Menu Plan Monday Aug 22

I didn't do a plan last week because Troy was gone and I was giving the kids free reign for dinner. We ate out once so I think that we did great!

This week is a little of the same. Troy is gone for a few days but I felt pretty frazzled last week so I won't be doing the "willy nilly" when it comes to dinner. I won't be serving 5 star meals but they will be planned by gosh!

Pizza with green salad

Beef Stew and homemade cheddar/garlic biscuits

Greek chicken and Rice and caprese salad

Chicken tenders and fresh veggies with potato crowns

Leftovers/ free for all

Grilled Hamburgers and corn on the cob

Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad

Hoping to make some banana muffins or bread for the kids lunches/snacks this week. Bananas seem to turn so fast these days.

Our PTA is the best!

If I do say so myself! We planned our first "Under the Stars" movie night and it was a huge success!

The plan was for our School families to come and mingle for a couple of hours while having dinner and allowing the children to do a craft and play. Then once it got dark, we started the movie. We had tons of people show up as it was getting dark and so far the response has been 100% positive! MAddie and a couple of her friends claiming their spots for ultimate viewing!

Wyatt(in green) with his best buddy!

First Day of School

Today I have a 2nd and 5th grader! Maddie is in her last year of elementary school and that has been pretty hard for me to swallow today. She is so little that I just can't see her going off to middle school next year. And in case you can't tell, Maddie is on the right in the picture above. And yes her 2nd grade sister is almost the same height! Now you know why I say she is little still!

But we are all looking forward to a great year. Maddie has an awesome 5th grade trip in the spring and Sophie has the "duck project" this year. And they are both fortunate to have spectacular teachers. Each of them will be a perfect match for the girls' temperments. Fun stuff!

Weekly Menu Plan

Week of Aug 8

This is our first week back to school. Add soccer into the schedule and back to school night, I need easy make ahead meals! Everything is either easily assembled ahead for the oven or crock pot.

Loaded twice baked potatoes, watermelon

Chicken BLT's, watermelon, chips

Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread(never made it last week)

Crock Pot Roast, mashed potatoes, peas

Grilled Rib Eye, skillet potatoes with onions, cucumber & tomato salad

Meatloaf, salad, bread

Leftovers

I'll link this to what I call "meal plan mania" over at orgjunkie on Monday morning.

Menu Plan Monday week of Aug 1-7

School starts next Monday so this is the final summer menu..School won't change much of what/how I cook since the weather isn't changing, I'll just be on more of a schedule.

Speaking of last week, how did I do with my "life change"? Pretty darn good I think. I made dinner every night except for Thursday(which is leftover night) and Friday because Troy took the family out to Cheesecake Factory! What an awesome treat! We did decide however that the next time we eat there, it will be appies and dessert only. We brought home half our appetizer and half of all our meals! Crazy volume of food per dish.

I didn't get a chance to make the Orzo salad. I did however make this from Mommy's Kitchen. It was very good according to Troy and I, the kids were "meh". But what do they know ?LOL

Tortilla Soup (by request)

Spaghetti salad and garlic bread

Greek chicken and Orzo salad with tomato and cucumber salad

Cheeseburgers fresh fruit (another request)

Okie Tacos melon

BLT's fresh fruit

Check out orgjunkie for other menu plans!

World Photo Walk

I was supposed to take part in Scott Kelbys' World Photo Walk today in South Lake Tahoe but Troy wrenched his back a few days ago and can barely put his pants on by himself, let alone take care of the kids all day. So I stayed home but I was there in spirit! I promised myself that I would get up and take photos of the sunrise this morning. I have ZERO technical knowledge when it comes to photography. I just enjoy capturing whatever I can with my camera.


This was taken from inside the car. I like it because you can see a bit of the sun in the dew drop that is on the door frame.

The idea is so great-millions of pictures, all taken on one single day from all over the world!

Menu Plan Monday

Week of July 25-31





I have a friend who says, "I'm going to change my life, you just watch". And she does change. Sometimes it takes her saying it a few times, but once she says it, I know she is moving towards that change. So here I am, ready to quote her:





"I'm going to change my life". And I need to. I have said before that I have a menu plan cycle where I go for weeks planning our meals and using what we have in the pantry and freezer. Then i have a couple of weeks where I am just disenchanted with the whole kitchen and what it stands for LOL. There are a couple of reasons behind this change:





1) I want to be a better steward of the funds we put into our kitchen. Be it through the food we purchase or the kitchen equipment we have, I want to use it all to the best of my ability.





2) I'm going to be busy! I have taken on the role of VP of PTA this year and we have a lot to do and accomplish. Plus the girls are playing soccer and participating in Scouts. I need to be sure to have healthy meals ready for my family every night.





3)Troy has a new position at work that requires some travel. I will have days(and weeks-gulp) when it's just me and the kids and no one to tag team with. I know I will be tired and frazzled some days and having a plan will definitley help!








I have been finding inspiration at food/recipe blogs these last few days and feel ready to start on this "change". My goal is to move from a weekly menu to bi-monthly, and maybe even end up with a monthly menu.





July 25 through July 31



Grilled hamburgers, watermelon potato salad
Grilled chicken and chopped caprese salad
Mediterrean orzo pasta salad & Greek Chicken


Red beans and rice cornbread and fruit
Taco salad(ground beef) with fresh guacamole
BBQ chicken pizza


Leftover Night

Check outhttp://www.blogger.com/www.orgjunkie.com for loads of menus and recipes!

This may post out of order because I drafted it this weekend..haven't figured out how to schedule a future post.