Weekly Menu Plan January 28-February 3, 2024

 

It's almost that time again - Groundhog Day this week!  I hope he comes out and stays out, because I think we're all ready for some signs of spring.  Just a little glimmer of hope.  That's all I need.  It has been a cold rain here for maybe years, I don't know anymore, it's just gray and damp and chilly and yukky.  Maybe I moved to London and someone forgot to tell me.  But I'm ready for February!  So long, January!  See ya!

I had a busy week last week, how about you?  I have lots to do this week, too, and I'm trying to catch up with my house cleaning.  I think we have almost all the Christmas stuff put away, but I still need to bring out some Valentine's Day decorations.  Just a couple, nothing like Christmas.  After packing up Christmas this year, I told my husband I'm ready to give it all away and just put a fireplace screensaver on the TV and call it a day.  He just laughed.  But really, it sounds good right now.  I love getting it all out, but what on earth happens when you put it all away??  I can't find the same boxes, nothing fits in the boxes I think they came out of, and why do we have 27 snowmen??  And do we really need Christmas stuff in the BATHROOM???  Every room I go in, there's more stuff.  It's like hunting for Easter eggs!  Where did I put that Christmas candy jar?  And the 78 candle holders that are everywhere, even though I don't put any candles in them.  Really, do I need a Santa cookie jar that has never held a cookie in its life?  It seems like, at some point in my life, I lost total control.  I need a Christmas rehab facility.

But I digress.  Here I am, planning another week of breakfasts and dinners, at the END of January already!  One month into 2024 and I feel like I need to be more productive!   Where did this month go already?  It seemed long at the time, but hindsight....it flew by!

So here it is - this week's menu plan!  I did my grocery shopping for this week already, so all I have to do is start cooking!  Here's what's on the menu for the week:

Sunday:

Breakfast:  Scrambled Eggs, Sausage Patties, English Muffin, Banana

Dinner:  Hamburger Vegetable Soup (I throw in some gluten free elbow mac), Crackers

Dessert:  Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream

Monday:

Breakfast:  Gluten Free Breakfast Burritos, Sliced Oranges

Dinner:  Leftover soup from yesterday, Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Dessert: Gluten Free Orange Cake

Tuesday:

Breakfast:  Protein Waffles (freeze leftovers for Friday)  (we really like these!), Turkey Bacon, Apple Slices

Dinner:  Polish Casserole (I use gluten free egg noodles from Jovial Foods - Wal Mart carries them)

Gluten Free 7-Up Biscuits - I always use almost a whole can of 7-Up when I make these

Dessert:  Leftover Cake from yesterday

Wednesday:

Breakfast:  Gluten Free Frittata, Toast, Mandarin Oranges

Dinner:  Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps, Charleston Red Rice, Broccoli

Dessert:  Gluten Free Chocolate Cream Pie

Thursday: 

 (This is a No Cooking Day for me!)

Breakfast:  Leftover Frittata

Dinner:  Leftover Chicken Salad Wraps or Polish Casserole

Dessert:  Leftover Chocolate Cream Pie or Orange Cake  

Friday:

Breakfast:  Leftover Protein Waffles from Tuesday 

Dinner:  Gluten Free Parmesan Chicken, Gluten Free Pasta, Tossed Salad

Dessert:  Gluten Free Brownies, Vanilla Ice Cream

Saturday:

Breakfast:  Oatmeal, Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Muffins, Banana

Dinner:  Big Mac Sloppy Joes (use gluten free hamburger buns), French Fries, Corn

Dinner:  Leftover Brownies and Ice Cream

Happy February!  I hope you all have a great week, and that the old groundhog comes out and says EARLY SPRING!!  See you next week!

January White Rabbit Challenge

 It's my turn today for the long-awaited:

When I signed up for this challenge, I was all

But when I actually sat down and tried to plan a project for this challenge, I was more like

When y'all say challenge, you mean CHALLENGE, don't you?  As in, fry my brain challenge. I tried to get started, I really did.  I pulled out some fabric.  And then some more.  I looked and looked through my stash, pulling out any prints I could find with rabbits on them.  And you know what I found?  A bunch of Easter fabric.  Everything looked Easter-ish.  Not what I wanted for January!  Now what???  Time to shop!  So I went to several quilt shops - now I had a real excuse to shop for fabric!!  I shopped.  And shopped.  And guess what?  I found NOTHING with rabbits.  NOTHING.  Except a couple little baby themed prints, and the rabbits weren't white, they were pink and blue. 

So back home.  And back to my stash.  Let's try S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G the theme.  I have to think outside the box, I told myself.  It was then I discovered that I don't think that well INSIDE the box, much less OUTSIDE the box.  Do I even know where the box is???  I don't think I do!  Enter, chocolate.  My last hope.  And miraculously, after only one Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, I got an idea.  Not a great one.  Not even a really good one.  But it was all I had, so I went with it.

I poked around my fabric one last time looking for a print with rabbits on it that could go with winter or snow and looked less Easter-y.  I decided maybe this would work.  I laid out my fabric:

YAY!  It could work!  At least, that's what I told myself.  Now what to do with it?  I pulled out several patterns for blocks.  Nothing looked good.  Then, I pulled out my pattern for a Weebraw Bag (did I mention I love to make bags?  Any kind of bags?  Every kind of bag? ) from Laura at Sweet Cinnamon Roses.  She makes the cutest bags, and her patterns are all so easy to follow (see paragraph above where I discuss thinking outside the box and my lack thereof).  

And I put together a reasonable facsimile of a good project for this month's theme!  I'm faking confidence here.

See the little bunnies inside?  On the lining?

My Bunnies in the Snow Drawstring Bag

I added a little snowflake to make it seem more wintery.  And the white fabric is falling snow, or more accurately falling snowballs.  So it's a January winter rabbit bag, right??  Right???? 

Whatever it is, it is really an adorable little drawstring bag!  I love the pink and white, I love the sweet little rabbits, and I have used it to carry my cross stitch projects back and forth from home to tennis practice.  Not my tennis practice, my granddaughter's.  I have to practice getting up out of a chair without using my hands.  Tennis at this point is a bit of a stretch.  Just like this project!!  :)

But wait!!!  There's MORE!!!  While I was making this bag, I kept looking at this funny little fat quarter with rabbits on it.  It was awfully cute.  I wished I had used it instead to make something.  But I only had a fat quarter.  Hmmm.   Maybe another piece of chocolate would help.  More chocolate + Fabric = PROJECT #2!!  

I looked up one of my favorite projects on You Tube from Yoan Sewing Studio.  It is called the Cellphone Pouch with Wristlet.  I have made dozens of these!  I make at least one every month that is themed for that month.  I use them all the time, and most of my friends have asked for them.  They are perfect for going shopping or going to sporting events when you don't want to take your entire purse.  It has 2 zipper pockets, one slip pocket, and a wristlet for carrying it.  I slip my phone in the biggest zipper pocket, gum, mints, and lens wipes in the slip pocket, and money and ID in the smaller zipper pocket.  

Here's the one I was currently using for January, until I finished my new one:

You can tell it's well loved.  I use it every day - I just throw it in my purse when I'm not using it by itself.  I always keep my phone in it, especially in my purse.  It keeps my phone cleaner and it doesn't get scratched.  

Now on with my new project.  Sorry.  I got sidetracked.

I found some coordinating fabric and got started:

These little pouches don't take much to make!  I usually cut them out in an evening, and sew them together the next afternoon.  I can make a couple in an afternoon.

Here's how it turned out:

Cute little rabbits sticking out from some red polka dots!  The red polka dots match the bow tie on the rabbit in the middle!  These COULD BE considered white rabbits, don't ya think?  At least they're almost white!  With little pink cheeks.  So sweet!  And now, I will carry this one for the rest of January and hopefully it will bring me some good luck.  I just love these little wristlet pouches!  

Finally!   It's time for me to celebrate that I at least have SOMETHING to share today!  It may not be up to your usual January Challenge Expectations, but I tried!  At least I can get a Participation Award, right??

Okay, I'll settle for a smiley face. And a carrot cake latte.  Here I am celebrating:

Yes, I knit that sweater myself - in between January Challenge projects.  :)  Just kidding.

So that's a Bunny Wrap!  Time for all of us bunnies to go night-night!  I don't know about you, but I'm worn out!  This challenge got the best of me, that's for sure.  Maybe a little nap and some chocolate will revive me.  It may even give me some inspiration for my next project........we shall see!  :)  

Thanks for stopping by and following along on my bunny adventures for January! Every time I wear my bunny jammies, I'll think of this challenge and be glad I made it through!

Until next time,  Bunny Hugs from

Weekly Menu Plan 1-21 to 1-27-04, 2024

 

 

Not a happy camper this week.  Frigid temps, snow, school delays and closings, too cold to go out.  January.  Not my favorite month, definitely.  I'm so glad we are entering the LAST FULL WEEK OF JANUARY.  Hard to believe, right?  It seems like we just finished Christmas.  And it looks like, after today, we are heading into the 30's, 40's, and even 50's by the end of the week!  This morning it was -3 degrees when I got up.  So the forecast is looking good to me!  I know I am so spoiled living in Indiana!  I don't know how people can stand winter living in places like the UP in Michigan, or the New England states.  I think I would lose my mind.  

Then there's February, right around the corner.  For some reason, although it's the shortest month, it seems like the longest month to me.  I think it's because there's nothing really going on in February (other than Valentine's Day), and everyone is getting restless to go outside and see spring.  And this year is a leap year, so it's almost as long as a regular month.  So, to look on the positive side, we're almost halfway through the longest part of winter.  The days are starting to get longer, and pretty soon we'll be seeing tulips and daffodils popping up.  Right?  Right???

We're still eating from the freezer.  We ran to the grocery store for milk, eggs, bread, and coffee creamer.  That was it!  Maybe later this week I'll do a regular shopping trip.  

Here's what I came up with for this week.  Just emptying out that freezer!

Sunday:

Breakfast:  Ham and Cheese Omelet, Gluten Free Danish

Dinner:  Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Tomato Soup

Dessert:  Gluten Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Monday:

Breakfast:  Cream of Rice Cereal, leftover Gluten Free Danish, Yogurt

Dinner:  Herb Roasted Turkey Breast, Baked Potatoes, Broccoli

Dessert:  Leftover cake from yesterday

Tuesday:

Breakfast:  Instant Oatmeal, Hard Boiled Egg, Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Bread

Dinner:  Gluten Free Alfredo Sauce with Turkey and Broccoli over Gluten Free Pasta, Salad

Dessert:  Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie (I use a purchased gluten free pie crust)

Wednesday:

Breakfast:  Gluten Free Breakfast Casserole, Toast

Dinner:  Gluten Free Meat Loaf, Mashed Potatoes, Peas

Dessert:  Leftover Pie from yesterday

Thursday:

Breakfast:  Leftover Breakfast Casserole from yesterday

Dinner:  Clean Out The Fridge Night - choose your own adventure! :)

Dessert:  Again, whatever is left from the week!

Friday:

Breakfast:  Gluten Free High Protein Waffles, Sausage Links

Dinner:  Gluten Free Shrimp Scampi (purchased frozen from Sams Club), Rice, Green Beans

Dessert:  Gluten Free Lemon Ice Box Pie - use gluten free graham cracker pie crust (purchased)

Saturday:

Breakfast:  Leftover High Protein Waffles from yesterday, Bacon

Dinner:  Gluten Free Frozen Chicken Tenders, Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese (purchased Kraft), Corn

Dessert:  Leftover Pie from yesterday

Here's to better weather and good health:

I hope you have a great week!  Make the most of it - I am going to focus on sewing this week!  Take care and see you next week!

Weekly Menu Plan 1-14 to 1-21, 2024

 

I don't know about where you are, but here it is officially COLD.  It was -3 degrees when I got up this morning, and as I'm typing this at 3:00 in the afternoon, it has gotten all the way up to 8 degrees.  

As I saw the weather report last week, we went to the store for bread and milk and coffee creamer (my most needed ingredient), and we're eating from the freezer until the weather warms up.  I may go to the store on Wednesday if it warms up into the 20's, just for a few things.

Since I'm just going through food from my freezer, I decided to make a mini-menu plan for the week based on what I know is out there.  Sorry I'm a day late - it was so cold yesterday I just stayed on the couch most of the day, wrapped in a blanket with some magazines, some cross stitch, and some coffee.

Here is the menu plan for the week - I'll start with yesterday, even though it's already a done deal!

Breakfast:  Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal,  Bagel with Cream Cheese

Dinner:  Baked Ham, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans

Dessert:  Gluten Free Lemon Meringue Pie

Breakfast:  Scrambled Eggs, Turkey Bacon, Toast

Dinner:  Creamy Ham and Potato Casserole - instead of hash browns I am using cubed leftover baked potatoes from yesterday;  I will use gluten free Cream of Chicken Soup

Peas, Dinner Rolls

Dessert:  Leftover Lemon Meringue Pie from yesterday

Breakfast:  Poached Eggs over Toast, Sausage Patties

Dinner:  Gluten Free Fettucine Alfredo, Broccoli, Tossed Salad

Dessert:  Chocolate Ice Cream with Whipped Cream and Sprinkles

Breakfast:  Gluten Free Blueberry Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage Links

Dinner: Leftover Ham mixed in with the Gluten Free Fettucine Alfredo, Salad

Dessert:  Gluten Free Apple Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream

Breakfast:  Gluten Free Sausage Quiche, Toast

Dinner:  Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (with leftover ham if there is any)

Dessert:  Leftover Apple Cobbler from yesterday

Breakfast:  Egg Salad Sandwich (toasted), Turkey Bacon, Orange Slices

Dinner:  BBQ Ribs in Crockpot (I will bake them at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes instead of broiling)

Easy Baked Beans,  Gluten Free Cornbread (from mix)

Dessert:  Gluten Free Banana Cake

Breakfast:  Instant Oatmeal, Gluten Free Cranberry Coffee Cake, Bananas

Dinner:  Fathead Pizza with Sausage and Pepperoni, Salad

Dessert:  Leftover Banana Cake from yesterday

That's it for this cold week!  Stay warm - lots of layers!  Take care and enjoy some nice, cozy family time with your meals this week!  See you next week!  Hugs!

Weekly Menu Plan 1--7 to 1-13, 2024

 

Hi there!  I know, I know, we're done with New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, but I took a little break in there and stayed away from my computer and all things cooking and baking.  So, before I get to my menu plan, I wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year!

Before Christmas, I baked and baked and cooked and cooked so much, that by the day after Christmas, I was so tired of food that I didn't even want to go in the kitchen.  I needed a break.  So we have been eating out a lot, munching on lots of leftovers either here or at my daughter's house, and snacking all day.  Or winging it.  Not good habits!  But a much needed break for me from cooking and menu planning.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!  We sure did.  But I am ready now to get back into my routine and settle down for a few months of winter.  I have lots of sewing projects planned, and I'm ready to head back into the kitchen for some healthier home-cooked meals.

One thing I decided during my 'vacation' from cooking, was that I'm going to try and eat more leftovers instead of cooking something new every night.  I give an awful lot of food away to family and friends, and it does get pretty expensive.  I have a very hard time cooking for two!  So instead of trying to change that, which is impossible for me, we are going to start eating leftovers for dinner.  Neither one of us eats very much at lunchtime, and it seemed like I had a ton of food to give away every week.  So I'm cutting down there, and hoping we save some money on the old food budget!  Luckily, my husband doesn't mind leftovers - as long as he liked it the first time!  And he likes most everything!  :)

So here is my plan for the week.  As always, links and notes for the recipes are below.  Also, I'm starting to go back to my cookbooks, so if a recipe doesn't have a link, it probably came from a cookbook.  I'll have to try and post the recipe after I make it, so you can have those recipes, too.

Sunday:

Gluten Free Fudgy Brownie Cookies - Only Gluten Free Recipes

Monday:

Crustless Spinach Quiche - Taste of Home - I am leaving out the mushrooms

Tuesday:

Sausage and Egg Casserole - Taste of Home - I am using gluten free bread

Gluten Free Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup - Spending With Pennies - I will add a cup or so of gluten free elbow macaroni to this soup

Gluten Free Bread - King Arthur Baking - I am going to try and bake more bread this year

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Pie - Meaningful Eats

Thursday:

Gluten Free Banana Muffins - Rock Recipes

Crockpot Chicken and Rice - The Cookie Rookie - to make it gluten free, I will use gluten free Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Chicken soups from Wal-Mart

Friday:

Gluten Free Lemon Brownies - Fearless Dining

Saturday:

Amish Breakfast Casserole - Taste of Home

Gluten Free Beef Stew - Meaningful Eats

So that takes care of this week!  And next week we will be halfway through the coldest month of the year!  At least I hope it's the coldest month!  I'm ready for spring as soon as it turns January 1st.  

Have a great week, and I hope you have some fun, yummy meals with your family!  Take care!