Warm French Lentils and Sunday Ramblings

I don't usually cook on Sundays. I cook every other day of the week so nearly every Sunday after attending church at Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren, we stop at Dairy Queen and all four of us split a 6-piece chicken strip basket. Since that is usually the only time we eat out during the week and the four of us split one meal, I don't feel guilty about it. Sunday evenings we always have air-popped popcorn and fresh veggies and fruits for snacking. Growing up, Sunday lunch was the biggest meal of the week for us and was always made from scratch and included all food groups. Those memories are special, but it is fun creating traditions for our own family.

Today, however, was different. I was home with Eli because he was coughing and sneezing a lot. I made lunch for us here and used THIS RECIPE. The Warm French Lentils were fabulous, but the Tablespoon of salt has to be a misprint! I used just a pinch of salt. Aside from the salt, I followed the recipe exactly. One problem I ran into was wanting to eat all of the leeks and carrots before the lentils were cooked lol. I was a little leery after I mixed the dressing and dipped a pinky in to taste... seemed like an odd combination. But after the dish was assembled, it was a winner, hands down! I wanted to eat the whole dish by myself, but felt obligated to share. :) It is on the "Make Again Soon" list here.

Because I was home and we needed bread for the week I made a batch of whole wheat dinner rolls, two loaves of whole wheat English muffin bread, and a batch of our favorite sugar cookies for "dessert" for the week. I also froze some of the sugar cookies for our Sadie Rose Foundation Support Meeting this Friday. 

Again, here is the link to the Warm French Lentils. I hope you and yours love them as much as we did!

Warm French Lentils

 The children also enjoyed making "apple teeth" with apples, peanut butter, raisins, and marshmallows.

 This evening we enjoyed our popcorn supper and hot cocoa around the fire pit in our back yard.

Our dog, Sampson, loves when the children "share."

What "Sunday traditions did you have growing up? Have you established meal traditions for your own family?

Quick and Easy Ham, Mac n Cheese

Busy moms will love this!

There are several options...

Take a ham steak and cut into small cubes or use pieces of leftover ham.

Cook either whole wheat macaroni or several potatoes, diced.

When macaroni or potatoes are cooked, drain and add ham pieces.

I like to use about 1/2 cup Wildtree Kids Cheese and milk or you can make a quick sauce with 2 Tablespoons butter, melt in separate pan. Add 2 Tablespoons flour. Stir well. Add a cup or more of milk and stir until thickened. Add a cup of grated cheese.

Stir this sauce over the macaroni or potatoes and ham and add a side vegetable and voila, dinner is served. Kids love this.