2014 Blue Jeans Week 43

Another busy week--birthdays, company here, cross country races, another expo booth.  One more week left until the election!  I can't wait!  I think I am going to sleep for like 3 days after it is done. At least that is what I would like to do :)  Here is a look at our week. . .

My Dad and Ben have birthdays really close to each other.  They each got their traditional pies--my Dad gets banana cream and Ben gets coconut.  Yum!

We were so lucky to have Ben's Mom and Dad here to spend a few days with us!  We love them so much and miss them!  Sure love it when they come!!!!

Ben's dad and the kids filled Ben's car up with balloons on his birthday.  That was fun!

Happy Birthday Ben!  What lucky kids these are to have this amazing guy for a dad!!! Sure love you sweetie!

Got to get away with some girlfriends for a much needed Girls' Lunch Out!  Sure love these ladies!  They keep me sane! :)

Regional Cross Country meet today.  Here is our girls team ready to go.  Only the top 10 make it to state, and sadly none of our girls did, but they had an awesome season!  I am so proud of them all!

Went to a fun concert Saturday night--Liverpool Legends--basically a Beatles impersonation group.  They were really fun!  We all enjoyed it!

Thanks for visiting! 

Friday thoughts. . .

 My random Friday thoughts. . .

What's up Wednesday--Shepard's pie

This is another one of those super easy recipes.  I got this just after I was married.  It was the first thing I made my new in-laws when they came to dinner after we were married.  They were impressed :)  This is the perfect dish to use up extra mashed potatoes, or easily make instant potatoes to put on top.  A friend told me the best way to make instant mashed potatoes seem like real is make them with milk and add butter.  There are not measurements on how many mashed potatoes you need.  My family loves a ratio of 2:1 on the potatoes, so whatever you have on hand or how your family likes it.  Enjoy!

Easy Shepard's Pie

1 lb. hamburger

1 can green beans, drained

1 can cream of mushroom soup

mashed potatoes

grated cheddar cheese

Brown meat.  Drain, then combine with soup and green beans.  Place in casserole dish.  Cover with mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese.  Bake 350 for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

Catching up. . .

It has been a crazy busy last 2 weeks.  2 weeks until the election, and I can't wait!  Thanks for your support and prayers!  We are going to do this!  Here is a look at our last 2 weeks. . .

Played Taboo tonight as a family.  I think my kids' favorite part about that game is buzzing each other when they say something wrong :)  Miss E is already to buzz Ben.

Our election buttons.  Its all about the kids!

Had school off, so we went to A&W for lunch.  Yum!  Can you ever beat a root beer float?  They are just the best!

Mr J and Miss E had fun playing outside on a beautiful day--shooting each other :)

Got to go to the city to our church's temple with my family.  It was a wonderful day!

Got to record a radio ad for the campaign.  A first for me.

These two got to help :)  A first for them too.

League cross country meet. These girls came in 2nd as a team!  Way to go!

Miss O and her teammate running strong.  They did awesome!

Miss A catches a drink.  It was hot today when they ran!  She did awesome!

The girls with their cross country coach who was also my cross country coach.  He is just awesome, and we love him so much!  We think this is his last year.  

Had a booth at our town's festival this weekend.  It went really, really well.  My awesome friend who helped plan the whole thing.  We worked hard all day together with the help of lots of others.  

Our float for the parade.  Mr J is on there somewhere :)   It was a good day!

Thanks for visiting!  Come back soon!  Have a great week!

Friday thoughts. . .

 My random Friday thoughts. . .

Two word rule "Stop it." Simple and to the point.  Don't do it, don't tolerate it.  Just "stop it."  Love this quote and that my 3 teenage girls have it in their lockers.  Good stuff!

Have a great weekend!  See you Monday!

What's up Wednesday--beef burrito skillet

This is one of my many "get dinner on the table super fast" recipes.  And all my family likes it, so that is a plus too :)  You can start it at five and sit down to eat it by 5:30.  Love dishes like that.

Beef Burrito Skillet

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 package taco seasoning or about 1/4 cup

1 can kidney beans, drained

1 cup salsa

1 cup water

4 flour tortillas cut into about 1 inch squares

1 cup shredded cheese

sour cream, green onions for toppings

Brown meat in large skillet.  Drain.  Add seasoning mix, beans, salsa, and water.  Stir.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 5 minutes.

Stir in tortillas.  Top with cheese.  Cover and remove from heat.  Let stand 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Top with sour cream and/or green onions.

Enjoy!  Quick, easy, and good!

2014 Blue Jeans week 40

What a week!  "Behind" is still the word and probably will continue to be until November 5th.  This election thing is turning to be way more than I bargained for, but I know it is right and that we will win.  4 more weeks and it will be over!  Thanks for your continued support and prayers!  So here is a look at what our week was like. . .

Sunday night Miss O made us these amazing cupcakes!  Yum!  She is quite the chief!  

Mr. J feeding one of the chickens this week.  We are sure loving our eggs!

Caught a shot of the beautiful sky and the sun hitting these clouds today.  So important to see the beauty all around us.

Laundry, I seem to not be able to keep up lately, I wonder why :)

Cross country still going strong.  Miss O in her race this week did awesome!

Miss A did awesome in the same race finishing strong.  The girls did great and were able to get 3rd as a team.  Awesome!!!!

One of many parades for this marching band season.  Miss O is far right and miss A is left.  

Thanks for visiting!  Hope you have a great week!  Come back soon!

Friday thoughts

 My random Friday thoughts. . .

I had to laugh when I pulled this quote up today.  I think my Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed to hear.  A few days lately have not been good, but there is definitely something good in every day.  So important to be positive and look for the good.  Something I need to work harder at.  Find the something good in your day and have a great weekend!!

What's up Wednesday--red and white pasta

I found this recipe over here a few months ago, and I freely admit we have had this recipe at least 5 times since I found it.  I have made it for company twice and the other 3 times just for my pasta loving family.  It is super easy, and way yummy!

Red and White Pasta

I box (16 oz) ziti, or penne or similar pasta cooked and put into 9x13 pan.  You can see the steam coming off these noodles.  Hot and ready to go. 

Make the white sauce:

4 Tablespoons butter

1 cup whipping cream, half and half, or milk (I usually use skim milk)

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened

1 garlic clove, minced

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese

In a large pan melt butter, add in cream/milk, cream cheese, garlic, and Parmesan.  Whisk together 1-2 minutes until smooth and thickens a bit, then pour over noodles in pan and mix in.

Make the red sauce:

1 lb mild sausage

1 onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 large bottle spaghetti sauce or about 5 cups

Cook sausage with onions and garlic. Drain.  then add spaghetti sauce.  Mix well then pour over noodles with white sauce.

Top with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.  Bake 350 for 20-30 minutes or until warmed through.  Put a cookie sheet underneath in oven to catch spills if it starts to boil over.

You can make this way ahead of time and put in the fridge, you will jut have to bake it closer to an hour.  

Goes perfect with salad and garlic bread.  Enjoy!