Dinner: McAlister's Deli

Between soccer practice ending at 6 and volleyball beginning at 7:30, we ate a family dinner at McAlister's.  Since we discovered that two of my four yunguns have genetic high cholesterol, we've stopped going to CFA and are opting for a restaurant with healthier choices.  Ala McAlister's.

I still love their veggie pita.  I miss the tomato basil dressing though--they haven't had that in forever.  When I was in college at Auburn and new to the world of McAlister's, I would go there about 2pm to study.  I'd buy a large sweet tea, bag of pretzels and some honey mustard (is that still around either?) to munch on while I worked.  If I could focus on my studies until 5pm, I'd buy myself dinner: a veggie pita with tomato basil dressing and a refill on the tea.  Good stuff.

So I'm thankful to introduce my kids to McAlister's Deli.  I need to tell them that story about studying there; they'd love it!

Dinner: Banana Splits and Popcorn

I've been craving a banana split for over a week now.  Last night my sweet husband offered to go make a Sonic run and bring me one home after the kids were in bed.  However, I was too full of that yummy soup, and I declined.  I decided to not make that mistake again and to share the love with all the fam instead of keeping the secret ice cream for myself.

We all started with bananas (of course) and some combination of vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, and vanilla frozen yogurt.

Topping options included: strawberries, pineapple, peaches, blackberries, raspberries, chopped peanuts, granola, chocolate chips, RediWhip, a sea salt caramel chocolate sauce, and (of course) maraschino cherries.

Two batches of popcorn were shaken in a pot on the stove and topped with some Kettle Corn yumminess.

It was so fun.  All the kids loved it (of course), and even Laura (our new housemate) and George (her fiancé) were enticed to come home for dinner.

Lillian kept saying, "Hey, Mom, thanks for the party!" :)

ps--don't ask me why I'm posting about what we eat for dinner.  I suppose because gives me something safe to say.  Enjoy!

Dinner: Soup and Bread

Cilantro Lime Soup, with from-scratch vegetable stock (what-the-what?? who am I??), without chicken.

Jim 'N Nick's cheese biscuits, the shortcut way, in mini-muffin tins (cook 10min).

I should make a salad, but the spinach has turned.  Maybe next time around...  We had salad last night anyway.

Dinner: Taco Salad

1# ground beef
1 head iceberg lettuce
4oz sharp cheddar, grated
1/2 bunch green onions, diced
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 avocado, chopped
1/2 bag corn chips, crushed
1/2 - 3/4 bottle Catalina dressing

Brown the meat.  Tear the lettuce into bite-size pieces and place in a large bowl.  (I use 2 heads now for our very hungry family.) Top with next 6 ingredients.  Pour dressing over and toss well to coat.  I add the avocado after this step so it doesn't get mutilated when stirring the dressing.

Brian says this isn't really taco salad, but that's what we called it growing up.  I also call my kitchen Debbie's Diner like my mom did too.  Why mess with a good thing?  Because this is good.  Everyone loves it, and these days there are rarely leftovers.  (We used to eat it all weekend!)

Let's Try Again--Aug. Newsletter

Reading Rewards Rock!

Can I just say that there are many, many benefits to being a reader, but this summer we have rocked out with the reading rewards our kids are earning:

1.  FOUR super awesome, super HUGE (think 4' diameter) beach balls to take to the beach, to play with in the pool, to use half-inflated as a chair or a blob, and to share with cousins.

2.  FOUR gift certificates to paint a tile at a Painted By You kind of place--that's right up our alley.

3.  TWELVE free treats at Sonic, from hotdogs to ice cream cones to slushies.

4.  FOUR free tickets, plus 2 free adults, to an evening at the Magic House.

5.  THREE free tickets to Six Flags (plus one from a family whose oldest child was the only one able to earn one and it wasn't going to be used).

6.  TWO free tickets to a Cardinals game of our choice--Lillian and I will go see the Cards play the Pirates next Wed. night.  What a fun date with my "baby girl."  And can I just say how grown up am I that I'm taking her there by myself.

7.  FOUR free books of their choice to keep and add to our home library.

Plus these are just the highlights.  I mean, are you KIDDING me?!  What a fun, fun summer it has been for so many reasons, but WOW the Lord is good to us!  Look what he has done through my readers.  Praise him for his kindness and provision and that my kids love to read!!