Summer 2014

Summer Summertime! !

Summer has been flying by so fast this year. I can not believe we have enter August already. Just crazy I tell ya.

We haven't done a whole lot this summer. I took on a summer job giving free meals to children. It's rewarding and I like the hours and the girls I work with.

So far we have gobe camping twice, once for a weekend and once for 8 days. One beach trip and a lot of pool time and hanging out in the yard and gardening. Hopefully we can get back to camp one more time before School starts. The kids and I go back on the 27th. Time has gone by fast. Wish winter would go by this fast but far chance there!!!

Just wanted to share some pictures of our summertime!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. So far I have read two books by my favorite author Elin Hilderbrand, Summerland and the Match maker. Love her books I read them every summer. Every one at work has talked me into ready 50 shades of grey so that's next on my list.

Well have a fabulous day!! Get some sun.

Xox Lisamarie

Day 2 no meat challenge

Day 2

So I actually had some breakfast today. Figured I better get some cereal before the kids eat it all on me. They eat cereal all day long. I like my cereal with coconut milk or almond milk. Let's not forget my 3 cups of black coffee (Starbucks that is) with cinnamon.

For lunch I had mac and cheese with spinach and kale. Let's not forget the garlic!! Yum. It was actually a knows pasta side that I spiced up. I used coconut milk instead of real milk, and you'd never know!! Oh and I added some white sharp cheddar cheese. Something quick and easy while cleaning the house and dealing with a never ending laundry basket.

For dinner I had a cheese quesadilla and a salad with some buffalo ranch. I know I know probably a bad choose on that fat ass dressing. But oh well I'm trying here!

Hubby has been good too eating my all veggie meals. Though I have been packing him lunch meat sandwiches. But I know he will never fully give up meat.

So far no meat craving. But like I've said before I've done this plenty of times and I'm not much of a meat eater.

Oh and here's an extra picture, it's my girls being all cute enjoying summer.

Xox Lisamarie

Been MIA

Ughhh I deleted everything off my phone cause it said I used up all the photo space. I thought I had all those pictures in my computer. I like to take all the pix of my meals then post them when I get a chance. Grrr now I have to start all over again!!! But I really enjoy sharing my meals now I just need some more followers!! :)

Spicy Chicken Burrito's

Yum yum, I'm not a big meat eater and don't really ever eat chicken but this came out so good even I loved it!!!

You don't have to make this spicy at all but we enjoy a little spice sometimes so I added jalapeño's. Also you can use chicken breast cut up or any kind of chicken you have! I had 6 drumsticks so I boiled them earlier in the day and put them in the fridge. I removed the skins and shredded the meat.

What you'll need
Shredded Chicken
1 onion chopped
1 pepper chopped
1 large can of crushed tomatoes
1 small can of corn drained
1 package of Taco seasoning
About 1/8 of a cup of jalapeños or to your taste

In a pot add with a little olive oil cook onions and peppers. At about half done add the chicken and cook a few minutes then add crushed tomatoes. Then add corn and taco seasoning and jalapeños and cook about medium heat till sauce is hot and ready or simmer for a bit while you cook rice.

Rice
Minute rice or any rice of your choice
Black beans
Cilantro
2TBSP of butter
1/2 tsp of cumin
1/2 tsp of paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Handful of fresh cilantro

Cook rice to directions. When done add butter and then all other ingredients except cilantro. Cook on low till beans are warm. Remove from heat and add cilantro.

Now you're ready to roll up your tortillas. I warm mine in the microwave with a damp paper towel on top. Sprinkle some cheese and add chicken and roll up. Serve with rice!!!

Hope you like this recipe. It's easy to make and taste super yummy!!
-Lisa

Schools Out... Here starts out Summer

Today was my last day of work!! Yay I'm so excited to enjoy the Summer. I'll miss a paycheck but it'll be fun to be home with the kids and have some Summer Fun.

Our pool is open and ready for the Sun to come and stay. We can't having rain here and it stinks I want hot sun.

My sons Birthday is on the 20th so we'll be having a party the weekend after. He wants a pool party and sleepover. The boys will be sleeping in a tent. We did this last year and it was so much fun. For a few years we were taking them to the campground but now we have a pool so we do it at our house.

Also I started my Summer reading!! I don't take much time any other time but Summer to read. I read the same other every year, Elin Hilderbrand. I'm reading The Blue Bistro right now. She's an amazing author if you like good summer books most of all her books take place in Nantucket and are all just fantastic reads.

Well I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of their Summer!! Hope I can survive the next couple months with the kids!! Hehe
{Lisa}

Home Made Orange Cleaner from Pintrest

This idea came from Pinterest!! I had to try it and OMG is it lovely!!

I'm always looking for homemade things and I love anything organic! My favorite cleaner is Mrs. Meyers. When I saw this I just had to try it out. It's very simple and I'm telling you you'll love it. Great for cleaning almost anything even hard wood floors and your bathroom.

Eat some oranges and save the peels!
Put the peels in a jar, I like to save spaghetti jars. Fill the jar with white vinegar. Let sit for 2 weeks. Remove the peels and transfer to a spray bottle. You can also add cinnamon sticks. I tried one like this and liked it a little better for smell.

I'm absolutely in love with this cheap homemade cleaner that I can even give to my kids to clean with!!!

What are your favorite homemade house cleaners??
{Lisa}

Pasta with Olives & Caper Sauce

Happy Friday!! Hope everyone has been enjoying their week?!

Here's a yummy Italian dish that I just adore!! This is just a great comforting kinda dish. I try to make a few meals a week without meat so this is just perfect if you love vegetarian dishes or Italian food for that matter.

Let's get started!

6 TBSP of EVOO (some Rachel Ray term for ya!! Hehe)
6 Cloves of garlic sliced
1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes
1 28 oz can of stewed or crushed tomatoes I used stewed ones and cut them up! I also cut up some cherry tomatoes
2-3 large celery sliced thinly
1 cup of black pitted olives put removed and cut in half you can also add green ones but I didn't have any in the house
1/3 cup drained capers
1/4 cup of Basil chopped
1 lb of pasta
About a 1/2 cup of grated parmigiano-reggiano

Boil salted water for pasta.
In a large skillet heat up about a 1/2 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add garlic and sizzle till golden about a minute or 2. Then add crushed red peppers, cook for another minute. Add Tomatoes and celery also a little salt and pepper if you'd like! Just remember the olives and capers are salty so be careful. Fill tomato can with pasta water and add to skillet. Bring sauce to a boil. Add olives and simmer.Let thicken about 10 minutes. Add capers and basil, simmer for a few minutes. Add pasta and stir till well. Drizzle with EVOO and stir. Remove from heat and add cheese and serve!!

Love this dish so much! Great for leftovers too!!! What's your favorite Italian dish??

Thanks so much for checking out our Blog!! Have a wonderful Weekend!!
{Lisa}

Follow my Instagram for some more food ideas LisaLuvsMac

Lunch Lady Mommy Chit Chat

Hello Bogging World!!! So it's official yesterday was my first day a REAL lunch lady!!! Hehe I've been subbing in the cafeteria for a few schools in town all year and a job opening came up at the High School!! I'm so excited to have a steady job instead of subbing! I liked subbing this year cause it was my first year back to work in many years of being at SAHM. So that eased me into working again.
Yay!!! :)

So this kids last day of school is on June 20th. Which is also my sons 12th birthday! I think this is the first year he's ever been in school for his birthday!! He's off to the middle school next year!! I just can't believe how big he has gotten and he's 2 inches taller than me now :( omg crazy!!!

The girls will be going into 2nd grade next year! Which seems impossible. I feel like they were just babies!!

I'm super excited for summer and to kinda be off routine for a bit!! We'll enjoy the pool and I have some painting projects to do!! I'll be sharing those with you! Also so much to do around the house! I feel like there's always something to do and redo! I can't wait to share my home with you!!

Well thanks so much for checking out my blog and please feel free to leave comments I'd love to chat.

Here's some recent pictures of the family I wanted to share.

Homemade Pizza with Kale & Sausages

I make homemade pizza all the time!! It's so easy and fun!! I make on the weekend and most of the time use our leftovers from the week, if there's any?!

It's a fun dinner to make with this kids cause they love adding the toppings!!

So here's the dough recipe I use! I've tried many different ones and this is my favorite!

4 Cups of flour
1& 1/2 cups warm water
1/4 tsp of salt
1 envelope of yeast
2 pinches of sugar
Add flour and salt to mixer and stir. Make a well in the middle. Pour in water add the yeast and sugar. Let sit for 15 minutes to active the yeast. Then put the mixer on with the dough hook. Blend till it starts forming a ball around the cook. Take out of bowl and add a little olive oil to the bowl and I like to smear it all over bowl with my fingers. Ball up the dough and add it to bowl! Let rise for about and hour or so. It will rise really big poke it with your finger to deflate it. Kneed it on the table a little then add back to bowl for about 1/2 hour to hour. Then it's ready!!

Put a little olive oil on cookie sheet and roll out dough, you'll have to use your hands to help too!!

This recipe will make a thick crust for a regular size round cookie sheet or a regular to thin crust for a big rectangular cookie sheet!!
Add your sauce, cheese and toppings!! Yum :)
Enjoy!!
Xoxo LisaMarie
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OMG blog from ur phone

I'm so excited!! I had no idea you can blog straight from your iPhone!!! Well blogging just got easier and amazing!!!! I'm pretty excited over this do maybe I can start to share more things more offend!! Ya!!