Fun Fall Long Weekend in North FL

One fo our favorite places to visit, just a few hours (four to be exact) is North FL.  This trip we were able to get some real fall temperatures, bring out the long sleeves, and celebrate country style all weekend.  We stayed with Aunt Joyce and Uncle Dennis, and we were also able to spend some time with close friends-the Garcia's and Sammets.  We miss everyone dearly, but having a place to visit for a getaway makes it a little better.
There are photos from a great playscape park in Orange Park, and our highlight of the weekend-Aunt Joyce & Uncle Dennis took us to Conner's A-Maizing Farm- there were farming animals, tractor rides, racing pigs, redneck olympics, roasted corn, boiled peanuts, an AMAZING corn maze, pumpkins and so much more.  We have a ton of photos, but here are just a few of our favorites to share...We love you both, and thank you for always treating us to a great getaway.

Have You Visited My NEW BLOG!

Eyes Wide Open is still up and running, I will just be posting family events/photos, etc...on this blog.  My NEW BLOG is named after passions that I love - CREATIVITY, FUN, COOKING, DIYing, THRIFTING/VINTAGE, and your personal concierge service for the Palm Beachs from a true native, all while enjoying a glass of iced tea.

So sit back and grab a glass of iced tea in the afternoon!

Check out: ICED TEA IN THE AFTERNOON!  Follow me on the side panal for auto updates or on Facebook!

Some Random Snap Shots of Griffin-SEPT/OCTOBER 2010

Rainy, Rainy Day in south FL, my new coupe from Nana, did ya'll know I assist with Jake's feedings, my first haircut 18 1/2 mos. old-bye-bye curls!

Menu Plan Monday-2 weeks

uploaded to http://www.orgjunkie.com/

Last week was probably the busiest week I have had recently.  My "balance" game is getting easier as my littliest boy is getting bigger.  With the fall approaching lot's of activities are launching and meetings underway and now a school-age kiddo - Balance is my Mantra!  I did not get my menu plan up, but I definitely had it posted up in my kitchen and used it!! That's the goal of menu planning, right?

We had some delicious easy dinners, and tried a few new recipes.

Here is last weeks:

• BBQ Mixed Grill - steak/chicken/veggies
• Baked Meatball Parmesan (Frozen Jumbo Meatballs (thawed), Homemade sauce, Parmesan/Mozzarella) - Layered and baked at 350 until cheese was gooey and meatballs where fork tender.
• Slow Cooker Fajitas (Super EASY, Super Delicious!)**see notes below what I did different
• Grilled Chicken with Sausage & Pancetta - Marinara - pictured above
• Left Over Buffet

This is my menu for this week:

• Baked Ham Sandwiches (we use the yummy Hawaiian Rolls), serve with cool side dishes, since it is still so hot in South Florida!
• Breakfast for Dinner (Pancakes, eggs, bacon, fruit)
• Taco Salad
• Roasted Turkey Breast/Mashed Potatoes/Green Beans
• Slow Cooker Open Faced Brisket/Coleslaw/Biscuits

**what I changed: used a red pepper instead of a green one.  Served over brown rice.  You could use yellow or white too (I try to fool sneak a little health in there when I can). I did not have coriander so I skipped that, but will try in the future with it...and I lessened the amount of cumin as didn't want it to be too smokey for the kiddos.

Recipes: 

Homemade Sauce (Marinara)
This is a family recipe so good, so easy and I do it in large batches to freeze for dinner sizes for other meals.

Saute' one medium diced onion with 4 cloves of crushed garlic (the REAL deal, no fake garlic!!) for about 4 minutes or until translucent with olive oil or drippings from meat if using.  Add 1 large can of Tomato Puree or Crushed Tomatoes 1 small can tomato paste, I like the canned organic tomatoes or Muir Glen brand, they just don't taste so-"canny"- does this make sense? Then use the small can of paste to fill with water and add.  Bring to a boil on medium.  Top the entire pot with fresh parsley and dried oregano.  Add two tablespoons of sugar, salt and pepper to taste.  Sometimes I add a shake of dried pepper flakes if you want a slight bite to the sauce.  I like to allow it to simmer on the stove for a few hours.  Always tastes better the following day.  You can add water to thin it out as it thicken the more it cooks. You can add sauteed/cooked sausage/turkey sausage cut up or squeeze out of the casings or meatballs to the sauce while it is simmering all day.  Make in double/triple batches so you can use for several recipes like your favorite pizza, lasagna, or pasta. Freezes great in freezer zip bags, flatten out so there isn't any air left, freeze flat.

Happy Eating this week! 

Menu Plan Monday

Linked up at ORGJUNKIE.COM

Well this is an interested week for us as I have to work two days during dinner time, and will be out of town on Friday night until Saturday night.  Hmmmm~ 

However, I do have some meals ready to go, cleaned, washed, and frozen for whatever might happen...  Here are five menu ideas for this week!

• 
  
  Steak Fingers-Mashed Potatoes-Fresh Fruit
• 
  
  Turkey Tacos-Yellow Rice-Fresh Fruit
• 
  
  Pasta/Alfredo with Grilled Chicken-Green Beans-Fresh Fruit
• 
  
  Meatball Parmesan-Garlic Bread-Fresh Fruit
• 
  
  Grilled Chicken or Mahi Ceasar Salad-Fresh Fruit

QUICK TIP:  Next time your fire up your grill, cook your meat, veggies, etc... for several meals in advance.  Makes it a whole lot easier to get your meal to the

table with the delicious taste of the grill.

I know our menu may seem redundant with FRESH FRUIT at EVERY MEAL.  Well in all defense, we live 2 miles from a farmers market and who wouldn't want FRESH FRUIT at every meal.  It is inexpensive, healthy, and everyone eats it!  I hope everyone has a great week of cooking and eating.  I plan on trying new recipes next week from a few new cookbooks I got from The Pampered Chef.  I will be sure to include links to get those new recipes!

Until we eat again...

Menu Plan Monday

It's been a while for my MENU PLAN MONDAY posts.  We have had crazy schedules with summer, but now that school is in...no excuses than to be on the ball.

This week's dinner menu looks like this:

Monday: Roasted Green Beans, Fresh Fruit, Over-sized Meatballs

Tuesday: Taco Salad, Fresh Fruit

Wednesday: Burgers on the Grill, Green Salad, Fresh Fruit

Thursday: Fend for yourself night-I have a PC party!

Friday-Grilled Mahi Mahi, Sautee'd Zucchini, Risotto

First Day of Kindergarten

Today was the first day of Carter's school career!  He was so excited to wake up this morning and dress in his uniform (thank God!), and make his way to his new classroom at Calvary Christian.  His new teacher for Kindergarten is Mrs. Reena.  He told me about his new desk, and all the new things he learned today.  He is so excited to have Emma in his class this year since they have gone to school three years and not been in the same class. 

This year he will focus on Reading, Math, and Language.  They will also have studies in Science, Computers, Art, History, Music, PE, Social Studies & Geography.  That sure is a lot, but I am certain he will maintain a hunger for all the new adventures he will go on this year and become a walking sponge with all types of new facts to teach Hubs and I about.

*On a side note-littlest boy sure was sad when Carter left this morning. 

They have become buddies this past summer.