Homemaking with Monica

It’s a Party

We are so excited that JR gave his final presentation on Monday and will be graduating with his MBA.

The kids and I decided that it was worth celebrating, so we picked up some special desserts and decorations. {I starved myself all day, so I could join in the tasty fun. It was totally worth it! }

We started out with a low calorie dinner.

Here’s the recipe we used for the BBQ Beef. {FYI – freezer friendly.}

The Baked Beans {FYI – freezer friendly} and Macaroni Salad are both from the Just Like Home (Weight Watchers Magazine) Cookbook.

Now on to the yummy dessert…

A giant chocolate chip cookie…

and angel food cake with strawberries.

That was our little celebration last night.

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It’s time to share another 10 meal menu. I can’t tell you how thankful we are for our friend who cooks these delicious meals for us. {Read more about the decision to hire a cook here.} You’ll notice that I ordered several side dishes instead of all main dishes this time around.

Here’s what our favorite cook is making for us this week.

:: Stuffed Shells {the kid’s favorite}

:: Chicken Pot Pie

:: Cheese Beef & Noodle Casserole

:: Salisbury Steak

:: Beef Roast (x2)

:: Beef Stroganoff

:: Macaroni Salad {I love this salad! I’ve had it for lunch the last couple of days.}

:: Mashed Potatoes (x3)

:: Loaded Baked Potatoes (x 1 1/2)

:: Broccoli Cheese Casserole

You can find the Beef Stroganoff, Macaroni Salad, Loaded Baked Potato and Broccoli Cheese Casserole in the Just Like Home (Weight Watchers Magazine) Cookbook.

Since one of my goals for the year is to lose weight, I’m glad to have these Weight Watcher’s recipes. They are so delicious!

Do you have any great low-calorie recipes we could try out? Please share in the comments below. Thanks!

I’d love to stay connected.

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Water Lilies ~ Watercolor & Black India Ink

Over the weekend I spent some time working on these water lilies. I used the same process I shared in my Goldfish Pond post. I’m loving the results and especially how easy it is.

Ready to be outlined with ink.

Finished!

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Spring Garden 2013 ~ Update #2

The flowers are loving the spring rain and warm sunshine. It’s amazing how much everything has grown since the last update. Come take a walk with me.

Here is the view walking into the back yard.

The kids enjoy our little reading bench nook.
I’m loving the river birch. The trunk is starting to peel, which is really the reason I planted it.

Here’s what’s blooming. All the flowers {except for the lilacs} were transplanted from my Grammy’s garden.

It shouldn’t be too long now before I plant annuals and get some flower seed in the ground.

How does your garden grow? Please leave a comment or link to a blog post in the comments below. Thanks!

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Goldfish Pond ~ Watercolor & Black India Ink

Remember how I mentioned at the end of my Flower Art post that I thought the watercolor and black India ink combination would make a great fish painting?

Well, I kept visualizing how colorful and fun it would look and decided to put it on paper. After an image search on the web for a little inspiration, here’s what I came up with.

I started out by outlining the fish.

Then I added some color.

Outlining the fish with ink.

Finished! I am so happy with how it turned out. Just how I pictured it in my mind.

It’s such a simple process and I love the results. Hmm…what’s next…more flowers???

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Crochet Addict

Flower Art ~ Water Color and Black India Ink

I came across this art project idea over at bloesm kids. The directions are very easy to follow. The one thing I would add is to make sure your paper is wet enough so the color will “spread”.

Best of all, it’s a very kid friendly project. They especially like working with the India ink.

Here’s a list of supplies you’ll need:

watercolor paper
watercolor paint
sponge brush
paintbrush
black India ink
bamboo skewer

A finished piece of art. Very *springy*.

I think this method would work well for painting fish in a pond …hmmm… maybe I’ll have to try that next.

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Cheese Beef & Noodle Casserole

Check out this low calorie Cheese Beef & Noodle Casserole we had for dinner tonight. It’s one of the 10 meals our favorite cook made for us. It’s definitely a keeper and freezer friendly!

I got this recipe out of the Weight Watchers One Pot Cookbook {also available on Kindle} I purchased a while back.

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Goals Update ~ April 2013

Sorry for the delay in getting this update out to you. Spring seems to be such a crazy time of year…recitals, evaluations, projects, yard work, etc. I can’t believe a quarter of the year has already passed. Some of my goals are progressing nicely, others, well, not so good. Check it out.

Personal Goals

Complete a Bible Reading Plan. Still on track with my Bible reading plan. I missed a couple of days, but was able to make them up. I finished reading Alone with God by John MacArthur. A very encouraging and challenging read!

Memorize Ephesians. I have not been following my Ephesians memorization plan at all. I am determined to press on and NOT give up on this goal, but think I may have to wait for the summer break to work on this goal.

Continue with Church Involvement. Right now we are heavily involved in the Vacation Bible School planning. I can’t wait to share more with you. Our theme is the Armor of God based on Ephesians 6. Very exciting stuff being planned.

Write and Publish an Ebook. I thought I would get two chapters written, but didn’t. Boo.

Lose 20 pounds by the end of July. Let’s just say I bombed this goal in March, but can’t wait to tell you how my April is going.

Financial Goals

We still haven’t tackled any home improvement projects.

I did a good job sticking to my cash budget. We’ve also been able to save more than expected. Yay!

Blogging Goals

Design a Blog Logo. No news yet.

Update the Blog Design. Nothing new this month.

Develop a Blogging Routine/Schedule. I enjoyed sharing several Easter craft projects with you in March. I’m feeling a little off my schedule lately, but am working to get back on track.

*NOTE* I did join google+ this month and have thoroughly been enjoying the communities I’ve found there. I also joined twitter. I would love it if you’d follow me. Thanks!

Family Goals

Add Bible reading to our evening family time. Not been happening.

Learn one hymn a month. Another failure.

Continue to host Bible Club. We met twice in March and made great progress in our study of the book of John. Our crafts included Easter Bunny Wall Art and Bunny Friends made from TP rolls.

Homeschool Goals

Continue swim lessons. The kids are signed up for the last session of the school year. Both are making excellent progress.

Add science lessons. This may turn into a summer project.

Start a Germany/France study. Clara is continuing her Rosetta Stone German lessons.

Complete read-aloud book list. We finished Red Sails to Capri. What a fabulous story. Now the kids want to go to Capri.

We also read The School Story. Clara has since been diligently been working on her “book” and has taken on a pen name. I just love how books get the kids excited.

How are you doing with your goals for 2013? Please leave a link if you blogged about this recently or just leave a comment.

I’d love to stay connected.

(Note- Some of the links in this post are my referral links.)

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Spring Garden 2013 ~ Update #1

The weather has been so beautiful and the plants have been loving it. Here’s how things look just ten days since my first day working out in the garden.

The daylilies, forget-me-nots, hostas and peonies are pushing through.

New Flowers in Bloom

Flowering Trees

How does your garden grow? Please share in the comments below.

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New IKEA Finds

On Saturday we took a little road trip to IKEA. I just love walking through the showroom. So many great ideas!

Here are a few of the goodies I picked up.

I’ve had the greenhouse but we picked up some plants this time. I love having a little tropical feel in the house.

John has been asking for a way for me to leave him notes as to what school work still needs done when he gets home and I’m teaching piano. We found this magnetic chalk board with openings for letters, etc. I hung it on our pantry door.

Here’s my favorite find.

The minute I saw this stand I knew it was coming home with me. I mean, what’s not to LOVE! I already found plants for the bottom two pots and am looking for ivy for the top pot. I thought it would look cool to train it to grow around the loop.

I’ve got a few more projects yet to be completed and will post pics as soon as they’re finished.

Do you shop at IKEA? If so, what are your favorite things to buy there?

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Homemaking with Monica

It’s a Party

10 Meal Menu ~ No. 2

Here’s what our favorite cook is making for us this week.

Water Lilies ~ Watercolor & Black India Ink

Spring Garden 2013 ~ Update #2

Goldfish Pond ~ Watercolor & Black India Ink

Flower Art ~ Water Color and Black India Ink

Cheese Beef & Noodle Casserole