I'm Back!

Hope you're all doing well out their in blogland!

After two weeks of a broken computer, a hectic new work schedule for my hubby, and illness, I'm finally here again. :)

Because of all of this craziness, homeschooling has been a bumpy road for us the last few weeks, but this week I feel like we're finally settling into a routine again.

I plan to be back later tonight to post a review for a really neat product we've been trying out.

Praying for Haiti

Tonight I'm sitting here watching the images of devastation and horror coming out of Haiti. When I see these people, who have suffered so much already, living through this earthquake nightmare, it is hard for me not to wonder why God would allow this. But I must hold to what I know to be true - He loves these people, He is in control, and He has plan that I can neither see nor understand, but it is a plan for good - not evil.

Samaritan's Purse is a trustworthy ministry that has a heart for showing God's love to the hurting. They dispatched a team just hours after the quake to help with water, shelter, medical care, and other emergency needs. Their focus will be on medical help, shelter, clean water, and hygiene supplies. An initial shipment of emergency relief items including rolls of plastic shelter material, hygiene kits, and water purification kits were flown into Port-au-Prince today.

If you feel led to donate even a small amount, you can do so at the Samaritan's Purse website.

Menu Plan Monday

My week always seems to go more smoothly when I take time to make a meal plan, so here goes for this week...

Sunday: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce/Garlic Bread/Salad

Monday: Chili with Biscuits

Tuesday: Linguine with Clam Sauce/Garlic Bread/Salad *(See recipe below.)

Wednesday: Chicken and Rice Soup/Crescent Rolls/Salad

Thursday: Pad Thai/Rice/Kim Chee

Friday: Salmon Roll/Rice/Green Beans

Saturday: Leftovers (Chicken Rice Soup)

Here's the recipe for the Linguine with Clam Sauce. It's one of our favorites, simple to prepare, and even the kids ask for seconds!

Ingredients:
-half of an onion, chopped
-olive oil, 4 tbsp. (enough to cover bottom of saute pan plus a tad more)
-6 cloves garlic, minced (I use the pre-minced in a jar.)
-2 cans (10 oz. each) whole baby clams (Chopped will work too.)
-2 to 3 tbsp. dried parsley
-pepper
-1 package uncooked linguine

Directions:
-Boil large pot of water to cook linguine according to package directions.
-While water is heating, saute garlic and onion in the olive oil until onion is translucent.
-Add both cans of clams (including the liquid) to the saute pan.
-Add pepper to taste.
-Add parsley flakes.
-Continue heating (stirring occasionally) and bring to a boil.
-Simmer on low for 5-10 minutes.
-Serve over the drained pasta.

For more menu plans and some recipes too, click on the button at the top of this post.

Hope you enjoy some good family time around the dinner table this week!

Christmas Books

Happy New Year! I'm still here...just trying to get over a cold and get back into some sort of a school routine.

Meanwhile, I'm moving our Christmas books from the sidebar and putting them here for future reference.

Hope that your 2010 is off to a great start!