Planning and More Planning

Isn't that what we do all the time? Plan to keep our lives under control.

The first part of this post I want to give you something, a tool, that will help you plan. I have written about this in the past, but today I am going to give it to you. It is my menu of favorite recipes. Most of the recipes are easy, and quick recipes. After all, I am a teacher and work outside the home, so I'm incredibly busy. And really since I have so much to do I should be up folding the laundry that is buzzing, non-stop, but this is so much more fun! Hehehe!

My mom, gave me this idea, to write down everything I cook, so that when I'm overwhelmed and don't know what to cook I can look at my "menu" and choose something. It has everything from really nice dishes to tuna sandwiches. I have taken it one step further, because of my friend Julea, she has taught me to stock my pantry with all the ingredients I need, so I can always make a meal! I'll give more details on that if you want to know.

Rickert Recipes

Chicken
Angel Hair Pasta and Chicken
Dorito Chicken
Whole Chicken with veggies
Sanchez Casserole
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken w/ Artichoke Hearts & Tomatoes
Fettuccini w/ Summer Squash & Pesto
Party Chicken
Chicken and Leaks
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Chicken Parmesan
Donna’s Muenster Chicken
A. Terrie’s Chicken Spaghetti
Salsa Chicken Fiesta
Chicken Hero
Chicken Tettrazzini

Ground Beef
Lasagna
Hamburgers
Enchiladas
Meat Loaf
Tator Tot Casserole
Taco Soup
Red’s Chili
Spaghetti
Shepherd’s Pie
Soft Tacos
BBQ Beef Cups
Vegetable Soup
Stuffed manicotti
Easy Mostaccioli Italiano
Cheeseburger Pie
Smothered Enchiladas
Quick Italian Meatball Soup
Zucchini Pita Pockets

Beef
Stir-fry
Roast with vegetables
Beef Stew
Green Chile Burritos
Tex-Mex Cheese steaks
Skirt Steak Burritos

Sausage
Jambalaya with sausage
Summer Sausage with potatoes
Texas Corn Sausage Soup

Other
Salmon
Jalapeno Tomatoes and pasta
Salmon Risotto
Dion’s Ranch Salad
Ramon Noodle Chicken Salad
Sara’s Stuffed Spud Soup
Grilled Tuna Sandwiches
Cheese+ Quesadillas
Pesto Pizza
Pizza Bubbles
BLT Rigatoni
Bean & Cheese Burritos
Meat Panini

Sides
Parsley Potatoes
Garden Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Corn
Green Beans
House Salad
Caesar Salad
Rice
Couscous
Cheesy Garlic Toast
Potatoes
Broccoli & Rice casserole
Mac and cheese

Thank you Aunt Terrie for your recipes, as you see, I've included them. I haven't had a chance to make yours, but I plan to soon.

If you are interested in a recipe, leave a comment or email and I will be happy to give it to you.

If I were more computer/blog savvy, I would make a file for you to get to the list from my sidebars, but I'm new to this whole blogosphere. If you know how let me know.

The last part of my blog today is about planning Caitlyn's birthday party. She will be 3 in 2 weeks. She wants a Diego party, big shock! I am planning to have the kiddos make their own pizzas (most are older than Caitlyn), play Pin the Spots on Baby Jaguar, make "Spotting Scopes" out of toilet paper rolls, eat, open, go home! On NickJr.com you can print invitations, game ideas, etc. It is pretty neat. Now I just need to hire someone to DO it all! Feel free to share any great ideas with me, especially party favor ideas.

Caitlyn is super excited about her birthday this year. She decided to have a Diego party and she is telling me who she wants to invite. It's adorable and I'm loving every minute of it. I still remember making invitations (strawberry invitations) for my birthday party when I was young (I think 8).

In closing (my dad always says that in his sermons!), I wanted to post two words that Caitlyn uses. She says, "Brrrr!" when she is cold. For example, "I'm brrrr. Let me under the covers." The last is "He-Haw!" for horse. She has a wooden, rocking horse in her room. Well, the other night, she decided she wanted the he-haw to go to Brent's room, and of course, wanted it back 2 seconds later! She's just the cutest!