How does your Garden grow?

Here is my bath tub.....my old bath tub.  

We have a new one, in the house.  

I couldn't get rid of my old tub.  I wasn't sentimental, I just knew there was something I could use it for.

Here are my 50 little strawberry plants. 

They are just so cute!  

I'm hoping for lots and lots and lots of yummy strawberries.

 

This is my organic celery, it was tasty.

The below picture is more organic celery, 2 months after keeping it in water then planting it.

The above celery already has some impressive sprouts since I took it's picture last week

it will soon look like it's cousin in the below picture and they will taste yummy

 I'm trying to also grow my organic Romain lettuce

there are some sprouts on them around the center since I took this picture

 

Blue Lake Pole Beans

I soaked them and then let them sit wrapped in a damp paper towel,

I'm told this is how you do it

I took this picture last week, they are starting to sprout

Today I planted them to sit in my window with the rest of my growing garden seeds

 Here are some of my seedlings.  They really enjoy my south facing windows and are growing well.

We've planted a few different types of tomatoes, broccoli, two types of squash, 

cucumbers, peppers and beets

I'm new to gardening, but I'm excited to see how my garden will grow

And I planted some pretty pansies

They make me smile

Menu Plan Monday

I didn't completely stick with my menu plan last week.  I used a groupon one night and ordered in pizza and I made the soup on Friday and had nachos on Saturday.  But overall, we had a good week.
The Quinoa Casserole was great.  I made some adjustments to it and it turned out great.

Source: macheesmo.com via Tara on Pinterest

I made the Crazy Pizza bread I had on my menu plan a few weeks ago and it was very yummy also.

Source: ivoryhut.com via Tara on Pinterest

I also made a new recipe for 30 minutes buns to go with the chicken soup I made.

Source: yourhomebasedmom.com via Tara on Pinterest

This week my calendar is clear so far.  However if the weather is nice we need to get out to our garden plot and work on it.  So I'll keep that in mind when planning.  I'm also out of a lot of items, my bulk dry organic order will be in next week.


MONDAY 

   


Spiced Meatballs
(no link, this recipe is from a private blog,
I'll post it later in the week)
Roasted Potatoes
Salad 


TUESDAY 

Source: danamadeit.com via Tara on Pinterest

Potato and Broccoli Soup
Cut Veggies

WEDNESDAY
BBQ Chicken
BBQ Potatoes
Salad

THURSDAY
Black Bean and Veggie Quesadillas
Salad


FRIDAY
I'm going to try a new chicken soup

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Tara on Pinterest

SATURDAY
Left Overs
Salad

SUNDAY
Greek Yogurt Pancakes
Fruit

Source: macheesmo.com via Tara on Pinterest

For  breakfast we often have toast but I also enjoy making a few things for the family.
this baked oatmeal is really really good

Source: cookingforseven.com via Tara on Pinterest

I want to also try to make these pear muffins

Source: thekitchn.com via Tara on Pinterest

I've been using Pinterest for posting my links.  So be sure to click on the picture to follow the links.
For tons of more menu planning ideas
be sure to check out
The Organizing Junkie
every Monday

What do you do to remember?

As we were eating breakfast this morning.  My son asked me a hard question.  Out of no where.  We had not discussed this topic for a few days, so I was very surprised.
"Mom, how do you remember Uncle Darren died?"
WOW
I told him I am still so sad so I always remember that Uncle Darren has died.
I then asked my son how he remembers.
"Sometimes I have tears in eyes at night when I sleep."
My brother in laws death, 8 months later still deeply effects us all.  Proof of this from my almost 5 year old.
Then he asked me why Uncle Darren had to ride his motorcycle and why was it Uncle Darren who died and not one of his friends.
I was in tears by this point, but the questions were easier to answer.
To be honest, these have been some of the easier questions from my boy.  He's so curious and sensitive.  He's told me many time he wants to visit Uncle Darren in Heaven.  Or asked if Uncle Darren will be protecting him at night when I pray for God's angels to stand guard.
I think it's time to visit Uncle Darren's grave with the kids.  They have not been yet.  But they asked.
Keep praying for our family as we are still deep in grief and trying to understand how our family functions with an important member missing.

Thankful Thursday

Living on the West Wet Coast, there is rain.  And being spring, there is plenty of rain.   Today it rained all day, but we had a break in the rain and then we had some sun.  So we made sure to head outside for and enjoy it for a little bit before we put the kids to bed.

I'm thankful for my kids

They joy they bring me outweighs the struggles

I'm thankful for a good dog

He does his job and is great with my kids

My little man is actually helping his sister here

And I'm so very thankful when they are kind to each other

 

 

This guy cracks me up

She makes me laugh too

Today I hugged her and she promptly pulled away

exclaiming it was to much love

I'm thankful for an amazing husband.  

He's amazing with the kids

Excuse my bad hair 

I'm thankful for my pets

I really enjoy them all

I'm weird like that

I'm thankful my husband takes time to teach my kids how to play sports

 

I'm thankful my kids like to play sports

 

 

I'm thankful my kids love their Daddy

Psalm 9:1

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; 

I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 

Beef and Kale Tacos with Homemade Tortillas

I've missed posting my cooking adventures.  I still am exploring and cooking new and interesting things as always.  Trying to stay away from processed foods and slowly moving my family to an organic diet.

I have a list of a few meals that are always my 'go to' meals that I know my family love and will eat without much complaint.  So if I've been experimenting and my family needs something simple I put one of my 'go to meals' in my menu plan.

My family loves tacos.  I often make my own Mexican rice and my homemade re-fried beans.  Today however, I had a busy day and had not soaked the pinto beans and I'm out of rice, waiting for an organic order to come in.

I have found a fantastic and EASY tortilla recipe.  I've used it numerous times and really love it.  The tortillas are super easy to roll out and cook up fast.  

Today I used coconut oil in the recipe.  I melted it and added the 3 tablespoons and returned the unused melted oil to my jar.  Coconut oil can melt and return to solid with out compromising the integrity of the oil.

 I do suggest that you roll out the tortillas one at a time as you cook them.  One time I rolled them all, stacked them and then had to re-roll it all as they all stuck together and I could not get them apart.  Roll them thin and stretch them if you need to.  Be sure to have a hot pan.  You will see them bubble up nice and fast.  I never worry about a nice round shape.  We really love these.  The recipe makes 8 nice size tortillas.

And in my quest to get as many veggies in my family as possible.  I cooked up the grass fed ground beef and added a plethora of organic veggies, including; kale, celery, onions, garlic, mushrooms and carrots.  This not only gets more vegetables into my family, but it saves on having a big meal of meat and as a result, makes the meal go further.  I also to not believe in hiding the vegetables.  I want my kids to know what they are eating and be aware that they do like all sorts of vegetables.

I garnished the tacos with lettuce, tomato, cheese, avocado and Greek yogurt.  Super super fantastic and yummy.  Yes, Greek yogurt.  I stopped buying sour cream.  Greek yogurt is a better choice and my kids are fine with it. 

We had cut carrots and cucumber on the side.  Everyone loved dinner and we have lots of leftovers for lunch this week.