Allen and I worked tonight to set up an awesome blog site for "My Dinner Table".  You can find it here:

http://brokken.net/ourdinnertable/

It's still under construction but I will begin blogging there.  I'm trying to come up with a way to move these entries so that it is all in one place.

The new website will make finding recipes a little easier.  I will also have a calendar that will show what's coming up on the menu.  I'm very excited about these new features!

I hope to see you there!!!

It seems this month I chose a couple Thai-type recipes that use peanut butter.  I have to say this one was very easy and tasted delicious!  I forgot to thaw the chicken drumsticks so I put them in a zip lock bag and set them in cold water in the fridge for a few hours.  This trick always works.  I didn't use the freezer method below.  Although I wouldn't mind having extra of this recipe in the freezer! 

It's almost the end of the month and time to start a new menu plan.  We are REALLY buckling down and working hard to not eat out in November.  I'm also going to pack lunches for Allen and Lauren next month. 

I'm trying something new and rating the recipes. 

Kids' ratings:  (Lauren liked it, Aiden liked it but claimed he didn't)
Cost: $ --Pretty cheap!  (All ingredients should be on hand except the chicken pieces.  Drumsticks are really cheap at Aldi and the kids think they are a treat since they have a handle.)
Difficulty:  Super Easy!

Suggested Sides: Rice, Stir Fry Veggies (I use Lowery's Hawain Marinade as the sauce), & Chow Mein Noodles.  I put the chicken sauce on my rice.  It was YUMMY!

Sticky Chicky "DUMP" Recipe

Recipe By :Soopermom(soopermom@dsl-only.net)
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 Tablespoons Oil
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
3 Tablespoons Smooth Peanut Butter
3 Tablespoons Ketchup
1 1/2 Pounds Chicken Pieces

For immediate cooking: Pre-heat oven to 350 F. Place all ingredients into a
large baking dish, turn chicken to coat. Bake until chicken juices run
clear (45-60 minutes for chicken pieces, or 20-30 minutes for chicken
breasts).

For freezing: Place all ingredients into a 1 Gallon freezer bag. Lay flat
in freezer.

To thaw and cook: Take the bag out of the freezer the night before, make
sure the baggie is completely closed. Place the Bag on a shelf furthest
from the freezer (It works best if the bag is laying flat, although this
may not be the best option with a side-by-side fridge/freezer). Preheat the
oven to 350 F. Empty the contents of the bag into a large baking dish and
bake until the juices run clear (45-60 minutes for chicken pieces, or 20-30
minutes for chicken breasts).


Source:
http://oamc.8m.com

What we're thankful for today:  Friends who give us hand-me-down clothes!  Thanks, T & K!

http://www.momadvice.com/food/aldi_meal_plan1.asp

Check out the above link.  This one caught my eye.

I shop at Aldi.  In fact, I generally try to use recipes that are mostly made from items that I can buy from Aldi.  Aldi has mostly staples but they also have some fun gourmet items.  The author of this plan has chosen some really good recipes too!

Last night we had Chicken Sandwiches and Fries.  Once again, our lives are in a whirlwind so the meal has to be quick. 

Since our meal was so simple, I thought I would talk about our dinner time routine.  We use dinner time as a time to connect as a family but also as a time to connect with God.  We do a number of fun things at the table.  One of us says the prayer, it varies from day-to-day.  Or sometimes we will say this prayer which is from Aiden's preschool:

Thank you Father for this food
for Your loving care.
And may these blessed gifts be shared
by children everywhere.

Recently though we have been praying AFTER we eat.  I know this sounds a little strange.  But every night we discuss the good and bad of our day--No matter how rushed we are.   So we praise God for the good things and lift up the bad things.  

And sometimes,  we will do a devotional, practice the memory verses for Awana's, or read a children's Bible stories.

This is   a great article on helping your family have an excellent dinner time experience