Seeded Bagels from Alana Chernila's Homemade Kitchen Cookbook- which I highly recommend!

I put strong value in family dinners.   It is a time that our whole family can connect, sit down together, have conversation and share a meal.

I do not want to portray the illusion that every family dinner in our household is calm and blissful.   Nor do I want to brush aside the effort it takes to plan, prepare, and time everything so that it works with a busy family's schedule.

I do want to emphasize that, however, that this habit, has paved the way for daily family connection in our family.  As much as it is a chore, the benefits make it all worth it.

I know too, the opportunity to spend this time with my four children around our family table is fleeting.  My children are growing up quickly.   I want to share this experience with them.

To make this happen I take some time each week for meal planning, which I am choosing to share with you as well!

I hope you get some inspiration by what I post. Regardless, this practice is beneficial for me, as it is creating a database of dinner ideas (all you have to do is click on the meal planning category tag on the sidebar to see all my posts on this topic).  

I also value your feedback and appreciate your ideas and inspiration as well! 

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On the family agenda this week:  No School Monday & after school ski practices are done for the season!

Our weeknight family meal plan - February 18-22

Monday:  Homemade Bagel Sandwiches & Tomato Soup

need:  homemade bagels from the recipe in THIS COOKBOOK, {I have been making a batch of bagels on the weekend, we have loving them.   I am planning on deli meat and cheese with tomato soup.

Tuesday:  Sheet Pan Pork Loin Supper & Brown Rice

need:   baby potatoes, pork loin, onion, Brussel Sprouts, brown Rice

Wednesday:  Chicken Noodle Soup

need:  cooked chicken, celery, carrots, stock, dried parsley, noodles

Thursday:  Something New!!! Cornbread Waffles with Chili Fixings

need:   ground venison, chili beans, canned tomatoes, sour cream, cornbread & the waffle iron

Friday:   Chicken Tender Ceasar Wraps

need:  tortillas, frozen chicken tenders, romaine lettuce, caesar dressing, 

Weekday Lunches:   Calzones!!   I have been making a big batch (18+) calzones on weekends for school lunches and second suppers for my growing children (and husband).   I originally thought they would make it through the week.   They have been gone by Tuesday.   Calzones are working for our family.   I am finding making a double batch of pizza dough, rolling out balls of dough, filling and baking them into calzones is a satisfying and cost effective way to feed my family.   I am going to be experimenting (and sharing) the variations I create from week to week in this space as well.

dough:  I double THIS RECIPE and make it using the dough setting in THIS BREADMAKER.

Calzones of the week:   Peanut Butter and Jelly!

Have great week friends!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.   (your family, your interests, etc;)

I am a thinker, maker, creator.  As a wife, mother of three school age kids who is running two business and managing an active household, my time is pretty occupied! I do love to run and take spin classes. Staying active for me helps quiet the business in my life. Growing up on a farm in Iowa gave me the opportunity to explore outside, create and operate large pieces of machinery. I believe that gave me the confidence to try new things and create my business.

Please tell us about the beginnings of your business, and how you've come to be where you are now?

I also own Olive & Fern, a flower girl dress business (as seen in Martha Stewart Weddings). I have made dresses for almost 10 years. So starting Gypsy Bandanas was easier already knowing the business end of things.  Gypsy bandanas was created to add another layer to my sewing life, It allows me to be more creative and free with the fabrics I choose. I love making items that are for everyday living too. Seeing my items worn by young and old is really something!

Is there anything new you'd like to tell us about?

It has been so fun designing new items for Gypsy Bandanas! I have some new snap scarves in the works, and my favorite items are my fabric wrist cuffs with running inspirational quotes. I am excited to travel this summer and set up at Markets and sell in person.  

Anything else?

My family always comes first, when things get busy at home or work we rally together and help each other out. This is a family business, we help each other, from sitting with me at Festivals and Markets, tagging items or picking the right fabrics! Its great to have it all woven together!

Thank you, Beth, for this fun and inspirational conversation!

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And for even more fun Beth is sponsoring a GIVEAWAY of:

a headband or bandana of your choice!

Earn entries by:

• Posting a comment on my Gypsy Bandanas Giveaway Instagram Post
• Posting a comment on this blog post describing how you are planning on spending some time outdoors this weekend.

This giveaway runs through 2/18/19 .  Good Luck!

Thank you for all of you who entered!  I used the random number generator and it came up with lucky number 46 out of the 65 entrants to this giveaway!

Congratulations Trina!  

Your instagram comment was the winning entry!

 CLICK HERE  to visit gypsybandanas.com

.....

We have a busy week ahead and a slightly different schedule with all that is involved with the State Nordic Ski Meet Competition and a Friday and Monday off of school for an extended President's Day break.  

Last week we were able to extend and feast on leftovers of the ginger peanut rice noodle meal I made on Monday and Thursday we ended up packing up a big picnic for a day at the section meet, when we got home instead of making a meal I made a big batch of stovetop popcorn.    So, sloppy Joes are still in the rotation!

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Our weeknight family meal plan - February 11-14.

Monday:  Sloppy Joes (using a ground venison with this recipe)

need:  tomato sauce, onion, ketchup, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper, hamburger buns

**read my interview with Maya Wilson HERE

Tuesday: Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage (I will be making a variation of this recipe.)

need: Italian sausage, onion, garlic, canned tomatoes, broth, dried basil & tortellini.

Wednesday:  Rice Bowls

need:  chicken, taco seasoning, brown rice, chili beans, cheese, cilantro, avocados, green onion, cheese & tortilla chips

Thursday:    picnic lunch for the ski meet and stovetop popcorn!!!

Friday-Monday: -- LONG WEEKEND!!!  

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I hope you get some inspiration by what I post. Regardless, this practice is beneficial for me, as it is creating a database of dinner ideas (all you have to do is click on the meal planning category tag on the sidebar to see all my posts on this topic).  

I also value your feedback and appreciate your ideas and inspiration as well! 

Have great week friends!

Around Here.....

We are in the peak of the ski racing season.  

This past week our daughter competed in the section ski race and qualified for the Minnesota State Nordic Ski meet which will be held next Thursday.  

Yesterday our  11 year old had his very first race.   He had fun and he did great!

We are proud of both of them!

Lure of the North from Jonathan Chapman | JCP on Vimeo.

Check out this lovely little documentary about a special family in my neck of the woods.  

pictured above: Beef Stew & Jo Jo's Biscuits from the Magnolia Table Cookbook as recommended by Maggie Martin.   I made a big double batch of this last Wednesday when school was canceled.  We ate half and I froze half so I would have an easy go-to meal in the freezer when I need it.

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I am getting into a routine of sharing my meal plans for the upcoming week.   I know so many of you are challenged, like me, with this ongoing chore, working to prepare nutritious weeknight meals that already before your kids fill up on after-school snacks.   Read more of my ramblings on this topic HERE.

I hope you get some inspiration by what I post. Regardless, this practice is beneficial for me, as it is creating a database of dinner ideas (all you have to do is click on the meal planning category tag on the sidebar to see all my posts on this topic).  

I also value your feedback and appreciate your ideas and inspiration as well! 

---------------

On the family agenda this week:  parent-teacher conferences & a ski meet.

Our weeknight family meal plan - February 4-8.

Monday: (Trying something NEW!)  Ginger Peanut Hoisin Noodles with Chicken  (from The Alaska from Scratch Cookbook)  

**read my interview with Maya Wilson HERE

need: cilantro, green onion, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, peanut butter, chicken, rice noodles, honey, peanuts, limes, red pepper, ginger, carrots

Tuesday:  Sheet Pan Dinner With Bratwurst and Roasted Vegetables

need:   baby potatoes, brats, brussel sprouts, onions, peppers, hot dog buns

Wednesday:  Sloppy Joes (using a ground venison with this recipe)

need:  tomato sauce, onion, ketchup, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper, hamburger buns

Thursday:  Chicken Noodle Soup

need:   noodles, stock, celery, chicken, dried parsley, carrots

Friday:  Chicken Enchiladas (didn't get to this one last week-)

need:  cooked chicken, tortillas, enchilada sauce, rice

Have great week friends!

The February issue of Minnesota Parent Magazine is available throughout Minnesota and online now.




My ramblings in my School Days Column this month highlight strategies to build resilience while navigating the stresses of parenthood.

Pick up a print copy, or read the full issue by clicking --> HERE.

Find the online link to my column---> HERE.

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If you like what you see, social media 'shares' are appreciated!

As always - thanks for reading!

Happy Friday Friends!

Here's my "Friday Fave,"a series highlighting fun and interesting things (products, experiences and/or ideas) that I would recommend to others.

Here's what I am digging this week:

Grey Duck Bag Co.

I love my Market Tote.

The Collector Bags are perfect for knitting projects.

I use my Adventurer Bag for my lunch each school day and I use a Minimalist Bag as a purse.  It is the perfect size to to hold my checkbook, a Coin Purse and some extras.

Grey Duck Bags are fun, durable, practical and stylish.   Handmade in my hometown by savvy entrepreneur mama, Tara Boerst.

Check out her products online at www.greyduckbags.com

This is what we woke up to this morning.

Needless to say we will be hunkering down and doing some hibernating today.

So far we are keeping cozy with hot coffee, oatmeal with summer blueberries and a couple games of bananagrams.    

There are some other shenanigans going on in the house as well like drone flying, bedroom basketball games and everyone's fair share of screen time, whether that is movies or internet surfing.    What do you do. 

We are fortunate that we have all our needs met and we are warm and safe during this arctic blast.    With above zero temperatures in the forecast for the weekend it seems like there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Stay warm!

calzones!   (see notes at the end of this post)

--------------

I am getting into a routine of sharing my meal plans for the upcoming week.   I know so many of you are challenged, like me, with this ongoing chore, working to prepare nutritious weeknight meals that already before your kids fill up on after school snacks.   Read more of my ramblings on this topic HERE.

I hope you get some inspiration by what I post. Regardless, this practice is beneficial for me, as it is creating a database of dinner ideas (all you have to do is click on the meal planning category tag on the sidebar to see all my posts on this topic).  

I also value your feedback and appreciate your ideas and inspiration as well! 

---------------

On the family agenda this week:  parent-teacher conferences & a ski meet.

Our weeknight family meal plan - January 28 - February 1.

Monday:  Lasagna Soup  (from Alaska from Scratch)  **read my interview with Maya Wilson HERE

need:  lasagna noodles, Italian sausage, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella

Tuesday:  Sheet Pan Baked Parmesan Pork Chops

need:   baby potatoes, thick cut pork chops, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs & asparagus

Wednesday:  Chicken Enchiladas

need:  cooked chicken, tortillas, enchilada sauce, rice

Thursday:  Crock Pot Venison Chili & Cornbread Muffins

need:   ground venison, chili beans, canned tomatoes, sour cream, cornbread

Friday:   Chicken Tender Ceasar Wraps

need:  tortillas, frozen chicken tenders, romaine lettuce, caesar dressing, 

Weekday Lunches:   Calzones!!   I have been making a big batch (18+) calzones on weekends for school lunches and second suppers for my growing children (and husband).   I originally thought they would make it through the week.   They have been gone by Tuesday.   Calzones are working for our family.   I am finding making a double batch of pizza dough, rolling out balls of dough, filling and baking them into calzones is a satisfying and cost effective way to feed my family.   I am going to be experimenting (and sharing) the variations I create from week to week in this space as well.

dough:  I double THIS RECIPE and make it using the dough setting in THIS BREADMAKER.

Calzones of the week:   BBQ Chicken   - filling:   cooked chicken, bbq sauce, provolone, red onion 

Have great week friends!