Meal Plan Monday for Many

We now have a household of 8 since the McCombs have bunkered down with us and of course, we'll still be cooking yummy, home-cooked meals. The key will be to stretch the penny just a little farther by adding more filler. One issue any family runs into is that with more people, it is harder to please everyone. This weeks meal plan is just a general idea based on what we have in stock. Naturally, we may switch meals on different days or replace one meal plan with leftovers from a previous night. Nonetheless, here's what is (might be) in store for the Casey/McComb house:

Monday: Marinated Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
Tuesday: Turkey Meatball & Barley Soup
Wednesday: Order out (pizza or chinese)
Thursday: Mini Calzones
Friday: Spagagna

Also, with me so close to delivering baby 3, there is the risk that I will be in the hospital with our newest addition to the family. If this happens, this meal plan will be significantly different.

Discharged and back in Charge.

I'm finally getting released from the hospital today after being here for 5 days. They have taken such great care of me but I am so homesick and miss my kids so much that I was going stir crazy in here. Unfortunately I have been restricted to bed rest with no privilages other than getting up to use the bathroom. I can't even stand long enough to shower. This is frustrating for me but I already have a list of to-do's started in my head to help keep me busy.

1) Sort Ambria's old packed up clothes by age and have Ian put them in a dresser
2)Take pictures and set up an Etsy account
3)Create a meal plan for the week
4)Write up a grocery list for Ian
5)Catch up on missed school assignments.
6)Love on my babies.
7)Work the books on household finances
8)Possibly sew a new mattress cover for the cradle

I'm also hoping to talk my dear hubby into giving me a sponge bath tonight. We'll see how that goes.

Meals, Deals, and Hospital Pills...

Goodness have I missed communicating to the world! I was admitted to Banner Thunderbird Hospital on Sunday because of preterm labor (again) which hadn't stopped Saturday night. When they admitted me I was dialated to 3cm and 50% effaced. I'm not sure why but my baby girls are always in a hurry to get out and start making demands. Little spit fires. So here I sit in this antepartum hospital room hooked up to 4 different IV bags, getting 2 separate shots a couple times a day and enough pills to clog even the most durable garbage disposal. My wonderful family has stepped up to the plate and are taking rotating turns with the kids (who I hope are behaving) and my husband has impressed me most of all. I haven't gotten to see him much since I've been here but I hear he's doing a great job with everything at home and that we have to take care of this week. My cousin Ashley and her husband Kyle along with their daughters Kaylee (2) and Lexi (1) are moving in today and he's been trying to get the house ready for a second family. If I would have forseen my hospital stay I would have left him a detailed checklist and calendar (which I keep neatly stored in my head) to help him with the household duties. My routine keeps things easy and low maintanence but I'm sure he's got it figured out. At least I know he's taking good care of his babies and feeding them (they get loud if you don't) which brings me to meals. I am enjoying being catered to for once. Banner Thunderbird has changed their meal system for their patients. Instead of a nurse coming in and giving you two or three meal options to choose from they now have a detailed room service list that I can create my own meal from and order whenever I like. My diet is unrestricted (thank you Dr. Koon!) so I can order as much of anything I like! Breakfast was a belgian waffle, two turkey sausage links, and an english muffin with some milk and a cranberry juice. Lunch I'll be ordering in about an hour but I'm thinking the glazed chicken and rice pilaf is definitely in the running on this one! It really makes me want to go home and cook. Sadly, if I am released on Wednesday, my orders are strict bedrest with minimal privilages. I can only get up for short bathroom breaks. I think that will be my biggest hurdle. I enjoy being a homemaker and taking care of my house and family. Being there and having someone else do it will be devastating for me. However, I am a mother first and a homemaker second. I will do what needs to be done to make sure baby three can be healthy and safe, even if it means relinquishing the reins on my house for a week or two.
The good thing about being bed ridden and alone is all the time I've had to bond with the Food Network Channel in the wee hours of the night. I have seen so many wonderful meals prepared that I can't wait to try. Robin Miller really has it down right: Chop all veggies and 3lbs of chicken for several meals during the week and store them until needed. Maybe I'll try that. Alex Guarnaschelli also made an awesome chicken soup that I am going to do my best to replicate from memory. Can't wait to get home and get healthy so I can start cooking again!

Meal Plan 8/16/10 - 8/22/10

Monday - Honey Teriyaki Chicken over Rice Noodles
Tuesday - 15 Bean & Turkey Soup
Wednesday - Beef and Parmesan Pasta
Thursday - Mustgo
Friday - Hawaiian Chicken
Saturday - Grinders
Sunday - Shepherd's Pie

Meal Plan Monday on Sunday :)

Sunday - Spicy Dragon Soup
Tomato Soup
Milk
Cheese
Ground Sweet Italian Sausage
Rice
Barley
Cayenne
Garlic

Monday - Bean Casserole
Black Beans
Pork N Beans
Pinto Beans
Ground Beef
Tomato Sauce
Worcestershire
Vinegar
Garlic
Mozzarella
Barley

Tuesday - Mustgo

Wednesday - Steak Chili
Steak
KC's Magic Marinade
Chili Beans
Chili Powder
Cumin
Garlic
Tomato Paste
Onion (powder)

Thursday - Marinated Chicken Bake
Chicken
Rice
KC's Secret Marinade

Friday - Pesto & Provolone Stuffed Meatloaf
Ground Beef
Ketchup
Worcestershire
Brown Sugar
Bread Crumbs
Egg
Garlic
Pesto
Provolone Cheese
Mustard Seeds

*Edited... I came back to edit this post and add in some of the ingredients like I did in my previous meal plan post. Enjoy!

Superhero Tools & Appliances

I have been told many times that what I do is "amazing" and I am always caught off guard by this statement. Yes, it is flattering, but I don't feel overwhelmed by my full time schedule of kids, errands, and chores. It somehow all stays fairly manageable and today I finally took the time to figure out the answer to "just how do you do it?" My conclusion? Superhero appliances. Yes they exist. I have and utilize many tools on a daily basis that save me tons of time and make my job as a wife and mother so much easier. I decided to pay a little tribute to my superhero tools and appliances so here they are in order of usefulness.





Ridgid Wet/Dry Vacuum -


This is by far the most useful thing in the entire world. A shop vac. Not just any shop vac, the best one I have ever used, ever. Initially I was upset that Ian had spent $50 on a shop vac when we already had a Dirt Devil that kind of did the job (as long as I swept first) but after using it and finding SEVERAL other uses for this little machine, I fell in love. If my house catches on fire and I can only save one thing (aside from family) I would save this. The entire 1st story of my house is tile, even the master bedroom. Thanks to a nice long 20 foot power cord, a 7 foot long hose, and a well placed outlet, I can vacuum all of downstairs quickly and without stopping. The vacuum is extremely light and easy to carry (great to vacuum stairs!) and has a 4 Gallon container on it so I don't have to empty it very often and it even sports a 5 horse power motor. Needless to say, this baby will suck up everything from dirt and hair to half a peanut butter sandwich and anything in between! It's a wet vac as well (just have to pull the filter off) so I can clean stains out of carpet and couches. When angled correctly, it cleans the dried on food off of my high chairs and trays and has attachments for EVERYTHING. Here are all of the things I use my Ridgid for now:


Vacuuming Tile
Vacuuming Stairway
De-gunking High Chairs
De-shedding the Dogs
Cleaning out the Car
Treating Upholstry for Stains
Dusting Ceiling Fans
Insect Disposal
Snack & Mealtime Clean-up (gets all the big pieces too!)
Cleaning the Garage
De-gunking the Stove top
...and more!





It even has a blower feature on it so if I desired, I could use it to blow the leaves and seed pods from the front yard. As well as the dirt that collects on the patios. The Ridgid does it all which is why it is at the top of my list. It truly is a MUST have!






Ninja Master Prep -
This little guy is number 2 on my list simply because I cannot live without it. I use it between 15-20 times per day, every day. Yes... every day. I mostly use it for making snow out of ice and cooking. The snowy ice (which I am completely addicted to) is a staple in my house and helps me maintain my sanity (and waistline) however this thing also turns yucky vegetables into a nice creamy puree which makes it easy to hide in our meals. It also chops and dices anything I put into it making dinner time a quick and easy process.

Laptop -
My laptop makes the cut because I use it daily to help me maintain my organization. I use Microsoft Excel for everything: Grocery Lists, Budgets, Calendars, To-Do's, Reminders, etc. I have everything saved and organized and it helps to keep me on track in life.

Internet -
This one is a no-brainer. I use the internet to find excellent discounts on things my family needs and as my only connection to the outside world, it helps maintain a degree of sanity.


Steamer Bags -
LOVE THESE! I can chop up veggies, toss them in the bag and microwave them for 2 minutes. Instantly done and perfectly steamed veggies, every time! It takes a good 10-15 minutes out of my cooking time as well.

Kirby Classic Vacuum - I was given this vacuum by my Grandma and I am so thankful! Yes, it's old. Yes, it's ugly. But never before have I used a vacuum that has done such a great job on carpet! This vacuum is about 40 years old and can still do a better job than any dirt devil, dyson, or hoover you buy today. I keep this vacuum upstairs (since there is no carpet downstairs) and use it about once a week. I never have to go over any areas more than once and I am confident that it "got it all." Thank you Kirby!

Whew!

What a week! Even though I took 2 days off of most of my household cleaning duties, it still feels like my week has been super busy! I did have quite a bit of success of shopping prices though. I bought a whole month worth of groceries for somewhere around $150. I also managed to find a 5' x 8' area rug for only $30! I even found a brand new electric lawn mower with a grass catch bag for $129

but we can't quite afford it yet. Believe me, we'll be getting it soon though! Target also has a great deal on an awesome Oneida knife set that I have my heart set on when money allows. This week's menu has been quite tasty and somewhat experimental. I think I'll be doing my "Mealplan Monday" a little earlier than normal and will probably have it posted by Saturday (tomorrow) or Sunday.

The kids are still growing like weeds and learning like crazy. I did set up a new and improved bath time schedule for them which I hope will be better for everyone. Now bathtime will be every other night (unless otherwise needed) and will be given on an alternated shift of first Mommy, then Daddy. So I give bathes one night and Ian will do bath time with the kids the next time. Etc, etc.. Aiden is getting so good with his ABC's and identifying animals. I am so proud of him. Even Ambria is learning more and more every day. She can say Mama, Dada, No, Kitty, Bye, Hi, responds to several commands, loves to dance, and can eat anything except super hard foods like nuts and chewable vitamins. A normal day consists of 8oz of cereal (kix, mini wheats, or fruit loops) and a sippy cup of milk. Snack time is fruit (bananas or berries) and gold fish or animal crackers. Lunch is either a turkey and cheese OR peanut butter sandwich and a side of veggies (corn, carrots, or peas) and Dinner time ALWAYS includes some type of meat (ground beef, chicken, or ham) along with pasta or potatoes and veggies. I don't know how she manages to chew any of her food but she gets it down without any issues. I am so thankful to be done with baby food and toddler meals (until baby 3 arrives) because it sure does save money!

My to-do list for today is still somewhat long. Here it is:

Make bed
Dishes
Fold Finished Laundry
Wash Linens
Wash Basket of Clothes
Feed Dogs
Vacuum Upstairs
Vacuum Downstairs
Clean off Chase in room
Write Thank You Cards from Ambria's Party
Organize Toys in Playroom
Order Text Books for Classes
Sort & Put Away Ambria's Laundry
Clean My Corner of the Bedroom
Bring in, Clean, and Set up Bassinet
Wash Highchair and Booster

and that's all for today!

Rain, rain, stay a while...

This weekend has been absolutely wonderful! There has been so much rain these past few days and my back yard has truly appreciated it! The yard is 90% covered in nice thick, green grass.. my nearly dead tree has been revived and sprouted tons of new leaves. It is beginning to look like a real yard. Tonight Ian let the dogs out of the run to play in the grass with the kids and everyone loved it! (especially the dogs) Afterwards, we brought the dogs inside to eat not only their regular dog food but also a specialty of leftovers from the fridge which we no longer had any intention of consuming. The dogs felt truly spoiled tonight. It was nice to see them so fat and happy. Ambria was thrilled about being so close to the dogs. Her face lit up from the moment we let them out and she stayed excited about them until we put them away. Then the kids ate dinner and dessert, were both bathed and are now playing in the play room. I think for dinner tonight for Ian and I, I'll be making honey battered chicken with a side of white rice. I did get the chance to go grocery shopping today (for 3 hours!) but when I was putting everything away I realized I had forgotten a lot of things. Looks like I'll be making another trip this week which I know Ian will not be thrilled about.

School starts for me in a little over 2 weeks. I am so excited to be going to school again. My degree is so close I can almost taste it. Just a few classes left! After I receive my degree, I will be returning for a second degree (in finance.) My mom always told me to never stop learning. I really enjoy working numbers in excel anyway so finance may be a fun way to go! I even managed to get a little over $6k in grants so I don't have to worry about any financial burden while I'm going to school. How blessed am I?

I did not get around to creating a meal plan for this week. I figure we'll just play it by ear. I have tons of wonderful ingredients to make several wholesome meals so whatever we are craving that night will be the star of the dinner table.