Emily Johnson

is way behind!

Sorry about not posting anything about menus and such...Not sure that too many are following this, but it was fun for me.  I've just been busy with other thoughts.  I will try to get back into the groove after this weekend is over.

Menu for the Week

Grocery list is done and printed!  Ready to go to the Children's Museum tomorrow afternoon with the family, then Whole Foods for dinner and groceries!

• Succotash w/ Homemade Sourdough Bread
• Homemade Tortelloni with Homemade Sun-dried Tomato Rolls: Homemade pasta stuffed with chopped Shallot, garlic cloves, mushrooms and grated Romano Cheese...topped with a butter sauce.
• Bistro Chicken Twist (Pampered Chef Recipe) tweaking the recipe a little and making Homemade French Bread  instead of buying the refrigerated package.  This is the basic idea http://simplymarvelousfood.blogspot.com/2008/09/bistro-chicken-twist.html
• Beef Roast w/ Balsamic Onion and Homemade Cornbread: Same recipe from the previous meal plan.  Nathanael requested that I try this one again, only less onions and less Balsamic Vinegar.  We'll see... http://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/01/slow-cooker-beef-roast-with-balsamic-onions.html
• Curried Chicken w/ Couscous (Pampered Chef Recipe): http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thebeerandbourbonreview.com/wp-content/uploads/cache/127_thumbzoom.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thebeerandbourbonreview.com/%3Fp%3D127&usg=__9zUoDEd3L2Z-UHHopCOeWHmAVGs=&h=402&w=600&sz=160&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=NK5thAHh8rqrcM:&tbnh=162&tbnw=212&ei=wxBXTYD2N4eFtgee3eysDQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3DPampered%2BChef%2BCurried%2BChicken%2Bwith%2BCouscous%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D653%26tbs%3Disch:1%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=342&vpy=96&dur=848&hovh=184&hovw=274&tx=142&ty=137&oei=wxBXTYD2N4eFtgee3eysDQ&page=1&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0
• Rigatoni w/ Tuna & Sun-dried Tomato and a Fresh Salad
• Homemade Skyline Chili

Just like the last week, this list isn't necessarily in any specific order...we will see how the meals come.

10 Things You Waste Money On Every Day...

This was the title of one of MSN's articles this afternoon.  I was getting ready to sit and think about making next weeks grocery menu/list, and since I was thinking about the grocery budget, I was interested in seeing what MSN had to say about wasting money.  Here were their 10 things people waste money on everyday:

1. Lottery Tickets
2. Expensive Coffee Drinks
3. Newsstand Magazines
4. Dry Cleaning
5. Premium Gasoline
6. Movie Concessions
7. Workday Restaurant Lunches
8. Professional Manicures and Pedicures
9. High-Priced Grooming Products
10. Premium Cable Channels

So, for those of you who don't know me, let me go over this list with you, and explain how unhelpful it was for me. 

1. I don't buy lottery tickets.
2. I only buy expensive coffee drinks *Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha* when I'm traveling.
3. Newsstand Magazines: don't buy them.
4. Dry Cleaning.  I have never had anything dry cleaned...I do have a duvet and p-coat that should have been taken to the dry cleaners years ago...but I guess I'm saving money by not taking them?
5. I don't buy Premium Gas.
6. I don't go to the movies but maybe 2-3 times a year, and if I do go, I just ask for a cup of ice and I fill it up with water at the water fountain.
7. I don't think I need to explain this one...my lunches are here at home.
8. I have had one Pedicure in my life (thanks Rebekah) and 5 Manicures (2 Proms and my Wedding Day and I think for Amy and Hadassah's weddings too.)  So I don't think I'm over spending there.
9. I use coupons or sales for my grooming products, and I don't wear make-up.
10. We still have bunny ears.

So, since MSN couldn't help me save money, I got the idea that I would ask all of you.  I am going to put my "money saving tip" on here, and ask that you add your tip in the comments.  Maybe if I get enough comments, I can repost this at a later date with a new list for those of us who are already doing these other things.

My money saving tip for the day is:
When you go to buy your shredded cheese, check the price of the brick of cheese compared to the bag of shredded cheese.  Don't be afraid to buy the brick of cheese and shred it yourself. If you don't like the way softer cheese clumps when shredded, add a little bit of flour while shredding and your cheese won't stick together.  Also, bricks of cheese last longer in the fridge than shredded cheese!

What do you have to add?

Dinners this week.

So, some of those dinners that I posted about haven't gone so well and others were amazing.  Here's my thoughts.

The Beef Roast with Balsamic Onions served with Steamed Snap Green Beans and Homemade Cornbread Muffins (crockpot) Seemed to have too much Balsamic flavoring, and Nathanael wasn't crazy about all the onions.  The Cornbread Muffins were great and so were the beans.


Curried Coconut Chicken served with Stirfry Veggies all over white Rice (crockpot) was a bust!  Won't be making that again.  Couldn't really taste the "coconut" flavor, and everything just seemed mushy and had a strange taste.


Spinach and Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breasts served with Homemade Rolls I enjoyed this meal.  The kids didn't end up getting to eat any, because I decided to use fresh spinach instead of frozen like the recipe called for, and I didn't buy nearly enough fresh to fill 3 chicken breasts.  Nathanael and I ate it later after he got home from work and it was good.  I couldn't stop eating the rolls, SERIOUSLY!  They were Buttery rolls...dipped in melted butter before baking.....i'm drooling just thinking about them!


Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas served with Corn and Chips and Salsa were delicious.  I added a few more spices than what the original recipe called for...PC's chipotle spice to be exact.  The only thing that I would change however, is make the sauce creamier.  I was thinking that it was too runny when I was filling each tortilla, but after it baked, it was runny at all...and I wish it would have been a little more gooey.  Nathanael however likes crispier, and would have liked the tortillas a little crunchier.  I will be making this again and just play with the consistency.  The salsa I used was Newman's Own Black Bean and Corn.  First time having it and Nathanael and I really liked it a lot.  Will be getting it again.


Covered in Garlic Chicken served with Steamed Broccoli and Homemade Rolls always a favorite in the house.  Although I used the left over rolls from the Spinach and Tomato stuffed Chicken dinner night...and by this time, they were a little dry...but still delicious.  (and this would be the night I ended up in the ER!)


Homemade Chicken Pot Pie (leftover chicken from Garlic Chicken)...EVERYONE LOVED IT!  3/4 of the 9inch deep pie was eaten in one sitting...Ivy had 3rds! Ari had 2nds (which is rare with veggies especially potatoes)!
Here is the recipe! 
http://www.5dollardinners.com/2011/01/chicken-pot-pie-2.html

Although I changed it a bit. I added an onion with the potatoes and carrots, then after I blended the two scoops in the blender, I added some peas.  I also added just a big of salt and pepper when I mixed it all back together.

I didn't use the chicken that they called for.  I actually used some left over chicken from the whole chicken I cooked for last nights dinner...(which is another amazing recipe, but you need the Pampered Chef baker for that one.)

I also used whole wheat flour instead of white and it turned out fine!  I used my Kitchen Aid Mixer with the flat beater on stir...added all the dry ingredients to the bowl and started stir...then added shortening while still stirring.  Checked it and added the milk after it resembled the coarse crumbs.  Waited till it cleaned the sides of the bowl, then just rolled it out on a floured surface!  SO EASY!

I'm not sure that I even did 5lbs of potatoes, and I have a ton of the filling left over.  Enough to make another pie!  Which is probably what I'm going to do.  So you will just have to eyeball it...might be a good idea to put the carrots, potatoes, onion, peas (and whatever you want) in the pie dish as you peel and cut it just to see how much you actually want to do.

If you want any of the other recipes, let me know!  You can find all of the main dishes at: $5 dinners (except Covered in Garlic Chicken is a PC recipe).  This link will take you to the index page where you can hold down Ctrl F, then use the internet search box and type in the name of the recipe from my blog.

What's on the menu?

*This week is looking delicious, and easy!*

Since we are doing the grocery shopping today after naps, tonight is looking like Homemade Pizza night.

(Not necessarily in this order)

-Spinach and Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breasts served with Homemade Rolls
-Beef Roast with Balsamic Onions served with Steamed Snap Green Beans and Homemade Cornbread Muffins (crockpot)
-Curried Coconut Chicken served with Stirfry Veggies all over white Rice (crockpot)
-Covered in Garlic Chicken served with Steamed Broccoli and Homemade Rolls
-Homemade Chicken Pot Pie (leftover chicken from Garlic Chicken)
-Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas served with Corn and Chips and Salsa

All week is it supposed to be either cloudy or rainy, however Sunday is supposed to be sunny and 60, so I think I'll let Nathanael take over dinner that day, and fire up the grill!

When it rains, it pours.

Or freezes in my case.

This morning I rushed to get all three kids ready to go to a WIC appointment, just to find that when I got there one minute early...that every state government office in the state of South Carolina was closed today.  Why you ask?  Oh, because it was 28 degrees and drizzling outside.  Sure I had to scrape some ice off my car before getting into it this morning, but come on...shut everything down?

On top of that, on the way home the car overheated.  I ended up pulling off into a McDonald's.  I thought it would be better to get off the road and wait for Nathanael, then to try to get home and be stranded on the side of the road.  So, if that wasn't bad enough, I didn't have much cash on me and McD's CC machine was down.   I was just going to order water for all of us, but the manager was there and overheard my dilemma and gave us our drinks for free so I could afford the breakfast.  So the kids and I spent a little over 2 hours, eating breakfast and just hanging out.  They also later gave the kids a free happy meal toy, and an ice cream.  They were very sweet to us.

So ya, I guess when it rains, it freezes and pours.

Just found this.

Back on September 23, 2007, I wrote this in one of my notebooks:
I'm waiting on a miracle.
It doesn't seem that anyone has hope left.
I know it is possible.
Why hasn't it happened yet?
When will it happen?
You have healed people because of their own faith and also the faith of their loved ones.
I'm still waiting.
I'm still believing.


Then later, sometime after October 1, 2007, I wrote this in the same notebook:
I have invested so much time in thought and in prayer.
There is no response to my letters.
All of my questions have gone unanswered.
So many miles between us, but you touched my heart so many times.
You were there in times of need.
If only this once I could have done the same.
It still doesn't seem real.
I can't convince myself to believe it.
You left behind an impression of love and devotion.
I miss you!


The next year I wrote this:
Jan. 2008 I went to Ohio to surprise my mother for her birthday. On the way down the kids fell asleep like they always do. So, it was just me, the road, and silence. I decided to put in some of my music that I always bring for car trips. I can’t remember the exact order that I played the different CDs, but I do remember the thoughts I had while listening. 

I thought a lot about my Aunt Karen and the time that she was here on Earth, and the time that I had with her. I thought about how she took me to pick up my wedding dress when everyone else was busy and I remembered the time she took me out to buy new maternity clothes when I was pregnant with Ivy because she knew I couldn’t afford them on my own. I then remembered how she was taken from this world in such a sort time and how I expected her to live. I believed she would live. I believed she would be healed and that God would be glorified and the surrounding family would see Him. And then I remembered none of that happened. I was lost…and alone. I cried. (repeatedly blinking my eyes so I could see the road in front of me) I thought to myself…What God did I want to be glorified? And where was He when I thought He would make Himself known? 

I don’t know the answers to these questions …and I probably never will. But right now I’m searching…waiting for something. I don’t know if it is made up, but I feel that the family might be a little closer. Maybe it’s because no one wants to miss out on time that could be spent, since we all know now that life isn’t forever.

As the songs played in my car, I thought either my past was a waste, or it wasn’t. Either the God I worshiped was real, or He wasn’t. And then I decided that I couldn’t be on the fence any longer…I needed to make a choice and go with it. At this point I have made the choice to continue the walk down the narrow path…to see where it will take me.


Writing this today:
I still look back on that time often, and different events that have occurred since.  The ups and the downs that I went through with my faith.  I can say to this day, I am thankful God carried me through, and that he continues to carry me daily.  I know that there is always room for my relationship with Him to expand, and I pray that throughout the year of 2011, I learn more about Him, and the path He will have me walk.