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What We Read Wednesday ~ July 3, 2013

My Little Man just finished his first soccer season.  It was interesting... to say the least.  He said he didn't like trying to get the ball.  There were too many people around it.  That sounds like something I'd say.

One of our favorite characters is Froggy.  Who doesn't love a frog who is almost as mischievous as Curious George?!  In honor of his first soccer season, we thought we'd take a quick peek into Froggy's soccer fun!

The Froggy series is super cute!  It's definitely one of our favorites!  In addition to Froggy's soccer antics, he has lots of other summer adventures.  These are regulars during our summer reading.

Froggy has fun all year round!  Happy reading!

DIY Spice Racks

The Mister is a pretty amazing man.  He is the only man I've ever known who has actually asked for a Honey-Do list.  He wanted his first project for our new house to be a pretty chalkboard Honey-Do list.  There is one catch, he seems to think that every project requires at least one new power tool.  Our garage will soon be overflowing.

I must say that he is putting his talents to good use.  I've been wanting a really good spice rack.  We have these pillars in our kitchen.  They're really pretty, but they make decorating a little awkward.  We found a way to utilize that space.  I asked for a counter to ceiling spice rack.  The Mister was more than happy to oblige.

He took a few boards, a power saw, an absolutely-necessary brand new brad nailer, some screws and a can of ebony stain... and this was the result!  I absolutely love it!  I have a few more things to add to the top shelf and I'd like to change out a few of the spice jars.  Maybe I'm a little crazy, but I want all of the jars to match.  

If I was truly on top of things, I would have had The Mister write down all the steps and measurements.  Yeah... I'm not that good.  They look good though, right?  However, I can share what he told me he did.  First, I told him I wanted something similar to these.  He analyzed them repeatedly took a quick glance and told me it was simple.  He made one really long shelf with the bottom and back.  He added a small lip to the front of the entire shelf.  Then he cut them down to size and added the sides to each shelf.  He added a few layers of stain and polyurethane to seal it.  Done.  He brought out every tool imaginable (it may have actually been just a level, measuring tape, and drill), and up they went!

I couldn't be happier with the result.  Now he get's to start on my next project... a trunk for blankets in our living room!

Menu Plan Monday ~ July 1, 2013

This is going to be a super quick post.  Little Man does not feel good at all.  He fell asleep on the couch, so I thought I'd take a quick moment to check in and share our menu plan for the week.  Our oven went out last week, and with the crazy schedule we had, cooking just wasn't happening.  There will be lots of repeats this week simply because we didn't get to them last week.  

Monday

Bavarian Pork Chops

Dinner Rolls

Olive Oil and Herb Mixed Veggies

Tuesday

Tilapia with Romesco Sauce

Long Grain & Wild Rice

Mixed Greens

Wednesday

Whatever Wednesday

Thursday

Red, White, and BOOM! Festival

I'll also be trying these creamy coconut stars for a little something fun!

Friday

TBA

I just found out that my entire family will be arriving early (instead of Saturday).  I need to figure out something that will feed about 20.

Saturday

Annual Family Shrimp Dinner

We'll all be cooking, but I plan on creating a spread of Mini Caprese Salads and a variety of olives.

Slow-Cooker Sunday

Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

Brown Rice

House Salad

I'm linking up at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Spotlight Sunday ~ Organization and Housekeeping

Since we've moved into this new house, I thought this would be a great time to spotlight my "Organization and Housekeeping" Pinterest board.  I found some great ideas that I'd love to try!  These are the first five projects I simply must do!!!

It's beyond time to get my measuring cups and spoons out of the drawer.  This idea from Infarrantly Creative is just what I need!

Infarrantly Creative

I've been using a menu planning paper pad each week.  I found them several years ago at Michael's in the dollar bins.  I'm almost out and I think it's time for something a little more permanent.  I like that this idea from All Things Beautiful includes cards for each meal.  I'll be able to add meals that we like that don't have a full recipe card.  

All Things Beautiful

I've been seeing this idea all around the internet.  I like the candy idea, but I'll use it for cotton balls and cotton swabs in the bathroom.  I might even make a second set for the guest bathroom.

This Old Chair

Plain and simple, my garbage disposal stinks.  I was talking to a friend of mine about it and she said hers is the same way, so she buys the tablets at Target.  I was scrolling through my Pinterest board and found this.  I had pinned it forever ago, but forgot all about it.  Turnstyle Vogue also tried the store-bought tablets, but these are natural, DIY and cheaper!  Yay!

Turnstyle Vogue

I've tried the DIY shaving lotion.  I really like it, so when I saw this, I pinned it and put it on my to-do list.  The Mister doesn't like the normal fabric softener that I use.  He says it irritates his skin.  This idea from Fabulessly Frugal uses hypoallergenic conditioner, so hopefully that won't be an issue!  

Fabulessly Frugal

Do you have and organization or housekeeping Pinterest board?  What are some of your favorite pins?

Family Fun Friday ~ June 28, 2013

I was trying to find something fun for a playdate this week, so off to Pinterest I went.  I was scrolling through my Little Man board and found this idea.  I'd pinned it forever ago, but never actually did it (as with most things, it seems).  It was the perfect idea for a playdate!  

Art is Basic

I went to Target and grabbed a giant bottle of bubbles for $2.99.  I already had a box of food coloring that I bought at Walmart awhile back.  I found that the liquid food coloring works better than the gel stuff.  I also already had some paper bowls on hand, so that part was easy.

First the boys had some fun blowing bubbles at each other.  Then they tried to start catching them.  That turned into a bubble war.  Boys will be boys...

The actual project was super easy.  I poured a little bubble liquid into each bowl and added some drops of food coloring.  It took about 10 drops for each color.  The boys dipped their bubble wands and blew away!  As soon as the bubble popped on the paper, it left a perfect little firework shape!  

Unfortunately, the picture of their final products won't upload.  :(  They were cute though!  We ended the playdate with popsicles to cool off on that hot afternoon!  They liked this playdate enough that we will be having an encore on our next family night!

Happy playing!

A Cozy Recipe ~ Tuna Noodle Casserole

I'm on a roll!  My second recipe this week with calculated Weight Watchers Plus Points!  :)

I absolutely cannot remember where I originally saw this recipe.  I've tried tuna noodle casserole a variety of ways.  After a *few* (meaning about 10) attempts, I think I finally have it!  

Again, please ignore the terrible pictures.  I found my camera and my battery is charging.  Unfortunately, it still wouldn't turn on when I was ready to take these pictures.  

So ... this recipe is one of the few that The Mister asks for regularly.  I made several adjustments to make it just a smidgen healthier than my previous versions.  In this version, I used whole wheat noodles instead of egg noodles, and I left out the butter.  It's not as heavy as some other casseroles I've tried, but it's definitely just as filling.  Not to mention ... these portions are HUGE!

I served it with a simple bag of iceberg lettuce and carrots and Kraft Green Goddess dressing.  Super easy, right?  I thought so.  

Tuna Noodle Casserole

serves 4

1 can cream of mushroom soup (I used reduced fat.)

1/2 cup skim milk

2oz. jar chopped pimientos, drained

1 (15oz.) can green peas, drained

3 (6oz. each) cans solid tuna, drained

2 cups uncooked whole wheat pasta (I used rotini.)

2 teaspoons celery salt

1/4 cup bread crumbs

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Boil the pasta.  Drain and mix all ingredients except for the bread crumbs in a 9x13 pan or casserole dish.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Top with bread crumbs and bake for another 5 minutes.  

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

365 calories

5.6g fat

46g carbohydrates

6.5g fiber

36.6g protein

8 WW+ points

Happy eating!