Ready For School?

Hello Friends -

This month has been so busy and I have been so focused on doing what we can before school starts that I've had no time to write. Sophia is very excited to start school next week and Austin starts the week after her. I'll have a little more time on my hands a few times a week to get those big "cleaning out the ___(fill-in-the-blank)____" jobs done and other projects on my 33 goals list. For those of you like me who have a little extra time here are a few sites that I have found to help me out.

Help with cleaning your house:
http://www.flylady.net/

Help with at home activities to supplement what the kids are learning in school:
http://www.learningpage.com/free_pages/home.html

Help with making a quick grocery store shopping list (at the bottom of the page, no need to register):
http://www.mygrocerychecklist.com/

Help with getting in a quick devotional/weekly encouaragement:
Queen of the Castle By Lynn Bowen Walker
*This book provides recipes, quick tips and lots of encouragement. It's my go-to devotional when I just have 5 minutes.

These are just a few that I've used to help me get through those crazy days and weeks. Hope that you find something that will help you too.

As always, here's a recipe that you might find time to use. It's quick, easy and DELICIOUS!

Chicken Pesto Panini's

1 red onion, sliced into 1/8th inch rings
2 tablespoons butter
1 jar pesto sauce *found in your pasta isle
8 slices of provolone or mozzarella cheese
1 Rotisserie chicken, breast meat cut off and sliced for sandwiches
1 loaf pre-sliced artisan bread *I use portuguese bread, but you could use whatever you like

*Saute the red onion slices in the butter in a medium skillet. Cook for about 15 minutes or until they start to brown and caramelize.
*To make the sandwiches, spread some of the pesto onto the inside of both the top and bottom slices of the bread. Starting with the bottom slice, place one slice of cheese on top of the pesto, then add some caramelized onions. Next, put some sliced chicken on top of the onions and top with another slice of cheese. Place the top slice of the bread, pesto side down onto the sandwich.
*You can either make these on a panini press, George Foreman grill or in a skillet using another heavy pan or brick covered with tin foil to "press" the sandwiches.
*Cook about 5 minutes each side or until they are golden brown and resemble a "grilled cheese" sandwich with melty cheese dripping out of the sides.
*Serve with fruit, veggies and kettle chips.

Get some quality time in with your kids these next week...you'll be glad you did!

Until next time,
Kirsten