Thanksgiving 2~

One Thanksgiving celebration was just not enough so Rosie, SJ, and I spent most of our day prepping for Sunday lunch while the kids played~

Rosie made her first every pound cake~

 We all made our first batch of dressing~

 I made my first ever coconut cream pie~

 And on Sunday, Josh deep fried the most delicious turkey ever~

 Some of our favorite recipes of the day~

It was wonderful to have the bigs and littles all gathered around our table
and I'm pretty sad I didn't get a photo but it was awesome... I promise!!!
SO very thankful for every single one!!!

Works for Us Wednesday~ {Menu Planning and Meals}

Menu planning and grocery shopping has never been my strong point SO

the fact that I am even talking about this is major...

kind of makes helps me stay on track.

Savannah has certainly help motivate me to plan and shop accordingly!

Each weekend I sit down with two pieces of paper

to make a menu and grocery list~

{Scott shops at Cosco about twice a month for things we use in bulk}

It's sure not rocket science but makes a world of difference when you are feeding anywhere

between 8-15+ people each week.

{I make my grocery list in the order of the store I shop}

As I plan my menu, I pretty much make the exact same things each week for breakfast and lunch...

only having to figure out my dinner menus.

I also cross through the meal once it is done circling ones we didn't eat

and saved for next week!!!

The biggest tip I can give for lunches and snacks~

Keep your fruit basket full!

The second tip is keep kitchen organized and tidy~

One of the biggest things while prepping/cooking is to put ingredients

away as you finish with them and WASH the dishes!

{Sure makes for a faster clean up when the meal is finished}

I am taking the slack way to share just a few of my favorite recipes.

Basically just snapped  photos from my recipe book~

 This Cranapple Casserole is the FAV thing made on holidays at our house!!!

Spicy Tomato Soup~

1 maranara sauce

1 carton chicken broth

1 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

~Bring to a boil

* Serve with bread or make a pot of pasta and add some to soup.

Perfect and easy for a cold winter evening.

Cobbler~

1 c milk

3/4 c SR flour

1/2 c sugar

1 stick of butter

~Mix well and sit to side

~Pour can of fresh fruit or can of fruit pie filling to baking dish

~Add crust mixture pouring over fruit

~Bake @375 for 45 min.

*Cool and serve with ice cream!

My family does NOT like crockpot food all that much

and I only use it for making soups, sauces, and occasionally a roast.

The only other thing I love to make it is~

Salsa Chicken~

6-8 chicken breasts (we buy frozen ones in bulk at Cosco)

1 jar of med salsa 

1 taco packet

*Serve as chicken fajitas and NEXT day...

Tortilla Soup!

We sit down as a family for dinner every night and I generally cook from scratch.

I do have at least one picky child and if the menu doesn't work for her,

there is cereal or mac and cheese cup.

Our kitchen is pretty much the heart of our home

and many hours are spent here nurturing, bonding, and filling our bellies.

So even though meals are not my favorite activity,

I do realize how important it is for family to gather

and what better place than around the table!

“Laughter is brightest in the place where the food is.” 

– Irish proverb

Please share favorite ideas about your planning, shopping, meals, and recipes.

We would LOVE to hear what Works for You!!!

Next Week~ Organizing and Decluttering