Menu Plan Monday Nov 12 - Nov 18

Time to get back to the plan.  Last week we were in WV for the first part of the week.  My dad and grandma were still without power after Hurricane Sandy dumped about 18 inches of snow on them.  As a matter of fact,  they didn't get power back until just this past Saturday evening I believe.  That's almost 2 full weeks of no power!!  I wish I had my camera with me and ready as we were driving from my dad's house to my grandma's.  The roads were just littered with tree branches, electric poles, electric lines, and even a couple transformers.  It was a mess!!  Glad it's starting to get back to normal for them.

As for us,  we need to get back into the swing of things.  That means back to school,  back to work,  and back to plans and schedules to keep everything running semi-smoothly!!  I'm also trying to get things winter cleaned in prep for the holidays.  That means extra work for me and the kiddos.  I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is next week and then Christmas is just around the corner.  UGH!!!!

Here's this week's plan:

MONDAY - Crock pot Angel chicken with pasta

TUESDAY - Vegetable Soup

WEDNESDAY - Whole Chicken in a Crockpot, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, and rolls

THURSDAY - Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

FRIDAY - Hibachi steak and chicken with rice made at home (recipe next week)

SATURDAY - CAROLINA YOUTH RALLY, we'll be eating out

SUNDAY - Crock Pot Lasagna, Garlic Parmesan Bread

For more meal ideas for your family,  visit Menu Plan Monday over at Organizing Junkine.

Menu Plan October 15 - 21

Ready for another busy week.  Last week I managed to keep school on track, work 2 days,  kids had clean clothes to wear, Bible Club Wednesday night, and football every other night (just to name a few).  The house is a wreck,  but hey I can't do EVERYTHING!!!!  I also had to have three sets of homemade pompoms for my three little cheerleaders!!

How Cute Are They???

The three dark haired girls in the front row are mine!!

I also made the cute little red and white tutu in the middle there.  I got orders for a couple more tutus for next week!!  I'm gonna be busy again this week!!  So,  the menu this week is super simple.

Monday - hamburgers, fries, fruit

Tuesday - salsa chicken and spanish rice

Wednesday - crock pot chilli

Thursday - homemade pizza

Friday - potato soup

Saturday - PLAY OFF GAME for the HURRICANES!!  If they win,  we're goin' OUTBACK,  if they loss,  we're heading to McDs.  LOL

Sunday - It's Pastor Appreciation Day,  so I'm fixing crock pot lasagna, salad, garlic cheese bread,  and OH  Henry Bars.

Check out Menu Plan Monday over at Organizing Junkie's for more menu ideas. 

Menu Plan October 1-7

 

Yet another busy week ahead.  Monday and Tuesday are suppose to be rainy all day,  maybe that will give us a small break, in that football practice might be cancelled.  The running wears me out.  So thankful hubby takes a big roll in all that running,  gives me a break.

The weather is suppose to be cooler this week and with the rain,  I've put a couple soup days in the plan.

Monday - potato soup and grilled cheese

Tuesday - chicken and dumplings

Wednesday - hot dogs, french fries, applesauce (It's a workday,  keep it simple.)

Thursday - whole chicken in the crock pot, mashed potatoes/gravy, green beans, corn,  homemade bread

Friday - homemade pizza (carried over from last week)

Saturday - Out to eat after Hurricanes Football -  GO CANES!!!!

Sunday - Veggie soup in the crock pot

Head on over to Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas. 

Crock Pot Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Hubby would LOVE to have some breakfast before he heads out to work,  but I am NOT a morning person!!! Bless him, he is usually up and out before I've had a shower!!  So,  I've been searching for some recipes that I could fix the night before,  just a simple heat it up and it's ready!!  I found the oatmeal recipe over at crockingirls.com.  While I am not an oatmeal eater,  hubby and a couple of the kids do eat it and it's warm and ready when he gets up.  When asked what he thought,  he said, "tastes like oatmeal".  SUCCESS!!!

Here's what you need:
2 cups of steel-cut Oats (do not use regular ones,  it would be a mushy mess)
4 cups Water
5 cups Milk
1 large honeycrisp apple cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup

Combine all the ingredients in the slow-cooker and cook on LOW for 7. to 8 hours.

Now, obviously I make a larger batch than the average family and we had  a lot left over.  You can save it and warm it up,  but add milk so it won't be dry.  I would recommend cutting the recipe in half (but still use the whole apple).  The next time I fix this,  I will also add some walnuts for hubby.  You could add nuts,  raisins,  or other fruits if you wish.

As I said before,  I don''t usually eat oatmeal,  but I did have a bowl of this.  I thought it was pretty good!!  I will make it again,  only in smaller portion.

Another bonus,  the house smelled like I had been burning an apple-cinnamon candle all night!!!  You get the aroma without the danger of a candle.

Crock Pot Caramel Apple Cider

While I am not a big fan of apple cider,  I do have a child or two that really likes it.  Mr. Helper looks for it every year in the fall and my mom use to be his supplier.  He started asking last week when we were in WV for some apple cider, so I picked some up at the grocery store this morning and while he was drinking it plain,  I put some in the crock pot with a few extras.  I found the recipe here.  I must say,  it was very sweet and something I would definitely drink on a cool day.

Here's what you need:
     4 cups apple cider (stay tuned for a homemade recipe I'm going to try later on this week)
     3 tbsp caramel syrup
     1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
     1/4 tsp ground cloves
     4 tbsp whipped cream ( I didn't have any and the kiddos don't care for it,  but I will try it myself next                                                time)

Beyond the taste of the cider,  the smell while it was in the crock pot was absolutely amazing.  It definitely brought some fall to our house.  It made me want to get out the harvest decorations, so I did!!

 My mom's wash basin and stand

 Couldn't find my candles,  so I'll have to keep looking or go buy some more. 

 Inside of the front door

What guests coming to the front door will see.  

Not a bad start.  I still have a lot more to put out.  My porch display is by far my favorite.  I think I even like it more than my Christmas porch decor!!  I do love fall; Halloween and Thanksgiving!!  Let's not skip them and jump right to Christmas.  Let's enjoy the season!!!  I know I will.  Keep checking back,  I'm going to be trying several new recipes I've found as well as the fall decor.  

Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot

I am ALWAYS on the lookout for quick and easy meal fixes.  I have a lot of mouths to feed,  but not always a lot of time to get the food ready for them.  I have spent a lot of time surfing the web looking for easy crock pot recipes and this is one of my new favorites.  First of all,  it's chicken!!  My entire family likes chicken, so can't go wrong there.  Next,  it's a whole chicken - usually cheaper to buy!!  Finally,  it's so simple!!  Have I mentioned that I LOVE simple??

Here's all you need:
     2 tsp paprika
     1 tsp salt
     1 tsp onion powder
     1 tsp thyme
     1/2 tsp garlic powder
     1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
     1/4 tsp black pepper
     1 onion
     1 large chicken

1. Combine the dried spices in a small bowl.

2. Loosely chop the onion and place it in the bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Remove any giblets from the chicken and then rub the spice mixture all over.  You can put some of the spices inside the cavity or under the skin covering the breasts.
4. Put the prepared chicken in the crock pot on top of the onions, cover it, and turn it to high.  There is no need to add any liquid.

5. Cook for 4-5 hours or until the chicken is falling off the bone.

Well,  once again,  I about forgot to get a final picture!!  I had already started tearing that bird apart when I remembered:)  It was pretty good.  If you wish,  you could probably add some carrots and potatoes about half-way through and dinner is served.  I chose to do some noodles,  green beans, and corn on the stove top.  If you go to the link at the beginning,  there is also a recipe for making homemade stock with the leftover bones.  I will be trying that as well.