Two More Hits

We have just about completed our weekly dinner menu that I posted on July 5th. Two more to go and we will put together the next week's worth of recipes - maybe.  

Currently, we are experiencing a little trouble with our refrigerator and may have to shut it down for 24 hours of defrosting. Of course, we found this little malfunction the morning after I purchased all the items needed for this past week's meals. So, we have been making sure it is keeping the food cold, using up the product we bought, all the while secretly hoping the problem would pass. It appears it has not so we need to eat what is in the fridge/freezer as not to waste too much for when we shut it down. Its times like this, I wish we had a back up fridge or freezer in the garage or basement. Oh well....back to the food!

Thursday night we had Lean Turkey and Spinach Lasagna which I got from the Skinny Mom website. The only adjustment I did make was to the Italian Seasoning, I used 1 1/2 tablespoons instead of 3. It was very easy to make and tasted absolutely delicious especially for being a healthy version of lasagna. Everyone gave this a thumbs up so that makes 4 and a new addition to our family menu binder. 

Now, I'm always curious if "maybe I just think it tastes good?" My husband, Dave, is not one to hold back saying if he doesn't like something and same with the kids but I am always curious if it is truly as good as I think. So, when I told a friend what I was making for dinner that night and texted her later about how good I thought it tasted and she said she'd have to try it, I offered and took her a piece to try and give me her "rating". (I could do this "sharing" because my family of four only ate 4 pieces from the 12 that were cut. So, I shared one and froze the rest.) Well, her review is ......drum roll, please...... a thumbs up!  

Last night's meal was Creamy Chicken Enchiladas which I got from Better Homes & Gardens. Now, this recipe called for 8 oz. of shredded chicken and recently my friend, Jen, advised me of a "trick" she found on Pinterest for shredding chicken. If you have a Kitchen Aid mixer and add the chicken to the mixer bowl using the paddle blade it will shred your chicken. Well, I tested it and it is true and works so incredibly.  

My chicken after it was poached in the mixing bowl and the paddle blade attached.

My now shredded chicken ready to be used. 

This recipe was pretty easy even though it included poaching & shredding chicken, steaming spinach, making a cream sauce and assembling the enchiladas.  Let me just say this, if the "work" of this recipe discourages you to try it, you will miss out on the BEST tasting enchiladas. No one talked at the dinner table....they just ate, that is the sign of a 4 thumbs up dinner. 

What was nice is the recipe makes 6 enchiladas. Each of us had one and Dave ate another half of one. This meant not too many leftovers which is always a plus for me when making a recipe. 

If you try either of these recipes, I'd love to hear what you think of them.

Enjoy!

Lists - Losing Control

I'm a girl who LOVES lists. 

If I had to pin point "how" my list making originated I'd have to say it goes back to when I switched from attending public school to a private Christian school.  The school's curriculum, ACE, was based around the student setting their daily goals of the pages they would complete in each subject. This was my first introduction to goal setting and, what I believe, ultimately list making. 

In my college years, I would map out the hours of each day showing when my classes were, my work hours and then the blocks of time I would study for each class. 

My list making has continued into my adult life and even to this day, I am a girl with many lists.
What I've come to learn within the last few years is that lists are one of those things that can be good and bad at the same time. I admit I had always considered them a good thing.
List are great for helping you remember things that need to get done, so nothing really falls by the wayside. The bad part however is that if you forget to put it on your list you may not "look" to see what isn't getting done. It is kind of like list tunnel vision.
An aspect I love about lists is being able to cross an item off once it is done. Its my visual "cue" of having accomplished something. The bad part is when the majority of your list never gets crossed off and just keeps staying the same or grows as you add it to the next day's list of "to do's". When the list gets long, there is no feeling of accomplishment and discouragement can set it.
Another good thing about lists is that they can keep you on task but the problem is that when you are set to working this way, you may become rigid and not willing to alter your plan because the list doesn't allow for it.
When it comes to list making, I have spent more money than necessary on notebooks, cute "task" pads, appointment books, electronic gadgets, etc. Yes, you do need to make a list on something but you can get a little addicted to finding the "right" means to keep your list.
When it comes to lists, there are the "important" lists and not so important or what I would call secondary lists.

• Shopping lists I find very helpful but I have to admit it only keeps me from forgetting an item I need for a planned recipe. Sadly, it doesn't prevent me from buying something not on my list. 
• Home "to do" lists are another list I make but they don't always get done in a timely manner. Both Dave and I are not really the fix it kind of people, so thankfully our home list has more to do with painting/decorating, outdoor/gardening maintenance, etc. Many of these jobs are contingent on time available and finances. I'll be honest, I love the end result of painting a room but the work of it is something I need to mentally prepare for.  
• Chores and cleaning lists are helpful. The kids have a chore list that is posted outside their rooms. Me, I'm still finding all these cool cleaning schedule charts on Pinterest and am still deciding which route I want to take. I'm what you would consider a cleaning freak, so it is okay that a "plan" hasn't yet come together for me.  It is a list in progress. 
• Our family calendar is an important list! Filled with appointments, events, practices, etc.  
• Food lists have a place in our home. Every few months I start to track what I'm eating, they say it is good for healthy weight maintenance. I have to say I always give up on this list, 1.) because it gets a tad tedious, "do I have to list everything?" and 2) sometimes I just don't like to see what I am eating.  This week I've been given the task of starting another list, an important list. Matt, our 8 year old son, is having issues with vomiting (in the last 5 weeks, he thrown up one day out of each off those weeks). After visiting the doctor where she confirmed that there is nothing visibly   wrong with Matt that would be causing this, she has asked that we keep a food and activity log for him. We are trying to determine if there are any common factors that can be pinpointed to the weekly vomiting. Matt has also been prohibited from eating after 7:30 too.  This is a list that has great importance as we determine if there is an issue and if and when further testing needs to be done. 

This is just a simple sampling of my view on how lists can be good, bad, important or secondary as with anything in life.  

Now, what I've recently come to realize as a major "bad" factor of list making and sticking to a list is that people's emotional needs, especially children's, are not something you can list ahead of time. Yes, physical needs (toothpaste, tuition payments, practices) can be met via lists and those are important but emotional needs have no time frame for occurring and they need to be addressed in the moment not later when it is more convenient. 

I've always lived with the goal to "complete the list" "to stay on task" but what I realize is that I've missed some important teaching and learning moments by not being flexible to what I should be doing which is really serving others, especially my family. So, knowing this I have adjusted my thinking when it comes to my lists. Yes, having them is not a problem, they do help me to get things done but I need to listen for those "divine" appointments sent to me by God, those moments of service He has set before me, and make those the priority trumping the list. Just this week I was able to "hear" and put this new prioritizing into practice. The kids were attending our church's VBS program this week. One of the mornings, I had intended to come home after dropping them off and making a few phone calls, I started having a casual conversation with another mom and felt that this was the conversation I was meant to have in that moment. This was my "divine" appointment. What was interesting is that at the end of the conversation, not only did I feel that I was able to serve that mom but that she served me as well. If I had stuck to my list, this moment never would have happened and I would have missed out on a true blessing.

Of course hind sight is 20/20 and looking back over the years, my kid's growing up, etc., I see the many missed opportunities whether it be in time, conversation or service. I can't go back and change that but I can move ahead with this realization and put list making in a new perspective - letting the list lose its control over me. 

Will I continue with list making, you bet BUT I now know to "listen" and see if there is somewhere or someone to serve, a "divine" appointment that trumps my list. After all, my life here is not my own, it belongs to my God, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and each moment of my day needs to be able to bring glory to Him....some days it may be by cleaning my home, others it may be helping my daughter with school work, Matt with a moment of getting over tears and trying to express how he is feeling, serving my husband by being a help to Him or conversing with a friend or stranger who just needs to talk something out.  I don't know what form of opportunities will arise but I do know when I hear, feel or see them, my list will not be in control.

A Hit and a Miss

We are continuing with our weekly menu here at the Wessel household.

Yesterday, I made Lemon Chicken Thighs with Olives. What I loved about this recipe was that it was a crock pot meal but sadly the kids were not big fans. Emily did not like the lemon flavor, she is also not too fond of chicken. Matt on the other hand liked the chicken but being a lover or olives, which I thought would sell him on this meal, did not like the lemon flavor that permeated the olives. Dave and I agreed that it tasted good but it was not a meal that "wowed" us. 

Now tonight, we had a winner for dinner - Baked Tacos. It was so easy to make and the results were yummy. Because we are a family of just 4, I decided to halve the recipe so we wouldn't end up wasting food. This meal also worked well because Dave was able to eat during his quick stop home after work before heading out to play a softball game. This is one recipe that will definitely make it into the family menu binder. 

Hope these receipes are giving you some good ideas or just inspiring you to get back into the kitchen. 

Tomorrow afternoon, I'm planning on making with th kid's help the dessert bars we've chosen to make for the week. 

Weekly Menu Meal - Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Originally this meal was suppose to be made for Friday night's dinner but we were invited to celebrate a friend's son's birthday, so it got preempted to last night, Saturday. 

This recipe for Sour Cream Noodle Bake comes from the "Pioneer Woman" Ree Drummond. This was so very easy to make and very yummy. My husband said the flavors reminded him of a Hamburger Helper meal but with fresh, unpackaged or processed ingredients. I will definitely make this again. It got a 4 thumbs up rating from our family. Enjoy!!!

We Are Family - Part 2

Back in June after repainting of our dining room and kitchen, I posted how it has been my desire to create a "family" wall within our home. A tribute wall. At that time, all the elements had been hung, however, I hadn't decided on the pictures to be used in the framed collage. Well, I'm happy to report, I finally made my choices and today I completed our family wall.

At the top of the wall, is a "w" for our family moniker "Wessel". Next to it we have a cross that has John 3:16 inscribed on it representing our faith in God as Lord and Savior which is pivotal to our marriage and the foundation of our family. Emily's tribute section is on the left with her "E" and the dainty clock set to 6:40 pm the time of her birth on June 2nd. On the right, Matt has his section with a more bold clock set to 5:44 pm the time of his birth on June 27th. Under the photo collage, is a key which signifies that God is key to our family and our family is key to us.

Making the choices for pictures was not easy. I wanted the whole family to be represented and show us through the years. I had originally thought of making the pictures black and white or sepia but when I placed my order online it did not provide that option. So, I printed them off in color and thought I would see how it looked. I have to say the colors do not "fight" with each other and it adds a little "pop" against the crimson wall. 

The majority of the pics are the kids both together and separately but I did include a picture of our home and our pet bunny, Jingle. Of course in the middle, is a picture from Dave's and my wedding ceremony - it is one of my favorites. 

I'm very happy to say that this project is completed. Any additions will be very carefully chosen and only family oriented. 

I love that it is in the dining room where we gather as a family at night for our evening meal and it is also visible from our kitchen which is "grand central" in our home.

As a wife and a mother, I want our home to be a haven, a safe place for my husband and children. As a Christian, I want our home to be a place where God is loved and revered. It was laid upon my heart after hearing a message from our pastor that God should be visible in our home. Not just for our family's sake but also so others can see what we base our lives upon. So, this weekend in addition to completing our family tribute wall, I started to create a "tribute to God" wall. My main resource for the elements here of course is my favorite store Hobby Lobby. I'm choosing pieces that will encourage my husband, kids and myself to rely on God and His promises, know He is always with us and how to live according to His will bringing honor and glory to Him. This is a wall in progress with plenty of room to be able to add more tributes and reminders of our God. 

What's on the Menu?

Being back at home means getting back into routines. I'm a routine fanatic if you haven't already deciphered that from previous posts. 

One routine I'm happy to begin again is my weekly menu planning. I love trying new recipes and when I'm in my menu planning routine, I get to do just that. 

So, this morning I pulled out my recent recipe finds, mainly from Pinterest, decided my weekly menu then compiled my shopping list. One thing I always do is "shop" my shelves for items already on hand saving money by not purchasing an item unnecessarily. 

Here is the list of the items for this upcoming week:

Friday (Tonight) - Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Saturday - Southwest Chicken Wraps

Sunday - Out 

Monday - Lemon Chicken Thighs with Olives

Tuesday - Baked Tacos

Wednesday - Pork Chops with Dijon Herb Sauce

Thursday - Turkey & Spinach Lasagna

Friday - Creamy Chicken Enchiladas 

Saturday - Cheesy Spaghetti with Turkey Sausage

Weekly Dessert:

Chocolate Coconut Bars

The meals on Tuesday and Saturday are ones prepared in the slow cooker. Now, I am just waiting for my son to be picked up by a friend so Emily and I can go to the food store.  

All of these recipes are new, so I will let you know how the family rates them. Hoping more than one will be a keeper with a 4 thumbs up rating.

To Jump and Trust!

My kids are always teaching me life lessons, sometimes small and other times huge, and they don't even realize they are doing it. 

I loved watching the kids at the pool last week and the trust they had to jump in and know that the water would protect them and they would pop back up to the surface. Yes, at first they hesitated on both the diving board and slide knowing that the water was 10' deep. But even with that knowledge, they wanted the experience, the fun of sliding down or leaping into the water. Oh, if we could only do this in life! Take the leap, not really knowing the outcome but trusting that all will be as God has planned for us. 

Many times I get in my own way of what God has in store for me because I look at my portion of the "big picture" which really isn't that big of a view. I make decisions based on my limited view and don't put them before God asking "is this what you want for me?"

Recently, I gave someone a piece of "advice" regarding this exact issue. The circumstances of finances is dictating choices to be made even though the person has the desire to do two things - two things that are the desire of their heart and have nothing to do with unneeded wants. I expressed to this person that they should take the matter to God in prayer. They know that finances dictate a choice but express to God the desire to do both. If it is something God wants for them, He will provide. Its a leap of faith. I truly believe this. God tells us to bring our needs before Him and that He will give us the desires of our heart when our desires are in line with what brings Him glory. Whether this individual will lay these choices before God I do not know, but I pray they will.  

Funny how when you speak a promise from God to someone else, He whispers to you "are you listening to what you said?" 

Anyone who knows me, knows I do not like driving in the rain, especially down pours. Well, the forecast for my return trip from Tennessee was not looking too good - a lot of rain along the eastern coast.  As I went to bed the night before, I was talking with God. I told Him you know how much I do not like driving in rain but I also know and trust that you will bring me through whatever lies before me. My circumstances (the weather) looked bleak but I stepped out in faith that God would bring me through. Now I didn't ask Him to make the weather change for me, I just asked that He would guide me through it, no matter what the weather. There are many times I want circumstances to change but I'm realizing the trust and learning from God doesn't usually come when the circumstances are changed but when the circumstances are hard and not to our liking. We miss the blessing of the moment or the joy of an answer to a prayer for something we thought for sure would never happen.

I left that morning in rain, trusting God that this is what He had for me and that there is a reason, even though it is not something I "liked". About an hour into the drive, the sun broke through for a moment but went gray quickly and I was okay with that. I took it as a sign just letting me know "I'm here". It rained off and on, but never a downpour until we reached Roanoke, VA and the for the rest of the trip there was no rain, first cloudy, then sunshine until we reached our home. 

So, from this I learned that I need to have more faith in putting those "unchangeable" things (big and small) before God. Leaping in faith that He has everything under control, that He will give me the desires of my heart, when they are in line with His will for my life. Also, I need to look for the blessings along the way, on the journey. Those signs that show me He is working and I need to just keep walking in faith and trust. 

Today, I am thankful for the lessons He teaches me everyday, through His Word, His whispers and even through my children who show me many times the lessons He has for me that they have accepted in their childlike faith. To jump and trust!

Sweet Home New Jersey

I'm back!! Its hard to believe that the kids and I were away from our home for 15 days. 

From my previous post, you can see we left the middle of June for a family vacation in Florida. We had such an amazing time... a little tired from trying to fit in as much Disney on our last 2 days in Florida but what a great time we had!! 

On Sunday the 23rd, we drove from Florida to my parents home in Tennessee. Each summer the kids and I go for a visit (sometimes with Dave). Knowing we were driving to Florida, we decided that instead of coming all the way home to headed back south a week or so later for our annual visit we would make it a "stop" on the way back north. Dave flew back on Monday the 24th while the kids and I stayed driving back just this past Tuesday (July 2nd).  

We had a great time visiting with my parents. I'm always taken back by the beauty and quiet of the area. Living in the most populated county of northern NJ it takes time to adjust to the "quiet" that happens in rural, farm country - no hum of traffic or activity, no planes over head, etc. As for the scenery, there is nothing like taking in God's creation in its natural form. Breathtaking!! 

Friend's of my parents have a beautiful pool and gave us an open invitation to use it while we were in town. The kids absolutely loved it. I think we missed just 2 days at the pool during our entire visit. The pool is 10 feet deep accommodating the slide and diving board. The funny thing is my kids spent the majority of their pool time in the deep end. They slept pretty well at night for all the "work" they did swimming that deep end. A big "thank you" to the Johnson family. I think you will have annual visitors at your pool!  

It was fun watching Emily cooking with her grandma in the kitchen.  Grandma has a lot of cool cooking gadgets and Emily LOVES gadgets so cooking was a lot of fun for her. The kids did really great trying and eating some of Grandma's specialties - "deconstructed" cabbage rolls, green bean soup, etc. 

Another special event while visiting was celebrating Matt's 8th birthday. While on vacation in Florida, I asked Matt if he still wanted me to make a cake for him. Of course, he said "yes, the tornado cake, with debris." I thought for sure being away from home would get me a "cake pass". No such thing!!  

So, I attempted my second cake in 11 years. I would have loved to make something that was a little more of a 3-D cake but that just wasn't going to happen. Instead I baked a 13x9 chocolate cake and created the tornado from icing.  I was able to find black food coloring at Wal-Mart and piped the tornado on top a layer of white icing. I crushed Oreos to make the debris trail and added a few trees and farm animals inside the tornado.  Now I know the tornado scale only goes to an F5 (when your son is a tornado enthusiast you learn your facts) but seeing he was turning 8 and he is our little tornado I rated his cake an F8. Matt was very happy with the outcome of the cake and let me tell you this cake tasted delicious. I thought for sure we would be throwing some of it away for lack of being eaten. No way!! This cake was eaten over 3 days, it was that good. 

Matt also requested that for his birthday we eat at McDonald's. Why? Well, mainly because of their Wi-Fi connection. Although Grandma has a computer and Internet access, she is not set up with Wi-Fi, so all our electronic items were on Internet vacation, except at the local McDonald's.  

Matt and the boys (Grandpa Joe and Uncle Bob) sat together.

While the girls (Grandma, Emily and I), got to sit next to them at another table.

It seems that the last two summers we've visited Tennessee it has been close to the 4th of July which means buying fireworks. Last year, Dave was with us so we blew them off several times during our visit. This year seeing I was in charge we only did them our last evening there. We purchased them at the local fire department. Grandma & Grandpa knew the people working the sale and the one young man who is a fireman took Matt into the bays to check out the trucks. He even let Matt put on some of his gear. Matt so wants to be a fireman so this was a major plus to our visit. 

All in all we had a wonderful time. It is sad that we only get to see them once a year but we are happy that we get to do that. 

Tuesday morning we left at 7 am in order to make the 9+ hour trip home in one day (usually when alone with the kids, I'll split the drive). The weather during the first half was a little rainy but the rest of the trip was bright and sunny. Oh, we stopped in Maryland to get gas and eat lunch and right behind the Wendy's was a Hobby Lobby. I know you're wondering if I went in.....you know how I love Hobby Lobby, but I am 3 hours away from being home after 15 days. Of course, I went in!!! A little walking around helped after all that sitting. 

We made it home around 6 - we arrived in NJ during the beginning of rush hour traffic. We loved on Jingle, unpacked the car, then loved on Dave when he got home from work.

Going on vacation and visiting family and friends is awesome and something we love to do BUT it is also great when you come home!!!