Hi Friends!

...that is if I still have any. I'm back for a week before I take off for my LAST trip of the summer. So here's a week's worth of meals, and then I PROMISE I'll get back in my groove...

*Monday: Chicken Tortilla Soup-Burke was sick and we were out of town on Father's Day. So tonight we're celebrating with one of his favorites. And I normally make him a Banana Cream Pie for dessert, but tonight I'm going to simplify by making individual banana cream trifles (see photo above). Layer crushed vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, vanilla/banana pudding, whipped cream, and repeat 3 times. Garnish with a wafer and banana slice.

*Tuesday: Baked Potatoes with toppings

*Wednesday: Pasta with Tomatoes & Pinenuts and salad (I may throw some pine nuts on my salad too!)

*Thursday: Homemade Fish sticks & coleslaw Ryder's been begging for us to make fish sticks, and I've been craving some good ole' coleslaw. Perfect!

*Friday: Beans & Rice-going to try a pinto bean recipe that my Mom & I will be making for about 40 people in 2 weeks. We'll top our beans & rice with tomatoes, cotija cheese, avocados & onions.

*Saturday: Leftovers

*Sunday: Stuffed Peppers

Easter Week!

*made these for a friend who we took dinner to. I needed the fastest, easiest cookie recipe(Burke actually made these!). So I resorted to the "cake box cookie". Go HERE for the delicious, yet super un-healthy recipe. We rolled them in granulated sugar (rather than powdered), dipped in melted chocolate, then coconut, and placed baby eggs on top for the nest effect.

I am super excited about Easter. I've been waiting for weeks to have a reason to make a Carrot Cake. But don't start thinking this blog is all about sweets...I have some other yummies up my sleeve that are much happier for the waistline. Check it out:

*Monday: Leftover Chili. This stuff is incredibly delicious. And healthy. I don't think I'll be able to make Chili with meat for a long time now...

*Tuesday: Roasted Pepper/Onion Hummus (mix Garbanzo beans, Tahini, roasted veggies+garlic, olive oil, salt & pepper in a food processor) & Parmesan Crisps with Corn on the Cob

*Wednesday: Chicken Quesadilla Pie

*Thursday: Spaghetti & Meatballs...it's been WAY too long since we've had this. I always make my own meatballs with ground turkey, garlic, bread crumbs, eggs, parsley, worcestershire sauce, shredded parmesan cheese and anything else I feel like adding. I form them into balls, brown them in a pan on the stove, and then bake for about 20-30 mins in a casserole dish with the spaghetti sauce. We'll have a green salad to round out our meal.

*Friday: Homemade Panko-Crusted Fish Sticks with dipping sauce and Sweet Potato Fries

*Saturday: Leftovers

*Sunday: Happy Easter Day! Because we don't get home from church until 4pm, I'm making this meal as simple as possible. We'll have a Glazed Ham, Asparagus Tart, Scalloped Potatoes with Leeks, Arugula Salad with Strawberries and Carrot Cake for dessert. Anybody want to come join us for Easter Dinner???