Meal Idea Monday

BBQ MEATBALLS

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup quick cooking oats
6 1/2 ounces evaporated milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup ketchup
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon liquid smoke flavoring


Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a medium baking dish. In a bowl, mix beef, egg, oats, evaporated milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and 1/2 cup onion. Form into 1 1/2 inch balls and arrange in a single layer in the baking dish. In a separate bowl, mix ketchup, garlic, sugar, 1/4 cup onion, and liquid smoke. Pour evenly over the meatballs. Bake uncovered 1 hour in the preheated oven.

*This recipe is really popular...so you might already have it. I got it from my friend Stacey...when Evan was born, but then I started seeing it everywhere. It's really good. My kids love it too.

Meal Idea Monday Make-Up

Parsley Pesto Breadcrumb Pasta

Salt

1 pound spaghetti

2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped or grated

2 bunches flat-leaf parsley leaves

1/3 to 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus 3 tablespoons, divided

Ground black pepper

1/4 cup pine nuts

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Boil Spaghetti noodles according to package direction. Drain thoroughly.

Parsley pesto: Place the garlic and parsley leaves in the bowl of a food processor. Add some salt and pepper, and pulse until roughly chopped. With the machine running, pour in 1/3 to 1/2 cup EVOO (just enough to make a thick, smooth paste). Turn the machine off and reserve.

Place a large skillet over medium heat with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the pine nuts and toast, stirring every now and then, until very lightly toasted. Add the breadcrumbs, stir to combine and toast until the breadcrumbs are golden and the pine nuts are a dark golden color, 2-3 minutes. Add the pesto to the skillet with the breadcrumbs and cook 2-3 minutes (just enough to cook out the raw garlic taste). Add the lemon zest and juice and season with some pepper. Add the drained spaghetti and parmesan cheese to the skillet and toss to combine.

*This is a Rachel Ray recipe. I'm usually not a huge fan of hers, but I came across this and decided to try it...and Mmmmm good.

Meal Idea Monday Make-Up

Shortcut Lasagna

1lb. ground beef
Chopped onion (I omit this, but add onion powder)
1 jar of spaghetti sauce (28oz.)
1 bag of cheese ravioli (don't know the exact measurement)
2c. mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper
garlic powder

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brown ground beef, adding salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Drain grease. Pour in spaghetti sauce, and let it simmer for 5 minutes. In an 8x8 baking dish, spread enough sauce and beef to cover the bottom, and put a layer of ravioli down end to end. Spread a layer of sauce, and then cheese just like you would with lasagna. Keep layering with sauce on top. I think I usually get 3 layers in. Bake uncovered for 1 hour. Let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.

This is so good, and we always have leftovers. We had this last week, and the kids LOVE it.

I'm Behind

Yeah, I'm so behind on blogging. We've had a lot going on over here at the Magee house. We're moving at the end of September, and so we've been attempting to pack, and look for a new house...etc. I'm preparing for a garage sale, and a consignment sale, and new ministry commitments at church. Aiden also started kindergarten last week...and like I've mentioned before, I'm homeschooling him. It's a decision I know that God has asked of us, but I've questioned him several times in the past week...because it keeps me really busy, and it's been a challenge to school him with his little sisters around. But the one thing God keeps bringing me back to...is His grace. We're still new at this, and I believe that He will equip me for this journey...I'm just waiting for that to happen. :) In the meantime, I'm gonna try to catch up with blogging, because I enjoy writing. It's become kind of an outlet for me. And I want to "scrapbook" our family events, since the paper kind just isn't going to happen.

Meal Idea Monday

Mexican Lasagna

1lb. ground beef or turkey
1 pkg. dry taco mix seasoning
1 c. water
12 (6") corn tortillas
1 c. salsa
1 (8oz.) can tomato sauce
1 (15oz.) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (4oz.) can sliced black olives, drained
1 (4oz.) can mild chilies, drained
2 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brown meat; add seasoning and 1 cup water. Cook until thick. Spray a 9 X 13 pan. Place 6 tortillas on bottom of pan, overlapping them. Mix salsa and tomato sauce; set aside. Top tortillas with half the meat, corn, olives, and chilies. Pour half the salsa and sauce mixture over this and sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese. Repeat, finishing with cheese. Bake 20 minutes. Serves 6-8.

I got this recipe out of a kid friendly cookbook, and it's a hit w/ the family...including the kids. I omit the olives though, and it still tastes great to us.

Practical Theology for Women

I started this book recently, and I'm really enjoying it. For those of you who know my husband you know he's a seminary grad, and a HUGE historical theology guy. He loves talking about all things theology. In fact he's recently started a blog (It's in my blog list to the left) appropriately named "Traversing Theology". Anyways, because he is passionate about good theology I have started to become a lot more interested in the subject. One of the ways that I can be his recreational companion is to read books like this one. Funny huh? I mean, yeah, he likes it when I watch a football game with him or go listen to music at Waterloo Records...but he LOVES it when I read books about theology. He has been giving me a hard time about having not read his thesis yet...but I seriously don't even understand the title. So maybe after I'm finished reading this book, I'll be ready to tackle the thesis. That should make up for all the romantic comedies he's had to watch, and the shopping bags he's carried.

Okay, well back to the book....it's really well written, and I like the way it's laid out. I included a picture of the back of the book, so you could read it, and hopefully it would peak your interest. And did I mention how pretty the book is too? The woman knows women. I would have picked it up in the store just because it's pretty! Hmmm...I might have some others issues as well. It's broken down into 3 sections: (1) What is Theology, (2) Who is our God, and (3) Communicating with our God. Ladies, it's only 152 pages...super thin. You will be doing yourself a favor if you read a copy of this book. Sharpen your mind, and be ready with an answer....we should have solid theology as well.

Here's the author's blog:

http://theologyforwomen.blogspot.com/

7 months

I am totally smitten. Really. I'm proof that it can happen again...on baby #4. Evan is my sweetest baby yet...I'd say that they just get sweeter every time...but there was a 'Grier' thrown in there somewhere. Evan is now 7 months, and we just took her for her 6 month check-up...a little late....but what's a month, or so. She weighed in at a tiny 15lbs. flat. Just for fun, I'd thought I'd post my other children's weights at 6 months:

Aiden-18.1 lbs.

Gracen-19.12 lbs.

Grier-17.5 lbs.
I'm a tad concerned, but I'll keep an eye on it...and maybe weigh her at HEB next time I go. I'm sure she'll be fine. She eats well...so maybe there's no need for concern.

Evan is sitting up, and also getting up on all fours for a few seconds at a time. There is no sign of teeth yet, but she is drooling, and chewing on everything...so I'm sure it's around the corner. I don't think my babies get teeth until at least 8 months...that's probably why nursing is such a good experience for me that 1st year. I just discovered some cradle cap...yuck. She's my first baby to have it, and I'm pretty sure it's because she doesn't get bathed as often as my other 3 did...oops. But we've got a good regime of daily "Head and Shoulders" and it's already going away. Evan gives us belly laughs constantly. She's funny. She seems to always have a smirk on her face, like she's just waiting for someone to do something goofy or funny...which happens often around here. It's like she's saying, "Come on guys, just meet me half way. I'll pretty much laugh no matter what." It's awesome. She's also trying to hold the spoon when we feed her...

Uh-oh. I'm still rooting for a personality like Blake's...but we'll see. Gracen fooled me like this. In my experience, you just never know.

Meal Idea Monday

Honey-Glazed Chicken

2 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
3 Tbsp. honey
3 Tbsp. vinegar
3 Tbsp. orange juice
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. corn starch
2 Tbsp. oil
4 cups cut-up veggies-I use broccoli and carrots

Cut chicken into bite-size strips and set aside. For the sauce, combine honey, vinegar, orange juice, soy sauce, and corn starch in a small bowl; set aside. Pour oil into a large wok and heat over medium-high heat. Add vegetables to the wok; cook and stir for 3-4 minutes or until veggies are crisp-tender. Remove vegetables from the wok. Add chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes while stirring, or until chicken is no longer pink. Push chicken from the center of the wok. Stir the sauce, add to the wok’s center, and cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Return cooked veggies to the wok; combine veggies and chicken with the sauce, and stir until heated through. Serve over white rice or Asian noodles.

This is super yummy! Blake and I love stir fry, and so I'm always trying new recipes. Some don't work out, but this is a keeper.

Meal Idea Monday

The VERY best "Baked Chicken & Rice" you've ever had...for real

1 ¼ cup uncooked rice
3 cans of: cream of chicken
¼ cup melted butter
½ cup milk
¼ cup French dressing
1 package sliced almonds
parmesan cheese
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Spray a 13x9 pan. Mix all liquid ingredients together. Add rice to half of liquid ingredients and pour in bottom of pan. Lay chicken on top; pour remaining liquid over chicken. Sprinkle generously with almonds & parmesan cheese. Bake at 325° 1 ½ hours, covered with foil for 1 hour. Uncovered for 30 minutes.

This is so good, so easy...and the leftovers are AWESOME!

Backyard Bible Clubs

Day 1 Group Shot w/ Aiden and Grier

First Freeze Pop

Summertime

Day 2 Group Shot

Singing songs

Backyard Bible Clubs are this week for our church's association. Gracen has Princess Camp, thanks to our amazing dance studio....Dance Emotions. So I've been going with the other 3. Backyard Bible Clubs are so cool. They are one of the highlights of the summer for me. It's like VBS, but more outreach oriented, b/c they are in people's backyards. The idea is that you will invite your neighbors to come and participate. It works out well, b/c most kids are already bored from the summer break, and most parents are looking for something to entertain their kids...perfect! They are led by each of the churches youth, who go away to boot camp for training. I LOVE to see the youth stepping up and serving in this way. It really helps me to have vision for my own children 10 years down the road...and how exciting for the parents of all these teens to know that their kids can share the gospel like 5 different ways...pretty cool stuff. Friday night is the big "party" (Summerfest) where all the families are invited to come and celebrate the week w/ games, food, and fellowship. It's a blast. Aiden is really into it this year, and Grier is just along for the ride.

The Cutest Baby Ever

Evan-almost 7 months

Seriously...is she not a doll?! Those cheeks get LOTS and LOTS of kisses.

Meal Idea Monday

Oregano Chicken

1/4 c. butter melted
1/4 c. lemon juice
2 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbs. soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 large clove garlic, crushed
6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Hot cooked rice

Combine first 6 ingredients; stir well. Place chicken in an ungreased 13x9 inch baking dish. Pour butter mixture over chicken. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes. Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Serve it over the rice, with the juices if you'd like. Yummy!! This chicken is so tender and full of flavor!

Big Brother's Shadow

I found her yesterday hanging out in Aiden's room watching him play with his Tinker Toys. Apparently, she wanted to be cozy during the viewing. She was snuggled on his toy box complete with her pillow and blanket. Grier is such a character. She LOVES her big brother. She follows him around a lot, which is fine by him. Aiden is really really sweet with Grier, and appreciates the company. They both love being around people and would rather play with someone than be alone...so they make a good pair.

4 going on 14

My 4 year old, going on 14...Gracen has claimed a "special" spot in the house. She sandwiches herself between a chair and the couch...and usually puts this pillow up as the "door". Oh, and she calls it her "cave". Have I mentioned that she NEEDS alone time...like a lot?! I totally don't get this, and it can be a real source of frustration for me. But my dear, sweet husband not only gets it but identifies with it. He is helping me to understand her a little more, and to be okay with it. I want her to be fun, and lively, and the life of the party...but she's not. She is definitely all of those things at times...but not on command, and especially not in any sort of predictable pattern. I am learning a lot as a mom, as usual...and I feel like something God has been working with me a lot on, is stepping back and letting my kids be who God created them to be...not who I want them to be. Now, I'm not saying let them behave however they want to, or speak to people however they want, etc. I'm talking about their God given personalities. And if you know me even a little bit, you know that I LOVE to talk personalities, and tests, and that I use sanguine, choleric, melancholy, and phlegmatic in my day to day language. :) So this should be an easy lesson for me. I mean, I get that my daughter is not a sanguine (look it up)...but why not? It's so much fun...doesn't she want to have fun?! See what I mean? That's the slippery slope I go down. God made all of my kids special and different...and each has a unique personality...now it's just a matter of me stepping back and letting God do amazing things with that unique personality.

My Future

My future: The girls taking the car for a spin...not ready!

Doesn't Gracen look mischievous?!
First time in the driver's seat...3rd born.

Playing in the Garage

Bubble Head
Easy Rider

My tough guy

She looks guilty

Hanging out in the garage, trying to hide from the sun.

The Mysterious Package

I received this box last week, with Huggies diapers, wipes, and baby wash!! But there was no note attached or any kind of clue as to where it came from. I do love mysteries...however, I would love to thank the person who sent this to us. So, if you are a blog reader of mine...thank you so much!! What a thoughtful gift! We love diapers...especially with all of the bottoms around here. :)

The Summer Do

The Before-My favorite Mop Top

Doing some cutting prep work-Mommy's trying to hold it together.

Daddy working his shaving skills

Hosing off all that hair

The After-a much cooler head for summer...a much sadder Mommy

And I'm pretty sure we cut off the last of his red hair...okay, maybe not all of it...but most of it. *Sniff, Sniff.

Meal Idea Monday

Chicken Almond Stir-Fry

2 tbs. vegetable or sesame oil
4 skinned and boned chicken breast halves, cut into thin strips
1 (2.25 oz.) package sliced almonds
1 (16oz.) package frozen broccoli, carrots, and water chestnuts
1 tbs. cornstarch
1 tbs. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup pineapple juice
Hot Cooked Rice

Pour oil around top of preheated wok, coating sides, or in a large nonstick skillet. Heat briefly at medium-high heat. Add chicken and almonds; stir-fry 2 minutes. Add frozen vegetables; cover and cook 4 minutes, stirring once.
Combine cornstarch and next 4 ingredients; add to wok. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture thickens. Serve over rice.

This is super yummy...and my kids even love it! I marinade my chicken in a little soy sauce before cooking, to add some extra flavor. It's really easy too.

The Green Scene

Drying my first load of cloth diapers. Isn't it just the cutest?!