Table Manners 101-oiy!

Happy Monday to you! I am so happy to post my menu today! I missed it last week. When it was "fend for yourself night" (The Martha Stewart-wanna-be in me just cringes at this idea. I really do try to fix my family a nice meal most nights. I feel better when I think that the real Martha doesn't have 6 papers, 2 projects and 2 finals looming around the corner!) anyway...it was fend for yourself night at our house and my youngest decided to eat two hot dogs and wash it down with a bowl of fruit loops. Yes, she did. It was right then and there that I resolved to get my act together this week!

Also, there was that thing at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant Friday night that made me think that Table Manners 101 needs to be back in session.

Hannah, our youngest daughter, decided to stop eating her chicken fried chicken and have a biscuit. Instead of properly putting her fork on the side of her plate, she...I can't believe I am going to tell you this....but I wish that I had brought my camera....stuck her fork in her chicken fried chicken, straight up in the air while she nibbled, I mean inhaled, the biscuit in 2 bites...2 bites! I was mortified. I wanted to ask her, "Excuse me young lady, where is your mother? Didn't she teach you better manners than that?"...then I remembered that I was her mother...oiy!

I guess the spinning of my head in disbelief at the sight of the fork tickled Rachel's funny bone so she stuck her fork in her chicken that way too. Very funny! How old are you? Mr. Incredible burped, in my mind anyway even though he doesn't remember that, and then announced to the table that this is (picture Cousin Eddy from Christmas Vacation) "G-o-o-d!" He said it just like cousin Eddy.

Our sweet waitress named Twila happened to come by and ask if we needed anything. I politely raised my hand and asked to be moved to another table. She laughed. I think she must have been watching our circus show, I mean fine dining experience. We just want to be a blessing!

Anyway, we will be holding Table Manners 101 sessions all this week while we dine on this menu:

Monday:

Chicken Tortilla Soup in the Crock-Pot

along with: This is how you place your spoon on your plate when you are finished with it!

Tuesday:

Turkey Club Sandwiches

Along with: How to politely inhale a sandwich in more than 2 bites!!!

Wednesday:

Italian Chicken in a Crock Pot

Along With: How to not burp at the table and say "G-o-o-d!"

(Cousin Eddy style).

Jane's Slow-Cooked Italian Chicken (from Fix it and Forget-It Lightly)

3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 pkg. dry Italian dressing mix

10 3/4 oz can Cream of Mushroom Soup

4 oz. can mushrooms, drained

8 oz. of Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt

Place chicken in Crock-Pot. (I use the crock pot liners for easy clean up!) Mix dressing mix with soup and mushrooms. Stir into chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. With a spoon, lift chicken out of cooker. Place in a covered dish to keep warm. Combine cooking juices with sour cream in crock-pot. Cover and heat until warmed through. When ready, place chicken on bed of rice or noodles and pour sauce over the top.

Thursday:
Beef Stew in the Crock-Pot

with Cornbread

Along with: How to not slurp your soup...pinkie fingers out, please

(Just kidding!).

Friday:

Football Game Playoff Night

We will be eating outside....much to my family's delight!

Have a great week!

Joyfully,

Kristi

Menu Monday 10/27/08

I can't believe this is the last Monday in October! It is starting to feel a little bit like Fall around here. I see the first few leaves in our beautiful Red Oak trees starting to change colors and I like it. Here is my Menu for the week:

Monday:

Tortilla Soup after Pee Wee Cheerleading

Tuesday:

Taco Tuesday after another Pee Wee Cheerleading Game

Wednesday:

Baked Potato Soup

Thursday:

Pesto Chicken

Friday:

Spooky Pizza Night

Menu Plan Monday 10/13/08

This is my week for Midterms at school! I don't have a lot of time to plan my meals around my coupons and HEB's sale flyer, so I am cleaning out the pantry and trying to use what I already have. It is a quick and easy kind of menu week:

Monday:

Salmon Patties with Mashed Potatoes

Tuesday:

I still have tomatoes growing in the garden...so let's have

BLT sandwiches!

Wednesday:

Family Meal at Church

Thursday:

Crock Pot Continental Chicken

Friday:

Out of town football game...dinner???

Joyfully,

Kristi

Menu Monday 10/6/08

Oh, the smells of fall are in the air.

I think Tuesdays high will be 75 degrees. Oh, joy!

I may try to make some pumpkin bread. Thanks for stopping by~have a blessed week!

Monday:

Chicken Fajitas

Tuesday:

Baked Potato Soup

Oh, my heavens this is delicious!

Wednesday:

Family Meal at Church

Thursday:

RR Mac & Cheese

Friday:

Italian Pizza Night

Joyfully,

Kristi

Menu Plan Monday 9/29/08

Happy Monday to you! Can you believe we say goodbye to September and hello to October on Wednesday? I am almost to the halfway point this semester which makes me very happy! I am suppose to be on a business trip (he goes to the meetings and I sleep in and go shopping) to Chicago with Mr. Incredible this week but due to school obligations I am home. Boo hoo! Needless to say, comfort foods are in order. Here is my menu for the week:

Monday:

Continental Chicken in the Crock Pot

1 2 1/4 oz package of dried beef
4-6 Whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 10 oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/4 C sour cream

Place a layer of dried beef on the bottom of the crock pot. Wrap each chicken breast w/ beef. Mix the soup and sour cream together and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. You can also use halved chicken breasts if you don't want larger portions. It's easy and elegant at the same time.

Tuesday:

Chicken Fajitas

Wednesday:

Family Meal at Church

Thursday:

Welcome Home Daddy!!

Shrimp Boil

Friday:

Hamburgers on the grill w/

Crock Pot Potatoe Wedges

Saturday:

Ham and Cheese Fritatta

Sunday:

Crock Pot Italian Chicken

Joyfully,

Kristi

Menu Plan Monday 9/22/08

It's that time again. This week's theme is Family Favorites at orgjnkie.com.

I've listed 2 of our current favorites with the recipes. Enjoy!

Monday:

Crock pot Fajitas (recipe below)

We LOVE this. It makes a ton of food and it is delicious!

Tuesday:

Tortilla Soup in the Crock Pot (recipe below)
There are many recipes

but this one is the absolute best ever!!!

Wednesday:

Family Meal at Church

Thursday:

Salmon Patties

(Carried over from last week.)

Friday:

Pizza Night

Here are the recipes:

Crock Pot Fajitas

1 small arm roast

1 1/4 C dried pinto beans (rinsed but not soaked)

1 chopped onion

1 can chopped green chilies

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

2 cans Rotel

1/2 C water

2 t chili powder

1 t cumin

garlic salt and pepper

I use those handy dandy crock pot liners for easy clean up. Place a layer of spices on the bottom. Put in roast and sprinkle with more of the spices. Layer beans, onion, and green chilis. Add soup and Rotel. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours. I just shred the meat and serve with tortillas, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, etc. So delicious and so easy!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

from Fix-it-and-Forget-It-Lightly

4 uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 15 oz can black beans undrained

2 15 oz cans Rotel

1 C salsa

14 oz can Tomato Sauce

Cheddar Cheese

Tortilla Chips

Combine all ingredients except for cheese and tortilla chips in your crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Just before serving, remove the chicken breasts and cut into bite size pieces and stir into soup. To serve, add a handful of tortilla chips in each bowl, ladle soup over chips and top with cheese. Enjoy!

Clearly, I'm in the mood for Mexican food. I'm off to make some homemade salsa. Ole!

Joyfully,

Kristi

Menu Plan Monday 9/15/08

Monday:

Slow Cooker Enchiladas

Tuesday:

Homemade Chicken Nuggets

w/ baked oven fries

Wednesday:

Family Meal at Church

Thursday:

Salmon Patties, Mashed Potatoes, Salad

Friday:

Football game

Saturday:

Homemade Pizza Night

Sunday:

Slow Cooker Pork Chops (new recipe)

I just love coming home from church to the aroma of Sunday dinner!

Joyfully,

Kristi

Menu Monday 9/8/08

Good Morning and happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend. We got to travel with the band Friday night which is always fun.

I just have to tell ya'll, this menu planning thing has really become a blessings. Gone are the 5:00 guilt moments of "What's for dinner?" I only have one class on Fridays (hallelujah) so it's easy to make a run for the grocery store for a week's worth of meals.

Can I just say I'm LOVING my crock-pot. There is nothing like coming home after a long day of studying to the wonderful aroma of dinner that is just waiting to be served.

It gets me every time! LOL Have a blessed week!

Monday:

Blue Cheese Pork Chops

(in the crock pot)

Crash Hot potatoes (thank you pioneer woman!

I could eat these everyday of my life!)

Tuesday:

Pesto Chicken

(Elizabeth, we love this recipe!)

Wednesday:

Family meal @ church

Thursday:

Slow Cooker Enchiladas

from Fix it and Forget it Light

Friday:

Pizza night! "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that's amore!"

I'm glad to get that out of my system!

Saturday:

I'm trying a new recipe for Crock Pot Tomato Soup

made w/ fresh tomatoes from the garden

I hope it is good 'cause the Campbell's Tomato Soup is really hard to beat

& Grill Cheese Sandwiches

Menu Monday 9/1/08

Happy Labor Day! Woo-hoo! A three day weekend, yippee!

Here is my simple menu for the week:

Monday:

Hamburgers & french fries

Tuesday:

Tortilla Soup in the Crock Pot

Wednesday:

Family meal at church

Thursday:

Ronald Reagan's Mac & Cheese

Friday:

Friday night football

Saturday:

Friday Night Pizza on Saturday Night :-)

Menu Monday 8/25/08

Today is the first day of school! I have dusted off my crock-pot in preparation. Rachel will be a sophomore, Hannah starts Junior High, and this is my senior year in college. Woo-hoo!

I'm keeping it simple this week.
Thank you for stopping by my blog! May you have a blessed week in the Lord.
"Oh, taste and see that He is good" Psalm 34:8



Monday

Jane's Slow Cooked Italian Chicken
(from Fix it and Forget it Lightly)


3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 package dry Italian dressing mix
10 3/4 oz can 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup
4 oz can mushrooms, drained
8 oz. ff sour cream


Place chicken in crock-pot. Mix together dressing, soup, and mushrooms. Stir into chicken.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
With slotted spoon, remove chicken and set aside. Combine juices w/ sour cream. Cover and warm through. When ready to serve, place chicken on bed of rice or noodles and pour sauce over the top.

Tuesday:

Meet the players night at school-hot dog supper for $1

Wednesday:

Blt's or paninis after church



Thursday:

Chicken Soft Tacos
(from Fix it and Forget-it Lightly)


1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
14 1/2 oz. low sodium diced tomatoes w/ green chilies
1 envelope low sodium taco seasoning.


Place chicken in crock-pot. Mix tomatoes & taco seasoning and pour over chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve in tortillas w/ your favorite fixings.



Friday:

Pizza Night

Saturday:

Ham & Cheese Frittata
& Paula Dean's Tomato Pie

I'm off to class!

Menu Monday 8/18/08

It's that time again? Only one more week before school begins here. Oh, my goodness! I hope you had a blessed weekend. We are having skunk burgers every night. Oh, I'm kidding!

Here is my menu for the week:

Monday:

Tacos w/ homemade salsa from the garden

beans and queso

Ole!

Tuesday:

Italian Chicken in the crock pot

(from the Fix it and Forget it Cookbook, page 17)

Wednesday:

Blt's after church

w/ fresh cantaloupe and watermelon from the garden

Thursday:

Friday night homemade pizza night a day early!

I'm thinking pepperoni or hamburger.

Friday & Saturday:

The long anticipated Siesta Fiesta

Living Proof Live Conference! Woo hoo!

Menu Monday 8/11/08

Happy Monday to you!

May each one of you have a blessed day in the Lord today!

Here is my menu for the week:

Monday:

Rosemary & Lemon Chicken (Oprah's recipe)

with Crash Hot Potatoes (Thanks Pioneer Woman!)

Tuesday:

Baked Fish & Veggies from the Garden

Wednesday:

BLT sandwiches w/ tomatoes from my garden.

Aren't they purty?

Thursday:

Pesto Chicken (One of my faves from Elizabeth!)

Friday:

Homemade Pizza Night

(even though it would be so much easier to call Papa Murphey's!)

Saturday:

Ham & Cheese Frittata

Sunday:

???

Menu Monday 8/4/08

Happy Monday to you! Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the world. I can't believe we are in the month of August. Can you? Where has our summer gone? I feel the need to clean out the freezer and use what I have before I stock up in preparation for school. So, here is my menu for the week:

Monday:

Salmon patties, mashed potatoes, & squash and tomatoes from the garden

Tuesday:
General Tso's Chicken fried rice and egg rolls

Wednesday:

Paninis after church

Thursday:

Orange Roughey and veggies

Friday & Saturday:
Off to hear some contemporary Christian bands.

Sunday:

Chicken and Rice (Mr. Incredible's fave!)

Menu Monday 7/28/08

Happy Monday to you! We had a wonderful weekend. I plan to post pictures and tell you all about it later this week.
I hope that you had a blessed weekend too.

Here is our menu for the week:

Monday

Our 18th Anniversary-dinner date! (I can't wait!)

Tuesday

Grilled Orange Roughy

and veggies from the garden

Wednesday

chicken fajitas

Thursday

Shrimp Boil with R's Family to thank them for a wonderful weekend.

and homemade peach ice cream.

Friday

Home made Pizza night

Saturday

BBQ stuffed potatoes

Sunday

Chicken & Rice

Menu Monday 7/21/08

Happy Monday to you! I hope you had a blessed weekend in the Lord.

Here is my short menu for the week.

My Macy's card is feeling a bit neglected so we are off

to do some back to school shopping with our girls this weekend.

Monday:

(see the steam?)

Our Family's Favorite Shrimp Boil

to celebrate my mom's new job!

Tuesday:

Grilled Mahi

Wednesday:

Rosemary Pork Chops (new recipe)

I'm blessed to have fresh rosemary growing in my garden.

Thursday:

Fish Tacos (I'm trying these for the first time!)

Menu Monday

Good Morning! Thank you for visiting my Menu Planning Monday~ I'm so glad that you stopped by. Here is my menu for the week. I have to admit, last week I was a bit off. I didn't get to the Frittata or the Pesto Chicken. I had a surprise date with my hubby and I had forgotten about his class reunion. I hope to do better with my menus this week!

Monday:

Hamburgers & Potato Salad

Tuesday:

Pesto Chicken (Thanks, Elizabeth!
(I didn't get around to this last week, sweet hubby and I had a surprise date)

Wednesday:

Spaghetti with Texas Toast

Thursday:

dinner at the baseball game

Friday:

Grilled Chicken (I marinate mine in Jack Daniels Pre-made Marinade)
Crash-hot Potatoes (Thanks Jill Dupleix!)

Saturday:

Bacon 'n Egg Bundles (Taste of Home)

Ultimate Coffee Cake (Thanks Paula Deen!)

Sunday:
My Mom's Swiss Steak Recipe

Mashed Potatoes
Squash from the Garden
Rolls
Salad
Key Lime Pie

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Mom's Swiss Steak:

Tenderized Round Steak (we buy the family pack)
Rinse well and pat dry

Combine flour, salt and pepper in a zip lock bag

Add Swiss steak

brown both sides in skillet

Put in crock pot with: Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup,

Can of Cream of Chicken Soup and a packet of

Lipton Onion soup mix.

Cook on low for 9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.

Key Lime Pie (by Nadja)

1 9 inch prepared graham cracker crust (already made-yeah!!)

2 cans Sweet Condensed Milk

1/2 Cup sour cream

3/4 Cup key lime juice (I buy mine already squeezed)

1 T grated lime zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl combine the ingredients, mix well and pour into graham cracker crust. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes or until tiny pinhole bubbles burst on the surface of the pie. Do not brown!!! Chill and serve. Soooooooo easy!

Menu Plan Monday

Welcome! I am so thrilled that you stopped by my blog! For more delicious recipes and menus click here.

I hope you have a blessed week!

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Monday:

Chicken Pot Pie

Tuesday:

Blue Cheese Pork Chops in the Crock-pot (recipe below)

Wednesday:

Pesto Chicken (thanks Elizabeth!)

Thursday:

Veggie Night

(fresh veggies from the garden)

Friday:

Ham & Cheese Frittata (recipe below)

Saturday:

Strawberry Chicken (Thanks Shalee!)

Sunday:

Dinner out after church

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Blue Cheese Pork Chops by Dortheri Lenay Bolden

Pork Chops (I like the boneless, thin ones)
Bottle of Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

In a crock-pot, place pork chops and season to taste. Pour blue cheese dressing over the top. Place lid on top, set crock-pot to low and cook for 6-8 hours or so, until done. Enjoy!

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Ham & Cheese Frittata from Calf Fries to Caviar Cookbook

Melt in one quart baking dish: 2 T butter

Combine & pour into baking dish:

6 eggs

1 C chopped ham or Canadian bacon

1/3 C chopped green onion

1/3 C Mayonnaise

1/4 C milk

1/2 t salt

pepper

dash of Tabasco

1/4 t Worcestershire Sauce

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. When eggs are set, remove from oven, and top with 1 C grated Mozzarella or Monterrey Jack Cheese. Return to oven until melted. Cut into wedges and serve warm. (Makes 4 servings).

Joyfully,

Kristi

5 Ingredients or Less

Rocks in My Dryer is hosting a fun 5 ingredients or less challenge.

Click the above banner to find more wonderful recips.

Besides our family favorite Shrimp Boil (see recipe from Monday’s post)
we enjoy these recipes:

Peanut Butter Popcorn:
½ C light corn syrup
½ C sugar
½ C Peanut Butter
1 tsp vanilla
6 C popcorn

Heat the sugar and syrup in a pot until the sugar is melted, add the peanut butter and melt. (I turn off burner when I add PB). Add vanilla and stir. Pour mixture over popcorn and enjoy. It melts in your mouth.

Crock pot Chicken (Recipe by Sharyn Willis)
1 whole chicken
Garlic Powder
Thyme
Oregano

Put chicken in a crock pot, sprinkle desired amount of spices all over the chicken. Cook on low for 8 hours or so or on high for 4 to 5 hours. (I have used Cavender’s Greek spices before and it is just as good.) So easy!

Pampered Chef Taco Ring
½ pound ground beef (cooked with 1 onion—if you like) and drained
Packet of taco seasoning mix
2 T water
2 8oz. refrigerated crescent roll tubes
1 C shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine meat with taco seasoning mix and water (cook according to package), arrange triangles in a circle on a 13” baking stone or cookie sheet. (Overlapping centers and leaving points to the outside—there should be a 5” diameter circle in the center) Scoop meat mixture over rolls, sprinkle with cheese, and then fold the points of the triangles over filling and tuck under the base at the center. (The filling will not be completely covered). Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with salad.

Menu Monday

Click here for more MPM recipes and blogs.

Monday:
Pot Roast w/ Mashed Potatoes and Squash from the Garden

Tuesday:
G’s Birthday Party-Lobster Bake

Wednesday:
Ronald Reagan’s Mac & Cheese w/ salad
(Recipe below)

Thursday:
Shrimp Boil (Recipe below)

Friday:
Grilled hamburgers and Freedom Fries (Happy 4th of July!!!)

Saturday:
Salmon patties w/ mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy

Sunday:
In-laws 40th Anniversary Dinner

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RR Macaroni & Cheese

1/2 lb. macaroni

1beaten egg
1 tsp butter

1 tsp salt

1 tsp. dry mustard

1 T hot water

1 C milk

3 C shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese

Cook macaroni in boiling salted water until tender. Drain and stir in butter and egg. Mix salt and mustard w/ hot water and add milk and cheese (reserving some to sprinkle on top). Turn macaroni mixture into buttered casserole. Add milk mixture, sprinkle w/ reserved cheese. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until custard is set and top is crusty. Makes 6 servings. Enjoy!

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Shrimp Boil (Our Family Favorite!!!)

10-12 whole small red potatoes

4-6 small ears of corn (I use the frozen ones)

1 pound of cleaned, de-veined shrimp w/ tails

2 links Cajun smoked sausage cut diagonally

2 T Old Bay Seasoning

Boil 8 quarts of water, add salt and Old Bay Seasoning. Add potatoes and cook for 10-12 min. Add sausage and corn on the cobb and cook for 7 minutes. Now add shrimp and boil another 3-5 minutes (just until pink). Drain and pour contents onto your newspaper lined table. Sprinkle w/ salt and serve w/ butter, Old Bay Seasoning, cocktail sauce and lemon wedges. So delicious!!!

Menu Monday

This is my first posting to Menu Planning Monday. (http://orgjunkie.com/menu-plan-monday)

Thank you for stopping by!

Monday:
General So Chicken & egg rolls w/vegetable stir fry

(So easy! I buy them at Sam's Club)

Tuesday:
Poppy-seed Chicken

Wednesday:
Vegetable Night

(home grown squash sauteed, mashed potatoes, fried okra)

Thursday:
Chicken Fajitas with all the fixings

Friday:
Rehearsal Dinner for friends

Saturday:
Salmon patties w/ mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy

Sunday:
Chicken & Rice, salad, rolls, and green beans