Menu Monday

We're right in the middle of a HUGE project in our yard involving lots of stone blocks and sand, so dinners will be pretty quick and easy this week.  Here's what we're having...

Mon: French Onion Soup Casserole

Source: instructables.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I love french onion soup. It's so cheesy and oniony and delicious. I also love casseroles. They are easy and warm and gooey. I'm hoping this will be as delicious as french onion soup. If so, I'll definitely be making it again.

Tues: Tomato Soup Mac and Cheese with a Salad

Source: alocalchoice.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

The last time I made mac and cheese it didn't exactly turn out right. I'm hoping that this version turns out better. It sounds a little weird to put tomato soup in maccaroni and cheese, but I think it's going to taste really good. Kind of like dipping a grilled cheese into tomato soup.

Wed: Crock Pot Sweet and Tangy Meatballs with Rice

Source: sixsistersstuff.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I made these during the spring and KB liked them so much that he asked for them again. They are so easy and really do taste really good. I cut the recipe in half this time, so I'll probably put them in a dish down inside the Crock Pot instead of just in the Crock Pot itself so they don't overcook.

Thurs: Parmesan Basil Chicken Salad  (recipe on Pin)

Source: 1fitchick.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Chicken salad and tuna salad are my jams. They are so creamy and delicious and wonderful. Our neighbor gave me a ton of lemon basil and regular basil and I need to use it up. I think this will be a delightful way!

Extras:

Cinnamon French Toast Bake

Source: ohmysugarhigh.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I'm not a huge fan of french toast. I think it's because I'm not a huge fan of syrup. I really like cinnamon rolls though. I made this yesterday morning for breakfast and it was really good. I used just regular milk instead of heavy cream and it turned out fine.

What will you be eating this week???

Pinteresting Wednesday

It's time for another Pinteresting Wednesday post.  Link up with The Vintage Apple to play along.

Here are my favorite Pins this week...

Source: instructables.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: 52weeksproject.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: purewow.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: tiptopgallery.com via Rachel on Pinterest

What are your favorite Pins this week???

Basement Redo

Our basement is serioulsy lacking.  It's completely white....except for a bright red terra cotta floor.  There are lots of cool built ins and a fireplace but it's seriously lacking character.

Here's what it looked like when we moved in.....it still pretty much looks like that.

I have no idea what to do with this floor (and replacing it or removing it is not an option).  I feel like terra cotta always looks cool in resorts in the Mexican Riviera but not so much in a basement in western North Carolina.

I've been doing some research into what other people have done with terra cotta floors and it looks like I'm either going to have to go full on kokopelli southwestern down there or pretty much leave it white.

I'm thinking I'm going to do some type of off-white with maybe some sort of stone accent.

Source: houzz.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I like how this one is sort of white but not really.  I also like the dark trim and hope that it's not too dark in a basement with only one window.

  Source: houzz.com via Sara on Pinterest

I'm also thinking of doing some sort of rock accent wall on the fireplace wall and around some of the built ins. I saw in Lowe's the other day some sort of faux rock overlay thing that I think might work.

Any ideas? There's only one window down there and it's pretty dark, so nothing too crazy.

Menu Monday

I'm a little late for Menu Monday, but better late than never.  It's kind of a boring eating week in the Brown household anyway.

Here's what we'll be eating this week....

Mon: Spicy Black Bean and Turkey Wrap

Source: hungry-girl.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I love turkey wraps and spicy stuff and black beans so I'm excited about this meal. I ended up getting just regular tortillas because the healthy ones were super expensive. I did score and get the burrito size ones. Normally the Wal-Marts only has the fajita size ones

Tues: Chinese Cabbage Salad

Source: jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I've had a version of this slaw/salad before and it was really good. It used broccoli slaw and was really crispy - I think that's why I liked it so much. This one has Nappa Cabbage in it instead of cole slaw mix. I've never actually had Nappa Cabbage before, so it will be an experiment.

Wed: Tuna Salad with salad and toast

Because we're boring and I realized that I still had a 10 pack of tuna in the pantry from Sam's.

Thurs: Freezer Food

I have a ton of random bits of things that were too much to pack as lunch the next day, but not enough for a real meal.....so I froze them.  We'll be eating random bits of things on Thursday.  Sounds appetizing.

What goodies will you be eating this week???

Pinteresting Wednesday

It's time for another Pinteresting Wednesday post.  Link up with The Vintage Apple to play along.

Here are my favorite Pins of the week:

Source: pillsbury.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: mindbodygreen.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: style4style.tumblr.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: haystacksandchampagne.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: greenlikebathwater.tumblr.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: clarindas.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

What are your favorite Pins this week???

Menu Monday

Here's what the Browns will be eating this week:

Mon: Honey Stuffed Peppers

Source: recipes.prevention.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I'm not a huge fan of stuffed peppers because the peppers always get soggy and mushy. I'm hoping this is just because I normally make them in the crockpot. These look really good and I really hope the peppers don't ruin it for me. I'll be substituting black beans instead of chick peas because the grocery store was out. I'm also going to leave out the raisins because I hate them.

Tues: Taco Mac & Cheese and a Salad

Source: cassiecraves.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

KB was sitting next to me when I made my grocery list and he picked this one out. I've had something similar to this before in a restaurant and it was really good. I'm hoping to balance out all the cheese, cream and cream cheese with a salad.

Wed: Fish in a Bag and a Salad

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

KB also requested this one. We've been eating it every week for about 2 months solid. It's really easy and takes really good (if you like lemon and fish). KB really likes fish so he wants it all the time.

Thurs: Deer Steak with Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad

Source: laurelofleaves.com via Rachel on Pinterest

We have a lot of deer to eat before hunting season (when hopefully the freezer will fill up again). I'm planning on marinating and grilling it and serving it along with this salad. I'll be substituting cous cous for the quinoa (the grocery store didn't have it) and will probably double the mango (because I really like mango).

Bonus Recipes!

Loaded Baked Potato Dip

Source: browneyedbaker.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I made this yesterday for a neighborhood birthday party/get together. It was really easy, tasted good and got a lot of compliments.

Crusty Bread

Source: simplysogood.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I made this as a hostess gift for our neighbor who hosted the party. I made mine with cheddar, rosemary and lemon. It was really easy and tasted good. I also made mine with whole wheat flour instead of white and the recipe worked fine. I'm definitely going to be making this again.

What will you be making this week???

Pinteresting Wednesday

It's time for another Pinteresting Wednesday - link up with The Vintage Apple to play along.

Here are my favorite Pins of the week:

Source: browniesfordinner.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: do-it-yourselfdesign.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: lyst.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: allblues.org via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: littleblueprints.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: haystacksandchampagne.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

What are your favorite Pins this week???