I am currently president of the Arkansas State Music Teacher’s Association which is an affiliate of the Music Teachers National Association. My term ends June 2018. I like being a part of ASMTA/MTNA because it helps me keep up to date, continue educating myself, and I have met a lot of wonderful teachers across the state and nation by attending local meetings, state and national conferences. The state semi-annual board meeting was yesterday in Little Rock. It is about a two hour drive from my house to Little Rock. I felt like all I did yesterday was sit! In the car, at lunch, at the board meeting, in the car again…! I feel more tired on days like that than any other. I had a good time though. I had lunch with a friend (I love catching up with friends I haven’t seen in a while!), and the meeting was enlightening and productive.  When in the car I love to listen to the radio! I don’t just get to sit and listen to music a lot, so it’s nice when I get the chance. (We have satellite radio, so we can listen to the stations that we like where ever we go. I know…I’m spoiled!) I have about four or five stations that I switch back and forth. I love the great American classics (Frank Sinatra, etc.), the Beatles, Symphony Hall (they play all kinds of classical music), the Message (christian music), and I also listen to some talk radio on Potus Politics occasionally. (Long enough to become depressed and then I start listening to my music again.)  Andrew took care of the kids all day! He is a wonderful husband and dad! (Thank you sweetie!)

Speaking of music, I posted my prelude from this morning on the worship archives page of my website! I hope you enjoy!

I used to love the fall back day of the year because it meant an extra hour of sleep! (Who doesn’t need an extra hour of sleep, right?) Well I guess I am getting old! Plus having kids has changed this for me too. I tried really hard to keep the kids up an extra thirty minutes or so last night, but Emma was so tired and fussy that I gave in and put her to bed. David shortly after. Then this morning because I am used to getting up at 6:45 every morning, I woke up at 5:50! (I was like, No, please, please go back to sleep!) I eventually just got up about 6:15 when I heard Emma stirring. I know David had to wake up early too. He was so tired after church this morning in the car. The funny thing is, I am sitting here typing and listening to him play in his room. (For about forty-five minutes now.) He is supposed to be taking a nap!  Oh, well…sigh!

We swapped our lunch and dinner menu for today because Andrew has a ton of meetings this afternoon. He left this morning around 6:45, and I literally only saw him for one minute after church as he came by to pick up his BLT sandwiches to take with him!  (We miss you! Please come home soon, dearest!) I love BLT sandwiches! Anything with bacon is pretty awesome, but there is something comforting about a BLT. I remember my mom standing by the stove frying bacon in her cast iron skillet for BLT sandwiches. I’m not as dedicated or as patient as my mom, I like to get things done quick! So I cook my bacon on baking pans in the oven. It is a great way to cook bacon in mass quantities, quickly. You do have to keep an eye on it though, some times one pan will cook quicker than another etc. One time I burned a whole sheet pan of bacon! I was so remorseful! (Sorry you have to see our trash can lid in this picture of delicious bacon! Please forgive me!)

Tonight we are having meat loaf. I know, meat loaf, ugh, right? Well, I am that way when I hear meat loaf, and it is any body else’s meat loaf and not my own. I am just plane scared of it! I don’t even know why. My meatloaf recipe is one of the few recipes I cook that I consider an actual family recipe. I learned to make it from my mom, who I believed learned it from my grandmother. It is not written down any where that I know of, and I only ever eye ball ingredients when I make it because that is how my mom did it.  It is wonderful! At least our family thinks so! I am going to share it with you, I will guesstimate at the amount of ingredients. It feeds a family of four, but if you want more you can just double the amount of everything.

Meat loaf: approx. 1 lb of ground beef, 1/2 to 2/3 of a roll of breakfast sausage (I like Jimmy Dean!), 1 egg, 1/4 cup of ketchup, diced onion (optional), salt and pepper to taste, about a handful of Ritz crackers smashed up. Mix all the ingredients together with your hands (it’s okay, you can do it!) You then have a choice: You can either shape the meat into a loaf and bake it in the oven at 350 until done, or (this has become my favorite way) you can shape the meat into patties and cook them in an iron skillet. The second way is quicker! 

Here is our menu for the week!

Mmm…delicious!

Monday: Lunch, Soup (I have some of that delicious enchilada soup leftover) Dinner, Steak, Asparagus, and Mashed potatoes

Tuesday: Lunch, One pot Alfredo pasta with broccoli and grilled chicken (this was awesome last week, this time I want to try it with grilled chicken.) Dinner, Tacos

Wednesday: Lunch, Gyoza, Rice, Greenbeans. Dinner: Pot Roast, potatoes, and carrots.

Thursday: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Tomato Soup. Dinner, Ranch Style Chicken (PW recipe), twice baked potatoes, and broccoli.

Friday: Lunch, Chili. Dinner, Pan Fried Pork Chops, roasted butternut squash, and salad.

Saturday: Lunch, Spaghetti (it’s the kids favorite!) Dinner, eat out.

Sunday: Chicken Fried Steak with gravy (not low fat!), mashed potatoes, and green beans. Dinner, Broccoli Cheese Soup and Sandwiches.