crafts + recipes + everyday life
I figured I’d get this up bright and early before I get too busy with my day. I have to be honest with you — I think I might be over the whole Blog365 thing. It is such a chore posting every single day and I while I’m glad it got me back in the habit of blogging, I am not sure I am going to continue with the aggressive posting schedule. I may scale back to three times a week instead of seven.
This week is a busy one. Laura starts a spring volleyball league, Noah has his last high school concert, I have a jam-packed week at work… and I kind of just don’t see the point of posting something just to post.
But, since it is Monday, I will share my meal plan for the week.
Monday: BBQ pulled pork, macaroni & cheese, broccoli
Tuesday: Crock Pot Mediterranean chicken
Wednesday: American chop suey, salad
Thursday: ? Something quick & easy before the concert
Friday: Burgers, oven fries
Saturday: Maybe chicken fajitas or quesadillas?
Sunday: Pot roast, mashed potatoes, broccoli or green beans, salad
Hope you have a great day!
Monday: Chicken sandwiches
Tuesday: Bruschetta chicken, roasted potatoes, broccoli
Wednesday: Chili dogs, salad
Thursday: Drew’s birthday — probably get something out
Friday: Pizza & wings
Saturday: Carnitas, rice & beans
I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to a much more structured week! It was a little chaotic here last week with the kids on vacation and having to drive them here and there. So things should be back to normal with our typical schedule, which makes meal planning much easier! Here’s what I’ve got down for this week (subject to change, of course!)
Sunday: Easter dinner out
Monday: Turkey taco salads
Tuesday: Grilled chicken, asparagus, salad
Wednesday: Turkey meatballs, red lentil rotini, salad
Thursday: Grilled sirloins, baked potatoes, broccoli
Friday: Out with a friend. Maybe pizza for everyone else?
Saturday: Burgers, cole slaw
Storm, storm, storm. It’s all anyone has been talking about today. Rain or snow? How much? I thought winter was over! LOL, it was quite the day. Accumulation predictions have been reduced to 6-12″ but it’s supposed to be wet, heavy snow with wind gusts up to 40 MPH, which mean there’s high potential for downed branches and power outages. Nothing to do but wait and see!
Meanwhile, I have my meal plan ready for the week!
Also, we got great news over the weekend! N. was accepted into his first choice music program! I am super proud of him — he put so much work and time into this. Although this was the first acceptance letter he received, he has gone ahead and accepted. It was the program he wanted so, really, why wait and delay that decision? So we definitely celebrated his success and I can’t wait to see the amazing things he will do!
Well, I guess that is about it for today. I’ll be back tomorrow with the snow update. I’m sure you all will be waiting with bated breath, LOL!
You guys, I am sorry for the lame posts the last few days, I have just been so busy during the day and by the time I think about blogging I am just wiped out. Honestly I barely even have a meal plan this week because Drew is travelling for work and I have barely even considered it. I’m throwing some ideas together but… I may very well just be throwing dinners together, LOL. I’ll see how the week goes.
Friday night there is a dance, and my daughter is going and then her friend is sleeping over afterwards. Saturday, Drew and Noah will be in the city — Noah has his audition for Berklee. Thankfully no plans for Sunday, so hopefully it can be a day to relax!
Hope you all have a great week!
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is in just two days? Time just flies this time of year. Normally, I consider Thanksgiving my favorite holiday but due to the nature of this year I’m not quite as into it as I usually am. Nevertheless, I’m doing my best to make it a good holiday.
As usual, we will be hosting at our house. I don’t find the cooking to be a chore, and honestly we really like not having to drive anywhere on Thanksgiving. (Plus, I can have an extra glass of wine — ha!) Drew’s mom and aunt will be coming up, but that’s all so it will just be seven people.
My Thanksgiving menu doesn’t change much from year to year. I keep it pretty traditional, though I’ll try a new recipe or two sometimes. Usually one of the appetizers or desserts will be something new.
Here’s my list…
Cheese ball and crackers
Devilled eggs
Roast Turkey with sausage-cranberry stuffing
Gravy
Mashed potatoes
Roasted sweet potatoes
Asparagus (it happens to be on sale this week and Drew requested it)
Cornbread with cranberry honey butter (new recipe)
Tossed salad
Corn
Cranberry sauce
Sugar-free blueberry pie
Pecan pie or sugared pecan topped cheesecake
For wines I have a riesling, a vino verde, and a petit syrah. I also found a non-alcoholic black currant cordial that I thought might be nice either mixed with seltzer or kicked up with vodka. So we will try that, too!
A couple weeks ago I made a 9-lb. chicken, so this 12.5-lb. turkey won’t be too far off! Of course, I will also have my Crock Pot ready with onions, celery, and carrots to make an overnight turkey stock. I look forward to the soup as much as the roast bird! And of course I also love a turkey sandwich on Thanksgiving night. I always like to have it on white bread with American cheese and lots of mayo. It’s one of those things from my childhood that still just makes me feel all happy and at home!
Today I also started a cranberry fluff, which we will be taking to the “feast” in my daughter’s class tomorrow. If it comes out good I’ll be sure to write about it.
What about you? Are you hosting Thanksgiving or travelling somewhere? Anything new and exciting on your menu or do you also keep things fairly simple and traditional?
All right! The first full week of the year is here, and if you’re anything like me you’ve finally cleaned out the cakes, cookies, egg nog, and who knows what else is leftover from the holidays. I’m trying to use up a bunch of stuff in the freezer this week, but I think the menu came together all right.
I’m especially looking forward to Wednesday night’s dinner. Mmm… kielbasa, sauerkraut, egg noodles… I’m playing around with a recipe, so hopefully it will turn out great and I will share on Thursday. I’m not yet sure what kind of soup we’ll have on Friday. I made some creamy spinach soup for lunch today, and the husband looooved it. Maybe I’ll make that again. Or go with chicken soup? We’ll see what’s in the fridge!
For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.
I hope you all had a great weekend! Ours was fun, though busy. Although the Sheep & Wool festival was at the fairgrounds, I did my best to avoid that general area. I know, I know — I love crochet and knitting. How could I possibly not go to one of the country’s most famous fiber festivals? Honestly, I just didn’t feel like fighting the crowds. I’d rather spend a leisurely afternoon at my favorite yarn store than waiting in a line to check out a booth. But that’s just me.
So Saturday morning I worked at the library, then in the afternoon I went grocery shopping (at a store in the opposite direction, LOL). Yesterday I did a whole lot of cleaning, both inside and out. Time to get the place ready for winter! Last night D. suggested we go out since we’d busted our butts. Oh, Endless Shrimp at Red Lobster… it was so delicious! Of course, now it’s back to the grind. Here’s what I’m planning on for this week’s meal plan:
For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.