Sunday, May 27, 2012

Remembering


Today Jeff and I decided that we should take the kids on a little trip.  With no final destination in mind, we knew that we wanted to visit the grave sites of our grandparents.  First, we drove to Bourbon County and visited my grandmother and grandfather's grave.

Forrest and Virginia Davis's tombstone.  Gina's dad's parents.

Then off we went to Harrison County to see the grave site of Jeff's grandmother.


Lily DeBruler's tombstone. Jeff's father's mother.
 Then the kids were turning into little beasts so we decided to feed them before something really terrible happened.  We were lucky to find a Mexican restaurant where Sydney and Colton could eat there favorite Mexican meal; chips and salsa followed by chicken strips and french fries.





Summer and JD, B.A.F..... Best Amigos Forever

Then we went to visit Jeff's papaw, Joby DeBruler, Lily's widowed husband.  Joby is now remarried to Jean, the sweetest little lady, whom Jeff's family just loves!  Then on the way home we stopped for some cold drinks.  Those who were allowed to purchase caffinated drinks were chatty and playful...



 
Those were not allowed to purchase caffinated drinks are now well-rested and will, no doubt, be up till midnight...







And this is the man who made it all happen...

My Baby-Daddy


 

Friday, May 4, 2012

Leftovers...The Ultimate Convenience Food!

Here at the Taylor-DeBruler home we eat a lot of leftovers! 

I *believe* in leftovers. I believe in "waste not, want not."  I believe in "use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without".  I believe there are still starving children around the world who would graciously eat any and all leftovers that my family may lament about.

I believe if you do not eat what I put on the table, you may go fix yourself a PB and J sandwich and a glass of milk.

I also believe that I have better things to do with my time than stand in the kitchen 28 times a week (breakfast, lunch, supper, and snack for 7 days) and cook up new and exciting meals.

So I cook in bulk, freeze some, refrigerator some for later, and cook up some for the next meal. Here is an example:

I find chicken breast on sale so I buy a bunch.  I mean a BUNCH, shamelessly emptying out the chicken breast freezer display while other people stand behind me waiting their turn to choose their package of chicken breast, only to find that the lady in front of them (that would be me) with the brood of kids (those would be mine) has taken every last package.

Then I take my chicken breast home and put the majority of it in the freezer.  In celebration of finding a great deal, I decide we should have Ranch Chicken and Pasta for supper (my husband has convinced me it is called supper, not dinner.  He is currently trying to convince me that what I call lunch is actually called dinner.  I have explained to him that his brainwashing is not working, I have compromised on the whole dinner-supper issue and a girl has to draw a line in the sand eventually...I digress.)

I fix enough Ranch Chicken and Pasta for supper that night, lunch the next day and supper the following night.  See how this works?  I cook one HUGE meal and it lasts for 2 days!  And I still have a ton of chicken in the freezer. 

Let's say whole chickens were on sale, about twice a year I can find them for $.49/lb.  That's cheap, people.  I load my cart up with whole chickens as I listen to all the whispers around me regarding my shopping habits.  I often turn to the gathering crowd and explain that we have a 10 foot pet alligator and it's either whole chickens or the kids.  At this point, people start putting their whole chickens in my cart because they feel such pity for the dangerous situation my children are living in.  This is my goal.  Whole chicken may not be this cheap for a while so I gotta do whatever I can to stock up!  Don't judge me!

That night I fix a whole chicken in the oven and serve it with a couple of side dishes.  If there is enough left over, I'll fix chicken casserole the next night.  But if there isn't much meat left, I'll throw together a pot of Tortilla Soup and we'll eat on that for a couple of days. Essentially, I've make 2 meals and fed my family for 4-5 days.  That Rocks! 

Ya can't do that with laundry!  Boy that would be wonderful...to make two outfits last five days.  My laundry room would look a lot better than it does right now.  Here, I'll include a picture... nevermind.

Leftovers are a mom's best friend!  Think ahead and make good use of them!

Amen.