SOOC Saturday Week 2

The weekend just got away from me last week, so I didn't get a picture up. Its my first time trying this, so hopefully I am doing it right. Okay, after some problems getting the button to post, here it is... my Straight Out Of the Camera shot.

Whats For Dinner 1.7.11

I finally took the plunge... the "tater tot casserole" plunge. Haha. We have friends that have made it, the kids have asked for it and I've just never been too crazy about the idea. But I'm STILL sick, it sounded easy enough and well... its the little things that make my kids excited :) We had salad and fruit with it.

Got a few crappy pictures before putting it in the oven, then I went to lay down with the baby & DH fed the big kids so no pictures then.







Here's the recipe that I used.

1 1/2lbs lean ground beef (I used ground turkey)
1 cup sliced onion (I used one whole medium onion)
1 package dry onion soup mix
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup water
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 package frozen potato nuggets (I used crispy crowns, we prefer them over traditional tater tots)


Preheat oven to 350. Crumble ground peef into a 10-inch skillet, add onion. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until beef is well browned and thoroughly cooked, 5-7 minutes.

Stir soup and floud into beef in skillet. Ad water; continue cooking, stirring constantly, until thickened. Spoon beef mixture into 9-inch square baking dish (I used a 10x8).

Sprinkle cheese over beef mixture. Arrange frozen potato nuggets over cheese, bake until potato nuggets are golden and mixture is bubbly. 30-40 minutes.

The kids loved it, DH liked it ... and I, well, I still can't really taste anything so I just thought it was "okay" lol. Not something that will be on the menu often but I'd probably make it once in a while for the kids.

New Year, New ..... Goals?

I never make New Years Resolutions, when I did I never kept them so I figured whats the point. Of coarse I always start the year with hopes and goals in mind. This year, I want to get serious about some of them. I want to try to hold myself accountable. So here goes...


1. Exercise! Last year I started exercising daily and felt so much healthier - mind, body and spirit, had more energy, slept better. Then summer came along, the kids were home, we were busy, it was one miserably hot summer and then my daughter was having some health issues & was in the hospital a few times. I just haven't been able to get back into that groove, but I *need to. Sure, I'd like to lose a few pounds, but that isn't my goal (just an added bonus). I was reading another blog today, it said to exercise 30 minutes a day... even if that means doing 3 seperate 10 minute increments. I can do that. I will do that. I deserve 30 minutes a day for myself, right?


2. Eat out less this year! I really need to get better about planning ahead for those busy days so that its just as easy to eat at home instead of grabbing something on the go! I have never been good at following a meal plan/menu for the week but I am going to try to do better, atleast for those crazy busy days/nights (like soccer, boyscouts) so that we are eating healthier meals at home.


3. Volunteer more. Since having kids its been harder to find the time to volunteer like I used to. This past year we had a few opportunities open up to volunteer with the kids and it was a really great learning experience for them (and us!). My daughter talks about it all the time and it has really made her think about others. I'd like to seek out more things for us to do together.


4. This is a big one for me. To stop letting fear control me. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of failing. I need to take chances, even if its just for the sake of taking them, and stop worrying about the outcome. I think, often, I am just too comfortable and don't take change well that I hold back.. A LOT. There are so many things I'd like to do or try. Photography has always been a passion and hobby of mine. I've heard a lot the past few years how great my photos are and I've done some "shoots" for family and always hear that I should persue it more. I see the flaws and hold back. Its not that I want to be a "Pro" (atleast not anytime soon) but I'd love to give people percious memories in the form of pictures because I enjoy it. I'd love to do more "shoots". The same goes for other creative outlets I have, I never think my stuff is "good enough", no matter what others say. Blah.


5. Blog more! I think it will be a wonderful outlet for me. High hopes, maybe, lol but I will try to do better!