Volcanos: Part I

I mentioned last week the special project that Stonewall, Skywalker, and I have been working on. Well, here it is. Stonewall was asking about Volcanoes one day. We looked some information up on the Internet, saw video of eruptions, saw diagrams of the volcanic layers, and talked about lava and magma. Then, being a super-cool mom, I suggested that we MAKE a volcano. (I know, I know, what was I thinking!) Of course, once I'd said it, there was no going back. Stonewall and Skywalker were soooooooooooo excited.
We went to the corner gas station and bought about 10 old newspapers and went to work. Here's our materials list:
1 empty 2-Liter bottle
Old newspaper torn into long strips
old newspaper and old walmart bags balled up
tape
4 cups flour
8 cups water
craft paint
Mod Podge or Spray Clear Gloss Sealant
1/3 cup baking soda
2 tbsp dish soap
red food coloring
1 cup vinegar

To start, I had an old 2 Liter bottle of Coke in the fridge. I gave up cokes about 2 1/2 months ago, but bought one when we were expecting visitors evacuating from hurricane Gustav. Our visitors never came, and I have been having great will power NOT to open it. (You have NO IDEA how hard it's been!) Anyway, pour out the coke, or wait until you'be finished it. Rinse it out, keep the cap on it, and place it int he center of a large piece of cardboard or plywood. Tape the bottle down so it won't move. (As you can see, I did not have any cardboard or plywood, so I used the lid of an old plastic storage bin that we weren't using anymore)
Tape balled up bags and newspaper around the bottle, resembling a cone shape. (You can also use metal screening or chicken wire for the form, but who has that kind of stuff just lying around?) Once you have a general shap, it's time to make the paper mache!
Mix flour and water, stirring until there are no lumps. Then, (this is best to do outside) dip the strips of paper into the flour paste, lift out, and using your fingers, remove excess paste from the paper strips, apply, overlapping onto structure, forming craggy rock shapes as you apply the strips around the volcano. Once you have the stucture fully covered, sit in sun and allow to dry (may require overnight drying). Apply a second and third layer, drying fully in between.
Now you are ready to paint! Give the kids paintbrushes, a couple of shades of brown paint, and let them have at it. You may need to fill in the gaps they leave. Once it's fully painted, allow to dry again. Then, give it a clear coat of glossy sealant spray paint, or a coat of Mod Podge to fully seal it. Allow clear coat to dry. (In case you are wondering about the blue, I asked Rev to go buy us the clear coat enamel spray paint for the volcano Monday while I was at work. When I went to spray the volcano, it came out blue ?! So, we gave the volcano a "stream" going down the side, and went to Walmart to get the right paint.)


Now, you're ready to erupt! Mix the baking soda, red food coloring, and dish soap into a paste, you may need to thin with a little water. Pour/spoon the paste into the empty bottle/volcano. Then, pour the vinegar in and stand back!

Now, I have to admit, we were a little disappointed with the eruption. I think it was because the bottle was so big. . .maybe if we had used a 20 oz bottle instead of a 2 Liter, it would have been more powerful. We really only saw alot of red bubbles coming out.
Later this week, we're going to retry with a different lava, so stay tuned, and I'll post those results when I can.

Menu Plan Monday

I'm doing great this week. Once again, posting my menu plan on Sunday for the week! We have been so busy this week. Stonewall had an "idea" yesterday for a project, but we're not finished yet, so I'll blog on it when we're finished. . .a couple more days.

This morning, we had a wonderful time at Church. We are having so many visitors lately, and it is just wonderful to see new faces all the time. Rev. just finished this morning a sermon series on giving. He doesn't really like preaching about Money, but felt called to do it, so he did. It was actually a really good series. Hopefully, the church will see an increase in tithing because of it!

As for last week's verdict: Everything was wonderful! The only change was Tuesday, we did not have the 15 bean soup, we had leftover Shredded Beef Sandwiches, since there was so much, and they were so delicious! I absolutely adored the Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas, too. If you like mexican food at all, you've got to try them. They weren't too hard to prepare, and they were yummy. I halved the recipe, and it filled a 9x13" dish, so keep that in mind. This week, we're trying a couple of new recipes, so hopefully I've chosen well.

If you've stopped by here before, you may remember that I am currently doing the Low GI diet. Basically, a healthy eating plan encouraging lots of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean meats. I have been avoiding the "red light" foods per the book Living the GI diet, by Rick Gallop. I have to admit that, starting Friday with the Chicken Spinach Enchiladas, I cheated on my diet pretty badly this weekend. Rev and I went on an actual date this weekend, and at the movie theater, we shared a Frozen Coke and Raisinettes. (Then we stopped at Sonic on the way home for a Shake.) So, the rest of the weekend was only a little bit better. So, as of right now, I am oficially back on my diet. I actually really love this diet, I feel full and satisfied, and don't even really miss the bad foods I had been eating most of the time. I still have 4 pounds to lose before I reach my goal, so I'm almost there. (Though, I am considering taping a "4 pounds to go" signs all over the house!) Anyway, here is our menu for the week, and as always, head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie for other great menu plans!

Breakfasts: cereal, milk and fruit for Skywalker and Stonewall most days, I have All-Bran cereal with berries and skim milk or a yogurt smoothie, or an egg beaters breakfast burrito with canadian bacon on whole wheat tortilla.

Lunches: PB &J sandwiches, fish sticks, Hot dogs with fruit and cheese cubes, or homemade "lunchables" for the boys; I will have either Black Eyed Pea Salad over Spinach, an Open-Faced Turkey sandwich with light mayo, spinach, and tomato, or a Tuna salad wrap (whole wheat tortilla, tuna mixed with little bit of light mayo and relish, spinach, tomato, red wine vinegrette).

Snacks: For me: Lots of fresh fruit; light, fat free added fiber yogurt (Benefit brand from Walmart), whole grain crackers with Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese, Balance Bar; For the kids: fruit, yogurt, fat free sugar free pudding, ritz crackers with PB, popcorn, pretzles, cheese cubes.

Monday ~Crockpot Unstuffed Cabbage

Tuesday ~ 15 bean soup (with leftover shredded spicy beef from last week mixed in), green salad, Whole grain crackers

Wednesday ~ Roasted beer can chicken with new potatoes and fennel, green salad

Thursday ~ Sweet-spicy glazed salmon, whole wheat cous cous, snow peas

Friday ~ chicken squash bake, boiled new potatos, salad

Saturday ~ Mustard & Chive crusted pork tenderloin, left over whole wheat cous cous, steamed green beans

Sunday ~Crockpot Garlic Swiss steak , steamed green beans

Roasted Beer Can Chicken with new potatoes and fennel:

1 whole roasting chicken

1 bulb fennel, cored and sliced

6 new potatoes, quartered (skin on)

olive oil

2 cloves garlic (1 crushed, 1 minced)

2 tbsp poultry seasoning

1 tsp cayenne pepper

fresh ground black pepper

1 can beer (We do not drink alcohol, but each year I buy a 6 pack and put it away. I have several recipes that use beer, and would not be as good without it! ~ Just don't tell my congregation :) )

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and set oven rack to lowest position. Remove any innards from the whole chicken, and rinse inside and outside with cool water, rub inside cavity with salt, set aside. Take beer can and pour out 1/2. Insert the crushed garlic clove into can, and sprinkle some poultry seasoning and cayenne pepper inside. Set beer can in center of 9x13" pyrex dish. "Impale" chicken with beer can, arranging legs, so chicken sits upright in baking dish. Drizzle chicken generously with olive oil. Using your hands, rub generously with poultry seasoning, being sure to get in between skin and meat if you can. Sprinkle lightly with cayenne. Arrange new potatoes and fennel slices arround chicken in dish, and drizzle with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and some of the fennel fronds. Place on bottom rack of oven, and bake until cooked through, about 45 minutes. (Use a meat thermometer for safety!)

Allow to sit for 10 minutes, then carefully remove beer can from chicken (using tongs) remembering that beer can will be very hot! Carve, and serve with veggies (they will be flavored with the chicken drippings.)

Note: Fennel is sometimes call Anise. It is a white colored bult (kind of onion-like) with green stalks coming off of it (kind of celery-like) with wisypy fronds at the top (like dill). It has a licorise flavor, and is great if fall and winter dishes. I have trouble finding it around me, but found some at a whole-foods type store in mobile recently, so I pulled out this old recipe. I urge you look for it, you'll really like it!

Mustard and Chive Crusted Pork Tenderloin:

1 pork tenderloin, trimmed of silvery membrane

1/4 cup grainy dijon mustard (I use Grey Poupon Country Dijon)

3-4 scallions, white and green parts chopped (original recipe calls for chives)

1 clove garlic

1 tsp canola oil

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix mustard, scallions, garlic, and oil, then smear all over tenderloin. Place on baking sheet, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until just a hint of pink remains inside. Then, place under broiler for 1 minute to brown, turn, and repeat with the other side. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing. (I do not like mustard, but I love this recipe!)

Scavenger Hunt

First of all, I spoke with my mom yesterday, and I am happy to report that their power is back on (it was knocked out by IKE)! She was thrilled, it was the second day back at work (she teaches 9th grade World Geography), and when she got home, she noticed the generator was off, so Yeah for Mimi and Poppy!

Today, I really needed to clean my house. My kids ( and husband) have really made a mess out of it this past week. This morning I came up with a new game. Stonewall was whining about a snack, and I was whining about cleaning house. So, I told him that I would fix a snack after the timer dinged. I set the timer for 5 minutes, and told him that when the timer dinged, I was throwing away all the toys on the floor. I handed them the empty toy bin, and they got to work. They were running around the house picking up their toys, and I was cheering them on. They finished with like 2 minutes to spare, and I secretly upped the timer by 3 more minutes and told them to pick up all the dirty clothes off the floor and put them in the laundry basket. They finished this with 3 minutes left, and I handed them an empty trash bag, and told them to pick all the trash up off the floor (like I said, it was Messy!). They ran around, picking up, while I cheered them on, "Go,go, go, Hurry, Hurry" They had a great time, and they picked up! They beat the timer, and in 8 minutes, accomplished what would have taken me over an hour working around and against them. I fixed their snack, and sent them outside in the backyard to play while Rev and I swept and mopped! (Yes, Rev helped, it was so sweet! I just LOVE it when he pitches in and cleans without me even asking!)

Stonewall and Skywalker played on their power wheel until the battery ran out (I forgot to charge it, oops.) Then they were coming back inside, whining about watching TV. I did NOT want them to spend a beautiful day inside watching TV, so I came up with a scavenger hunt for them. I wrote out a list of things for them to find outside, and drew pictures next to the words, since they can't read yet.
Flower, Stick, Stick shaped like a "Y", Rock, Worm, Leaf, bird,berries. Stonewall didn't know what my rock picture was (as if I am notthe best artist, or something), so I asked him to sound out the word "ROCK" and he did it! I'm so proud of him, he is really doing good with sounding out short words! Anyway, after they found everything in their scavanger hunt except for a worm, they were back inside asking for help. The last thing I wanted to do was go hunt worms, so I came up with a new idea. I made them each a bracelet out of duck tape, a simple loop of tape, the sticky side out. Then, sent them out to make nature bracelets. They found leaves, flowers, bugs, grass, and small sticks, and decorated their bracelets. I was so proud of them!

Now, of course, they are sitting inside, watching TV. Oh well, they wanted to play with the slip and slide, but I really didn't want to get it out this afternoon, maybe tomorrow.

And the best part of this day? Rev informed me that he called a babysitter, and we're going to a movie tonight!

Menu Plan Monday

Well, Sunday, I guess.

First of all, the verdict on last weeks menu. Monday, we tried Crockpot BBQ chicken and cornbread from Crockpot365's blog. She loved it, but we hated it. It was just weird, and yucky too. Tuesday, we tried the Asian Port Tenderloin, and it also was not a hit. I have 2 much better port tenderloin recipes that we love, and we will stick to those. The rest of the week was MUCH better, we loved it all. (Oh, the apple cheddar meatballs were also from Crockpot365, and they were really good!)

This week, we are only trying 2 new things. The "theme" for Menu Plan Monday, is Family Favorites, so we are having several tried and true recipes. Oh, and go on over to OrgJunkies site to check out other great menu plans! Here's my plan:

Monday ~ Crockpot Shredded Beef Sandwiches, steamed green beans

Tuesday ~ Crockpot 15 bean soup (with some of the leftover shredded beef), green salad

Wednesday~ Church Fellowship Meal: We're having a special WMU supper of Taco Soup, cornbread, and green salad to benefit the Margaret Lackey Special Offering for state missions

Thursday ~ Crockpot oregano marinara chicken over whole wheat spaghetti, green salad

Friday ~ Picky Palate Spinach/Chicken Enchiladas, Southwestern Rice (Brown Rice with Black beans, corn, and salsa mixed in)

Saturday ~ Low Carb burgers stuffed with pepper jack cheese, green salad, sweet potato fries

Sunday ~ Crockpot Porkchops with gravy, brown rice, black eyed peas, green salad

Crockpot Shredded Beef Sandwiches:

1 3-4 pound roast ( I usually buy rump, but a tender chuck roast is fine, too)

2 16-oz jars pepperocini peppers, NOT drained, sliced

2 large yellow onions, sliced

2 bell peppers, sliced

1 cup water

1 TSP fresh ground black pepper

Cut roast into chunks (approx. 4"x4") Put meat into crockpot, along with sliced onions and bell peppers. Season with fresh ground black pepper. Pour Pepperocini peppers (with juice) and water over meat and vegetables. Cover and cook on low 8 hours. Remove meat from crockpot, and shred using 2 forks, then return to crockpot.

To serve, Split open whole wheat hoagie rolls, scooping out some of the bread from the center, to form a "bread shell". Place some of the shredded beef, along with onion and peppers into the "bread shell" Top with Sliced cheese (Provolone or swiss are equally delicious). Place under broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until cheese melts and bread toasts.

The leftovers freeze well.

Crockpot Oregano Marinara Chicken:

1 package chicken breast tenders

1 jar marinara sauce (I'll use my leftover homemade veggie packed tomato sauce found here)

1-2 TBSP dried Oregano

Place chicken breast tenders into crockpot, and pour the jar of marinara sauce over top. Sprinkle the top with dried oregano, and cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 6-8 hours. Serve over whole wheat spaghetti, with a large green salad on the side.

Low Carb Burgers:

1 lb 93/7 ground beef

1 small onion, diced

1/2 zucchini, shredded

1-2 tbsp worchestershire sauce

1 tsp grill seasoning

2 tbsp flax meal

Pepper Jack Cheese cubes

In bowl, mix ground beef, and all other ingredients (except cheese) with your hands. Divide into 4 portions. Form each pattie by inserting 1-2 cheese cubes into the portion of meat mixture, forming a pattie around the cheese, making sure the cheese is sealed inside. Grill outside on grill, on indoor grill pan, or George Foreman Grill until desired doneness. To serve, Wrap each pattie in a large bibb lettuce leaf, with sliced tomato, onion, spinach, and condiments of your choosing.

Crockpot Porkchops with gravy:

4-6 bone-in pork chops (neither "thin" nor "thick" cut, just regular pork chops)

1 package brown gravy mix

1 can cream of mushroom soup (or the equivalent of homemade cream of mushroom soup)

1/2 cup water

Place the pork chops in the crockpot, mix the gravy mix, soup, and water, and pour over pork chops. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. These are so tender and delishious. Serve over brown rice, with black eyed peas and green salad.

Deep Thoughts by Skywalker

Last night, I was cuddling on the couch with Skywalker, and he was being silly, and just plain cute. So, I asked him, "How did you get to be so cute and adorable?" His response? (Keep in mind, Skywalker is 2 (Well, actually, he will be 3 next month, but I'm not ready for him to grow up, so I still see him as "only 2") Anyway, he looked at me pensively, put a finger up to his sweet rosey cheek as if in deep thought, and said, "well, I brushed my teeth."
I busted out laughing. Of course, he didn't understand what was so funny, but it was just too precious!

So remember, people, always brush your teeth if you want to be cute!

Tasty Tuesdays

A friend from an online forum that I frequent is hosting something called "Tasty Tuesdays" on her blog, Cheaper by the (Half) Dozen, so I though I would join in.


Ok, so I made the Asian Pork Tenderloin tonight for supper, and it was NOT a hit. I really didn't like the flavor of the sesame oil, and it didn't really taste "Asian" to me at all. So, since it was a flop for us, I've decided to share my no-fail pork tenderloin recipe. (We also LOVE the Grainy Mustard and Chive crusted Pork Tenderloin recipe, but I'll blog on that on another time.)

Marinated Pork Tenderloin:
1/3 cup canola oil
1 packet dry onion soup mix
5 tbsp worchestershire sauce
1 pork tenderloin

Mix oil, soup mix, and worchestershire sauce in a gallon-sized ziplock bag, and shake to combine. Then add pork tenderloin to the bag and seal. Place in the fridge and marinate for 2-4 hours.
When time to cook, Preheat oven to 375. Place large sheet of foil onto cookie sheet. Remove Bag from fridge, and place pork in center of foil, pouring remainder of marinade over tenderloin. Bring up long sides of foil, folding over twice at top, then fold in ends, forming a foil packet. Bake for 30-40 minutes, depending on size of tenderloin, until no pink is left in center.
Remove from oven, and open foil packet to vent. Allow to sit about 5 min, then remove to cutting board. Allow to sit for additional 5 min, then slice and serve.

I have NEVER had a pork tenderloin cooked this way turn out badly. . .it is just so good! I hope you enjoy this!

Also, we absolutely hated the barbequed chicken and cornbread crockpot dish that I tried last night. . .It was just weird. So, For next week, we'll probably have some tried and true recipes instead of all the new ones I've been trying out lately.

Menu Plan Monday

I will do better blogging this week. I will do better blogging this week. I will do better blogging this week. . . . .

I feel like I need to write sentences for slacking off this week and not blogging at all. I was sick with this horrible sinusy stuff. I was busy, very busy with work and home. I even worked overtime this week. I was worrying about my family in the path of Hurricane Ike. -- These are my excuses for neglecting my blog all week. But, as I always say to my boys, NO EXCUSES!

So, I am back once again with my Menu Plan Monday, and a fresh resolve to add to this blog.

That being said, I'll give you the verdict on last week menu. We did really well sticking to it (Until yesterday, that is) The Roast was good, but I forgot to sear the roast before cooking it, and it really makes a difference if you've never done it that way before. The black beans were quick and easy to prepare; however, I really preferred the spice from the other black bean recipe that I made a couple of weeks ago, the Rotel in this was too mild after slowcooking all day. The tilapia was excellent, and the black beans &brown rice from Tuesday were reinvented into the southwestern rice dish, which really turned out well. My favorite of the week, though, was Thursday's Balsalmic Bruschetta Grilled Chicken. It was amazingly simple and delishious! You MUST try it. Saturday's meal will be featured again this week. I didn't get off work until 4pm Saturday, and it was just too late once I got home to get started cooking for our usualy 5pm supper time. So, we had fast food. (I know, I know, really bad. I did, though, eat a grilled chicken salad with lite dressing, so not too bad.) The meatloaf was alright. Rev really liked it, but I'm just not a big meatloaf fan, so I can't get too excited about it. . . On to this week:

When you're done here, head on over to I'm an Organizing Junkie's website for more great menu plan ideas!

Monday~ Crockpot barbequed chicken and cornbread, salad

Tuesday~ grilled Asian Pork Tenderloin, crash hot potatoes, grilled zucchini/squash/tomato medly

Wednesday ~ Cormeal Crusted Tilapia, leftover grilled veggies, salad (scroll down for recipe)

Thursday~ Crockpot Black Eyed Peas, Turkey sausage, salad

Friday~ Leftovers

Saturday~ Apple Cheedar Turkey Meatballs, green beans, Sweet potato Latkes (recipe below)

Sunday~ Taco Bowls

Sweet Potato Latkes:

1 sweet potato, peeled, then grated

4 green onions, sliced white and green parts

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup eggbeaters

Salt and pepper

Mix all, drop in by 1/4 cup fulls (or smaller) onto hot skillet with about 2 tbsp canola oil on it. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side.