Weekend Overload

So I did it! I got started!
Let's check out my before mess:

So there it is ... there it was.   I worked my tushi off getting things cleaned up.  My little lady went shopping with me to Trader Joe's and Super Target.  We got things for Chicken Enchiladas, Pulled Pork, Garlic Bread, Chicken Pot Pie, Honey Spice Pork Chops.   I decided to start there - it was a lot of work; storage bags, storage tins, spices, cleaning out cupboards and the freezer ... oh my!  Luckily when I got home from the grocery store Jackson was ready to take a break from playing Octonauts and TMNT with Chris and he helped me unload - he loved it!

I'm embarrassed to say that I am writing this on a Thursday - 4 days after the project got under way.  So we'll make this more of a summary:  During one point in my cooking process Billy was playing outside, Jackson and Sophia were napping and Chris had fallen asleep in the toy room - I turned off the TV and just enjoyed getting things prepared.

I called my mom numerous times and I called my mother in law Patti too! I had no idea what to do with all the pork chops and pork shoulder roast in my freezer - luckily it didnt go to waste - pulled pork in the oven (who knew?) and then the pork chops in the crock pot for the Spice Pork chops.

While everyone was napping I was also able to make 3 pans of chicken enchiladas.  On Sunday I finished up all the extra chicken and made 5 things of chicken pot pie - some with mixed vegetables (chris' favorite) and then california mix (my favorite).

I will attach a post with all of the recipes posted.  but as a result:   Chris loved the honey spice pork chops - I did not.  I cooked them WAY WAY too long in the crock pot (hours upon hours) and they were dry.  The garlic bread was a hit - next time, I would not buy french bread - i would choose a thicker bread that I could slice and make more in the style of texas toast - too much crust makes it hard to eat.  Chris tried to heat up a chicken pot pie straight from the freezer ... my suggestion ... "my bad" .. definitely thaw it in the fridge over night.  Tonight he heated up a chicken enchilada dish (that was thawed) and that turned out just fine.

In between all the cooking, I continued to pursue my passion for pictures.  I only spent about 15-20 minutes trying to snap some shots of Sophia and Little man.  They turned out all right.  I just wanted to get one good picture of her with her 3 balloons - I think it worked :)  I will definitely need to keep practicing.  My frustration is that I have a book about DSL for dummies - But I need a How to Read "DSL for Dummies" for dummies... it's so confusing. CAN SOMEONE JUST SHOW ME WHAT THE BUTTONS DO!? i just want to know how to have the professional touch at the end of the pictures - is it about where you print them? where should I print them? Shutterfly takes the liberty to crop all DSL photos - doesnt make me too happy.  Ahh, but it sure is fun!

What's next - well it's been a week full of work, a house that gets away from me - so grateful to chris who emptied/loaded the dishwasher and scrubbed the crock pot, laundry is always going - but my kids are bathed, smiling and happy!  Well they are sleeping right now (I am determined not to spend much time away from them, these are my naptime and evening projects).   But for the weekend I have two more recipes to try:   Some Chicken Pasta bake & My sister in law, Ashlee's, Beef Enchiladas _ I have all that I need for both, besides the meat.  Then I will take a breather, stay stocked up on fresh fruits and vegetables and eat from my fresh frozen meals :)

I do promise to try to keep up better with the blogging as it goes - I've talked about it so much, I have to follow through!  Again, if you're still hanging in there - thanks!  and now you can enjoy the finished product below: