Menu Planning Monday:

Well this week I return to work for a few days so my meals need to be quick and definitely planned out. We are going out of town for the holiday so I also included those meals. I have been lagging on going to the grocery store so last weeks meals used a good chunk of my stock pile, although, I was still able to make a little extra in some cases to freeze. This week I am going to try three new recipes. I am not sure if the order here will change, but I hope to make all of these meals. I hope you enjoy your week.

This week’s meals:

Sunday: Three Bean Stew/Chili over brown rice

Monday: Curried Rice and Shrimp (Real Simple Magazine) and an Asian inspired salad

Tuesday: Chicken with creamy spinach (Real Simple Magazine) and chicken rice

Wednesday: Brats, French fries and veggies

Thursday: Egg Frittata with sausage and veggies (something simple because I am making freezer jam with a friend after dinner, plus I have to work all day)

Friday: BBQ, baked beans, grilled veggies (Out of Town)

Saturday: Pork Tacos, Spanish rice with a salad and taco fixings (Out of Town)

Summer by the Lake Swimsuit GIVEAWAY!!!!

Summer by the Lake Swimsuit GIVEAWAY!!!!

Check out this little swimsuit for your little girl. I don't know how this mom finds time to do everything she does and is so creative and generous at the same time. She truly amazes me.

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Check out this darling dress. Yes, from the talented designer at Grosgrain. She is amazing. I agree with her that it would be nice to have this little number in an adult size. Well that is when I get back to my pre-pregnancy size. A gal can hope now. Enter the contest for your little garden gal here.

Family Meals for the week of August 17th-23rd

Well last weeks meals were adjusted a little bit with my MOPS steering team retreat this past weekend. My hubby ended up cooking for the family on Friday and Saturday evening. I had planned a frozen meal for Friday and Brats for Saturday, but he had his own meal plan. The kiddos ate Mac and Cheese (his favorite meal beefed up, but started from a box of Kraft) and then he used the Brats to make Jambalaya. I am just thankful for him for watching the kids and cooking. I enjoyed a wonderful 24 plus hours of no kids, no diapers, no one saying “Mommy," it was bliss; however, with all that said I still missed my kids. Isn’t that strange? When I was a younger teacher I use to feel the same way on my summer vacations, or holiday breaks with my students. I was thankful for the rest, but I missed them. This concept is even stronger with my kiddos who are two and one.

Well on to menu planning for this week. Last night (Sunday) we enjoyed a freezer meal. I didn’t want to use a freezer meal (since I am trying to stockpile for my return to work), but it is way too hot to cook and I don’t have a lot of food in the house at this point. Well enjoy my meal plan. I can’t wait to checkout your meal plans. I always get some great ideas.

This week’s meals:

Sunday: Pork Tacos, Spanish rice with salad and taco fixings

Monday: Dinner at a friend’s house

Tuesday: Special Casserole and a wedge salad (mom is out tonight so making Dad’s favorite)

Wednesday: Stir Fry with brown rice

Thursday: Egg Frittata with sausage and veggies (something simple because I am making freezer jam with a friend after dinner, plus I have to work all day)

Friday: BBQ, baked beans, grilled veggies (getting my hair done tonight)

Saturday: Three bean chili, spicy Indian Cauliflower and a salad

Nantucket Weekend GIVEAWAY!!!!

Checkout this adorable give away from Grosgrain. She is amazing and she also does volunteer work with MOPS. Wow! I wish I had half of her talent. I would love to win this for Big A. She would look so darling in it and it would be the perfect size for her to enjoy this summer and maybe even next summer.
Nantucket Weekend GIVEAWAY!!!!

Menu Plan Monday: August 10th through 16th

Well this week seemed to fly by. We are getting ready for the kids to head off to childcare and both mommy and daddy to go back to work. Yes, we have both been off this summer since we are both educators. Now be careful what you wish for (or wish you had) because it is not all bliss to both be home all the time at the same time. I could give you many examples of this from this summer and previous summers, but I try not to air my dirty laundry on this blog.

This week’s meals are aimed at feeding the masses. I am also going to try to double up and build some freezer meals into the mix this week. I don't have much of an appetite these days. I am going to take advantage of the no little appetite and make some family favorites that are not necessarily something that I would eat (I am not a big pasta fan or meat). That is a little background into this week’s meal.

I am getting a little nervous about going back to work and how it will impact things at home. I had a difficult time staying at home, taking care of the kids and managing the home. I feel like now I am just adding a sixty percent job on top of all of that I already do and yet I can't do everything I have to do as it is. Oh well! Maybe it won’t be as bad as I think it will be. I don’t really have a choice so I am going to make the best of it.

This week’s meals:

Sunday: Shells and sausage casserole with a side salad

Monday: Three bean chili, spicy Indian Cauliflower and a salad

Tuesday: Take out sandwiches on sale at a local grocery store $2.99 a sandwich (we’ll get two and the kids will share mine.)

Wednesday: Egg Frittata with sausage and veggies

Thursday: Grilled Chicken, chicken rice and grilled veggies (definitely white corn)

Friday: enchiladas, my favorite salad and Spanish rice

Saturday: grilled brats, grilled veggies and a side of some sort

Check these dogs out...

I already have a real, live, heavy breathing, smelly, barking, Beagle dog that my children adore, but I think these dogs are more my speed than our current doggie. Check these out. They look so real and yet they don't make any of the mess that a real dog does or take any of the resources (time, love, attention, time). I am hoping to win one for my kids. We would be a great home for one these dogs. I'll trade you...my Beagle for one of these life like stuffed animal dogs. :) Check out the contest here...