Monday Musings

• Today begins week two of nothing but rain.  Honestly, I am always glad to have rain since we had our well run dry last January.  I am thankful, but a few sunny days would be appreciated!  The kids have been cooped up and that is hard.  Hard on the house, hard on me!  :-) 
• Dustin was off today unexpectedly (he worked all night), and I figured he'd want to just sleep all day.  He surprised us by taking us to Mexican for lunch!  It was so nice to spend some surprise time with Daddy!  Henry is so funny at Mexican- he loves chips and salsa.  He will actually eat the salsa with a spoon.  We get him his own bowl and he's a happy camper.  He also likes the beans.  He is always the last to finish-the boy likes his food!
• Speaking of food, lots of blogs I follow post Monday menu plans for the week.  I haven't gotten into that habit because it seems like something else with a deadline!  I will try to do better about posting what we are having during my Monday post-if I know what we are having!  Menu planning is something I've done for a few years now, as it helps save money.  I also HAVE to have a plan since I don't have a microwave to quick thaw something if I forgot.  It is possible to live without a microwave-I promise!  Here is what I think we are eating this week:

                          ~tacos
                          ~pasta bake-this dish I created with hamburger, tomato sauce, rotini, cheese, and spices.  I will top with mozzarella cheese and bake.  Served with salad
                          ~steak, baked potatoes, salad
                          ~leftovers-at least once per week I like to pull out all the little bits of this and that and finish eating it up, so as not to waste.  I hate to waste food!
                         ~meatloaf in the crockpot, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob. 
                         ~Brunswick stew/grilled cheese sandwiches

• If it looks like we are heavy on the beef right now-we are!  I am cleaning out our freezer for 1/3 of a cow that we have coming sometime next week.  I may have to throw some chicken in our meal plan though, just to mix it up-we'll see.  Back in June we got 1/4 of a cow, so we have a lot of beef right now.  I do not buy beef at the store normally.  I prefer to just buy it in bulk, grass fed.  I like knowing I have all cuts on hand to make whatever I want.  It's also a far superior quality than what you can buy in the store (in my opinion).  I like knowing my pack of hamburger is from one cow, not up to a thousand like you find in the store.  Yep, meat from 1,000 different cows can be in one pack!  I was shocked when I read that.  That is a lot of chances for something to be contaminated or go wrong.  That is why I do not let my kids eat beef in restaurants.  I just don't trust it.  Watch the movie Food, Inc. and you won't either!! 
• Since we are talking about food, I am going to try to post a bit more about what we eat and where it comes from.  Just so you have an idea, and can be encouraged if you want to start eating more local foods! 
• It's definitely fall around here, and I love it!  I hope we can make a drive to see the leaves real soon.  My Nanny mentioned going to the apple orchard sometime-so I hope we can do that. 
• Our chickens are still laying well.  I know they will start slowing up, but so far we haven't noticed a change.  We are getting a dozen every two days or so.  Carson is the main chicken person around here-he lets them out every morning and collects eggs.  It's fun to watch him take on the responsibility.  He even hung a small garden flag with a chicken picture on it on the pen.  Funny boy! 
• I had my shopping day Friday and I got so much done!!  I was able to get some twin birthday gifts and Christmas gifts done.  I went to so many stores and had a very specific budget and list.  I am about done with the kids, now I just need to fill in the other folks on my list and we'll be done in plenty of time to enjoy the season.  :-)  I think my family is going on a tacky light tour this year, which I am super-excited about!!! 
• I always say God provides, and it is so true.  He proves it time and time again.  Carson needed a winter coat for this year, and I really wanted a Carhartt one or one similar for him.  At Goodwill, I found the perfect one for $5.  I was so excited!  :-)