Valentine's Day

Two sweet goof-balls

It's been a wild week around here with appliances breaking, mice running rampant, head-colds all around, and trying to decide on new schooling options for my big girls. But I don't want to let all of that dampen the fun of Valentine's Day for my kiddos. Especially the two big girls. They haven't had as much mommy attention lately, considering I also have a 19 month-old, a 3 month-old, and I've been feeling yucky all week. So, I really want to bless them this weekend.

So, The Plans:

Saturday morning~mini chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.

During the day~craft time with the girls-decorations and gifts for their friends.

Saturday night~family V-day dinner:

~Curry coconut chicken with rice and pineapple on the side

~Grasshopper pie (my husband's and girls' favorite) for dessert

(I know, a strange combination, but that's what my husband requested!)

I'm planning on getting out my grandmother's china and making it a festive, fun night.

Then, on Monday there is no school, so we are having a Valentine's Day Tea Party for the big girls and six of their friends. I'm planning on making some sweet treats, serving cocoa in a tea pot, and doing a craft with them. Maybe, I'll remember to take pictures, and maybe I'll find my long lost USB cord, and maybe I'll post about it all next week!

Have a great weekend!

One of Those Days

Yesterday: mice in the house, mommy with a bad cold, sisters fighting, baby crying, toddler fussing, dog poo tracked in, dogs fighting, blood all over dogs, girls worried, MICE IN OUR HOUSE, science fair project-already over due, dinner to be made, dishes to be done...aaahhhh, the chaos, the horror...mommy about to lose it, big time...


........cough, hacking, cough........


And then...


Daddy comes home...miraculously everything calms down, everyone is happy...and he brings mouse traps!

Hooray for Daddy!!

Food Thoughts and Taco Pie

So, I realize that most of my posts have been about food lately. I was contemplating this, and I think there are a couple of reasons for this. One, I'm nursing my two month old, actually, I've been pregnant and/or nursing for over two years now. What I'm trying to say is, it takes a lot of calories for my 5' 1", 105 lb. frame to keep up with all this baby growing and feeding, so food has been extra important to me. Second, I enjoy feeding my family. It is something that I can take pride in, and since it is something that has to be done, I try to have fun with it. Also, it is a chance for me to be creative. There isn't a whole lot of time for other creative pursuits right now...

Anyway, here is another recipe! I made this last night. My family loves tacos, and this is a little easier than assembling everyone's individual tacos.

Taco Pie

(or Taco Lasagna, if you will)

1 lb. ground beef

salt and pepper

about 1 T. cumin

about 1 T. chili powder

about 1 T. dried minced onion

1 8oz. can tomato sauce

6 flour tortillas, soft taco size

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese, or Mexican mix shredded cheese

Season beef with salt and pepper, brown in a skillet and drain. Back in skillet mix cumin, chili powder, minced onion, and tomato sauce with beef. Heat through.

In a deep, round casserole dish layer a tortilla, spread about 1/3 cup meat mixture on top, and sprinkle on about 2 tablespoons cheese. Repeat about five times until you reach the top of the dish, ending with meat and cheese.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 min. Slice like a pie and serve with your favorite taco toppings.

Well, I hear my little miss waking up...time for another feeding...