1st Communion

In April the 2nd graders at St. Thomas More celebrated their First Holy Communion.  It was a very beautiful day filled with many emotions.  Being that we are Episcopalian, Cameron received a special blessing from Father Don.  We were joined in this event by the Deacon and Pops, Gigi, Mimi and Poppa, Aunt Erika and Uncle Randy (his Godparents) and his cousins – Nate and Makennah. 

 

 

 

Cameron and C were very sharp dressed men.  They are not afraid to sport the bow ties.

Cameron and our sweet little friend, Miss H of the MG’s.

Cameron had a special honor of presenting the gifts.  We didn’t let Gigi in on the surprise.  We knew that she would love this honor.  She is a very proud Catholic of 92 years.  She traveled from Newton to share in this special day for Cameron and his classmates.

These kids did an amazing job and worked very hard to get to this special day.  My heart was definitely full that day.  Father Don kept referring to them as “little lambs” and on that day they definitely were, all 64 of them.

 

parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme…

 

My little herb garden is finally done. We have Parsley, Cilantro, Rosemary, Oregano, Sweet Basil, Sage and Lavender.   I have yet to have a truly successful year with an herb garden.  I am trying smaller pots and a partially shaded area since they call for sun and partial shade.

I found the cute marker idea on etsy and Pinterest.  I made a few changes.  I went to the DAV on an Urban Treasure Hunt and picked up 10 random soup spoons for $.29 each and used a sharpie.  I made cute and reusable garden markers for under $3.  Plus I up cycled.  A win win in this house.  I might head back down there to make markers for the rest of the garden too.  As for the herbs we used Rosemary the other night in the chicken and it was amazing.

add sock monkey doctor to my resume

 

Our beloved Monk Monk was in sad shape.  Monk Monk came to live with us in December of 2009 and has been a vital member of the this family every since.  He is well loved and in fact should be named Joseph since his already colorful appearance sports several scraps from Mama’s wool scrap bin.  A week ago Henry came to me with Monkey in tow, being drug down the hall by his tail, “we have a problem and you need to call Mimi!”.  Mimi is our usual sock monkey plastic surgeon but she was out of town.  Mama had to step up.

The operating room.

After a successful Collagen Lip procedure, tummy tuck and lift, liposuction on his hip and a bottom lift, Monk Monk is a new Monkey. 

“Ah Mama you fixed him.  I love you!” was payment enough for this Sock Monkey Doctor.

Mr. Miller’s Father’s Day

brother’s working together as a team

daddy getting to sleep until 9 am

biscuits and gravy

blueberries and strawberries

mama’s strawberry jam

french pressed espresso roast

steamed milk

cameron expressing his attitude on the seating arrangement

junior mint so proud of his table setting abilities

daddy getting a new lighter for the bbq from his little men

all the makings for a perfect father’s day beginning

love you mr. miller, hope you enjoyed your day…

what’s cookin’?

 

I am hoping that everyone had an enjoyable weekend.  We had a lovely time together on Sunday as a family.  Trying to concentrate on cutting out needless carbs around here and replacing them at meals with more simple carbs, fruits and veggies.  Not only to trim down but Mama’s Gluten intolerance is rearing its ugly head lately.

Saturday: 

Leftovers – time to clean out all those little bits left from the week.  Its always fun to see what we come up with.

Sunday:

Filets on the Grill, Mini Crab Cakes and Stuffed Crab

Baked Sweet potato

Cesar Salad

Grapes

Monday:

Rosemary Roasted Chicken

Carrots

Snow Pea and Goat Cheese Salad

Parmesan Rice

Tuesday:

Rice pasta and Marinara

Cesar Salad

Apple Slices

Wednesday:

Chicken Corn Chowder

GF Pumpkin Cornbread

Fruit Salad

Thursday:

Herbed Tilapia on the Grill

Sweet Potato

Broccoli

Friday:

Potluck with friends on the Patio

Don’t forget to check out Stone Gable for some good ideas for dinners.

 

::this moment::

~ a brief moment from our trip to Georgia in May…

drive green…

Friday night we were treated to a special evening by Heritage Tractor in Harrisonville.  They were hosting the “Drive Green Challenge” for their customers on Saturday and hosted a special event for the friends and family of John Deere Landscapes employees.  There are some perks to Mr. Miller working for that big green tractor company.

 

Mr. Miller got to show some of his wares along with the Green equipment.

Wouldn’t that look good in your backyard? 

I definitely can get you to the right store in Grandview if you are looking to add to your backyard.  Can’t help myself, a little advertising doesn’t hurt.

I am not sure who had more fun, the kids or the “big JDL kids” running time trials on the Gator obstacle course.

We started off thinking a nice leisurely stroll, boy were we in for a great but bumpy ride!

 

 

 

Mr. J.D. granted the boys wish to ride in a combine too!

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

The big tractors were fair game too!

 

A great big Thank You to the gang at Heritage Tractor, I know of 3 Miller boys who had the “best Friday night” ever!

what’s cookin’?

 

Had a great and busy weekend! Finally made it to the store yesterday afternoon.  Kept the bill to under $81!  Was very excited about that. 

I will be spending a lot of time on Green Acres Closet and some new ventures for our me and the clan.  I can’t share just yet but it is exciting and my buddy, Kristen, and I can’t be more excited.

Saturday:  Dom’s Birthday Party

Sunday:  Nuggets, Pea and Hash browns with onion and sweet peppers from our Garden, Salad

Monday:  Root Beer Roast, Cucumber Salad and Sweet Potatoes – Price Chopper had some great looking Roast at a fabulous price.

 

Root Beer Roast

Place a 2 – 3# Rump Roast in Crockpot

Pour a can of Root Beer over top and Cook for 8 hours on low or until fork tender.  I add a little Tabasco Chipotle Sauce for a little kick.

Tuesday:  Having a Patio Dinner Party with our buddies the Davis Family.  Anna is making her famous Shrimp and Rice.

         Shrimp and Rice, Corn on the Cob, Fresh Fruit and Salad

Wednesday: Sloppy Joes, Broccoli Slaw, Grapes

Thursday:  Shredded Beef Tacos with Goat Cheese, Black Beans, Carrots and Ranch – This is a great way to use the leftover roast from Monday.  I take the meat warm it with some taco seasoning and shred.  Its that simple.

 

Friday:  Salmon Burgers, Broccoli and Mozzarella Salad

 

meet ringo!

Meet Ringo!  He is Henry’s pet firefly.

We had an amazing evening with the MG’s and Mr. Mitch last night.  Cathlin and I decided that an evening on the patio was in order for these 2 Mama’s.  Grilled Chicken, Pasta Salad, Broccoli Slaw, fresh fruit and veggies followed up with Cathlin’s amazing chocolate chip cookies were just was we needed.  It was such a joy to watch how Miss A was so excited to help her Mama in the kitchen.  She arranged the fruit on the trays so beautifully and even made lemonade ice cubes for the nuggets to enjoy in their drinks. She is quite the Martha Stewart for a young lady of 10.

Ok, so yes there was wine involved for us with laughter, tears and shrieks of joy from our nuggets as they ran the yard.  I love the friendship that we have built with this family.  These little girls have definitely won a place in the heart of all the Millers, the parents aren’t so bad themselves.  I call Miss A and H my daughters from another Mama.

Miss H, the youngest of the MG’s and Cameron’s classmate,  helped Henry catch a fire fly.  She even let him borrow her bug bracelet to bring him home.  Henry decided to name him last night and he even slept on his night stand.  Thankfully Ringo was still alive this morning. 

The boys want to catch some friends for Ringo tonight.  How can this Mama say no? 

baby steps…

 

In my pledge, “Please, Organize Me!”, I made to myself for this summer I have learned that it is not an overnight success.  It will be a journey of baby steps.  I started with the great purge in our bedroom.  Boy it is amazing what can accumulate in one room.

I moved onto my kitchen.  UGH!  How many junk drawers does one need?  I am low on the number of drawers as it is, so to have 2 as a junk drawer is a little ridiculous.  I was able to clean them out and sort into one.  I thought why should I go out and buy “pretty” drawer dividers when I had a stack of old check boxes downstairs that I had been saving for something.  Well that something happened Tuesday.  They have purpose, a calling in life!  Now instead of a junk drawer I am calling it the multi purpose drawer.

I sent a text of my success to the Deacon, she was my inspiration, to let her know that after a week with them a little of her rubbed off on me. Her house has to be one of the most organized homes I have ever been in. I don’t know if I will get to that point but I am at least making an effort to make some sense out of our little world we live in. I am not going to go off the deep end, after all that would go against my inner Jimmy Buffett.

“I don't want that much organization in my life.
I don't want other people thinking for me.”

~ Fruitcakes

I vow to be the same Fruitcake I always have been but with a little rhyme and reason in her home.

Today I attack the pantry cabinet in the kitchen and the medicine tote on top of the fridge.  Wish me luck!

 

PB Banana Chip Bread

 

Did a little baking this morning.  I seem to have never ending supply of bananas in the freezer.  While surfing my daily blog reads yesterday I came upon this blog post at Thrice the Spice.  I knew it had to be made.  I checked my pantry and the only change I made was using Chocolate Chips instead of PB Chips.  It smells wonderful and tastes amazing.

My boys and I need to continue organizing around here today.  I feel a major “de clutter” session for Henry’s room today.  Yesterday was mine and Mr. Miller’s room.  He came home and just shook his head as I had moved the furniture once again in there.  At least this time it was in a way that I had never had it.  I asked if I got points for originality.  His answer was “oh, you are an original honey!”.  I am going to take that as a compliment. 

My goal this summer is to organize my world here at Green Acres. Pinterest has been full of many helpful ideas. I am sure that there should be a 12 step program for Pinterest addicts.

We need to get out in the garden and get the next wave of green beans and spinach in too.  It is supposed to be in the mid 80’s today so I think we will take advantage of that. 

what’s cookin’?

 

It’s been a very busy few weeks around here.  School is out, we went on a spontaneous vacation to Georgia for “Operation 36” (explanation coming soon), participated in the first KC Mama Market and now starting tutoring this week for Cameron and Henry thanks to our amazing teacher friend Mrs. T. The garden is flourishing and my boys are helping so much out there.  We have already put up one batch of Strawberry Jam from their berry patch and I will be putting up a second this week.  Cameron and Henry are finding out that some of those veggies aren’t so bad when you have grown them yourselves.  Cameron even told me that I was right, sometimes you just have to try something and you might get surprised and it’s GOOD!  I know I almost fell over.

I am feeling back in routine this morning so here’s what is happening in my kitchen this week.

Saturday:  We had a baby shower for the Guncles and their twins (who will be here very soon) in the afternoon so the boys were hungry around 7:30. Mama cheated and just order pizza and we enjoyed it with fruit on the Patio.  Added bonus of Mimi with us for the whole weekend.

Sunday:  Salmon Burgers with a Dill Ranch Dip

     Corn on the Cob

     Goat Cheese and Snap Pea Salad

1 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed.  We actually used some from the garden

1 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp Original Mrs. Dash

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 reduced fat mild goat cheese

Toss in bowl and serve.

Monday: Honey Garlic Chicken

    Broccoli and Roasted Onions and Brussels Sprout

Tuesday: Penne with Turkey Meatballs

     Salad with Mixed Greens and Cucumbers

Wednesday: Trader Joes Spinach, Fontina and Roasted Garlic Chicken Sausage

           Green Beans

           California Medley Mash – this is a great substitution for Mashed Potatoes. 

Simply steam broccoli, carrots and cauliflower.  Drain put in food processor and add salt, pepper and a little sour cream.  Puree and serve.  Yum!

Thursday:  Black Bean Tacos

           Broccoli Slaw

       Corn

Friday:  John Deere – Heritage Tractor Friends and Family ride and Drive Picnic. 

I am so excited for my boys.  Plus Mama might get to drive a Combine, crazy but since I married a Wheat Farmer’s grandson its been on my bucket list.  Plus I probably should get experience if we ever make it back to the farm and I have my homestead.

Don’t forget to hop over to Stone Gable and get some more amazing dinner ideas.