my blessed life

The trick to not going crazy and eating out too much during the holidays?  Stay focused with your meal plans!   At least that's what I'm telling myself ;) So here's what's on our plan for this week: Monday:   dinner at our church (it's a work night ...I'm guessing ...pizza!) Tuesday:   (slow cooker) meatloaf with carrots and potatoes Wednesday:   Breakfast-for-Dinner ...eggs, drop biscuits, and sausage gravy Thursday:   'Potato Bugs' with veggies Friday:   our church's youth Christmas party at our house ...taco bar! Saturday:   sandwiches & snacks Sunday:  (slow cooker) roast with carrots, mashed potatoes, gravy, and rolls What's on your plan this week? This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie .

Happy Monday, y'all! You know what that means for me ....menu planning for the week! And, yes, even though I've been terribly lax in posting my meal plans lately, I have actually still been making them.  My weeks just go so much better when I have a plan:) And since we've started school again I've come to the conclusion that I must use my slow cooker on Tuesdays (piano lesson day) and Fridays (co-op day) right now ...or my family will forever be doomed to some horrible fast food on those evenings.  I'm just usually too tired/busy/all of the above to make my plan happen on those nights if I wait too long. So... slow cooker to the rescue! Here's what's on the plan for our dinners this week: Monday: (a sort of clean-out-the-fridge-of-leftovers night) pinto beans, corn, green beans w/new potatoes ...and if that doesn't look like it'll be enough ...sauerkraut and wieners. Tuesday: (slow cooker) honey-garlic chicken sandwiches w/f...

I don't know about you but this time of the year I always begin to long for the routine that fall brings.  I thoroughly enjoy summertime and the fun, spontaneity, and flexibility that it brings.  But the planner in me loves the routine of fall: regular meal plans, morning routines, bedtime routines ...my children--especially my son--really do much better with routine. While I have kept up menu planning through much of the summer, I haven't been posting it here and often I fail to do it if I'm not posting it.  So in the spirit of 'back to routine', I'm back to posting 'what's for dinner'. Here's what we're having this week: Monday:   Cheesy Stuffed Shells  (from the freezer) with Salad and Bread Tuesday:  Beans (in the crockpot) and Buttermilk Cornbread Wednesday:  Grilled Hot Dogs, Creamed Corn, Baked Beans Thursday:  Stuffed Peppers (maybe these ) Friday: yet-to-be-decided Saturday: Snacks & Leftovers (a bit of a f...

Why is it that even though I love meal planning and it makes my life SO much easier ...some weeks it's just hard to get it done?  I'm just not in the "mood"...ha Oh, well.  We must still eat dinner, right? And, thankfully, my mom invited us over for breakfast burritos tonight so I had a 1 day reprieve!  Yea!  And, boy, are those burritos good!! So here's what's for dinner the rest of the week: Tuesday:  {dinner in Nashville after the Lego Build } Wednesday:   Meatball Subs Thursday:  {crockpot}  Mexican Chicken with Rice (the one meal I didn't get around to making last week) Friday:  {freezer} Cheesy Stuffed Pasta Shells with Salad and Garlic Bread Saturday:   Homemade Pizza This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie

I'm back in the saddle again after a week off from cooking last week--we were out of town most of the week and on the go the rest! My focus this week is getbackintoroutineandgetthishousecleaned !!!!!! Thus the emphasis on slow cooking and grilling this week.  I'm minimizing my kitchen clean up!  It's all about prepping ahead of time and not thinking about dinner all day long. Here's what's cooking at our house this week: Monday:   {slow cooker} Spaghetti with Salad and Garlic Bread Tuesday:   {grill} Sliders: Classic and Aloha styles with Chips and Baked Beans Wednesday:   {slow cooker} Honey Garlic Chicken Sandwiches  Thursday:   {slow cooker} Mexican Chicken with Rice Friday:  {grill} Korean Chicken with {slow cooker} Baked Potatoes and Asian Salad Saturday:   {dinner out in Nashville with friends} This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie .

First of all, I have to say that we had a lovely Easter weekend and I hope that you did, too!  We enjoyed a relaxed Easter brunch with our family following our morning worship service.  SO much nicer than standing in line in a crowded restaurant!   My kiddos were excited about their baskets--although waiting until after church was a bit difficult for my oh-so-impatient son :)  That's what happens though with your dad is a pastor and has to leave super early in the morning.    Last week's meal plan went so very smoothly~made my week so much easier!  After the busy weekend I haven't been much in the mood to plan yet for this week, but I'm pressing though. Here's what's on the plan for this week: Monday:   Sandwiches & chips (made with an amazing fresh loaf of sourdough bread!) Tuesday:  Dinner out at Bob Evans since the kids can eat free :) Wednesday:  {small group night} I'm taking Baked Cavatini Th...

Ah.  Meal planning. My housekeeping salvation. Last week went so smoothly (you know, after two straight weeks of chaos), it was lovely!  Here's hoping for another great week. But first, I have to tell you about Raddish Kids !  I found their booth in the vendor hall at the Teach Them Diligently convention I recently attended.  It is an awesome *cooking club* for parents and kids!  I picked up one of their freebie recipes at the convention and we tried it last week.  We made their Greek Turkey Burgers --only with beef instead of turkey because I didn't look carefully into the freezer before grocery shopping.  Oops.  Oh well, we loved these with beef probably even better than turkey.  And get this: these burgers tasted just like a yummy gyro!  I love those things! Anyway, you can subscribe to these cooking kits and they will arrive at your house every month with three of the recipe guides and all kinds of other cool stuff tha...

OK, here we go ...getting back on track.  My life is in desperate need of some boring, ol' routine.  So far the first three months of this year have   f-l-o-w-n   by!! Life, please slow down. Thank you. Anybody else feel this way, too? Well, I'm beginning the start back to some routine by posting my dinner plans for the week here on the blog again.  While I do still meal plan even if I don't post about it, I find that posting it brings me so much more accountability. I'm happy to say that we are planning to use the grill this week for the first time this spring.  Yes, spring is actually here even though it seems to be staying mostly hidden where we live so far.  I am so ready for sunshine and warmer temps! Anyway... ...here's what cooking this week: Monday: going out to celebrate The Princess' birthday!  {Olive Garden} Tuesday:   {grill} Greek Turkey Burgers with Fried Potatoes Wednesday: {slow cooker} Sloppy Joes w...

What a week this past week has been!  We've had 'Snowmeggedon' here in Western Kentucky!  About a foot of snow total, plus some ice.  That means we've been inside.  A lot . And that means lots of cooking.  And cleaning up the kitchen.  :) Why is it when you truly need to cook and don't have other options, that's when you least want to do it?  I have felt like that a lot this past week...ha.  Mostly because I was tired of being at home constantly.  We did have some good meals though!  And I tried several new recipes: homemade granola bars, roasted cauliflower soup, and even homemade dog biscuits for our dog! So I'm looking forward to getting out more this week but I have some yummy meals planned, too. Here's what's cooking this week:  Monday:   Cajun Turkey Breast (slow cooker), Red Beans & Rice, Crispy Brussels Sprouts w/Bacon & Garlic Tuesday:  Fajita Stuffed Peppers (Vince & me), Grilled Ham...

It's a new year and it's time to get back into the swing of routine with my weekly dinner plans. Ahhh. I love getting back into routine after the craziness of the holidays and I'm keeping things fairly simple around here this week.   Here's what's cooking this week: Monday:  Baked Potato Bar with Salad Tuesday:   Chicken & Dumplings Wednesday:   Tostadas Thursday:   Beef & Noodles Friday:   {date night} Saturday:   Snacks/Leftovers This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! And the most busy, right? So one of my main plans of action to keep me organized is to continue with my meal planning.  Knowing what we're having for dinner each night makes my days much less stressful and I can plan other activities so much better. So here's what's for dinner this week: Monday:  Shepherd's Pie Tuesday:   Taco Cups ...or maybe Turkey Enchiladas Wednesday:  Pizza at our church Thursday:   Cookie Exchange at my house~I'm serving finger foods {more on that later} Friday:   Tuna Croquets, Baked Potatoes, and a yet-to-be-decided veggie Saturday:   Snacks/Leftovers

It's almost time for the big day!  I love Thanksgiving and am really looking forward to it this year.  We'll be having our meal at my parents' house--which is very close by--with family and friends.  I've been busy the past few days finalizing our menu with my mom and sister and making my grocery list.  As usual, we have gone overboard and are preparing a ridiculous amount of food!  I can hardly wait! :) Here is our menu (links are included for the recipes we'll be using): Thanksgiving 2014 Appetizers Stuffed Date Rumaki Pickles & Olive plate Main Course Roasted Turkey Crockpot Dressing Giblet Gravy Cranberry Sauce Mashed Potatoes Green Bean Casserole Corn Casserole Brussels Sprouts Sweet Potato Casserole Baked Macaroni & Cheese Buttered Corn Copper Pennies 9-Layer Salad Fruit Salad Rolls Dessert Chocolate Cream Pie Deep Dish Pumpkin Pie Apple Pie

We are going into our second week back from our family vacation ...and I am still trying to get organized again and back in my routine.  We are already into the holiday season (last week we had our first-of-three Thanksgiving meal!) and the calendar is starting to really fill up.   This week is super full, too, but I am still planning on dinner at home most evenings.  I love family dinners at home! Monday:   Parmesan Chicken Cutlets, Steamed Broccoli, Sauteed Summer Squash, Salad Tuesday:  {Thanksgiving potluck with our homeschool group}   Corn Casserole Wednesday:   Potato Soup ....maybe {Mr. B is having oral surgery on this day so I'm sort of playing it by ear} Thursday:  Taco Cups with Rice Friday:  {not yet decided due to possible plans} maybe Homemade Pizza or Stromboli Saturday:  {not yet decided due to possible plans}  maybe out?? This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Org...

Ah ...Monday.  A fresh new week. And this week there is not quite as much on the calendar as last week--which means more dinners at home.  I'm good with that! Our weather here in Kentucky has finally turned very cool and fall-ish and that always puts me in the mood for cooking and baking.  I've been reading through some of my cookbooks and watching cooking shows more this week.  (I have to say I was super excited to see that Netflix has added several Food Network shows--I was especially happy to see The Pioneer Woman on there!).   Also my little guy isn't feeling well today--sinusitis--and that, of course, means special requests and comfort foods, right?  So we'll be kicking off today with one of our faves. Monday:   Potato Soup with Crusty Baguettes Tuesday:  Spaghetti & Meatballs (with this sauce ), Green Salad, and Garlic Toast Wednesday:  Tostadas Thursday:   {crockpot} Pinto Beans and Buttermilk Cornbread ...

Ah, it's Monday already!  Where do the weeks go?!? I'm not particularly in the mood to plan meals right now, but not doing it throws my week into a tailspin.  Yes, it takes a little time, but it's totally worth it in the long run.  It's really just a 3-step process for me. Here's my meal planning routine each week: Look through my pantry, fridge, freezer to see what's on hand already--especially in the meat dept. Choose my main dishes accordingly, then any side dishes or desserts Add any needed items to my shopping list.   This method of meal planning has saved my family countless dollars over the past six years.  If you start planning around what you already have you won't spend as much when you go to the grocery store.  When I began meal planning I cut our weekly grocery budget of $125 down to $60.  We still keep it low--about $70-$80 per week on the average.  And that's for a family of 4 (including 2 growing kids!).  Not too ...

Aww... fall seems to have arrived here in Kentucky and I am loving it!  It puts me in the mood for all things apple and pumpkin! Last week's menu was definitely more cooler-weather-food and it tasted so good!  Although, to recap last week, I didn't make the talapia (hubby informed me that he didn't like that dish after all) nor the red beans and rice (I wasn't in the mood for it that night and am recycling that one this week).  But the northern beans and the chicken and dumplings were heavenly! This week I've polled the kids for their dinner requests.  The Princess gave me her usual answer: "spaghetti and meatballs!" :)  Mr. B usually doesn't have an answer for me, but this time he said "fettuccine alfredo!". Sounds good to me! Here's what's for dinner at our house this week: Monday:  Ranch Style Chicken , Mashed Potatoes, Corn, and Broccoli Tuesday:  Spaghetti & Meatballs (with this homemade marinara ) --- But m...

It's been a while since I've posted my daily dinner plans here, but in getting back into our fall routine I feel like it's a good time to start doing that again. These past couple of months have involved a lot of crazy schedules and a lot of eating out.  And I have grown a little weary of that.  Not that I don't enjoy a good meal out.  But when I do go out I want to enjoy it ...not be so jaded of it that nothing even sounds good except a home-cooked meal. And fall is the perfect season for home cooking, isn't it?  I'm in the mood for all of my 'comfort foods'! So here's what's on the plan for our house this week (I've included the name and page # of any cookbooks I plan to use): Monday: Northern Beans with Buttermilk Cornbread ( Fix It & Forget It page 58) Tuesday:  Pan-Seared Tilapia Po' Boys with Baked Potato Slices Wednesday:  {our small group} Chicken & Dumplings Thursday:  Red Beans & Rice with Hus...

So, yes, I'm a day behind in posting this.  I hope you'll understand. Summertime is here and I'm feeling a bit lazy this week.  It's been so hectic lately that I've enjoyed have a little more downtime at home so far this week. We did have a lovely 4th of July weekend though~how was yours?  We had a friend visiting from Alabama and we just hung out doing things like grilling out, eating on the deck, watching the kiddos swim, discovering a new farmers market, going on wild goose chases looking for some bookstores, and playing Mario Kart :) But I neeeeeed my menu plan.  Our evenings don't go well without it. So in the spirit of staying on track, here it is: Monday:   Rotisserie chicken with white sauce, baked beans , fried okra , and twice-baked potatoes Tuesday:   {Date Night!!} Wednesday:   (Mexican meal at our small group leaders' meeting)  I'm taking Black Bean Salsa & tortilla chips Thursday:   Crockpot Honey Garl...

Yes, it's been quite a while since I posted my menu plan.  April and May have been some of our busiest months in a long time and while I have kept up pretty well with my menu plans on paper, they have not always been executed very well in real life.  I am working to get back in a good cooking groove though. Also, in an effort to eat more fresh foods I have started ordering occasionally from Bountiful Baskets .  Do you have one of their co-ops in your neck of the woods?  If so, have you tried them out?  I definitely recommend giving them a try.  I have been very pleased with my baskets so far.  And they sure do encourage my family to eat more fresh fruit and veggies! Here's a shot of my last basket offerings (except for the blueberries--I ordered a flat of those as an add-on to my conventional basket) : So far this order has yielded us delicious salads, limeade, mango salsa, blueberry muffins, and much freshly cut fruit to snack on.  Can...

( free printable artwork found here ) Happy St. Patrick's Day!!   Top o'the morning to ye!! I'm back on track this week with the menu plan~whoo hoo:)  It's going to be a full week so I've gotta stay on top of things.   Here's what's cooking this week: Monday:   Corned Beef with Cabbage, Potatoes, and Carrots ...and Soda Bread, if I get around to making some:) Tuesday:   Hamburgers Diane , Potato Cakes, and Southern Green Beans Wednesday:   Tostadas Thursday:   Ranch-Style Chicken , Baked Potatoes, and Salad Friday:   Girls-Night-Out with The Princess and her friends for her birthday Saturday:   Tacos, Rice & Beans Casserole, Chips and Homemade Salsa Sunday:   {The Princess' 11th Birthday!} Lunch out with family and friends This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie .