Saturday, February 23, 2019

Weekly Menu Plan for Week of Feb. 24 - March 2, 2019

Don't you just love a cup of tea before bedtime?  It is so relaxing, and so comforting.  My husband makes us a cup of herbal tea every night before we go to bed.  It's such a nice way to unwind.

Flu hit the grandkids this week, and although we got our flu shots, we still had a touch of it.  Nothing too terrible, just enough to make us feel yucky and tired.  I think we are all on the mend now, so that is a relief!  Hopefully we will get through the rest of the winter without any more flu bugs!

This week's menu plan is complete, and we did our grocery shopping today.  We are having a high wind warning for tonight and tomorrow, the temperatures are supposed to take a nose dive and a cold winter wind is soon to arrive during the night.  They are saying wind gusts between 40 and 50 mph! So I wanted to get out today while it was still reasonably warm.  It was in the 40's, but a cold rain was falling and it felt much colder than that.  But we're done, and don't have to go out tomorrow in the wind!

We are in the last week of February already!  It seems to me that February, for being the shortest month, lasts forever!  It just drags on and on, maybe it's the cold winter weather that just makes it seem so long.  I am ready for March, aren't you?  I think we could all use some sunshine and some hints of green!

Here is my menu plan for the coming week:
For a printable copy, please click HERE.
Recipe links are below.



Sunday:
Crockpot Sticky Chicken is from Moms With Crockpots - this is so good!  I made this once before, and the chicken is fall-off-the-bone delicious!

Monday:
Sausage 'N Sauerkraut is from Taste of Home - this is one of our favorite comfort foods served over mashed potatoes.

Thin Mint Chocolate Poke Cake is from Life In The Lofthouse - new recipe for me to try!  It sounds delicious!

Tuesday:
Broccoli Salad is from Genius Kitchen - I have made this many times, always a favorite!

Wednesday:
Glazed Doughnut Muffins are from Cooking Classy - treats for the family!

Slow Cooker Pot Roast is from Slow Cooker Gourmet - delicious!

Chocolate Mousse is from Kitchen Cents - easy and yummy!

Thursday:
Chicken Florentine is from Spend With Pennies - this is a new recipe for me this week, can't wait to try it!

Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake is from Cooking With Carlee - so good!

Friday:
Philly Cheesesteak Fried Rice is from Mantitlement - I have got to try this one!  When I saw it, I wanted to make it right then!  I know this will be a keeper!

And that wraps up another week!  I hope the last week of February is a good week for you!  And I hope you find an idea or two here to make for your family!  See you next week!


Sunday, February 17, 2019

Weekly Menu Plan Week of February 17-23, 2019

Hope you had a good week last week!  Mine was good but so hectic!  Yesterday, I just wanted to sit in a chair and stare out the window.  A granddaughter with a birthday on Valentine's Day equals lots of activity for grandma, shopping, sewing, baking, wrapping, etc.  It felt like Christmas all over again, minus the decorations.  So glad things will be a bit calmer this week.  It was all worth it, though, with a happy, smiling 8 year old who knows how much she is loved and treasured!

Our Ham Fest last week was pretty good, but I have to say by Thursday I was sighing a lot as I made dinner.  I followed the menu, and still wound up freezing 3 freezer bags of meal sized portions.  I diced it all, so it is ready to throw in a casserole or scrambled eggs or whatever.  It will probably live in the freezer for awhile, I've had enough ham now to last me until Easter.  Or beyond.

This week is pretty much back to normal for my cooking routine.  I am debating on the desserts, though, as we seem to be eating less these days.  I wind up giving away a lot of food, and I'm thinking I may cut back to one or two desserts a week.  I love to bake, that's part of the problem!

This week, as usual, most of the recipes are easy for me to adapt to gluten free.  On Monday, I am making Gluten Free Chicken and Dumplings from Mama Knows Gluten Free.  This is probably my favorite comfort food that is gluten free!  It is SO GOOD!  I am so happy Mama Knows shares her recipes, because she makes this grandma so overjoyed!  She is my favorite gluten free cook - not only are her recipes delicious, they are NORMAL!  Her recipes don't have a lot of strange stuff in them that I would have to spend a fortune on, they are just normal food like regular people eat, and I love that!  What a blessing she is to me!  I cannot thank her enough!

For the crockpot pork stew on Thursday, I use cubed pork that I buy at Sams Club.  It is just like beef stew meat, but it's pork.  And, I add a gravy.  I mix a can of gluten free mushroom soup from Wal Mart, a package of gluten free brown gravy mix, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, about a teaspoon of Kitchen Bouquet,  and about half a carton of beef broth.  I just whisk it all together and pour it over the meat and veggies, and when it's done there's a nice gravy.  Delicious with pork meat or beef!

Here is our menu plan for the week:
If you would like a printable copy, click HERE.
Recipe links and notes are below.


Sunday:
Crockpot Mississippi Pot Roast is from The Country Cook - delicious and easy

Strawberry Sundae Cupcakes are from Life, Love, and Sugar

Monday:
Gluten Free Chicken and Dumplings are from Mama Knows Gluten Free  - I can't wait!  My favorite!

Crustless Pumpkin Pie - I just make the Libby's recipe still found on the can, but no crust.  Just pour it in the pie plate (spray with nonstick spray first) and bake it the same way, and VOILA!  Gluten free pumpkin pie!

Wednesday:
Breakfast Quesadillas are from Tastes Better From Scratch - these are so easy to adapt to your liking.  I use Mission gluten free tortillas, and they turn out great!

Thursday:
Crockpot Pork Stew is from Recipes That Crock - see my adaptations above

Gluten Free Peach Cobbler is from King Arthur Flour- I use frozen peaches

Friday:
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are from Two Peas and Their Pod

Saturday:
Chicken Fried Rice is from The Cookin Chicks


So there it is - now you know what we'll be eating this week!  And next week is the LAST WEEK in February - so here comes spring!  I can hardly wait!

I hope you have a great week, and that you find a meal idea or two here!  Take care!

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Weekly Menu Plan for Week of Feb. 10-16, 2019



This is the week for sweetness!  

In our family, Valentine's Day is also Birthday Day for our youngest granddaughter, so we get a double dose of sweetness!  What a blessing children and grandchildren are!  I hope you have a week filled with lots of opportunities to share the love in your heart! 💕

This past week, I spent (and am still spending) lots of time in my sewing room catching up on projects and organizing.  Still working on it, but making progress!

Since a cold snap was coming, my husband and I decided to do our grocery shopping a day early.  I quickly jotted down a sketchy menu plan, and we headed to the store.  I always go to Aldi's first, then finish up at other grocery stores.  So we filled up our cart at Aldi's, and were heading up to the cashier, when my husband spied a freezer filled with Aldi's super delicious spiral cut hams.  There was a sign on the freezer that said, "OOPS! We ordered to many! $4.00 off each ham."  Well, my menu plan flew out the window with that!  Their hams are the best!  If you haven't tried one, please do.  Each one we've had is delicious.  So, into the cart went a big spiral cut ham.

Now, I've bought a big ham before, and seriously I get so sick of ham by the third day I want to scream!  So I decided to do things differently this time.  When I got home, I sat down and found delicious recipes that used ham in a variety of ways.  I built my whole week around this ham, and I cannot wait to try these recipes!  So it's Ham Week at our house this week!  And I must say that is going to significantly cut down the time I spend in the kitchen this week!  That's the kind of Valentine surprise I like now and then!

Here is my menu plan for this week, with every night ham as the main dish:
For a printable copy of this menu plan, please click HERE.
Recipe links and notes are below.


Sunday:
Broccoli Cheese Casserole is from Big Oven - this is the same recipe I have used since I was first married.  A classic.

Almond Joy Cookies are from Averie Cooks

Monday:
Cinnamon Roll Muffins are from Mama Knows Gluten Free

Pineapple Upside Down Cake is from good old Betty Crocker

Tuesday:
Paula Deen's Peach Cobbler is from, of course, Paula Deen! - this recipe works good with gluten free 1:1 flour as well

Wednesday:
Monte Cristo Sandwiches are from She Wears Many Hats

Southern Pea Salad is from The Southern Lady Cooks

Thursday:
Pasta Carbonara is from Crunchy Creamy Sweet

Tuxedo Cake is from Genius Kitchen - special treat for Valentine's Day

Friday:
Ham Fried Rice is from The Recipe Critic

Saturday:
Ham, Broccoli, and Cheese Quiche is from Cooking During Stolen Moments

All of this week's main dishes are easy for me to adapt for gluten free eating.  I usually just adapt my portion.  For example, I'll use gluten free bread for my Monte Cristo Sandwiches, and gluten free pasta for the Pasta Carbonara.  The desserts I usually skip, unless I bake something gluten free.

That's it for this week!  If you don't want to do Ham Week at your house, 🐷, be sure to look here after Easter when you're trying to use up your leftover ham!
To see where I share menus, click on the tab for Places I Party up at the top.

Have a wonderful, sweet week!  Happy Valentine's Day!


Sunday, February 3, 2019

Weekly Menu Plan for Week of Feb. 3-9, 2019

I don't really know what the groundhog had to say yesterday, but I'm going with this little guy!  Early spring it is!  We went from -25 degrees last week, to 52 degrees today and sunshine.  Compared to many people, we haven't had a bad winter here, but still....I'm ready for spring!  I love hearing the birds chirping in the morning, and I've seen robins here and there...it's coming!

I am planning on being busy this week, sewing up some Valentine gifts and baking some goodies to give away.  And of course today is the Super Bowl, or as I call it, the Sewing Day.  I really don't have much interest in the Super Bowl unless the Colts or the Bears are in it.  And that doesn't look like it will happen again in my lifetime!  🤣🏈  But I am making the obligatory snack food, which I will enjoy in my sewing room while watching Andy Griffith reruns and sewing up some cute Valentine zippered pouches.  I want to go live in Mayberry, I could totally be Aunt Bee.

This week's menu is pretty simple.  For some reason, I was lacking some creativity in the menu department this week, and stuck to tried and true meals.  Sometimes those are the best!  And sometimes I just need a break from spending too much time in the kitchen!

Here is this week's menu:
For a printable copy, please click H-E-R-E.
Recipe links and notes are below.


Sunday:
Ham and Swiss Sliders are from Just A Pinch - I have made these hundreds of times over the years, and everyone always loves them.  They are easy, and they reheat beautifully.

Spinach Dip - This dip is from Knorr.  My mom used to make it, and I forgot all about it until last year.  I made it for a birthday party, and it was the hit of the day.  It was gobbled up first thing, and everyone came back looking for more after it was gone.  I made it again right after that, and the same thing happened.  Now it is always requested for every gathering.  I serve it in a bread bowl, and use the torn out chunks of bread for the dippers.  But it is great with crackers, tortilla chips, anything!

Monday:
Sausage Frittata is from All Recipes

Tuesday:
Chicken Salad is from My Montana Kitchen

Wednesday:
Cinnamon Roll Protein Shake is from Dashing Dish - my husband loves this one

Pork Chops are from The Frugal Navy Wife - these are delicious every time!

Thursday:
Sausage Egg Roll in a Bowl is from Buns In My Oven - we love this dish!  I omitted the sesame oil completely last time and we liked it best without it.

Key Lime Pie is from Favorite Family Recipes - another winner!  Easy and so good!

And that's all for this week's menu and recipe links!  I hope you all have a wonderful week, and can find something you like here!

To see where I share posts, click on the Places I Party tab at the top of the page.

Like Pinterest?  I do!  I pin stuff every day!  Recipes, crafts, sewing projects....if you want to follow me on Pinterest, just click the Pinterest button at the top of the right-hand sidebar.

If you are watching the Super Bowl extravaganza, party on!  Have a great week!