My daughter-in-law is an awesome cook.  One time my husband was over at Matt and Kristi’s house, and she offered him a sloppy joe.  When he came home, he just raved and raved about Kristi’s sloppy joes.  Now, this took me by surprise because he had always loved my sloppy joe recipe.  It was one of his favorite meals.  But Kristi’s sloppy joes were “like candy.”  So, I just had to try her recipe.

My husband was right; they are so good that describing them “like candy,” is a fitting description.  Try this recipe; I know you will love it, too.

Kristi’s Sloppy Joes

Brown a package of meat (you can use ground turkey or beef); drain the fat if there is any. I actually rinse the browned meat with water after draining it. 

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Add a bottle of Original Open Pit BBQ sauce with about a cup of brown sugar.  Chop up two green peppers and one onion. Add it and then simmer for a long time – the longer you let is simmer, the more it tastes like candy. When I simmer it for at least two hours, it is just the way my husband likes it. 

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We had an excellent Monday.  I had planned to watch a movie as our first class - a documentary on the ancient Mayan Civilization, because this follows in our history time frame in which we are studying.

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After watching the movie, we had our Bible reading; Bible memorization; read from our book teaching us how to pray.  Rachel leaves in the afternoon to participate in the Good News Club where they have a ministry to a local public school.  They have an after-school program that parents have signed a permission slip to allow their children to attend.  The gospel is given during this class, and last week, 6 children asked Jesus to come into their heart.

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I generally don't go anywhere on Monday, but I had something I wanted to return to Target, so I did this and while there, I found a pair of blue jeans for Joshua that cost $6.00.  What a deal!!! He only had one pair that fits him, and when he wore these to a Sunday night skit at a local church youth group participation, I noticed that they hadn't been washed. It was too late to do anything about it, but I vowed to make sure that I got out this week to get him a second pair.  When I seen this pair of blue jeans for $6.00 I wasn't for sure they'd fit, or that he would like them. I was happy when he tried them on and they fit perfect and  he liked them!

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Ruthie has had the same type of problem.  She's been wearing knit pants that have a rip in them.  All of her winter pants have a rip somewhere or an other.  So, last week at Target, I also found some good deals - the kind of pants (and only kind) that she wears on a sale price of also $6.00.  Her one white shirt that she wears under her jumper was looking icky, too, so I was happy when I found knit shirts on clearance for $3.60.  I bought several in a bigger size thinking that she can wear them loose the rest of the cold weather here, and then wear them next year, too. 

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This shopping time took a total of only one hour, including the travel time.  I was back quickly and then started supper:

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Amish Chicken Strips & Sweet and Sour Sauce

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Green Bean Casserole

Rolls

Salad

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I often have very quick recipes to save time in preparation.  This frees me up to get more things done.  This meal took more time than usual, but I had the desire and inclination to have a nice family dinner for this Monday night. 

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I also fit in exercise time after I had prepared dinner and put it in the oven to bake.

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After dinner, we watched one hour of the news and then promptly at 8:00 p.m. we turned the t.v. off and opened our book, Winning His Spurs, by G.A. Henty, and began our family reading time.  We finished the book - four chapters - and that took us to 10:00 p.m.  The horses got fed, the chickens put away, and then off to bed.