themed meal planning

I was watching the Today Show this morning and watched a great piece on a family that survives on $14,000 a year, yes I said $14,000 a year.  I am not sure about surviving on that but if we had to I guess we could do anything we put our minds too.  She does a lot of planning, thrift store shopping aka Urban Treasure Hunting and just uses plain common sense.

 When I decided to stay home 4+ years ago we definitely made adjustments.  I am quite sure I would not want my life any different these days.  I have learned so much over these last four years.  Every day I continue to learn new ways to "trim the fat". 

The main piece I picked up from this family in the piece was from her blog.  She uses meal planning which I have already been using but she bases her plan off of a theme for the week or I should say days of the week.  Here is what I came up with for Green Acres along with our menu for this week.  I am off to make a list and hit Costco and Trader Joes.

{themed meal planning}

Sunday: Grilling in Warm Months/Soup in Cool Months

Monday:  Chicken Night

Tuesday: Mexican

Wednesday:  Beef Night

Thursday: Pasta Night

Friday:  Seafood Night

Saturday:  Leftovers

MENU

Sunday

Chili, Carrot Stix, Corn Bread

Monday  

Oven Fried Chicken, Broccoli Salad, apple sauce

Tuesday - Book Club

Mexican Pizza, Salad

Wednesday  

Meatloaf, Green Peas, Mashed Potatoes

Thursday- Bunco

 Mac n Cheese, Hot Dogs, Broccoli

Friday  

Fish Fry at STM

Saturday

Leftovers

Hope your weekend is full of many blessings.  We have a busy one with a Wedding on Saturday,  the 2nd Rite of Scrutiny in our RCIA process and Cameron will be marching with his Scout Troop in the Marting City Irishpalooza on Sunday.

 

 

a more organized 2013

Yes, I am still alive and well.  Seems that January got the best of me.  We went from Christmas straight into planning Junior Mint's 4th Birthday.  

When we started the year I tried to set some reasonable goals for myself.  (I hate the term resolution.)

• Organization
• Back on track with meal planning
• set time aside for my own spiritual growth
• Work on self sustainability for Green Acres
• Blogging
• Get completely out of debt

Not to hard, but it has been interesting getting back into the groove.

Organization!  UGH the word alone scares me.  Pinterest and my girl, Anna, have been great resources for me on this adventure.  Anna encouraged me to get a big desktop calendar.  I did and it is helping.  Baby steps.

Meal planning is back in full swing.  Especially since the price of groceries  keep going up.  I have started back with just weekly and hope to be back to a Monthly plan soon since the introduction of my large calendar.  Here is a sample for next week.

Saturday

Dinner with Davis’

Sunday

Comfort Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, peas

Monday  

 Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice, Broccoli (Pinterest)

Tuesday  

Tacos

Wednesday - Ash Wednesday

 Lentil Soup and Fresh Bread (-Patch o Dirt Farm)

Thursday

 Chicken Pot Pie, Salad (The Pioneer Woman)

Friday  

Fish Nuggets, Mac and Cheese, Apples

I have joined/formed a Bible/Book study with 2 of my fav gals, Cathlin and Anna.  They are amazing Mama's that I am sharing the journey of raising our kids at STM.  Cathlin and her husband are also mine and Mr. Miller's Sponsor on our journey through the RCIA process.  I said in December we have been on a spiritual journey.  We started our RCIA  process to join the Catholic Church in September.  We have so enjoyed this journey. Mr. Miller and I are embracing all that we are learning not only about the Church but ourselves individually, as parents and as Husband and Wife.  The community that we are involved in at St. Thomas More is so amazing.  I will share more on this journey later so back to my Bible/Book Study at this time we are reading Chosen and Cherished by Kimberly Hahn.  So far it has been a good read. 

Mr. Miller and I started the planning for our Garden last night.  We will be making a few changes and moving veggies around.  We truly want to be more self sustaining.

Blogging!  I must get back into my routine again.  So here is the goal I will start by writing at least 2 times a week to start.

Get completely out of debt.  I know everyone has this dream.  We got a little closer this week.  We paid off the Explorer!  Can I get a "Woot Woot"!  Yep both cars are paid for finally.  This is such a relief.  We paid off "Yetti" the Jetta a few years ago but sadly she met her demise due to a mechanics mistake.  We replaced her with "Gerti" our Passat Wagon.  She is our unicorn.  A 2001 Passat Wagon with only 61K miles on it.  Yep we found her and love her.  Thanks to the Deacon and Pops for giving us funds from our "House Down Payment" fund. 

So as you can tell we have been busy.  We are all doing well and feel amazingly blessed as we enter into 2013.  I hope this year brings you many blessings too.

step back a pause...

As the Holidays are upon us I am forever reminded this last week to take a moment to pause and reflect on what is important in life.   The important things in life are not the house you live in, the car you drive or the type of clothes on your back.  What really matters is how we live our lives daily.  Can you lay your head on your pillow at night and answer the question "Did I live my life to the fullest and respect those around me?" If you can answer "yes" then maybe we are on the right track.  The important things in life are your family, friends and faith in what you believe.

 Mr. Miller and I have been on a "spiritual journey" of late.  We have been reminded and inspired to remember all the blessings that we have in our lives.   Two of which are very sweet little boys that warm our hearts daily. 

 

 
Yes, they can stress us out too but we have decided to try and count to 10 more often, step back and realize that they too can get as frustrated at situations like we do.  It is important to remember that they are sponges and will do what they are taught and repeat what they hear.  Henry learned a song in preschool for his program and he keeps singing it and I am reminded daily by my 3 year old that what he is singing is so true. (At least for this family)

"Jesus in the family,

Happy, Happy Home!"

In light of the tragedies this last week I am asking that we all hug our children a little tighter and pause to realize what is really important.  Remember that we all need to take care of each other.  I can't help but think of the golden rule that we all have learned as children ourselves,

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you..."

 

November 2012 Menu Plans

 

I am trying something new this month.  I am planning the menu for a month at a time.  I know this could seem daunting but it actually wasn’t that difficult.  I sat down with a calendar and went to town.  I looked at the month’s meetings etc. and decided to give it my best shot.  I am going to try this for a few months and see if I notice a savings too.  Don’t be afraid of leftovers.  You can always add a salad or different side with them.

I am trying to buy my meat at Costco and stick to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods for the rest.  I am buying my organic bread at Costco because I can get 2 loves for under $6. I buy a loaf for each week and they freeze well. Organic ground beef and milk is also very affordable at Costco.

Use Pinterest and my cookbooks for meal planning and recipes.  We have tacos at least once a week because the Miller boys love them. 

I know there will times that I switch up days but that is ok.  I can also then just go weekly for fresh fruit and dairy.

November 2012

 

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
				1	2	3
4 Tacos Corn	5 Lasagna Garlic Toast	6 Chicken and Noodles Applesauce	7 Leftovers	8 Bunco Grilled Cheese Tomato Soup	9 Turkey Burgers and Salad	10 M - 42 Davis Dinner Party
11 Spaghetti Spinach Salad	12 Oven Tacos Carrots and Ranch Pinterest	13STM 4 All Leftovers	14 Ground Beef Stroganoff Broccoli Pinterest	15 Roasted Chicken Stuffing Green Beans	16 Cheese Pizza Salad	17 Leftovers
18 Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes Peas	19 Ravioli Casserole	20 Grilled Cheese Tomato Soup	21 Newton	22 Newton	23 Newton	24 Tacos Carrots and Ranch
25 Chili Cornbread	26 Hickory Cheddar Cauliflower Soup Pinterest	27 Chicken Nuggets Mac n Cheese	28 Leftovers	29 Mandarin Orange Chicken Rice Peas	30 Salmon Asparagus Potatoes

Long time no post....

I know it has been a while since I have visited you all.  I have been super busy with Cameron's school and well I just needed a blogging break.  I am back and feel rejuvenated.

Today has been a "catch up" and planning for Thanksgiving day.  We are loading up the new family truckster {long story} and will be heading to Newton, Kansas for a 3 day get away.  Gigi will be turning 92 this year and my 3 Miller Men and I decided that we would take this Thanksgiving show on the road and head her direction.

I have to say this Mama is a wee bit excited herself.  Gigi, well lets just say she is beside herself too.  I am sure it is all she has talked about at the beauty parlor and card table on Saturdays.  She is a fabulous story teller.  Heck at 92 think of all the stories she has stored up there.

I just planned the menu with a little help from my past years menu plans, Food Network and my new friend Pinterest.  I swear there needs to be a 12 step program.  "Hello my name is Maeghan and I am a pinterest addict".  Here is a sneak peak as to what will be served at the Miller Farm this year.

 

 

Thanksgiving 2012

 Roasted Turkey with  Pioneer Women's Turkey Brine

Mashed Potatoes

Bourbon Gravy

Sage Stuffing

Brussels sprouts Gratin

Stove top Green Bean Casserole

Fresh Cranberry and Orange Salad

Rolls

Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc

 

I am beyond excited that for the first time I get to make Thanksgiving Dinner at the farm.  It really is going to be a Walton's Thanksgiving.  Yes, I am still obsessed with how Olivia Walton could keep everything under control and in order with all of those children plus bake the perfect pie.  I am working on that.

The boys are so excited to run the farm and help Gigi decorate for Christmas next Friday.  What are your plans?



free shipping at FLUFF!

 

Have you been to Fluff yet?  Here is a great reason to visit us. FREE SHIPPING!  Yes, you heard me right.  We are offering free shipping on all orders thru Sunday, September 16th at 9pm.  Get over there what are you waiting for?  www.fluffdiaperboutique.com

Here are a few companies that we stock.

 

Local companies that we pride ourselves on carrying.

Amazing wool dryer balls.  Have you tried them?  They will cut your drying time in half!

 

Great Fleece Soaker, Shorties, Skirties and Longies.

Of course, my very own company!

Give us a try, we would love to help you in your journey into cloth.  Start here to find your free shipping.  Can’t wait to hear from you.

are you ready for some football?

I should say are you ready for some St. Thomas More football?  Yep, that time is here again.  The St. Thomas More Cyclones are at it again.  With Cameron in 3rd grade now we are entering the Parochial League.  It is fun to travel and play other schools.  Mr. Miller is helping coach this year.  We actually had 5 Dads step up and are helping our boys.  Our head coach, Coach Brown, is an amazing leader to the other Dads and we are grateful to them all.

 

In past years our 3rd and 4th grade boys have played flag within our own school league.  This year they added the option of tackle for our grades.  Some us were not comfortable with that yet, so our amazing Athletic Director and my good friend, Cathlin, helped us get organized with the PLKC here in Kansas City. 

The Cyclones had their first game this past Sunday against St. John Lalande and well we didn’t do so hot they played a great game and should be proud of themselves.  We showed spirit and tenacity despite only having 2 practices due to the much needed rain we received in the 2 weeks prior.  Our boys will be back at it again this weekend in Liberty against St. James.  My own Cyclone, #14, sure showed improvement over the past years.  We are catching the ball and really getting into to being on the line.  Thank you to Uncle Jeff for coming to his game Sunday.  We loved having extra family there. 

Here are a few moments from Sunday’s game.

 

We almost have as many coaches as the Chiefs!