The my-boys-are-all-home!!! menu

Well, for a few days, I'll be blissfully cooking for a houseful of boys, listening to them wrestle with each other, playing baseball/football in the backyard, delighting in all kinds of 'boy' things.

Marine son got here on Thursday, and Airman son didn't arrive until Sunday, but that was fine!!!  I swear I think my Airman has grown since I last saw him (he is just returning from deployment, so it's been a while).

Our menu was kind of topsy-turvy but we managed just fine.

Here's the plan for this week:


Sunday~ family cookout. Burgers, dogs, sausages on the grill, cucumber salad, potato salad (courtesy of my mom), homemade salsa w/chips, homemade roasted tomato dip w/pita chips, and s'mores for dessert (yummmmmmmmm!).

Monday~ busy day for everyone.  We'll come home for steaks on the grill, mashed potatoes, fried okra (my big boys' fave), and salad.

Tuesday~ Airman leaves this evening.  Boys are planning a fishing trip, and if all goes well, we will have fish.  If not... we'll have leftovers!

Wednesday~ Marine son's last evening at home.  Whatever he requests is what we'll eat.

Thursday~ back to just the three of us... perhaps some simpler fare is in order.  I'm thinking flatbread pizzas will be good, with a caprese salad.  Our tomatoes are gorgeous, basil's in full production, and I scored some fresh mozzarella that I'm dying to eat!

Friday~ Perhaps dinner with my dad.  We have an annual tradition for Father's Day that my sis & I go out to dinner with him, and we had to put that off this year, so we're scheduled for our raincheck this weekend!

Saturday~ TBA.... I love summer!

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It's still June...we still have a garden...and a menu...

I continue to be amazed at the amount of produce that is coming from our garden.  Son #3 has actually asked if he could start selling tomatoes... there are so many of them!

I found a recipe for freezing cucumbers that has proven to be a hit.  I've roasted and frozen so many tomatoes that I'm sure we'll have enough for the whole winter!  I've made several variations on jalapeno poppers and frozen 'empties' for later.  We've made delicious salsa too.

So I'm doing my best to include as much of our bounty as I can.  I'd love it if beef went on sale soon, because with hubby's eating plan, we gotta have protein.

Sunday~ HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!  Hubby has requested a dinner at home of spaghetti and meatballs.  We will also have the cucumbers I mentioned above.  No bread, so I'll probably make some cheese crisps.

Monday~ Leftover roast (from last week), green beans and new potatoes from the garden, cucumbers and tomatoes.

Tuesday~ Homemade salsa and chips, tacos using this seasoning from Heavenly Homemakers

Wednesday~ Hubby and I will be home alone (I know - GASP!) so we may have a date night.  Out or in has yet to be decided.

Thursday~ DS#3 comes back home with Marine Son, and Airman Son will descend too.  YEA!  I'm planning to roast a turkey from the freezer, and have collards, sliced tomatoes, corn on the cob, and Swiss beans to go with it.

Friday~ I'll have a rehearsal, but we'll grill when I get home: burgers, dogs, sausages, and maybe some of our various veggies.

Saturday~ My dad & sis are involved in a local musical that we'll see, so I'm leaving things open.

Find menu inspiration at Menu Plan Monday.

Fabulous Food Friday

I'm a first time participant in Recipe Lion's Fabulous Food Friday blog hop!

As our garden has been in full swing, I've been experimenting with all kinds of veggie recipes - mostly tomato and cucumber (as that's what we have the most right now).

Hubby's fave to date has been a homemade salsa, which is so easy that I'm embarrassed to call it a recipe. The other is a cucumber salad, courtesy of my grandfather, that we all love.

First, the salsa...

Tomatoes, seeded and diced

onion to taste

1 jalapeno, seeded and diced (more, if you like more heat)

lime juice

salt & pepper

My husband does not like garlic, so I leave it out. Seed and dice as many tomatoes as you'd like.

Dice some onion (I use the green onions from our garden for a milder onion flavor)

Dice one jalapeno (if you have sensitive skin, PLEASE WEAR GLOVES. The juice from the ribs and skin WILL burn you. And it hurts. A lot.)

Squeeze the juice of one lime (I used True Lime in a pinch and it worked well too)

Add salt and pepper to taste.

You can also add herbs like cilantro for added flavor.

Stir, and refrigerate.

Fresh and delicious!

On to the cucumber salad:

This is a recipe that needs to marinate. So plan ahead if you choose to make this one.

Cucumbers

Vinegar

*Oil (the recipe calls for equal parts vinegar and oil, but I usually only use a Tbsp of oil at the most. Sometimes I leave it out altogether.)

Sugar

Salt & Pepper

Peel and slice cucumbers. Lay them in a colandar, and sprinkle with salt. This will help to draw the liquid out. (I usually do this step in the morning, and come back later in the day to check.)

After several hours, squeeze cucumbers, rinse (to get rid of the salt), and squeeze again.

In a bowl, put cucumbers, just enough vinegar to cover, oil (if using), sugar (I have used Splenda with success), and salt and pepper to taste. Stir; cover and refrigerate.

After several hours, or overnight, taste cucumbers. If you want them sweeter, add sugar and stir.

Peppers.... what to do?

I've got a bucket full of these guys.

And more in the garden that I just haven't picked.

We've got jalapeno poppers...

what else can I do with these beauties??

Please... help a girl out...

Visit Real Food Wednesday for Real Food tips and recipes.

Summertime! Menu #2

I love summer! And all the fresh produce from our garden is quite amazing too. One of our favorite snacks this week has been fresh salsa with homemade tortilla chips.

Well, last week, we followed the menu a little...

There were some events that I forgot, so we had to adjust things.

But that's okay. That's why it's a plan.

So on to this week:

Sunday~ Grilled chicken, corn on the cob, collard greens

Monday~ Roast in the crockpot with pearl onions, cucumber salad, red potatoes

Tuesday~ Bourbon chicken, stir fry veggies, maybe some green beans

Wednesday~ Leftovers (there should be plenty!)

Thursday~ Spaghetti and meatballs (no pasta for hubby)

Friday~ Sticky chicken, sliced tomatoes, collards

Saturday~ TBA

Share your menus at Menu Plan Monday!

Cars 2... video game!

My house is so excited about the release of Cars 2. Everyone, from my 10 year old son, to my 3 year old nephew, to my own father is waiting anxiously for it to come out! And the promise of a video game? Well, that's almost too sweet to take.

Here's a description of what the game promises:

Your kids' (and your) favorite characters from Radiator Springs are back in action and ready to save the world in Cars 2: The Video Game. Join the team at C.H.R.O.M.E. and jump into a whole new world of fast-paced intrigue, exotic locations and fun for the whole family without leaving the house!

There's even a facebook page to explore: Disney Pixar Cars Game

Check it out!

(I should mention that I received an opportunity from bzzagent.com regarding the Cars 2 game. I am a BzzAgent and am lovin' it!)

School's out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! June menu #1

WOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(School's out. We're excited.)

Hubby & I are working just a couple of days this week. As usual, we'll be back up to school for various things, but official work days end Tuesday. YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

So, I'm going to plan lunches AND dinners, because we'll be eating at home more and this will help me be prepared with the groceries.

Sunday~ lunch: leftover hotdogs & hamburgers

dinner: Chicken (crockpot) with green beans (garden),

new potatoes (garden), and cucumber salad

(garden... yea for the garden!)

Monday~ lunch: Sonny's (we have a BOGO coupon!)

dinner: Tacos (still haven't had it yet... we'll use

this seasoning from Heavenly Homemakers)

Tuesday~ lunch: quesadillas (or out... last day of work)

dinner: BBQ chicken sandwiches, cucumber salad,

coleslaw (cabbage from the garden)

Wednesday~ lunch: leftover bbq chicken

dinner: Roast in the crockpot, mushrooms, pearl onions,

tossed salad or sliced tomatoes (garden again),

corn (friend's garden!)

Thursday~ lunch: Chef's salad

dinner: Make Your Own Pizza (using flatbread)

Friday~ lunch: TBA

dinner: Marinated flank steak with peppers, rice for ds#3,

cucumbers and tomatoes with feta

Saturday~ our 17th wedding anniversary. Leaving it open :)

Share your menus at Menu Plan Monday!