Menu Plan Monday-Freezer Cooking Day Edition

This week I am planning on joining Money Saving Mom's Freezer Cooking Day. I will not be able to cook the amount others might, because I will be working 10-12 hours each day. But, I am planning on cooking several main dishes that will get me through this week and have some for the freezer. Here is the plan:

Spaghetti Sauce

Pioneer Woman Meatloaf- check out her book for recipe

Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti

Homemade Chicken Broth

Pork Fried Rice

Vegetable Beef Soup

White Chili

I am also going to try to fit in cooking some Blueberry Muffins.

Check back later in the week for a wrap-up post on my Freezer Cooking Day.

To see more menu ideas, be sure to visit Menu Plan Monday at I'm and Organizing Junkie.

Freezer Cooking Day-Master Plan

I have never participated in a Money Saving Mom Freezer Cooking Day, but I am going to try to cook a few things this month. I have been inspired by Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman. I have a few of her recipes I want to try. Here is my master plan:

The Pioneer Woman- Chicken Spaghetti

The Pioneer Woman- BBQ Meatballs

White Chili

I may only be able to do these few items as I will be cooking after work both days. If I have extra energy I may try to make lasagna. Additionally, I may actually try to start cooking this weekend while I am off work. I will post my progress.

To see what other folks are cooking during this month's Freezer Cooking Days go to Money Saving Mom.

Fiskars Cutting Mat

For those of you who are crafters and quilters, I wanted to let you know of a great deal I got yesterday at Tuesday Morning. I purchased this large (24" x 36") cutting mat for $14.99. I have seen these mats for as much as $50 at JoAnns. I love having a large cutting mat on my fabric cutting table. Tuesday Morning also had smaller mats at even lower prices.


Check out the craft section at your local Tuesday Morning shop. They have many different craft supplies such as scrapbooking supplies, knitting supplies, scissors, paper cutters and beadworks. I try to stop by the shop at least twice a month because the inventory changes frequently.

Dream

I have been shopping it seems non-stop to try and find the last few accessories to complete my daughter's room. After about six stores today, I only found one item. But, it was an important one to my daughter. She specifically wanted a "Dream" sign. The one we found was perfect--burgundy red, on a stand, and rather big. It fits perfectly on the top of her desk. I got this at Ross for $5.99. Sweet!



I also got paint for the antique desk chair and I hope to get that painted tomorrow. Still need a red lamp, throw pillows for bed, a mirror, and a red throw for the end of the bed

Room of Turquoise

Another vacation spent at home and more home improvement projects. For the last few days we have been working on my daughter's room. She moved into this room about 3 years ago when her brother went to college. She has been living with his old lighthouse theme.

We first had to remove the old wallpaper and lighthouse border. Thank goodness that my husband prepped the walls well 12 years ago when we put the wallpaper up. It was fairly easy to remove by using the wallpaper scorer and diluted liquid fabric softener.





My daughter even helped. Imagine that--a teenager actually working!







Then it was time to start painting!




Then we got to put the furniture back and put out the new bedding.

We found a few pictures. The small one on the wall below came from Target. The accent color for the room is red.







The pictures in below came from Kirkland's.



We still need a few more accessories. I am planning on replacing the curtains and painting an antique desk chair red for the room. I am also looking for a couple of small pillows and a throw for the bed in red. Finally, I am going to get a mirror to put above a chest (not pictured). I hope to find one with a red or white frame.

I will post again with the final results!

If you would like to see where we got our inspiration, go HERE to see other beautiful turquoise and red rooms.

Russian Tea

I am posting this recipe for a friend who is a bit under the weather. This is a great warm drink when you have a cold or flu.

Russian Tea


8 cups water
8 whole cloves
1 1/2 to 2 cups sugar (to taste)
8 tea bags
23 oz. pineapple juice
23 oz. orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice

To make, bring water to almost boiling and reduce heat to simmer.

Add cloves and simmer 5 minutes.


Then add sugar and simmer 5 more minutes.

Add tea bags and let simmer another 5 minutes or until strong enough for your taste.


Then pour in juices and let simmer another 20 minutes.


Enjoy!