While I am out….

 

I still have some recipes on auto post for you guys.  But, while I am away, check out my “home” blog where I will be writing more often.

www.joyful-mommas-home.blogspot.com

Meal Train Review

 

I have to share with you all about a really great resource.  It is free and it is a HUGE blessings.

Have you used Meal Train yet?  This website is perfect for coordinating meal delivery and other ways to help a friend or family.  I have been gifted with this twice now and it is amazing.  A friend set it up for me and shared it on my facebook page and then all sorts of friends and family could sign up to bring meals.  Nothing to coordinate or keep track of. 

And if you know someone who is away from home but needing meals, you can also set for meals to be delivered from local restaurants.  This was such a blessing to us when we had a stay in Seattle with our youngest daughter at the Children’s Hospital. 

Give it a try next time you know someone in need of a meal.  A new mom, surgery, family crisis, illness….etc.  And did I mention it is free?!

Because I REFUSE to do it all……

 

Lets talk about Pinterest.  I love it.  I love the ideas that are shared and the recipes to try.  I like seeing new ways to organize that I would have never thought of on my own.   But let me tell you, I certainly don’t let Pinterest whisper little lies of insufficiency in my ears.  There is a strange thing going on in our culture right now.  By being able to share so much via Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Blogs…..and so on, there is a very strong sense of discontentment and need for more.  To do more, to have more, to BE more.  I REFUSE to fall in to this.  I am currently sitting at my dining room table where lunch has yet to be cleaned up.  There is a bouncy ball at my feet and a basket of laundry on the couch.  I still have mail that isnt filed away nicely, and my freezer isnt organized nicely with meals upon meals ready for the next 6 weeks.

Now, I do like having my house clean and organizied, and I strive for that.  But I don’t worry myself with perfection or having the house that is shown on Pinterest.  It is well known that I love to cook and I do like to keep meals in the freezer…..but I am in a phase where that just isnt reality.

That’s the thing…..I have young kids.  This is my phase.  Instead of rushing to clean up lunch, we moved to the other end of the table to sneak in a game of Crazy 8’s before nap time.  And at nap time…..GASP….I usually nap.  But it does come at the price of perfection in my home.  And I love this phase.  There are moments that I wont get back.  I have the choice to strive for what I see all around me via social sites, or I can tune in at my own kitchen table and read snowy day books to the girls while my 18 month old spills oatmeal trying to perfect the art of feeding herself.

I want to be a source of encouragement……not another place to feel discontent by what is seen.  If you are in a phase of a busy house full of kids, enjoy…..it is messy, it is fun, it goes by too fast.

If you are in a phase not yet in this, enjoy all the extra time for craft projects and organizing and freezer meal prepping.  I am sure you are blessing those around you with great things. 

If you are in a phase past little kids, encourage the young moms around you.  Take freezer meals and offer to come share your time to clean.  I guarantee it will be happily accepted. 

So, play the extra board game and eat PB&J.  Let the little ones enjoy an extra long bath time and play in the water with them……your tv shows and computer can wait.  Don’t beat yourself up with what you see around you.  Hunker down and hold tight. 

Easy Dinners

 

We all have those phases when we serve something easy for dinner.  I’m not talking an easy casserole, I’m talking PB&J easy.

I may write a cooking blog, but I still have nights when I serve PB&J on a paper plate, or baked oatmeal that is already in the fridge.

Be gentle on yourself.  Each phase of life holds different things. I just happen to be in the phase that paper plates and PB&J make for a little nicer evening……and more time to play a board game before bed.

Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

 

I know that this recipe is a potluck staple.  And I am sure that most of you have enjoyed this side dish.  It is true comfort food.  We pair this with Crock Pot Apricot Chicken.  My girls gobble this down…..well, so do I. 

This recipe is great for dinner and it also is a really crowd pleaser at brunch. 

Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

20 oz frozen, shredded hash browns

1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

3/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup melted butter

1 1/2 cups corn flakes

1/4 cup melted butter

1. Mix first 6 ingredients in a large bowl.

2. Grease 9X13 pan and spread potato mixture in. 

3. In a small bowl, combine cornflakes and melted butter.  Sprinkle as a topping over potatoes.

4. Bake at 350 degrees until hot through.  Watch topping as to not burn.

Enjoy

Starting The Holidays!

 

Its here!  The first big snow.  The holiday season is sneaking up.  Christmas tunes are just waiting to be played. 

I am still not yet home and I missed our first big snow of the year.  12 beautiful, fluffy inches of snow are now gracing my yard and I cannot wait to see it. 

I so look forward to all of the holiday goodies I will be sharing with you.  I have some great ideas for Christmas breakfast, Christmas Eve dinner, a North Pole Party, and plenty of cookie exchange recipes.  In fact, I will be dedicating a whole week to recipes for you to use for your cookie exchange.  Please email me or leave a comment recommending your favorite cookies.  I plan to get out the stretchy pants and taste test all of these yummies. 

Happy Holiday Season friends!!  *And yes, I do say Merry Christmas….but not yet….its just the start of the holiday festivities…..Thanksgiving included.*

Check back in tomorrow. 

Blogging in the hospital

Here I am again. Blogging from the hospital. I had a bad health spell last weekend and turns out I have now been in the hospital 6 days. I had a surgery yesterday and biopsies taken on Tuesday. I should be released soon and on the slow road to recovery.
I am glad I prepped some meals for my freezer.
What are your favorite foods and drinks to buy when recovering from illness or injury and cannot be in the kitchen cooking?
Hope to be back with more recipes soon. I have a few in auto post ready to go for you guys.

Blessings,
Joyful Momma

Apple Pudding Cake

 

My Grammy makes this cake every fall.  She has a neighbor who gives her bags of apples, and this recipe is perfect for capturing the flavors of fall.

This year she happened to come visit and bring a big bag of apples.  We got out the recipe and let V, my 3 year old, help in the kitchen.  My Grammy is so patient and takes her time when V is helping. 

This cake has a deceiving title.  There is no pudding.  But, I didn’t title it….I just bake it.

Apple Cake

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup oil

2 eggs

5 cups apples, peeled and diced

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 cup chopped nuts

*Mix sugar and apples.  Sift spices, baking powder and salt with the flour. 

*Mix eggs and oil in to the apples.  Add in flour mixture and nuts.  Dough will be thick

*Spread in to greased 9X13 cake pan.  Bake at 325 for 1 hour until done.  Serve warm with whipped cream

Enjoy!