Green Acres in the City ~ Join us a begin the journey in search for a simpler life...

Welcome to our life

Thursday, February 7, 2013

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
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.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

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..."
 


Friday, November 16, 2012

November 2012 Menu Plans

 

fall decor 002

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