Menu Plan Monday

Last week I tried two new recipes: Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham and  Zesty Hamburger Soup.  Both were pretty good.  I loved the soup but my family tends to be picky and it was spicy so they didn't care for it.  (more for me :)  ) This past week I joined Weight Watchers.  I really don't need to change much except that I am counting points instead of calories.  I found most of my recipes this week on Pinterest. :)

Monday: Chicken Pot Pie Soup and biscuits

Tuesday: Skinny Lasagna Alfredo and bread

Wednesday:  Baked Potato Soup

Thursday: Makeover One Pot Spaghetti from Healthy Cooking magazine

Friday: Kid's Choice (my nice way of saying it's date night and the older girls usually cook)

Saturday: Grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and vegetable

Sunday: Crock Pot Italian Meatballs (and either pasta or sandwich rolls)



Link up your own menu plan at orgjunkie.com. This week is found here. (Or just find great ideas from other bloggers that share their menus.)

K is for Karen

I am continuing my blog through the alphabet with Marcy from Ben and Me with this post about me!   it's not that easy to come up with K words and since my name starts with K thought that might be fun.  So here goes.

I am 44 years old. (How did that happen?)

On June 8th, my husband and I will celebrate our 21st anniversary.

My husband and I met when we were in high school when we both got jobs at a new Papa Gino's.  I wasn't really looking for a job but a friend of mine was.  The lady that did my interview and later called me to offer me a job intimidated me and I was afraid to say I wasn't interested.  LOL  (My friend didn't take the job.)

My husband and I have 10 children (we've also lost 2 to miscarriage).  We have 8 daughters and 2 sons.  The boys are in the middle.  Our oldest is 19 and the youngest is 2.

We  have always homeschooled.

I love Jesus for all he has done for me.

I was raised a Baptist and continue in the faith.

I am a musician.  I sing and play the guitar.  I used to play the oboe, flute and alto sax.  (I miss the oboe.)  I also have experience as a choir director.  I traveled to Sweden and Canada with a singing group when I was in my early 20s.

I went to college for early childhood education, changed my mind and was accepted into the music program for voice and classical guitar but ultimately ended up majoring in math.  I dropped out when I got married with about a year left to go.  I do not regret that.

My younger son has Down syndrome.  We didn't know he had Down syndrome until he was born.  He also had a congenital heart defect and had open heart surgery when he was 4 months old.

I love knitting.  It's a new hobby for me. I am addicted. I also like other crafts such as crocheting and sewing.  I really enjoy making things.

I love to read.  I especially love reading on my Kindle (and now my iPod touch too.)

I've lost just over 66 lbs in the last 19 months....and am still working at it.

I have one sister. She is a year younger than I am but she was moved up to 1st grade after 7 weeks of Kindergarten so we were always in the same grade.  Many people thought we were twins or that I was the younger one...she is taller than I am.

I may add to this if I think of more things. :)

Join us by linking up at Blogging Through the Alphabet.

Stick with it Saturday

I haven't been regularly keeping up with posts of my weight loss journey.  Sam at Sam's Noggin does a Stick with it Saturday and said I should join her.  So, here I am.

I started losing weight in October 2010.  I really thought I'd be at my goal weight by now but I think slow and steady is good.  As of this morning, I have lost 66.6 lbs.  You can read about how I was losing weight in my post How I Lost 50 lbs.  Since September the weight was just coming off SO slowly.  I did not feel like exercising and I was eating about the same way but was a little less strict with myself.  At the end of February, people in my family started to get sick...influenza and pneumonia for several.  My husband was even in the hospital for 4 days.  While he was in the hospital I found out I was pregnant then a few weeks later I had a miscarriage.  A week later it was my birthday...... Lots of distractions from dieting.  I was still sticking to the plan but just not all that motivated.

A couple of weeks ago I decided to get serious again and started exercising and really watching what I was eating and gained a pound.  Talk about discouraging!

Last week (or so??) my friend Amanda who was my original motivator for trying the Flat Belly Diet decided to switch to Weight Watchers.  I was drawn to the idea of WW because you don't have to count fruits and vegetables and I just felt that I needed to try something new to get myself jump started again.  I signed up Thursday and went for my first meeting. I bought the monthly pass so I can go to unlimited meetings and use the online tools. It was fun and I'm excited to be trying something new. (and down 2 lbs already)

I like to use Leslie Sansone walking DVD's.  I think I did 21 miles this week.  I'd like to get back to bike riding which I have not done in well over 20 years.  I used to be an avid bike rider in my youth.

Hopefully I'll be keeping up with these posts each week.  Thanks Sam for hosting it! Link up your own diet/exercise post over at Sam's Noggin.

Homeschool Library Builder

Through this last year of being on the TOS Crew I have been introduced to many companies I had never heard of before.  Homeschool Library Builder is one that I just found out about recently.

Homeschool Library Builder is co-owned by two veteran homeschool families dedicated to Christ-centered education. Their desire is to help homeschool families affordably collect books for their literary-based educational needs. They stock both new and used books found in popular literature-based homeschool curricula, as well as select titles to supplement  unit studies. They are committed to providing wholesome materials that will enrich the entire family.

(adapted from a statement on the website)

• New and used literature

Whether a book is hard- or softcover, like new or ex-library, in good or fair condition, our items are clearly rated by condition and priced accordingly.

• Guidance for selecting worthwhile books

Items are organized by categories and age level, so you can easily locate what you need!

• Amazingly low prices

We love bargain shopping and delight in sharing our savings with you! We want to help you stretch those dollars as you build your special home library!

Homeschool Library Builder offers a  free membership program that includes:

Monthly Newsletters: Be informed about sales, special event promos and featured products

Book Rewards Program:  Earn one Book Point for each dollar you spend.  (15 book points=$1 in your account) Earn more Book Points by referring others or promoting HSLB through your blog.

Book Search:  Let them look for a hard to find book for you.

HSLB Marketplace: (read more here)

Helping Hand:  Sales from books purchased from this section go to a sponsored child from Compassion International.

Become a member here.

I have not yet ordered from Homeschool Library Builder but I did some price checking and the prices are great! There are lots of great titles.  Remember that they deal with new and used books so the stock changes frequently.

 In addition to their already great prices, during the month of May everything is 25% off!  They even offer a 30 money back guarantee.  Complete shipping information can be found here.

Homeschool Library Builder is also on Facebook.

See what others are saying about Homeschool Library Builder on the TOS crew blog.

disclaimer:  As a TOS crew member I was asked to review this website with no compensation.  I was offered a 10% discount if I wish to order.

Menu Plan Monday

I am so thankful to be back to meal planning. Last week went much more smoothly since I started doing  Menu Plan Monday again.

Last week I tried 3 new recipes and all were a hit.  Spinach Lasagna, Chicken Orzo Skillet, Slow Cooker Italian Style Turkey Meatloaf (not exactly new...I made it once before but I hadn't tried it in the crock pot)

Monday: hamburgers, chips (grilled portobello mushrooms for me) 

Tuesday: Mary Lu's cheesy tomato soup

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham, potatoes, beans

Thursday:  Zesty Hamburger Soup

Friday: Veggie Cheese Stuffed Shells, bread

Saturday: Grilled Chicken, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Green Beans

Sunday: Makeover One Pot Spaghetti from Healthy Cooking magazine

 alternate meal: Chicken Noodle Casserole



Link up your own menu plan at orgjunkie.com. This week is found here. (Or just find great ideas from other bloggers that share their menus.)

J is for Jesus

As I was thinking about blogging for "J", I was having a hard time thinking of something until all of a sudden it dawned on me to blog about the best "J" of all.  Jesus.   I thought I would blog through the alphabet about Jesus.

A-Alpha
B-Blessed and Only Potentate
C-Creator
D-Day Star
E-Emmanuel
F-Faithful and True
G-Gift of God
H-Holy One
I-I Am
J-Just
K-King of Kings
L-Lord of Lords
M-Master
N-Never Sinned
O-Omega
P-Prince of Peace
Q-Quickening Spirit
R-Redeemer
S-Savior
T-Trustworthy
U-Umpire (modern word for daysman)
V-Vine
W-Worthy to be Praised
Y-Yeshua



"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. " Revelation 5:12

Lift up His name.  He IS worthy!

(I skipped X and Z but please make a suggestion for those if you have any!)

Visit Marcy at the Ben and Me blog and join us by blogging through the alphabet.

Knitting with Craftsy

For years, I didn't think I could knit.  I did try in the winter of 2009 and even though I thought it was fun, it was SO slow going and I just wasn't that good at it.  Sadie was born in the fall of 2009 and I completely set is aside until last fall when I decided to try again (read the background here).

I started out by knitting dishcloth after dishcloth...then scarves and then I learned to knit hats in the round on circular needles and I was in LOVE with knitting.  I made a lot of hats....so easy just knit, knit, knit and then decrease and you're done.  I found that I really don't like knitting on straight needles and knit everything using circular needles.  I just love them.

a cowl scarf I knit

one of many dishcloths I made
I think this might be the last thing I knit on straight needles.

 For Christmas, my parents got me two knitting classes from Craftsy.com.  I had asked for a gift certificate to get a Craftsy class.  Right after my mother ordered it they came out with a buy one get one free deal and they let her add a course to her order so I got two knitting classes. I got Knit Lab and Knit Lab: Hats Four Ways.  Both courses are taught by Stefanie Japel and I think they are fantastic.  In the Knit Lab, course I learned many of the basics of knitting and did my first lace project which was a keyhole scarf which I just love.  I have made several of them now.  I also made a long scarf with a variety of stitches mostly different basket weave patterns.  I wore this scarf so much this winter and I am so glad that I made this one too.

2 of the keyhole scarves I made.  Love this pattern!

This scarf pattern is called Cambridge.

 A feather and fan lace dishcloth.

Taking this course helped me so much.  I really became confident in my knitting and learned so much by making these scarves. (The dishcloth wasn't part of the course but I did get a link to the pattern through the course.  I think it is on Ravelry though.)

Here is a course overview where Stefanie Japel tells about the course and how the courses work at Craftsy.

With the Craftsy courses you get patterns and course materials to download (they are pdf documents). Access to the courses never expire.  You also can ask question in a message board format and get answers from the teacher and/or from others taking the course.  It's really a lot of fun.  You can also post pictures of your projects (in progress or finished.) You can go here to see sample previews and a break down of what is included in the course.

After I finished the Knit Lab course it was getting closer to the end of winter so I didn't really want to make any more hats.  So I haven't knit the hats in the Hats Four Ways class yet but I have watched the whole course.  Stefanie is a lot of fun to learn from. :)

 I get the Craftsy newsletter in my email and one week Laura Nelkin's Mastering Lace Shawls class was on sale so I bought that.  I L.O.V.E knitting lace.  Here is the shawl I made in just 3 weeks while taking the Mastering Lace Shawls class.

The shawl being blocked

Me wearing the shawl

The back of the shawl.

 You can get this pattern by taking Mastering Lace Shawls (watch the previews and see what is included too) or you can just purchase this pattern from Laura Nelkin. (The name of it is Skywalker.) I am definitely going to make another one of these in a lace weight yarn.  I love it.


I am currently working on the second lace shawl in this course called Clarus.  I am enjoying making this as well.  One thing I have learned in taking this course is that I love to knit with a charted pattern rather than one that is written out.  At first I didn't think I would like it but now I just think it is so much easier to read a chart than try to keep track of stitches that are written out.  Laura is a great teacher and it's great to be able to interact with her through the Craftsy platform.

I am signed up for her new course, Knitting with Beads.  I haven't made anything from it yet but I have watched it.  I will start on the projects in that class either when I finish Clarus or when I get supplies for it.  I like to have more than one project going at a time anyway.  (I'm working on a worsted weight shawl that is very simple and I can work on it in the car or on the go without have to think about it.)

This is a quick preview of the course:



Craftsy.com has all kinds of craft classes....crochet, knit, quilting, sewing, baking and more. Check them all out here.  I would recommend signing up for the newsletter and watching for a sale. I've never paid more than $30 for a course.  If you'd like to see what the classes are like you can sign up for the Block a Month course which is free right now.