Veggie Tuna Noodle Casserole and More: The Walnut Acre Daily - Monday, January 12, 2015

WORDS TO LIVE BY

He has made everything beautiful in it's time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. -Ecclesiastes 3:11

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

Our Monday started out cold and icey, with schools on a two hour delay. I was able to get some work done this morning while the kids slept in - laundry and cleaning - and more of the same this evening.

Later in the morning Michael and I went to my sisters and spent the morning playing games and reading stories with some of the kids there. We played I Spy Memory Match, Rhyming Words Memory Match, Nutrition/Food Group Bingo, Sight Word Bingo, and Dominoes. We also read three Bible stories. I love how much kids can learn through games. Typically I gather the games and books I feel we need to be learning from at this point and then let the kids take turns choosing from this selection what we will do next. This gives them the chance to have some say in what we do and keeps things fun. 

Michael playing a word search game on Doug's tablet.

IN THE KITCHEN

This is what we had for dinner this evening. I like recipes with plenty of veggies in them and that the kids like and this one fits the bill. 

Veggie Tuna Noodle Casserole

1 cup butter, divided

2 (8 ounce) packages uncooked egg noodlespackages

1 large or 2 small onions, finely chopped

3 stalks of celery, finely chopped

2 carrots, grated

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

4 cups milk

3 (5 ounce) cans tuna, drained and flaked

2 cups frozen peas, thawed

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. (190 degrees C). Grease large casserole dish with 2 tablespoons butter.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles, cook for 8-10 minutes, until all dente, and drain.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in the onion, celery and carrots, and cook 5-10 minutes, until tender.

Melt 8 tablespoons butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually whisk in milk and continue cooking 5 minutes, until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir in tuna, peas, sauteed vegetables and noodles. Transfer to baking dish. Top with cheese.

Bake 25 minutes in preheated oven, or until bubbly.

Note - I did have to add some milk to this part way through baking because it was getting too dry.

READING AROUND THE WEB

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Easy Dessert: French Yogurt Cake Recipe
White Bean and Bacon Soup
How to Start a Meal Plan

TODAY'S QUOTE

Striving for excellence motivates you, striving for perfection is demoralizing. - Harriet Braiker

DAILY DEALS

LINKING HERE

Monday - Inspire Me Monday Project Inspire{d} Link Party, Much Ado About Monday Tuesday - One Project at a Time,  Handmade Tuesdays Wednesday - Share It Link Party, (Wow Me) Wednesday, Raising Homemakers, Moonlight and Mason Jars Link Party Thursday - Inspiration, Great Idea Thursday's, Creative Inspirations, Artsy Fartsy Link Party, Create It Thursday
Friday - Friday's Unfolded, Awesome Life Friday, Shabbilicious Friday, Home Sweet Home Saturday - My Favorite Things

Bear Roast and a Relaxing Sunday Afternoon: The Walnut Acre Daily - Sunday January 11, 2015

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

I started my morning confused because I woke up and Doug wasn't home. It took me about 20 minutes to remember that he was planning to work overtime this morning. He went in to work early and then met us at church.

After church we went to my Dad's for you afernoon and evening. I got a few pictures of my dad and Doug deep in discussions about some tools.

And a few more pictures of our day.

IN THE KITCHEN

My sister was given a bear roast and she fixed it for lunch today. It was DELICIOUS! I had no idea bear meat was so good!

READING AROUND THE WEB

20 Easy Ways to Exercise Daily

Easy Homemade Yogurt

TODAY'S QUOTE

There are people who have money and people who are rich.  -  Coco Chanel

It's Been A Busy Two Days: The Walnut Acre Daily - January 10, 2015

WORDS TO LIVE BY

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

Friday was our normal errand day. We went to the bank, Sharp Shopper, Petco, PetSmart, G2K games, the dollar store, Goodwill and McDonald's.

Amanda found an app to put on her tablet that she can use to scan the barcodes of books and see what they sell for. So she's been going through our books to see if she can sell any and earn a little extra money. Mykalin was very interested in this and worked with her for awhile.

Amanda also decided yesterday that she wanted to rearrange the living room. She had some good ideas for how to do it so I let her go for it. It looks really nice and the new arrangement makes the room seem bigger.

Friday evening we had small group. Our group is going through the book Fearless by Max Lucado. It sparked a lot of interesting discussion about what triggers fear. So often we aren't grasping the fact that God truly has our best in mind even though we can't see understand what He's doing in a specific situation. 

Today was my church's annual board retreat. This is a time when the church board gets together to pray and discuss how the past year has gone and what direction to head this year. After a break for lunch individual teams meet for more detailed discussion and planning. I'm vice chairperson of the Evangelism Ministry Team and have two wonderful team members to work with so it was a pleasant day.

Doug kept Michael while I was gone. He had some work to do at the local rescue squad where he volunteers and was able to take Michael with him. Michael loves to go with Daddy to the rescue squad so he was happy.

IN THE KITCHEN

Friday evening my niece made some delicious chili and cornbread for us for dinner. This evening for dinner I made tuna melts, green beans and we also had applesauce. Tuna melts are a big favorite here and never last long. 

TODAY'S QUOTE

Babies are such a nice way to start people. -Don Herrold

DAILY DEALS

Homemade Chcicken Noodle Soup, Frozen Water Lines and More: The Walnut Acre Daily- Thursday January 8, 2015

WORDS TO LIVE BY

You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. ~ Jeremiah 29:13

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

Michael did well with his schoolwork today. We worked in his workbook( language arts, math, science and social studies), reviewed math and sight word flashcards, read his reading book, read a Bible story and a storybook, and played two games of memory.

I was planning to do laundry today but when I went to start the washer the water lines to the washer were frozen. So I dusted and decluttered instead. The lines have frozen before but usually thaw without any problem and they finally did thaw later this evening.

Austin, Amanda and Michael all three went to my sister's for the evening. Austin and Amanda usually go on Thursday evenings and sometimes Michael goes and sometimes he decides to stay home and play with whoever is here that evening. When I took them down there somehow we managed to lock the keys in the truck. So Doug had to bring his keys down and unlock it for me. Thankfully we don't live very far apart.

Austin worked with my dad for several hours again this afternoon. He never really said what they were doing but from the look of his clothes it was metal work again.

IN THE KITCHEN

Amanda fixed pizza rolls and corn for lunch today and we also had peaches. 

With this cold weather it seemed like a chicken noodle soup kind of day so I made two pots of homemade chicken noodle soup with vegetables - one for my sister's family and one for us. I started out with six chicken leg quarters  - three each in two big pots. I filled the pots with water and brought the chicken to a boil, then let them simmer until the chicken was tender. I then took the chicken out to cool. To the broth I added diced carrots, celery, and onions and some left over whole kernal corn. When the chicken had cooled I pulled it off the bones and added the meat back to the broth.(I actually ended up using only using the meat from two quarters for each pot of soup so now I have some extra to use for something else.) When the vegetables had cooked I added noodles and continued to simmer until the noodles were done. For seasoning I added salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. It was the perfect meal for a cold winter evening.

YARD AND GARDEN

There's not much going on in the yard and garden in January but I am certainly looking forward to when we can start planting again. My list of plants and when to start them is already made. 

READING AROUND THE WEB

How Can Teens Make Money Online?

Easy Baked Apple Purses

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

DAILY DEALS

- LINKING HERE -

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Cold Weather, Coupons and More -The Walnut Acre Daily Wednesday January 7, 2015

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that it is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever. - Ephesians 3:20-21

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

We were at my sister's again this morning playing games and reading books - and learning. 

This evening our usual Wednesday evening activities resumed. Usually we go to church for dinner, then the kids go to their classes, adults to prayer and praise service. After that there is choir practice for those of us in the choir. I usually help in the pre-k/k  classroom but this evening the teacher wasn't able to be there so I taught. There were three children and we had a good time together. Since I didn't know until I was almost ready to leave that I was teaching I didn't really have time to prepare so we kept it simple. We talked about the lesson, watched a DVD related to the lesson theme, drew picture and had a snack. 

FURRY, FEATHERED AND FOUR FOOTED FRIENDS

We are in the middle of a cold snap here with temperatures in the single digits and the wind chill below zero. This afternoon Austin and Mykalin took extra hay to some of the animals so they could stay warmer tonight. When they went to get the hay they saw the animal we think is a coyote. It was in the barn but ran off when it saw them. We've seen it before a few times, always alone. It has an injured front leg but can still move pretty fast when frightened. 

READING AROUND THE WEB

Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches

TODAY'S QUOTE

Gratitude turns what we have into enough. - Author Unknown

DAILY DEALS

 

Linking Here

Another Typical Day -The Walnut Acre Daily Tuesday January 6, 2014

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Therefore with minds that are alert and sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming. - 1 Peter 1:13

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

Two mornings a week Michael and I go to my sister's house and do part of our daily schoolwork with some of the children there. We play a lot of games and read some books. This morning we played Bible memory, reviewed number flashcards, played I Spy Memory match, snowflake memory match and rhyming words memory. We read about birds, space, how to measure things, and a Bible story. We also played Dominoes. 

Michael at home this afternoon working in his workbook.

Michael wanted to go back to my sister's house this afternoon to play with his cousin. So after lunch I took him down to play and I took Austin to work with my dad. Austin said they were cutting things out of metal but I didn't get the details so I'm not quite sure what they were making. He works with my dad three afternoons a week and they do a variety of things - woodworking, yard work, metal work and whatever else comes there way.

Amanda decided this afternoon to pull everything out of the playroom and give it a thorough cleaning. She loves to clean and organize and I love it that she does.

Austin, Amanda and I enjoyed our usual reading time this afternoon. We usually read a chapter from the Bible and then the rest of the hour from whatever book we are reading at the time. We've read devotional books, autobiographies, novels, history, science and more. Currently we're reading a novel. Usually they do something quiet while I read aloud. They could read the books on their own (and they do read and listen to audio books) but this is a good way for us to share some time and common interests together. 

IN THE KITCHEN

My original dinner plan for this evening was to make chicken salad sandwiches but I forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer so we ended up with breakfast for dinner. We had scrambled eggs with sausage and cheese, grits, toast, peaches and juice.

READING AROUND THE WEB

101+ Penguin Learning Activities and Crafts

Keeping a Tidy Home While Homeschooling

Homemade Flavor Extract Recipes

TODAY'S QUOTE

It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home. - Author Unknown

Dentist Appointment, Schoolwork and More -The Walnut Acre Daily January 5, 2015

WORDS TO LIVE BY

For this is what the high and exalted One says-

He who lives forever and whose name is holy:
"I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite
-Isaiah 57:15

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

Michael had a dentists appointment at 9:30 this morning. Since his dentist is in Charlottesville we had to leave at 8:30. I  missed a turn on the way and we were about 20 minutes late. I worried they would make us make another appointment since we were so late but they didn't. Michael did very well for the dentist. He had his teeth cleaned and xrays taken and cooperated all the way through.

Michael decided he wanted to make bracelets this afternoon. It's nice that he's finally getting to the point where he can sit and do quiet activities on his own for awhile. For so long that was almost impossible for him, he just could not sit still for any length of time. Oh, and the extra red lips he's smiling so sweetly with? That's an over abundance of chapstick. 

Michael did very well with his schoolwork today. It seemed like the two week Christmas break did him good. Here he is reading his reader for today.

Our paper shredder broke several weeks ago and I have really missed it. We shred most of our paper and cardboard that normally would get thrown away and use it as litter in the animal cages. I thought we would have to buy a new one but hadn't found one yet that I liked as good as this one. Now I'm glad I didn't because Doug got our old one working again. I'm so glad he's so good at fixing things!

IN THE KITCHEN

Amanda fixed tuna helper, corn and fruit for lunch today. She fixes most of our lunches during the week.

For dinner I made spaghetti with meat sauce, and salad. I was planning to make some garlic bread too but ran out of time. Michael was my helper in the kitchen.

READING AROUND THE WEB

3 Reasons for Giving Yourself a Personal Planning Retreat

How I Make an Income From Home

TODAY'S QUOTE

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. -Mark Twain

Sunday January 4, 2015 -The Walnut Acre Daily

WORDS TO LIVE BY

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us a do. -Ephesians 2:10

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

I got a text this morning asking if I could fill in as a teacher in the 3-5th grade Sunday School class because the usual teacher was sick. I didn't have much time to prepare so we did a shortened version of the lesson and then played Apples to Apples-Bible Edition. We've done this before and the kids love it.

Today was our normally scheduled Sunday to be in the nursery during the service. Today most of the kids in the nursery were kids who were there with me. But I got to have a good talk with a friend and that was good. Amanda was bored because there wasn't much to do so she played Apples to Apples all by herself.

The afternoon was spent with family, enjoying good food, talking, laughing, napping and just being together.

READING AROUND THE WEB

7 Key Leadership Conversations Every Church Team Should Have In 2015

Why Having More Babies Isn't as Crazy as You Think

Cheesy Bacon Onion Roasted Potatoes Recipe


TODAY'S QUOTE

I held a moment in my hand, brilliant as you star, fragile as a flower, a tiny sliver of one hour. I dripped it carelessly, Ah! I didn't know, I held opportunity. -Hazel Lee

Saturday January 3, 2015 - The Walnut Acre Daily

WORDS TO LIVE BY

All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

It's been a very nice Saturday. Sleeping in, working around the house, running a few errands. We've been taking care of a friends chickens for the past week and I took a couple of pictures of Michael and Cayson while we were there this morning.

I cleaned the refrigerator, did some laundry, took a friend to and from work and hung out with the kids. They were a busy bunch.

They sang

played games on the tablets, colored and did crafts

and helped put away the Christmas tree ornaments and the tree.

IN THE KITCHEN

We had tacos for dinner this evening and the kids helped make them.

FURRY, FEATHERED AND FOUR FOOTED FRIENDS

Today I finalized got some photos of Amanda's dog, Pepper. She's pretty sure she's a person too and Amanda saying having her around is like having another two year old in the house.

Mykalin likes to help Austin feed the animals when she's here and this evening she took my phone (my main camera) with her and took some photos.

READING AROUND THE WEB

52 Weeks to an Organized Home

TODAY'S QUOTE

Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. -Charles Richards