Update on Life Changes

Well John and I have moved. We are back in the RV in Lake Jackson, TX. We have always wanted to live near the coast, now we are. With conditions in the oil field here in Texas, we realized John's job couldn't last. So we decided to be proactive and he began looking for another job back in December or January. At first we were looking closer to Brownwood - Waco, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Austin and Abilene. However, the best jobs kept coming up in the Houston area. Also we were faced with moving expenses, transition back into the RV with extra expenses there but in Lake Jackson we have awesome friends who let us park our RV at there place and stay with them as long as necessary.

Kemah Jan 2015

This has turned out to be a very good thing since it is taking longer than expected to get started with my full-time, permanent job with Brazoria County. I have had a hiccup in my background check that I am praying clears up next week so that I can start as originally expected on the 11th or the 18th of this month. It's never come up before, so I was a bit surprised. Right now I am working part-time/temporary with the security company that John hired on with.

This puts us closer to two of the kiddos - one in Pearland and one in Dickonson. However it places us far from the third in Brownwood. This was rather difficult since she is getting married in October and I won't be right there to help but it was something we had to do. Neither of our jobs in Brownwood had insurance, this job with the county will give us that. I guess that is it for now. Things have been rather crazy since our arrival. Hopefully I'll get into some sort of routine soon and post more frequently.

Life Happens Fast

No, I have not fallen off the face of the planet. John and I have moved on to new jobs. It has been totally crazy getting everything ready and running around trying to get interviews done while still working our old jobs. Not much in between time. I'll post next week on where we landed and more on what's going on.

Until then, I leave you with this photo taken in Feb 2013 in Willis, TX.

Menu Plan 03.20.15

First of all Happy Birthday to my MIL! Although her birthday is today, we will celebrate with lunch in Abilene tomorrow. Then on Sunday I go with my younger daughter to help pick out a wedding dress/get ideas. This will also happen in Abilene. Her appointment is at 4 pm, so the guys will be on their own for dinner Sunday night. Last weeks plan went great. This is the plan for this week, hope it goes just as well:

Friday
Date Night

Saturday
Birthday lunch for MIL in Abilene
Bacon jalapeno popper quiche* with Fruit

Sunday
Sweet Bacon Wrapped Venison Tenderloin with Veggies (L)
YOYO

Monday
Chicken Pot Pie with Salad (L)
Saucy Venison Sausage Balls with Baked Cabbage*

Tuesday
Chicken Tenders with Fries (L)
YOYO

Wednesday
Spicy Sausage Rice Skillet with Spinach

Thursday
Simple Lasagna with Garlic Bread

*New Recipe

Menu Plan 03.13.15

Ok, so the last two weeks have been so crazy that I did not even attempt a menu plan last week. It looks as though things are starting to settle down. I'm still not completely sure of my work schedule for this week but to the best of my knowledge the only day I will be off is Wednesday so here is the plan for this week:

Friday
Chicken Tenders with Squash (L)
YOYO

Saturday
Burgers with Onion Rings

Sunday
Sausage Wraps with Fries

Monday
Easy Chicken Bake with Veggies

Tuesday
Beans with Cornbread

Wednesday
Chinese with Egg Rolls

Thursday
Spaghetti with Garlic Bread (L)
YOYO

Menu Plan 02.13.15

My work schedule changed slightly this past week but did my best to keep dinner plans in tact. Had to work Wednesday night, then moved Thursday lunch to dinner; of course there was an advantage to this, I will now be off Saturday night, woohoo! Had a GREAT week in Dallas with the honey. Now to get back into the swing of things, as much as possible anyway. John will be leaving on Monday for South Texas and be back on Wednesday. My moms birthday is today, so I will go down on Tuesday for a visit and plan to be back on Wednesday. So here is the plans:

Friday
Cheesy Fish with Slaw

Saturday
Valentine's Date Night

Sunday
King Ranch Casserole with Salad (L)
YOYO

Monday
Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza

Tuesday
Gone to Momma's

Wednesday
Spaghetti with Garlic Bread

Thursday
Chicken Tator Tot Casserole with Veggies (L)
Date Night

Sweet Tomatoes

Tried this restaurant last night. It was quite good. The only thing I can compare it to would be a Souper Salads, only better. The Souper Salads I've been to have like two selections of soup to choose from. Sweet Tomatoes had around six! I did not try any of the pizza/pasta. I was there for soup and salad (and a little dessert) and that is what I had. I would definitely go here again when in the mood for a good salad! If you have one in your area you should give it a try!! The hubby and I both left full and satisfied. I did not take any pics, so here are some I found on there website and around the web:

Crazy Meatball Soup - SOOO Yummy!

Menu Plan 01.30.15

This past week the plan went okay with a couple of switches, Hope this week goes as well. Here is the plan for this week:

Friday
Quick Shrimp Enchilada Bake* with Salad (L)
YOYO

Saturday
Aussie Chicken with Veggies

Sunday
Venison Chili with Cornbread?

Monday
Venison Burgers with Fries

Tuesday
Italian Crescent Casserole with Veggies

Wednesday
Shredded BBQ Chicken on a Bun with Chips

Thursday
Sausage Wraps with Fries

*New Recipe

Menu Plan 01.23.15

Had to make some changes to this weeks plan, life happened, lol, things change. This is the plan, such as it is:

Friday
Date Night - Headed to Abilene and Abuelos!

Saturday
Burgers and Fries (L)
Chicken Tenders with Veggies

Sunday
Chicken Tamale Pie with Beans (L)
Slow Cooker Mexican Cheese Soup

Monday
Brunch Pie* (B)
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken (BBQ Chicken for Mom) with Chips
YOYO

Tuesday
Spaghetti with Garlic Bread and Salad

Wednesday
Sweet Bacon-Wrapped Venison Tenderloin* with Veggies (L)
Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup

Thursday
Battered Fish with Onion Rings (L)
Date Night

Date night will be a night early this week, since this is my week to work the weekend.
*New Recipe - I have actually made the venison tenderloin before, I just forgot to take pics and didn't post, so it's still new to this blog.

Menu Plan 01.09.15

This has been a crazy busy week, but I have enjoyed every minute of it. Weekend in Pearland, trip to Austin to celebrate my sisters 50th and then an unplanned trip to West Texas with my Honey! Now trying to get back to normal and get a plan made for the week so I can go do my weekly shopping!

Friday
Chicken Pot Pie with Salad (L)
YOYO

Saturday
Spaghetti with Garlic Bread and Salad

Sunday
Fish with Slaw and Beans

Monday
Venison Chili with Cornbread

Tuesday
Shredded BBQ Chicken on a Bun with Fries

Wednesday
Saucy Venison Sausage Balls with Jalapeno Poppers

Thursday
Glazed Pork Chops with Roast Butternut Squash with Feta and Honey (L)
Chili Tortilla Soup with Crackers

A little later than usual, but that's the plan!

Menu Plan 01.02.15

Wow! 2015 is here and it is starting out with a bang! We are leaving Brownwood today, heading to Pearland for the weekend to see two of the kiddos and the oldest granddaughter. We will be back on Sunday. Then I head out Tuesday for Austin for a late 50th birthday celebration for my sister and will be back on Wednesday. Busy, busy. Here is the plan for the menu:

Friday
Date Night - Stopping in Austin after a visit with the folks in Bastrop, then on to Pearland.

Saturday
Pearland - eating out

Sunday
Lunch Out
Corndogs and Chips

Monday
Burgers with Fries (L)
YOYO

Tuesday
Out with the Sisters in Austin!

Wednesday
Grab Lunch on the way Home
Cheesy Catfish with Slaw

Thursday
Chicken Pot Pie with Salad (L)
Date Night

2014 Favorites

My posting during 2014 was VERY sporadic and limited, so this reduced the number of favs for the year. Here is some of the food we really loved this year:

Appetizers:

Saucy Venison Sausage Balls

Bread:

Blue Cheese Biscuits

 

Main Dish:

Roasted Chicken Breast and Squash Sandwiches

Meat and Potato Patties

Venison Chili

Vegetables:

Roast Butternut Squash with Feta and Honey

Desserts:

Sexy Friends Cake

Merry Christmas

Hoping everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas!! God bless you all!!!

Twins First Birthday

Hard to believe the twins turned one yesterday! Here are some pics from their party:

Menu Plan 11.21.14

Well half of last weeks plan didn't happen - unplanned trip to Abilene, time constraints and so on. So this week there will be a lot of repeats as well as a planned trip to Bastrop. My family is getting together this Saturday for an early Thanksgiving celebration. It will be a dinner celebration but due to the long drive, lunch is up in the air right now. I'm putting something down but it is questionable as to whether it will happen. So with that in mind here is the plan for the week. Hope it goes better than the last one.

Friday
Date Night

Saturday
Beef and Bean Taco Casserole with Guacamole (L) ?
Thanksgiving Dinner in Bastrop - Dishes I plan to make: Crockpot Meatballs*, Toasted Chickpeas*, Raw Beet Salad* and Simple Fudge. I may pare it down to two or maybe three, it will depend on what I have time for.

Sunday
Venison Backstrap with Roast Butternut Squash (L)
Sausage with Onion Rings

Monday
Meat and Potato Patties with Veggies (L)
YOYO

Tuesday
Honey Pecan Crusted Chicken with Spinach

Wednesday
Venison Chili with Cheddar Biscuits (L)
Corn Dogs with Fries

Thursday
Happy Thanksgiving!

Menu Plan 11.07.14

Well instead of a mystery meal this past week, I decided to take a trip to Bastrop to see my folks. I went down Wednesday and spent the day. So lunch and dinner didn't happen according to plan Wednesday then Wednesday's lunch was moved to Thursday and Wednesday's dinner became lunch Saturday. We decided to do date night on Thursday night so that dinner moved to Friday's lunch. This is the plan for now:

Friday
Burgers with Fries (L)
YOYO or

Saturday
Roast Beef Sandwiches with Onion Rings

Sunday
Slow Cooked Chicken Tator Tot Casserole with Salad

Monday
Ravioli with Marinara Sauce, Garlic Bread and Salad

Tuesday
Slow Cooked Pork Chops with Red Potatoes and Green Beans

Wednesday
Nacho Soup with Tortilla Chips

Thursday
Chicken Pot Pie with Veggies (L)
Bacon Chicken Sandwiches with Chips

Menu Plan 10.31.14

Heading out to the state park Friday for the weekend! This will likely be the last time we take the RV out until Spring. I switched Tuesday and Thursday this week so that I could have something simple Thursday night since I will be doing most of our shopping for the next week that day. For now here is the plan:

Friday
? Date Night ?

Saturday
Eggs and Bacon (B)
Fish Tacos  with Slaw and Beans (L)
Corn Dogs with Chips and Veggies

Sunday
Eggs and Venison Sausage (B)
Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Fries (L)
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Chips and Tomato Soup

Monday
Spaghetti with Salad and Garlic Bread (L)
YOYO

Tuesday
Honey Pecan Crusted Chicken with Steamed Broccoli and Cauliflower

Wednesday
Sausage with Spinach and Strawberry Salad (L)
Roast Beef Sandwiches with Onion Rings

Thursday
Mystery Meal ? (L)
Burgers with Fries

My Mystery Meal may be on a day other than Thursday. I just know that John is leaving on Monday and won't be home until late afternoon/evening on Thursday. My in-laws like going out for lunch so I figure there will be at least one day that I will be on my own - thus the mystery meal. Something I will throw together for a one person meal.

Menu Plan 10.20.14

Changes are ahead once again. I have moved entirely to night shift, no more back and forth between evenings and nights. That is good except that now I have this crazy three week rotating schedule. With the changes to my schedule, I will also be changing the day I do my grocery shopping from Tuesdays to Fridays. I think I will also be changing when I post my menu plan. It will likely be a Saturday thru Friday plan. That will begin next week? This weeks plan will be a simple one. John and I began juicing a couple of weeks ago and have been planning to do a three day juicing cleanse. My schedule this coming week makes this a good time to it. So here is my plan thru Friday.

Monday
Pinto Beans with Cornbread

Tuesday
Steak with Baked Potatoes

Wednesday
Date Night ? depending on how John feels when he gets back from his two day trip to South Texas

Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Juicing Cleanse - 8 - 8 oz glasses fresh juice per day; veggie juices in the morning, fruits in the evening.

Menu Plan 09.29.14

Well fall has arrived and with it the start of bow season. Wishing all you hunters a lot of luck and full freezers! Here is the plan for this week, last weeks went off without a hitch, so weird. Maybe this week will go as well:

Monday
Chicken Fried Steak with Veggies

Tuesday
Shrimp Curry with Quinoa and Naan Bread

Wednesday
Sausage Wraps with Slaw (L)

Thursday
Oven Beer Can Chicken (using Pepsi) with Mixed Fruit (apples, grapes, strawberries) (L)

Friday
Steaks with Sweet Potatoes (L)
Date Night

Saturday
Fish Tacos with Black Beans (L)
YOYO

Sunday
Hamburgers with Onion Rings

Abilene State Park and a Trip to the Groomer

A few weekends ago the hubby and I took the RV out and headed for the Abilene State Park. It's a beautiful park and we had a great weekend but this park would not make my top 5 fav list of parks to visit in Texas. I believe the biggest drawback is the staff there were not friendly at all, not something I've seen at other state parks here in Texas.The the spaces intended for large RVs, 25 to 40 ft, were a tight fit. If you have an RV over 30 ft you will not be able to park the RV and have enough room for your truck or other vehicle, this had to be parked on the side of rd as close as we could get it. On the positive side the had lots of trees and nicely laid out hiking trails. Here are a few pics:

Our Campsite

Hiking Trail

Can you see the deer?

And the saddest part of all - The Abilene Lake:

Yep, it is easier to find the deer than to find any water in this lake. Please pray for rain for this area.

On a lighter note, I took my little diggity into the vet for a bath and toenail trim:

I loved the pink and black bandanna, she didn't. She also doesn't like having her picture taken. She sees the camera and tries to look away real fast, lol.

Menu Plan 08.11.14

Most of last weeks menu plan went off without a hitch - until Saturday. I had training from 1pm to 5:30pm at work, then worked from 11pm to 7am; then the meat I got out for lunch was not thawed by 11am so we went out. Moving the remaining meals back a day. We are taking the RV out this weekend, unsure if the weekend plan will happen but here it is:

Monday
Chopped BBQ Chicken on a Bun with Chips

Tuesday
Sausage Wraps with Beans
Chocolate Pie* (D)

Wednesday
Spaghetti with Garlic Bread and Salad (L)

Thursday
Fried Chicken Breast with Au Graten Potatoes (L)

Friday
Cheesy Chicken Casserole with Veggies (L)
Date Night or Sloppy Joes with Fries

Saturday
Eggs and Venison Sausage (B)
Buffalo Chicken Nuggets with Chips (L)
Fish Tacos with Beans

Sunday
Eggs with Bacon (B)
Chili Dogs with Chips (L)
YOYO

A little info about my menu plan - on days that I only have a plan for lunch, I work that evening; on days I only have a plan for dinner, I worked the night shift the night before and slept through lunch; on nights I do YOYO (you're on your own) I am making the transition from days back to nights and take a long nap in the afternoon/early evening. Typically days I have breakfast, we are out in the RV, it seems to be the only time I can get up early enough to cook breakfast, lol. and * is a New Recipe.