Author: Lois Houston

I'm a sweet tea drinkin' southern gal who loves to cook, bake, crochet, and read. Check out my blog for posts about parenting, faith, books, crafts, planning, baking, cooking, and life in general.

Menu Plan Monday (or, Tuesday)

I have been planning my family menus for years – probably since the time Little Bit was born.  I have been a fluttering FlyBaby for about that long, trying to get myself on plan with the Fly Lady (but it never seems to “stick”). However, one thing I love about her whole thing is the idea of planning ahead. I am a planner. I love my lists and my plans. So, that part works for me.

Enter Menu Plan Monday –


Mealplanmonday

I stumbled across this meme over on orgjunkie.com and I love the idea! Creating your meal plan, sharing it with others, and getting ideas from the meal plans others have created.

So, I’m joining the bandwagon. Want to join with me? It’s super easy. Figure out your meal plan for the week – what will you be cooking for your family?

Write them down – you can even share in the comments here if you’d like – and link them to the linky on orgjunkie’s blog.  It’s been fun looking at other people’s meal plans – and has given me some ideas for next week’s menus.

Here are the meals I’m cooking this week:

I’m sure we’ll eat out once – usually on Sunday after church.  So, with leftovers, that should carry me through the weekend.

I use AllRecipes a lot – you will see that a bunch of these recipes are linked there.  I love that I can create my own recipes and store them there as well.

Ok, now it’s your turn! What are you serving this week?

On the Nightstand

I’ve been doing a lot of reading this summer. I made a conscious decision at the beginning of summer that I was going to watch less TV and do more reading. I’ve got a ton of shows on TiVo and, surprisingly, I don’t even care if I don’t catch up on them.  BUT, I am really enjoying reading again.  I have been devouring books like they were bon bons and spending lots of time curled up on the sofa with a glass of iced grape kool-aide and my faithful kitty cat, Scooby Doo.  (aka Gabriella Pussycat… the nickname is a story for another day)

My new Nook (named Beatrice Nook by Big Girl) has been a constant companion, too. I have been really enjoying it and the fact that just about ANY book is accessible to me anywhere (even 38,000 feet in the air as I flew to/from San Francisco a few weeks ago).  I have also been enjoying being exposed to new writers (that I probably would never have considered) as I have been taking advantage of the Free Friday eBooks on Barnes & Noble’s website. Why not try a book if it’s free? Nothing to lose, right?

Details

If you have been considering a Nook (or Kindle) you can read my review of Beatrice here.  She is my new best friend (and Big Girl’s, too)

Here are a few of the books I’ve read in the past few weeks:

Weddings Can Be Murder by Christie Craig: Download Cover

Weddings Can Be Murder
Christie Craig

This was a Friday Freebie.  I would’ve probably not bought it otherwise.  It was light, cotton-candy reading.  Predictable plot, although great escapism.  Not too crazy about the language in the book (lots of F-words) but I just skimmed them and kept reading.

Basic plot is centered around murders of brides-to-be who all share the same wedding planner (who is killed in the first 100 or so pages) and the Cop/PI brothers trying to solve the murders and save the girl.  There’s also a sub-plot which was focused on Kate (the bride) and her fiancé and best friend.  Without spoiling the story, that’s about all I can tell you.

Would I read it again? Probably not.  But it was good, escapist summer reading – and for free, that’s not bad.



The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Well After Weight Loss by MS, RD, LD Furtado: Download Cover

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery
MS, RD, LD Furtado

I picked this up on the airplane heading out to San Francisco. ON THE PLANE. At 38k feet. How cool is that? LOVE it.  Love my Nook.

Anyway. 

Very, very informative book. I thought I had learned pretty much all I needed to know about life after surgery already but was pleasantly surprised to find that this book had tons of good information for me. Particularly about carbohydrate intake, protein needs, etc. 

I’m still reading it – I have to be in the right frame of mind for this type of book – but I am really glad I bought it. If you are a WLS patient, I strongly suggest making the investment.


The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium Trilogy Series #1) by Stieg Larsson: Download Cover

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Stieg Larsson

Is anyone not reading this book (or one of the books in this series)?

I mean, really, everyone seems to have this book on their to-read list these days.

I have started it. I haven’t finished it. I keep getting distracted with other books. The story just hasn’t grabbed me yet.

Anyone have any thoughts about it? I’m wondering what all the fuss is about, since I can’t seem to get going on the book. Maybe I just need to get over my ADD and focus on reading it for a few days and see if it gets better.




Darkfever (Fever Series #1) by Karen Marie Moning: Download Cover

DarkFever
Karen Marie Moning

This was another Friday Freebie (which is probably why I can’t seem to finish the Dragon story!)

I was a little skeptical that I’d like it, but once I got into the story (in about three chapters) I was hooked.
I read this in about 2 days. 

It’s a sci-fi/paranormal story (not a romance at all) and focuses on this stereotypical Southern Blonde whose sister is mysteriously killed while attending an exchange program in Dublin, Ireland. She goes over to pressure the police about finding her sister’s killer and finds herself embroiled in the world of the Faery, magic and mystery.

There are five books in the series. I have already downloaded #2 & 3 on my Nook. I can’t wait to read them. The stories are engrossing and the dialogue and plot are very well done.  I really had no clue what was going to happen from page to page – which is really important to me.


Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert: Download Cover


I started this a long time ago. Really, really enjoyed it.

Then I got the Nook and got all sorts of distractions.

I am stuck somewhere in India.  At an ashram. Maybe that is why I haven’t finished?
I WANT to finish it. It’s a really good story about finding oneself and growing up.

I WILL finish it.

Maybe after the kids are back at school.





And, then, finally, I am reading this –

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer: Book Cover

I got re-hooked into the saga after seeing the new Twilight movie last week. I’m already more than halfway through the book (started reading it Saturday night) and I just HAVE to finish it to see where things go.  Didn’t think I would get sucked back into the Twilight series again, but here I am, reading like a crazy woman.

Like I said, I’ve been devouring books lately. 

What are YOU reading?

Anything I should add to my wishlist?

The verdict is in

And the Beer Can BBQ Chicken was a hit!  The kids devoured it and SuperMan has already fixed a plate to eat for lunch tomorrow at work.  I sampled a tiny bit and it tasted really, really good. Very moist.

Adding that one to my list of chicken recipes right now.

Do you have any you can share? I’d love to know what your family’s favorite chicken recipe is.

Do tell!

Chicken, It’s What’s For Dinner

Remember that Beef ad campaign?

“Beef, It’s what’s for dinner.”

Well, not around my house, it isn’t. Not much anymore these days.

My little tummy doesn’t tolerate beef too well, and SuperMan might as well be sproutin’ feathers for all the chicken he likes to eat. He and the girls are quite the poultry poppers.  Which leaves me with the challenge of coming up with some interesting new ways to serve chicken.  I mean, you can only do baked chicken, fried chicken, etc. so many times you get bored, right?

Enter the newest recipe in my repertoire:Beer-Can-Barbecued-Chicken-58250

Beer Can BBQ Chicken – 
the recipe is from the Kraft Foods website (which has some really good family-friendly, and budget-friendly recipes) (photo is also courtesy of the Kraft website)

I’m planning to cook it tonight along with some grilled corn on the cob. 

Oh.my.goodness.

Have I told you about my love affair with grilled corn on the cob?

Have you TRIED grilled corn on the cob before?

If you haven’t, you need to. It should be a law that everyone has to try it at least once in their lives.

If you ever eat corn this way you will not ever want it boiled again.  The grilling intensifies the sweetness of the corn and gives it a richness of flavor. YUM. I just slap the corn on the grill (still wrapped in their husks) for about 20 minutes (turning every five or so).  They stay even juicier if you soak them for about 10 min in some water before you cook them – the husks won’t scorch as bad, either. (oh, and pull the silk off the top unless you want a cute little fiery candle on your grill)

Anyway, enough about the corn. This is supposed to be about the chicken.  I get distracted easily. Sorry.

So, I’m braving cooking on the grill with ALCOHOL and FIRE and SuperMan is not even at home. He’s off cutting grass and doing manly things at our rental house.

Let’s hope I don’t burn THIS HOUSE down while I’m cooking on the grill.  That would stink.

And probably ruin my dinner plans.

I’ll let you know tomorrow how it turns out. I’m optimistic that the news will be good – as long as I don’t burn anything I shouldn’t. (like my house)

So, what’s your favorite chicken recipe? Have any you’d like to share?  I’d love some new ideas. 


** UPDATE ** I've just wrastled that poor chicken onto the grill. Little Bit thought it wasn't very kind to put a beer can in it's heiney.  But it's there now and not going anywhere.  I'll let you know how this turns out.

Penny for Your Thoughts?

I've got a little survey started over on my Facebook page – I would be so grateful if you would stop over there and take a minute to give me your input.

I'm hoping to see what the more popular topics are on my blog so I can better tailor content to the areas you're most interested in.

So, stop on by, would you please?

A good time was had by all

Little Bit turned six this week.  We have been celebrating for almost two weeks now – first at her grandparents’ house (while I was out of town for work) and then at home.  There has been much consumption of cake, many Barbie purchases, and lots of singing of the Birthday song.  She has been enjoying every minute.

Yesterday afternoon was the “official” birthday party.  Since we are fortunate enough to have a neighborhood pool, we opted for the (easy) pool party celebration.  Nothing like throwing the kids in the water for a few hours to wear them out.  I ordered pizza and kept the cake in the cooler on ice while the kids swam and played. IMGP2921 IMGP2922 IMGP2926 IMGP2927After the pizza and cake Little Bit opened presents. She got the coolest “jet ski” float and they had a great time cruising around the pool on it. IMGP2931 IMGP2932 IMGP2936 IMGP2937

Thank goodness M and T were such good jet ski motors – and kept the little ones safely away from the side of the pool so none of us moms had a heart attack waiting for someone to bonk their heads.

IMGP2942 IMGP2943IMGP2945

It was hot and muggy and I was exhausted when it was done, but it was all worth it.  Little Bit had a great time – I think we all did.

Versatile Blogger Award

Wow.

I just received my first award on my blog!

Cool!

the-versatile-blogger-award1 I was nominated by Aly who “lives” over on Homemaker’s Helper.

Thanks, Aly!

With the Versatile Blogger Award, there are some rules…namely you are to thank and link back to the one who gave you the award.   You are also then supposed to nominate 15 other bloggers who you think are versatile.   First, though, you must share seven random facts about yourself.

Seven random facts?

Hmmm…

Here goes nothin’:

  1. Even though I keep all of my appointments on my Outlook calendar, I still carry around a paper planner to write things in.
  2. I just figured out I love Ranier cherries. I always thought I didn’t like them (even though I’d never tried them) I am happy to be wrong.
  3. I majored in Computer Science in college and planned to be a programmer but I hated programming.
  4. I’m really a shy person.
  5. I used to love chocolate but I can live without it very easily now.
  6. I think Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan just get better looking as they age.
  7. I usually don’t put make up on – unless I have to leave the house for something, which I try not to do. I think I am a closet hermit.

And here are the bloggers I recommend:

Congratulations to my fellow bloggers! I hope you, my dear reader, will visit their blogs and leave them a little comment to let them know you stopped by.

What’s in Your Purse?

I admit it.

I am a purse-aholic.

Actually, I’m such a purse-aholic I’m surprised I’ve never done a purse-focused post before.

It’s not as bad as it used to be… before kids I had over 100 purses. All of them nice, good quality purses.

Now, I have less than a quarter of that.  I’ve consciously pared down my stash over the last ten years.

Before kids, my purses were cute little things with lots of leather and stylish lines.  They were on the smallish side.  I only needed my wallet, keys, lipstick and maybe a few other little things. (way back before we carried all these electronic gizmos with us everywhere we went)

Now, my handbags now tend to really hover somewhere between tote bag, ginormous sack, and the “shopper’s tote” genres. Rather than being made of leather (which would be really heavy in a bigger bag) they tend to be made of lightweight fabric or some fabric/leather concoction. 

Vera Bradley has held my heart for a while now, although I am growing tired of the eye-popping patterns and longing for more solid-color, sedate bags these days (am I getting old?!?)Bucket Tote

The VB Bucket Tote is one of my favorites… but they have discontinued it, I think. (sigh)

I loved the fact that it had an outside pocket (which zipped) and four inside pockets (one zip, three open) that I could stash things in. It leaves the entire middle of the purse for your wallet and other goodies that the kids drop in – and yet you have easy access to glasses, pens, keys, phone, etc.

And the list of what I carry inside the bag has grown exponentially, too.

Now, on my list of absolute must-haves in the handbag:

  • two or three tubes of lipstick (one neutral, one red, one more coppery)
  • chapstick
  • asthma inhaler
  • powder compact (this one sometimes gets left out)
  • wallet
  • cell phone
  • iPod touch (if we’re going to be in the car for a long time)
  • Nook (ditto)
  • earphones
  • my badge for work (only because I was actually IN an office last week, not a normal thing)
  • eyeglasses, sunglasses
  • fingernail files
  • lotion (two, apparently)
  • Kleenex
  • Splenda (since I am picky about my sweeteners nowadays)
  • Moleskine notebook & pen
  • hand sanitizer (at least one)
  • hairbrush & a few barrettes or pony tail holders
  • various mail, receipts, and pieces of paper with lists on them
  • and whatever other garbage the kids drop in – today it’s an MP3 player and a couple Polly Pockets

IMGP2918For a lot of my bigger bags I use a cute little purse organizer I bought a long time ago. I like it because it has a lot of pockets (which is one of the things I like about the Vera Bradley purses) and I can drop it into any bag and everything stays organized.

back of insert

My latest purse I bought at Cracker Barrel, of all places. My shopping snobbishness has certainly gone downhill these days.  Although, I haven’t really seen any nice purses in the department stores that I liked and I was thrilled to find one that I thought was cute even if it was at Cracker Barrel.

But it’s so cute, isn’t it?

IMGP2916

(sorry for the crooked shot – just realized it as I pasted it into the post) 

I like it because it will hold everything (and then some) and it looks nice and somewhat put-together even though I’m carrying everything except the kitchen sink inside.

So, spill it… what do you carry in your purse?

Oh, and here's a link to another fellow blogger Lipglossed Mom, with her 8 essential items for her purse. 

The Bachelorette: I just can’t seem to care

I don’t know if it is because my life is so busy right now, or because there are so many blogs with “spoilers” out there or what, but I just can’t seem to care about the Bachelorette this summer. I have TiVo’ed all the episodes and I’m about three weeks behind… and I could care less.

I have been reading Chris Harrison’s weekly recap on Entertainment Weekly, Reality Steve’s snarky posts on his website, and that is about it… but that is more than enough for me.

Did you see this week’s episode?  The one where Frank decides that he’s outta there and heads back home to his one-true-love?

Geez.

I think they are overdoing it a bit this season with all the drama.  It’s like they have taken all the past seasons, pulled out the parts that had the highest ratings and tried to put them all into this season.  And what has resulted is something that looks even more comic-book-ish than the Bachelor/ette usually is… which is pretty bad, because it’s usually so over the top any way.

I’m wondering how many more seasons we’ll see of this franchise.  Seems like everyone is getting jaded – and the participants all seem more interested in their 15 minutes of fame than in “finding true love.”  I mean, I’m sure that is what it has been about from the beginning, but I believed the storyline more way back when.

Are they getting worse with the storylines or are we all just jaded?