Menu Plan for October 2, 2012

I  decided to see if I could stay under a $100 a week to feed my family of 6 all meals for the week. Well, I'll be honest and tell you guys I went over by about $55 but it's all good though. I actually managed to get three weeks worth of meals from that $155 shopping trip!! Now mind you I did have somethings already at home that I will be making.

Eggs are going to be in heavy use this month. I usually buy 2.5 dozen eggs for about $4 but I saw my local store had a box of 5 dozen eggs for less that $7.00! I had never noticed it before but today I happened to be looking for a carton that looked like it hadn't been crushed when I noticed the bigger box of eggs.

Chicken quarters were also brought at great prices- 10 pounds for around $6.00. I was able to split the bag into 3 separate meals- 1 bag for slow cooker BBQ chicken, 1 bag for steaming for dishes like Chicken Alfredo, Cheddar Broccoli Rice with Chicken and 1 bag for Roasted Chicken Adelle Davis style(I'll explain that later)

A Picnic Shoulder half was brought for less that $8.00 and split in half. A small boneless was bagged to be cooked in the crock-pot and the bone-in section will be slow cooked for pulled pork sandwiches.

So here is our Menu Plan for October 3, 2012 thru October 21,2012

Breakfasts  

Cereal with Milk 

Eggs with Bacon, Hash Browns

Biscuits with Gravy

Eggs with Toast

Cinammon Rolls

Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits

Muffins with Fruit

Lunches

Sandwiches

Leftovers

Pizza 

Ravioli

Ramen Noodles

Dinners

Church Dinner (Wednesday nights)

French Toast

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Chicken Alfredo with Pasta

Hamburger Helper 

Ham and Swiss Sliders, Tater Tots

BBQ chicken, Noodles, Veggies

Meatloaf, Rice, Carrots 

Roasted Chicken , Broccoli and Potatoes with Cheese Sauce 

Pork Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Peas 

Cheddar Broccoli Rice with Chicken Chunks 

Pancakes with Smoked Sausage

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

If you have noticed the only "set" date for a meal is Wednesday since we eat dinner at our church. The reason is that I like being able to be flexible enough that if I need to switch a meal out with a different meal it doesn't screw everything up if I do so.

I said earlier that I would share how I do my chicken and here it is:

 Early in the day preheat your oven to 350. Next while your oven is heating up take your 9x13 baking pan and place your chicken pieces flat in it. It's okay if they touch they just can't overlap each other. Pour olive oil all over the chicken and turn to coat all of the chicken. Once your oven is to temp place the chicken and cook for ONE HOUR. After that one hour of cooking lower the temp to 200 and let cook all day until dinner time. You'll need to occasionally turn the pieces so they don't dry out. Although this time when I cook them I might try my husband's idea of after the one hour of baking to cover them with foil during the slow cooking process to keep them moist.

 

     

  

Menu Plan Monday -July 2 thru July 8 2012

After not doing this for what seemed like an eternity, the dearest husband and I decided to start menu planning again. With all the appointments for therapies, doctors, business related things, church and the like the idea of knowing what we are having for dinner each night is a huge blessing. I can take things out in the morning, prep ahead what I can and go about my day. 
To quote Marabel Morgan in her book, The Total Woman, I can avoid the dreaded "4:30 syndrome". Which is described in her book as when we drag ourselves into the kitchen at 4:30 pm and wonder what on earth are we going to make for dinner. We open freezers and wish that something would magically defrost itself, search cabinets for something and after doing all that we drag ourselves and children to the store to grab something , fight the traffic back home and start dinner. So by the time our husbands are home we are tired, cranky and generally fed up with everything and everyone.
 During the first two weeks of the months our local stores are hit and miss on if the shelves are stocked fully so we have decided this month to finish what we already have on had before we head out to the stores. Yes, there are a few items that I will need to grab but nothing that a quick trip to the local store won't cover.
So here is our menu for the week of July 2-8 2012

July 2-8, 2012

July 2- Cheese Ravioli with Butter Garlic Sauce, Meatballs, Cheese Bread, Salad,
July 3- Philly-Cheese Steak Sandwiches, Celery Sticks, Ranch Dip
July 4 - Turkey Loaf, Stuffing, Green Beans, Cranberry Sauce
July 5 - Chopped Steak Salad, Crescent Rolls
July 6 - Fish Patties, Buttered Corn, French Fries, Tartar Sauce
July 7 - Pizzas (we'll order these from Papa Murphy's)
July 8 - Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Peas and Carrots, Applesauce
  

Baby or Bust 2012

Okay so before I go any further, the answer is "No, we are not trying for another baby", just wanted to make that clear from the get go.
 However, a friend of mine and her prince are trying for a baby. Melissa and Corey have not only endured the heartache of two miscarriages but also of failed fertility treatments.
 This is where, you my dear readers can help out. Melissa has set up a page called Baby or Bust 2012 where they are selling raising funds for them to do donor eggs .
Please stop by their page and let them know even if you are unable to help our right now you are praying for them. The page is:
 http://www.babyorbust2012.com/index.html
Thanks and God Bless you all.

Catching you all up to speed

Hey everyone! I know that I haven't been here in what seems forever but I am going to catch up everyone up to speed.

 First news item: Dearest Husband has a job!!! That's right, he is now doing remodeling work for a local construction company. The hours are great and we get to have him home on weekends for now. I an so grateful that God gave him this job.

Second news item: Baby Gabriel is growing like a weed. He is cooing, babbling and rolling over as well as discovering his footsies. It is so cute to watch his brothers and sisters play with him.  He has started some solid foods like organic rice cereal, pears, squash and apples. We had his dedication in January so that was a big day for us.

Third news item: We will be homeschooling in the fall. We will be doing Miss E and Mister k but not sure about Mister N (we have to see what his testing says and whether or not he is ready for kindergarten)

 I also have been reading about freezer cooking, making your own baby wipes and tons of other things. I will post about those things later.

Blessing until next time...

Menu Plan Monday February 20-24 2012

Here is this week's menu for us:

Monday
 Slow Cooked Barbecue Ribs in Crock Pot
 Baked Beans
 Steamed Jasmine Rice (rice is left from last night's stir fry dinner)

Tuesday
 Fish Sticks w/ Tartar sauce
 French Fries
 Corn

Wednesday
 Church Dinner

Thursday
 Brown Sugar Meatloaf
 Au Gratin Potatoes
 Green Peas

Friday
 Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce
 Garlic Bread

Heartbreaking News

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45603597/ns/today-today_health/t/michelle-duggar-mom-miscarries/

"Earlier today at a routine doctor's appointment, Michelle and I received the sad news that we lost the baby. Michelle is resting comfortably at home with the support of the entire family. We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, but ask for privacy during this difficult time." -- Jim Bob Duggar

 No matter how many children Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have or will have the loss of a child is always devastating. Please be in prayer for them.

Also I ask that my dear readers refrain from leaving negative comments concerning this tragedy. Thanks ☺

Until next time...

The Crafty Days of Christmas part 1

We all know how special handmade gifts can be to people who receive them. However, let's be honest not all of us are crafty nor do all of us have the time to make beautiful handmade gifts. This is where the following lovely companies come in. Each of these great companies specialize in some type of handmade gift. From adorable hair-bows for baby girls to hats to soap you are sure to find the perfect gift not only for Christmas but any time during the year.
 Also when you visit them please let them know that you found out about them thru this blog. Thanks and have fun shopping...
  http://www.thenotableknot.etsy.com/
Welcome to The Notable Knot, a home to funky micro macramé bracelets! You may remember the stripe bracelets and even the arrow bracelets from your school days – I have found new techniques, new patterns and an abundance of materials that tantalize my creativity and imagination! The old school bracelets are reinvented with a colorful bohemian flare, soft and comfortable feel, and enough styles to express any personality. Like us on Facebook by visiting us at https://www.facebook.com/TheNotableKnot?sk=wall
 MissMayasBowtique.etsy.com.    
Cute handmade accessories for baby girls. Handmade by Maya's mommy. Like us on Facebook by viting us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mayas-Bowtique/300914519928620?sk=wall

https://www.facebook.com/LilasLaundry?sk=info
All items are made to order. If you have an idea or special request, I'll make it come to life!Cost of accessories vary. Email me for more info. Double-layer tutu's are available. Email me for a quote.

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lil-Green-Bebe/132518706801178?sk=wall   
Simple Hats
Ear Flap Hats
Pom Pom Ear Flap Hats
Newborn mittens
Car Seat Blankets
Legwarmers
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nightingalles-Hattery/135565239831043?sk=info

Welcome to my hattery! I'm a mom and housewife who crochets hats in her spare time (surprisingly enough, I do have some spare time!) :) All funds earned go towards my sons and my family.

http://www.victorianrosesoap.com/http://www.victorianrosesoap.com/
  We handcraft Goat’s Milk Soaps with all the finest ingredients. We use the highest quality oils of Coconut, Olive, Palm, Canola, and Castor. We make our soaps with 100% Goat's Milk, Goat’s milk enriches the skin adding nutrients and is becoming one of the most sought after body care treatments worldwide!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hunts-Homemades/299951383359446?sk=wall
 Adorable hats for the special child in your life.