Dinner co-op week of December 10, 2012

I'm a day late with this post because I fell asleep after reading and cuddling with my son. And I love how he still demands this!!! But I think I was out before him. Anyway, I made "company meatloaf" for the ladies this week. It's a recipe that I found in one of those fundraiser cookbooks where people contribute their best, and let me tell you, I think this is truly the best meatloaf I've ever had, sorry Mom!! I will post the recipe later when I have a chance.

To get started, first gather all of your ingredients.  

I first mix all ingredients except the meat, then I mix in the meat with my very clean hands.  it mixes best this way.  Then Lay out a sheet of wax paper and spread out the meat mixture with your hand. Once its spread out, layer the ham then cheese.

Once all the layers are one, you then want to roll up your meatloaf using the wax paper as a guide.  Then place the meatloaf seam side down into a pan that has been sprayed with Pam. 

After the meatloaf is placed into the pan, layer more cheese on top.  I parboiled red skin potatoes for 10 minutes, then placed them into the pan.  You are going to cook for 1hour and 15 min at 350 degrees. It only took me an hour to make 3 of these and the best part is I will get 2 other meals in the exchange that I didn't have to prepare or shop for.
Bon Appetite!

Company Meat Loaf

2 eggs, beaten                                                                    3/4 cup soft bread crumbs

1/2 cup tomato juice                                                         2 T. snipped parsley

1/2 tsp. dried oregano                                                      1 sm. clove garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. pepper                                                                   2 lb. ground beef or turkey

8 thin slices of ham                                                           sliced swiss cheese or mozzarella

Combine eggs, bread crumbs, tomato juice, parsley and seasonings.  Stir in ground meat and mix well (I used my very clean hands).  On wax paper pat meat to a 12x10 rectangle.  Arrange ham slices on top of meat, leaving a small margin around edges.  layer cheese on top of ham.  Starting from the short end carefully roll up the meat.  Place roll, seam side down on a 13x9 pan.  Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour, 15 minutes or until done.  Center of meat roll will be pink due to the ham roll.  Place cheese wedges on top of roll and return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese melts.  Makes 8 servings. 

To make 3, like I did for my dinner co-op, just simple multiply the ingredients by 3.  The cost to make each meatloaf was approx. $10. 

Past Cookie Exchange

I was a bit sad as I was reminded that we cancelled this years cookie exchange party. Last year was so great and we had a record number of ladies that participated. I think it was over 20.... Hmmm, I really do need to start documenting more. Anyway, I thought I'd share with you a few photos. Until next year.... I hope you are all planning on baking some Christmas cookies.

Holiday entertaining readiness

I recently made a Hobby Lobby stop and was excited to see they were stocking some of the same holiday supplies that I have used in recent years. I like to keep things on hand that are decorative and also make clean up easy. The "easy" makes you want to do the "entertaining" part with a smile on your face. Trust me, big smile :-) if you recall on a previous post regarding my gift wrapping, I treat everything the same when it comes to coordination. Try to stick with a color scheme that goes with what you already have and what makes you happy!!

I was so excited to find Cards that coordinated with my paper products.  I just love that!! And anyone that knows me, knows my favorite color is the combination of Black and White!!  So classic and always in style. The small cute cards are for my Lil Effers, I'm so glad Cosmo has brought us all together :-) Now I just need to get them all filled out and sent!

I also found coordinating containers that I was planning to use for mine and Tammy's  annual Cookie Exchange party.  But sadly we have cancelled it this year due to an extremely busy schedule and I'm already feeling the regret.  But I promise that next year we will be back bigger and stronger.

Wrapping paper and ribbon coordination

Before I ran out to buy more wrapping paper I first took an inventory of what I had and what I wanted to expand on. One of the reasons why I love hobby Lobby is they always seem to bring in new wrapping paper that coordinates with what I had previously purchased in past years. I also find if you coordinate and either stick with an theme or color family it will look professionally done. Here is a photo of what I had.

And Here is what I purchased.  As you can see it really does match what I bought 2 years ago. 

When you put it all together and the presents are wrapped, it looks like you spent a lot of effort, but it was easy because you were simply coordinated.  I treat it much like how I decorate my house.  I try to stick with a design style and color palette through out the house so that it is easy to add new things or change them around.  As soon as I get some gifts wrapped, I will post a photo to show how it all looks put together.  Happy Wrapping!!

Setting up a Christmas wrapping station

Last night as I began to organized my Christmas gifts that I have purchased so far, and might I add, they were all purchased online... Such a great tool for any busy, working Domestic Goddess! Anyway, I knew I needed to get the wrapping station set up now in order to keep up with everything this holiday season. I took over the kids playroom, set up a table, pulled out all the wrapping paper, ribbon, tags and all the other supplies. Then I took an inventory of what I needed and I will try to shop at Hobby Lobby tonight. I like this store because they typically have the best selection at 50% off.

Dinner Co-op group

When school started this year I reached out to a few friends whom had a similar family size and were also working moms like myself. There are currently 3 of us and we each make one dinner 3 times. We try to swap either Sunday or Monday night but have kept it flexible when one of us is having a busy week. Last week was disastrous for me as I was planning a very important buisness trip and just never got to making my meal. The ladies were the best and completely understood. So this week I made an extra meal for each of them. We have kept the rules very simple and let me tell you, this co-op has saved me every week from not having to rush home and decide what I was going to cook for dinner. My advice, find some friends and give it a try!! Here are a few photos....

Tomato Basil Topping for Bruschetta Chicken

Bruschetta Chicken

Chicken Pot Pie

Making the Chicken Pot Pie Filling

Chicken Enchilada's and 4 other freezer meals

Chili Pie

Menu plan for Week of February 6 - February 11

Monday:  Baked Ziti and garden salad.
Tuesday:  I had a coupon so we had Boston Market Chicken pot pie, Rotisserie Chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn bread (at home I made frozen peas)
Wednesday:  Indian Chicken salad pockets; this recipe came from my "biggest loser" cook book and I will make a separate batch minus the curry for my kids.  I find that if my food is flavorful I will eat less. 
Thursday:  Ground turkey tacos, my husband and I will eat them on romaine lettuce instead of the taco shell.  Can you tell we are trying to go low simple carb???
Friday:  Pizza for the kids and grilled chicken salad for mommy and daddy....
Saturday:  Cheesy Eggplant Lasagna, recipe again from my "biggest loser" cookbook and only 196 cal.
Sunday:  Chicken and dumplings.... what can I say but YUM!!!

Let the fun begin, Basement closet project

Here is what I started with, Oy!!!  where to begin.  I decided the easiest thing was to just bring it all out, filling up my basement family room.  I placed things in like piles and ended up trowing out 1/4 of if.  Relief sets in, as it starts to come together.  After 2 days......

I have the beginnings of an organized closet.  But don't let the bare shelves fool you.  There is still several items on the floor of my family room.

I had boxes and bags of ribbon and gift wrapping adornments.  I took plastic containers and shallow boxes to organize according to either color group, season or holiday.  It fits neatly on a newly cleaned shelf.

I now see happiness over my husbands face, which surprisingly makes me happy too.  Happy Family :-)

I'll post a photo of the final project, but give me until the end of the weekend.......