Beautifly Blended

Beautifly Blended
"Like clay in the hand of the potter, so you are in My hands." God said. Jeremiah 18:6

25 March 2014

Food for thought!!

Does it ever make you wonder what is really in your food at the grocery store??

Check out this video and tell me what you think?



 
 
 
 
Brings about good discussion?
 
 

24 March 2014

The Meatloaf!!

I know from my past childhood that meatloaf was nasty!!  I hated it when my mom would announce through the whole house that we would be having meatloaf!

To me meatloaf was bland, it had no flavor, and well even the smell of it cooking in the oven made me want to barf.

Yes that's right I said barf. Not that I was trying to disrespectful to my  mom, but for pete's sake women QUIT MAKING MEATLOAF, for the long of humanity!!

Then one day while perusing through Pintrest I found this recipe for meatloaf and it intrigued me. I read through the ingredients and thought well this can't be bad at all.

Parmesan Meatloaf

2 lbs Ground beef
2 Eggs
1/2 c bread crumbs
1/2 t of dried basil
1/2 t  of  Thyme
1/2 t of dried Oregano
1-2 minced garlic
1 small grated onion or chopped fine
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/2 c of Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 c of Marinara sauce ( I made my own)
1/2 c of shredded cheese

Mix all the ingredients expect the sauce and the cheese

Make into a loaf, place on pan, preheat 350. lightly cover with sauce, but leave some sauce for the cheese blend.
Bake for 45 min to 1 hour

About 7-5 min before done cove the rest of the sauce mixed with the cheese over the meatloaf and place back in for the remainder of time.

17 March 2014

Menu for March 17-23

I know I haven't posted my menus in quite a while, but I have still been making them.

I really love this menu making thing. I never have to worry about what I am going to make because it is already laid out on the paper on the fridge.


Monday: Muffins

Cheesy beef and rice with mixed veggies

Leftovers



Tuesday: Grits, Eggs, and Bacon

Salmon Patties, Veggies, and Nuts

Parmesan Meatloaf, Broccoli



Wednesday:(Co-op) Crockpot Casserole-new recipe

Sandwiches, Fruit, and Veggies

Pizza, Salad



Thursday: Pancakes

Stuffed shells, Garlic Bread

Leftovers



Friday: Bacon Cheddar grits -new recipe

Philly steak and cheese sandwiches

Leftovers



Saturday: Biscuits and gravy

Chicken pot pie

leftovers



Sunday: Cereal and Toast

Nana's

Hamburger quinoa and veggies (T & S)
 
Because I have two new recipes that I will be making this week I will also do a recipe Thursday. So, that you too can enjoy the new recipes that my family I will be eating!
 
What are some of your favorite recipes that you and your family love ??
 

12 March 2014

Enough with Store bought Cereal

I have had it store bought cereal, even when you think it is good for you, read the ingredients. It is totally frustrating. I want to give my family good real food, but sometimes convenient is the way to go, not that I always want to resort to that.

Each week I prepare a menu and for breakfast I try to just keep it simple.

Mon-muffins
Tue-Grits, Eggs, and Bacon
Wed-Cereal and Toast
Th-Pancakes
Fri- It varies
Sat- Egg Casserole
Su-Cereal

So, as you can see we eat cereal at least twice a week. It is a simple meal that can be prepared in just a matter of, well however long it takes you to get a bowl and some milk. Nothing really on my end either except maybe getting the bowl out of the cabinet.

I fished around for some different idea about homemade cereal and found none that sounded good to me. But, I remembered long time ago I asked a dear friend from Blooming with Blessings for her granola recipe.

Here it is.

1/2 c butter
1/2 c honey
4 c rolled oats
Nuts, raisins, coconut as desired

Melt the honey and butter. Pour over oats and other goodies. Mix well. Bake at 400 for 10. Stir and bake for an additional 5 if you want too.

The extras that I add in are dried cranberries, chopped almonds, and flax seed.

However, there are 3 other smaller people in the home that do not like this for cereal. I had to improvise. So, I replaced the butter with peanut butter, and left out the cranberries.

Made like the recipe instructed and poof I now have a peanut butter cereal that is well liked.

But, let me tell ya granola cereal can get a little old and so again the search continued and low and behold I found one that my two oldest just love. Grape nuts (homemade) This was perfect.

I found the recipe at Heavenly Homemakers. I just love Laura. She has great recipes that I make very often. However sometime I must tweak them to make the my family friendly .

On the Grape nut recipe I add a 1 T of nutmeg. I and my older two feel it gives it that something special.


There ya have it. It is super possible to get rid of all the Store bought cereal in your home. It just takes time to make.

What are some wonderful homemade breakfast foods you like to eat???


11 March 2014

One more project!!

Ever since I can remember, I have always had a bed without a headboard. It would always be just a box spring, mattress, and rails... forever..

I am a fan of dark cherry color wood, well both my hubby and I are both huge fans.

So, not long after my hubby got through with our stove corner I asked if he could make me a head board. Now the plans begin.

He asked me what I had in mind. That alone is one dangerous question, but I gave it some thought. Something simple. I think simple is elegant, classy, and timeless. Simple is what we went with.

He called up our cousin and got some tongue and groove pine and a few pieces of trim. I bought the stain and the polyurethane and, away I went.

Bed without the head board..



Bed with the head board....



Voilà!!! Now isn't that beautiful?!!?!?!?!?

06 March 2014

Renovations Done!!!!

Well this little project really ended up being a family event (all except me). My hubby had all the kids involved some way or another. Which is great! From the wise words of Gil Bates ( a family I adore) "The kids need to have a skill." And, I totally agree with that, so any opportunity that my hubby and I have we want to teach our children a new skill to acquire.

So, without farther Ado......

Before!!!! 



The in-between!!!!!



 



So as you can see all the kiddos got to lend a helping hand!!! 

After!!!!!!










So, I am going to just take a moment to say I have a very talented hubby. I believe that God has given this wonderful man a great talent to do ANYTHING he puts his mind to.









Wild Olive