I am actually posting this a year later. I used to keep my monthly menus in a planning calendar. Before I throw out last year's calendar, I thought I would post the few menu plans that I actually did!
Sun
Mon
Tue BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, zucchini, rice
Wed pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw
Thu London broil, steak fries, broccoli
Fri leftovers?
Sat Family birthday party: hot dogs, hamburgers, macaroni salad, potato salad, corn on the cob, fruit, veggies, cupcakes, ice cream
Sun from the freezer
Mon pasta salad
Tue pork tenderloin, green beans, coleslaw (probably didn't make it the week before)
Wed hot dogs, hamburgers
Thu fettuccine alfredo, salad, garlic bread
July 1, 2013
Chocolate Lasagna from CenterCutCook.com
This recipe was being shared on Facebook, but I went to the original source to give credit where credit is due. Here is the link to the original page:
I made this for my church potluck yesterday, and it was a hit. It was cool and refreshing, but not heavy at all.
Here are the instructions:
Chocolate Lasagna
INGREDIENTS
1 package regular Oreo cookies (Not Double Stuff) – about 36 cookies
6 Tablespoon butter, melted
1- 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons cold milk
1- 12 ounce tub Cool Whip, divided
2 – 3.9 ounce packages Chocolate Instant Pudding.
3 1/4 cups cold milk
1 and 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS
1. Begin by crushing 36 Oreo cookies. I used my Manual food processor for this, but you could also place them in a large ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin or meat mallet. When the Oreos have turned into fine crumbs, you are done.
2. Transfer the Oreo crumbs to a large bowl. Stir in 6 tablespoons melted butter and use a fork to incorporate the butter into the cookie crumbs. When the butter is distributed, transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you work on the additional layers.
3. Mix the cream cheese with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add in 2 Tablespoons of milk, and sugar, and mix well. Stir in 1 and 1/4 cups Cool Whip. Spread this mixture over the oreo crust.
4. In a bowl, combine chocolate instant pudding with 3 and 1/4 cups cold milk. Whisk for several minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. Use a spatula to spread the mixture over the previous cream cheese layer. Allow the dessert to rest for about 5 minutes so that the pudding can firm up further.
5. Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the top. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips evenly over the top. Place in the freezer for 1 hour, or the refrigerator for 4 hours before serving.
INGREDIENTS
1 package regular Oreo cookies (Not Double Stuff) – about 36 cookies
6 Tablespoon butter, melted
1- 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons cold milk
1- 12 ounce tub Cool Whip, divided
2 – 3.9 ounce packages Chocolate Instant Pudding.
3 1/4 cups cold milk
1 and 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS
1. Begin by crushing 36 Oreo cookies. I used my Manual food processor for this, but you could also place them in a large ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin or meat mallet. When the Oreos have turned into fine crumbs, you are done.
2. Transfer the Oreo crumbs to a large bowl. Stir in 6 tablespoons melted butter and use a fork to incorporate the butter into the cookie crumbs. When the butter is distributed, transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you work on the additional layers.
3. Mix the cream cheese with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add in 2 Tablespoons of milk, and sugar, and mix well. Stir in 1 and 1/4 cups Cool Whip. Spread this mixture over the oreo crust.
4. In a bowl, combine chocolate instant pudding with 3 and 1/4 cups cold milk. Whisk for several minutes until the pudding starts to thicken. Use a spatula to spread the mixture over the previous cream cheese layer. Allow the dessert to rest for about 5 minutes so that the pudding can firm up further.
5. Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the top. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips evenly over the top. Place in the freezer for 1 hour, or the refrigerator for 4 hours before serving.
Happy Homemaker Monday July 1
Good morning everyone! I as I am writing this I am eating a combination of cereals to use them up before they go stale because my kids are all away. Well this wasn't the best combination, but I will endure it. Oh well! There are so many exclamation points today because I have the week ahead of me full of possibilities: get the house clean, go shopping, go out to eat, whatever I want without interruptions! And what I want to do most is clean. I know you all understand that. Clean and purge. I cannot wait.
Meanwhile, see Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for more Happy Homemaker Monday posts!
The Weather
Ugh. It is a beautiful 74 degrees here, perfect, right? But we have 94% humidity, so it feels like you are sweating because you just feel wet (and like you cannot catch a breath), and everything in your house is wet if you do not have central air conditioning. Oh why, oh why did we not get it when we built this house? I do have an air conditioner downstairs in the window, and it is doing the job of taking the humidity out of the air, so the main floor of the house is comfortable at least.
We have thunderstorms predicted for this entire week which means the humidity is not clearing out of here. No wonder I love the fall so much!
Right Now
I have white clothes getting an OxiClean soak in the washer, my dog is sleeping downstairs, the cat is outside somewhere, my husband is at work (and will be extra busy since so many people will be out this week), my oldest is installing and/or repairing mechanical pool covers for Coverstar, my other two boys are working at boy scout camp, and my daughter is in Cape Cod having loads of fun with her best friend and her family, who happen to be our neighbors.
Thinking
about how content I am right now. My kids are all doing things they like to do, and I am where I like to be: at home, getting ready to organize my house, which I love to do.
On My Reading Pile
Finished War Brides by Helen Bryan (really liked this one - better than The Sisterhood for me) and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, which, ugh, was hard to read because of its content. It is one that my daughter chose to read for her summer requirements for AP Literature (she had a short list to chose from and she chose this because it was female oriented). It was definitely thought provoking and I anticipate my daughter and I will have some interesting discussions once she reads it, but it is not light, summer reading or uplifting in the least. Next is The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon which is one that popped up on my kindle for $1.99 and looked interesting (but not the least bit light or uplifting either!).
On My TV
My husband and I finally watched What Dreams May Come, and boy was it weird. I hope the afterlife isn't that confusing! The woman who played the wife, Annabella Sciorra, is absolutely beautiful, and she did a great job. Then we watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone with my youngest when he came back from trek. Summer isn't summer without Harry Potter.
What I Found While Surfing the Net
Another food blog to check out (just the name has me intrigued)
On My Menu for this Week
This week is going to be fun. We will be eating from the freezer a lot, since there is just the two of us, plus we have a holiday and my birthday, so I am looking forward to eating this week!
Monday ham, pasta, rolls, beans, coleslaw (don't laugh, this was what was served at every party in my father's family, and I loved it, and we have all but the coleslaw already made and in the freezer)
Tuesday chili over baked potatoes, broccoli salad
Wednesday pasta with meat sauce, salad
Thursday Independence Day!, cookout with barbecued chicken, corn on the cob, macaroni salad, chocolate lasagna, and whatever else anyone brings
Friday my birthday - dinner out - not sure where I want to go yet - and a movie
Saturday Cheesecake Factory for lunch with my mom and sister for my birthday! Woohoo! Probably pizza for dinner (and I can eat my leftovers)
Sunday breakfast: bacon, omelets, biscuits, fruit
On My To Do List
Washing whites, cleaning kitchen, grocery shopping (not much to get, should be easy)
Looking Forward to This Week
Dinner and a movie with my husband. I cannot remember the last time just the two of us saw a movie in the theater. It's been years. I hope there is something good playing!
Looking Around the House
There are things that have been sitting on this kitchen table for weeks. It is not as bad as it has been, but today is the day they will be put away!
From the Camera
My youngest, before and after his trek, which, by the way, was a remarkable experience for him.
On My Prayer List
My kids, mom, in-laws
Bible Verse
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." Philippians 2:3
This is what I opened to when I opened my bible. Can you imagine what kind of world we could live in if we all could do this?
Have a great week!
June 24, 2013
Happy Homemaker Monday June 24
Good morning! Today is the last day of school - late, I know, thanks to hurricane Sandy and the blizzard of the century back in February. My two high school boys had to go in for one final exam. My daughter did not have to go in at all. She is still upstairs asleep and the boys will be waltzing back in the door within the next 15 minutes. I have another boy asleep on the couch whom I am taking to scout camp along with one of my sons. They are both working there this year. Tomorrow I bring my youngest son to start a five day adventure with our church called trek. They live as the pioneers that crossed the plains to settle in Utah. He will be pulling a handcart and wearing period clothing and eating the appropriate foods and bathing in a pond somewhere. Saturday my daughter leaves for Cape Cod with our neighbors and we have to pick up the boys from their various locations, just to bring them all back to camp on Sunday after church.
Let summer vacation begin!
Join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for more Happy Homemaker Monday!
The Weather
Ugh, it is muggy and gross. Today we have a high of 91 with 70% humidity. Could not wait to turn on air conditioner when I came downstairs. The rest of the week will be hot and humid with a chance of thunderstorms, which is typical summer weather here. And my three boys will be outside all day.
Right Now
My couch guest is up and getting his things together. I am waiting for the sound of the bus driving by and the next sounds of two excited boys walking into the house while the dog starts barking and running up the stairs from the basement. Then I get to start barking orders, he he.
Thinking
That the air conditioner is making the house comfortable and that I will hopefully be able to catch up on housekeeping this summer with two of the boys gone most of the time. Thinking that maybe the living and family rooms will stay clean once I clean them? I have a LOT of stuff to go through. Every closet needs purging.
On My Reading Pile
Finished Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline and I really liked it. Now I am reading Helen Bryan's War Brides.
On My TV
Nothing. Watched What to Expect When Expecting on Amazon this weekend. Some funny parts, certainly parts that were very relatable, but kind of silly. Worth watching once, at least if it is free.
What I Found While Surfing the Net
Nothing new
On My Menu for This Week
I have less mouths to feed, so I have to think about who will be here and who will not as I plan...
Monday last school day dinner out
Tuesday grilled Italian chicken, zucchini, potato salad, carrot sticks
Wednesday turkey burgers, baked beans, cucumber salad
Thursday hot dogs, macaroni salad, corn
Friday goulash, salad
Saturday salmon, coleslaw, green beans
Sunday steak, baked potatoes, broccoli (just me and hubby!)
On My To Do List
Believe it or not, laundry did not make the list! I managed to keep up with it this weekend, including oxi-soaking my bedding to give it a good cleaning.
So, since it is the last day of school and everything always has to happen all at once, here it is:
take one son for a haircut
take same son and friend to scout camp (a one hour drive) with all of their stuff
gas up cars
take other son and daughter to Barnes and Noble for summer reading books
take son to Walmart for items needed for trek
take son to high school to play in band for graduation ceremony
pick up son from high school (My daughter is going to be there too - she has to drive herself because she has to be there an hour earlier than my son to hand out programs as part of the National Honor Society - but she cannot drive my son for the first six months of her license because we have restricted licensing here. I understand the reasons behind it, but it is not the least bit practical!!!)
take son and daughter out to dinner (meet up with husband along the way)
Looking Forward to This Week
Um, not driving anywhere? Unfortunately, I think I have at least one place to go every day this week. So what I am really looking forward to is next week, when (almost) everyone will be gone and my husband and I can go out to dinner and a movie for my birthday. Woohoo!
Looking Around the House
My 14 year old is across from me, drawing in a journal he just bought at Barnes & Noble, there are still papers piled on the table, and various things piled on the counters and chairs. I need an afternoon to put everything in its place (or in the rooms of the people responsible), but today is not the day.
From the Camera
This is a photo taken by my oldest. I downloaded it and printed it and hung it on his wall to welcome him back from the hospital.
On My Prayer List
My kids, mom, in-laws.
Bible Verse
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15
The youth in our church spoke on Sunday, including my daughter and one of my sons. Their talks were impressive, as are they. They know the gospel, they know how to apply it to their lives, they know how to live it, and what not to do, and they know how to lead others. They amaze me, I am so proud of them.
Have a great week!
June 17, 2013
Happy Homemaker Monday June 17
Good morning everyone. Today is a beautiful day. The sun is shining at it is currently 68 degrees. It looks like we might finally get treated to some nice weather. It was another busy weekend visiting my in-laws on Saturday, a Father's Day pancake breakfast fundraiser on Sunday along with a farewell party for a member of our church who is about to serve a mission. I am attempting to enjoy my last two days of peace and quiet, as the kids start finals this week and starting Wednesday they will be coming and going (and I will be driving) but all will be home by 11:30. Not that I don't enjoy having my kids home, because I do. But I enjoy my peace and quiet too!
Please join Sandra at Diary of a Stay-at-home Mom for more Happy Homemaker Monday and lots of inspiration!
The Weather
As I said it is beautiful today. The high will be in the low 80's, but there is a chance of an afternoon shower. (Always when it is time to fire up the grill for dinner. No matter, we have the track and field awards banquet tonight.)
Right Now
The washing machine is running and so is the pool filter. Everyone is either at school or work, the dog is sleeping downstairs, and I am thinking about catching up on some much needed sleep.
Thinking
...more like hoping, that I do not get a call from the school to come and pick up my son. He developed red spots on his face - mostly around his mouth - yesterday which we think is an allergic reaction to something he ate. I had him take some Benedryl last night and this morning they were still there but seemed to have faded a little. They were not any worse at least. He was not thrilled about going to school like that but I told him most people will think they are pimples; he is at that age anyway.
On My Reading Pile
I finished The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan, which I enjoyed, but it was not a cannot.put.it.down experience. Then I read One Pink Line by Dina Silver which is a young adult genre about a woman who gets pregnant just as she is finishing college and decides to keep the baby, and about her daughter's discovery that she was born out of wedlock and her pursuit of her biological father. It was a cute, quick read. Now I am working on Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. That's funny, I grew up with a Kris Kline.
On My TV
Finally finished The Iron Lady, and let me tell you, Meryl Streep deserved that Oscar! Now we have What Dreams May Come to watch and then I think I am cancelling our dvd Netflix subscription. We have had those dvds for EVER. Now that summer vacation is almost here it will be time to break out the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings dvds.
What I Found While Surfing the Net
Just a couple of recipes this week. Tell me, doesn't this look delicious?
On My Menu for This Week
We have a few leftovers crowding the refrigerator, so I think we will take care of those first
Monday Banquet food
Tuesday leftover smorgasbord (including pizza and Brazilian rice and beans)
Wednesday pasta and salad
Thursday ham, sweet potatoes, green beans
Friday chicken and yellow squash skewers, rice, salad
Saturday maybe a Cheesecake Factory trip, finally
Sunday pot roast over egg noodles, broccoli
On My To Do List
Laundry catch up, clean upstairs bathrooms, sleep (couldn't sleep last night - maybe got 4 hours total)
Looking Forward to This Week
Well last week it was the academic awards night, and my daughter received Excellence in Algebra II (highest grade), Excellence in Humanities (high grades and enthusiasm for the subjects of History and English), and her academic pin (last year she received her letter), and my son received Excellence in French II (highest grade) - he is not eligible for a letter until next year. I am one proud mama.
This week, tonight, actually, is the Track and Field banquet and I am anticipating that our foster son will receive a letter. He lettered in Cross Country and Swimming this year and his goal is to letter in every sport he plays for every year of school.
Looking Around the House
The summer reading books are starting to pile up. Mostly what I see are the items I bought at Walmart on my way home from the high school this morning and a bit of mail. Other than that it is fairly neat around here.
From the Camera
On My Prayer List
My son.
Bible Verse
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1
Have a marvelous week!
June 11, 2013
Happy Homemaker Monday June 10
Good morning! I am most definitely glad this weekend is over as we faced another family crisis. I won't go into detail but it involved 1 1/2 days in the emergency room at the local hospital and health insurance problems and having to be the squeaky wheel to get things accomplished. But as of right now, things are as they should be.
Join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for more Happy Homemaker Monday and lots of inspiration.
The Weather
We are in for more rain. At some point there will be a downpour and a chance of flooding. The air has been heavy which means there will be thunder and lightening along with the rain. And it looks like the rest of the week is going to be rainy but we will have a sunny weekend. Looks like no grilling until then.
Right Now
I have laundry in the washer and dryer with more to go. When we have a busy weekend, which is pretty much always, my laundry goes untouched so by Monday there is lots to do. With four teenagers in the house there is tons of laundry. My wonderful daughter cleaned the house on Saturday in anticipation of my in-laws coming over, but as it turns out they never stepped foot in the house. My daughter made note of that fact, but I told her I appreciate the clean house anyway, and she uses my car all the time and does not pay for gas. So there you go.
Thinking
About my family. Some of my cousins from Illinois came out to visit (and I can count on one hand how many times I have seen them in my life) and it was a lot of fun getting together with them. There have been so many changes (my visiting cousin lost her husband a week after my father died) in our family which makes our relationships even more precious.
On My Reading Pile
Still on The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan
On My TV
We are in the middle of watching The Iron Lady (we got interrupted).
What I Found While Surfing the Net
I already knew about NOT washing chicken before cooking, but I really want to try the recipe at the bottom of this page:
Roasted chicken in less than an hour? Could it be possible?!
On the Menu for This Week
Monday Pasta, broccoli salad
Tuesday chili, rice, more broccoli salad
Wednesday creamy chicken over egg noodles
Thursday pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, green beans
Friday some form of pizza
Saturday hamburgers, baked potatoes, green salad
Sunday ham, macaroni and cheese, broccoli
On My To Do List
Catch up on laundry, continue sorting through my father's things, upstairs bathrooms, grocery shopping.
Looking Forward to This Week
This week is the academic awards night at the high school, where two of my children will be receiving awards. I am so proud of them!
Looking Around the House
It still looks pretty clean from Saturday. My dog is by my feet, and it is nice and quiet. (Today is the last full week of school. Next week finals start and my kids will be home by 11:30, so I am really enjoying this silence!)
From the Camera
Last week I put up a photo of my father with his family and some of his cousins. Here are some of the next two generations of cousins:
On My Prayer List
My son.
Bible Verse
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." John 15:4
Have a great week!
Have a great week!
June 3, 2013
Happy Homemaker Monday June 3
Good morning. I almost do not want to participate today, feeling the blues big time as our family faces another setback. This time it is my oldest son. He lost his job today, and it is his own fault. He is very lucky that his boss is willing to give him a recommendation and even counseled him on what to say to a prospective employer. Right now he is applying at a couple of places in town.
But enough of that. It is time to put that on the back burner and take care of myself, so I am here and ready to go. See Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, the host of Happy Homemaker Monday, for lots more inspiration!
The Weather
It has been a little tough lately. Hot and humid. Today is raining with possible thunderstorms, but it should finally cool down to the 70's and be sunny the rest of the week.
Right Now
There are laundry and dishes drying in their various appliances. There are still bags of my father's things all over my house. My seminary books and papers are all over too (we finished on Friday and now I have the summer off). The dog is sleeping downstairs and all I hear is the dryer going.
Thinking
Of all that I should be getting done - isn't that what we are always thinking? And worrying about my son and what is to become of him.
On My Reading Pile
I am reading again! On my Kindle I am reading The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan.
On My TV
I think I have two more episodes of Glee to watch, plus we have The Iron Lady and What Dreams May Come from Netflix. I really need to cancel our DVD subscription with Netflix, we have had these movies for over a month.
What I Found While Surfing the Net
A Facebook friend shared this link:
http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/Top_100
A website with free audio book downloads!
On the Menu for This Week
Monday Leftover chicken and rice, peas and carrots
Tuesday ham from freezer, leftover kielbasa, mashed potatoes, green beans
Wednesday pasta, salad, garlic bread
Thursday bbq chicken, roasted potatoes, salad
Friday homemade soups from freezer
Saturday potluck adoption party - don't know what I will bring yet
Sunday Huge family picnic at my sister's house. I am bringing macaroni salad and baked beans
On My To Do List
List making and grocery shopping, laundry, organizing, pick up kids from school, heat up dinner, bring youngest to piano.
Looking Forward To This Week
Quite honestly, for it to be over. I do not like having so much to do and feeling like life is moving faster than I am able to keep up. The social activities this weekend would be wonderful if there was just one (and if I were not so worried about my son), but I am sick of having to juggle everything.
Looking Around the House
Piles of stuff everywhere!
From the Camera
My grandparents holding pictures of their son Gene and his wife, my aunt and her husband, and seated on the floor is my father and his cousins (Dad is the one with his arms around the others).
On My Prayer List
My son and other children, my mom, my husband and myself.
Bible Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
This has been my favorite scripture since my son became mentally ill six years ago. This time I have no choice but to turn this over to God because I have exhausted all of my ideas of how to help him.
Have a wonderful week. Hopefully I will be back next week feeling a little more optimistic!
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