Weekly Line Up - 8/31-9/7

Well, we are back at it!! Daycare started back up this past Monday and school is about to start on Tuesday... I can't believe how fast the summer flew! Needless to say, we are ready to get back into a routine!! My kids need it and I DEFINITELY need it! :) As much fun as it is to run all summer with my kiddos and have a lot of freedom, it is nice to have structure and routine in our lives! :) Not that we don't run during the school year, cause we do! So, bring on the long weekend and the first day of school - it should be an awesome week!

Saturday - cereal (i know! lazy day for mom, dad is going to a tractor pull!)
Sunday - *Lime Tilapia
Monday - Burgers and Hot Dogs on the grill (we are hosting the party!)
Tuesday - *Mexican Beef Cobbler
Wednesday - Taco Night
Thursday - *Lemon Orange Shrimp and Rice
Friday - eating out (on our way to our last camping trip of the year!)

Extras: *Nutty Berry Trail Mix, *Jello Pineapples, *Peach Cobbler Muffins

* = New Recipes

Cherry Cheesecake Dip

This was a delicious dip that was so incredibly easy to make... I mean come on 3 ingredients?? All I had to do was throw it all into a bowl and mix it up AND it was tasty! There is a packet of graham cracker crumbs that are in the box also and I think that this dip would be even better with the crumbs either added into it or else rolled in it. I would definitely buy a bigger tub of cool whip if I was going to do this because it got a little thick with the small tub of cool whip that I bought.

Cherry Cheesecake Dip
(recipe found on pinterest via http://joyinthetruth.blogspot.com)

jello no bake cheesecake mix
tub of cool whip
1 can cherry pie filling

Combine packet of cheesecake mix and cool whip. Chill in fridge for an hour. Top with cherry pie filling and serve with graham crackers, animal crackers, nilla wafers, etc...

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

These were a delicious alternative to making a big pot pie. I love the heartiness of the meal but it was nice to tone it down a bit with the individual servings. The kids loved these and they were delicious warmed up the next day for lunch too!

Mini Chicken Pot Pies
(recipe found on pinterest via http://quick-dish.tablespoon.com)

1 chicken breast, cooked and diced
1 (14.5 ounces) cream of chicken or cream of everything mix
1 cup frozen mixed veggies
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 can pillsbury biscuits

Preheat oven to 400. In a large bowl combine all ingredients beside biscuits. Press biscuits into muffin pan spreading up the sides. Spoon chicken mixture into biscuits and bake for 15 minutes or until biscuits are browned. Let rest while you set the table and then dig in! :)

No Bake PB Oatmeal Cookies

Brody ended his third level of swimming lessons this summer and of course that meant it was time to send another yummy treat to another swimming lessons instructor. I decided to try this new recipe and I was not disappointed and neither was his swimming lessons teacher! :) These were like a little bite of peanut butter balls and they were so delicious... Very easy to throw together!

No Bake PB Oatmeal Cookies
(recipe found on pinterest via http://southyourmouth.blogspot.com)

2 cups sugar
dash of salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups oatmeal

In a large saucepan, bring to sugar, salt, butter and milk to a boil. Boil mixture for 1 minutes and remove from heat. Add peanut butter and vanilla and stir to combine. Add oatmeal and stir until combined. Drop mixture onto waxed paper by teaspoonfuls. Drizzle with a chocolate glaze. (I used 1 tablespoon baking cocoa, 2 teaspoons crisco and 3 1/2 teaspoons powdered sugar. Microwave until melted and stir to combine.)

Cake Batter Bars

I was definitely in a sweet mode when I was planning the treats that I was bringing for the numerous potlucks we were involved in last week... These were on the top of my list when I got my oven back and they were worth it!! I doubled the recipe since we were going to be with a lot of people - be forewarned... make sure you use a big enough pan!! I just threw it in a 9x13 and it was not big enough. Definitely need to use a bigger pan next time - it took a LONG time to bake and the edges got too done while the middle stayed soggy... So, double it but make sure you get the right pan!

Cake Batter Bars
(recipe found on pinterest via http://www.lovintheoven.com)

1 1/4 cups funfetti cake mix
3/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
5 heaping tablespoons sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350. Grease an 8x8 pan. Cream sugars, butter, egg, yolk and vanilla. Gradually mix in flour, baking soda and cake mix. Stir in sprinkles and spread batter into pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until top is lightly browned and center is still slightly jiggly. Cool before cutting.

Mexican Dip

Not knowing whether or not my oven would be working or not I went with a quick dip that I could bring along to the bean bag tournament that we were heading to a few weeks ago. Man, was this gooey, yummy and super easy to throw together... I just wanted to keep eating it! Definitely a redo on my part - loved it!!

Mexican Dip
(recipe found on pinterest)

2 pounds ground beef
16 ounce velveeta
16 ounce refried beans
large jar of taco sauce

Brown ground beef. Add all ingredients to crock pot and stir. Let everything melt together and stir together again to combine. Serve with chips.

Mexican Ranch Burgers

I love a good burger cooked up on the grill but I also like a little variety in my burgers! This was a new recipe that I found and it was delicious... Not too spicy for the kids but it had a wonderful flavor.

Mexican Ranch Burgers
(recipe found on pinterest via http://skinnymom.com)

1 pound extra lean ground beef
1 packet ranch dressing
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 tablespoon chili powder

Mix all ingredients until well combined. Form into patties and grill until done to your liking.

Serves: 4
Points: 4