Lacking ?

When this week started I had great aspirations for it.  I was motivated and ready to conquer the five days I had ahead with no husband!

Today is Friday and I am lacking motivation and I am looking around my house thinking....what did I do all week?  I kept the kids alive.  That's what I did.  Natalie made it to school.  Eli made it to daycare.  We had dinner every week, even though it wasn't documented in my "week four of meal planning."  Oh well.  I shouldn't feel like a failure, but I do.  Isn't that crazy?  It is so easy to be disappointed in yourself and that is what I am facing today.

Disappointment.
Depression
Sadness
No motivation, drive, or care for anything but a nap!

Sitting at the kitchen table with my cup of coffee, I felt the sudden urge that I needed some Jesus.  I opened up my devotional to today's date and this is the title...

God Knows What He's Doing

Reallly....could this be any more clear for me today!  Thank you Jesus.  Thank you for the reminder that you are in control and I am not.  Thank you for reminding me to trust you and it is ok because

"God is God.  He knows what he is doing.  When you can't trace his hand, trust his heart."  Amen to that.  Thank you Max Lucado!  Trust.  Trust in Jesus.

Goodbye to the disappointment, depression, and sadness.  I may still take the nap though!

Marianne

DIY Monday: Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Since I am getting a little "salsa-ed" out...80 jars will do that to you, I needed a recipe for all of my tomatoes.  Thankfully, my mom had a recipe for, Big Batch Tomato Sauce.  I thought, why not, and took the morning with my momma and made some spaghetti sauce!

Big Batch Tomato Sauce

3 Medium Onions-Sliced
3 Large Carrots-Grated
2 Medium Green Peppers-Chopped
2 Cloves Garlic-Minced
1/4 Cup Oil (olive or vegetable)

Cook until tender in a stock pot.

1 1/2 tsp Fresh Basil-Chopped
2 T Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
12 Pounds Tomatoes-Peeled and Chopped
1-12 Ounce Can Tomato Paste
1/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

Add to vegetable mix.  Mix well.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat to low.  Loosely cover pot and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Pour into sterile jars and can in a water bath for 15 minutes or you can freeze.

Makes roughly 9 pints.

All labels on the jars can be found at CindyBlue Designs! 

Another note...I am making the switch to Word Press!  My goal is to be up and running some time this week.  My new blog address will be:  www.stayinggroundedinfaith.com.  Bookmark it!  Follow it!  I cannot wait to continue this journey with you!!

Marianne

DIY Monday: Cleaning the Microwave

Looking for a simple, low-cost, DIY, cleaning solution for your microwave?  Well, look no further my friends!

Microwave Cleaner



Ingredients:

2 Cups Water
1 Cup White Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

Before the Cleaning

After the Cleaning

Mix ingredients in a glass measuring cup.  Why the lemon juice?  I like the smell!

Microwave for 10 minutes and wipe clean!

The steam helps to loosen the food, therefore making it super easy to clean!

Take a look at my before and after pics and you KNOW this method works!

Have a good one!

Marianne

September Week 3, 30 Day Meal Challenge

Hello friends!  Sorry for being a day late on this..Boo!

First off, here are a couple of pics of what we ate last week.  This challenge has really helped me stay accountable to my family in preparing meals every day for them!  I am just glad I have stuck with it this long!!

Whole Wheat Waffles and Scrambled Eggs

Baked Spaghetti and Vegetables

Beef Stir Fry and Rice

Now for the upcoming week!

Sunday:     We had Reubens!!

Monday:    Beef Stroganoff 

Tuesday:    Eating out...It's my Birthday :)

Wednesday:  Stuffed Shells

Thursday:     Shrimp and Potatoes

Friday:         Turkey Dinner

Saturday:     Grill Night with Neighbors

Have a great week and happy cooking!

Marianne

10 Reasons...NOT to Forgive

1. You like to feel bitter
2. You feel as if you have the upper hand by not forgiving
3. You are better off without them, right?
4. You  don't mind the game of avoidance
5. It's ok to unfriend people on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc 
6. Jesus said Not to forgive (keep reading)
7. Karma!
8. You are teaching YOUR kids proper behavior
9. Society doesn't forgive
10. It makes YOU feel BETTER  

If you think any of these reasons are true, than don't forgive.  Remember this though...

"When your sins weigh heavily upon you, come to me.  Confess your wrongdoing, which I know all about before you say a word.  Stay in the Light of My Presence, receiving forgiveness, cleansing, and healing.  Remember that I have clothed you in My righteousness, so nothing can separate you from Me.  Whenever you stumble or fall, I am there to help you up.

Man's tendency is to hide from sin, seeking refuge in the darkness.  There he indulges in self-pity, denial, self-righteousness, blaming, and hatred.  But I am the Light of the word, and My illumination decimates the darkness.  Come close to me and let My light envelop you, driving out darkness and permeating you with Peace."

From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

September Week 2, 30 Day Challenge

I have decided to revise the way I am posting information about my 30 day meal schedule/prep challenge.  It is more challenging for me to post a picture of what I ate every day, than for me to cook every day.  That being said, the rest of this month on Sundays, I am going to post my meal schedule for the upcoming week and I will post pictures of our meals from the previous week!  One food post a week...so much simpler!  Not so boring!

If it was up to me, our meals would consist of:

Coffee!!!!

Day 4: Ranch Chicken Wrap

I am on my way through this challenge...four days in!!!

Today's menu called for:

Ranch Chicken Wrap on a Whole Wheat Tortilla, with a side of
Zucchini

I must admit, I am enjoying eating the spoils of our garden!  Too bad here in Minnesota, it will probably be snowing next week :)

Just a reminder...I am off to the family cabin tomorrow but will continue the challenge there...unless I have one too many glasses of wine!  I will post pics when I return on Saturday!

Have a great rest of the week and keep cooking!!!  I'm so proud of you!

Marianne

Day 3: Creamy Macaroni and BBQ Meatballs

Day number 3 in September, also happens to be the first day back to school!  To celebrate this glorious day for all stay at home moms everywhere, I made homemade macaroni and cheese, barbecue meatballs and mixed veggies.

We also ate at 4:30, because Natalie was so hungry!

I have had some requests for my mac and cheese recipe and am happy to share this with you!

Super Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

8 ounces dried pasta...we like to use twirly noodles

2-4 tablespoons butter

2-4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

black pepper

2 cups milk

3 cups cheese...I use a mixture of 2 cups Velveeta, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (if you want it super creamy toss in some provolone)!

Cook pasta in salted water.

While pasta is cooking, start your white sauce.  I recommend cooking this in a larger pot because you will be adding the noodles.  Melt butter, once melted add equal parts flour and whisk together until it is a paste like consistency.  Add more flour if needed.  Dash of pepper to taste.  Add milk all at once.  Whisk together and keep whisking until boiling.  Mixture should start to thicken.  

Add cheeses.  Stir until melted.  My cheese mixture tends to get "goopy" so I add a little milk as needed and I whisk that in.  A whisk seems to work better than a wooden spoon.

Drain noodles and add to cheese mixture.  I don't add all the noodles. I add about half and mix it up and then add some more.  We like our mac and cheese super cheesy!

That is it!  No oven needed!  Enjoy!

Day 2: Baked Salmon and Chicken Kabobs

Monday, September 2nd
Labor Day...Officially the Last Day of Summer!

On the Menu:
Baked Salmon
Chicken Kabobs
Roasted Corn on the Cob

Like what you see?  Let me know in the comments and I would love to get you the recipe for any of the meals I am posting!  Most of our "recipes" come down the family line or they are a mixed concoction of experience and a cookbook.

I would love to share!

Marianne

September Week 1, Day 1: Killer Chili!

Planning meals for the week is not as easy as I had thought.  I wanted to toss some ideas on a piece of paper, but no!  If you are anything like me, when I run out of an ingredient, I will add it to my grocery list, but a lot of times, things get lost in the shuffle.  I have no flour and 3 bags of sugar!  Poor planning!!!!

I am starting this challenge with a food inventory FIRST!  I went through my cupboards and fridge/freezer to get a handle on what I really have and what I really NEED.  I made up a nifty little pantry inventory list, that hopefully will help you with your food inventory!

Now for our weekly meals:

Sunday (Today)- Chili...mmmm!  All ready to go for my husband to take to work!

Monday, Labor Day-Baked Salmon and Zucchini

Tuesday, Back to School!-Homemade Mac and Cheese and BBQ Meatballs

Wednesday-Ranch Chicken Wraps

Thursday-On Vacation (will post pics when I return!)

Friday-On Vacation

Saturday-On Vacation

Not a bad start for the week and when on vacation with my husband, I have a feeling we will be mostly grilling!  Looking forward to hearing about your meal plans!

Marianne

30 Day Challenge...Meal Planning

Who doesn't love a challenge?

Eli says...How about ice cream for dinner?

Last week as I was meandering through the grocery store, I realized something.  I have NO idea what I am going to make out of this food!  I am always prepared with a list, but my organization and preparation ends there.  Every night, it is the same thing.  What should we have for dinner?

Natalie says...Let's go out to eat!

 I mentioned the idea of a 30 day meal prep/plan challenge to my mom and her response was "people have been having this problem since the beginning of time."  I do believe she referenced cave men and dinosaur meat....

My problem is my husband works totally erratic hours and a lot of those are nights where he sleeps right through dinner, so it is just me and the kids.  We all know how well a six and three year old eat!  Mac and cheese, hot dogs, spaghetti, etc....but I want more for my family and I hope you want more for yours!

Homemade Pizza

Now for the challenge!  The month of September, I am going to be challenging myself to plan out my meals EVERY Sunday night for the week (based on our schedule...and my cravings) and EVERY day I am going to post a picture of what I prepared for my family.  It doesn't have to be extravagant.  It doesn't have to be hard.  It could be mac and cheese.  It could be a month of crock pot meals.  It is the idea of taking the time each week and planning out what you are going to eat.  The goal is to make our lives a little bit easier!

Roasted Chicken

Now seems like the perfect time!  Kids are going back to school.  Sports and practices are back.  Schedules are crazy.  Lets make life a little less crazy together.  Right now I am sharing the challenge and later today I will add my weekly meal schedule.

Fresh Veggies!

I'm excited!  

Marianne