House Dreamin'....

We've reached a great debate point with our house.  See, we've got just over half an acre in the center of town in an older but nice neighborhood.... and most importantly a ridiculously inexpensive mortgage, truly unheard of for coastal living.  So to buy land, build, move a few times.... it would add up to a lot more than a remodel.  And after many lengthy conversations about what we do and don't like about our house we know that our house has good bones over all and we're done in the kiddo department so why not remodel, pay off the mortgage early and go party when we're old! 
This has set my design wheels in motion, and has led to nightmares for the Husband (who informed me that maybe he should hide his tools before he comes home to a hole in the wall where I've tried knocking it down)!
I've fallen in love with black cabinets... like desperately in love.  I see it all in my head very clearly, right down to the choice of flooring.... the paint color, the knobs, all of it.  I'm starting my list of what to do and making design boards, even though we're not quite ready to start demolition.

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Menu Plan Monday...

We had a wonderful taste of early fall/end of summer last week.  I have to admit it makes me long for a little cooler weather, especially when it's set to feel like it's over 100 degrees here for the rest of the week and the tropics are firing up!  But since I know I'll be the first person complaining when the mercury won't reach freezing here so we'll hit the beach and enjoy the rest of summer! 

Sunday - Country fried steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans (Celebration dinner for Husband winning the latest billfish tournament!!!)
Monday - Tacos with chips and salsa
Tuesday - Teriyaki shrimp with rice and sugar snap peas
Wednesday - Grilled pork chops with garden salad and bread
Thursday - Baked Triggerfish with squash
Friday - Pizza (we may try to grill it this week)
Saturday - Date night!!!

I hope everyone is still enjoying summer, despite the wretched heat.  I've got more to come in my Seafood Mini Series this week too!  I'm linking up over at orgjunkie.com so be sure to head over there and check out the other great menus this week.

Chili Soup - A recipe...

So yes, it is July, yes, it is hot as (insert here whatever you want too) outside.  And yes, I made chili soup yesterday, in the crock pot and yes, my husband did make fun of me (until his stomach was full of course).  Why?  Because it has been a crazy week and I needed to have dinner ready when we walked in the door, starving toddler, exhausted parents, house to clean, business to run after a long days work and all.  This is my chili recipe modified into more of a soup form and it was seriously awesome and we will eat it again, and maybe while it's still hot out.  It also got a two thumbs up from the toddler.

Chili Soup: 1 is the key!
1 lb ground beef
1 large can crushed tomatoes plus 1 can of water
1 1lb bag of frozen corn (or 4 ears of fresh)
1 squash, cubed
1 zucchini, cubed
1 tbs chili powder
1 tbs cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs Dale's Steak Seasoning

Brown the ground beef with Worcestershire and Dale's sauce.  Add the browned beef and remaining ingredients to your crock pot.  Set it on low, go to work, then it's ready when you get home!  I added cheddar, sour cream, and tortilla chips to mine but garnish it however you want to!
Even though it's hot out, give yourself a cooking break!  The crock pot didn't heat up the house at all and dinner was ready when we got home! 

Menu Plan Monday...

This past weekend was like a big sigh of relief.  We had over 24 hours together, uninterrupted as a family - that hasn't happened since March!  We ate out, we watched a movie together and made popsicles, we painted the dresser and cleaned out the coat closet that have been on my project list (pictures to come).  Yesterday was back to normal though - the Husband fished, we went to Church, a birthday party, did laundry, balanced the checkbook, and got ready for this week! 

Sunday - Baked triggerfish, rice, and corn
Monday - Grilled chicken, baked zucchini, rolls
Tuesday - Crock pot chili with chips and salsa
Wednesday - Cajun shrimp linguini
Thursday thru Saturday -  Yet another billfish tournament - this one serves dinner every night so we'll be able to eat free and not cook while we are busy working!

Please head over to orgjunkie.com where I'm linking up to check out lots of other great menus for the week!