Mealplan Monday #27 - finding what works for the menus

One of the great things about blogging the menus each week is that I've been able to make changes based on what we like or dislike, what our schedule looks like, and who all is going to eat.  

Monday - Chicken Pot Pie
Tuesday - Omelettes, tater tots, freezer biscuits
Wednesday - Skillet Lasagna, garlic bread, salad
Thursday - Pork Chops, sweet potatoes with apples, rolls
Friday - Saucy Chicken Thighs, baked potatoes, broccoli,
Birthday Cake for The Girl!
Saturday - Dad grills
Sunday - Freezer Mac and Cheese, salad

This year my meal planning menu has included Hubby grilling on Saturdays, an easy meal or frozen leftovers on Sunday, an order out day on payday Fridays, and budget meals the rest of the time.  Seems to be working out.

Gina

Parmesan Chicken Whip Up

It used to be that I got the Kraft Food & Family magazine for free in the mail - even without my ever having asked for it.  But nowadays they charge for it.  It had some good recipes, too.  Like this one.  The secret ingredient may make you think "yuck" but trust me, it's good.

Parmesan Chicken Whip Up
1 c. Miracle Whip (I had a different brand of salad dressing on hand)
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
2 t. Italian seasoning
3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
paprika, optional

Heat oven to 350. Mix dressing, parmesan, and Italian seasoning.  Trim the fat off the thighs and place in a greased 13x9 dish.  Spoon dressing mixture all over chicken.

 Bake for 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. 

Sprinkle with paprika if desired.  Serves 6.

I served mine with mashed potatoes and peas - and I had enough to take to work for lunch the next day.  Plus, my peeps gave it their seal of approval!

Gina

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Mealplan Monday #26 and some thrift finds

Last week I finally felt better and spent it relaxing and getting a few things done here and there.  Not sick enough to want to stay at home on the couch.  I went thrift shopping one day and killed an hour or so.

 

Between Salvation Army and Goodwill I found a seagrass bulletin board, a sleeveless blouse, a battery operated desk clock, and a James Bond Movie. 

Monday - Slower Cooker Herb Pork Roast, mashed potatoes, carrots
Tuesday - Pea soup with ham, cornbread 
Wednesday - Slow Cooker Ranch Garlic Chicken, rolls, butternut squash
Thursday - Order pizza out
Friday -Leftovers night - boys camping
Saturday -YOYO
Sunday - One Pot Spaghetti, garlic cheese bread, salad

The cute little clock I had sitting in the master bathroom finally went kaput, so this one will take its' place.  

Gina

French Apple Cobbler

Hooray for cooler mornings that finally feel like Fall!  It really puts me in the mood to bake up a delish dessert  and though I've seen quite a lot of new recipes I want to try, I made an oldie but goodie - one that will help me use up the abundance of apples that I overbought.  My mom used to make this for us when we lived in Galveston and it's buttery wonderful and great served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Nothing here you aren't likely to have on hand!

French Apple Cobbler

5 cups chopped tart apples

3/4 cup sugar (less if the apples are sweet)

2 T. flour

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. salt

1 t. vanilla

1-2  T. butter

1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 375 and butter a 13x9 baking dish. Combine all ingredients except butter.

 Mix well and spoon into buttered 13x9 glass dish.

 Dot with butter.  Combine batter ingredients and drop by spoonfuls onto fruit mixture.

Batter:

1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 t. baking powder

1/4 t. salt

2 T softened butter

1 slightly beaten egg

Bake 35-40 mins.  Best served warm! 

And don't forget a scoop of ice cream.

Gina

When The Girl arrived

We set off for the birthing center early in the morning...and by a little after 3 p.m., we had a new baby girl! 

We brought her home at 10 p.m. that night and life was forever changed for our little family.  Suddenly Firstborn was a big brother, and Hubby and I were the parents of two kids under 2.  An adjustment we had no experience with, but determined that it would all work out.

Little did we know what the transition would be like, to go from one child to two.  Sometimes I would think to myself "What have I gotten myself into?".  But eventually we all settled into a routine and Firstborn became more curious, less jealous, and the baby was very good.

 And I found that my patience was growing, too. 

I had a full heart as well as a full lap.

Eventually it was like second nature, having two kids.  Life returned to "normal" with everyone getting enough sleep and attention and my two wee ones became best of friends.

Adding to your family is no small thing.  But I am so very glad we have our sweet girl...

Happy Birthday, Chloe Erin!

Gina

Mealplan Monday #25

Rustown Art

Monday - Parmesan Chicken Whip Up, mashed potatoes, peas

Tuesday - Tilapia, mac and cheese, zucchini

Wednesday - Baked Penne, Texas toast garlic bread, salad

Thursday - Freezer meal, garlic green beans

Friday - Enchiladas, salad

Saturday - Dad grills

Sunday - Freezer meal, guacamole and chips

Gina

Mealplan Monday #24 and memories of the beach

The last week of Summer I gathered up 3 of my minions and traveled to the beach.  It wasn't fancy, but we had a good time.    

 It was a good "time out" for us - walking the beach in the early morning picking up shells...not a thought in our heads about school starting the next week.

Monday - Dad grills, bourbon baked beans, potato salad
Tuesday - Baked Tilapia, freezer mac and cheese, green beans
Wednesday - Navy Bean soup with grilled sausage, Ciabatta rolls
Thursday - Chicken and Spinach Bake, carrots
Friday - Parmesan Chicken Whip Up*, mashed potatoes, peas
Saturday - Dad grills (twice in one week!)
Sunday - Turkey Sloppy Joes, sweet potato tots
*posting recipe soon!

I took all the shells we collected one day and placed them in a pickle jar.

Happy Labor Day!

Gina