Trying something new

Tags

changing websites, moving, new address

A couple of years ago I made the move from Blogger to WordPress, and for the most part have been quite happy with the (much!) easier platform.
Lately, though, I’ve been feeling too limited with the free version of WordPress so for the last few days I’ve been switching my site over to the self-hosted WordPress.

It’s been QUITE a learning experience, and I’m sure I’ll be making more changes as I go, but for now I think it’s up and running somewhat normally.

I think I was able to switch all my e-mail followers, although I’m not 100% positive about even that, but I have no idea how to switch those of you who follow via WordPress. Please come check out the new website and follow if you want to continue to receive updates in your feed.

Here’s the new address: www.somewhere-in-the-middle.com

I’m so excited!  Please email or comment with any problems you have viewing/subscribing/etc.  I would really appreciate the feedback.

 

Freezer Meals: Italian Chicken

Tags

freezer cooking, freezer meals, Italian chicken

It doesn’t get more simple than this one.

Take a few uncooked chicken breasts, stick them in a freezer bag, and dump zesty Italian dressing over the top.  I used about half a bottle for each bag.

Close the bags and return to the freezer.

When you’re ready to use them, thaw and bake like you normally would.

We eat a lot of salad with chopped chicken over the top, and they taste amazing with the Italian seasoning.

Hahaha…does this even count as a recipe?  :)

Ten Things {Observations on Wal-Mart}

Tags

Humor, Walmart

Ah, Wal-Mart.
The place everyone loves to hate.

Since I have one less than a mile from my house, I feel at times that I spend half of my life there.

Here are a few of my observations:

• At least at Wal-Mart, customer service is a thing of the past.  They just don’t care.  Not only do they not care, but they don’t care that they show that they don’t care.  :)
• Wal-Mart’s price match guarantee is a lie.  So much for GUARANTEEING.  “The eggs were a lie, Stephen!”
• Nowhere else in the world are you more likely to see more (hideously) pajama-clad patrons.  The other day I saw  three generations of white-trash women in low-riding pajama pants and sleep tanks ahead of me in line.  {shudder}  
• If you break your leg or something, good luck on finding a motorized cart. The ratio of people driving versus pushing carts is about 1:1.
• Speaking of carts, if you’re at a Wal-Mart, fully prepare yourself to stand trapped at least five times by a family spread across the entire width of the aisle, arguing about Capri-Suns and Oreos and refusing to move over even an inch.  Also prepare yourself for them to stay one aisle ahead of you for your entire shopping trip.  
• It’s a proven fact that Wal-Mart’s produce and fresh meats are both expensive and extremely low-quality.  Every time.
• If for some reason you need to speak to a “supervisor,” prepare for them to look like they belong in a gang.  Don’t panic; drive-by shootings can’t happen inside because it’s against store policy.
• There’s no other place on Earth with a greater congregation of screaming kids, screaming parents, and half-eaten, unpaid-for candy bars.
• I think one of the qualifications to be a female cashier is that you must be a card-carrying member of the tobacco-chewers club and have lost at least three teeth because of it.  
• If you want to see your city’s most outlandish citizens, stop by your local Wal-Mart.  Just do it.  

And yet, despite all this, as Proverbs says, “I’ll seek it yet again….”

Freezer Cooking: Pizza Casserole

Tags

freezer meal recipe, kid-friendly recipes, pizza casserole

I was just about to write that this casserole was something I put together on a whim, when I realized that Heather and I made something similar at grandmas a few years back.  She had clipped a recipe from a newspaper or something and asked us to try it during one of our visits.  We thought it was good, and the kids didn’t gag, so it was considered a success.

We didn’t keep the recipe, but I think this casserole is pretty similar to the one we tried that day.  I just took a gamble on whether it would freeze well, and it seems to have passed the test.

Pizza Casserole

• 1 box of noodles (I used rotini)
• 1 container of cottage cheese (I don’t remember how much, probably around 16 oz)
• 1 jar red sauce
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 cup parmesan
• 3 cups  mozzarella, shredded
• 1 package of pepperoni

Cook the noodles, then drain and cool while you prepare the rest of the dish.
Whisk together the eggs, milk, parmesan, and seasonings. Add in the cottage cheese.
Pour mixture over noodles and toss until coated.
Pour the noodles into a greased 9×13 pan (I split this recipe in half and used 2 8×8’s) and top with the red sauce.
Layer 1/2 of the pepperoni, then the mozzarella, and top with the rest of the pepperoni.
Bake for 20-30 minutes at 375.

Since most casserole dishes make far too much for my family, splitting them into two separate meals has been pretty awesome. Not only do we waste less, but it gives me a night off when I pull the other half out of the freezer. Love it.

Parties I link to: Craft-O-Maniac, Sew Can Do, Sew Chatty, C.R.A.F.T., Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, Chef In Training, Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Todays Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Mandy’s Recipe Box, My Girlish Whims, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Sew Much Ado, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, House of Hepworths,  The Crafty Blog Stalker, A Glimpse Inside, Delicate Construction, Tidy Mom, Thirty Handmade Days, Tatertots and Jello, Flamingo Toes, Six Sisters Stuff, Naptime Creations, I Heart Naptime

Reading Goal Update: April & May

Tags

book review, Organized Simplicity, The Happiness Project

Up until May I was doing pretty well with my reading list. In fact, I was (amazingly) ahead of schedule, which pretty much never happens in any area of my life.

The books I read in April were:

Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider

This was my second time reading this little gem, and I’ll probably continue to use it every year when I do my big spring cleaning projects. I love it because it’s both thought-provoking and practical. It includes lists for de-cluttering, cleaning, and organizing each area of the home, as well as tips and ideas on simplifying your life in general. I’m also a regular reader of her blog, Simple Mom. It’s a short read, and well worth the time.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

So I started this book fully expecting to love it. I’d had it on my to-read list for quite a while, and the idea of a happiness project was so intriguing to me (and still is, really). Unfortunately, I felt like a lot of her ideas were weird and/or shallow, although the book was well-written. To be totally honest, although I appreciated her honestly, I pretty much finished the book with the impression that the author was self-centered. It wasn’t a total bomb, but definitely not what I was expecting.

And then in May I don’t know what happened, exactly. I read a ton of books, more than any other month this year, but none of them were on my list. I was on a fiction kick, and pretty much read whatever I could get my hands on. Some were great, some just mediocre, but it was kind of nice to read purely for the enjoyment and relaxation of holding a book. Reminds me of my younger years when I would get totally absorbed in a book for days (or hours, depending on the length of the book). Unfortunately, my old bones don’t particularly appreciate staying up till 2am to finish a book anymore….

Anyway, I’m back on track for June, in the midst of Don Quixote and My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife.
I keep asking myself how on earth I’ve never gotten to Don Quixote before now. It’s funny. And also about ten million pages long, which is a little intimidating and drags up thoughts of The First American. (Shudder.)

Freezer Cooking: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

Tags

breakfast foods, freezer meals, oatmeal chocolate chip muffins

 

One thing I discovered in the great freezer-cooking experiment was that muffins freezer really, really well.  I think I made four different varieties over the course of the month, many of which are still in our freezer now.

These were the favorites, largely because the girls refused to eat some of the other varieties (obviously not everything was a success!).

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

• 3 cups oatmeal
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 5 1/3 cups flour
• 8 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 beaten eggs
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup butter
• 1 bag chocolate chips (I used dark)

Combine the butter, milk, and eggs, and sugar, mixing well.   Add in the flour, baking powder, salt, and oatmeal, then fold in the chocolate chips.

Bake in a greased muffin tin for 15-18 minutes at 400.

Yields approximately 36 muffins.

These freeze really well, thawed quickly, and taste great.  They’re filling and not too sweet.  You could easily cut this recipe in half, but I liked having quite a few to put in the freezer for something easy to serve with our morning eggs.

I usually take a few out when I get up and they’re ready to eat by the time the girls get dressed and ready for the day (which, to be honest, can sometimes take FOREVER, but that’s beside the point.)

 

Parties I link to: Craft-O-Maniac, Sew Can Do, Sew Chatty, C.R.A.F.T., Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, Chef In Training, Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Todays Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Mandy’s Recipe Box, My Girlish Whims, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Sew Much Ado, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, House of Hepworths,  The Crafty Blog Stalker, A Glimpse Inside, Delicate Construction, Tidy Mom, Thirty Handmade Days, Tatertots and Jello, Flamingo Toes, Six Sisters Stuff, Naptime Creations, I Heart Naptime

Ten Things {My Girls Need in Their Closet}

Tags

girls clothing, kids clothing tutorials, ten things

Technically my girls don’t NEED these things, but they’re so cute that every time I see them I can’t help but think that they do.

(Please click through the links to pin from the original source; don’t pin from my page.  Thanks!)

• How stinkin cute are these ruffle cuff little jeans?  I’ve got to add some to Mad’s pants.  
• These fluffy twirly skirts can’t be hard to make, but I’m still tempted to buy the pattern.   
• Hello – what little girl doesn’t need a cute ruffled apron?  
• I’m in love with this shirt.  Everything about it – the style, the fabric, the buttons.  Plus, she’s got about a zillion other great tutorials posted on her blog; it’s one of my favorites.  
• I told you I had a thing for ruffles.  I need to try a few of these on the twenty pairs of jeans that Susannah has ripped the knees out of.  
• If only there was more time in Texas for hats and scarves.  As it is we’re lucky to need them about twice a year.  :(   But making a few of these would give me another reason to buy some ruffle fabric…  
• OH. MY. WORD.  I would make these just to be able to take a photo like this!  
• Yep.  Another ruffled skirt.  
• Eek!  Lace leggings!  No matter that my girls would probably rip them before they got both legs in…   
• Susannah would die for a skirt like this.  Seriously.  Die.  

So.  What do your kids “need” in their closets?

Freezer Cooking: BBQ Meatballs

Tags

freezer bbq meatballs, freezer cooking, recipe

One of our favorite recipes from the great freezer cooking experiment in May was BBQ Meatballs.  Honestly, this one really surprised me because I’m not a fan of BBQ sauce.  I was always the irritating kid that asked my dad to leave off the sauce on one burger when he grilled (and he always obliged because he’s awesome like that), so I fully expected to not like these meatballs.  I mainly gave them a shot because the husband likes meatballs and I very rarely make them for him.

Turns out they’re pretty stinkin good, and they’re incredibly easy.

Freezer-Friendly BBQ Meatballs
(adapted from this recipe)

3 lbs fresh ground beef (I use 90% lean)
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
2 cups oats
2 tsp salt
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Shape into 1-inch meatballs and lay on cookie sheet.
Freeze on cookie sheet for one hour, then separate into freezer bags and return to freezer.

To serve, thaw overnight in refrigerator, then bake in a greased baking pan for 18-20 minutes at 350.

Make BBQ sauce while meatballs are cooking.

BBQ Sauce

2 cups ketchup
1.5 cups brown sugar
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Combine ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Turn heat down and simmer for two minutes, then pour over meatballs and bake for 10-20 minutes longer.

Serve over rice.

I was able to separate this recipe into four different meals for my family, so three went straight into the freezer for future use.

Love it!

Parties I link to: Craft-O-Maniac, Sew Can Do, Sew Chatty, C.R.A.F.T., Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, Chef In Training, Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Todays Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Mandy’s Recipe Box, My Girlish Whims, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Sew Much Ado, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, House of Hepworths,  The Crafty Blog Stalker, A Glimpse Inside, Delicate Construction, Tidy Mom, Thirty Handmade Days, Tatertots and Jello, Flamingo Toes, Six Sisters Stuff, Naptime Creations, I Heart Naptime

Tuesday Letter

Tags

birds, chiggers, fireflies, Tuesday Letter

Dear Texas, getting to live somewhere I can see fireflies almost makes the miserableness of summertime worth it. Dear chiggers, I’m never picking a blackberry again. You’re wretched, wretched little creatures and I’ll never forgive you for chowing on me like I’m a Big Mac or something . Horrid-ness. Dear dove (or whatever you are), you do realize that Madeline has claimed you as her “baby,” right? I hope she doesn’t break you with all of her loving. Also, please don’t peck her eyes out or anything if she tries to pick you up….

Freezer Cooking: An Experiment

Tags

freezer cooking, kitchen experiments

I’ve been interested in freezer cooking for years, ever since I was a teenager and saw some friends get together and make about a zillion meals in one day.

The group idea is awesome, but since I don’t really have anyone to do it with me down here, I finally decided to try it the way Crystal @ Moneysavingmom does: freezer cooking in an hour.

The basic idea is that you set a timer for an hour, cook away, and at the end of the designated time you have dinner plus several things to put away in the freezer.

I did this for the entire month of May, only cooked for the freezer about once a week, and let me tell ya, it was awesome.

We didn’t love all of the recipes I tried, but there were several real winners, which I’ll share over the next few weeks.

Since I was only cooking for an hour at a time I didn’t burn out or feel like I was spending my life in the kitchen, and right now my freezer is totally full of meals that I carried over from May.

The real bonus?  I did a large monthly shopping trip, and only had to go to the store for milk, eggs, and produce at the beginning of each week.  I LOVED not having to drag the girls out every Monday to shop.  Awesome, awesome, awesome!

I’m looking forward to doing an hour of cooking each week to keep the freezer stocked.  It’s made several of the dinners each week insanely easy – just pull out, thaw, stick it in the oven, and serve!

I’ll be back in  a few days with one of our favorite recipes from the experiment: BBQ Meatballs!