Category Archives: Nico

Oct 2

September’s Clutter Count

Well September wasn’t my best month… I was hoping that with the boys back in school I would deep clean the house, and have a yard sale. Neither of these have happened…

The school paper clutter has started to pile up on my desk, and I’ve brought in more items thanks to the yearly yard sales. I didn’t start de-cluttering until the very end of the month, so I didn’t do so well.

I ended up cleaning another 139 items out of the house. I hope to do better in October. I’m still sticking with my goal of making 2012 the year of de-cluttering, but the year is winding down fast.

 

Oct 1

October’s Monthly Menu

Yay! October has arrived, it is my very favorite month. I can’t wait to celebrate a few birthdays, an anniversary, and go trick-or-treating with the kids too. October is the best. I’ve got a tasty menu planned and it is full of Fall favorites. Here we go it’s October’s Monthly Dinner Menu:

  • 10/1/2012: Turkey Leftovers
  • 10/2/2012: Panko Chicken Sandwiches and Chips
  • 10/3/2012: Turkey Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Homemade Bread
  • 10/4/2012: Chicken Burritos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 10/5/2012: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 10/6/2012: Panko Popcorn Chicken, Corn, and Mashed Potatoes
  • 10/7/2012: Chicken Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Homemade Bread
  • 10/8/2012: Salmon Cakes, Salad, and Vanilla Cake
  • 10/9/2012: Pulled Pork Tacos, Re-fried Beans, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 10/10/2012: BBQ Pork Sandwiches and Chips
  • 10/11/2012: Tostadas, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 10/12/2012: Hamburgers and Chips
  • 10/13/2012: Homemade Pizzas: Cheese (no sauce), Cheese with sauce, Pepperoni, Triple Meat, and Veggie
  • 10/14/2012: Chili, Saltines, and Homemade Brownies
  • 10/15/2012: Tostadas, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 10/16/2012: Panko Chicken Sandwiches and Potato Chips
  • 10/17/2012: Chicken Burritos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 10/18/2012: Hamburgers and Chips
  • 10/19/2012: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 10/20/2012: Panko Chicken Tenders, Spaghetti, Green Beans, and Homemade Bread
  • 10/21/2012: Pot Roast with Potatoes and Homemade Bread
  • 10/22/2012: Chicken Chow Mien, Rice, and Chow Mien Noodles
  • 10/23/2012: Panko Chicken Cutlets, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, and Biscuits
  • 10/24/2012: Spaghetti, Homemade Breadsticks, and Cinnamon Rolls
  • 10/25/2012: Chili, Saltines,and Chocolate Cupcakes
  • 10/26/2012: Homemade Pizzas: Cheese (no sauce), Cheese with sauce, Pepperoni, Triple Meat, and Veggie
  • 10/27/2012: Beef Stew, Homemade Bread, and Birthday Cake or Homemade Brownies with Ice Cream
  • 10/28/2012: Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, and Dutch Apple Pie
  • 10/29/2012: Beef Stew, Homemade Bread, and Birthday Cake- Chocolate Bundt Cake
  • 10/30/2012: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 10/31/2012: Chili, Saltines, and Homemade Brownies

Time to make some shopping lists, and get to it. Happy October everyone!

 

Sep 26

Yard Sale Finds

Last Saturday was the annual Autumn city wide yard sale in our town. We were lucky, I spotted a few sales signs on Friday that were close to our house. The weather on Friday was amazing, so the little gal and I walked to a nearby sale.

Agnes loved the walk, and she also loves yard sales. We found one close by, that had some fantastic buys. We looked for another in our neighborhood, but it wasn’t set up yet.

We found a few vintage pillow cases, a cool painting, a few mugs too. The best buy was the red quilt. I picked it up for just $5.00.

On the second day of the sales, we had thought about having a sale. I priced  lots of kids clothes, but in the end we decided that it might be more fun to get out and shop. James had to work that afternoon, but he took the kiddos and I out in the morning. The weather was amazingly beautiful for the first day of Autumn. Agnes was excited to go, but the boys wern’t too happy about the road trip.

I lost count on just how many sales we went to. There were so many this time around. The kiddos found a few items, and they scored some freebies too. I seemed to be the only one that was buying though…

I was needing to fill in my Autumn/Winter wardrobe, and I found lots of great clothes to do the job. I found eight tops, and now I’m ready for the cool weather.

At the sale at the high school I found another little dish that matches my Corningware. I also picked up a cute little framed print for the living-room.

We ventured back across town, and found a few more fantastic sales. I picked up this little dish for a dime, and the jars were fifty cents.

My buy of the day was this one though…

I spotted this awesome vintage leather jacket that didn’t have a price on it. I thought it looked super-cool, and when I asked the price, the lady said how about $1.00. Oh yeah! It fits perfectly too.

The yard sales were so much fun. I hope to have one soon. I have lots of items that need new homes.

Sep 25

Lunch-box Treats

I like to give my boys the option of purchasing school lunch, or bringing lunch from home. I like that they just might try out a new dish at school, but I really like that they are making their own decision. I keep their lunches simple, but I usually try and include a homemade treat too.

Whoopie Pies are one of the kiddos favorite treats. One batch makes a bunch of treats too. There are plenty for lunches, and plenty for at home snacks too. These travel well in lunch-boxes too.

Homemade Brownies. These little treats are made from scratch, and baked in a snack-cake pan. They disappear fast.

Iced Cake Mix Cookies. These are much faster to make than sugar cookies, and they are just as tasty. I let the icing sit for at least an hour to set up, and then they are ready for the lunch-box.

Chocolate Chip Cookies. This used to be my least favorite cookie to bake. No matter what I did, they never turned out right. I’ve finally made peace with the recipe, got my timing down, and now I bake at least a batch a week.

M&M Cookies. These are tasty in an Oatmeal cookie base, or added in with Chocolate Chip cookie dough too. With Halloween on the way, these cookies are a good way to use up some of that yummy candy.

Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies. These taste even better than the store bought ones, and cost a lot less too. These cookies keep getting better. I keep them wrapped in the fridge to toss in the lunch-boxes.

Cookie Sandwiches. This is a great way to use up some homemade Chocolate Chip cookies. Use whatever you have on hand for the filling, and sandwich two cookies together. Add in ice cream, and toss them in the freezer for a special after-school treat. My favorite combo is Nutella and Peanut Butter, it makes a tasty late night treat too.

Homemade Chocolate Ganache topped Swiss Cake Rolls. This treat is a little time consuming, but completely worth it. The cake is spongy, and full of chocolate. The ganache makes these cake rolls a delicious treat.

I had better go and make some more treats for tomorrow’s lunches. I think I only have a few left.

 

Sep 22

Fall Favorites

Now that Autumn has finally arrived, it’s out with the Summer and in with the Fall. I absolutely love this time of year. I love the cool weather, the rainy days, layering comfy clothes, and cooking lots of tasty dishes too. I also love the changing leaves, Halloween, Thanksgiving, oh my goodness, Fall is the best.

Here are a few of my Fall favorites from around our place.

As soon as the first cool day arrives, I dig out my very favorite vintage hoodie. I love it. It is one of my very favorite Fall accessories.

Football! Autumn means Football season has arrived. We love to cheer for the Green Bay Packers. Agnes loves to dress up, and shake her pom-poms all over the house. She is a big football fan.

I go crazy for all of the tiny pumpkins that arrive at all of the grocery stores. How I wish I could bring them all home with me.

I love the crunchy leaves! I don’t love to rake them up, but I do love to see their beautiful Autumn colors.

Crafting on the weekends! I love to craft in Autumn. It is a great time to make blankets, spend extra time at the sewing machine, and even get a jump on Christmas projects too.

Reading is one of my favorite Autumn activities. I love curling up with a good book, and a yummy cup of coffee too.

Cooking, my kitchen is always a mess in Autumn.I love to use the Crock Pot, and bake lots of bread too. There are also pies to be made, and cinnamon rolls too. The kitchen is always extra busy.

I can’t enough of those lovely Autumn skies. I love the cool thunderstorms that roll in, and the cloudy days too.

So what are a few of your favorite things about Autumn?