouVersion plan(s) – need to decide which plans I am doing this year
Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – did it over the whole weekend since we had guests for the weekend
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later) – trying to eat through the items already in the freezer
Clean House (Focus – House Cleaned Up After Christmas Decorations are Put Away)Organize Chaos (Focus – Christmas Items Back in the Attic)- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Blow Leaves) – working on it
- Pet Care (Focus – Skipper a Bath) – didn’t get it done this week
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsRespond to Inquiry – Business Relation EmailsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork completed for clients
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Sale Some Items No Longer Using on Facebook / Craigslist – sold a few items!
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File Paperwork- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – went to more than one store
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Finish reading Where the Red Fern Grows to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Prepare for Upcoming Winter Events
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- STEM Competition
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Use up food items in our pantry and freezer
- Clean House (Focus – Basement)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Pantry)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Clean Up Old Storage Shed)
- Pet Care (Focus – Find a New Location for Skipper’s Doghouse)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Sale Some Items No Longer Using on Facebook / Craigslist
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
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The Quieter You Become…
Our Unusual Toilet Paper Thief
The other day I came home from grocery shopping and heard our robotic vacuum, Neato (or “Runner Runner” as the kids call it) beeping. After further investigation I found it in the girls bathroom. I had to laugh at what I found! It managed to catch the end of the toilet paper and stretch it out across the bathroom.
I’ve had the vacuum for over a year now and this is the first time it has gotten stuck in the bathroom. I guess it is inevitable that someone would eventually leave the toilet paper in its zone. Usually it gets stuck on a toy or clothing article someone left on the floor. Thankfully, it only sucked the toilet paper a couple inches before it stopped and started beeping.
The vacuum is awesome! It does a thorough job so it’s not a big deal to come to its rescue when we happen to leave items in its way (even if it may be toilet paper).
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Recipes: Pineapple Coconut Chicken
We tried a new recipe a couple weeks ago, Pineapple Coconut Chicken. When Jake and I were out on a date we stopped by a grocery store on our way home and picked up a bottle of Sharwood’s Pineapple & Coconut Milk that we used in this recipe. It was the first time we had the Sharwood’s Pineapple & Coconut Milk and it was delicious in our recipe! I used the sauce, added a little bit of chicken, and topped it with some cashews and fresh pineapple. The Pineapple Coconut Chicken was served over rice and with a side of Naan.
Pineapple Coconut Chicken Recipe:
- 1 jar Sharwood’s Pineapple & Coconut Milk
- 1 pound Chicken Breasts, cut into cubes
- 1 cup Cashews
- 1 cup Fresh Pineapple, cubed
- Steamed Rice (optional)
- Naan (optional side)
Cube the chicken and cook it until fully cook. Add the jar of Sharwood’s Pineapple and Coconut Milk and cook for 15 minutes. Place over steamed rice. Sprinkle on top with cashews and fresh pineapple. Serve next to warm Naan.
You can find the Sharwood’s Pineapple & Coconut Milk at Amazon or one of your local stores.
Heart Reflections: A Talking Donkey?
Recently I was reading the devotional book with the girls about the donkey in the Bible that talked. Several days later as I was going through a decision process in my own life I was again reminded about the talking donkey. If you have prayed about something for so long God will give you an answer even if that means being as direct (like a talking donkey) to get your attention.
Other times it may come from Scripture:
Often times after weeks of praying you can come across a verse during your quiet time that hits home. You have been praying earnestly for an answer and on that particular day and at that time He gives it to you through Scripture. He knows exactly what you need and when you need it. You may have read that verse many times in the past, but it really struck a chord on that specific day and time.
Or it may come from people in your life:
I don’t know about you, but a donkey has never spoken to me, however, God has used people in my life to speak truth to my heart. Sometimes they speak truth not even knowing the situation I am currently facing. God uses their words of encouragement to help answer my prayer.
