Eating Out

Eating out is always crazy expensive. I love eating out but man can it destroy a budget. One of our favorite places to eat on post is the hospital cafeteria. We only go when we have an appointment. The price is AMAZING. This week we had a 7:45am appointment. I got there before 7am so we decided we would have breakfast. Take a look at the amount of food we bought and then look at the total. Maybe we should start eating there every day. We do try to be cautious when we eat out. I do not buy kids meals but adult meals and split them. I try to go places that offer something for the kids to do and rolls. Logan’s is great because they can set and eat peanuts until the food arrives, the rolls are to die for and then no one eats an entire meal. I have also learned to dine in. This means I get a good steak or fish dinner but did not spend half the grocery budget. And typically we have leftovers for the next day. Pamela

Movie Night

Does your family have movie night? We do at least once a week. Coming up with something that everyone is interested is not always easy. I have learned to allow the little kids to color or build with legos while we watch the movie. I have also found that there is a Faith and Spirituality section on Netflix that has some pretty decent family movies. These chairs are a neat story. A story that is almost too embarrassing to admit to you. My husband has a habit that drives me batty. When we lived on the military post he was constantly picking up computers and vacuum cleaners from the trash. It made him laugh at how many military families just threw them out instead of fixing them. So he would pick them up, repair them and then sell them for a pretty penny. Granted we did not need the money. He really saw it as a game. One day he came home with three of these chairs. It was actually someone we knew. They matched my daughter’s room. We currently keep them folded and put under her bed. Tonight I had the idea to bring them downstairs. It worked out great because everyone had their own spot to watch a movie. We will definitely bring them out again during movie night. I would love some new movie suggestions on what we can enjoy as a family. Pamela

5 Question Friday

1. What was the most productive thing you have done this week? Grew a baby, made it through 9 appointments while keeping the house straightened and school going. 2. Enjoying the winter or ready for spring? I am so ready for spring, I need to start walking again, my body needs the therapy of walking, my children need the exercise and time to run around outside. No more bud or coats to keep up with. I NEED spring. 3. Are you an introvert or extrovert? Is your spouse the same as you? Man, I have changed over the years. I am more outgoing now that I have kids. I always start out quiet and shy but if you speak to me be prepared to get my life story plus some advice on your life story. 4. Would you rather go without music or television for 1 year? Television, I do not understand it but for the last couple of years I have watched less and less TV. I could have sat and watched Law and Order for days but now I cannot watch one show without being grossed out. Pamela

Feeling Beachie

This week’s statements: 1. Sometimes I am critical__ I am _feeling judged or looked down on.__ 2. When I wear _long skirts__ I feel _more like a woman and a mother___ 3. When in doubt, __ask God and if you do not hear a answer ask again.___________ 4. The easiest way to __get depressed____ is to _allow others to think less of you._________. Pamela

Pinterest Chicken and Carrots

Can I ask you a question? How much time do you spend on Pinterest? I spend a ton of time. I no longer feel guilt about it because I am actually trying some of the things I pin. Today we had chicken and carrots. My children do not like cooked veggies but most of them liked these carrots. To make the carrots you: mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, salt & pepper to taste. Coat one pound of carrots. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes. Now for this yummy chicken. I mixed paprika, garlic salt, chilli powder and anything else that sounded good in a bowl. Coated all the chicken. Here is where it get's yummy. We NEVER fry food. So for this recipe I put a couple tablespoons of oil in the pan and then fried each piece for 2 minutes a side. Then I baked the chicken for 25 minutes at 350. Crunchy on the outside and beyond juicy on the inside. I always make more chicken than we need and then eat it for lunch for a couple of days. What are your favorite new pinterest recipes? I would love to try some new ideas. Pamela