our easter sunday

I thought I would take a moment to share a few memories from our Easter Sunday 2012.  I know better late than never, the truth is that April has been so busy I am just now getting to all of my pictures.  We had a lovely day.  The boys started out looking so handsome.  At least I got a pic of them before Henry took a “digger” and we went to Church with grass stains.  The life of a Mama with a 3 year old boy.  We spent the day in Topeka with my family.  My sister Erika was in on the surprise that we were coming for church not after.  Mimi was very surprised.















My oldest niece, Nichelle, turned 21 on the 7th so we celebrated her birthday on Easter.  Henry shared her special pink cake. 

I hope you all had a Blessed Easter Sunday such as we did.  It was so wonderful to be together with the family celebrating that our Lord had risen.  He had risen indeed!

what’s cookin’?

 

Some home cooking this week.  Looking for the comfort foods leading into a busy weekend.  Cameron’s class will be celebrating their First Communion this weekend.  Cameron, being Episcopalian, will be receiving what he calls his “special blessing” from Fr. Don.  We are very excited for him and his class.  Needless to say Mama is busy volunteering at the school and getting ready for The Deacon, Pops and Gigi to come to town.  Don’t forget to check out Stone Gable there are some amazing menus this week.

Saturday- Jimmy Buffett concert!  (It was amazing!)

Nuggets and Strawberries for the boys.

Mama and Daddy got to have a dinner date before the show.  I almost forgot what it was like to have a dinner where we could have an adult conversation.   I am truly not complaining because being a Mama is my job and I love it!  While at the concert I was reminded of a song that I love, it sums up my job to me.

“In the middle of late last night I was sittin' on a curb
I didn't know what about, but I was feelin' quite disturbed
A street sweeper came whistlin' by, he was bouncin' every step
It seemed strange how good he felt, so I asked him while he swept
Chorus:
He said, "It's my job to be cleaning up this mess
And that's enough reason to go for me
It's my job to be better than the rest
And that makes a day for me."
I got an uncle who owns a bank, he's a self-made millionaire
He never had anyone to love, never had no one to care
He always seemed kinda sad to me and I asked him why that was
And he told me it's because in my contract there's this clause
Chorus:
That says, "It's my job to be worried half to death
And that's the thing people respect in me
It's my job but without it I'd be less
Than what I expect from me."
Now I've been lazy most all my life writin' songs and sleepin' late
And any manual labor I've done was purely by mistake
If street sweepers can smile then I've got no right to feel upset
But sometimes I still forget
'Til the lights go on and the stage is set
And the song hits home and you feel that sweat
Chorus:
It's my job to be different than the rest
And that's enough reason to go for me
It's my job to be better than the rest
And that's a rough break for me
Chorus:
It's my job to be cleaning up this mess
And that's enough reason to go for me
It's my job to be better than the rest
And that makes the day for me “

- Jimmy Buffett and Mac McAnally

Sunday – Black Bean Tacos

Monday – Oven Fried Chicken, Peas and Mashed Potatoes

Tuesday- Enchilada Casserole, Corn

I love making this because it uses up the leftover black bean taco filling.  So simple.

• 10 corn or flour tortillas
• 8 oz shredded cheese
• 1/2 lb ground beef made as taco meat with can of black beans added
• 1 can enchilada sauce
• 1 can tomato soup
• Mix soup and sauce together.  Spray 9x13 baking dish with non stick spray.  Put thin layer of sauce mix in bottom and spread evenly.  Lay 5 tortillas in bottom.  Cover with Meat mixture.  Top with Sauce and 1/2 of cheese.  Lay remaining tortillas on top.  Pour rest of sauce across tortillas.  Cover with foil and cook for 40 minutes at 350.  Remove foil and top with rest of cheese.  Cook 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.  Let set 10 minutes before serving.

Wednesday –  Macaroni and Cheese in the Crock Pot, Broccoli

Thursday – Rigatoni and Sauce, Spinach Salad

Friday – Filets on the grill, Baked Potatoes, Salad

Continued to shop at Costco this week.  I spent $114.  Before gasping understand that I bought Organic Chicken and Ground Beef for the next 4 weeks.  I stocked up on other essentials too.  I am continuing to be pleased with how I am doing at Costco.  To keep with the “Whole Food” aspect I buy all natural enchilada sauce and tomato soup from Whole Foods for my casserole.  Farmer’s Market season is open and I love going to Waldo on Wednesday evenings to get my raw milk cheeses.

I hope you all have a blessed week ahead and to quote Jimmy Buffet:

“If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane”

 

and the winner is….

Thank you to all who entered our 400th blog post give a way! 

Junior Mint had the honors…

 

And the winner is…..

KYNDAL!

Congratulations Kyndal!  Please email me and we can get started on your new Woolies!  Thank you again to all of you in supporting me here at Green Acres in the City but supporting me in my dream job of creating Green Acres Closet.

celebration giveaway!

Yesterday was my 400th blog post~ I can’t believe I overlooked that! I think this calls for a “celebration giveaway”!

 

Here is the “skinny”.  I will make a custom Green Acres Woolie for you.  You decide if you want a soaker, shorties or longies.  I will hold the drawing on Thursday night and the winner will be announced on Fridays Post.  You have until 6pm CST Thursday, April 19th to enter.  Entering is simple, you get 1 chance per option you choose.  You can choose all and that is fine with me.  Make sure you make a comment here on the blog to let me know how many times I should put your name in the hat.

• Blog about this giveaway
• Tweet about the giveaway
• Facebook about the giveaway
• Go to Green Acres Closet Facebook page and click like
• Leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite way to “cloth your little bum” is

This is going to be fun!  Ready, set and go!

 

what's cookin'?

We have had a very exciting and busy weekend around here.  I had my big STM for All fundraiser Saturday night and it was amazing.  My Dad has been in town from Austin and was able to help us Saturday.  Sunday I finally got around to making a menu for the week.  I knew Saturday and Sunday evenings would be up in the air.

My big question for the week to my fellow Mamas on Facebook was "how do I feed a family of 4 for under $100 and still eat an organic and "whole food" diet?".  I got some great responses from the Kansas City Cloth Community, Happybottomus Parents and Kansas City Garden Community.  The unanimous response was first trying to grow and preserve as much as we can on our own.  Secondly, the local Farmer's Markets which around here are just starting to open up.  Last was actually shopping at Costco.  I was a little surprised but truly believe now that I could do that at Costco.  I saved over $20 for this week.  No processed foods, all natural and pretty organically.  Plus I won't have to buy some of these items again for a few weeks.  There were other items I wanted but had reached my magic dollar amount, yes I was the geek with the calculator going up and down the aisle, so I thought "I don't need that" and I could use it next week.  I shopped for $98.79.  We will be making our own baked goods, eating a lot of veggies and beans and my favorite of oatmeal with a little coconut milk on top. Mimi still brings me my farm fresh eggs every week from one of her clients.   My boys love beans and rice, so Patrick, Henry and I will be eating that for some lunches too.  Cameron loves his PB&J so that is on the menu too.

I am really excited to share secrets as they come along.  Please do the same if you have ideas to share.  So here it goes.

Saturday - Pizza with Grampie

Sunday - We hit Dos de Oros carryout thanks to Grampie.  He likes it as much as we do when he is in town.

Monday - Mac n Cheese, Broccoli, Apple Sauce

Tuesday - California Cheesy Vegetable Soup, fresh bread.  (We ended up not using this last week due to leftovers)

Wednesday - Roasted Chicken, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Green Beans

Thursday - Asian Chicken Pasta with Broccoli

Friday - Tilapia with Black Beans and Rice

mac n cheese

• 1/2 lb macaroni of choice
• 1 1/2 c chopped broccoli and carrots
• 1 c whole milk
• 3 c shredded sharp raw milk cheese (or your favorite)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Bring pot of water to a boil over high heat.  Reduce to medium and add macaroni and vegetables.  Simmer until macaroni is al dente and vegetables are tender but not mushy.  Around 8 min.  Drain and return to pot
2. Heat milk in a separate saucepan over low heat.  Add your milk and cheese to the pot of macaroni, mix to combine.  Season with your salt and pepper.
3. Pour macaroni into an 8 inch glass baking dish.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese over top.  Bake until bubbling, about 15 minutes. Allow to set before serving.

I loved this recipe because I could keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days and freeze for up to 2 months.

Don't forget to check in at Stone Gable and find some yummy dinner ideas.

I haven’t disappeared…

 

Honestly I am still alive.  Green Acres Closet is keeping me busy, busy, busy.  This is a very good thing.  Finishing up a 2nd wholesale order for this week.  I will check in tomorrow.  Have a super afternoon and evening.  Keep checking out www.greenacrescloset.etsy.com for new items stocking soon.  Wetbags!

 

what’s cookin’….

 

Sorry to be a day behind but yesterday I spent the day enjoying my little boys.  We played, read, went for a walk, giggled and just had an amazing day.  This week we have Soccer Practice, Mama’s STM 4 All meeting and a visit from Grampie this weekend.

Here’s what’s in store this week at Green Acres Closet.

Saturday:  Dos De Oros Carryout – simply amazing!  If you are near Martin City check them out.

Sunday:  Easter Dinner with my family in Topeka

Monday:  Black Bean Soft Taco’s

Tuesday:  Soccer Practice

                 Corn Dog’s, Mimi’s Potato Salad and Fruit

Wednesday:  Crockpot Italian Beef, Buttered Noodles and Salad

Thursday: King Ranch Chicken, Green Beans

Friday:  California Cheesy Soup, Fresh Bake Bread

I hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend.

what’s cookin’?

 

 

A little calmer week around here, which is a great thing with it being Holy Week.  Cameron has a 1/2 day on Thursday and no school Friday or Monday.  The perks of a Catholic school.

I found myself visiting an old friend, my "Make it Fast, Cook it Slow" cookbook.  Lots of great simple and cost effective recipes and tips in there.  Plus all the recipes are gluten free but they can be easily adapted to not gluten free too.

Saturday:  Our sweet friend Kai had is 8th birthday party.  We shared Pizza and Cake with lots of friends.

Sunday:  Cheeseburgers with all the fixings

      Carrots w/hummus and baked beans

Monday:  BBQ Beans and Weenies

              Corn Muffins and Cucumbers

Tuesday:  Soccer Practice

       Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Wednesday:  Spaghetti

            Salad and Garlic Toast

Thursday:  Black Bean Soup

                Fritos, Avocado

Friday:    Macaroni and Cheese

               Peas and Applesauce

I really focused on using what we had on hand for the week.  Thankfully my Uncle Wayne had recently gifted me with a freezer full of beef.  We used the spaghetti fixings that we didn’t get to last week.  We had extra leftovers one night so we substituted.  Don’t forget to check out some other great cooks out there and see what they are making at Stone Gable.