Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Oh Fudge!!




Well this was my first year making fudge. It was relatively easy, although it will give you some great arm muscles from all of that stirring! I am just happy both batches passed the Hubby Test! I love my Dave with all my heart, but he won't hesitate to let me know he doesn't like something (in a very sweet and nice way, but blunt too! LOL). So whenever he said that he liked it I knew it was worth sharing! Its a simple recipe from Marshmallow Fluff! So here it is!

Yummy Chocolate Fudge



5 cups of sugar
2 small (5 oz) cans of evaporated milk
1/2 stick of butter or margarine
1 jar (16 oz) marshmallow fluff
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 large (12 oz) bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup of walnuts

-Combine first 5 ingredients in a dutch oven. Blend together over low heat.

-Once its blended well bring it to a boil over medium heat (it needs to be a rolling boil not just slightly boiling). Then boil slowly for 5 -7 minutes stirring constantly! (to make sure it is done use the soft ball test)



-Remove from heat stir in chocolate and vanilla (and nuts is you use them) until it is all blended and smooth (work fast because it cools quickly). Pour it into 2 buttered 9x9 pans or 1 13x9 buttered pan. Let it cool and then eat it up! It makes about 5 lbs.



Blessings and Love!!



Menu Plan Monday!(Oops...Tuesday) (Dec 20th)

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Hey Everyone!!

I have been so busy getting ready for Christmas and Sissy Birthday, that I have kinda fallen off of the face of the blog world!! But I thought I still can post my menu, even if it is a day late! haha...Last week didn't really go as planned but oh well! We can have some grace around this time of year right? lol... I am baking all day today so I will be posting some recipes tonight of some of the yummy treats that have passed the "Husband Test".

Monday- Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans(that I burned!! :( )

Tuesday- Chicken Pot Pie

Wednesday- Pulled Pork Barbecue Sandwiches and Mac and Cheese

Thursday- Out with the in-laws for Christmas

Friday- Out to my Aunt's house for Christmas

Saturday- Hosting Christmas Dinner (Sage Turkey*, Smoked Ham, Stuffing, Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Beans, and Rolls)

Sunday- Out with the Jones' for Christmas

*recipe to come

For more recipes or to share your family's menu, go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!

Stay Posted! There will be lots of recipes and knitting patterns to come!!
Blessings and Love!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Happy Birthday to My Sweet Emmaline!!




*Sigh* Saturday our precious little princess turned one!! (Although she still looks like a 6 month old!) haha...I can't believe she is one! With the boys it seemed to me like they were ready to hit that new milestone of being a toddler, but Sissy is still so little to me! But on we go into that new phase of life!! She is one of the sweetest little things God has ever put on this planet! Here is a look into our first year with our little angel!


Our family's Christmas present last year!




And it was love at first sight for Daddy!



Sissy at Trey's 6th Birthday Party!



I love those big baby blues!!



Sweet Baby Girl!!



Just Gorgeous!!




Let's Eat Cake!!


I pray you all have a relaxing Christmas week!

Blessings and Love!!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Menu Plan Monday! (Dec 13th)

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Hey everyone!!

Well we have a jam packed week ahead of us!! This week Trey has his Christmas program(which he has been asked to play Joseph this year...:) so exciting!) this Tuesday, church on Wednesday, dinner out with my Praise Team from our church on Thursday, and Saturday is our little Emma's first birthday!! Whew...I'm tired already!!! LOL...well we had a few carry overs from last week that I will be doing this week. And I didn't get to my Christmas baking last week so this week I will be living in my kitchen in between everything else that is going on so watch for some yummy recipes! haha...well on with the menu!

Monday- Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, and Buttered Peas

Tuesday- Out to Dinner with the Family!

Wednesday- Pulled Pork Barbecue Sandwiches and Macaroni and Cheese

Thursday- Out to Dinner with Praise Team!

Friday- Grilled Chicken with Pasta* and Salad

Saturday- Emma's 1st Birthday Party!!

For more menus or recipes, go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!

I pray you have an awesome week!! Enjoy this great time of the year and enjoy your family!!
Blessings and Love!

"Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you." Jude 1:2

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Menu Plan Monday! (Dec 6th)

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Wow...I can't believe it is December already!! I love it don't get me wrong, but it seems like we just started back at school and we are now 3 weeks away from Christmas! Haha...well, this week I will be testing out some new holiday treat recipes for some homemade gifts...So I will be posting the ones that make the cut for gifts! And I will also be posting some pics and patterns for some Christmas gifts I am knitting! So stay tuned for those! Last week's meals went great, but I do have one to carry over! So on with the menu!

Monday- White Chili

Tuesday- Barbecue Chicken, Cheesy Potatoes, and Green Beans

Wednesday- Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, and Buttered Peas

Thursday- Grilled Chicken Tenderloins and Pasta with Garlic Bread (recipe to come for homemade pasta sauce)

Friday- Date Night!! and finishing up Christmas shopping!

Saturday- Leftovers


To link up your family's menu or to find some great recipes, go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!

I pray you all have a great week!
Blessings and Love!!

Matthew 6:31-34

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

He is so faithful!! What an awesome Friend and Provider I serve!!


Monday, November 29, 2010

Menu Plan Monday! (Nov 29th)



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Hey Everyone!!

Well we had a great Thanksgiving break at our house!! It is so nice having everyone home and spending time together!! Well last week I tried some new recipes at the beginning of the week(cough..cough..the 3 casseroles) and they all flopped...:( but hey you find some great ones and then some not so great ones, right? But one plus was the sweet potato casserole was delicious this year!! I just love that stuff!! This week is going to be just some good ol' favorites around here. On with the menu!

Monday- Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, and Buttered Peas

Tuesday- Spaghetti with salad and garlic bread

Wednesday- Tacos (and pizza for the kiddos)

Thursday- Crispy Barbecue Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese, and Green Beans

Friday- White Chili (crockpot!)

Saturday- Left Overs!

For more recipes or to share your family's menu go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!

I pray you all have a great week!! Blessings and Love!!



Tuesday, November 23, 2010

My Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole!


This recipe is more of a dessert and less of a side dish, but it's the holidays so we can get away with it, right?!?! LOL... well here it is and all of its deliciousness!!


Sweet Potato Casserole

Casserole Ingredients:
3 c mashed sweet potatoes
1 c sugar
1 stick of butter
1 t vanilla
1 t cinnamon
2 eggs

Topping Ingredients:
1 c brown sugar
1/2 c flour
1 stick of butter
1 c chopped pecans

Mix all casserole ingredients together well and put into your casserole dish.
Mix all of the topping ingredients together and crumble it on top of the casserole mixture evenly. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour or until the center is done/set.


Before Baking...


And After....YUMMY!!




It's as simple as that!! Enjoy!! Blessings and Love!!

I Am Thankful!!

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever!" 1 Chronicles 16:34

Of course with this being Thanksgiving week, I am thinking of the things I am thankful for (although we should be thinking about it all the time, right?! LOL).

I have such a great life, and not because I have done anything to deserve it, but because I have a Father who loves me that much!! The Lord has given me an amazing husband, who is a real man after God's heart and who cherishes me(even though I am rotten sometimes ;) ), and 3(well...4 ;) a person's a person no matter how small!!) of the most incredible children on the planet! They remind me daily of how beautiful life is, just with their sweet smiles and adorable "I love you's". And in that the Holy Spirit reminds me that His Love for me is even MORE than what I feel for my family. That is just hard to fathom because I don't know how that is possible! LOL...but it is and that is what I am ultimately grateful for! I am thankful for the cross. I am thankful for my relationship with my Holy Father. I am thankful that no matter what I do, or what I don't do, I am still loved more than anything and I am covered in His Grace!!

This Thanksgiving (or any time!) I pray that we all get a new revelation of God's Love! Because whenever we grab hold of it, it is POWERFUL! Have an amazing Thanksgiving weekend!! Cherish your precious family!!

"Let all that you do be done with love." 1 Corinthians 16:14

Blessings and Love!!

Monday, November 22, 2010

My Little Vampire!

So Sissy and I are sitting at the table eating a little snack and I realize she cut another tooth! But to my surprise it's not her front tooth....its her canine tooth??? Weird??? Both boys never cut teeth like this....but because she is just the cutest thing in the world I thought I would show you proof! LOL!



Check out the creepy little point on the right (her left)...weird huh?? LOL...please excuse her awesome cheesy look and gorgeous bed hair!






She's a doll...even with a fang? LOL


Have a blessed day!!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Menu Plan Monday! (Nov 22nd)


Hey Everyone!

Well it has been a jam packed fall cleaning spree at the Jones' house! We finally got our "oh so full" garage cleaned out and organized (Thanks to my awesome hubby who was very dedicated to the job!). All of the windows have been cleaned. The carpets have been shampooed. All of the closets have been cleaned out and reorganized! And the boys' room has been CLEANED OUT!! And I mean cleaned out! Many trash bags full of toys left our house to be donated never to be seen by us again!! YAY!! It feels so good to purge...lol! I love the fact that I can now let go of things that I don't need. I once cared so much about saving things that we didn't really need that we had a FULL house of STUFF!! *AHHHH*(cleansing sigh...lol)

Anywho...this post is supposed to be about my menu haha! So on with the menu I shall go! Last week was a horrible wing it week with all of the cleaning going on. So I must get back to menu planning. With this week being Thanksgiving (YAY!), I will post some of my favorite holiday recipes that are staples for us through out the week, one being my glorious sweet potato casserole :) We typically host Christmas dinner and travel to our family's houses for Thanksgiving so my cooking load won't have to be as hefty this week! I just love the holidays don't you!! I love the food, seeing our family, and just enjoying our precious traditions!!

Now for the menu!!

Monday- Chicken and Rice Casserole with rolls

Tuesday- Steakhouse Shepherd's Pie and Broccoli

Wednesday- Hot and Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Thursday- Lunch
(I'm contributing Sweet Potato Casserole) and Dinner(I'm contributing Pumpkin Pie and a Kid-friendly Dessert) with our family...Yay Happy Thanksgiving!!

Friday- Old Fashioned Beef Stew (Crockpot Recipe!)
...on a side note we are decorating our house for Christmas this day and Black Friday shopping!! I can't wait!!

Saturday- Dress-up Star Wars Birthday Party at a Friend's House!!
LOL...can't tell we have boys huh?? LOL...

Well I pray you have an awesomely blessed week!! Enjoy your family this holiday week!!

For more recipes or to link up your family's menu go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!

Blessings and Love!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Menu Plan Monday! (Nov 8th)



Good Morning Everyone!!

Well the Jones' household is finally back to normal! After a crazy busy month last month and getting over sicknesses last week, we are back to our normal routine!! Thank you Jesus!! With having 3 kids under 6 and one more on the way, routine is absolutely crucial in our house. So getting back to routine means back to having an organized menu plan! Yay!! The temps this week are actually going to be quite warm for this time of year so my crockpot gets to have a break this week....but I will be trying some new recipes, so I will let you know how they go!

Monday- Chicken Pot Pie (I will post my version of this recipe later today)

Tuesday- Beef Enchiladas and Ham and Cheese Sandwiches for the kiddos
(My children refuse to eat Mexican food!)

Wednesday- Free Pizza w/ bread sticks from Little Caesars
(thank you coupons!!)

Thursday- Homemade Chicken and Noodles*, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans

Friday- Family Night Out!

Saturday- Buffalo Wings and Chili Con Queso dip*
( I will post recipe later) (Yay for football food!!)

*New recipe we are trying this week

For more recipes or to link up your family's menu go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!
Have a blessed week!!

Friday, October 29, 2010

My Sweet Little David!


Today Trey has a Harvest Party at school!

He was told to dress up like his favorite Bible character. Well whenever he found out about it (cough, cough 2 or 3 weeks ago), he automatically said he wanted to be David! He has loved that story since he was about 2 watching Dave and the Giant Pickle! LOL...So of course I started to brainstorm about what I needed to buy, etc. Well then the crazy week hit last week and it totally slipped my mind...Oops...!

So yesterday I was all over Columbus looking for a shepherd costume, which there were none! So I thought Oh I can make one..it shouldn't be too hard, right....I mean I knit so I can follow patterns pretty well and can visualize the project when its in pieces. HA!

Thank goodness for parents!! My poor sick mother came over and helped me construct the gown and robe and my step dad made the coolest sling shot ever! Sigh but it was a great learning experience. Here are some things that I learned!

1. I am too ambitious! lol..but I have lifesavers for parents!

2. Don't sew your mother's finger with a sewing machine! Oops...sorry mom!

3. Burlap sheds and really hurts whenever it gets in your eye!

4. I think I might take up sewing its pretty fun!

5. Little boys don't care if the costume is "perfect". All they care about is the sling shot!






Hope you all have an awesome weekend!!
Blessings and Love!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Menu Plan Monday! (Oct 25th)



So I thought last week was going to kill me! Lol...it was pretty crazy!! We had absolutely everything going on! I had so many appointments along with our church putting on a reality house, Legion of Terror, and we had to be there almost every night for that!! Which by the way, it is amazing this year!! If you are around Columbus, you must come and see it!! It will forever change your life!! Whew...I'm just glad we have a break this week though! haha....so this week's menu will be nice comfort food with some new recipes too. We will be hopefully getting some very much needed rain so along with nice fall temps my crockpot is going to be used too! Well here it is...

Monday- Ordering Pizza!! (We are relaxing after a long week! LOL)

Tuesday- Chicken Pot Pie

Wednesday- Old Fashioned Beef Stew (I heart my crockpot!)

Thursday-Spaghetti Pie with salad

Friday- Legion of Terror night

Saturday- Legion of Terror night

For more menu plans and/or recipes, go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!!

Have a blessed week!

Just a Little Shout Out!

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Just thought I would let you crafty/creative ladies out there know about a blog series you need to follow! What it is is 12 different handmade crafts that make awesome gifts! I am all for creativity, but lets be honest some things that you find when searching for "homemade" gift ideas are just not something you would want to give....LOL sorry if that's too blunt but I am sure you know what I am talking about! But everything she posted last year I really truly liked and would definitely give or would make for myself ;). I also absolutely adored the creativity and simplicity of some of the things that she posted too! So it starts November 1st and goes through the 12th so go to lifeingrace if you would like to follow!
Blessings and Love!!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Menu Plan Monday! (Oct. 18)




Hey Everyone!

I have two crazy weeks ahead of me so organization is going to be crucial for my sanity!! Our church is putting on our second annual reality house, Legion of Terror. It is going to be awesome this year. If you are in the area, you will have to stop by and check it out!! So any who, we will be submerged in practices all this week, and if I don't plan ahead we will drown in stress! So my crock pot is going to be my best friend this week...lol...and next! So I will be trying some new recipes and pulling out some old favorites.

Monday-
Dinner out & Family Movie Night!

Tuesday- Ham Sandwiches and Cheesy Broccoli & Potato Soup*(new recipe to come)

Wednesday- Pulled Pork Barbecue Sandwiches and Macaroni and Cheese

Thursday- Old Fashioned Beef Stew or tacos, its all pending on the temp outside! My hubby won't eat hot stuff whenever its warmer outside.

Friday-
Left overs

Saturday- Left overs and Pizza for the kiddos!

To link up your menu or just to find some great some great recipes go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!

Have a great week!!
Blessings and Love!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Menu Plan Monday!(Oct 4th)



Hey Everyone!!

So I'm a couple days late getting my menu posted! But oh well! We had a carry over meal from last week so we had that Monday night and we had practice for Legion of Terror last night so we just grab something quick out. Here we go with the menu. I am trying a new recipe this week and we are going to have another crockpot classic! YAY for fall!!

Monday- Sloppy Joes, Mac and Cheese, and Buttered Peas (Thank you Lora for all of your AWESOME recipes!!)

Tuesday- Out to dinner!!

Wednesday- White Chili (Crockpot and it is FABULOUS!!)

Thursday- Nacho Bake

Friday- Leftovers! (Dave is out of town for a Men's Conference)

Saturday- Chili con Queso* with Tortilla Chips (crockpot) and Chicken Wings

*recipe will follow this week!

For more menus or to link up your weekly menu go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!!

Hope your week is going well!!
Blessings and Love!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Happy Birthday to Benny!!


Two years ago today at 12:18pm, we welcomed our little Benny into the world! He was our smallest one weighing 5 lbs 12.5 ounces!! He came into this world screaming and hasn't stopped! LOL...here's a glimpse into the past 2 years!! Hopefully I can get through it without crying!


My tiny little man!




Trey with his new baby brother!



His First Christmas!



Fun Day at the Park!



His Classic Snort! OH MY!!



Sweet Brothers!



Benny!!




First Birthday!!



Playing in the Snow! (and not sure about it..lol)




Brotherly Bond...I love this one!!



Meeting His New Sister!
(if she only knew what she was in for!!...lol)




Benny and All His Glory!! LOL




Peek-A-Boo!




His Second Birthday!! Tear..Tear!!




We'll end it with some love!! I love these boys!!


Have an awesome day!!
Blessings and Love!






Monday, September 27, 2010

Menu Plan Monday! (Sept 27)



Hey!!

Well this past week has been sooooo busy (that's why I didn't post my menu last week...lol...I winged it last week which I hate doing..lol!) We celebrated Benny's 2nd birthday yesterday and it was so much fun! So last week consisted of CLEANING lol and planning and just keeping up with the day to day(which is intense already..haha), so I am looking forward to getting back to the norm around here!

Praise God, we finally have FALL weather, which I just adore! So this week I will be using my crockpot!! YAY!! Nothing says fall like football, hoodies, and some good crockpot food! Well here it is!
Monday- Leftovers from Benny's Party

Tuesday- Chicken Pot Pie

Wednesday- Old Fashioned Beef Stew (Crockpot!!)

Thursday- Taco Salads

Friday- Sloppy Joes (Crockpot!) and Macaroni and Cheese

Saturday- Chili with a side of college football!!

Find more recipes and menus at Menu Plan Mondays at Organizing Junkie!

Have an awesome week!! Happy Cooking to you all!!
Blessings and Love!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Sharing The Love (or in this case the Oreo..lol)

Hey Everyone!!

I look back at my childhood and think about how many times I was told I needed to share. Even now as an adult, I think about the scripture that says it is better to give than to receive. You hear always put others before yourself. Well, my precious Benny has that concept down (lol..when he wants!).

Yesterday, I was washing my never ending dishes..lol...and I go in and check on the babies and they are in a complete comatose state watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! Benny is sitting on the couch eating an Oreo and Sissy is on the floor playing with toys. So I go back to washing my dishes. I didn't hear anything for a little bit so of course usually that means something is up! I go back to check on them and they are sitting exactly where I left them! So back to those lovely dishes I went and finally finished them and then returned to the living room to find this.......





Benny apparently thought it would be a great idea to share his Oreo with Sissy. And Sissy apparently thought it would be a great idea to liquefy her Oreo all over her pretty clean dress and all over the carpet!! I asked Benny, "What did you do?" And his precious reply was "Sissy...(Insert Toddler Gibberish)...Cookie! (Insert Toddler Giggle) Sissy....EWWWWW!"

LOL...all I could do at this point is just laugh and give her a bath! My life would be so boring without my little mess makers!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Menu Plan Monday!

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Well its Monday! And that means back to the routine! It has been getting cooler and I am just itching to get my crock-pot up and going with some stews and chilis! My hubby really only likes that kind of food when it is well into fall and winter, but I might have to sneak one in early! LOL...I have been craving beef stew and white chili for months! Any who...here's the menu for the week!

Monday- Chicken Pot Pie

Tuesday- Grilling Out Night! Marinated Steaks, Mashed Potatoes, and Corn on the Cob

Wednesday- Tacos / Taco Salads

Thursday- Chicken Spaghetti* and Garlic Bread

Friday- Possibly Slow-Cooker Beef Stew (if it is cool enough :) ) If not then Garlic Beef*, White Rice, and Toasted Pita Bread

* I will post the recipes this week!

Join in for Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!

Blessings and Love!!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

My Little Tornado!

Benny and all his glory! I go to the bathroom and come back out to living room and this is what I find! LOL...He apparently climbed up to get the cereal box from the pantry....dumped out all of his grapes that were in the bowl...and poured himself some cereal (lol aka the whole box). When I saw what he had done...of course he giggles and says "BITES"!! He will forever make me laugh and clean! LOL...just a glimpse into the day to day of a mommy! I'm sure you all have funny stories like this! I would love to hear them! Just post them in the comment section!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Life with the Jones'

Hello Everyone!

Happy After-Labor Day to you all! Most people see Labor Day as the end of summer, but summer has been officially over in our house for a while! And with a season change comes a lot of change in my daily routine. (that is why it has been a month since my last post....sorry about that! LOL)

Dave and Trey are back to school! Trey started first grade this year *tear* and it has been so very bittersweet. He has grow up so much just in the past month from become an official elementary student!


Dave's schedule is always changing every semester so it is always weird getting use to his schedule. But honestly this semester is not that bad. He is only gone 2 nights of the week and he gets home earlier than last semester so that is a huge blessing!


I don't know how many of you all know that we are expecting again, but we are! And we found out were are having another little girl! Her name will be/is AnnaLeigh Marceline Jones! We traditionally give our children their middle names after our family members and she will be named after my husband's grandmother(whom I absolutely adore!!).


I will be back up and running next week with my menu and I am going to be starting some new posts so watch for them!

I want to leave you with some encouraging words from my Father.

"The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy." Psalm 145:8
Thank you Jesus for your mercy and patience!! He is wonderful!

I pray you all have an amazing week!
Blessings and Love!