A Month of Firsts

This month (August) we’ve had a lot of “Firsts” in our family.

Isaac’s First Day of Kindergarten

First time we left the boys to stay overnight with friends for 2 nights while we flew to Joe’s sister, Rachel’s, wedding.

Seth’s first day in the Puddle Jumper’s Classroom at LMPC’s MDO.

First time Grandma Venema came to visit by herself.  She stayed for a week and it was wonderful!  Things just got done…ironing, laundry, dishes, etc.  It was great to come home from work and laundry was done, house was clean and even the beds were cleaned and remade.  I felt a little helpless this morning after she left.  It was a tremendous blessing to have her here and the kids loved it because she played with them and read them lots of books.

A few pics from our trip to Coolidge Park.

and Isaac’s First Soccer Practice.  I didn’t go to the actual practice but took a few pics of him before he left.

Beef Tips

This is a recipe from a friend, but I don’t have exact measurements just ingredients.  But it is such a tasty meal that I just have to put it here.

 

Stew meat or Sirloin Tip or Chuck Roast, cut into pieces

Place in crockpot

Add Worcestershire Sauce

Dales Seasoning (in a liquid bottle…I think I found it in the BBQ sauce section???)

Water

Pepper

Pour over meat and cook on Low for 6-8 hrs until meat is nice and tender and melts in your mouth.

Serve with rice and/or veggies on the side.

Seriously, this is mouth watering goodness…

YUM…

Asian Chicken Salad

I love this salad and you can eat it as a main course with some veggies on the side.  It’s so yummy.  I got it from a friend and I don’t want to lose it so here it is…

4 pkg oriental ramen noodles, broken (**I couldn’t find the Oriental kind so I bought a different flavor and didn’t use those seasoning pkts.  Instead I did THIS recipe but I’d only use half the pepper next time.)

2 bunches green onions choppped

2 15 oz bags cole slaw

3 cups toasted almonds

1 bottle sunflower seeds

4-5 chicken breast shredded (one whole rotisserie is what I use)

Mix above ingredients.

Dressing:

All flavor packets from ramen noodles

1 cup olive oil

1 cup white vinegar

1 cup sugar

2 tsp lemon juice

Refrigerate.

Tastes Better if you mix and let sit for a while-overnight is great.

**PLEASE NOTE: THIS RECIPE MAKES A TON!  SO HALVE THE RECIPE UNLESS YOU ARE MAKING THIS FOR A BIG GROUP.