Should SAHM's send their kids to camp?

What do you think?  Should a SAHM send their kids to summer day camp?

I felt bad this morning dropping K off.  Partly because she was crying this morning and didn't want to go.  She wanted to stay home with me.  It was just nerves because she wouldn't know anyone.  And partly because I don't work and I'm sending her off to daycare  camp.  It makes me feel like a bad mom, like I'm wanting to get rid of my kid.  I'm not HONESTLY!

I know she will have more fun playing games and taking field trip with the camp (it's only 5 weeks mon-thurs) than she will here with me.  I would put her to work cleaning and organizing and sorting out stuff.  We are buying a house and will be moving SOON and I hate packing!  SO I am going through everything (one room a day) and throwing out stuff, the more we throw out the less we have to pack.  :)

That makes me feel a bit LESS of a bad mom knowing here she would be working or watching TV or playing video games.  I am so busy getting ready to start packing that we won't be going many places.  I am setting aside Fridays for Fun days!  She doesn't have camp on Friday's so that is the day we will go swimming or to the beach or aquarium or simply out to lunch or a movie :)

So what is your take?  Should SAHM send their kids off to day camp?

~Angela

Menu Plan Monday

It's been a while since I've posted... SORRY been very busy :)

Here is this weeks menu for me and my family.

Monday: Pork Chops Alla Salvia from "Skinny Italian" by Teresa Giudice, whole wheat stuffing and green beans

Tuesday: Crock-pot Red Beans and Rice with turkey sausage and jiffy corn bread (yumm!)

Wednesday: Leftovers, pork chops, red beans and rice or meatloaf from last night...

Thursday: pasta of some kind or leftover red beans and rice if we aren't tired of it LOL

Friday-Pizza (home made)

Saturday-Sunday: Grilling for the holiday.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY EVERYONE!!!!!!!

For more ideas click HERE

~Angela

Wordless Wednesday--Art Gallery

Which Kitchen Appliance can you NOT live without?

Which Kitchen appliance can you NOT live without?  Toaster, Blender, Food processor...........

For me aside from my coffee maker, which is a given!  It's my bread maker...  I make bread a couple times a week.. I make Italian Bread, whole wheat bread, pizza dough REGULARLY, french bread,, rosemary bread etc.  I've made dough for garlic knots, cinnamon rolls, and soft pretzels.  I love this thing.  I use my home made bread to make panini's, sandwiches, toast for bruschetta and garlic bread.  It's all natural no preservatives and I know what goes in it.

Happy Tuesday...

~Angela

2 pounds away--- pics

I am happy to report that I am 2 pounds away from my goal weight!  I have to say it feels GREAT not just because it's a goal, but physically!!  It is like I have a whole new wardrobe and haven't had to buy a thing!! All of my clothes fit me great, some are even big a little..  I don't feel uncomfortable in anything.  I LOVE THIS..


BEFORE:

This is me and my BFF.. This is LAST summer..  (I'm the big one LOL)

 This is a recent pic of me...

YAY..

Have a great day...

~Angela

Blood Mary

WOW I've been so busy this week that it hasn't even dawned on me I haven't posted since Monday :)

I have been reading many of your blogs though, I just haven't posted.  Mainly because time has gotten away from me and also maybe because I haven't had anything to say..

K has been freaked out over the stories she is hearing from kids at school about Bloody Mary, Candyman and those fake scary stories we all learn when we are younger and try over and over and fail to work ALWAYS.  You know why? Because they are NOT true!!  She wouldn't tell me what was bothering her at first because she was afraid with all of the mirrors in the house.. finally in the car one day she told me.  I squashed that and told her it's just myths and stories made up.  She finally was getting some sleep.  My poor 9 year old was too scared to sleep!  She was so scared one night she was getting sick!!

WELL last night, after her being ok for a good couple of weeks.  She comes in and asks if she can sleep with us.  NOW her friend has brought a book of hauntings to school....  are these people TRYING to give my baby a heart attack?  THIS one however, I will skirt for a while and comfort her and pay attention to what I say.  I do believe in hauntings.  I told her our house isn't haunted and she is perfectly safe.  Needless-to-say she slept with us last night LOL....

I was totally opposite from her.  I was the one wanting to know more about all of that spooky scary stuff.  I LOVE LOVE LOVED scary movies!!!  I watched Candyman when I was about 10... it scared the crap out of me... but I loved it.

My daughter just isn't like me at that age.  That is going to be a tough obstacle for me, I don't want to scare her, but this is normal kid stuff and I think in a way she does have to deal with it.. LUCKILY school is out next Friday!!!

We did sign her up for camp though... lets hope no one there scares her.. lol

Menu Plan Monday

I think this is my first Menu Plan Monday!  Mainly because I don't plan per day, I plan weekly or daily :)  Since I was getting my coupons ready and grocery list together for the store Wednesday, I decided to make a menu.  I go 2 new cook books this weekend and wanted to try new stuff.  Luckily I don't need to buy much for them.


Monday-oven fried chicken legs, mashed potatoes and green beans


Tuesday-leftovers


Wed- homemade pizza (Italian style)


Thurs-Pasta Al Burro from  Skinny Italian


Friday-taco's or leftovers if we have any from earlier in the week


Saturday- low-fat pasta carbonara from The Skinnygirl Dish




Sunday- taco's if we didn't have Friday, or Mozzerella, Spinach & Sundried tomato Panini and baked french fries or hubbs will grills something.




For more Idea's check out  OrgJunkie




ok I don't know why my hyperlinks aren't working sorry.

Low-Fat Pasta Carbonara Recipe

*DISCLAIMER* I am not sure if it's legal to post a recipe like this but since I bought the books I think it's ok*

Hey, you know me when I try something new I HAVE to share if it was a 10!  K had 2nds she NEVER goes back for 2nds!!

Yesterday K and I went to the book store and I bought "The Skinnygirl Dish" by Bethanny Frankel (Real Housewives of New York but she is actually a chef) this is the book the Pasta Carbonara came out of. 

I also bought "Skinny Italian" by Teresa Giudice (Real Housewives of New Jersey-I'll admit these shows are a guilty pleasure of mine!)- I made a garlic sauce for the bread out of this book tonight another 10!  I recommend this book it has a ton of helpful information in it.  I read it cover to cover already. 

Low-Fat Pasta Carbonara

16 oz whole-wheat spaghetti- I just used 13 oz and you can use regular pasta if it's made with real semolina flour, it's just as good for you.

3/4 cup unflavored soy milk- I just used regular low-fat lactose because that's what I had, you can use any low-fat milk that is unflavored

2 whole eggs

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan -this is k's job.. she's great at it.

1 tsp of garlic salt, divided - I used a clove of garlic minced, I think garlic salt is too salty.

1 tsp of black pepper, divided

2 tbsp butter- i used unsalted

8 slices organic turkey bacon cooked until crispy, and crumbled or chopped- I used regular turkey bacon but you can use regular bacon too, it's not much more on calories

1 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes - I just put the container on the table so hubby and I could add, K won't eat spicy.

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.  Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, Parmesan, half the garlic salt (or the whole clove minced) and half the pepper.

2. When the pasta is done, drain it and quickly put it directly into the bowl with the egg mixture.  Toss to coat.  The hot pasta will cook the eggs. When the pasta is coated with the egg mixture, mix in the butter, bacon, red pepper flakes (unless you are adding them later) and the remaining garlic salt (I skipped this one) salt (skipped this one too) and pepper.  Serve Immediately

*** It's so easy and quick to make it takes less than 15 min start to finish including boiling the water and cooking bacon (I put in microwave for 5 min to make it crispy.)

to go along side of it.  I made garlic bread.  I used the ends of the bread cut in half and put directly on the oven rack and toasted on 425 for about 10 min.  The recipe is for the "sauce" I used on it.. It was soo good and not garlicy at all!

Balsamic Garlic Bites - from Skinny Italian

6-8 plump, firm garlic cloves, peeled so they remain intact- recipe calls for 24 but that is for a bigger batch than I needed, 8 was perfect for us.

1 cup balsamic vinegar, as needed- you probably wont need that much if you only use 6-8 cloves

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil - fyi ONLY ever buy Extra Virgin Olive oil, if you get the book you will see why :)

1. Place the garlic in a small saucepan, and add enough vinegar to cover.  

Bring to a boil, and reduce the heat to low.  Cover and simmer until the garlic is tender, about 15 min.

2. Drain the garlic cloves (they will have dark purple spots on them from the vinegar), and let cool.  Transfer them to a small serving bowl, (I kept them in the pan) Drizzle the olive oil over the top and serve.--- I actually mashed it up with the oil and spooned it on the bread and spread it out.  IT was sooo good!!!

Like I said K had 2nds... I should have made more bread as well.. I will know for next time... :)

Enjoy...

Free Donut day---- I got mine :)

Have you went to get a free donut from your local shop yet?

I went with a friend and neighbor this morning after our girls got on the school bus.  FYI If you go to Krispy Kreme get your receipt because it has a code for you to take a survey and then you get a FREE DOZEN of glazed donuts with the purchase of a dozen! SWEET..

I think it's finally HOT and here to stay.  I think it's a pool/beach kind of weekend.  Does anyone else have big plans?

Happy Weekend.

~Angela

wordless Wednesday--what's up dawg....