Monday, December 30, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #78

We are back from spending a week with my family to celebrate Christmas! We had a good visit, and got to see lots of people.

Sunday:  Papaya Thai (Curry and Sticky Rice)

Monday:  Chef Salad with Turkey


Wednesday:  Black-eyed Peas and Cornbread (in my new pan)


Friday:  Date Night! Joint Pick!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Monday, December 16, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #77

EXAM WEEK!!! Busy, busy, busy!

Sunday:  Roasted Vegetables with Sausage

Monday:  Ham Steak with Corn Pudding

Tuesday:  Spicy Chicken and Sausage Pasta

Wednesday:  TJ's Tartes and Salad

Thursday:  Darren's Buffalo Nuggets, Broccoli, and Fried Corn

Friday:  Date Night! Lib's Pick! + Gingerbread Houses at Mai-Li's!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #76

This is the last regular week of classes before exams, and by regular, I mean I'm hoping for the best! I know there will be lots of interruptions this week.

Darren's birthday was yesterday, and we're having friends over on Friday to celebrate! It should be a good evening with friends, pizza, snacks, and games!

Sunday: Darren's Birthday Dinner at Beckett's Table!

Monday:  Cornbread Skillet Casserole with Salad

Tuesday:  Crockpot Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Wednesday:  TJ's Tartes with Spinach Salad

Thursday:  Spicy Chicken and Sausage Pasta

Friday: Darren's Birthday Party! with Pizza from Venezia's!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #75

This week is a busy one. I've got lots of things going on at work, including the winter choir concerts on Thursday night. The semester is winding down, but that always means that things get much busier before the break.

Sunday:  Chicken, Bean, and Cheese Burritos

Monday:  Conecuh Sausage Crescent Dogs with Macaroni and Cheese

Tuesday:  Take Out and Game Night!

Wednesday:  Crockpot Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots

Thursday:  Papa Murphy's Pizza with Salad and Winter Concerts at School

Friday:  Date Night! Lib's Pick!

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Throwback Thursday

Based on my hair color in this picture, this had to have been taken during the summer of 1998. 

Monday, November 25, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #74

This week is Thanksgiving week, so hopefully we'll be spending lots of time with family and friends!

Sunday:  Broiled Salmon with Rice and Salad

Monday:  Crockpot Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Sweet Potato Fries

Tuesday:  Grilled Chicken Caesar Salads with Pretzel Rolls

Wednesday:  Breakfast for Dinner! Lainey's Beignets, Bacon, and Eggs

Thursday:  Thanksgiving! Turkey and Such and THE EGG BOWL!

Friday:  Date Night! Darren's Pick!

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Monday, November 18, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #73

Sunday:  Macaroni and Cheese Throwdown

Monday:  Chicken Quesadillas with Refried Beans

Tuesday:  Cast Iron Seared Steaks, Salad, and Mashed Potatoes

Wednesday:  High School Preview Night and Raising Cane's

Thursday:  Bacon Cheeseburger Hashbrowns with Salad

Friday:  Date Night! Lib's Pick!

Saturday:  The Last AZ Ole Miss Club Watch Party of the season

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Snap Shot Saturday

I saw the Oscar Mayer Weiner Mobile on my way to work the other day. I snapped a picture of it in rush hour traffic!

Monday, November 11, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #72

Today is Veteran's Day! I am thankful to the veterans who have made it possible for me to enjoy an extra day at home relaxing with my wonderful husband. Happy Veteran's Day to all who have served. Thank you for your sacrifice!

Sunday:  Oven Cajun-Style Jambalaya with Pretzel Rolls and Salad

Monday:  Pork Chops, Baked Sweet Potatoes, and Corn Pudding

Tuesday:  Pot Roast with Potatoes, Carrots, and Onions with Biscuits

Wednesday:  Broiled Sandwiches with Spicy Dill Pickles and Chips

Thursday:  Darren's Fried Rice with Spinach Salad

Friday:  Date Night! Darren's Pick!

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Snap Shot Saturday

I don't actually know how to make an animated GIF, but my computer or phone makes them for me. I found this when I was looking for other pictures, and I couldn't resist. Look how happy my little friend was to roll in the grass on a sunny day!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Throwback Thursday

BFFs summer 1998. Oh yeah, and Jeff Gordon's car that was parked at some gas station in H'burg, MS.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #71

We don't acknowledge day light savings time in AZ, but I took an extra hour of sleep anyway. It is so dark here in the mornings, and it is so hard to get out of bed. Still, there are lots of things to do, and we've got to eat, so here's the plan for this week.

Sunday:  Breakfast for Supper! Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Burritos with Hashbrowns


Tuesday:  Grilled Sirloin Steaks with Sweet Potato Fries and Corn

Wednesday:  Seared Tuna Steaks with Rice and Salad

Thursday:  Baked Beans with Sausage and Cornbread

Friday:  Date Night! Lib's Pick!

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Snap Shot Saturday

The first Saturday of November marks the AIA State Volleyball Championships. These are some pictures from last year's State Champion Falcons!


Thursday, October 31, 2013

Monday, October 28, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #70

Fall is slowly arriving in the desert. When we go out running in the mornings, it is nice and cool. By the time I head out for work, it has already begun to warm up. Still, cooler evenings make for heartier dinners, so we're going to have an increasing amount of foods that require the oven, now that it's not so dang hot!

Sunday:  Chef Salads with Ham and Turkey

Monday:  Cajun-Style Jambalaya with Spinach Salad

Tuesday:  Seared Steak with Crash Potatoes and Salad

Wednesday:  TJ's Tarte with Salad

Thursday:  Darren's Enchiladas & Halloween!

Friday:  Date Night! Darren's Pick!

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Snap Shot Saturday

These were last year's costumes... ICE CLIMBERS! I wonder what we'll come up with this year?

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Monday, October 21, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #69

We had a BBQ on Saturday afternoon, and as usual, I prepared entirely too much food, so we will be eating left overs for a couple of days.

Sunday:  Grilled Chicken with Ro-Tel Macaroni and Cheese and Spinach Salad

Monday:  Ribs with Baked Beans and Salad

Tuesday:  Bean and Cheese Quesadillas with Fruit Salad

Wednesday:  Broiled Sandwiches with Chips

Thursday:  Breakfast for Dinner! Eggs, Hashbrowns, Conecuh Sausage, and Biscuits

Friday:  Date Night! Lib's Pick!

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Snap Shot Saturday

Lainey and I got a giant plate of tater tots! Perfect for watching a football game!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Monday, October 14, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #68

It's fall break here, but I'll be plenty busy trying to take care of those tasks that I never seem to have enough time for while school is in session - taking my car in for service, spending a day at the outlet mall, having lunch with friends...

Sunday: Chipotle-Lime Broiled Salmon with Broccoli and Rice

Monday: Cajun-Style Jambalaya with Salad and Pretzel Rolls

Tuesday: Chicken Fajitas with Refried Beans

Wednesday: TJ's Tartes and Salad

Thursday: Bulgogi-Marinated Sirloin Steaks and Orzo with Spinach and Parmesan

Friday: Date Night! Darren's Pick!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Monday, October 7, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #67

Sunday:  Seared Tuna Steaks with Rice and Spinach Salad

Monday:  Black Beans and Rice with Biscuits

Tuesday:  Crock Pot Beef Stew with Cornbread

Wednesday:  Papa Murphy's Pizza (#1 jalapeno, pineapple, and bacon with creamy garlic sauce and #2 pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, jalapenos, and mushrooms) with Salad

Thursday:  Ricotta Pasta with Grilled Chicken and Broccoli

Friday: Date Night! Lib's Pick!


Saturday, October 5, 2013

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Throwback Thursday

My brother and our dog, Sid. He was not a very nice dog, but we loved him anyway.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #66

This week should be a regular week. It is nearing the end of the first quarter at school, so I am working hard to stay on top of my grading. It will be time to start writing evaluations before I know it.

Sunday:  Roasted Vegetables with Sausage

Monday:  Fish Tacos with Cabbage and Avocado

Tuesday:  Chicken Fajitas with Refried Beans and Fried Corn

Wednesday:  Red Beans and Rice with Biscuits and Salad

Thursday:  Grayce's Bulgogi with Rice and Spinach Salad

Friday:  Date Night! Lib's Pick! and Twilight Invitational Cross Country Meet

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Fish Tacos

These fish tacos are a super quick week night meal. We have them every couple of weeks, and I can hardly believe I haven't taken some pictures and posted these before now.

We usually buy tilapia fillets in the family-sized bag and then thaw them 3-4 at a time for these tacos. We've also made them with fresh fillets of tilapia, flounder, or catfish with equally good results.

On this particular night, we used fresh catfish fillets and hard taco shells. We usually use soft tortillas, but wanted a little change. Corn and flour tortillas are both good with these tacos.

Sprinkle the fish fillets with chipotle or cayenne pepper, fresh ground black pepper, and kosher salt.

Melt a little butter in a pan with some olive oil, and heat to medium until the butter just begins to brown in the olive oil.


Add the fillets and cook 2-4 minutes per side depending on thickness.
Serve with sliced cabbage, avocado, and lime wedges. Darren also likes sour cream, cheese, and/or hot sauce as toppings.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #65

We've found some really great sales at Fry's lately. Recently, they've had chicken and ribs on sale buy one get two free. That is a deal too good to pass up! We've got the ribs stashed in the freezer, and we're planning to cook those up on a Saturday when we have lots of time to do a good job with them.

Sunday:  Fish Tacos with Cabbage and Avocado

Monday:  Black Beans and Rice with Biscuits

Tuesday:  Chicken Quesadillas with Guacamole and Fried Corn

Wednesday:  Seared Steak with Salad and Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Thursday:  Breakfast for Dinner!

Friday:  Date Night! Lib's Pick!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #64

It's almost beginning to feel like fall. School's definitely busy, and I'm looking forward to using the crockpot for more dinners.

Sunday:  Jerk Grilled Pork Chops with Corn and Tropical Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Monday:  (Red) Beans and Rice with Sausage

Tuesday:  Ba-chan's Noodle Rice Casserole and Salad

Wednesday:  Asian-Inspired Chicken with Rice

Thursday:  Chef Salads with Pretzel Rolls

Friday:  Date Night! Darren's Pick!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Monday, September 9, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #63

We're trying to keep a regular schedule this week. Football season has started, so we'll frequently have Ole Miss game watch parties on Saturdays. The Rebels are off to a 2-0 start. Hotty Toddy!

Sunday: Macaroni & Cheese with Broccoli

Monday: Grilled Chicken Caesar Salads

Tuesday: Jambalaya with Pretzel Rolls

Wednesday: Darren's Fried Rice and Salad

Thursday: Pizza with Pepperoni and Salami

Friday: Date Night! Lib's Pick!

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Snap Shot Saturday

I have an obsession with "selfies". These are some of the ones I took on our tour of Yellowstone.



Thursday, September 5, 2013

Monday, September 2, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #62

Sunday: Seattle!

Monday: Labor Day! Sandwiches and Chips

Tuesday: Volleyball Game! Burgers?

Wednesday: Chicken Fajita Burritos

Thursday: Ba-chan's Noodle-Rice Casserole

Friday: Date Night! Darren's Pick!

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Shap Shot Saturday

My little buddy has been gone for two months, and I still miss her sweet face. I even miss puppy kisses given with the worst breath imaginable. These are some of the last photos we took with her. I read an article about saying good-bye to an ailing pet, and it suggested taking lots of pictures. It went on to say, "When you think you have taken enough, take some more." I would pass on this advice for anyone that you love. Tell them that you love them, and make memories with them.


Monday, August 26, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #61

We've got a three day weekend coming up, so we are planning on celebrating! Plus, Ole Miss plays Vanderbilt on Thursday, and the AZ Ole Miss Club is having a watch party here in Phoenix! I hope your week is great!

Sunday: Spinach Ricotta Pasta with Grilled Chicken and Salad

Monday: Crock-Pot Baked Beans with Pulled Pork and Biscuits

Tuesday: Fish Tacos with Cabbage and Avocado

Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner! Breakfast Burritos

Thursday: Ole Miss Party!

Friday: Date Night! Lib's Pick!


Thursday, August 22, 2013

Throwback Thursday

I graduated from Ole Miss twice. This is my daddy and me just after my M.A. graduation.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Meal Plan Monday #60

Week two of school has begun! So far, things are going well. My schedule this year is very different, so hopefully, I will adjust to it soon.

Sunday: Green Curry with Chicken and Rice Stick

Monday: Jambalaya with Conecuh Sausage and Spinach Salad

Tuesday: Chef or Antipasta Salad and Rolls

Wednesday: Papa Murphy's Pizza and Fruit Salad

Thursday: Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders (based on this recipe) and Sweet Potato Fries

Friday: Date Night! Darren's Pick!

Saturday: All-SEC Kick-off Party!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Snap Shot Saturday

One day during our vacation, we took the tram up to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. I happened to run into an old work friend and collaborator of mine on the tram. 
 It was so windy up there, we could hardly keep our eyes open.