PT4--10.16.11 {Menu Plan Edition}

I have been majorly slacking in the grocery shopping/menu planning/coupon cutting department lately. Bad SAHM, bad. Today I finally made it through my stack of coupons that have been haunting me since early September and attempted to make a grocery list and menu plan. Most of the meals are from Pinterest (surpise, surprise). I am excited to try some new things and finally make some soups (!!!) since it is supposed to really cool off this week. Yay! I don't like to say what day we'll actually have what meal because some days certain things just don't sound good. I'd rather make a list of things I can make and then pick and choose every day. And I only picked 5 meals because we'll have leftovers a couple of nights.

Source: pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Crockpot Potato Soup
I love potato soup. I am a little worried since there aren't any potato chunks like I like and only hashbrown potatoes, but it's getting good reviews so I'll give it a shot.

Source: ruhlman.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Cheesy Hamburger Pasta
This looks really yummy as well. I love just plain mac & cheese with hamburger meat, but this looks way better.

Source: foodwishes.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Chicken Parmesan Bake
I had regular old OAMM chicken parm on my menu but thought this would be a nice change of pace. And a little less work.

Source: recipe.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Bean-and-Beef Enchilada Casserole
I have had this recipe in my binder forever but never actually made it. It looks good, easy, and relatively cheap.

The last meal is not on Pinterest. I looked and there are versions of White Chicken Chili on there, but not the same. I got this recipe from one of the secretaries at my old school and I love it. It is so freaking good. I can't wait to make it...this one will probably be made Tuesday or Wednesday when the cold weather comes in. Is it sad that we (in Texas) get excited for cold weather when the high is in the upper 60's?? Is that really considered cold? Well, when the lows are in the 40's, I think it counts. Even if that low does happen in the middle of the night.

White Chicken Chili
1 bag Pictsweet Seasoning Blend (in frozen veggie section)
1 rotisserie chicken, pulled off bone and chopped
1 lb. andouille sausage (or smoked sausage), diced
1 can Hatch green enchilada sauce (Wal-Mart has this)
1 can chopped green chiles (hot or mild)
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 can corn
2 cans cannellini beans
1 1/2 qts. chicken broth

Saute seasoning blend in some olive oil. Put everything else in the soup pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for about an hour.

Okay, so now it is written down. Which means now I actually have to go to the store. Ugh. I do love cooking and baking, it's the shopping and prep work beforehand that I don't enjoy.

Logan's 1st Soccer Game

Logan started his first season of soccer this past weekend and I am SO glad that this league waited until October to start the season. The weather is so much nicer and it finally feels good to be outside.

His team is made up of kids from ages 3-6, so there's a wide range of skills (or lack thereof) out on the field. It really is hilarious to watch the kids run around on the field, both coaches running with them, and the referee blowing the whistle and having to remind the kids to freeze when they hear it. The ball gets kicked out of bounds ALOT so there's a lot of whistle blowing and discussion of who has had a turn to throw the ball back in already. Not many goals were scored and one was scored in the wrong goal (by our team). It really was just a big cluster of kids running around chasing one ball and not really knowing what to do with it when they got it. Logan stayed with the group but was always bringing up the rear, not really in the middle of the group, just kind of running up and down the field, following the cluster of kids and staying out of the action. He did just enough to pass as participating, I think. He looked good on the field, but he just didn't do much. I am sure he will get better as the season goes on. He had a blast and didn't get upset when he didn't get the ball (like he did with t-ball).

And now, here's a ton of pictures (and this is only about half of what I took and my dad took some with his camera as well...can you tell Logan is the only child in my family???).

Getting ready to go to his first game with the Tornadoes!

In line to do some practice kicks

Nice kick!

Standing with some teammates as Coach Amanda talks with the referee.

Getting into the game. He's number 2.

See? He brings up the rear. His other teammates aren't even in the shot, they're so far ahead. Bless his heart, he thinks he's fast. He's like his daddy that way. :-)

Water Break!

Waiting to be called back into the game.

Lining up to high five the other team.

Good game, good game, good game!

Logan's favorite part of any team sport--snack time!

Happy boy!

The Tornadoes (or Radioactive Watermelons per the hideous shirt color) won 2-1, although they really weren't supposed to be keeping score. The other team only have a point because our team scored in their goal on accident. I think I laughed the entire game. Soccer typically isn't entertaining to watch, but it's pretty funny at this age!

Fall Pinterest Craft Weekend

A couple of weekends ago, 5 friends and I got together and had a Fall craft weekend, no kids, no husbands. It was an absolute blast. All of our crafts (and food) came from Pinterest, the most addicting site in the world. Here are the things I made:

Candy Corn Wreath

This took some patience but once I got going, it went much faster than I originally thought it would. I really thought I would be gluing candy corn the entire weekend, but it probably only took about an hour. But just so you know, don't attempt this with anything but hot glue. Tacky craft glue WILL NOT work. Lesson learned. I love it. I also sprayed it with polyurethane gloss spray, so hopefully it will last more than one year.

Pom-Pom Wreath

Whatever time I saved with the candy corn wreath was spent on this dang pom-pom wreath. Five of us were making them so we needed ALOT of pom-poms. We underestimated the amount we would need and I think we went through at least 15 skeins of yarn for all 6 wreaths and I still think mine could use some more in certain spots. We made pom-poms ALL.FREAKING.WEEKEND. It was alot of tedious wrapping and cutting, but we did it while talking or watching TV so it wasn't horrible. I love how it turned out thought and I love that it will work for the entire fall season.

Googly Eye Frames

These were quick and easy. We all made one and I stole my sister's. Right now they are empty in the middle, but I plan on printing out some Halloween words ('Boo', 'Eek', etc.) and putting them in the frames. Of course, my printer is out of commission at this point, but I'll get it done somehow.

Button Pumpkin

Several of us made these as well and they all came out different. This was a bit time-consuming for me, but I am also very perfectionist and I didn't like the same colors touching too much or too much white space. It went much faster for the other girls. Now I need to find a frame to put it in...

I had so much fun at our Fall craft weekend. It was nice to get away from the house, enjoy excellent food and hilarious company, and not have to entertain/take care of a 4-year-old and a husband. I need to get away more often. We already have a Christmas craft weekend planned and a ton of ideas 'pinned.' Now I have to narrow down what I am going to do so I can buy the supplies. I can't wait!