TCOT Weekly Menu Planner #13

Hi!  I feel like I was just here!  Hehehe...Let's just jump right into it!

Monday: fish starch veg

I'm not a super huge fan of salmon, but I know a lot of others are.  So, here goes a recipe for you!  Feel free to substitute your favourite fish with this same recipe and it should turn out just as yummy.  One of the great things about fish, eh?!  Now, what are you going to cook it with?  Rice from the steamer?  Mashed potatoes?  Couscous?  The choice is yours!  Broccoli or green beans would be great with this, too.  Fresh first, then frozen.  Never canned or jarred, ok?!

Tuesday:  Steak, pot, peppers

I love beef.  I have to admit, but beef and shrimp are probably my favourite.  This recipe is very easy as is most steak recipes and fast, too.  I love that!  My kids would never eat the onions and peppers.   So, I slice them big enough to pick them out and typically just cut up some raw carrots or tomatoes for them.  To me, baked potatoes are the way to go here.  If you have time, chuck them in the oven, if not go ahead and nuke them, but it's not nearly as healthy or as yummy as in the oven.  Hey!  It's been a while since we've had fries.  If ya wanna make some here, then go ahead!

Wednesday:  honey, sesame chicken

This is one of those awesome meals where ya give yourself a few minutes in the morning to throw it in the crock pot, ya come home from work, steam some rice and supper is ready.  I love that!  Add a few carrots if you like or other veggies at the very end of cooking, like mushrooms or peas.  I get a lot of stuff from this site.  So feel free to find some other great recipes.

Thursday:  pancetta and sun dried tomatoes

Wow!  Wow!  Wow!  I think the entire family will love this one. I make something very similar.  If you have no idea what pancetta is or where you can buy it, than just grab some nice bacon.  It's not THAT different.  Hehehe...  The recipe is a great, basic, pasta recipe and you could use shrimp, chicken or other meats in the pancetta's place.  Very fast and easy meal here that's full of flavour!  I love that! Don't forget fresh pasta!

Fun Food Friday:  French Bread Pizza

Ok!  Ok!  I might put pizza on the menu too often, but it is a family favourite, after all!  Here is something a little different.  Now, I'm sorry, but I can never figure out why one would eat something not so healthy as something like this.  Take a half baked loaf or a fresh baked loaf of French or Italian style bread, slap some jarred sauce on there and add your favourite toppings.  It's so much healthier than frozen or take out and it will be ready in half of the time!  That's right!  Half of the time.  A couple of minutes to prep it and only 10 minutes or less to cook!  Enjoy!

Saturday:  hot dogs

I'm hooking ya up with some....alternative ways to make hot dogs, but you know the drill!  Consider some corn on the cob or maybe potato salad and cucumber salad to go with it.

There are so many different ways to make dogs!  We do ours totally traditional here.  Just some onions, ketchup, mustard, buns and actually, I like pickles with mine.  However, when I lived in the States I loved a chili dog.  Then I moved to the south and ate one with cole slaw!  Wow!    There are so many things you can do.  Don't be afraid to venture some veggie dogs either.  Once ya got all of your toppings on there, you won't even notice a difference.

Sunday:  Gumbo

My hubby has been after me to make some gumbo.  So today will be his day!  Hehehe...My recipe is very similar to this one.  Good ole fashion ingredients and room to add or subtract some extras if you like.  It's Sunday!  Take some time to cook and enjoy your family.

Alright!  You're set for another week.  If there are some things you're not so crazy about, then check out previous menu's that will fit you and your family's needs better.

Thank you for taking a peek!  We'll see ya next week!

Gorgeous Freebies From TSSA and TCOT

Welcome back to The Cherry On Top!

I am absolutely thrilled to be able to blog about Throwing Some Scraps Around's newest release, By The Sea.  Is it not absolutely fabulous?! Of course it is!

I really love working with Jodi's kits.  The colour palettes are breath taking and the embellishments she puts in are always well thought out and very useful.  See for yourself through the two layouts I created with, By The Sea.

Awe, me and Liam.  Man!  I wish I could still fit into those pants!  BWAAAH!

This has to be one of my all time favourite layouts and kits.  I scrap lifted a layout from someone over at The Studio.  I often place sketches and beautiful layouts on my FB Page to inspire my fans.  Stop over and see what's up.

Familie aan zee is Dutch for Family on the the sea.  Always a bit chilly for me.  Can't even get my toes in the water!  Hehehe...

Here's a closer look at the kit.  Don't forget, there are always quick pages for each kit Jodi makes in case you love the style, but just don't have the time.  Clicking on the preview will take you over to the Etsy shop where you will find everything you need at a super good price.  For real!

Throwing Some Scraps Around is always super generous with her freebies.  Thank goodness, right?!  Just don't forget this isn't a lucrative business.  Your  monetary support every now and then is not only greatly appreciated, but also will help us keep going!

Click on this lovely quick page to the link for the FREE Download.

Sorry, this freebie is no longer available.

Thanks for hanging out with the cherries.  Make sure ya do it again!

Awesome FREEBIE From TCOT and BCD

Howdy, Fans!

Sorry about all of those acronyms, but that title would have went into next week!  Hehehe...  I have a feeling you don't care one bit, do you?!  You are here for the GOODIES, aren't you?!  Of course!  Why else would I be making them?!  LOL!

So, you probably saw Boutique Cute Doll's gorgeous new kit, Explore Everyday?  Wow!  It is just fabulous, which is good ole fashioned BCD creativity and product.  Always, always awesome.  So, that means I have to come up with awesome free stuff to go with it.  So do you!  You can make the most wonderful projects with BCD products.

Here's one layout I made with the new kit and it is get'n hits like crazy.  Thanks for that!  When you have a fabulous kit, you get fabulous layouts and projects.  It's that simple!  Really!

Here is a closer look at the kit.  The image is hooked up to the store if ya wanna check it, which I'm sure you do!

If you came from the BCD blog, then you might know about the challenge that is going on over there.  Just take this sketch and do your magic.  Then put a link to where we can find your project and you could win a prize!  How easy is that?!

Here is my version of the sketch.  I'm a bit of a rebel when it comes to being told what to do!  Hehehe...I like making my own rules.  Surprise!  Not!  So you have a great kit to work with AND inspiration.  You're set! Let's see what you make.

I took my original layout and moved some pieces around so that you too could enjoy it!  Just place your picture in the pink square and you have a gorgeous layout.  Yay!  This baby is worth printing and framing, for sure! It's a direct download.  Click on the image and it's yours.  How nice is that?!

Sorry, these freebies are no longer available.

This free word art is available on the BCD blog.  If you didn't grab it yet, click on the image and get it from over there.  Isn't it just darling?!

Now, be good boys and girls and share the links and not the products.  These are for personal use only and are NOT to be sold or pirated for goodness sake!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I'm going to have some hybrid freebies later this week and next week, too.  So keep checking back!

Tah!

Week #12 Menu Planner From TCOT

Get'n ready for another week!

Let's plan it and save, some time, hassle, money and eat better.

Monday:  pulled pork sandwiches (or chicken)

Throw all of the ingredients in the pot in the morning and let it simmer all day.  When you come home from work, dinner's ready!  These babies look totally awesome.  I have to say the Hoisin sauce threw me off a bit!  I'm gonna hook ya up with another just in case.

My hubby wrestles up our pork shoulder on the grill and then slices it super thin.  Ooh, la, la!  Make sure to get some fresh buns or bread that isn't full of preservatives.  Even the half baked bread's better.  If it's gotta long shelf life, then it ain't no good!

This next recipe is really easy and a little bit more typical.  The Six Sisters have totally awesome recipes.  Go check them out!

Tuesday:  spaghetti

We are big time spaghetti eaters!  The kids love it.  It's healthy and it fills the gut.  It's also a great way to get rid of older vegetables that have seen better days.  Hehehe...There are so many variations and you can go super simple and gourmet!

I make my sauce pretty standard.  NEVER sugar!  Tomatoes are sweet enough and so are peppers if you're going to put them in there as well.  Even a bottle of sauce is ok, but they probably have some preservatives, sugar and a lot of salt in it.  Sauteeing canned tomatoes in some oil oi with garlic and onion is even good enough with some herbs for extra flavour. Don't forget fresh pasta!  There is absolutely nothing like it!

Click this link below for a VERY easy recipe, but do NOT put the sugar in.  Yuck!

http://livingasunshinelife.com/2013/02/19/simple-spaghetti-sauce/

Wednesday:  meat-starch-veg/flex day

This is a flex day.  Grab some hoagies, throw some yummy pizza baguettes or pizza bagels in the oven, if time is tough.  Heat up some of that left over spaghetti or throw some grated cheese over it and let it heat through in the oven.  Yummy!

Otherwise, bake some fish and prepare some bulgar with your favourite veggies like chopped carrots and peas.  Really healthy and delicious.  Check out this recipe if you've never made bulgar before. It's really mild and cooks fairly easily and fast.  If some of these herbs leave you questioning, just leave them out and use the ones you are more comfortable with.  It will still taste great!

Thursday:  big salad

I've found the only way...hehehe...I will really go to town on a salad, is if I'm not skimpy.  No iceberg, yuck!  Lots of tomatoes, olives, cheese, scallions, cucumbers, go for some croutons and seeds if you like.  Feel free to chuck in some diced ham, chicken or bacon, too!  You could always go Mediterranean and stick with just veggies and seafood.  Add your favourite dressing and dinner is served!  If a big salad isn't enough, then boil a little rotini pasta and  put that in there, too.

I'm leaving you with a yummy salad and salad dressing recipe.  My go to is balsamic vinegar, olive oil and herbs.  That's it!  This one is also easy and you more than likely have everything in the kitchen.

Fun Food Friday:  Cheeseburgers!!!!

Buy frozen patties if you prefer and to save time, buy fresh pre made patties from your butcher or grocer or, make your own.  It's really, really easy and hopefully, Friday is a day where you have some extra time to cook something super yummy and fresh.

Hamburger, a dash of Worcester, an egg, some bread crumbs and herbs is all ya need!  My hubby loves when I put 1/4 tsp of liquid smoke in there, too.  Use a grill pan if you have one.  It gets super hot.  It's fast and is healthy, too!

Garnish any way you like.  Sliced cheese, onions, pickles, lettuce tomato, bacon...MMM.....Don't give fries if you are using buns.  A big delicious burger should be enough.  Especially, if you are using vegetables as garnish.

Saturday:  risotto and sausage

This is so awesome!  It took me a few goes before I got good at making risotto, but man was it worth it.  Just don't stir too much and keep checking for doneness!  That's it!  Once again, if you are staying away from pork, use chicken and even beef would be a good substitute. I wouldn't even need any meat, but that's just me. :)

Sunday:  grill and pasta salad

We grill nearly every week, at least once.  My husband loves it.  I love that I don't have to cook and it is probably the healthiest way to cook as long as you clean the grill!  Hehehe...

I get my ribs already marinaded and vacuum packed.  My veggies will be in the pasta salad so that's two birds with one stone!  This recipe is my all time favourite pasta sale recipe.  Ya gotta give it a go!

Enjoy your weeks worth of menu's and we'll see ya next Sunday!

Leave a comment if you would prefer the recipes, right here and or a shopping list.

Free Photo Booth Props

Welcome to The Cherry On Top!

It's gonna be a quickie today!  Hehehe...I really wanted to make some photo booth props for Father's Day because my hubby needs some new pictures of the boys in his office.  LOL!  I looked on line, but couldn't find any free ones.  So, I headed over to clker.com, grabbed some pngs and came up with this!

A couple of fans said they would be interested in having these, so here they are!  For you for all of nut'n!  Just click on the image, look to the right for a download prompt at Photobucket.  Enjoy!

I've got tons of FREE stuff on my blog.  Feel welcomed to scroll through and grab all that you can!  It's all for personal use.  You may only share this link, not the products themselves.   Thanks!  Come back tomorrow for the Weekly Menu Planner.

Tah!

Freebies From The Cherry On Top

Happy Friday to you!!!!!

Hehehe...I woke up this morning to an inbox full of free stuff.  Yay!  I shared most of it on my Facebook Page and put some on my Free Stuff Pinterest Board, too.

I've got two of these gorgeous frame clusters available on my Facebook Page under the Apps section to the left.  Click on the images below to find them there and if you are not a TCOT fan, then for goodness sake!  Become one today!  Hehehe....

THIS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

(Click on the image to link to my FB Page.)

(Click on the image for the direct download.)

THIS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

(Click on the image for my FB Page to download.)

That's it!  You just got hooked up to three fabulous FREEBIES from The Cherry On Top, just because!  I love doing that.  Now this is one of my first attempts using my designer CU stash.  These CU goodies I bought from all over, but they are designed by:  Sekada Designs, KAagard and Aveziur and I designed the freebies for you.

Here is what I did with the FREEBIES.

WAIT!!!  I am going to have a train for FREEBIES coming up in the next few days.  One from Boutique Cute Doll (actually two) and THREE HYBRID FREEBIES from Just So Scrappy AND Boutique Cute Doll as well.  Hybrids give you the option to print and create or use them on your Digi Layouts.

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure ya do it again!!!

Week #11 TCOT's Menu Planner

Here we are again, with another fabulous menu for next week!

After asking dozens of people, most said they do make lists, but only a few admitted to sticking to the list.  Most people bought a few things that were not on the list, but needed and only a few admitted to winging it!  Hehehe...  Also, there were quite a few comments about forgetting their lists.  I see I am not alone.  LOL!

My hubby and many men that I asked, admitted to being terrible with a list, lists or buying sensible stuff.  I dread sending my hubby to the store.  Although, he does come home with things I would never buy, but love to eat.  LOL!  I let him be the naughty one every now and then.  He says he likes to shopping, but not often.

I actually enjoy grocery shopping.  My list is great for staying on budget.  I never put junky stuff on the list, so we eat better because of it as well. If I really want to give the boys cakes and cookies, then I have to make them.  That is not only a lot healthier, but a whole lot cheaper.

Do yourself a favour.  Make a list, try to stick to it and see how much hassle, time and money saved.  Not to forget, how much healthier you will eat.

Let's get down to business!

Monday: Chicken Parmesan Baked Pasta 

The only thing I would change is the first part with processing the tomatoes.  No way!  Not me!  Way too many dishes and just unnecessary, but that's just me.  You choose.  Otherwise, the recipe is really, really easy and sounds delicious, too!

Tuesday:  Teriyaki meat balls

I can tell you right now, this is gonna be awesome.  The recipe is just perfect.  You might not like making your own meatballs.  It's a tad bit time consuming, but totally worth it.  You will not have better store boughten, but it is an option if you have to save time.  The sauce is so easy to make.  So that will save you time.  My kids and nieces love to make meatballs.  So, if you consider some slave labor, you might have some fun in the kitchen.  Hehehe...

Throw these meatballs over some cooked rice from the rice cooker or steamer or over some fun Asian pasta.  Either egg noodles or rice noodles.  Mmmm...

Wednesday:  Meat-starch-veg

You choose.  Do you have left overs?  Do you want tonight to be the night you bring home something from the deli or the Italian delicatessen?  If not, then consider a decent a steak to throw on the grill pan.  They grill up really fast.  3 minutes on each side depending on how you like it done.  Maybe some homemade mashed potatoes with gravy or yummy baked potatoes with delicious sides.  Then steam up some of the families favourite veggies or make some that you can put along with the potatoes.  How about some corn on the cob or cooked carrots or peas?  You might surprise yourself, just how fast it is to make an entire meal, from scratch! After a couple months practice it should take about 20-30 minutes from start to finish to make most of the meals I've got here.  Especially, if you have a good stove!

Thursday:  breakfast for supper

I love breakfast so much!  One of my favourite meals is pan fried potatoes, with eggs broken into wells, then topped with cheese and bacon.  OMG!  Delicious!  Add onions, garlic, scallions, mushrooms, whatever other (not too juicy veggies).  Cover and wait until the eggs are the way you like them.

The above is not hooked up to recipe because I couldn't find one, darn it.  Take any kind of diced potato you like.  I use frozen when I don't feel like making fresh ones.  Sautee them in butter with onions and garlic if you like.  Cook until nearly finished, then make wells in the potatoes and crack in the eggs.  Cover with some cheese and sprinkle with some cooked bacon if you like.  I put a lid over it so that eggs are cooked well.  Keep the heat low or you'll burn the bottom.  Season as you like and depending on the topping you use, not too much salt if any.

Fun Food Friday:  fish taco bowl

I've got rice on tap for tomorrow, so I won't serve this with rice, but feel free to change up these recipes so they fit your schedule.  I'lll be just putting this in a soft shell tortilla and having the lovely taco sides, all set up buffet style for the family to make their own!

Saturday:  Yum Yum rice dish

Now, all of this sounds great and it is the weekend, so you could do the sauce like they suggest.  I'd skip it, though.  I rarely ever stick to recipes.  Hehehe...I want to make it as easy as possible and with less dishes.  I would add some bouillon granules to the dish and just throw the cheese over the mixture until it is melted.  It won't take long at all.  Also, with bacon AND cheddar, you won't need any salt in there!

Sunday:  beef stew in the slow cooker

I make a very similar dish to this one.  Yay!  Use all fresh ingredients folks.  Stay from all of this canned soup and bag soup mixes.  Ugh!  Not good!  This one is a classic that the family is sure to love.  Everything gets chucked into the slow cooker.  Put it on in the morning after breakfast and have a relaxing day with a fantastic meal!  You hardly have to do a thing!  Now, that's my kind of cook'n!  Hehehe...

I hope you enjoy the menu this week.  

We will see ya next Sunday for the next one!  If you have some menu suggestions, leave them here in the comments.  I could sure use some more Fun Food ideas!  We eat tons of pizza on Fridays!  It's all of our favourite!

Thanks for hanging with the cherries!