After School Snack...Pumpkin Chip Muffins

I have written before about how Flynn and I like to have a homemade snack once a week for our hungry school kids. This is an all-time favorite of us all. I found the recipe at Taste of Home. Enjoy!

                   Pumpkin Chip Muffins

Ingredients:    4 eggs
                     2 cups of sugar
                     1 15 oz. can pumpkin
                     1 1/2 cups oil
                     3 cups flour
                     2 teaspoons baking soda
                     1 teaspoon baking powder
                     1 teaspoon cinnamon
                     1 teaspoon salt
                     12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:       Combine flour, baking soda,
                      baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
                      Set aside.
                      Beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and oil until smooth.
                      Gradually add flour mixture and mix well.
                      Fold in chocolate chips. Fill muffin cups.
                      Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 18
                      minutes.
                     ( I had to bake mine a bit longer.)
                      Cool in pan 10 minutes.
                      Makes 2 dozen muffins.

This Makes Me Happy...My Afternoon Coffee

I have been sitting down for my cup of hazelnut coffee every afternoon since Madison was a baby. I began setting aside that special little time for myself when she was old enough to take a regularly scheduled nap every afternoon. Even though it has been almost 16 years ago,  I remember covering her up in her crib and patting her back and tiptoeing out of her room and thinking of all the things I could accomplish while she was asleep... running the laundry, picking up the tv room, writing out bills...and then I remember, just as if it was yesterday, thinking... what if I took a break? What if I let all those things go for a few moments and relax with a cup of coffee? Wouldn't all those tasks still be there waiting for me? And wouldn't it be nice if I were rested and refreshed just like she was after her nap?

And after 16 years and 3 more sweet babies later, I have the same answer. Yes. I feel better when I take care of myself. I need a few moments in the day to take care of me. How can I be there for them if I am not caring for myself first? Now... thanks to my OCD mindset...this is not always an easy task. There are days when my mind races with things that could be done, but fortunately, the thought of my steaming cup of coffee wins out. Sometimes I sit and look at magazines that I have saved up or read a chapter in my book, or even just look out the window and think. Simple, I know. My afternoon coffee makes me happy.

Weekend Plans

Our weekend starts out on Friday with beautiful weather. They are calling for sun and a high of 70. That is great because Madison is cheering at her final home football game this year. I really want to attend. The good mother in me is planning on it. The wimpy, old mommy who is in her jammies most nights now by 6:00, is not looking forward to sitting in the cold! So far, things look good!

Saturday morning, I visit with my father in what has become a special time I look forward to each week. Sitting and visiting with him in that setting allows more time to really talk without everyday distractions. Before I go, I am planning on putting a beef roast in the crock pot with some onions and carrots. The weather promises to become chilly and damp... perfect weather for a comforting meal of beef roast and mashed potatoes. We have Mass in the late afternoon, so after that, it will be dinner and maybe some Halloween movies. I love Saturday nights with no plans!

Sunday is our pumpkin carving day! This is (yet another) one of our favorite fall traditions. In the early morning, I am planning on starting a big pot of spaghetti sauce on the stove...ahhh my favorite! I don't make spaghetti and meatballs as much as my own mother did, or as much as my family would like, but when I do it is a great day! The Steelers play in the early afternoon, so after that, we will carve our pumpkins! I always put on the same cd of not so spooky Halloween music and cover the kitchen floor with newspaper. Steve is our carver, while I am in charge of helping scoop out the yuck! The kids are older now, so with the exception of Flynn, they pretty much do it themselves. After we are all done, we turn out the lights and check them out before we set them outside for Halloween. Well, that is a peek at our weekend plans. Hope your weekend is happy and not too spooky, whatever your plans may be!

Madison brought home this beautiful watercolor she painted in art class this week.

Peyton made some yummy cupcakes for a special treat.

Flynn was excited to visit Grandma Flo last weekend.

Weekly And Monthly Planning

One of the things I like to do to keep my family organized is to make a weekly menu and activity schedule. Although it sounds complicated, it really just involves me, the school calendar, the sports calendar, Madison's work schedule (during the months she is working), my desk calendar, my recipe book, and some markers and stickers. Those last two are optional, by the way. Just the former teacher in me! : )

Every Thursday morning, I sit down with these items and make the schedule for the upcoming week. I simply write down the activities and appointments for each day and then, based on that, I plan the meal accordingly. If we are very busy on a certain night, I know to plan a simple supper. Once that is done, I make my grocery list for the week based on the meals we will be having. Then I am all set for my shopping trip on Friday morning.

Here is what this week's schedule/menu plan looks like. Fancy, I know.

            

Once I am all done with the activity list and menu, I put it in the basket on my desk until I hang it on the bulletin board in the kitchen Sunday night. The kids always enjoy seeing what is on the menu for the week! Every morning, I write the day's dinner menu on the chalk board in the kitchen. If I ever forget, they are sure to remind me!

Here is our bulletin board. It hangs behind the kitchen table.

And this is our chalkboard. It hangs behind the table too.

Here is the basket I keep on my desk in the kitchen.

                                             

I have a folder for each month, and I keep several things inside. I have a simple, handwritten list of things to do each month. For example, the October list has things like look for costumes, clean furnace filters, and wash Halloween clothing. I keep special recipes tucked inside as well. This is where I keep our candy corn pizza and pumpkin coffee cake recipes! These folders help me to remember all the fun food, activities, and plans that are specific to each month. They make my life much easier!  Well, that is a quick look at how I organize my weeks and months. Happy planning!