Just a quick post about Wed-Friday lunches because I need to finish helping the girls with their scrapbook projects.

Ah it is raining and raining and raining. Finally maybe this is a sign of Fall. I love the cooler weather, and all of the yummy foods that are in season. Speaking of which, it is that time for apple pie making. I love making these for the girls' classes. Yesterday, I took one in for Ruthie's class to include in their apple test-tasting. Now Ruthie, unlike the rest of us, has never liked pie of any sort. So I was super excited and surprised when she came home today exclaiming that the apple pie was fabulous! YAY!!! My little Ruthie likes apple pie now. Now if only I can get Ella to eat almonds, pecans, and other nuts my culinary dreams will come true. :) But anyway, onto the lunches from yesterday and today.

Monday 9/27/10--E's Lunch:

apple slices

colby-jack cheese & seaweed rice crackers

yogurt pretzels

carrot snack sticks (I need to experiment a bit more with this recipe, although Ella loved them I did not)

low-sodium soy sauce (in dip container)

hard-boiled egg

Monday 9/27/10--R's Lunch:

Oatmeal (we love Bob's Red Mill 5-grain Rolled Cereal) with golden raisins

Ham & Cheese muffin (need to experiment with this a bit too)

grapes

Tuesday 9/28/10--E's Lunch:

Ham & cheese on whole wheat roll

apple & orange slices

spelt pretzels

steamed green beans

Tuesday 9/28/10--R's Lunch:

almond butter & jelly sandwich (a duck and tulip shapes today)

orange slices and grapes

spelt pretzels

steamed green beans

Another busy week. The girls seem to really like the lunches they have been taking, and particularly when they get to help make them, but lately they have been asking to buy lunch. I had such grand hopes of them not wanting school lunches, but I know it is hard for them when they see their friends eating corn dogs and pizzas. Ella seems more upset by not being able to finally serve herself in the lunch line, which apparently is a privilege for 3rd graders and beyond. I have no idea how to combat this. :( I only know that the changes we have made are making a difference and I must carry on.

Hmmm where did this week go? Oh I know, dr.'s visits, xrays, and volunteering to help with Grandparents' day crafts (I think they turned out very cute) But today Jamie has the day off so we can get some projects tackled but really we are just relaxing. :) And to start the day we had breakfast on the patio at Whole Foods today. Such a great way to start the day.

Wednesday 9/15/10 -- E's Lunch:

whole-wheat pesto ravioli

greek yogurt with cooked cinnamon apples

grapes

steamed green beans

Wednesday 9/15/10 -- R's Lunch:

grapes

almond butter & jelly sandwich (she chose a horse shape and hearts)

cucumber slices

steamed green beans

Thursday 9/16/10 -- E's Lunch:

Blue corn taco shells

cucumber slices

taco filling (ground sirloin, shredded spinach, and cheddar cheese all melted together for her to fill her own tacos)

grapes

jelly belly jelly beans

Thursday 9/16/10 -- R's Lunch:

whole wheat soft tacos (filled with ground sirloin, shredded spinach, and cheddar cheese

blue corn tortilla chips

grapes

carrot circles with ranch dressing (in dip container)

jelly belly jelly beans

Friday 9/17/10 -- E's Lunch:

cheese tortellini with pesto

sliced apples

peas

grape tomatoes

Friday 9/17/10 -- R's Lunch:

almond butter & jelly sandwich (she chose a fish shape and hearts)

spelt pretzels & mozzarella cheese stick

peas

apple (she didn't want her's sliced)

Last night we had squash with chicken sausage, and all but a bit of the sausage was eaten so I had to cook up some healthy mac-n-cheese to add a bit to today's lunches. It really is a time saver to use leftovers to create the lunches around.

Lunches today:

E's Lunch:

Orange-Cranberry scone

cucumber slices w/ ranch dressing (in dip container)

Whole-grain pasta with cheese (Annie's natural Arthur pasta) and chicken sausage crumbles

orange slices

peas

R's Lunch:

cucumber slices w/ ranch dressing (in dip container)

Orange-Cranberry scone

Whole-grain pasta with cheese (Annie's natural Arthur pasta) and chicken sausage crumbles

orange slices

peas

Today's lunches (Can you tell we had breakfast night last night for supper?):

E's Lunch:

grapes & apple slices

Oatmeal pancake sticks (most delicious pancakes ever! The recipe came from my mother-in-law and is all that we use now when making pancakes.)

mozzarella cheese stick

reduced-fat sausage link & turkey bacon

R's Lunch:

grapes & apple slices

Oatmeal pancake sticks (see above note)

maple syrup to dip (in pink dip container)

mozzarella cheese stick

reduced-fat sausage link

Ok here are the lunches so far this year (I didn't get pictures of the first few days, mainly because I didn't think to do so, but also it was busy enough trying to get back into a routine)

steamed green beans

Tuesday 9/7/10 -- E's Lunch

chicken & apple sausage with whole wheat pesto pasta
cucumber sticks, carrot sticks, & mozzarella cubes
ginger dressing (in dip container for veggie sticks)
greek yogurt with cooked cinnamon apples
grape tomatoes

Tuesday 9/7/10 -- R's Lunch

chicken & apple sausage
cucumber sticks, carrot sticks, & mozzarella cubes
ranch dressing (in dip container for veggie sticks)
greek yogurt with cooked cinnamon apples

grapes

Wednesday 9/8/10 -- E's Lunch

corn on the cob
homemade cod nuggets (HERE is the recipe, I made a few changes, such as using whole-wheat Panko instead of bread crumbs and I baked them rather than frying them)
grapes

edamame

Wednesday 9/8/10 -- R's Lunch

corn on the cob
homemade cod nuggets (same recipe as above)
ketchup (in dip container for her fish)
edamame
grapes

Thursday 9/9/10 -- E's Lunch

plum
homemade chocolate chip cookie
chicken & cheese quesadilla
sour cream ( in dip container)
tortilla chips
broccoli
rice pilaf with carrots (Trader Joe's Basmati Rice Medley -- VERY Yummy)

Thursday 9/9/10 -- R's Lunch

plum
homemade chocolate chip cookie
chicken & cheese quesadilla
sour cream ( in dip container)
tortilla chips
broccoli
rice pilaf with carrots (see note above)

Friday 9/10/10 -- E's Lunch

grape tomatoes

whole wheat roll

spaghetti, roasted, shredded chicken, and low-fat shredded cheddar/mozzarella

peas

grapes

Friday 9/10/10 -- R's Lunch

almond butter & jelly sandwich (cut with a caterpillar cookie cutter)
rosemary crackers and mozzarella cheese stick

spelt pretzels

grapes

This week has been full of changes. My little Ruthie is FIVE now. We celebrated her birthday yesterday with all of her friends. I just really can't believe she is growing up so quickly and will be starting Kindergarten this fall. And then Ella, Oh my goodness when did she become a little lady? I looked at her this morning as we were getting ready for church and just suddenly became aware that she doesn't look like a little girl so much anymore. Am I really ready to embrace this next phase of life? Whether I am or not, it is coming I can see it on the horizon.

Ok I am in so much trouble! If you want to join me in drooling over so many yummy concoctions then you should definitely check out The Cupcake Project. I knew there was no hope of me not making these goodies, the only question was which to make first. Well I didn't have to look far into the posts to find my trial cupcake. The Margarita Cupcakes of course. So yesterday with the help of the girls we made them. Oooooooo, such a fabulous decision! And definitely a good choice for a Monday afternoon. :) I wish I could share these with others though because I'm in danger of eating the whole batch.

On another note, I was stamping and yet again forgot to post in time for the Compose A Card challenge. :(
Oh well. I had to make a cupcake card in honor of my new found yummies. Hmmm now what will be my next cupcake?

This is possibly one of my all time favorite desserts to make for guests and I made this last Friday for our friends Stu, Donna & their little girl Erin. We had them over for dinner since they are moving this weekend. We are going to miss them so much, but have enjoyed our time with them over the past few years. And we know that God has given them an amazing opportunity in South Carolina, so we wish them well. This is also for the Sweet Shoppe Designs blog challenge, which if you're looking for some sweet recipes you should check it out HERE. This recipe ISN'T mine. I just have made it forever, but it originally was found in a Cooking Light Magazine, and if you can't read the text you can see the recipe online HERE. If you want the neat little recipe card above, just right click and save it to your computer. Enjoy!