Last Minute Meal Rescue

If you are like me, you get to living each day and forgetting that come evening, there will be a tribe of children asking, "So what's for dinner?"
I admit it.  This question often scares me because sometimes even I don't know what is for dinner.  I figure, I just can't be alone in this.  So, I decided to share as these great or horrible dinner ideas show up.  I will either provide good ideas or warnings for the rest of humanity.
Today was a day of our first Storage Auction (more to come), moving dirt into the duck pen (you know the drill, plan a quick project to have it drag on because you have to fix a wheelbarrow or find a rake...) and pumpkin smoothies...hello Pioneer Woman, my hero.

I drove Caitlyn to a sleep over and when I got back, the three boys were waiting with the dreaded question. I strapped on my Super Mom cape, "To the Freezer!"
Thankfully, we have half a pig in there which we purchased from neighbors.  Love it.  So tonight's rescue it:

Sausage and Potato Casserole

 

For this, I cooked the sausage in bacon fat (I know, but it tastes so dang good)

Then, I parboiled some potatoes, and by that, I mean I boiled them into submission because spuds and I don't get along!

I added onions and green chilies (duh, New Mexico, and FYI. the answer is GREEN)

Then, I sacked my pantry for the "filler".

Ahhh, Alfredo sauce!  And look!  Fresh grated parmesan  cheese.

Mix mix mix

 

Hmmm, needs a topper...canned biscuits!  pat and pull!

Voila!

Because everyone knows that biscuits go with sausage!

 

 

350 until the biscuits are firm!  Let you know how it turns out!

 

And how was your day?

 

 

PS.....

IT WAS GREAT!

 

 



Just Another Day in Paradise

It would figure that when the flu comes, it comes in waves.  Nothing sends me scrambling for Lysol and spray disinfectant like the call of, "my tummy hurts."
Like everything else at the ranch, we do things big.  First was Caitlyn.  She announced that her stomach hurt and she was just plain sick.  She spent a day in bed, reading.  The second day I went in the wake her for school and she shrieked that her head hurt and I just shut the door.  Some times I feel that tween/teen behavior is worse than anything a toddler and throw at you.
After I took the kids to school, I brought her a drink and some meds.  She recovered after that and I wiped down or sprayed every surface in our house. 
Alas, the evil virus had already laid siege to our home.  Twenty-four hours after Caitlyn, Conner succumbed.  He patiently sipped ginger ale and watched old Nickelodeon shows on Netflix.
We had a small reprieve and then James, too, fell victim.  Only this time, there was actual puke.  Three times, which is three times too many for my tender stomach. It lingered longest with him, causing fatigue and loss of appetite.
Then, just after a great birthday, I felt horrible.  I was able to muscle through most days, but then last night, William got sick.
Not to let his twin out do him, he managed to produce copious amounts of returned food.
Luckily for me, Steve was home and able to take point on that.
So, today, William stayed home and I napped on the couch. 
Yes, it was lazy, but after a siege, you just have to rest. 
Now, on to the laundry.

And how was your day?