What Do People See.....

When they look in your windows?

I say this, because, at this very moment I'm staring in someone elses. From my chair at the computer I can see perfectly into my acroos the street neighbors house. She, like me, always keeps her front blinds open. Well, mine are "open" hers are all the way up. Can't blame her mini blinds are ugly, and here you let in as much sunlight as possible.

It never fails that while I'm sitting, surfing aimlesly through the internet- she is in her kitchen. Usually not alone. She's either doing dishes, or cooking, baking, really I don't know for sure- I haven't broken out the binoculars or anything.

It makes me wonder if this is what my neighbors see when they look in my windows. It sure is all I need to be motivated to get up from my chair and actually start the meal I just found online somewhere. Actually I don't have anything planned for tonight, no meat defrosted, and it's almost 4:30.

Hmmmm........ Dueling Wives in the kitchen..... let the show begin.

Pineapple Chicken Sandwiches

I can't in any way take credit for this- I'm so stealing this from a friend.

However it is one of our families new favorites so I thought I'd share!
You Need

Boneless skinless chicken tenders, or breasts
(If breasts trim to about bun size- usually in half)

Italian Salad Dressing

Lime juice

Buns

Margarine

Garlic Powder

Pineapple (cored and sliced- can will work but not as tasty)

Lettuce, Toamtoe, Cheese- whatever you like on a burger

Marinate chicken in salad dressing and lime juice. Butter and srinkle buns with garlic powder. While grilling chicken baste with marinade. Grilled butter and garlic buns and pineapple. When chicken is cooked top with pineapple slices. Let grill a few more minutes.

Super yummy, fast and easy. Left over chicken is great in salads too (if you have any)

Pictures!

With the arrival of fall has come beautiful sunny days. I was expecting rain and gray days by now.

Also with the amazing reappearance of my camera's charger- I was able to get out today and get a few pictures of the kiddos. I've still yet to capture a decent one of the three of them. Oh well.

Mr. Logan






And Gavin






And My Princess






Ready for their pathetic attempts at togetherness?








They only got worse from here...

Being Creative

I used to take pride in the fact that my daughter didn't know every character on Disney. I liked that she knew songs and letters and books instead. One of the downsides to being at home with her are this....




Her fathers less desirable traits are holding true to themselves and pulling through.



Just incase you missed the death grip on the remote...



Can I add however that I am gratefull for on demand shows. I'd rather not argue about why she can not watch Mickey Mouse Club House at this very instant.

Maybe if I bribe them... a hemmm... use some positive reinforcement... we can get outside today to take full advantage of the fall leaves and beautiful warm day. It's hard to be creative when your subject includes a remote and huge TV.

Cheater Chicken Catchatori

Okay has time ever gotten away and when you look at the clock it's 6:00pm on a school night and you have NOTHING planned for dinner?

That was my night tonight!

Occasionally I can manage to pull something new and yummy out of these nights.

I threw some oil in the bottom of a large sauce pan.

I added a few (5-6) frozen chincken tenders, two teaspoons of minced garlic, shredded carrots (cheese grater), and just a bit of chicken broth (1/2-1 cup)

**shhhhh..... I also added two celery sticks for flavor and took them out later**
You could add diced celery. My family would rather eat dirt.

I let this cook until the chicken was most of the way done.

I added one large can of spaghetti sauce, happened to be a meat sauce but I'm sure any kind would work.

I let this simmer on low while I boiled water for the pasta. All I had was a box of shells. It worked. I've found kids make much less of a mess with small peices of pasta. We rarley eat spaghetti anymore.

While the pasta was cooking away I used my spoon to break up the chicken in the sauce. Think large chunks of shredded chicken.

I drained my pasta, threw it on a plate, topped it with sauce and parmasan cheese.

Everybody loved it, unfortunately, no left overs! Or pictures, still can't find my charger.

Sunday Nights

Im quickly starting to love my Sunday nights. I've created a routine that is just so me. It makes me proud to be a stay at home mom, reminds me why we chose for me to be one, and reminds me how grateful I am that this is my life.

I try to cook something new for dinner on Sundays. If it's not new it's labor intensive and the one "special" meal of the week.

**On a quick side note:**
Today was a weird Sunday in our home and I got thrown off track- I did how ever make up a great cheater chicken catchatori that was super easy, fast, and gobbled all up! I'll share the recipe!

After dinner, we talk about what Monday evening's family activity will be so everyone is included. This week we are focusing on helping others, and will all go to the post office to mail the special Trick-or-Treat package we put together for anysoldier.com .

Usually hubby will help me clean up the kitchen and get dishes done. Then begins my favorite part!

I start by putting together a weeks worth of healthy snack items for the kids to take for lunch. Ofcourse I have to make enough for Jacey too so she won't feel left out. Tonight it was fresh fruit salad cups and chocolate pudding made with no fat milk. I also baked some bannana bread muffins (my house smells delicious right now!)

While I wait to take out my yummy baked treats I have time to check the calandar for the week, surf the net for fun projects, places to go, and good bargains.

The kids are required to pick up their rooms, read for 30 min's, then by 8:30 I go tuck them into bed.

I am so grateful that I am able to be home, and have time to spend spoiling my family. I love the looks on their faces (hubby included) when they walk through the kitchen and spy the spoils of my Sunday evening. I hope they always remember these times.