Menus

I am sitting here coming up with a two week menu.  I want to work up to a full month of meals so that I am shopping a lot less each month.

So far this is what I have:

Dec. 29 -- Fiesta Chicken
Dec. 30 -- Rotisserie Chicken
Dec. 31 -- At friend's house for New Year's.  Will take something, just not sure yet.
Jan.  01 -- Chili over pasta
Jan.  02 -- Salad Night
Jan.  03 -- Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Jan.  04 -- Venison Stew
Jan.  05 -- Leftovers Night
Jan.  06 -- Chicken and Dumplings
Jan.  07 -- Baked Potato Night
Jan.  08 -- Tacos
Jan.  09 -- Spaghetti with sauce
Jan.  10 -- Leftovers night.
Jan.  11 -- Homemade Pizza

Monday Menu

Monday:     Chicken and Dumplings

Tuesday:      ?? (Can not remember and my menu is at home)

Wednesday:     Chicken Pot Pie

Thursday:     Cheeseburger Macaroni

Friday:     Homemade Pizza

Saturday:     Leftovers

Venison

Well, DH shot two more today.

I need to start collecting venison recipes!

Deer Season

So far this rifle season my sweet DH has killed three does.

So, after grinding, bagging, and freezing the venison, here is the final tally:

42 one pound bags of ground meat
8 "nice" roasts
2 "crockpot" roasts
10 bags of loin medallions (enough for a meal for 4 in each)
1 bag of prime tenderloins (splurge meal!)

Now all the towels are in the washer under the sanitize cycle, the grinder and accessories have been cleaned and sanitized, and now I am pooped! LOL

Will be using some of the ground meat for tacos tonight. :-)

Way too long....

A lot has been going on since I last posted.


Menu:

Tuesday:    Beef and Broccoli over rice

Wednesday:    Salad night

Thursday:     Crock pot night (something with chicken)

Friday:    Homemade pizza

Menus

I followed the previous menu almost 100%!  There were a few re-arrangements, but still the recipes I planned. :-)

This week I only have planned until Friday. (Yeah, I know this is Thursday. LOL  The menu WAS:

Monday:  Hamburger and hotdogs
Tuesday:  Tacos
Wednesday:  Salad night
Thursday:  Corned Beef and Cabbage
Friday:  Tomato chicken over rice

I will sit and figure what the weekend and next week will be.  Donny and Kate's wedding is the 4th, so this will be a very busy and crazy week coming up!

Menu adjustments

Yesterday:  Potato Soup
Monday:     Jambalaya with sausage
Tuesday:     Salad night
Wednesday: Rotissiere Chicken
Thursday:    Chicken and Dumplings
Friday:        Leftovers or homemade pizza

No more changes..... (yeah right. LOL)

Menu Monday

Here is the menu for the week:

Today:     Chili and cornbread
Tues:        Slow cooker roast with veggies
Wed:        Ham and Bean soup with cornbread
Thurs:       Salad night
Fri:           Spaghetti with meat sauce
Sat:          Leftovers
Sun:         Jambalaya with sausage
Mon:        Rotissierre Chicken
Tues:        Chicken and Dumplings
Wed:        Leftovers

I am trying for a week and half and hope to work up to two week menus and then maybe slowly up to a month at a time.

Trip down memory lane.....

So, I decided to go and look at the first post I ever made as a blogger.  It was on May 10th, 2005.

Wow...that was a long time ago.  Hard to believe that was over 7 years ago and how much has changed.

In the last 7 years, I have gone from a SAHM to a full time student and working full time.  I miss those days sometimes, but not much.  I like where I am at now.  Things are not perfect, but is it ever?

I love my husband, my kids, my grandbaby, and my work.  Oh, and my schoolwork even though it is hard.

I hope to be the teacher in my own classroom by the end of the next school year.  I will keep prayer that it happens.  Since all things are possible with faith.  (and a good amount of work thrown in!)

Edgar Allen Poe

It was on this date in 1849 that Edgar Allen Poe is said to have died.  There is still a lot of mystery surrounding his last days and there seems to be no record of his death or even a death certificate, but we will go with this date, since it is what the consensus has decided.

I have always had a fondness for Poe's writing.  Yeah, I can be a tad macarbe that way.  I remember in 7th grade getting to go on a field trip to the University of Virginia and being in awe at seeing the dorm room that Poe used during his brief stay there:

I was a lit geek then.  What can I say, not many 7th graders were well versed in Shakespeare, Poe, and Bronte to name a few. LOL

Most people think of "The Raven" or "The Fall of the House of Usher" when they think of Poe's works, but my favorite has always been "The Tell-Tale Heart."  Yeah, I am weird that way!

For your pleasure:

The Tell-Tale Heart

By Edgar Allen Poe

TRUE! nervous, very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why WILL you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses, not destroyed, not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How then am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily, how calmly, I can tell you the whole story.

It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain, but, once conceived, it haunted me day and night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. He had never wronged me. He had never given me insult. For his gold I had no desire. I think it was his eye! Yes, it was this! One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture -- a pale blue eye with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me my blood ran cold, and so by degrees, very gradually, I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye for ever.

Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded -- with what caution -- with what foresight, with what dissimulation, I went to work! I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him. And every night about midnight I turned the latch of his door and opened it oh, so gently! And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern all closed, closed so that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly, very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep. It took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could see him as he lay upon his bed. Ha! would a madman have been so wise as this? And then when my head was well in the room I undid the lantern cautiously -- oh, so cautiously -- cautiously (for the hinges creaked), I undid it just so much that a single thin ray fell upon the vulture eye. And this I did for seven long nights, every night just at midnight, but I found the eye always closed, and so it was impossible to do the work, for it was not the old man who vexed me but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he had passed the night. So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed , to suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked in upon him while he slept.

Upon the eighth night I was more than usually cautious in opening the door. A watch's minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers, of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph. To think that there I was opening the door little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts. I fairly chuckled at the idea, and perhaps he heard me, for he moved on the bed suddenly as if startled. Now you may think that I drew back -- but no. His room was as black as pitch with the thick darkness (for the shutters were close fastened through fear of robbers), and so I knew that he could not see the opening of the door, and I kept pushing it on steadily, steadily.

I had my head in, and was about to open the lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin fastening , and the old man sprang up in the bed, crying out, "Who's there?"

I kept quite still and said nothing. For a whole hour I did not move a muscle, and in the meantime I did not hear him lie down. He was still sitting up in the bed, listening; just as I have done night after night hearkening to the death watches in the wall.

Presently, I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or of grief -- oh, no! It was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe. I knew the sound well. Many a night, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it has welled up from my own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me. I say I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him although I chuckled at heart. I knew that he had been lying awake ever since the first slight noise when he had turned in the bed. His fears had been ever since growing upon him. He had been trying to fancy them causeless, but could not. He had been saying to himself, "It is nothing but the wind in the chimney, it is only a mouse crossing the floor," or, "It is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp." Yes he has been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions ; but he had found all in vain. ALL IN VAIN, because Death in approaching him had stalked with his black shadow before him and enveloped the victim. And it was the mournful influence of the unperceived shadow that caused him to feel, although he neither saw nor heard, to feel the presence of my head within the room.

When I had waited a long time very patiently without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open a little -- a very, very little crevice in the lantern. So I opened it -- you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily -- until at length a single dim ray like the thread of the spider shot out from the crevice and fell upon the vulture eye.

It was open, wide, wide open, and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with perfect distinctness -- all a dull blue with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones, but I could see nothing else of the old man's face or person, for I had directed the ray as if by instinct precisely upon the damned spot.

And now have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over-acuteness of the senses? now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I knew that sound well too. It was the beating of the old man's heart. It increased my fury as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.

But even yet I refrained and kept still. I scarcely breathed. I held the lantern motionless. I tried how steadily I could maintain the ray upon the eye. Meantime the hellish tattoo of the heart increased. It grew quicker and quicker, and louder and louder, every instant. The old man's terror must have been extreme! It grew louder, I say, louder every moment! -- do you mark me well? I have told you that I am nervous: so I am. And now at the dead hour of the night, amid the dreadful silence of that old house, so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror. Yet, for some minutes longer I refrained and stood still. But the beating grew louder, louder! I thought the heart must burst. And now a new anxiety seized me -- the sound would be heard by a neighbour! 

The old man's hour had come! With a loud yell, I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room. He shrieked once -- once only. In an instant I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed over him. I then smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done. But for many minutes the heart beat on with a muffled sound. This, however, did not vex me; it would not be heard through the wall. At length it ceased. The old man was dead. I removed the bed and examined the corpse. Yes, he was stone, stone dead. I placed my hand upon the heart and held it there many minutes. There was no pulsation. He was stone dead. His eye would trouble me no more.

If still you think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe the wise precautions I took for the concealment of the body. The night waned, and I worked hastily, but in silence.

I took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings. I then replaced the boards so cleverly so cunningly, that no human eye -- not even his -- could have detected anything wrong. There was nothing to wash out -- no stain of any kind -- no blood-spot whatever. I had been too wary for that.

When I had made an end of these labours, it was four o'clock -- still dark as midnight. As the bell sounded the hour, there came a knocking at the street door. I went down to open it with a light heart, -- for what had I now to fear? There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with perfect suavity, as officers of the police. A shriek had been heard by a neighbour during the night; suspicion of foul play had been aroused; information had been lodged at the police office, and they (the officers) had been deputed to search the premises.

I smiled, -- for what had I to fear? I bade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a dream. The old man, I mentioned, was absent in the country. I took my visitors all over the house. I bade them search -- search well. I led them, at length, to his chamber. I showed them his treasures, secure, undisturbed. In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim.

The officers were satisfied. My MANNER had convinced them. I was singularly at ease. They sat and while I answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things. But, ere long, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone. My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears; but still they sat, and still chatted. The ringing became more distinct : I talked more freely to get rid of the feeling: but it continued and gained definitiveness -- until, at length, I found that the noise was NOT within my ears.

No doubt I now grew VERY pale; but I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound increased -- and what could I do? It was A LOW, DULL, QUICK SOUND -- MUCH SUCH A SOUND AS A WATCH MAKES WHEN ENVELOPED IN COTTON. I gasped for breath, and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly, more vehemently but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. 

Why WOULD they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men, but the noise steadily increased. O God! what COULD I do? I foamed -- I raved -- I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder -- louder -- louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly , and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God! -- no, no? They heard! -- they suspected! -- they KNEW! -- they were making a mockery of my horror! -- this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! -- and now -- again -- hark! louder! louder! louder! LOUDER! --

"Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed! -- tear up the planks! -- here, here! -- it is the beating of his hideous heart!"

USDA for August

I only did this two months ago, but felt like updating my information and seeing how I compare to the "thrifty" plan of the USDA.

First off, let me say that I realize that food costs vary by region and that this is considered an average.  I live about 45 minutes west of Washington, D.C. so my costs are not sky high, but not exactly cheap either.

For August 2012, the USDA feels that I would be spending $767.22 if I followed the thrifty plan.  I am no where close to that figure!  I try to keep my budget at $450 a month and that includes paper, cleaning, and animal products.  We also do not live on beans and ramen.  Although beans are not bad for you, but people associate them with being "poor."

Now to start working on menu's and other strategies.

Resurrecting old ideas

When I started blogging many years ago under the name One Frugal Mom.  I, for the most part, wrote about ways to keep costs down and those type ideas.

Over the years I have changed, which is what all people do, but now I need to get back to my roots.  I want to start finding ways to be frugal, while having a very busy life.  I am still pretty good about keeping the grocery budget down, but want to find ways to make it stretch even more.

Follow along as I try and rekindle my frugal roots, while I still try and expand and be more than just "mom."  (Not that there is anything WRONG with that, just not where I am right now.)

Ham in the slow cooker

Turned out wonderful!

I put the ham into the slow cooker yesterday morning while it was still frozen.  I put it in there around 7:00 am and by 4:00 the house smelled wonderful and it was fork tender.

I now have a new way to cook a nice ham that does not take alot of time and attention.

Dinner last night was Ham, noodles and green beans.

Leftover ham will be used for bean soup next week. Along with fried ham with another meal.

Passing

Andy Williams passed away.

Now the song "Moon River" will be going to through mind all day.

To All Who Died, and All Who Survived

(Photo from the Park Service)

Wow... two weeks since I last posted.

Sorry to the couple people that read this blog. ;-)

School is back in session, so my summer has ended.  Kids are back at school, and I am back at work.

I will be using my slow cooker ALOT more this year, so I will start posting the recipes I use.  Here is the one from yesterday.  It is always a hit at my house.  The only thing I change is that I do not add mushrooms, they are not liked in my house.


Ultimate Beef Stroganoff {Slow Cooker}

Tonight will be broccoli and beef stir fry over rice and Thursday will be a salad night.  That is all that is planned so far.

USDA Food Costs for June 2012

The USDA has put up their numbers for June.  For our family the monthly cost that the government thinks we should be spending on their "thrifty" plan is $763.13.  WOW, that is more than I spend, but a long shot.

I have not calculated their other levels, I am not sure I can handle it. LOL

August 4th already!

This year is just speeding along!

Busy busy kids

Well, dinner Friday became a date night for DH and I!  Youngest DD went to spend the night at a friends house, so it was just DH, myself, and grandbaby.

Instead of cooking, we decided to go to Red Lobster.  It was very nice!

Menu

I hope I follow this menu better than the last one!

7-27 thru 8-9

Friday:        Grilled steaks, potatos, and veggie
Saturday:     Clean out the fridge
Sunday:        DH not home for dinner, hamburger helper for the kids
Monday:      Chicken Adobo over rice
Tuesday:      Beef and Broccoli over rice
Wednesday: Pasta salad night (KD)
Thursday:     Salad with ham and boiled eggs
Friday:         Slow cooker-- 40 clove garlic chicken
Saturday:     At friends house
Sunday:       Hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill
Monday:      Salad night with grilled chicken
Tuesday:      Slow cooker-- BBQ pulled pork, rolls and veggie
Wednesday: Leftovers night
Thursday:     Fiesta chicken over rice

So, what have I been doing that last two days?

Well, it started with this:

This is some watermelon jelly that I had been wanting to make for awhile.  So, with DD begged for a watermelon at the grocery store I decided "why not!" LOL  But there is a thing that happens when I start canning..... I. CAN. NOT. STOP! LOL

So, I started looking online for some "different" jam and jelly recipes.....which resulted in this:

 These are the ingredients for Margarita Jelly and Strawberry Daiquiri Jam.

Which turned into these:

After those, I then decided to restock my supply of Jalapeno Jelly here.

And then..... I ended the day with Kiwi Daiquiri Jam.

I have been busy!

Watermelon Jelly

Got some canning in today.  Love it!

Gonna have to get my jars ready

With this rain, my green beans are gonna EXPLODE!

I hope to get alot into jars for future use.  I also hope to make some watermelon jelly today.

I bought it!

So, after counting my gift card balance, it only cost me $.44 for the Wartime Kitchen book.

I got it in the mail today (super fast!) and it is in better condition than it was listed as!

There is some like wear on the back dust jacket, but other than that it is brand new.  I love it!

On the Hunt

Okay, I want these books!

I have found the first one on amazon for about $14.00 with shipping.  I found it almost $4 cheaper through another site, but I have gift credit through amazon.  The second one is pricier at this time, but I will keep looking for it. :-)

Menu -- Two weeks worth

Today:   Jambalaya
Friday:   Grilled chicken, ?? on sides
Saturday:  Kings Dominion
Sunday:  Beef and Broccoli
DH out of town, kids choices:
Monday:  Hamburger Helper 
Tuesday:  Fish Sticks and mac and cheese
Wednesday:  Chicken Nugget salad
Thursday:  Leftovers (clean out the fridge)
DH is home. Yay!
Friday:  Baked Burritos (treat since I try not to use the oven in the summer, but one of DH's favs)
Saturday:  Hot dogs and Hamburgers on the grill
Sunday:  Crock pot Beef Stroganoff over egg noodles
Monday:  Salad Night
Tuesday:  Chicken Adobo and rice
Wednesday:  Taco Night
Thursday:  Leftovers night

Finally made it....

Tasty, but was lacking something.  I will tweak it some the next time I make it!

July

I had planned to get a menu prepared for the week, but got sidetracked.


Today:  Grilling with neighbors:  ribs, texas caviar, veggies, and chips.

Thursday:  red beans and rice
Friday:  leftovers
Saturday:  Cookout; hotdogs and hamburgers
Sunday:  Crockpot chicken, potatoes, veggies

Morning visitor

This was in our backyard this morning.  Tried to get closer, but it flew away.

Flashback to a favorite

I loved this singer and felt he should have won!

Latest FDA cost of food figures out

The "Thrifty" plan for my family would be $767.76.  WOW!  I don't come close to that each month.  I am always surprised when I see the latest figures.  It does help me appreciate how well I do keep our costs down, even when I am having a "bad" month with the budget. ;-)

Here is the link:  USDA food costs

First day of Summer

What are your plans?

I hope to stay home and NOT go anywhere. LOL

It's only 11:14 am and it is already 93 degrees outside.  It is gonna be a scorcher!

Menu time

Today:   Country style ribs, corn, and veggie
Mon:       Beef and Broccoli over rice
Tues:        Salad night
Wed:        Red beans and rice
Thurs:       Leftovers
Fri:         Baked Burritos
Sat:        ??? Not sure yet.

Busy

Garden is doing very nicely.

DH enjoyed some peppers and onions from it with dinner tonight.  I also have some green tomatoes on the vines and am waiting impatiently patiently for them to turn. LOL

Oh well

So much for posting daily. I will try and finish the month with daily postings. Life happens, but since it is summer I should have more to post about.


Girl with gun

Menu Re-do's

Got halfway through the day, yesterday, I realized I forgot to put dinner in the slow cooker. LOL  So, things got changed a tad. LOL

I made tacos, so I need to change things around to fit what I had planned for the week.

Tonight will be hamburger and hot dogs, and then Thursday will either be salad or I will put the slow cooker on that morning.  Haven't decided yet.

Good thing about having a weekly menu, I can change it around if I need to. :-)

Menu Monday

Tonight:         Salad night
Tuesday:       Fiesta Chicken
Wednesday:  Taco Night
Thursday:      Hamburger and hot dogs on the grill
Friday:          Salad Night
Saturday:      Grill
Sunday:        ???
Monday:       Crockpot stroganoff
Tuesday:       Salad
Wednesday:  Red beans and rice
Thursday:      Beef and broccoli
Friday:         ????


(Yes, I realize I already missed a day.  Yesterday was just "one of those days.")

Day 2 of my June Challenge

Today was a very busy day!

My 5th grader had her race today.  What race do you ask... well, 5th graders get to pick "clubs" for Friday resource time and my daughter is in the STEM club. (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math)  For the past two months they have been building a raft from completely recycled/recyclable items for a raft race today.

There were only 4 rafts entered in the contest.  Two middle school clubs and one other elementary school.  Their raft came in last, but that was because they tipped and insisted on swimming in while pulling their raft.  One of the middle school groups won, but our class got an award for having a raft that was 100% recyclable and as the judge announced "for showing true valor and dedication" for being determined to finish the race.

Those kids were thrilled!  After the race each of the kids in the club took turns rowing the raft in the shallow end of the lake and had a great time.  We will be placing the award, plus their banners in the school lobby for all to see how great they did and how well they represented their school!

Challenge

I am going to challenge myself to blog every day this month.


Girl with gun

Ending of another month

Another month is almost over!  Goodness time is going by fast.

The school year is wrapping up and the garden is gearing up.  My green beans are looking great, but my peas are struggling.

I also plan to continue with a two-week menu.  I did not follow it 100%, but it is still a move in the right direction for planning better.

Rain, rain go away...

I had planned to grill today, but will need to think of something different.

Of course, I also forgot to set out my chicken from the freezer.  Oh well! LOL

Two week menu

Saturday:  ??  Not sure yet what we are doing
Sunday:  Kings Dominion -- making sandwiches, chips and cookies
Mon:  Grilled chicken quarters, potatoes and a veggie
Tues:  Salad night
Wed:  Jam Chicken over rice
Thurs:  Beef and Broccoli
Fri:  Leftovers (clear out the fridge)
Sat:  Baked Burritos
Sun:  Grilled hotdogs and hamburgers
Mon:  Grilled something
Tues:  Beef Stroganoff over noodles
Wed:  Red beans and rice
Thur:  Leftovers/clean out the fridge
Fri:  ?? Not sure yet

Menu for almost the week

Here is what I have so far:

Sunday:  Pasta salad with chicken
Monday:  Tacos
Tuesday:  Jam Chicken over rice
Wednesday:  Leftovers
Thursday:  Tomato chicken over rice
Friday:  ???  (undecided.  Youngest dd gets to choose)
Saturday:  Grilled hamburgers and hotdogs

Menu Planning

I have got my calendar out more than once the last two days and have gotten NO WHERE with it. LOL

I am just not "feeling" it this weekend.  I will go and look online for some inspirations.

Menu Monday

I am going to try and make (and stay with) a two-week menu this time.

Monday:  Ham, potatoes, veggie, and rolls
Tuesday:  Grilled Chicken, corn and veggie
Wednesday:  Leftovers
Thursday:  Beef Stroganoff over egg noodles
Friday:  Baked Burritos
Saturday:  Pasta salad
Sunday:  Rottiessirie Chicken, potatoes, and veggie
Monday:  Leftovers
Tuesday:  Fiesta Chicken over rice
Wednesday:  Spaghetti with meat sauce
Thursday:  Chicken pot pie
Friday:  Hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill.
Saturday:  Sloppy Joes
Sunday:  ??

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Menu Monday

Today:   Tacos
Tuesday:  French Onion Soup
Wednesday:  Salad Night
Thursday:  Jam Chicken over rice
Friday:  Homemade pizzas
Saturday:  Leftovers
Sunday:??? Not sure yet.

Dinner Today...

Today is easy.... Corned beef and cabbage.
Sunday will be out and about, so not sure for dinner

I need to sit and figure out the rest of the week.

Monday I am thinking of tacos, we have not done those in a couple of weeks.

I will work on it more later....

Menu plan

Saturday:  Shepherd's Pie
Sunday:    Beef stroganoff
Monday:   leftovers
Tuesday:  Jam Chicken
Wednesday:  Grilled chicken thighs potatos and veggies
Thursday:  Tacos
Friday:      leftovers
Saturday:  ???

Menu Saturday

Saturday:  Hamburger Helper (DH will not be here, so kids get to choose)
Sunday:    Beef and Broccoli stir fry
Monday:   ?????
Tuesday:   crockpot potato and sausage meal
Wednesday:  Salad
Thursday:  Crockpot Beef Stroganoff over noodles
Friday:    leftovers

Mini menu

Tonight was subs that I made here.

Monday:  Tomato chicken over rice
Tuesday:  Slow cooker beef stroganoff over noodles
Wednesday:  Leftovers
Thursday:  ??
Friday:  ??
Saturday:  ??

Italian Wedding soup--slow cooker version

 It turned out really good.  The only thing I did was add garlic salt towards the end because it was on the bland side.

I will definitely make this again, but I plan to make the meatballs with a combo of ground beef and sausage.  I think that will really up the flavor factor.  I will also make a double or triple batch of meatballs and freeze the extra.  This will make a great semi-freezer meal to have.  All I would need to do is buy the escarole to make it after that.

Menu Changed

I was not thinking and put the crockpot recipe down for Monday (today) instead of Tuesday.  I try to always do a crock pot meal on Tuesday because my DH has his weekly poker game that night and I don't want to chance something happening and delaying dinner.

So, tonight will be Chicken and Dumplings and tomorrow will be the Italian wedding soup.

Menu for 2-11 through 2-17

I changed a few things last week, so here's to seeing if we can make it through the week without changing things.

Sat:     Sloppy Joes, chips

Sun:     Not sure, most likely subs

Mon:    Italian Wedding Soup

Tues:    Chicken and Dumplings

Wed:    Salad

Thurs:    Potato soup

Fri:       Pork Roast, potatoes, and veggies

Menu changes...

Yesterday became a "clean out the fridge night" because we had stuff that needed to be eaten before it went bad. :-)

Tonight because of the cold (and potential snow) I have decided to make chili for dinner.  I will probably make noodles to go with it for a change.  Not sure I want to make cornbread, but we will see when it is time to start cooking.

Menu until 2-10-12

Okay, here is a menu for the week:

Saturday:  Pork roast, potatoes, veggie
Sunday:  Super Bowl party -- taking Texas Caviar recipe and maybe something else.
Monday:  Salad night (to counter the previous night. LOL)
Tuesday:  NEW recipe!  Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup
Wednesday:  Chicken and Dumplings
Thursday:  Leftovers
Friday:  Pizza

I seem to be planning dinner a day at a time. sigh

Tonight was:

Baked Tilapia
Couscous
Peas

Not the most exciting, but it covers the basics.

Now to get my rear in gear and plan for at least the next week.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wednesday's menu

I am having an issue with making my menu this week.

Today will be a nice salad.  I might add baked potatoes to it, not sure.

Quote of the Day

"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."
        - C.S. Lewis 

Taco Twist Casserole

Here is the base recipe, but I have been known to tweak it at times.

Taco Twist Casserole

1 lb. ground beef

1 package taco seasoning mix (I use my homemade mix)

1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

3 cups rotini, cooked and drained

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1/2 cup sour cream

Brown beef; drain.  Stir in seasoning mix, tomato sauce and green pepper.  Bring to a boil, remove from heat.  Combine with cooked pasta, 1/2 cup cheese and sour cream.  Pour into greased casserole dish.  Top with remaining cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Made a change last night...

Although the menu showed a pork roast for dinner, I decided to use the leftover chicken and make chicken and dumplings for dinner.

It was good, even if I say so myself. :-)

Menu for the next two weeks!

Here is the menu for the next two weeks:

Saturday:  Enchiladas, spanish rice, refried beans
Sunday:  Rottissiere chicken, broccoli, corn
Monday:  Chili and cornbread
Tuesday:  French onion Chicken
Wednesday:  Leftovers
Thursday:  Roast pork roast, potatoes, peas
Friday:  Homemade pizzas, salad
Saturday:  Jam Chicken and rice
Sunday: Sub sandwiches, chips
Monday:  Taco Twist Casserole
Tuesday:  Leftovers and salad
Wednesday:  Shepards pie
Thursday:  Fiesta Chicken
Friday:  Chicken and Dumplings

Menu planning

I am working on a two week menu plan.  I need to get better at planning a menu and sticking to it.

I will post it once I finish it.

Uh Oh

The crud might be coming to our house.

I will be stocking up on saltines, ginger ale, and oj. (I know, o.j. is not your typical choice, but DH requests it)

Dinner for tonight and tomorrow

Tonight was:  Pot Roast with potatoes, onions and brussel sprouts.

Sunday:  Grilled chicken thighs, potatoes, and a veggie of some sort.

I will work on a menu for the week tomorrow.  I need to get back to doing that.

Forgot to start the dinner this morning.....

Yeah, so I was GOING to make Jam chicken today....but got to school and realized I had not put the stuff into the crockpot.

So... dinner will be tacos. LOL

Jam chicken for tomorrow.

Menu Monday

I have NO idea yet. LOL

I know Tuesday:  Jam chicken over rice

Wednesday:  Leftovers

Thursday:  ??

Friday:  ??

Saturday:  ??

I will try and get the rest of the week figured out by Wednesday night.