It's another Menu Plan Monday!

GUESS WHAT???????
We stuck to the plan this week!!!!
All except for Saturday, because hubby was not feeling too sporty, and he's the reason we would have done the shrimp boil. So we opted for meatballs with gravy over mashed potatoes (with the secret cauliflower smashed in there!) Here's hoping this week is as successful!

Sunday~ burgers on the grill, those wonderful homemade onion rings that we did not eat last week, and baked beans.
Monday~ hubby has class. Fend For Yourself.
Tuesday~ Jambalaya, made with leftover grilled chicken, and kielbasa that hubby grilled on Sunday night.
Wednesday~ Chili mac
Thursday~ out to dinner with the fam to celebrate birthdays
Friday~ out to dinner with our pastor
Saturday~ Dad's choice on the grill (something from his Bobby Flay cookbook!)
Share what's cookin' with everyone at Laura's!

Menu Plan Monday

I can't believe I haven't posted since December 28th!
Well, suffice it to say, life has been very BUSY. Hubby and I have renewed our goal to eat healthier and exercise more.... along with most of the human population. ;) That said, I've tried to incorporate veggies wherever I can, and throwing in a salad when nothing else seems to work.
Sunday~ Spaghetti & meatballs in the crock, garlic bread (I have a bridal shower to go to right after church, so it had to be FAST)
Monday~ Greek salad, grilled chicken, and we're splurging on these onion rings
Tuesday~ Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
Wednesday~ Beef stroganoff, mashed potatoes (with mashed cauliflower sneaked in there), tossed salad, crescent rolls
Thursday~ Breakfast for dinner: grapefruit (from the tree in our backyard), grits, scrambled eggs, bacon
Friday~ Make your own pizza (I bought pre-made crusts and we'll top our own... lots of veggies for me, meat for dad, and just cheese for ds#3)
Saturday~ Shrimp boil! (new potatoes, corn, and shrimp)
Share what's cookin' at Laura's!

Menu Plan Monday - Happy New Year!!

Christmas has come and gone; we put son #1 back on the airplane and the house is quiet (relatively speaking). We don't yet know when son #2 will get to come home on leave, but I know his request for a "Christmas" menu will be beef, not turkey!
For this week?
Sunday~ leftovers at hubby's request: turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, swiss beans, whatever else was in the fridge that looked interesting.
Monday~ Mom, sis & I are going out to dinner for our Christmas present to each other. The boys will fend for themselves.
Tuesday~ Tacos, at son #3's request.
Wednesday~ New Year's Eve... we have decided to have fondue... cheese and chocolate. YUMMMM!
Thursday~ HAPPY NEW YEAR! Lasagna, tossed salad, and garlic toast. I am a southern girl, so usually we have blackeyed peas and rice, but they are no one's favorite, so this year I decided we should pick something that everyone loves and is easy for Mom.
Friday~ Breakfast for Dinner.
Saturday~ Dad chooses a recipe from his new Bobby Flay cookbook.

Thankful Thursday - Christmas edition

This Christmas, I am thankful that two of my sons are home. As I type this, I am watching one of them recline in a chair, and the other snuggle next to him as they watch a movie. They are in front of the tree, totally loving being together. The older flew in today on leave from the Marine Corps, and the youngest has anxiously been waiting for this day since Thanksgiving.

I am also sad because one of the boys is not home.... he is in the Air Force and could not get leave. This is the first Christmas in our family that we have dealt with being spread apart, and I have had to force myself to carry on with the holiday traditions for the sake of my youngest son. Because I really haven't felt like doing it.

But God is gracious, and He is so kind - my heart is full. I am truly thankful.

Christmas Week Menu Plan

Well, we survived the first CRAZY semester of school, and we've made it to vacation. Which we all need VERY badly. Son #1 comes in on Christmas Eve, and a young lady is coming to visit him (and consequently, us) the day after Christmas. Which makes for a very interesting holiday! We're excited, and a little nervous.... and we'll see how it goes. As for what we're eating? Much of it is requested by son #1. When son #2 gets leave, I guess he will dictate the menu. :)

Sunday~ Cold and rainy weather calls for Soup and Sandwiches.
Monday~ Mom is going to a party; Dad & son #3 will fend for themselves (probably go out to eat)
Tuesday~ Hubby and I are having a date. Son #3 will have pizza with the sitter.
Wednesday~ Son #1 comes in. Beef tenderloin, mashed potatoes, broccoli with cheese sauce and crescent rolls... all at his request.
Thursday~ CHRISTMAS! Roast turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole (with streusel topping), Swiss beans, and rolls. For dessert: pumpkin pie (ds#1's fave), pecan pie (hubby's fave), and brownies. Then we'll pass out from overeating.
Friday~ Christmas with the extended family at a local restaurant, then back to the grandparents' house for dessert and gifts.
Saturday~ not sure yet.... either something on the grill or soup. Depends on the weather and how much we've stuffed ourselves!

Be sure to celebrate the gifts in your life,
and share your menus at Laura's!

Works for Me Wednesday

What works for me:
Frozen Cookie Dough

This summer, when school was out and I had time on my hands (GOSH.... it is hard to remember what that is like...), I decided to make some cookie dough. A lot of it. Peanut butter, chocolate chip, ginger oatmeal (a new recipe I tried... and luckily it was a hit!). Of course, you can't get away with making cookie dough and not cookies, so I baked some cookies too, but I froze a large amount of dough. I rolled it into logs, and wrapped it in plastic wrap. Then I put it in a freezer bag and labeled it according to the type of cookie dough (along with baking instructions... because sometimes I forget. And you can guess at baking temps & times, but sometimes that can be problematic).

So this week, as I am needing treats for friends, I can pull out my HOMEMADE frozen cookie dough and bake off a fresh batch, wrap it in a cute box, and say "Merry Christmas!" With a big smile. Because one day, this summer, I was smart.

What works for you?

Menu Plan Monday

Well, I never got to posting a menu last week, but we did eat! I had been gone all weekend on a trip with my Chorus, and on Sunday, I cooked dinner... my husband said, "Ahhh... there's nothing like your cooking." It was a really elaborate meal too - turkey open-faced sandwiches with mashed potatoes (all leftovers!).
So on to the plan for this week:

Sunday~ Beef tenderloin roasted in the oven (see this post for details), roasted potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, Caesar salad
Monday~ Black'n'bleu salad (my own take on this one from O'Charley's), french bread
Tuesday~ Lemon chicken (adapted from this recipe), rice, broccoli
Wednesday~ Spaghetti (serious comfort food around here!)
Thursday~ Vegetable soup & sandwiches
Friday~ Leftovers or must-goes or pizza... we get out for Christmas vacation that day, so there's no telling!!!
Saturday~ TBA

Share your menu creations at Menu Plan Monday!