Menu Plan Monday

I think I have been doing a lot better about trying to eat from the pantry than I thought I would. So far no one has rebelled, but I did look around at lunch today and wish for something different! So here is the plan for next week, I only need to buy some cream cheese and sour cream.

Monday - Goulash (basically Tomato Soup, Rice, Beef and Cheese)
Tuesday - Chicken cooked in Cream of Mushroom in the slow cooker (or oven depending on time)
Wednesday - Church
Thursday- Beef Stroganoff
Friday - In-Laws
Saturday - Tacos
Sunday - Lasagna

Next week I will probably need to do some grocery shopping at least for some beef, chicken and maybe some fish, but for now I think we are still surviving!

For more menus check out http://orgjunkie.com/

Sleep...when do we get to have more of it?

My daughter has been sleeping pretty well in the last few weeks, but in the last 4 days she has been a mess again! Last night she slept well, but she was up at 5:00 am. I thought I would just try to get her to lay down again, but when I went in there was nothing doing. She had a wet diaper and was already asking for breakfast. Oh, well. Hopefully she (we) will be able to take a good nap today. At least she is happy right now, I hope it sticks.

I love bread!

I love bread and I have really been loving the bread machine that I borrowed (ok, begged and pleaded with) from my mom. My favorite has been an oatmeal bread that I can make with whole wheat flour or without....whatever floats my boat at the moment. Apparently Money Saving Mom has been trying out some new recipese on her new bread machine and I am ready to try the one she put up today. I'll let you know how it goes!

Menu Plan Monday 1-10 -10

Here is the attempt for this week!

Monday - Chicken Alfredo - put broccoli in the alfredo.

I found a great new alfredo recipe that I have done with shrimp a few times before, but I am pretty sure that it will work for chicken too. You cook the shrimp (chicken) in balasamic vinigarette and add 3 cloves of garlic in the last minute of cooking. Pull the chicken out of skillet and add 6 oz cream cheese and 3/4 c. chicken broth and a little grated parmesan until cream cheese is completely melted. Put the chicken back in skillet and pour everything over cooked noodles and add more parmesan and chopped parsley! It is great!

Tuesday - Homemade Pizza

Wednesday - Church

Thursday - Dinner meeting with a group wanting to start a new school

Friday - Tacos - Make sure to pick up some lettuce before this!

Saturday - Lasagna

Sunday - I don't know yet...Let's see how the Spirit moves!

Planning to be Frugal!

Sometimes all my plans just don't seem to help life at all. I have been working on eating what we have here at the house since it seems like out in blog world several families are participating in the "eat from the pantry" challenge, but I also have continued to do some shopping, just trying to keep it absolutely minimal. Did great for the first part of the week, stopped by the store once for eggs and a few other essentials and got out the door for $11, unfortunately two days later I realized I needed laundry detergent and some other minor things and $40 later. :( Oh well...surely we will figure it out. I guess we will see what the meal plan for the week is later.

1 nap or 2?

My beautiful toddler is confused about whether she needs one nap or two and it is confusing me! Most days she takes 1 nap just after lunch and manages a good 2 - 2.5 hr nap during that time, but the last few days she has begged for a morning nap. She follows me around holding my legs saying "hold you" or "night-night." I have given her the nap when she asks, but I don't know what is best? Maybe she is fighting off being sick and will go back to one nap in a few days? Why are toddlers so confusing???

Menu Planning Monday

We have still been menu planning, but I haven't gotten them up on the web for the last week or so, so in the new year let's get back on track! I am going to try and keep to the pantry and freezer for most of this week.

Monday - Salsa Chicken (put frozen chicken breast and salsa in the crockpot...put a little cheddar cheese on when you serve it, and serve with rice...easy!)

Tuesday - Zesty Chicken Barbecue (more chicken in the crockpot, add barbecue sauce, a little Italian dressing...maybe a little something else) Serve on buns with a salad and another veggie.

Wednesday - Church

Thursday - Tacos or spaghetti (My husband will be wanting some beef by now I am sure) - prepare a hamburger casserole at the same time to serve on Sunday

Friday - Family night with In-laws

Saturday - Chicken Alfredo (make the alfredo with a touch of balsamic vinigarette... 3 cloves of garlic, cream cheese and chicken broth)

Sunday - Hamburger casserole

That should do it! Thanks orgjunkie.com for hosting menu plan monday and inspiring each of us to keep up with it.

New Year's Resolutions!

When I wrote down my resolutions this year, I realized that I had my priorities a little bit backwards, so I have readjusted my priorities and reconsidered my goals and I have come to this.

1) I want to spend more time in the Word and with Jesus. I realize that this is something that I cannot do on my own, and need Christ to help me live and move toward this goal, so the goal is this, to spend time seeking God in prayer and asking Him to draw me closer every day and a second to that teaching my daughter to do the same.

2) Finances - Pay off my car by February 2010. Pay off the current work being done on my house by March 2010. Build up a significant saving so that when we go to buy a new car we can do it in cash, and that we can have an emergency fund.

3) Health - Lose 10 lbs by the end of February
Do this by working out at least 3 times a week ("Dancing" with my beautiful baby girl).