Blissfully Domestic: Spaghetti Squash Primevera

I am privaledged to be a staff writer for BlissfullyDomestic.com.  and would like to share a few links to some of my articles and great recipes!  This recipe is to die for, and gets my kids eating veggies like crazy!  Hope you enjoy!

Spaghetti Squash Primavera Gluten Free Recipe

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I'm a super busy stay at homeing, volunteering, organizing, homeschooling, part time working, upward basketballing, little league T-balling, WIFE/MOM!! Like you, my schedule is busy, and my time is precious. And I am determined to help save my family $$ and that means we eat at home most of the time.  For me to pull this off and get everyone around the table, I make a menu every week... or at least I did; until I was introduced to E-Mealz.com!! Now with a few clicks of the mouse, and a quick print, I'm done.

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E-Mealz.com Review... A First 4 ME!!

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My review is on Blissfully Domestic, check it out HERE.
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Menu Plan Monday: a day late and a dollar short

Well, like many of you we are back to the daily grind and trying our hardest to get back into a routine with school, work, and well... life. So here is my attempt at a normal menu after almost two weeks of goofing off. :)

Monday: Cade's 4th Birthday- His Choice
Cici's Pizza, Marvel Hero Cookie Cake

Tueday:
Chef Salad!!! I am in need of greens after all the holiday splurging

Wednesday:
Lazagnua, Salad, Green Beans, Garlic Bread

Thursday:
Leftovers

Friday: William 6th Birthday - His Choice
Cici's Pizza, Lego Star Wars Chocolate Ice Cream Cake

Saturday:  Family Movie Night
B: Muffins
L: PB&J, popcorn, & Fruit (More Salad for me)
D: Big as your Head Nacho's (you Lubbock readers will appreciate this, 50th street caboose)

Sunday:
B: Cereal
L: V8 Stew in the Crockpot
D: Small Group

Menu Plan Monday w/ Sweet Treats for Christmas!

Hooray for Christmas!

Well, we are going to be  joining family quite a bit over the next couple of weeks, so menu's will be a little scarse... but heaping with treats!! I love this time of year! I would love to see some of your recipes too, so please leave a comment with your blog address and let me and everyone else in on the goods!!

Monday:
Meatball sandwiches, apple slices, chips

Tuesday:
Lasagnua, green beans, garlic toast

Wednesday: Christmas Service at BAF 6:00!!! You should join us!
Leftovers

Thursday- Sunday: Let the fun begin with family and friends!
Hooray for mom's cooking! My request of the season, Mom's Fried Chicken (her's is the best, Love you mom!!)

Sweet Treats great for travel!

Pecan Tasties (Pampered Chef)

Ingredients

• 2 cups margarine
• 4 (3 ounce) packages cream cheese
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the margarine and cream cheese until well blended. Beat in flour, 1 cup at a time, until the mixture forms a smooth dough. Roll into small balls, and press into the bottoms and sides of tart pans or mini muffin pans.
3. In another bowl, mix together the eggs, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and salt. Stir in the pecans. Use a spoon to fill each of the crusts 2/3 full with the filling mixture.
4. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, until shell is light brown, and the filling has puffed up. Cool, and carefully remove from pans.

Sour Cream Pound Cake

• 1 yellow cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 1 (8 oz.) Sour cream
• 1/3 c. oil
• 1/3 c. water

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients together for 3 minutes.
3. Bake in greased/floured Bundt pan for 45 minutes

Easy Pretzel Turtle Candy
Ingredients

• 40 small mini pretzels
• 40 chocolate covered caramel candies
• 40 pecan halves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees
2. Arrange the pretzels in a single layer on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place one chocolate covered caramel candy on each pretzel.
3. Bake for 4 minutes. While the candy is warm, press a pecan half onto each candy covered pretzel. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

** Can also be done with Hershey's Kisses or Huggs and press down with an M&M Candy

Crock Pot Wassil
(one of my favorites)

• 2 quarts apple cider
• 2 cups gingerale
• 10 whole cloves
• 4 whole cinnamon sticks
• 1 cup red hots candies

1. Make a satchel with cheese cloth containing cloves and cinnamon.
2. Pour cider, gingerale, and candy into a crockpot
3. Cook on Low, as long as there is still wassil left... we usually continue to refill and keep it going all day Long!!  Stirring occasionally.

**This is so easy to take and make, or make ahead of time, pour into a travel jug, and just heat up a cup at a time!

Hope you all have a great week! Merry Christmas!

Did I miss Menu Plan Monday?

Well the season is catching up to me!  I have started a few projects personally and as a family our schedule has just gotten a little bit busier lately... and well as I sat contemplating my "to-do" list this evening, I realized I don't have a clue what I need to get at the grocery store tomorrow, due to the fact that I have no menu plan... oh and the best thing is... I forgot it was even Monday!!

The day started out with backed up toilets, and tubs.... 1 Hour and $100.00 later the plumbers left and we have had free and clear lines since!  Thank you Lord for indoor plumbing!! Well, after that I seemed to be in survival mode for the rest of the day! A relief came when we left the house at 4:30 on our way to a Jr. High Boys BBall game,and then to a impromptu dinner with dear friends... FREE from Whataburger (12 days of Christmas was a great deal tonight). 

So after all this rambling all I have to say is here is my Menu Plan.... a little late. But Hey, now I at least have a grocery list for tomorrow!! :) 

Monday: Crusaders BBall Game
Whataburger...Free kids meals!!

Tuesday:
Hot Pockets, Celery & PB, apple slices

Wednesday: Awana's Store Night
Stuffed Peppers and Salad

Thursday: Christmas Tradition Night

Friday: Family Movie Night

Saturday: Church, Cookies, & Santa Clause is Coming to Town!
B: Cereal
L: Tuna Melts, veggie dippers, chips
D: Chicken & Dumplings, Salad, Garlic Toast

Sunday: Caldwell Christmas Morning! :)
B: Cinnamon Rolls & Kolaches, Coffee and Egg Nog
L: Ham, Crackers, Cheese, Fruit... snacking all day, it's Christmas!!
D: Taco Soup w/ cheese, sour cream, cornbread

Well, That's it... pretty simple. But a plan none the less! :)

Menu Plan Monday

Just so you know, I'm all about salad this week!! I think we will be eating it for B L and D! :) Hope you enjoy! Good luck with your menu plan!!


Monday: Basket Ball Game
Monkey Bread, Scrambled Eggs, and Fruit Salad

Tuesday:
Grilled Cheese, chips, and LO fruit salad

Wednesday: Awana's
Potatoe Ham Bake, Green Beans, and Salad

Thursday:
Mac N Cheese, peas and carrots, and salad

Friday: Visit Santa and Christmas Ornament Shopping (Family Tradition)
AT MALL - Fun times:)

Saturday: Thirty One Party
Breakfast - Smoothies, or Cereal
Lunch - PB&J, popcorn, fruit slices
Dinner- Totinos Pizza (Boys Night)

Sunday: 
Breakfast - Cereal
Lunch - Crockpot Carne Guisada, rice, salad, guacamole and chips
Dinner - Leftovers :)

Thankful for Menu Plan Monday

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We traveled to Houston, and had a wonderful time catching up with family! As I look around me daily, I am overwhelmed with the blessings in my life. Family, Friends, Faith... and also for you guys. I am so thankful to all my blog friends. I look forward to your visits and comments everyday and look forward to getting to know you more and more! I missed you all last week, but we all need breaks right?  
I am also thankful for Menu Plan Monday!! I have to admit, although I don't always stick with my menu, I would be lost without it! Meals seem to be an after thought in our home, we get so busy and before I realize dinner time is upon us, and I have three hungry boys at my feet. Luckily at that point all I have to do is check my menu and start cooking, instead of digging through my pantry hoping something is there that might make a decent meal. It is a must for me to stay organized and Menu Planning is such a large part of that.

So here is my menu plan for this week. Many of the dishes will use MORE Thanksgiving leftovers!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday:
Grandma's Spaghetti and Meat (recipe below), Cornbread, Salad

Tuesday:
Turkey Pocket Pies (recipe tomorrow)

Wednesday: 1st Wed. at BAF
Black Bean Quessadillas strips, fruit salad

Thursday:

Friday: Family Movie Night
Pizza, popcorn, Peppermint Sundaes

Saturday: Christmas Shopping
Crock pot Turkey Soup, cheese, crackers

Sunday:
Hash brown Ham Bake, green beans, salad


Recipe:

Grandma's Spaghetti and Meat (exactly as she wrote it on a recipe card for me)

1 1/2 c. Small Elbow Macaroni
1/2 lb Hamburger meat
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp Sugar
1 46oz can of tomato juice

Cook Macaroni in enough water to be loose. While it's cooking brown meat loose or in small balls. Drain off water on macaroni and add tomato juice, meat, salt & sugar. Heat to a boil. Very good with Cornbread or butter and crackers.

Menu Plan Monday: The one with the turkey! :)

It's Thanksgiving week, and I'm anxious to see what all of you have planned for your menu this week. I'm hoping it includes some yummy recipes.
 I'm super excited today b/c I'm roasting my very first turkey!! We have always been given smoked turkeys by my husbands employer, so I have never had to cook one. And although we are still getting a cooked turkey, I just have to try out this roasting thing for myself! So get ready for a whole lot of turkey dishes on my menu plan! :) YUM... I love TURKEY!!!

Monday: 
Poblano and Cilantro Roasted Turkey, Twice Baked Salsa Potatoes, Mexican Corn, and Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce

Tuesday:
Grandma's Spaghetti & Meat and Cornbread

Wednesday & Thursday: In Houston with family!
Taking snacks. Chex Mix, Sausage Balls, and Pumpkin Muffins.

Friday: Christmas Pizza Movie Night- THE TREE GOES UP TODAY!!
Pizza, Popcorn, Fruit Salad, and Mint M&M Brownies

Saturday:
Thanksgiving Fried Pies with Salad

Sunday:
Leftovers Leftovers, and More Leftovers

Did I mention I love turkey!!! YUM!!!!
Hope you all have a very blessed Turkey Day and are surrounded by those you love!

Almond Green Beans

A great story and a great side dish to add to your Thanksgiving menu!
or
ANY menu! :)

Almond Green Beans

Menu Plan Monday

It has been a crazy weekend! But it is leading into another typical week, which I like.  I am planning on spending all week home and no extra running around. But I am in the mood to cook lately so watch out! I'm testing out several Thanksgiving dishes too! Have fun menu planning.

Monday:
Breakfast Pie, w/ Fruit slices

Tuesday:
Grilled Pork chops, Easy Loaded Yams, Salad, Dinner roll Wreath

Wednesday: Awanas
Leftovers/Sandwiches

Thursday:
Chicken Fajitas, beans, rice

Friday:
Unknown(Small Group)
Chicken Noodle Soup, w/ crackers, veggie dippers(if home)

Saturday:Pizza Movie Night
Lunch: PB&J, fruit salad
Dinner: Pizza, Popcorn, Strawberry-Peach Slushies

Sunday:Small Group
Lunch: Spaghetti with Meat sauce, Cesar Salad, Garlic Parmesan Poppy Seed Bread sticks
Dinner: will provide side for small group

Menu Plan Monday

A new Month and a new Menu:  I am really looking forward to this week. Looking at my calendar, it seems to be a little more laid back. (Last week got a little crazy) Which means, more time to try a few new recipe creations this week. I'll link the recipes here, if it all turns out yummy! I also have a new recipe being published at BlissfullyDomestic.com tomorrow... come back and check for the link to Cherry Lime Cake. IT IS OH SO GOOD!!!

Monday:
Breakfast Casserole & Vanilla Monkey bread

Tuesday:
Grilled Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Almond Green Beans

Wednesday: Awanas
Bean & Cheese Tostadas w/ salad

Thursday:
Cheeseburger Pie, salad

Friday: Family Movie Night (Grand Prix check-in)
Frozen Pizza, popcorn, smoothies

Saturday:Grand Prix
B: Yogurt
L: Black bean quessadillas with fruit
D: Southwest Burgers with chipotle mayo and  french fries

Sunday: Small Group
B: Cereal
L: BBQ sausage, veggie dippers, rolls
D: Small Group???

Menu Plan Monday and My Freezer

I have a confession... Please don't judge... You promise?  Ok, here it goes....... I am in love with my freezer!!!  There I said it, It's out in the open.  Glad to see you are still here.:)  I freeze everything!!For example, that left over wine from dinner a month ago, freezer.  The half onion from that casserole, freezer.  The bananas that were starting to turn a little too brown, freezer. I could go on and on... but I think you get the idea. I have found that my obsession with baggies and the freezer have come in quite handy.

Every so often I find myself in a budget pickle. There seem to be more days in the month than money in the wallet; That girls is where the challenge begins!  I find some sort of accomplishment when feeding my family with a good freezer clean out, $25 dollars, and a whole lot of cooking imagination.  I have to admit, there have been some creations that didn't turn out so good, but for the most part I have found success. Good, healthy, filling meals, and a clean freezer!! So this week is one of those times... You may look at the menu and think... RANDOM!! But rest assured, you are not alone, that is probably what my family will be thinking too.  Menu Planning is so fun!! :) Hope you find inspiration to turn to your freezer too!! You never know what you might find... and I mean that in a good way; not a creepy something is lurking in the depths, kind of way! :)  Make sure to leave a comment with the creation you found in your freezer.

Enjoy!!

Everything in purple is something I already have on hand... aka in the freezer or pantry! :)

Monday:
Stuffed Bell Peppers and Salad

Tuesday:
Baked Ham and Pineapple, Green Beans, and Rolls

Wednesday: Trunk or Treat
Leftovers

Thursday:
Chili , veggie dippers, and Grilled Smoked Gouda Sandwiches

Friday: Family Movie Night
Homemade Pizza, Popcorn, fruit cocktail

Saturday:
Leftovers

Sunday: Halloween Small Group (Here)
Mummies (pigs in a blanket), Spooky Snickers Cake, Almond Bark Popcorn, Pumpkin Juice (orange kool-aid), and Tea

This will be my first attempt at Snickers Cake, but I'm thinking it is going to be a must... Click the link to see the recipe!!

What creation did you find in your freezer?

Menu Plan Monday

Well, It's that time again... Time for another Menu Plan Monday! Thank you Orgjunkie.com for making this such a great community to share recipes and ideas! This week, I'm laying a little low. I have several projects I'm trying to tackle, and I can only do so much... but here it is anyways, SIMPLE!

I am also only posting dinners again,

Breakfast will consist of yoguart, cereal, and breakfast wraps.

Lunches will be PB&J, Pimento and cheese, and Ham.

Dinners:

Monday:

Leftover Night. (I know we are starting this week with quite a bang!)

Tuesday: Our 8th Anniversary (this is one of Michael's fav's, plus we got to celebrate this weekend)

Chicken and Dumplings, Salad

Wednesday: Awana's Night

Potatoe Ham Bake with Green Beans

Thursday:

Leftovers again?!? YES!!

Friday: Family Movie Night

Corndogs, Fruit, and Popcorn

Saturday:

Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese, Salad

Sunday: Small Group @ the ball park

Ham Sandwiches, chips, fruit

Menu Plan Monday or Tuesday.

Easy chicken Dinners is the name of the Game this week! Yesterday got so busy... one thing after another. But I will be posting recipes for Monday's and Thursday's Dinner Later today!!
Monday: 
Tangerine Marmalade Chicken, Stuffing, Veggie

Tuesday:
Grilled Chicken, Loaded Mashed Potatoes!!, Veggie

Wednesday: Awanas
Chicken Salad, Multi grain Crackers, (using Leftover Chicken)

Thursday: Lego Club
Crock pot Chili, Cornbread

Friday: Family Movie Night
Corn dogs, french fries, & Fruit Slices

Saturday: Out on the Town with Hubby!!!
B: Cereal
L: Turkey and Cheese, Fruit,  Pretzels
D: Aunt Jen's Pick

Sunday:Small Group
B: Sister Schubert's Kolaches
L: Out
D: Small Group

Butternut Squash Bisque!!!

My Favorite Soup, A Fall Must!!!

Menu Plan Monday.

Do you even know how excited I am?  Do you know what this week is?  Well as of Wednesday, it will officially be FALL!!!!! I love Autumn... and lucky for me, here in South Texas we pretty much skip over winter for an extra long autumn season, and also we have been so blessed with a nice bout of rain this week, and the tempurature is actually nice and cooling down! So it actually feels like fall outside this week. :) Well, we are a little ahead on our lessons, so we are taking a day off from formal school on Wednesday to make a few decorations, decorate the house, and do some special baking/cooking projects. I love homeschooling!
 So of course to follow the new season, we have a great yummy savory menu this week. Enjoy, Hope it spurs on some ideas for you.

Monday:
Honey glazed Grilled Chicken, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Snow Peas
Tuesday:
Rachel's Shredded Crockpot Chicken tacos, beans
Wednesday: First day of FALL!! Awanas
Breakfast: Pumpkin Muffins
Lunch: Leaf Shaped, Grilled turkey and cheese, apples with carmel sauce, chips
Dinner: Butternut Squash Bisque, whole grain crackers
Thursday:
Loaded Chicken Nachos (leftover shredded chicken), guacamole
Friday: Family Movie Night
Little Ceasars Pizza, Popcorn, Green Smoothies
Saturday: Another fun day of cooking
Breakfast:Monkey Bread, scrambled eggs
Lunch: Chili, cheese, Crackers
Dinner: Chicken, Brocolli, & Rice Casserole, with Fresh Baked Bread* and butter
Sunday:
Lunch:  Texas Enchiladas, (with leftover chili) Chips, and Guacamole
Dinner: Small Group

*Notice I said Fresh baked and not Homemade Lets not get too crazy here... I'll buy the frozen dough and let it rise :)

Sorry there is not a plan for every meal, they all run together and I seem to very rarely follow what I plan for breakfast and lunch, so I only put special or specific meals that I have planned for the week. Breakfast will for that likely consist of yoguart, cereal, or toast... and lunch will be sandwiches and leftovers. Easy enough, huh?  Hope you all have a wonderful day of meal plannin and cooking this wonderful week of fall! :)