Supper Round-Up

This cooler weather does not make me feel like exercising.  It makes me crave heavy rich foods.  And my menu planning for the week is pure evidence of that.  

I guess portion control will be friend this week.  :)

1.  French Toast Roll-Ups.  I'm all about breakfast for supper, and this seems like a fun twist on classic french toast.  I think I'm going to use Greek Cream Cheese for the stuffing along with some fruit.
2.  French Bread Pizza.  Pepperoni for the kids and Chicken Pesto for Ryan and I.
3.  Oven Baked Meatball Subs
4.  Manicotti.  My sister in law gave me a great recipe for manicotti when Ryan and I first got married, and its pretty much my go to for classic manicotti.
5.  Spaghetti and Meatball Soup.  This is delicious.  And if you can pull off a lie to the kids that those "stringy things" are overcooked noodles and not zucchini, they'll eat it like champs!!  {even if they think you are a terrible cook for overdone noodles}
6.  Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes.  Straight up, no cooked sauce meatloaf.  Just the way I like it!

Sunday Evening Menu Planning

It was one of those weekends where I just wasn't sure if we were going to make it out without a major illness.  I was battling being sick the last half of the week and Saturday Henry joined in.  I think *fingers crossed* he's okay now...although he and Annika are getting along better than normal [maybe I should be worried.]

Otherwise the kids and I enjoyed a quiet weekend.  It was such a perfect fall weekend.  The corn is being combined, the air is chilly and damp.  And my belly is full chai tea.  :)  Fall is officially here!!

Here's what's on the menu this week:

Sunday:  Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas.  I based it off this recipe from The Pioneer Woman.  I added shredded chicken and used greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
Monday:  Steak 'n Shake copy cat burgers - loosely based on this recipe by Jam Hands
Tuesday:  Chicken Alfredo using this Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce from Pinch of Yum
Wednesday:  Leftovers
Thursday [kids choice]:  Twisted Pizza Sticks
Friday:  We have pictures for the church directory, so I think we'll head out for supper when we are done with pictures.

I've been doing the SheReadsTruth study on James, which also happens to be the subject of the bible study I picked up recently by Beth Moore.  Do you think God has something he wants me to pick up on in the book of James perhaps?

Have a great week!

My Life in a Menu

First quarter is coming to a close...

Ryan is home from Montana...

And I am back in menu planning mode.  This grocery is bill is getting out of hand!  

So this week is about working to use up what's in the freezer and fridge before heading back out to the store.  

Monday:  Baked Potato Bar

Tuesday:  Soup and Grilled Cheese (using this potato bread recipe)

Wednesday:  Fish and rice (Potato crusted filets for Ryan and I and fish sticks for the kids)

Thursday:  Leftovers

Friday:  Chicken Parmesan Meatballs from SkinnyMom

Stay tuned for a great make ahead breakfast option...perfect for the cray fall mornings.  

On hold

You can see there has been a lack of menu planning on the website...and its been missing in our lives as well.  I've decided to put it on hold while we are out of our house...Its just something I can't keep up with right now.  And by golly...I'm okay with it.  {Honestly its driving me kind of bonkers...but...its temporary}

But that doesn't mean my kitchen hasn't been getting a workout.  Or Kristi's kitchen rather...
So here are a few things that we've enjoyed recently that you might as well.

Baked Apples with Oatmeal Streusal Topping:  My mom makes a killer baked apple, and this was a fun new twist on what she makes.  You could definitely "health-up" this recipe and still have wonderful results.

Feta & Strawberry Salad:  This is one of my favorite all time salads.  I take for lunch at least once a week.  And when the strawberries are out of season, I love it with dried cranberries and/or dried blueberries.  Mmmm...yum!

Baked Chicken Parmesan:  A classic lightened up.  Enough said.

Overnight Oats:  Pumpking style!  So delicious.  I'll be honest...it looks nasty...there is no other way to explain it.  But the flavors are fall in a jar...yum.  Katheats as a lot of other overnight oats that I'm dying to try.  (I left out the clusters and the sunbutter)

Enchilada Lasagna:  This was one the entire family enjoyed.  It came together pretty quickly, and the leftovers were just as good.  

And last but not least.....

Mini Corn Dog Muffins:  This is soooo easy and makes a perfect snack or lunch.  You can make your own corn bread batter or just use your favorite box...and add your hot dog of choice.  We are turkey dog people in this house.  

Vacation Pics and a Menu

Six loads of laundry done...two left to fold...and work tomorrow...

You'd think after a weekend home I'd be all caught up...not so much.  

In no particular order:  Wall Drug, Flinstones Bedrock City, The Corn Palace & 4 Mile Old West Town

Here's just a few pictures from our trip.  We filled up the days with lots of sight-seeing and enjoyed relaxing at the hotel (usually in the pool) in the evening.  The kids did great and enjoyed just about everything we did.  

We asked them both what their favorite parts were...

   Annika:  "Everything but the donkeys.  They were creepy!!!"  She felt a little violated 

by the burro's shoving their faces in her window when we visited  Custer State Park.

Henry:  "I like it all, but next time you guys can go and I'll stay 

home with Maggie.  I sure miss her...."

Again in no order:  Custer State Park, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, Jewel Cave &
the Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park

As much as I enjoyed being away with the kids and Ryan, its good to be home.  Vacations are exhausting!!!

I need some routine and structure back in my life and what better way than by planning my week's menu.

Sunday - Hamburgers with green bean salad (we finally have some produce in our garden!)

Monday - Strawberry Chicken Salad with Overnight Bread

Tuesday - Homemade Wonton Ravioli (using this recipe as basic how-to) with lettuce salad 

Wednesday - Taco Rice Bowls

Thursday - sandwiches for the road (The kids and I are off to visit my parents in their new city!  Eeek...can't wait!)

Enjoy the last few hours of your Sunday...I'll be finishing laundry and catching up on my Food Network shows.  :)