Mom, What's For Dinner? - Week of May 5

This week is going to be a crazy week.  It's my birthday, anniversary, and getting paperwork done for work type of week.  

My birthday is going to be a laid back affair.  I'm going to be able to wear jeans to work because I contributed to a food pantry drive we had at work.  I got a "golden ticket" that will allow me to wear jeans on any day as long as I turn in the ticket.  I'm using it on my birthday.

The boys have dance class with their grandma in the evening.  Hubby is going to be working.  So I will be by myself.  I'm going to have dinner at Piada Italian Street Food.  Yum!  Then I'm going to go see The Other Woman with Cameron Diaz.  

Hubby is going to my favorite cupcake shop and getting me a cupcake.  Yeah!  

Now to the menu:

Monday - Waffles, bacon, and strawberries

Tuesday - Taco Soup, Chips and Salsa

Wednesday - Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Thursday - Hamburgers, Chips, and Raw Veggies (For Hubby and boys) - Piada Italian Street Food for me

Friday - Skillet chicken with tangy sauce, green beans, and roasted potatoes

Here is a printable version of the menu:  Mom, What's For Dinner - Week of May 5  (We had bacon not sausage links on Monday.)

For more menu ides, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Mom, What's For Dinner? - Week of April 28

This week we are administering the Ohio Achievement Assessment to the students in my room.  This is very stressful for both the students and especially the teachers.  

I need a few comfort meals to make up for the stress I'm going to be feeling.

Monday - Baked French toast, bacon, and strawberries

Prep:  Soak Pinto Beans, Prepare Overnight Oats

Tuesday - Pinto Beans and Kielbasa, corn, and cornbread

Prep:  None

Wednesday - Sausage Penne, Zaxby Texas Toast, salad

Prep:  None

Thursday - Pizza Quesadillas, Carrots

Prep:  Prepare Overnight Oats

Friday - Barbecue Pork Sandwiches, Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans

This week I found a menu planner template that I love.  It's from Simplified Pantry.  Mystie creates meals from a basic pantry list.  She also has a great resource that she has created with recipes using her master basic pantry list.

Here's a link to my menu plan for the week:  April 28th menu.  

There is one change to the menu.  We are not going to have rice with the quesadilla.  

Also I don't plan for Saturdays and Sundays.  I may cook on Saturdays but nothing is set in stone because we may or may not be at the house.  Also Sundays are spent at my mother-in-law's house.  Sometimes I cook dinner like last night or she cooks dinners.  Or we both cook portions of dinners.

For more great menu plans, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Mom, What's For Dinner? - Week of April 21

This is what I woke up to last Tuesday morning.  We got an inch of snow overnight.  It had started as rain the day before.  During the night, the temperatures dropped to the lower 30's so the rain changed over to snow.  The crazy thing about the snow was that it was on cars, trees, and grass.  Since it had been in the 70's two days prior, there was no snow on the road.  It was a beautiful drive to work.  

Just so you know, where we live in Ohio, we don't normally get snow in mid-April.

That afternoon it was still spitting snow.  Yuck!

The weather has become springlike since that rare snow.  Today the temperature is in the high 70's.

Onto the menu this week:

I've got to go get my license renewed on Tuesday and need to stay late on Wednesday and Thursday to work on some paperwork.  So my menu needs to be easy and something my husband can cook up with little instructions.

Monday - Out to eat

Tuesday - Chicken fingers with homemade Zax sauce, crinkle fries, homemade Zaxby's Texas toast, fresh veggies

Wednesday - Orange Chicken over rice with veggies

Thursday - Ravioli with spaghetti sauce, garlic bread, salad

Friday - Breakfast for Dinner

Saturday  - ???

This post is linked to I'm an Organizing Junkie's Menu Planning Monday.

For a printable version of this menu, click this link.

Happy eating, Traci

Mom, What's for Dinner? - week of April 14

After a couple weeks off from menu planning, I'm back to menu planning.  We did have a menu plan last week but we didn't always follow the plan.  

We got back from Walt Disney World on Sunday night at 8:30ish in the evening and then I was back at work at 7:15 am the next day.  So last week, we ate mostly out of the freezer or ate out.  Finally on Saturday night, I felt like making a complete meal - meatloaf muffins, mashed potatoes, and fresh corn on the cob.  The family was happy for a home cooked meal.

I'm now back on track for cooking dinner for the family.

Here's our meal plan for this week:

Monday - oven baked French toast (recipe to posted later), sausage patties

Tuesday - navy bean soup, ciabatta bread (from Second Street market), and fruit salad

Wednesday - breaded pork chops, roasted broccoli, and rice pilaf

Thursday - tacos, apple enchiladas

Friday - eat out - We are going to the zoo.

Saturday - pizza with family

For more meal plans visit I'm an Organizing Junkie's menu planning Monday.

For a printable version, click here.

Happy eating, Trac

Mom, What's For Dinner? - Week of March 17

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Yesterday was a crazy day. I decided to do some cleaning in my room.  I have a small trunk with memorabilia from when I was a teen and when I was 20 years old.

I've dug through the top layer recently but hadn't gone through the rest of the trunk in a long time. Yesterday I went through the whole trunk. Boy am I glad I did.

I found a picture of one of my friends that I spent a lot of time with while in working in Walt Disney World as part of the college program. I've thought a lot about Molly over the years but hadn't gotten in contact with her. I looked her up on the Internet. Then I took a leap of faith and called her. It's as though 18 years had never passed. We spoke for an hour yesterday about memories and we've been up to for the past 18 years. She and I both relate to how much we miss that place. We'll always say "I worked at Walt Disney World."

I also found a photo book of old International Order of Rainbow pics. I was in Rainbow from 1988 until 1995. Almost 7 years of my life. Actually 6 years 11 months. I posted a picture of a few of the girls now women who are friends of mine on Facebook. I found out one of my coworkers was in the picture. We never realized it and we worked for the same district for 10 years but never made the connection. Both of us are married. Last night we finally made the connection. Sweet!

My advice is to reach out to people from your past as long as they were not toxic. See if you can make a connection.

Spring cleaning has never been so great. Now onto my menu:

Monday soda biscuit waffles and sausage

Tuesday potato soup, grilled cheese, raw veggies

Wednesday homemade hamburger helper, veggies


Thursday Hamburgers, French Fries, Raw Veggies

Friday Chicken Stir Fry, Rice

Here's a printable version of my menu for this week: Mom, What's For Dinner - March 17

For other great menus, please visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Happy eating, Traci

Mom, What's For Dinner - Week of March 10

Why do I menu plan?  For situations like what happened last Tuesday.  I had a bunch of work that needed to be done at work so I decided to stay late.  I already had Spanish style chicken noodle soup in the slow cooker.  All I needed to do was text Hubby letting him know I was staying late and he needed to put the orzo in the slow cooker about half an hour before serving the food.  We did not have the biscuits since I wasn’t home.  Instead he had crackers with his soup.

When I don’t menu plan, I never know what to cook and will often stop at a fast food restaurant on the way home.  Getting fast food is expensive and not healthy.  

Plus the Wee One thinks I’m the best cook in the U.S.  

Here’s this week’s menu:

Monday - Brinner - Pancakes, bacon, fresh fruit

Tuesday - Chili, Northern Cornbread, Salad

Wednesday - Spaghetti and meatballs, Garlic bread, Salad

Thursday - Philly Cheeseburger sandwiches (Freezer and Slow Cooker), Raw Veggies, Chips

Friday - Baked Tilapia, Roasted Potato, Veggie

Saturday - Leftovers

For a PDF file of this menu, click on this link.

For other great menu plans, please visit I'm an Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Until next week,

Traci

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of Sept 19

Tomorrow's hubby's 40th birthday.  He and I are going out to dinner to celebrate.  The boys are going to dance with grandma so they are not going out with us. 

Monday - ranch chicken, pierogis, and peas

Tuesday - out to dinner to celebrate hubby's birthday

Wednesday - sweet and sour meatballs (freezer) with rice, corn

Thursday - pot roast in the crockpot, steamed carrots, roasted potatoes

Friday - orange chicken with rice, corn or green beans

Saturday - pot roast hash with green beans, biscuits with jelly

For more great menus, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for Menu Planning Monday.

Happy eating,
Traci

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of September 12

We usually eat at my in-laws on Sundays.  Since we had a church picnic on Sunday afternoon and my mother-in-law had a class, I fixed our dinner on Sunday evening.  Needless to say, the meal was a success.  My husband who doesn't like eating left overs for lunch is planning to eat those for his lunch today.:)

Sunday - crockpot pizza, garlic bread, left-over veggies and fruit from the picnic

Monday - breakfast casserole in the crockpot, biscuits and jelly

Tuesday - honey mustard chicken, mac and cheese, veggies

Wednesday - Cincinnati chili over spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Thursday - sausage and sauerkraut in crockpot, baked apples, biscuits or rolls

Friday - nachos made with Fritos instead, salad

Saturday - beans and weenies in crockpot, veggie, biscuit or roll

For more great plans, visit Menu Planning Monday at I'm an organizing junkie.

Happy eating,
Traci

September menu plan

I can't believe fall is almost here.  The Wee One informed hubby and I, fall is his favorite season because he can rake up the leaves and then jump into them.  He informed us he's not going to wear shoes when he does that so he doesn't get leaves in his shoes.

Week of September 4, 2011

• Sunday - hamburger patties in the crockpot, mashed potatoes, veggies, Italian bread
• Monday - western omlette casserole
• Tuesday - slow cooker chicken and gravy over rice, veggie, salad
• Wednesday - tacos, Rice a Roni, raw veggies
• Thursday - bacon ranch chicken, egg noodles, veggie
• Friday - apricot glazed pork roast, mashed potatoes, veggie
• Saturday - crockpot pizza, garlic bread

Week of September 11, 2011

• Sunday - dinner at in-laws
• Monday - breakfast casserole, fruit, biscuits and jelly
• Tuesday - honey mustard chicken (freezer), mac and cheese (freezer), veggies
• Wednesday - Cincinnati chili over spaghetti, garlic bread
• Thursday - sausage and sauerkraut, cooked apples, biscuits
• Friday - nachos
• Saturday - beans and weenies, biscuits, veggie

Week of September 18, 2011

• Sunday - dinner at in-laws
• Monday - easy ranch chicken, buttered noodles, veggies
• Tuesday - pizza burgers (freezer), steamed carrots, chips
• Wednesday - sweet and sour meatballs (freezer), rice, veggies
• Thursday - pot roast, carrots, and potatoes
• Friday - orange chicken over rice
• Saturday - hash in the crockpot, biscuits or rolls with jelly

Week of September 25, 2011

• Sunday - dinner at in-laws
• Monday - sloppy joes (freezer), fries, raw veggies
• Tuesday - quick and easy potato soup with rolls
• Wednesday - pepper steak over rice
• Thursday - French fried onion chicken with green beans
• Friday- crockpot ravoli, salad, garlic bread
• Saturday - cinnamon french toast casserole

Happy eating,
Traci

Menu planning ~ Week of September 4, 2011

Before I begin with my menu planning, I want to wish my sister a happy birthday.  We are getting together tomorrow to celebrate.  Happy 34th birthday ~ You are getting older, I'm just getting gray hairs. (One of my students walked up to me and let me know that I had a gray hair on the back of my head.)

It's so hard getting home at 4:30ish and having to have food on the table between 5 and 5:10 for hubby to go to work.  I have to have a menu in order for it to run smoothly.  During the majority of last school year, I did create a monthly menu and then April came and I totally stopped creating them.  So a couple of weeks ago, I got back on board and created a menu.  It went great until the end of last week.  I changed up Thursday's meal because I didn't get home until 4:45 and needed a quick meal.  It was too hot to cook anything on Friday so I just stopped and got food on the way home.  Yesterday's meal was going to be meatloaf.  Again it was so hot that I made quick and simple orange chicken which warmed up the oven for less than 20 minutes.

This week and during all of September, I'm going to utilize my crockpot and freezer cooking. 

Sunday - We usually have dinner at the in-laws.  My mother-in-law is on her way back home from South Carolina and my father-in-law has to work.  So I had to plan on having dinner at home.  We are having hamburger patties in the crockpot, mashed potatoes, Italian bread, and veggies.

Monday - going out with mother and sister and going to leave a western omelette casserole for hubby to cook for his dinner

Tuesday - chicken and gravy over rice, veggie

Wednesday - tacos from freezer, Rice-a-Roni, raw veggies

Thursday - ranch bacon chicken, egg noodles, veggie

Friday - apricot glazed pork roast (crockpot), mashed potato, veggie

Saturday - crockpot pizza, garlic bread

 
Happy eating,
Traci

Menu Planning ~ Rest of August

Since I haven't made a real meal plan for a while, it's been hit and miss on what we have eaten for dinner lately.  Now that I'm back at the elementary school, I have limited time to get dinner on the table so it's imperative that I have a meal plan so I can do prep beforehand.

Here is my plan for the next 2 weeks:

Week of August 22

• Monday - hoecakes, cucumber and tomato salad, corn on the cob, oven fried potatoes
• Tuesday - maple and apple chicken in the crockpot, veggie, cornbread muffins
• Wednesday (Imaginative One's 1st day back at school so it's going to be one of his favorite meals.) - chicken cooked in the crockpot, Pasta Roni, green beans
• Thursday - east meets west burgers, Hawaiian coleslaw, steamed carrots
• Friday - red wine round steak, side dish TBA, veggie
• Saturday - meatball subs, potato chips, veggie

Week of August 29

• Monday (Wee One's 1st day back at school so it's going to be one of his favorite meals.) - chicken nuggets, French fries, veggies
• Tuesday - ham and cheese roll ups, steamed carrots, jello
• Wednesday - creamy potato soup, rolls, applesauce
• Thursday - pizza burgers, corn on the cob
• Friday - chicken enchiladas, Fajita rice, veggie
• Saturday - meatloaf, mac and cheese, veggie, left over rolls

Happy eating,
Traci

Menu planning ~Week of July 25

We are going out of town for a mini vacation:) this week. So this week's meal plan is going to be short.

Monday - leftover lemonade chicken, rice, corn

Tuesday - spaghetti, garlic bread

Wednesday - eating out

Thursday -eating out

Friday -breakfast for dinner

Saturday - ham, potatoes, veggies
Happy eating, Traci

Week of April 18 menu planning

Monday - chicken ranch quesadillas, Spanish rice

Tuesday - sausage, pasta roni, veggie

Wednesday - breakfast burrito, fresh fruit

Thursday - chicken parmesan over pasta, salad, garlic bread

Friday - ranch chicken legs, buttered noodles, veggie

Menu plan with shopping list


Happy eating, Traci

Monthly Menu Plan ~ April 2011

Here's April's Menu Plan:

Week of April 4:

• ethnic night – spaghetti carbonara, crescent rolls, salad
• meat and potatoes – pork chops, Pasta Roni, veggie, rolls/biscuits
• new recipe – Malboro man's favorite sandwich, onion staws, raw veggies or salad
• easy night – pulled pork sandwiches using leftover bbq ribs, potato chips, raw veggies
• family favorite - homemade hamburger helper, veggies

Week of April 11:

• ethnic night -ravoli lasagna, garlic bread, salad
• meat and potatoes – chicken in the crockpot, mashed potatoes, green beans
• new recipe – Pioneer woman’s chicken pot pie
• easy night – sloppy joes, roasted potatoes or fried potatoes, raw veggies
• family favorite -sloppy joe pizza, salad

Week of April 18:

• ethnic night – chicken quesadillas, Spanish rice
• meat and potatoes – sausage, pasta/rice a roni, veggies
• new recipe – chicken parmesan over pasta, garlic bread, salad
• easy night – breakfast burritos, fruit
• family favorite -ranch chicken legs, buttered noodles, veggie

Week of April 25:

(I’ve decided to do something different.  I’m going to follow one of the Eat at Home menu plans.  This is the year 2 week 23 menu.)

• beef and bean topped potatoes, salad
• maple apple chicken in crockpot
• sweet and sour meatballs over rice
• Italian chicken melts with pasta soup
• chicken smothered with summer vegetables

Happy eating,
Traci