Menu Plan Monday June 9, 2014

Last week was a disaster!!  I got a BAD sunburn on Tuesday after just sitting outside for 1 hour watching the little ones play in the pool. OUCH!!!  I wore my swimsuit top for the next three days because I couldn't stand any clothes touching my shoulders.  THEN,  I discovered one of my little angels had taken a permanent black marker and scribbled all over my antique secretary's desk.  I was LIVID!!!  Fortunately, my calm hubby took control of that situation.   That's just to name a couple.

Enough talk about last week, let's move on!!  It's a birthday week!  My firstborn turns 16 on Wednesday.  Where has the time gone??? 

We will be looking into learner's permits this week and he's been saving money for a car!!  Too much for my mommy mind to handle right now.  So,  let's get on to the menu!!!

MONDAY - steak on the grill, grilled sweet potatoes, watermelon

TUESDAY - chicken in a crock pot, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, rolls

WEDNESDAY - Birthday Boy's choice, but he hasn't decided yet.

THURSDAY - hamburgers, French fries, fruit salad

FRIDAY - chicken casserole, butternut squash, peas

SATURDAY - grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, corn on the cob

SUNDAY - spaghetti and meatballs

Hope everyone has a blessed week!!  For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday. 

Menu Plan Monday May 12, 2014

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day. I know I did.  You can check out some of our fun here, if you're interested.  

It's hard to believe we are wrapping up our school year again.  Time just seems to go by faster each year.  With the wrap up of the school year comes spring football practice.  It keeps us running 4 nights a week.  So,  my menu usually gets tossed aside for convenience sake and we end up grabbing Chick-Fil-A or Joy of Tokyo.  That however, is very tough on the budget.  Since, I have officially booked our Christmas Disney vacation,  the budget has to stay TIGHT!!!

This week,  I'm making a better effort to get dinner on the table BEFORE practice. I will be going back to some crock pot meals in order to help this happen.  Here's the plan:

MONDAY - Amazing crock pot pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes, carrots

TUESDAY - Whole chicken in the crock pot, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread

WEDNESDAY - Roast, potatoes, and carrots

THURSDAY - Homemade pizza

FRIDAY - Crock pot Chicken Giardino

SATURDAY - Grilled salmon and rice

SUNDAY - Spaghetti with meatballs, garlic parmesan bread

For more meal planning ideas, visit Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Menu Plan Monday April 21, 2014

Somehow, this never posted on Tuesday either.  Don't know what's going on, but I shall try again.

I sat down and planned my menu yesterday,  but I never had time to post it.  Story of my life; always a day late and a dollar short!!  I hope everyone had a fabulous Easter celebrating our risen Saviour.  I know we did.  You can see what my family did here.

N ow,  let's talk about food  I have a pretty simple menu planned this week.

MONDAY - chicken nuggets and french fries

TUESDAY - grilled pork tenderloin, grilled sweet potatoes, green beans   

WEDNESDAY - homemade pizza

THURSDAY - teryaki chicken and rice

FRIDAY - grilled chicken, corn on the cob, roasted potatoes

SATURDAY - stromboli

SUNDAY - homecoming at church - haven't decided what I'll be fixing to take yet.

For more meal planning ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie.

Menu Plan Monday April 7, 2014

The past few weeks have been very out of the routine for me.  I had surgery in mid March and was unable to cook, clean, or do much at all for a couple weeks.  Then,  just as I was feeling better,  my Grandma passed away in West Virginia.  So,  we had to take an unexpected trip up there for several days.

We are home now, and trying to get back into our normal routine.  I need to send out a big thank you to my sister-in-law who stayed here for a week after my surgery and took care of my crew.  It's a bit of a change going from cooking for a family of 4 to my crew of 8+ hers,  but she did GREAT!!!

Now,  to the meal planning for this week.  I'm hoping we can get one full week in without any surprises.  Of course, with a family of 8 that may be a bit much to hope for.

MONDAY - Potato soup and grilled cheese

TUESDAY - Homemade pizza

WEDNESDAY - Hibachi chicken with fried rice   



THURSDAY - Spaghetti and meatballs, Garlic Parmesan bread

FRIDAY - Breakfast for dinner

SATURDAY - Homemade chicken nuggets and french fries

SUNDAY - Out to eat

For more meal planning ideas, visit Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Menu Plan Monday March 10, 2014

It's here!  The week of surgery is upon me, and I'm NOT ready.  Well, I'm ready for the surgery!  However, all the projects I had wanted to get finished before I go under the scalpel will just have to wait a while.  I really thought I could get it all finished, just a little disappointed.  Once again proves to me, I sometimes put too many things on my plate; schooling, working, laundry, cooking, cleaning, and home improvement projects.  How do you all do it?  I just can't seem to get it all done!

Enough with the pity party - life will go on as usual whether I got all the rooms painted and furniture moved or not!!

So, on to this week's plan.  It's time to get things cleaned up, fixed up, and put away.  My sister-in-law will be coming up tomorrow to help with the last minute things and to watch the kiddos while I am in the hospital and a few days after so I can rest and recover.  Then,  we're going to play it by ear and see how I feel.  She has offered to stay longer if we need her.  I am so thankful she's willing to come and put up with my crew.  

Here is the short meal plan:

MONDAY - baked chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans

TUESDAY - taco night

WEDNESDAY - hamburgers, mac n cheese, roasted potatoes

THURSDAY - SURGERY DAY - Sister-in-law is in charge from here on this week.  

FRIDAY - SUNDAY - I'm leaving this up to her.  Once she gets here,  we'll head to the grocery store and get what she needs to feed the crew.  

For more meal planning ideas, visit Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday. 

Menu Plan Monday February 24, 2014

The last week of February already?  The older I get, the faster time goes!

This week I will be starting some spring cleaning projects, as I will be having surgery the second week of March.  So, for 6 weeks I won't be able to lift anything heavy.  That really limits what you can do as far as cleaning around the house.  So, I hope to get a few things done in the next couple of weeks to get a head start.  My goal is to get some organization in this mess and to have the house looking decent so when people come over I won't be mortified!!! My sister-in-law is nice enough to come for a few days during and after the surgery to manage the kiddos, but they will be on their own housework wise for a couple weeks after that.

With all the projects I have in mind this week, the menu will be quick and easy.

MONDAY - grilled salmon and rice  

TUESDAY - baked chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, homemade bread

WEDNESDAY - hamburgers, mac n cheese, peas

THURSDAY - BBQ chicken and roasted potatoes

FRIDAY - pizza

SATURDAY - ham n cheese sliders, fruit salad, chips

SUNDAY - Out to eat for hubby and kiddos (I have to work)

For more meal planning ideas, visit Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.  Hope everyone has a great week!!

Menu Plan Monday February 17, 2014

I was blessed enough to spend the last 2 weeks in sunny Florida with my family, visiting Mickey and Minnie Mouse (pics to follow).  I did a little cooking while we were there, but not near what I thought I would have to do.  Taking 8 people to Disney World requires us to stay on a tight budget.  Fortunately, a couple expenses we anticipated didn't happen and we had more money to spend on food.  That means all I cooked was spaghetti and meatballs in the crock pot, chicken/green beans/potatoes, ravioli, and we always fixed breakfast at the condo.

However, my spoiling is over now!  It's time to get out of vacation mode and back into chief cook mode.

So, here's the menu for this week:

MONDAY - potato soup

TUESDAY - homemade pizza

WEDNESDAY - slow cooker beef and broccoli

THURSDAY - Amazing crock pot tenderloin, glazed carrots, roasted potatoes    

FRIDAY - baked chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans

SATURDAY - hamburgers and french fries

SUNDAY - Hubby's choice since he will be the one fixing it - I have to work :-(

For more meal planning ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday over at Organizing Junkie.

P.S. I will be posting pics from our vacation and I am working on a post of tips for large families going to Disney, but here's a sneak peak:

Menu Plan Monday November 11, 2013

The colder weather is rolling in according to the news, they are even throwing around the "s" word.  Snow down south sends people into a panic. I personally love it.  It's so pretty for a short period of time,  then it's gone!!!

 This was our house a couple years ago.  This slowed people down for about 2 days. This is nothing where I'm from, so I'm waiting to see. 

 This colder weather means my menu this week has soups, comfort foods, and a lot of hot chocolate on it.  I will share the hot chocolate recipe later this week - IT IS AMAZING!!! 

I'm off of work this week, so we are super focused on getting a lot of school projects that require my attention done.  It looks to be a hands on week in school, which means less time in the kitchen.  I'll be putting my 3 crock pots to work for sure!!!

Here's the plan:

MONDAY - Pulled Pork(crock pot) sandwiches, roasted potatoes, green beans

TUESDAY - Potato soup (crock pot)

WEDNESDAY - Whole Chicken in crock pot, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls

THURSDAY - Crock Pot Lasagna, garlic bread

FRIDAY - Roast, potatoes, carrots (in the crock pot)

SATURDAY - hamburgers, fries

SUNDAY - I work again, so it's up to hubby where they eat!!

For more meal planning ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie.  Have a great week!!!

Menu Plan Monday November 4, 2013

It's here!!  The last crazy, busy football week of the year is here!!!  Can you hear the excitement in my voice?  I love football,  and I enjoy watching my boys play. HOWEVER,  I am very glad that it's time for a break.  Hubby has been very helpful in taking them to practice, but having our family going in so many directions 5 out of 7 nights a week gets old. So,  a big cheer for the Greenville Hurricanes as they will be playing in their conference championship game this Friday night!!  GO CANES!!!  

My other news ............................... weight for it...................................  I have once again officially joined weight watchers.  I tried to do it without accountability and FAILED!!  So,  last Monday I joined back up and set a 5 lb goal for the week.  I lost 8 lbs.!!!  My reward was a date night with the hubby at Texas Roadhouse (probably gained 3 back).  I saved my points all day (only ate 0 point fruits and veggies)  and hubby took me out for a steak.  

On to this weeks menu, which hopefully is weigh watcher friendly:

MONDAY - Baked chicken, steamed broccoli, glazed carrots

TUESDAY - Chicken Giardino for them,  grilled chicken and steamed veggies for me

WEDNESDAY - Vegetable soup

THURSDAY -  Hibachi chicken and rice

FRIDAY - CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL GAME/ Out to eat

SATURDAY - Homemade pizza

SUNDAY - Zaxbys for them/ work for me :(

For more meal planning ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie.

 

Menu Plan Monday October 28, 2013

I can not believe it is already the last week in October.  The year goes into hyper-speed right about NOW.  It will be Christmas before I know it and I haven't even started shopping.  I did manage to get my porch decorated for fall though.  I must say it looks pretty good - if I do say so myself!!

After what was an extremely fun and busy weekend,  it's time to get back into the normal weekly routine.  Just for fun though,  I'll share a couple pics of our church's fall festival and what we were busy doing.

 Baking cakes for the cake walk - red velvet with cream cheese icing

 Chocolate chip with butter-cream frosting.

 My favorite - Chocolate cherry - YUM!!!

 Besties with their faces painted at the fall festival.

 My view from the sweets table.

My contribution to trunk or treat!! Had to steal from my porch for this one.

 My peacock princess

 Alice in Wonderland

 Bat Girl

 My little cowboy

Our hair-do for the peacock princess.

Good times had by all, I assure you!!  I wish I had more pictures of the fall festival, the church went all out!!  We had rides, games, the cake walk, and a dunk tank!!  It was super fun!!! 

On to this week and the many more fun, busy things we have to do.  Our boys' football team has their first play-off game this Thursday night - GO CANES!!!!  Our church is having fall jubilee this week as well.  So, running every night means I HAVE to plan this week out.  PLUS,  I'm very serious about eating better - for EVERYONE - not just me.  I have a lot of weight I NEED to lose and our diet needs some major changes.

MONDAY - Chicken, green beans, and potatoes (a pinterest find - recipe to follow)

TUESDAY - Amazing crock pot pork tenderloin, potatoes, and carrots

WEDNESDAY - Baked chicken, grilled sweet potatoes, corn on the cob

THURSDAY - Tacos, chips n' salsa

FRIDAY - Chicken Lo Mein (new recipe)

SATURDAY - Pizza for the kiddos/ Out to eat for me n' hubby if I lose my goal weight this week

SUNDAY - Teriyaki chicken n' rice

For more meal planning ideas and recipes to steal, visit Menu Plan Monday over at Organizing Junkie.

Menu Plan October 14, 2013

It's already the middle of October?  Time flies when you're having fun!!

We have a lot of extra things to get finished this week in addition to our normal busy routine!

Here are the top priorities:

decorating the porch for fall

finish up the GREAT CLOTHING SWITCH OUT

couple of school papers for the boys

fall art projects for the girls

My inspiration for the porch.

(This is our porch last year, but will hopefully be looking like this again this week.)

All that means the menu plan this week is simple, quick, and easy.

MONDAY - Chicken gravy biscuits, mashed potatoes, corn

TUESDAY - Vegetable soup

WEDNESDAY - Chicken casserole, green beans, glazed carrots

THURSDAY - Hamburgers, french fries

FRIDAY - Truth for Youth outing/HAUNTED HOUSE!!!  ScAry!!

SATURDAY - Pizza

SUNDAY - Zaxby's (I have to work, so hubby stops after church and gets their lunch and mine.  Ain't he sweet?) 

This time of year just seems to zoom by on me. I'm not sure why, but it seems like once fall gets here, it's Christmas before I know it.  How does that happen?  It's nice to keep one thing on track and Menu Plan Monday from Organizing Junkie sure helps that.  Head on over to see what others are planning to eat this week,  get some recipes, and menu ideas for your weeks ahead.  Have a great week.  

Menu Plan Monday October 7, 2013

Time sure does fly when you're having fun.  I can not believe we are in October already. Only 78 days til Christmas!!!

Christmas Countdown

I haven't even started my shopping.  Yet another reason to have my menu's planned so there's not as much to worry about.

On to the menu for this week (there are a couple new ones I'm trying):
 
MONDAY - Baked chicken, roasted potatoes, green beans

TUESDAY - Chili

WEDNESDAY - Grilled Mahi Mahi with lemon sauce, glazed carrots, crunchy cranberry waldorf salad

THURSDAY - Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic - parmesan bread

FRIDAY - Potato soup, grilled cheese

SATURDAY - Hibachi chicken and rice       

SUNDAY - Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Potatoes, Corn

Visit Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie for more meal planning ideas.

Menu Plan Monday September 16, 2013

Fall is almost officially here.  I am so excited.  I LOVE fall!  I enjoy the cooler weather, but it's not too cold.  Plus,  football season is in full swing.  Have I mentioned my two oldest play football???  Well of course I have.  They have played 4 games total and have won 2 and lost 2.  We'll get into all that in another post!!

I am also excited because with the fall season comes the time for soup!!  I have a couple new soup recipes I hope to try on the family this year.  We'll start with what we know though, cause my kiddos aren't much for trying new stuff (unfortunately they got that from me, but I grew out of it).

Here is the plan for this busy week:

MONDAY - Chicken nuggets, cooked carrots, roasted potatoes

TUESDAY - Potato soup, grilled cheese

WEDNESDAY - TACO night (carry over from last week)

THURSDAY - Teriyaki chicken and rice

FRIDAY - Grilled Hamburgers, mac n cheese, green beans

SATURDAY - Chicken Giardino

SUNDAY - Roast, potatoes, and carrots in the crock pot

For more menu ideas and recipes to try, visit Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie

Menu Plan Monday September 9, 2013

My poor blog has obviously been neglected!  I have gotten so wrapped up in getting school started, the start of football season for our boys, work, and life in general.  

While I have been busy,  it's no excuse to let my planning fall by the wayside.  It's time to get back into the routine of menu planning. My family can tell a big difference in their dinners when I don't plan ahead.  It's usually whatever I can find to throw together, since I didn't make a plan or a specific grocery list.  I don't know about your family, but mine starts asking about the next meal as soon as they get up from the table!!!! 

So,  here's the plan:

MONDAY - Crock Pot Chicken,  mashed potatoes, corn, rolls

TUESDAY - Spaghetti and meatballs

WEDNESDAY - Hamburgers, Mac n Cheese, green beans

THURSDAY - Taco night

FRIDAY - Homemade Pizza

SATURDAY - FOOTBALL GAME / out to eat

SUNDAY - Crock pot roast, potatoes, carrots

Now, I'm ready for our busy week.  I know what I need to buy at the store today and I can tell everyone what's for dinner.  Feels good to be back in planning mode!!  

Head on over to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie for more meal planning ideas.

Menu Plan Monday July 22, 2013

It's another busy week on the calendar.  

The boys have practice 4 nights per week and cross fit 3 mornings per week for football.

The girls will spend every night this week at church for VBS.

That means the menu plan is going to be SIMPLE!!!

MONDAY -  Chicken Giardino

 

TUESDAY - Chicken N Dumplins', mashed potatoes, corn, green beans (didn't do this one last week)

WEDNESDAY - Grilled chicken, glazed carrots, corn on the cob

THURSDAY - Crock pot BBQ chicken, roasted potatoes, mac n cheese

FRIDAY - Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread

SATURDAY - Grilled hamburgers, french fries, watermelon

SUNDAY - Lasagna, homemade bread

Guess you can tell I have a good bit of chicken in my freezer and hamburger is on sale this week.  Maybe next week I'll get a little more creative.  I'll just browse around at Menu Plan Monday over at Organizing Junkie and get a few recipes to try!!

Menu Plan Monday July 15

Church camps, birthdays, and vacations - Oh my!!

The past few weeks have been a blur!  We're finally home and trying to get back into our routine.  That means it's time to get back into planning and cooking too.

Here's a little peak of what we've been up to the past few weeks before I get into the menu:

 Carolina Youth Camp

 The Birthday Girls >3

Fun at Pappy's house in WV with some cousins.

Birthday celebration at Grandma and Papaw's with more cousins!!  Also,  I should note the the three girls in the picture share the same birth date.  The two oldest were born on the same day/same year and the younger one was born on their birthday two years later.  We have celebrated their birthdays together from the beginning.

Now,  on to the menu plan.........

MONDAY - Chicken n Dumplins, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn

TUESDAY - Grilled BBQ pork chops,  roasted potatoes, mac n cheese

WEDNESDAY - Hot dogs with WV hot dog sauce, french fries, watermelon

THURSDAY - Homemade pizza

FRIDAY - BBQ chicken sandwiches, pasta salad, chips

SATURDAY - Hibachi chicken and steak with fried rice

Hope everyone is having a fun summer!  I know we are!!  Visit Menu Plan Monday over at Organizing Junkie to get some great summer menu ideas.