3 in 30 Goals for October

Happy 1st week of October! For us, it means we are *finally* settling in to the "back-to-school" routine. I know. We should've settled in weeks ago but we don't do things like normal families. Truthfully, if we started doing anything at my house you could call traditional, well, I like to think that the people around us would be much less entertained. I know we would be less entertained. I think *normal* would bore us. It's much more fun to be that crazy family that never does anything as expected. But I digress...

The real purpose of this post is to share my 3 in 30 Goals for October. The mathematical equation for 3 in 30 looks something like this:  1 month + 3 goals = 3 new habits. And yes, I realize that equation makes me a little nerdy. I'm good with nerdy.  

3 In 30 Goals for October

1. Drink more water--I do not drink water. Ever. It's not that I don't like water, I just like Diet Dr. Pepper more. I have somewhat desensitized myself to caffeine in that I can drink it at any time of the day or night and not worry about it keeping me awake. But I'm addicted to it so if I don't have it, I get jittery and cranky. Specifically, this month I will swap my afternoon Diet Dr. Pepper with water. Easy enough. I did try this yesterday and I really enjoyed the water. I did wake up with a slight headache this morning, probably caffeine withdrawal, so I won't cut it out completely after lunch but a giant cup of water every afternoon is an improvement. I am also going to have water when I go to a restaurant instead of my normal sweet tea or soda. 

2. Wash, Dry, Fold and Put Away 1 Load of Laundry Each Day--I'm one of those strange people who actually doesn't mind doing laundry. I don't love it, or really even enjoy it, but it's not the worst task on my to-do list. What I tend to do is to put it off until I am completely overwhelmed at the thought of even looking in the laundry room. Then I deny deny deny. In the old house, I could close the laundry room door and pretend it didn't exist until someone complained that they didn't have clean underwear. The new house laundry room doesn't have a door. I can't ignore it now. And to make matters worse, you can see the piles of laundry when you walk from the kitchen to anywhere else in the house. If I just do 1 load each day, I think I can stay afloat. 

3. Have Breakfast and Lunch at Home on Sundays--I know that sounds a little odd. Most Sundays, we rush to church and eat whatever we can grab that's fast for breakfast (cheetos anyone?). For lunch, I never have a plan. We eat out or go to the grocery store for something fast, cheap and easy. I want to plan and cook something for both meals that reflects the day. Besides church, Sunday is the only day of the week that we usually have nothing planned, and nothing pops up at the last minute. It's a relaxing day, except for the stress of last-minute meal planning. I want to have a nice, sit-down, family breakfast and lunch on Sundays. That will require advance planning, maybe some advance cooking. I will surely use the crock pot for at least one of those meals. In the long run, I think it will take the stress out of Sunday and let us focus on God and family. 


That's it! At the end of the month, I will *hopefully* have made 3 new habits. If you would like to join the 3 in 30 Challenge, visit the site and sign-up, link up, and encourage the other participants. 


What are your goals for October?

What I Didn't Do All Weekend

What a fabulous weekend! It really was one of the best ones in a while. Oddly enough, I didn't do anything at all that I had planned to do. Funny how that works. I had a giant list of things that I was going to do, but none of them really had much to do with the family. My plan looked something like this:

• catch up on laundry
• post my 3 in 30 goals 
• make some design changes to my blog 
• take husband and kids to the fair
• watch the Razorback game
• make a dessert for our church homecoming dinner

Big fat fail. My list looked a little more like this:

• washed and put away about half of the laundry
• never opened my laptop
• not even sure where I last put my laptop
• took kids to fair (with help) but husband bailed at the last minute
• took a 4-hour nap during the game
• bought a cake at the grocery store a few minutes before church

All that planning got me nothing. Except half a funnel cake (my darling boy ran right into me and the funnel cake hit the ground). And a nap. The nap was pretty great. It's not everyday I get to ignore all of my responsibilities for some extreme self-indulgence. So the fabulous part?

• Listening to E giggle through the entire tilt-a-whirl ride
• Completely melting when he gave $5 of his own money to the animal shelter
• Meg holding my hand, on purpose, without force, when she didn't want anything
• Hannah letting me dry her hair
• 4 hours of undisturbed napping
• Church homecoming
• Tons of other small, nice things

The lesson for me--just because things do not go the way I planned, that doesn't mean it can't still be wonderful and fabulous. This picture is from the fair, just me and my darlings.

One Bite--Week 1, Task 1

Chaos is my middle name, along with stress, clutter, walking disaster... It seems like I'm always missing something. That saying about losing your head if it weren't attached--yeah, that's me. It seems like I'm always trying something new to keep myself together. I try a lot of things, but usually get bored or overwhelmed with it before any real progress is made. I've been struggling to get things in order and I need help.  Fortunately, I have found a group of ladies who are willing to help me with both the motivation and encouragement.

I was eavesdropping following along with a Twitter conversation last week between two of my Tweeps who were talking about starting a new series called "One Bite At A Time." Tsh Oxenrider has created a fabulous e-book about small and easy steps you can do to get (and stay) organized. I think it is the perfect opportunity to get started and have my much needed motivation. Every Friday, I will check-in over at Sam's Noggin and link up with the group, encourage others and be encouraged. Sound like fun?


So here's the rundown--Week 1, Project 1

Cleaning the kitchen completely after dinner--3/4 nights I cooked--not so hard. The night I didn't do it, I regretted it the next day.

Updating my billing at the office--1/1--made a big difference in my day.


Overall, I think I did pretty well considering my natural lack of motivation. Up next week, Project 26. I was going to try to go in order but I decided against it. I am actually considering spending more than one week on #26. I will link back up next week with my progress. 

If you would like to join us, head on over to Sam's Noggin to check in. You can even buy the e-book directly from her site or go to 52 Bites to purchase it.


Coming up this weekend (hopefully!)--my 3 in 30 Challenge for October plus I am going to add some pages to my blog with links for people and things I love and more about me (with pictures if my amazingly wonderful photographer friend will pitch in). Also, I'm working on a button and some design tweaks (again, I need my photographer friend for creative details). 

Fall, Football and Finger Foods

Sometimes, Fall is my favorite season. It would be my favorite season all the time except where I live, the seasons seem to skip from Summer to Winter back to Summer with very little transition (like Spring or Fall). Most years, the calendar tells me what season I'm in, not the weather. The last 2 Saturdays have been spent watching the kids play soccer. The 1st Saturday, it was freezing. The temperature was warm but the wind was cold so I spent both games wishing I had gotten out the winter coat instead of just the hoodie. The 2nd Saturday was hot. Before I left home, I debated with myself about whether I should grab my hoodie in case it was another windy day. I should have debated whether wearing shorts and a tank top was appropriate for the end of September! 


Fall also means football. Now if you have ever lived in the South, you know that football is king. And if you've never lived in the South, well bless your heart. So football is king. You either play along or get left out. I'm not a *huge* football fan but I can appreciate a good game and I love the social part of it. It is so much fun to sit in a crowded stadium with tons of other fans and yell and scream and do the wave. Unfortunately, unless it's high school football, I only manage to get to the crowded stadium games once or twice a year. To make up for that, I like to have people over to watch the game. I don't do anything fancy for snacks and we always have finger food. A couple of my favorite finger food recipes are below.


*Both of these recipes are original in that I have never seen them published anywhere and they came to me by either word of mouth or by experimenting in the kitchen. If you recognize either of them from a cookbook or website, let me know and I will be happy to credit the publisher.


Apricot Dip

2 containers whipped cream cheese
1 jar apricot jam or jelly
1-2 packages real bacon pieces
1 bunch green onions, sliced

Spread the cream cheese in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Spread the jam over the top of the cream cheese. Top with bacon pieces and green onions. Serve with crackers. 

This is really delicious. You may be tempted to double the recipe so you can eat more but I advise against that. It doesn't last but a day or so in the refrigerator before it starts getting watery and gummy. 


Crunchy Chicken Strips

1-2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup mustard
1/2 box corn flakes


If you are using chicken breasts, cut them into strips. Mix the mayo and mustard in a bowl. Crush the corn flakes. Dip the chicken in the mayo/mustard mix, then roll in corn flakes until it is well coated. Place on a well-greased baking pan. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes. Turn all the chicken over and cook for 15 minutes more. *Cooking time may vary depending on your oven.* 


One of the best parts of this recipes is the gooey crunchy corn flakes that stay on the bottom of the pan when all the chicken is gone. When you are eating that off the pan with your fingers, you will appreciate having greased the pan.


I don't have pictures of either of the recipes. My cooking is never pretty and my phone doesn't take great pictures. Someday, I will cook pretty stuff and get a camera that will let me edit my ugly food. Until then, you will have to try the recipes to see what they look like.

Why I'm Not Skinny--The Dessert Edition

I am completely addicted to Pinterest. It's really pretty sad. I can start a sentence with "I saw the neatest thing" and my husband can finish it with "on Pinterest." I pin everything! It if looks like something that is anywhere close to my skill level, I will pin it. If it has instructions, I will pin it. If it looks like it has 1200 calories per serving, I will pin it. My favorite of my boards is named "Why I'm Not Skinny." 

Today I bring you "Why I'm Not Skinny--The Dessert Edition" (because dessert should always come first.

Triple Chocolate Pound Cake

Don't be fooled by the picture. This pound cake doesn't require a pastry chef to create. There are 9 ingredients. 9! I've made casseroles with more ingredients, and I doubt any casserole has tasted this good. It is chocolate heaven.

Source: nancycreative.wordpress.com via Melanie on Pinterest

 



Pumpkin Cake with Cider Caramel Sauce

Proof that a girl cannot live on chocolate alone. She must have pumpkin. Doesn't this look heavenly? Pumpkin is very high in fiber and Vitamin A, and apple cider is made from apples, making this part of a healthy, balanced diet. Hey, it has fruit in it; that counts for something, right?

Source: mandysrecipebox.blogspot.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Loaf

I love blueberries. In fact, they are my new favorite fruit. New because I went most of my life hating them. My experience with them came in the form of blueberry "flavored" food, not the real thing. I had no idea what I was missing. The first time we ditched the kids for the weekend, we stayed in a charming bed and breakfast called the 5 Ojo Inn. It's a wonderful place and it's our home away from home when we manage to get away for the weekend. 

Our first time staying there, breakfast started with blueberries and bananas and cream. My husband had to choke back a giggle. See, I'm a polite Southern girl (Southern for sure, polite I have to work on). And as a Southern girl trying to be polite, I would never dream of insulting the cook by not eating what was put in front of me. And my husband was well aware of that. We exchanged little glances and he was choking back that giggle (and I was ready to choke him for it!) and I dug in. And it was good. But I hate blueberries! These tiny, fresh blueberries were heavenly. It was all I could do to refrain from asking for seconds. Until then, I had no idea that artificial blueberry flavoring didn't taste anything like fresh blueberries. I still don't like to eat anything with fake blueberries in it but if it has the real thing, bring it on. Like this bread/cake.

Source: sweetpeaskitchen.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Banoffee Pie

Toffee and bananas. And whipped cream. This requires no further explanation.

Source: brooklynlimestone.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes


Strawberry=healthy. Enough said.

Source: doughmesstic.net via Melanie on Pinterest

That's all the yumminess I can handle at once. 




 

Missing: Kitchen. Reward Offered.

My kitchen is missing.  Ok it's really not missing, I know where it is. It's in the middle of my house, buried in boxes and furniture. Yes, I said furniture. At last check, my chair and ottoman were sitting in the middle of my kitchen floor, blocking my access to the stove and sink. My husband moved furniture and (not unpacked) boxes before bed last night. Since the tv guy is coming Saturday to hook up our satellite, he felt the need to actually make room for the tv and find all the equipment. Smart move, bad execution. We were sort of using the living room as a storage room for everything we need to sort through and unpack (and get rid of). Since the tv guy is coming, now the dining room is the box room. And the kitchen is close enough to move stuff into temporarily, hence the reason my chair is in there. Needless to say, cooking dinner is not going to be easy or fun. I need something that is going to be fast, easy and use as few dishes as possible (since I can't get to most of my cabinets right now). Generally when I need something fast we have a skillet meal. Anything qualifies, as long as it all cooks in one pan. Our favorites are breakfast burritos (sausage, egg and cheese) and what I call the Sausage and Veggie Skillet. I created this myself and I do not write recipes very well--it usually ends up being more like instructions. No matter how you read it, it's a delicious and relatively healthy way to have a fast dinner.

Melanie's Sausage and Veggie Skillet

serves 4-6

a splash of olive oil

1 package chicken sausage (I like Johnsonville or Al Fresco), cut into bite-sized pieces

2-3 ears fresh corn, removed from the cob

1 large onion, sliced

1 large bell pepper (any color), sliced

1 package fresh mushrooms, washed and sliced

Your favorite seasoning salt (I like Lawry's, husband prefers Cavenders)

Pour a little olive oil in a skillet and cook the sausage until it's slightly browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan, add a little more olive oil and toss in veggies. Saute until they are as cooked as you want them to be (because some people want them crunchy, some people want them not crunchy). When the veggies are cooked to your liking, add the sausage back into the skillet. Season with salt, pepper or whatever other seasoning you like. 

We just dump some into a bowl and eat it with a fork. It is also pretty good in a tortilla, taco style.  

I have teamed up with Aetna's Healthy Food Fight and She Speaks to spread the message of healthy living and eating in America. The recipe is my own creation :)

God Made Me Do It

There is a monster inside me today that really wants out. Normally, I would just let it come out, for better or worse (usually worse). Today I will hold it back, sort of. Today, instead of retaliating in anger at the person who has been mean to me, I will just breathe. And pray. And type. And I will feel better when I'm done. 


Someone I thought was my friend has said some things and done some things that aren't very friendly. Since I live in the town that's the size of a postage stamp, these things have gotten back to me. I want to send her a nice message asking her politely to stop saying hurtful things about me. Yeah right. There's a long list of things I want to do to her, none of which are even remotely nice or polite. I keep reminding myself that we are adults and this is not junior high school. That doesn't make it easier though. 


So why the sudden desire decision to be nice? God made me do it.

I have been trying to be a better person--doing more of the good stuff (praying, smiling, holding my tongue), and less of the bad stuff (skipping church, gossiping). I wish I could say it was all my idea and these were changes that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside but that's not completely accurate. I know that these small things are all part of His plan for my life and I did make the conscious decision to submit to His will. As far as the warm fuzzy feelings, eh, it's more like a roller coaster of emotions that makes me think of the little Angel/Devil on my shoulders. I'm trying to be good but it's exhausting--it's much easier to just be myself. 


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV