Hello Friends – another week has whisked by in the Coyan house.   I can’t believe how quickly the weeks go by or the years for that matter.   My baby, Tommy will be 10 years old next week!! 

Last weekend was pretty busy.  Saturday, Josh, Amy and I went to the Twin Cities Book Festival.  It was my first time going to this festival.  While it wasn’t geared to bloggers, I did meet a number of new authors.  I purchased two books from a new author and will be reviewing those on my book blog, Reading in WBL.    You can check out my blog post about the Festival on my book blog.  It was fun to attend and I hope to go again next year. 

Sunday, Tommy sang in church with his Wednesday night, Kid’s First group.   I had a nominating committee meeting for a bit in the afternoon.   We cleaned up around the house and made an early supper so we could go roller skating.   We skated at Saints North with Tommy’s school as a family event/fundraiser.  Tommy loves to skate.  I decided not to skate this year, since last year I bruised my tail bone and could not sit for weeks!  OUCH!   

My work week went buy with little excitement, which is good.  I did feel like I accomplished alot.  I worked extra hours so I could have Friday off to complete some needed things.   Paul and Josh were busy at work with the student computer buy back. 

Tommy was off of school on Thursday and Friday of this week.  Thursday, he went to work with Daddy and stayed at the daycare on campus.  Thursday night, Tommy stayed over night at the neighbors and spent all day Friday with them.  I can’t believe how much I missed him on Thursday night.  He was able to go skating with the neighbors during the day.  He has some pretty sore legs from all the skating he has done this week. 

Friday, I woke up early and got started on my weekly menu.   I then went and purchased our groceries for the next two weeks.  I am still trying to figure out our grocery budget now that we added a new member to our household, my father in law.  I tried to just increase our weekly grocery budget by only $20/ week, but am still tweaking our budget to meet everyone’s needs. 

After grocery shopping, my father in law and I went to his apartment to work on getting everything moved out of the apartment.  My sister in law met us there and we went through most things.   Once my other sister in law goes through the remaining items, we will box up what is left and donate it.   We are suppose to be out of the apartment by the end of the month.   There will be still be cleaning to be done as well.   It is great to have alot of help to get this overwhelming project done as a family. 

Last night, after Tommy went to bed we watched the movie Bride’s Maid.  A very funny movie, though a bit inappropriate at times.   Definitely not a Tommy movie. 

Recipes this week that were a hit with my family. 

Pecan Crusted Fish -

2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups finely chopped pecans (used pampered chef grater)
8 fish filets
1 Tablespoons chopped Shallots
4 tsp Butter
1/2 cup wine
2 tsp cornstarch
1 Cup Orange Juice
2 tsp dijon mustard

Place egg and pecans in separate bowls. Dip fillets into egg, than coat with pecans. Place in a greased cookie sheet. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, saute shallots in butter until tender.  Add wine.  Bring to a boil; cook for 2 minutes or until liquid is reduced by 1/2.  In a small bowl, combine cornstarch, Orange Juice and mustard until smoothed; stir into wine mixture.   Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Serve with fish. 

Herbed Green Beans

1 lb. fresh green beans
4 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. minced onion
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c. minced celery
1/2 c. minced fresh parsley
1 tsp. fresh rosemary, or 1/4 tsp. dried
1/4 tsp. dried basil
3/4 tsp. salt

Coyan Cafe is how we make leftovers exciting in our house.  We make a menu for the evening meal by listing each item we have as leftover.  My youngest son, Tommy plays waiter while I am the short order cook.  We serve each item until we run out.  Our restaurant guests always make comments similiar to “Hells Kitchen” and the need to return food to the kitchen.  It is fun and we use up all the leftover in the fridge.   A great way to make my family excited about leftovers!

Slow Cooker Chili  – a family favorite.  It is chilli weather in MN!  

A new family favorite – Loaded Baked PotatoSoup and Cheese Pull Aparts

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

4 – baking potatoes
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup all purpose flour
4 – cups milk
2 – cups chicken broth
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
12 – slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 – cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 – 8oz container sour cream

Bake potatoes in the oven or microwave. Scoop out the inside of the potato and set aside. Cook bacon in the oven while the potatoes bake at 350 degrees until crispy. Crumble and set aside. Melt butter in a large pot over medium low heat. Stir in flour to make a roux. Cook about one minute stirring constantly. Gradually pour in the chicken broth and milk while stirring. Turn the heat to medium and cook the soup until it starts to thicken. Add the potatoes, salt, pepper, bacon and cheese. Stir well and continue to heat for about 15 minutes allowing the flavors to blend. Mix in sour cream until well blended. Serve immediately. Garnish with green onions, additional bacon and shredded cheese.

Cheesy Pull Apart Bread

2 – 7.5 oz cans refrigerated biscuits
8 – oz shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 – tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp oregano (optional)
1/4 – cup melted butter or margarine

Cut each biscuit into fourths. I find that this is a lot easier if you use scissors. Mix the shredded cheese, garlic powder and oregano in a large bowl. Add the biscuit pieces and toss to coat. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and pour in the biscuit mixture. Do not smooth out the lumps the lumpier the better for pulling apart the bread. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes then cover with foil and bake a additional 10 minutes. When done drizzle with melted butter and serve.

Optional - melted butter can be added just before placing the foil over the bread and baking the additional 10 minutes.

Book blog happenings ……….

Post about the Twin Cities Book Festival

Review - Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo

Review – That Day in September by Artie Van Why

It’s Monday! What Are you Reading??  post

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!!  It is a beautiful fall weekend here in MN, which should allow us time to get outside and clean up the yard the before the snow flies.  

Last week, I worked 42 hours in four days, so I had Friday off. YEAH. I did not do much on Friday. I was just too tired.  I did go shopping and bought some work clothes. Saturday morning we headed over to my In Laws apartment to get the last of my FIL things. We cleaned out a lot of stuff, though there is still a lot left. My SIL is working on cleaning out my MIL’s things. We have to be completely out of the apartment by October 31^st.

Sunday, we ran all our errands and went grocery shopping. I have decided I need to come up with a way to fit these tasks into my week. I hate giving up 2-3 hours of my weekend every two weeks to buy food. While we were gone Grandpa fell while walking outside. Josh and Tommy saw him so were able to go to him and help him. Another scrap, thankfully he was fine. It always makes me nervous to have him go for his walks.

This week has been busy as well. Tuesday, my book group,” Wine, Women and Words” met. We discussed “Still Missing” by Chevy Stevens.  The book received missed reviews after having already read an abduction story this year,  Room by Emma Donoghue.  It is always a great time to be with friends. Two of the member recently had babies so I was able to enjoy those sweet new little lives. What a great group of mothers.

Wednesday, we were all going in different directions it seemed. Amy picked up Tommy and took him to Wednesday night programming at church with her. Amy is interning at our church with Children’s Ministry. Josh took the confirmation small group he is teaching to PINZ. It sounded like they had a great time. Paul and I went to the movie “Courageous”. Not great acting, but a powerful message. Courageous was produced by Sherwood Productions, who also produced Fireproof. I highly recommend this movie.

Courageous Movie Trailer:

My favorite quote from the movie:

Adam Mitchell: I don’t feel like I started well. I want to finish well.

Isn’t that how it is sometimes, we look at our past and think “I don’t feel like I started well” . But we can all finish well. It certainly does take courage to do so, but life is full of second chances. I have my second chance and I sure do plan on finishing well.

Casting Crowns – Official Movie Video

Great song…..great movie.

Tonight we hade Tommy’s school conferences. He needs to put his Harry Potter book away the first time he is asked and listen.  Hmm….sounds familiar.     4^th grade is a huge transition for him and a bit of a struggle with the added responsibility.  His teacher suggested we buy him a dated assignment planner.   So I guess we will try that and see if he writes in it.   

 Friday, my other book group, Books and Babble is meeting. We will be discussing “Stormchasers” by Jenna Blum. I am still trying to get the audio finished of the book. I have about 4 more hours left. The author is originally from MN and was going to be in town. She had agreed to stop by our book group, but she ended up being at the MLS convention in Duluth longer than planned.

My reading has been really reduced lately. I really need to renew my commitment to making more time to read. I have been neglecting my book blog as well. So I really need to focus on getting some book reviews done. Both of my book groups are selecting their reading schedule for next year so I am getting excite about the new titles.

Saturday, Josh and I are planning on going to the Twin Cities Book Festival in Minneapolis. I hope to see a few authors present and check out all the venders. Josh made me up some great business cards with my book blog on it. I am looking forward to the experience, I have never gone to a Book Convention before.  I am looking forward to the new experience.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!  

Menu 10/9 – 10/23

Sunday – Corned Beef and Cabbage / Apple Crisp

Monday – Noodles and Peas

Tuesday – Sausage Rice Casserole/ Veggie/ Salad

Wed – Chicken Soup/ Salad/ Grilled Cheese

Thurs – Garlic Butter Chicken & Chips – Buttered Noodles/ Brocolli (Emealz-397)

Friday – Hamburgers/ Chips & Dip

Saturday – Ribs/ Steak Fries/ Corn

Sunday – Steak, Potato and Green Beans

Monday -  – Slow Cooker Chili

Tuesday – Breaded Pork Chops – Carrots – Pg20 – Simple and Del.

Wed – Mom’s Mac& Cheese – Sausage – corn

Thurs – Pecan Crusted Roughy, Salad, Green Beans (Pg 18) – Simple and Del.

Fri – Hotdogs/ Fries (Grocery Shop)

Sat – Rotis. Chicken, Risotta, Corn

Sun – Pioneer Woman Roast

Freeze Meal –

Here is my favorite recipe that I make for my family.

6 large green peppers
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1 (16 ounce) can of diced tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
salt and black pepper to taste
1 bag of instant white rice
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese     

Brown your ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet on low. While it’s browning cut the tops off of each pepper. Rinse the seeds out from the inside cavity. Place in a baking dish. Boil your white rice according to package directions, drain out the water. In a large bowl combine: diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, black pepper and rice. Stir in the ground beef and onion mixture.

Optional: You can stir some chopped green pepper into this mixture if desired.

Spoon mixture into each shell. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Remove and sprinkle cheddar cheese on top. Place back into the oven for 5 minutes or until cheese has melted. Makes 6 servings.

How To Freeze

Let them cool. Wrap each individual pepper in plastic wrap. Place 4 at a time into a 1 gallon sized zipper closure bag. Label and freeze. They will keep up to 6 months in the freezer. When you are ready to use, defrost them in the microwave and then microwave reheat them for 5 minutes. Remove from microwave and sprinkle with some fresh cheese. Instant dinner on a busy night.

Tha magic elves were busy working while I was away at work.   I have worked 24 hours in the last two days so have not been home much.    Today I am off…and boy am I tired.  

The ramp is coming right along and should be done today.   My dogs are thoroughly confused by it.  Once there are steps to get off the end, they will be able to go outside.   Been a trick to keep them off the concrete as well.  

Blessings & Joy,

I know……two posts in two days, crazy, eh??   Since we live in a split level house, it has been difficult for my FIL to get out of the house with his walker independently.    So we have a company that is building a ramp for him out the back door of the house.   This will also allow us to bring my MIL home for visits and holidays.   Yesterday was day #1 of the build.   We are using a company out of Forrest Lake called Beyond Barriers to build the ramp.

Here is what was accomplished the first day of work.  Due to the elevation of the stoop outback, we had to have a switchback to have the correct feet of ramp for the evaluation.   This project is projected to take 3 days to complete.  

 Blessings and Joy,

       Hello??  Hello???   Hoping there are still some faithful readers out there reading my rambles.    I know I said, “I am going to post at least once a week”!  Well, life and work keeps interrupting me.   Just to give you an idea of how busy I have felt lately, I have not read a single book since August!   If you know me, you are finding that hard to believe.    It is true.    My life has mostly been busy with good things, but busy none the less. 

     Last time I posted was Labor Day Weekend and I was busy with some organizing projects.    After a very busy July and August it felt good to bring a small amount of order to our home.    July was busy as my MIL was injured at her assistive living facility during a transport and was hospitalized.   After hospitalization, she went to transitional care at a very nice nursing home.   Love that place!   It was determined by the team there that she really needed to have memory care services.     So the hunt was on to find a nice memory care bed not too far away from the family.   On August 16^th she moved to a Memory Care Center.   I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the time I spent with my MIL at music therapy and saw her singing and alert.  It brought me to tears.  

     September was busy with the start of the school year.  Tommy started the 4^th grade on Sept 6^th.   He has had a pretty good start of the school year, but is struggling with the new level of responsibility required of him.   The first week of school I had to run him back to the school each evening due to forgotten homework.   Argh….this week has been a little better.  Lucky for him he goes to school at our church and there is frequently activities going on in the evening so we can get into the school.   I have noticed he is getting a bit more self-conscience and sensitive about things as well.    

     The weekend of 9/10 we had the school picnic to kick off the new school year.    After my MIL went to memory care and it became evident that she would need to have that level of care, my hubby started to be concerned about his father.   He wasn’t sure how his Dad would do alone.  His primary function for the last few years had been taking care of Mom.    So we decided to ask my FIL if he would like to come live with us.    He said “Yes” so we started putting that into motion.  

My Father in Law (FIL) – Dick C

    On Sept 16^th, my wonderful FIL came to live with us.   We had workmen in that day to install shower grab bars and health alert system into our house for him.  The entire family helped to move over the items he would need immediately.   

Lisa with Grandpa

     The weekend of Sept 23^rd, my hubby, Tommy and I went to Wisconsin Dells to my cousins wedding.   We stayed at the Wilderness Resort and really enjoyed the water parks and relaxation this trip allowed us.   The Wednesday before we went Tommy started on the Health Home/Healthy Kids research project so he had to wear a monitor for the researchers’ the entire time we were there. 

     Being so busy, the month of September seemed to have sped by.   I had to take a few days off in September, which always gets me behind at work.   I feel like I am still trying to catch up on visits and paperwork at my job. 

    The first weekend in October was a weekend of celebrations!   On Saturday, Josh’s best friend, Charlie got married.   We enjoyed a wonderful outdoor ceremony, reception and wedding dance.  Tommy loved the dance and had a great time dancing!  The entire day made me think about how our family would be celebrating the marriage of Josh and Amy.   It made it a bit real that my son would be getting married.   I didn’t cry until the mother/groom dance.    That totally did me in.   Sunday we had a party with all family over to celebrate Erik’s 19^th birthday as well as the other September birthdays.  

September Birthdays:  Steve, Chrissi and Erik

    Now with all the moves behind us, I feel like I can see the light at the end of this month.   Today and the next two days, we are having a ramp installed at the backdoor of our home to make it easier for my FIL to get out of the house independently.   We have continued to rent my in-laws apartment for the month of October to give us this month to get everything moved out.    That seems to be the last big project to be completed, which I hope to start on this Friday with my SIL’s assistance.  

    It has been a blessing to have my FIL living with us.   He has the most laid back attitude, is kind and so funny!   You would not believe the zingers that fly across our dinner table between my hubby, BIL and FIL.    Tommy has enjoyed watching football with his grandfather most evenings.   Tommy’s homework assignment the other day was to write a gratitude statement.   Later that night, I saw the statement and he had written about how grateful he was for his grandfather.    So being a multigenerational home has been a win –win situation for our family.  

    If you just read this and you are saying to yourself, I don’t know how she does it or the various other things people seem to say to me daily, let me explain.   While what you read seems very busy and it is…..I hope you can see how incredibly blessed I am.   My personality is such that I am most comfortable caring for and helping others, which is why I am a social worker.   It brings me joy and fulfillment.  Being this busy means, I have a family that I love and want to take care for.    I also have a family that is always there for me whenever I need them.   I always have companionship and assistance in my home.    My life is full and wonderful and I would not change one thing about it.   Hope you are able to count your blessings this day as well.  

Jen C and her handsome hubby.

Thank You, Lord

 Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes;
      we have plenty of food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry;
      we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds;
      they were so warm and comfortable last night.
      I know that many have no bed.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom,
      complete with all the splattered mirrors,
      soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory;
      they are so convenient.

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs cleaning.
    It has served us faithfully for many years.
     It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers
      for two or three meals.

Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely
       must be cleaned today;
      It has baked so many things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that tall grass
      that we all enjoy the yard.
     My kids are healthy and able to run and play.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says
      You have richly blessed my family.
      I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl
      when the alarm rings,
     Thank you, Lord, that I can hear.
      There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light
      as long as possible,
     Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising,
     Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise.
     There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic,
     when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short,
     my children are so loud,
     Thank you, Lord, for my family.
      There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like
      the pictures in magazines 
     and the menu is at times not balanced,
     There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous,
     Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work.
     There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day
     and wish my circumstances were not so modest,
     Thank you, Lord, for life.

Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed potatoes, Corn

Mexican Chicken Skillet (E-Mealz – 396)

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie. and participate in Menu Plan Monday.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

Menu 9/11 – 9/25/11

Sunday – Shrimp Scampi over thin Spaghetti – Italian Salad (Emealz-391)

Monday – French Toast Bananas Foster, Banana Slices, Sausage Links (Emealz 394)

Tues - Hashbrown Pork Chop Casserole - Apple Crisp

Wed - Baked Tilapia/ Rice / Fruit

Thursday – (sort) Toasted Ham and Cheese, Apple Slices, Chips (EM – 393)

Friday – Tacos for Crowd

Saturday – Chicken Spaghetti, Italian Salad, Garlic Bread (EM 393)

Sunday- Grilled Tilapia, Cheesy Mash Potatoes, Broccoli ( EM 394)

Monday  - Teriyaki Chicken Wings – Stir Fry Veggies

Tuesday – Almond Rice Chicken – Peas – Watermelon – (Emealz-391)

Wednesday – (researcher) Cobb Salad (EM 393)

Thursday – Tater Tot Hot Dish

Weekend Lunch while in WD: Chicken Salad Croissants/ Cukes/ Grapes

Friday – (Wisc Dells) Sloppy Joes, Watermelon, Salsa and Chips (EM 393)

Saturday – Baked Pork Chops With Rice / Vegetables

Sunday – Country Ham and Cheese Casserole/ Carrots

Labor Day Weekend always seems to be a time for us to get caught up on things around the house.  It is a bit of an exhausting time off, but I am happy to be getting things done and ready for the school year to start!

Our Projects so far this weekend……

Project #1 – Tommy and I updated the school door with the new menu and info for the new school year.

Last years art work down and school menu for September up!  We also went through the menu and selected the days he would eat at school and which days he will bring a bag lunch.   

Project #2 – Changed out the mismatched frames in the hall and updated some pictures. 

As you can see from the first two projects, I am avoiding the bigger projects that need to be completed around our house.     Finally, on Friday evening I could no longer ignore the real things that needed to get done and I had to get started. 

Project #3

Our paperwork and office supplies area.  Way too much junk and unable to find anything.  It is a mess I was not looking forward to digging in to, but no more avoiding it. 

This is what I woke up to on Saturday morning…I had pulled everything out on Friday night but there was no way I was getting this cleaned up before I went to bed.  One thing that drove me nuts was I was finding I had multiples of things.  That is the cost of being disorganized.  Does this ever happen to you, you need mailing labels, your are sure you have them somewhere, but can’t find them!  Of course then you buy new ones!  I am finding this happen to me so much.  It is aggravating.  So I am making real point to store like things together…. I am sure I will find alot more doubles in my future. 

End result – completed by Saturday night. I took out numerous bags of paper to the recycling.  I will no longer print out recipes – pinterest.com and our online cookbook is where I will find my recipes.  One big box of donate items.   I was really starting to throw stuff as the night wore on.  I was definitely getting tired.

Project #4 - Saturday morning, Amy (my future daughter in law) came over and it was time to pause the paperwork/office supplies project as she was here to help me paint the bedroom.  My father in law will be moving in with us in 2 weeks and this will be his bedroom. 

This is how far I had gotten in cleaning out the room by the time Amy came over.  We hauled out the last of the stuff and started prepping to paint.  

Hubby and Amy both helped me with painting the room.  I am very blessed to have their help!

End Result:  Saturday Evening – Extra Furniture moved out, walls painted and the bedroom ready for Grandpa to move in.   I just need to buy a rug for the floor.  We plan on having grandpa over on Monday for supper and to look at the room.   We still need to get grab bars for shower.   Tuesday, we have a company coming over to give us an estimate on a ramp for the back door to allow access to the backyard for Grandpa. 

Project #5 – Sunday morning – hubby says “look in the paper and see if any corn is on sale”.  Well of course it was on sale!  So we went and bought 120 ears of corn for $24.00 to process and freeze for the winter. 

Whew…I need a little break.  The corn is flash  freezing as I type. We find this makes it easier to vacuum seal as the juice doesn’t mess up the seal.   I can smell a wonderful pork roast in the oven which will be our supper this evening and am enjoying a few moments blogging. 

Well, two more days off of work…..I am sure I will find more projects to keep me busy! 

Happy Labor Day!