Preparing "cook once, eat twice" meals has been one approach that has really expedited my meal preparations recently. Taco soup and queso dip with chips, which I’ve included on our winter menu, is a pair that my whole family loves! Ingredients For the soup: 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground meat 1 large onion, chopped 32 oz. chicken broth … [Read more...] about Cook Once, Eat Twice: Taco Soup and Queso Dip with Chips
Keeping the Home
How to Choose the Right Furnace Filter
Every time I purchase furnace filters, I stare at the wide variety available and wonder which to purchase. Should I just get the most affordable? Is there really any benefit to the pricy ones that filter micro-allergens and have odor reduction? If you’ve ever wondered the same things, then you’ll appreciate this post. Here is what I’ve … [Read more...] about How to Choose the Right Furnace Filter
How Pinterest Got My Husband Interested in Menu Planning
In my household, I’ve always done the menu planning, grocery shopping, and cooking. This has worked for us because, as a stay-at-home mom, I have time to do these things. I also have more knowledge of nutrition and a wider variety of cooking skills than my husband. You can imagine my surprise when I stepped into the living room a couple … [Read more...] about How Pinterest Got My Husband Interested in Menu Planning
Maple-Glazed Sausage Loaf
Several weeks ago I grew curious about how a meatloaf made of sausage would taste. Maple syrup complements many varieties of sausage, so I wanted to integrate it into the meatloaf somehow. The dish that resulted was fabulous! In fact, it was so good that it has found its way onto our winter menu. Ingredients 1 lb. breakfast … [Read more...] about Maple-Glazed Sausage Loaf
Winter 2016 Menu
Though we’re busy with Christmas festivities, I didn’t forget to plan my family’s winter menu. I won’t explain the whys and hows of my menu planning here because I’ve detailed these elsewhere (you can read all about it here). In short, I plan a new menu containing a month’s worth of meals at the beginning of each season (fall, winter, … [Read more...] about Winter 2016 Menu
8 Ways to Decorate Front Windows for Christmas
Though I love decorating for Christmas, I have no motivation to get up on a ladder and hang Christmas lights on the house. My husband lacks this motivation, as well, and we’re uninterested in having any bulky decorations out in our yard. As you might guess, this means that thus far our homes have lacked exterior Christmas decorations. I’d … [Read more...] about 8 Ways to Decorate Front Windows for Christmas
Festive Christmas Cookie Bars
One by one I’m trying the cookies on my Christmas Cookie Bucket List. I tried the Neapolitan Bars last year, but I thought they took too much work for the flavor that resulted. I really like the appearance of a tricolored cookie bar, though, so I’ve made over the recipe so the bars are easy to make and have a tasty flavor. Ingredients 2 … [Read more...] about Festive Christmas Cookie Bars
Soup, Stew, Chowder, Bisque, or Chili?
I generally consider winter to be “soup season.” Subsequently, I’ve been looking over a lot of soup recipes as I plan my winter menu. In addition to soups, I’ve seen recipes for stews, chowders, bisques, and chilies. Many of these recipes look similar, so how can we tell these different varieties of “soup” apart? What makes them … [Read more...] about Soup, Stew, Chowder, Bisque, or Chili?
