What a wonderful week we had this week! My library conference was great and both of my presentations went extremely well. To top it off, I got to meet Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series, and Corey got to join me! What's even better is that Rick blogged about my blog! How cool is that! I was in library lady heaven. :)

This weekend, Corey went to state math contest and won 5th place. Totally awesome!!!! Then, we got to go hiking at Hawksbill Crag in Arkansas and saw a HUGE rattlesnake on the trail. Scary, but completely COOL! Unfortunately, we forgot the stupid camera. What's up with that? We always bring our camera. Figures. ;)

Corey's confirmation is this week, so we are very excited about that. We have a busy week with school and work activities, and Eric's birthday is Wednesday. Say a little prayer for us that we stay sane this week. :)

So, with all of that said, here is our menu for the week. Enjoy! For more menu ideas, go to orgjunkie.com.

Sunday - Mexican Gumbo, Salad
Monday - Crockpot Golden Mushroom Pork Chops, Day Before Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli with Cheese Sauce
Tuesday - Creamy Chicken Breasts, Rice, Brussels Sprouts, Salad
Wednesday - Steak, Cheddar Potato Strips, Green Beans Almondine, Salad (Eric's B-day request)
Thursday - Beef Enchiladas, Peaches, Salad
Friday - Eat at confirmation dinner
Saturday - Beef Stroganoff, Egg Noodles, Green Beans, Salad
This recipe is awesome! It is a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. It's very filling and makes a ton, so it was great for leftovers for our family this week.






Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
1 can black beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can corn (sodium free)
1 packet low sodium taco seasoning
1 tsp chili powder
1 garlic clove, minced
4 cups mashed potatoes
1 cup grated cheddar cheese (2% milk kind)

Directions
Brown ground beef with onion; add all ingredients except potatoes and cheese. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Pour into a 9x13” pan. Top with 1/2 cup cheese. Spread mashed potatoes over the cheese and meat mixture. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes or till hot and bubbly.

-Serves 8
These remind me of an easy version of au gratin potatoes, but without all of the slicing and layering. I used my French fry cutter to cut the strips, which makes it fast and easy.




Ingredients
3 yukon gold potatoes (skin on), cut in 1/2" strips
1/2 cup milk
1 Tbsp melted butter
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup of grated 2% reduced fat cheddar cheese

Directions
Arrange potatoes in a glass baking dish. Mix milk and butter and pour over the top. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Cover and bake at 425 for 30 minutes or till milk is absorbed and potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with cheese and bake, uncovered, for about 5 minutes or till cheese melts.

Makes 3 servings



Recipe Source - Kara's Kitchen Creations
This is an amazing beef stroganoff recipe. It tastes wonderful and makes a huge batch. Serve it over rice or egg noodles.



Ingredients
2 pounds steak or beef tenderloin
1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 cup minced onion
¼ cup butter (I only use a tablespoon)
2 (10 ½ oz.) cans beef stock (low sodium)
¼ cup catsup
2 small cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup flour
2 cups dairy sour cream (fat free)
Cooked rice or egg noodles (I like No Yolks brand)

Directions

1. Cut meat into bite-sized pieces.
2. In skillet, cook and stir mushrooms and onion in butter until onion is tender; remove mushrooms and onion.
3. In the same skillet, brown meat lightly on both sides.
4. Set aside ¾ cup beef stock; add remaining stock, catsup, and garlic to skillet; stir to mix with meat.
5. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
6. Blend reserved stock and flour; stir into meat mixture.
7. Add mushrooms and onion.
8. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil 1 minute.
9. Stir in sour cream; heat to serving temperature.

Serve over rice.

Servings: 6

Greetings from the Missouri Association of School Librarians Conference! I've had one of those absolutely crazy weeks this week. In addition to my normal teaching schedule, I substituted for one of my good friends for her college ed tech class, presented at our local MOPS meeting on how I use my computer as a mom, and I have two presentations at the library conference. I'm wiped out!! :) If you'd like to take a peek at my presentations I did this week, here are the websites:
I've been up late too many nights and need to head to bed, so I'll have to update recipes and share more info about the week later. Here's this week's menu. For more ideas see orgjunkie.com.
Sunday - Meatball sandwiches (from freezer), Salad, Peaches
Monday - Eat at conference banquet (we get to see Rick Riordan - woo hoo!)
Tuesday - Spicy Shepherds Pie, Salad
Wednesday - Cheeseburger Pasta, Applesauce, Salad
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken, Basil Green Beans, Salad, Fruit
Saturday - Backpacking! Eat on the trail!

Well, I didn't do the best job of sticking to the menu this week. Time got away from me and I didn't get a chance to make the Cheesy Hash Brown Chili or the Soda Can Chicken, so they will be back on for this week. The hit of the week was the Crockpot Salsa Chicken. It was very good and very easy. We did have a nice Easter weekend. We went to the Rock and Worship Roadshow and got to see one of Corey's groups - Hawk Nelson. He even got their autographs. That was one happy boy. :) This week we have to go go a band concert and I have to present a workshop for our local MOPS group on how I use my computer as a mom. Should be fun. Here's this week's menu. For more menu ideas, go to orgjunkie.com. Have a great week!
Sunday - ate at my mom's for Easter
Monday - eat out (band concert)
Tuesday - Cheesy Hash Brown Chili (new), Salad
Wednesday - BBQ Pork Sandwiches (from freezer), Corn, Pork & Beans
Thursday - Potato Soup (recipe coming as soon as I pick which one to make), Salad
Friday - Homemade Pizza, Salad
Saturday - Soda Can Roasted Chicken (new), Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary (new), Asparagus
I finally got my Hot Mamas Fiesta Apron Swap package in the mail yesterday (which was the deadline - eek!). I absolutely love this apron, so much so that I had to duplicate it for myself. :) My partner's favorite color is pink, as is mine, so I really had fun making this for her. This particular pattern reminded me of the ruffles on a flamenco skirt, so I think it's perfect for a fiesta! I included some other fiesta goodies as well. She should get the package on Wednesday. Hope she likes it! Here are some pics: