Homemaking on the Homestead

  Monday Steak bbq, sushi (take out), french bread, green salad w/homemade bleu cheese dressing (Tobin & I celebrating our 29th wedding anniversary at home :) ) Tuesday Chicken stir fry over brown rice, salad Wednesday Lasagna , french bread, salad Thursday Leftovers Friday Sweet & sour roaster chicken (made in the roaster oven, new recipe and I will post if it turns out :), brown rice pilaf , salad Saturday Mexican hamburger rice bake , tortillas & salsa, salad Sunday Korean chicken , egg rolls, brown rice, salad

This last weekend was Father’s Day. I reflected on what an awesome husband I have. He has been an amazing father to our children, and I am certainly blessed. I am thankful that my children have grown up with a good, hardworking, loving and caring father. I had this as well in my childhood. Father’s Day also made me reflect on my own father. He was a wonderful father. He was always there for me no matter what happened. He believed in me. He always told me I could do whatever I set my mind to do. He encouraged my life’s endeavors and supported the decisions I made. He was an independent thinker, always thought outside the box and passed this trait on to me. I learned from him that being my own person, having my own thoughts and ideas (even if they go against “mainstream”) is ok. I see this trait in me in many ways.. I homeschooled when no one else I knew was doing this, back in the day when people would find out I homeschooled and ask, “Is that legal?”. I and my hubby ha...

Monday Leftover buffet!  -- several leftovers from the weekend to eat up Tuesday Fish sticks, mac & cheese, salad Wednesday Chicken enchiladas , tortilla chips & salsa, salad Thursday Crockpot pork roast , mashed potatoes, coleslaw Friday Leftovers Saturday Korean chicken , egg rolls , brown rice, salad Sunday Pizza chili , crackers, salad

While raising 8 children one thing we never had in our home was a “guest room”. Whenever we had company here for the night someone would bunk with a sibling so our guests could use their room or with family they often would camp out in our living room. As my children have grown and moved I suddenly realized I had a room available to turn into a guest room. My life has been so busy starting back in November with Emily’s wedding, then the holidays, my hand and the adjustments with moving my father in law in, that I had given up my hope to get this room cleaned out, painted and redecorated. But my incredible sister in law, Debbie, has been staying with us and helping us out in so many ways. She and I are not just sisters in law, but much more like sisters. We have the best relationship and I feel truly blessed. She saw the room, listened to my desire to turn it into a guest room and was more than willing to jump in and tackle the project. I really wish I’d taken before p...

  Monday Tuna noodle casserole (did not make it last week!), salad Tuesday Chicken n’ gravy over brown rice, salad (another meal that did not get made last week!) Wednesday Baked ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad Thursday Leftovers Friday Tuna patties , baked mac & cheese, salad Saturday Bqq ham (from leftover ham – going to fry up leftover ham pieces and smother in bbq sauce.. simple and quick!  :), mac & cheese (leftover), coleslaw Sunday Meat loaf , mashed potatoes, salad

This last week has been beautiful! The sun has been shining and I’ve spent as much time enjoying it as possible. Sierra & I spent a couple afternoons getting the garden planted. I put in 37 roma tomato plants and then we planted lettuce, small zucchini squash, beets, green beans, yellow wax beans and pumpkins. Due to my hand limitations and not quite sure what I could handle I planted a much smaller garden than in years past. I am ever so thankful that I have a garden this year, small or not!! I so love being out in the sun and playing in the dirt ~smile~ Sierra took a few pics of the garden for me. Not a lot to see as yet, but here are a few pics… When the garden season ended last year I left the wild flowers growing.  They are blooming and so pretty right now.. This last week I also spent a wonderful afternoon with my daughters Sierra and Hannah and granddaughters. Hannah has 5 weeks to go before her due date. We are all so e...

  Monday Yummy pinto beans , french bread, salad Tuesday Sour cream enchiladas, tortilla chips, salad Wednesday Pizza rice casserole , salad Thursday Crockpot sloppy joes over sandwich rolls, coleslaw Friday Leftovers Saturday Chicken n’ gravy over mashed potatoes, garlic roasted brussel sprouts Sunday Tuna noodle casserole, salad

I made this the other night and my budding photographer, Sierra, took pics of it. I have to say not only is a lot of fun to have her snapping pictures but it makes it so much easier for me! Typically I have to stop what I’m doing and take the pics.. but this way I was able to work and she snapped away.  So a BIG thank you to Sierra for helping mama out!!  ~smile~ In any case this was on our menu this week and so I thought I’d share it with you… Baked Spaghetti 12 oz whole wheat spaghetti noodles (or rice noodles work too) 1 lb sausage - I used Jimmy Dean 1 medium onion, chopped 1 quart spaghetti sauce – or equivalent store bought size 2 eggs 1/3 cup paremesan cheese 5T butter, melted 16oz cottage cheese 4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese Begin by cooking your spaghetti noodles. While you are waiting for the water to come to a boil chop the onion and cook it a few minutes and then add the sausage and cook until it is no longer pink. Add spaghet...