The Magic Mommy

Monday

Lasagna

Tuesday

Vegetable Beef Soup

Wednesday

Lasagna

Thursday

French Toast Casserole

Friday

Tacos

Saturday

Tacos

Sunday

Today is Emma’s appointment at the Ferrence Low Vision Clinic.

We were supposed to go last Tuesday, except I think Emma was having a bad teeth experience.  She screamed at me on and off for a couple of hours.  By the time I finally got her calmed down, it was too late.

Let’s hope today goes well.

Well, it’s taken over a year, but I’ve finally got my green belt in Nihon Jujitsu at JMAC.  I made it through the test without too much trouble.  I even managed to do all of my falls.

I try and make it to the dojo once a week.  Currently, I go on Fridays at noon.  Matthew & Emma both go with me.  One of Matthew’s favorite things is running around on the mats.

Matthew did such a good job during the test.  Afterwards, while I was changing, I tied my white belt around him.  He ran out and was showing everyone his cool jujitsu moves.  He asked sensei about being able to test.  So we arranged an semi-formal test for him.   Matthew did so much better than I did.

I managed to get a video of most of it.  I did miss the first couple of minutes.  You can watch the video below.

Well, here we go again.  Another week to plan for.

A very exciting week.  An election.  Jon’s birthday.  Emma’s appointment at the Low Vision clinic.  Emma’s IEP meeting.  Let’s all hope that we get everything done and it all works out ok.

Monday

Bob Evan’s Turkey Dinner
We got a Family Dinner from Bob Evan’s on Saturday.  It was yummy!

Tuesday

Spaghetti, peas
Last time I made spaghetti sauce, I froze a big bowl of it.  Quick and easy.

Go VOTE!

Wednesday

Chicken Fajita Packets
Jon’s birthday.  Happy birthday sweety!

Thursday

LO spaghetti
It’s so good.

Friday

French Toast Casserole, bacon
It’s time for breakfast again.

Saturday

Somthing quick & easy.

Sunday

Fuddruckers ?
We always go to Fuddruckers for our birthdays.  Lately we’ve been getting buffalo burger.  Try it, it’s really good.

Hm.  Where to start with this one.

First, I decided that the potato dumplings were too much work, so I just chopped up some potatoes and added some extra broth.

Second, when you are buying bacon, and it’s going into something like a stew, make sure you don’t buy the maple flavored bacon.   Please, please.  I’m begging you!!!

Other than the slight maple flavor, (why did I even bother with the bacon?) this was good.  I didn’t add the vinegar.

So, I guess this isn’t so much a full review of the recipe, but a review of my massacre of it.

Matthew didn’t like the “yellow things” (potatoes).  He’s also showing an aversion to chunks of beef.  He didn’t eat those either.

Emma loved it.  But she loves everything I give her.

Sorry, no picture.  I totally forgot to take one.  Matthew has been enjoying all the picture taking.

Here is the link to the original post with the recipe.  The recipe is way down the post.  Because of that, I’ll put the recipe up here.

Beef Stew with Potato Dumplings
Serves 5

1-1/2 pounds stew beef, cut into bite size chunks
4 slices of streaky bacon, chopped
1 TBS butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
2 onions, peeled and chopped
3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
1/4 of a swede, peeled and chopped (about 1/2 cupful)
1 (10 1/2 oz) tin of condensed beef broth
1 TBS vinegar (I use balsamic)

For the dumplings:
1 egg
3/4 cup soft white breadcrumbs
1 TBS flour
1 TBS finely chopped onion
1 TBS snipped parsley
1/2 tsp salt
dash pepper
2 1/2 cups finely shredded raw potato

I use my electric skillet for this. Melt the butter in the skillet on high heat until it foams. Throw in the meat and bacon. Stir around and cook until it begins to brown. Throw in the onions and cook until the onions are quite tender. Stir in the flour and mix around until it is absorbed by all the drippings. Stir in the broth, 3/4 cup of water and the vinegar. Add the carrots and the swede. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and allow to simmer, covered, until quite tender, about 1 1/2 hours.

After 1 1/2 hours make the potato dumplings. Combine the beaten egg, breadcrumbs, flour, onion, parsley and seasonings in a bowl. Squeeze as much liquid as you can from out of the potatoes and then stir them into the mixture, combining everything really well. With floured fingers shape the mixture into ten 2-inch balls. Dust lightly with more flour before dropping on top of the simmering stew. Cover tightly and cook for 15 minutes.

Spoon out onto warm plates allowing each person 2 dumplings and enjoy!

*Note - check frequently to see that the stew isn’t cooking dry and add hot water as needed.

Happy Halloween!!!

We are very excited around here for trick-or-treating.

Matthew can’t wait to get dressed up in his costume.  He’s supposed to be a knight.  He’s happy with his outfit, but he keeps changing what it is.

As something to go along with Matthew’s knight costume, we got Emma a dragon costume.

I’ll be sure to post pictures of our fun night out.

This week, I’m going to try and use stuff we already have around the house.  I’m hoping to avoid the grocery store, or at least keep it to 5 items or less.

Monday

Pizza hut
We have some coupons to use.

Tuesday

LO pizza

Wednesday

Beef stew with potato dumplings
I didn’t make this last week.

Thursday

LO stew
Description

Friday

Chili
We have some frozen from a previous night.

Saturday

Breakfast

Sunday

??

Welcome to my first Tackle it Tuesday!  5minutesformom is running a special edition today with the help of CLR.  CLR has offered to provide bloggers with a bottle of their CLR Kitchen & Bath product.  If we use it, write a review, and link up to 5minutesformom, then we’re entered into a drawing for a CLR prize pack.

So I received my bottle last week and got to cleaning over this past weekend.  I had a couple of spots of rust on my sink and my shower head needed some help.

Sink first.

Am I really showing the rust in my sink on my blog?

At first, I didn’t think it really worked on these spots. But when I look at these pictures, I can see that they look fainter.  I’m hoping with another use or two they could disappear.

Showerhead second.

Am I really showing you a picture of my gross shower head?  Really, I’ve tried to clean it but it just doesn’t seem to work.

We have a liner in our shower and I wanted to make sure that the CLR wouldn’t damage it.  So I held the showerhead over a bucket and sprayed the CLR on.  I let it set for a couple of minutes, wiped it down, and then grabbed a toothbrush and scrubbed it good.  After a quick rinse, the showerhead was clean and shiney.  Good as new.

So, as a recap.  The CLR kinda worked in my sink but did wonders for my showerhead.   I’ll be trying it again in the sink on another day.

I think this is a normal week.  I don’t know if I’ve had one of these in a while.  Of course, with all the phone calls I need to make, it could turn into a strange week.

Wednesday we get to pick out Matthew’s school pictures.  I can’t wait.  He’s so cute that I might just have to buy them all. 

Oh, and wow!  This is actually posted on a Monday.  Yippee!

Monday

East Side Mario’s
BOGO coupon!!!

Tuesday

LO East Side Mario’s
So much food, so little time.

Wednesday

Chicken nuggets, mac&cheese, broccoli
All homemade.  We’ll see if I can pull it off.

Thursday

LO from Wednesday.

Friday

Beef Stew with Potato Dumplings
I love beef stew.  I’ll be following the modified crockpot recipe.

Saturday

Out
We’re going out with friends to dinner and spooky Halloween fun.

Sunday

Waffles, sausage
Jon’s been asking for waffles.  Ask and ye shall receive.

I’d say it’s been a crazy week, but I think I’m the only crazy one.

Late again….

Monday

Ravioli, peas & corn, garlic bread

Tuesday

More from Monday’s menu

Wednesday

Roasted chicken, potatoes au gratin, asparagus

Thursday

Chicken & Biscuits
Well, almost.  I plan on using crescent rolls and making it into a pot pie.

Friday

Beef Roast, sweet potatoes, corn

Saturday

More roast

Sunday

Cleaning out the fridge again

Ask and ye shall receive…  (Amy)

For those of you that read Emma’s blog, you got to see a picture of Emma.  Amy asked for a picture of Matthew.  So here are a few, as well as a picture of Emma, for those of you who don’t read her blog, or just love to look at her like I do.

September 27 was the Smithsonian’s Museum Day.  Free admission for 2 adults to a particpating museum.  We chose the Mattaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor.

We walked through the conservatory and enjoyed all of the trees and plants.  Matthew was amazed at each one we showed him.  Afterwards, we walked through their outdoor gardens and then along one of their trails.

He loves to go for walks and enjoyed going down the trail with all of us.  He was having so much fun playing super heroes as we went along.

And here’s how Emma ended our walk along the trail.