Menu Plan Monday at the Maynard's

I started meal planning a while back when Carter was born, it helped my daily tasks not to take over and dinner get forgotten. I check out the weekly menu's posted on Monday's at orgjunkie.com and it has inspired me to blog about it since everyone eats at our place, stops by, and so on. So, here is my weekly menu (all subject to change)as the days go on....What are you having for dinner??

1. Monday - Grilled Skirt Steak with Ceasar Salad/Deviled Eggs/Fresh Fruit



2. Tuesday - Make Your own Flatbread with Field Greens/Crock Pot Applesauce



3. Wednesday - 30 Minute Roasted Chicken/Fried Zucchini/Biscuits



4. Thursday - Breakfast for Dinner (Pancakes/Sausage/Fresh Cut Fruit)



5. Friday - Date Night with Husband :)



6. Saturday - Going to an ALL DAY :) scrappin' & stampin' fundraiser for Office Depot Corp. at their headquarters locally. Dad's on his own - kid's going to grandpa's!



7. Sunday - Italian Roasted Chicken with Field Greens/Mashed Potatoes

Fingerprint Friday!

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God.

When I look at you I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know its true You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints.Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week.

Today I dedicate my "Fingerprints of God" segment to ...how BIG life is to a child!

Do you ever wonder what they are thinking when they see things as infants, toddler's, and young children? I look into their eyes and wonder~ Now that I have a 5 year old I am so happy he shares his thoughts, dreams, and imagination with me...it's amazing to see life through his eyes!

Fellow blogger Beki at The Rusted Chain has a really great weekly post she does every Friday called "Fingerprint Friday." We are to look around and see where we can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Anywhere? Go find out where Beki saw God this week, and be sure to check out the other bloggers who linked their stories as well.

Blog Giveaway

What kind of Chick are you? Beach chick. Country chick. Blogging chick. Sewing chick. Marathon chick. Photo chick. Flea Market Chick. Happy Chick. Well I'm a Mom Chick I have decided...Mom always and forever now, and Chick to my Hubbie!

Jump over to The Rusted Chain and let her know what kind of chick you are and what makes you smile and you too could win one of these stamped necklaces!

So this week I made some Homemade Applesauce in my slowcooker - It was so good, there is none left to photo-HA HA! When I taught kindergarten in Jacksonville, we used to make it all the time in the morning and had a wonderful afternoon snack! I would bring my slow cooker in the classroom, place it on the table, and the kidlets would cut-up the apples with plastic knives we would measure some water, and add a dash of cinnamon. It created the most intense smell throughout the Ol' Country Day School, everyone wanted a taste. We even sometimes took fresh cream and whipped it to put on top.

That's how we ate it this week- for dessert-over poundcake with fresh whipped cream with almond extract added-OMGosh it was wonderful! The cinnamon turns it a beautiful amber color. I am trying hard to descibe since there is no photo-HE HE!!

Here what you do if you want to try it yourself-we used ripe left over apples that were MIA in the back of the refrigerator and an abundance we got from the market before they got too soft.

• 6-8 peeled/cored/halved apples (we used 4 Macintosh, 2 Gala, and 2 Granny Smith
• 1/3 cup water or apple juice
• dash of cinnamon (some people use red hots!)

Place cooker on high for 4 hours or low for 6 - check and mash with fork or Mix-N-Chop (from Pampered Chef) and serve.

This was a family favorite and got thumbs up - even from Griffin!

28 Day Challenge!

Okay so many of you know that I am doing the ORGANIZING JUNKIE'S 28 Day Challenge on my home office for The Pampered Chef and my No Child Left Behind government job - which I share with Brett for his tennis stringer, his desk top computer and my crafting space- all in a 10x10 space. I have tried for over 5 years to streamline this space to be productive for both of us since we don't have the space for separateness. It has been a challenge, we orignally had the second double master which was ample space, but then baby #2 came along and we thought of losing it all together would be even worse so the boys share the other master and we took the smaller room for our businesses and hobbies. It has been a long time in the making, but I guess I have got caught up one too many times with other activities, my children or my jobs. So.....Here I am taking the "official" challenge-FINALLY-I think I also got sick of tripping on things, falling several times (actually hurting myself), and losing important papers for one thing or another~ the challenge is half over and I think I am doing well on schedule. I have purged just about everything that I no longer need in that room-although some may beg to differ, but for now it is going, and the desk is getting a clean slate right now-wha hoo- I may even be able to set up my own laptop soon. Take at look at the before pics below-pretty ugly-and stay tuned for the end results. This week I went to IKEA for some shelving that is my project this weekend amongst getting rid of the cute border and blue walls :) Wish me blessings!

Are those beautiful real hardwood floors under all that mess- Yeap!

Big Savings This Week at the Market

WOWSERS-What a day at Joseph's Classic Gourmet Market-which I LOVE to shop at! I wanted to blog about my savings since some of my fellow bloggers show these amazing deals they get with coupons, double coupons, and BOGOs (?where did that phrase come from?). Our family doesn't do a lot of boxed or processed foods so sometimes I feel out of the loop for all the great deals out there, but I do watch my local meat market a.k.a. Joseph's for their savings each week and here is what I got this morning.

• 16 WHOLE (yes 16-like 4 meals for us) chicken breast (tyson) - $12.97 ($1.49 lb)
• skirt steak -$4.42 ($4.99 lb)
• 1 pineapple - (dole) - $2.99
• red seedless grapes ($1.99 lb)
• 1 navel orange - $ .99
• 1/2 lb Boars Head Provolone Cheese - $1.51
• 1/2 lb All Natural Black Forest Ham- $3.26
• 1/2 lb Boars Head Low Sodium Turkey Breast - $3.11
• 4 slices of Top Round Roasted Beef $1.57
• 2 Italian Hoagie Rolls (I ate one in the car) $1.58

TOTAL: $34.51 savings of $10.19 almost 30% off the cost of everything! And I know we are eating quality and fresh ingredients! So...Shop around, check out your mom and pop places before you hit the big box stores-gourmet doesn't have to mean expensive!

A Day of Love

LOVE comes in all forms~

Valentine's Day was special today because it was a Sunday and we went to church to hear of God's LOVE for us~

1 Corinthians 13:4 The Love Chapter - LOVE is Patient, LOVE is Kind...

But the ULTIMATE is John 3:16

"For God so LOVED the world,
He gave His only SON,
that whosoever believes in Him
shall not parish,
but have everlasting life."

Husband & I celebrated V-Day on Friday night for a few reasons, one- we had a sitter, two- less crowded, and three- he had to work hard on Sunday since it is also President's Day weekend and the resort is super busy. But we had an enjoyable dinner out with reservations and all. He surprised me with TWO dozens roses, TWO cards, and a luxury gift! WOWSERS - If your reading this babe-YOUR THE BEST!!!

Kids, and buddy Gabster made cookies - cut-outs, and decorated, they were sooooooo~ good!

My two main squeezes got super huge cookies~

Gabster and Littlest Boy~ they are inseparable!

Gabby joined us for Valentine's Dinner - we had lobster tails and filets - she is an AMAZING single mom, who works hard to make a living, and a beautiful home for herself and her daughter! Brett treated her to a bouqet of flowers and candy too. We are so glad to call her friend, but wanted to spoil her a little too on this special day!

We hope everyone had a great weekend of LOVE, with a loved one, friend, or pet! What did you guys do??

My Baby Boy is Growing Up....

My babies have been the perfect opportunity to put some of my photography class techniques to work. I love photography, and learning to use my complicated, but WONDERFUL Canon camera.

I just love the afternoon sun shots!

Fingerprint Friday!

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of god.
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god


So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints.
Is it in nature?
Kids?
Animals?
Where do you see them?

Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week. Today I dedicate my "Fingerprints of God" segment to nature...
Do you see this tree with no leaves (winter), but then in the background some tall Palm Trees (FLORIDA-winter), I thought it was an oxy-moron (is that how you spell that?)-you know two opposties. Nature amazes me.

Carter Celebrates His 5th Birthday at Sea World-Orlando

IMAGINE...that big world beneath the sea

Carter, Griffin and Daddy Brett - my boys!

The star of the night show - Shamu Rocks!

A big part of our extended family - Joe & Sarah - They travel with us everywhere and help with the kids - they are the BEST!

Brotherly Love shown while holding hands in the strollers. Griffin would just giggle away when Carter would hold his hand.

This was a new aquarium in the Manta Roller Coaster area-this cool tube you could get in and be a part of the aquarium.

It was all about Carter this weekend! He is surely a sweet guy and I am proud to be his mama!

Griffin is Dedicated!

Thank you Pastor Todd Mullins for blessing our baby!

Griffin was dedicated to our church Christ Fellowship in January! This is a special time were we make a public statement that we are giving our child back to the Lord, that our church family as well as our personal family will raise this baby to a young man on a firm foundation of Christ!

It's Birthday Week at Our House

Happiest of Days to my BIG 5 year old this week! I love you soooooo much and hate that your getting so big! This has been a fun week celebrating~

Friends from the Womb~ Tiffany is a good friend and classmate at Calvary!

Homemade cake is BEST!!! made by: Carter and Mommy

Celebrating for the 5th year at Cheeburger Cheeburger in City Place. Papa Bill and Dad in the background.

The awaited BIG box from Aunt Char and Uncle Jim in Jersey! Always filled with lot's of goodies and fun! Thank you Aunt Char and Uncle Jim!!

What a GREAT smile!

Ms. Karen is the BEST! She is an amazing lower school teacher at Calvary Christian, we just LOVE her and love her style. She makes every child feel loved, and teaches the Bible to her class just like it should be! I commend her on her BOLD spirit and her ways of the Lord. She has special Birthday songs for the birthday boy!

Photo Session Give Away! Check it out!!

Photo Session Give Away!

CoConut CirCle is thrilled to announce the 1st Annual Photo Session Give Away Contest!
Inspired by the generosity of others, and anxious to spread the word about my all new blog page and redesigned web site, I have decided to create a raffle....a random drawing, designed to give away 5, yes FIVE, individual Basic Package photo sessions with me, April, owner and photographer of CoConut CirCle.
These sessions are TOTALLY FREE to each of the 5 winners with nothing to buy and NO CATCH! Each winner will get a CD with the high resolution professionally edited images from their winning session to keep and duplicate! NOTHING to buy and NO CATCH. Just help me spread the word about CoConut CirCle Photography and you will be entered to win.

Here is how is works:
TO ENTER: make a "comment" to this blog post including your FIRST name and LAST initial, CITY, and the TYPE of photo session you would like to have, ie maternity, infant, engagement, newborn, senior photos, etc.

A sample comment entry:"April M, West Palm Beach, Engagement"You may only enter one time this way.

To increase your chances of winning, you may enter additional times using the following alternate methods (one time for each):

1) "FAN" CoConut CirCle on FaceBook and you will receive an entry (if you are already a FAN of CoConut CirCle, you will automatically receive this entry)

2) Create a Status entry about this contest blog entry on YOUR FaceBook page, then go to CoConut CirCle's FB page and post "I entered!" so that your entry can be verified and counted.

3) create a POST of this blog entry on YOUR blog or web site. Then come back to THIS blog post and enter a comment including YOUR blog or web address so that your entry can be verified and counted. Sample entry comment:"I entered: visit me at www.CoConutCirCle.com"

4) become a "follower" of CoConut Circle's "April's Inner Circle" Blog page. This will generate yet another entry for you.

5) send an EMAIL to your friends whom you think might be interested in winning a photo session, inviting them to visit this blog (http://www.coconutcircle.blogspot.com/) and enter. When you do, "CC " me in your email at CoConutCirCle@hotmail.com so that your entry can be verified and counted.These methods allow you to enter this drawing up to 6 times! The more you enter, the better your chances of winning and the more people you help me tell about CoConut CirCle!This raffle is open to everyone, including clients of CoConut CirCle. Each entered can only win 1 of the 5 sessions, and in the event a name is drawn twice, another name will be drawn and declared the winner. The five individual winning names will be drawn and posted on this blog on Monday, Feb 15th at noon. You have 2 weeks! The winners will be listed exactly as they were originally entered: first name, last initial, city, and session type for example:"April M, West Palm Beach, wins an Engagement Session"The winners will have 48 hours to contact me to confirm their prize. In the event that a winner does not come forward in that time, another name will be drawn. All winning photo shoots must be shot in Broward or Palm Beach counties, so basically, "you must be present to win!"That's it! I am giving away, TOTALLY free, 5 indivdual photography sessions to 5 lucky winners just for helping me spread the word about CoConut CirCle. I am truly blessed to be able to do what I love in the supportive environment of my loving family, terrific friends and wonderful clients.

This is my way, in some little way, to "Pay it Forward" and give something back. Thank you for supporting CoConut CirCle, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Good Luck to everyone!April