are you using all your leftovers?

Disclaimer:  I am going to get on my soapbox for a minute now.

I was listening to the news this morning and something really caught my attention, 1 in 7 families is on Food Stamps right now in the United States.  I was shocked.  It has gotten so bad that families can't afford to feed themselves.

 I know its hard. We struggle each week.  I have dear friends that receive assistance right now, and they are very hard working and it was a hard decision to make but they needed to do it to survive.  When is it going to stop? 

I know that we are making a conscious effort here to make use off every last scrap.  Sometimes its hard but we have to.  Let's face it money is tight.  Food and Fuel prices are on the rise and it makes it just plain hard for the average family to feed themselves let alone buy healthy options.  We plant a garden each year and some years have been better than others but we do it and we eat from that garden.  I am looking forward to a few "canning parties" with my girlfriends this summer.  I also buy from the local Farmer's Markets.  I like supporting local vendors and plus the produce is so fresh.

I am continuing to plan, preserve and pray for my families needs and the needs of others.  It has to get better, doesn't it?

OK I will get off my tangent....

My original intent today was to talk about leftovers.  So here it goes.  Last week I made Crockpot Beef Stroganoff.  Super simple and tasty.

Beef Stroganoff

2 lbs ground beef
2 medium onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, mined
1 C fresh mushrooms, diced
1 1/2 C sour cream
4 TBSP flour, I use rice flour
2 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 C beef broth
3 TBSP tomato paste

1.  In a skillet, brown beef, onions, garlic and mushrooms.  Drain and add to slow cooker.
2.  Combine sour cream and flour.  Add to beef mixture.  Stir in remaining ingredients.
3.  Cover. Cook on low for 6 hours.
4.  Serve over hot buttered noodles.  I used corn noodles.

This is a great recipe and the boys love it.  I finely mince the mushrooms and they don't even know that they are in there. 

Here is how this became our lunch on Sunday.  I still had the better part of a box of beef broth in the fridge.  I simply added it to the Stroganoff and it became beef and noodles.  Mr. Miller loves beef and noodles over Mashed Potatoes so that is what we had it over.  Henry doesn't care for mashed potatoes so he ate his like soup and had 2 bowls at that.  We even had a little left over that Mr. Miller finished in his lunch yesterday.

Great way to use up what is in the fridge.  Get creative, you might surprise yourself.

what’s cookin’?

Here is a little look into our kitchen this week.  We have a super busy week with Scouts, First Communion Meeting, Itsa Baby Diaperswap and Mama’s has two meetings herself.  What’s on your menu?

Sunday

Pizza and Salad

 

Monday

Beef Enchilada Casserole, Corn, Apple Slices

 

Tuesday

Spaghetti and Salad

 

Wednesday

Green Chile and Cheese Tamales, Bean Burritos, Salad

 

Thursday

Leftovers

 

Friday

Black Beans and Rice, Peas, Salad

 

Saturday

Greek Salad and Spanikopita

diaper swap

I participated in a diaper swap this past weekend in St. Joseph, Missouri.  It is only 1hr and 15 from the house so Mr. Miller and I drove up early Saturday morning.  Mimi graciously helped with the little guys.  For you that are curious as to what a Diaper Swap is, I describe it as a “Craigslist of Cloth”.  You get to find gently used or new items, meet like minded parents and just look at different types of cloth diapers that are out there.  As Aubrey says, “Cloth Diapers are not just pins and plastic pants”.

This Swap was put on my Aubrey Turley of Bumper Covers.  She did a great did a great job.  It was well put together and so welcoming to both sellers and Mama’s looking to score some wonderful cloth.  I didn’t sell a lot but some, I have even finished a special order taken post swap.  I did a lot of networking and spent a morning with some very sweet Mama’s.

 

Here is a little bit of my recent handy work.  I am loving my new space.  Some of my appliques are shapes found on fabric scraps and the others I just free cut whatever I am thinking of.  Each one is unique.