Weekly Menu Plan for Week of March 10-16, 2019

Clocks were moved an hour ahead last night.  Now, I'm ready for spring.  Flowers, sunshine, warmer breezes.  Birds chirping, grass greening, worms on the sidewalk after it rains.  Capris.  Light jackets.  I am ready and waiting.

Here in Indiana, March can be a bit tricky.  The weather changes abruptly from warm to cold in an instant, and we can still get snow and ice.  But the good news is, it doesn't last long.  So even if we have a cold spell, it usually doesn't last longer than a few days.  With one more week until spring break, I'm just hoping the kids can enjoy some outdoor activities for at least part of their break.

This week's menu continues to have some gluten free meals woven into the plan.  I am getting fewer complaints, especially since most of the gluten free stuff is healthy and quite good.  I really enjoy cooking the same meal for everyone, instead of cooking for them and then cooking for me. It makes life much easier for me!  And gives me more time to sew and knit!  And watch Netflix!

And speaking of Netflix, if you haven't watched Saving Mr. Banks yet, you must watch it.  It is really a good movie, and I laughed and cried throughout the whole thing.  Walt Disney was such a wonderful man, such a dedicated and talented person!  I had no idea there was such a background to the movie Mary Poppins.  Now I want to watch Mary Poppins again with a new perspective.  I am so glad they saved Mr. Banks!  I don't think there is a movie Tom Hanks made that I don't like.  But this one really touched my heart!  

Now for this week's menu plan.  Here it is:

For a printable copy, please click HERE.

Recipe links and notes are below.

***NOTE:  GF in front of a recipe means Gluten Free

Sunday:

Breakfast Bowls are from Iowa Girl Eats - I am making these ahead on Saturday and freezing some for the coming weeks

Easy Mozzarella Chicken is from Café Delites - everything I have ever made from this blog is outstanding - I trust all of her recipes!

Almond Butterscotch Bars are from Recipe Goldmine - this is a new recipe for me

Monday:

Classic Goulash is from Dinner Then Dessert - I will use gluten free pasta

Chicagoland Atomic Cake is from Recipe Goldmine - Oh my goodness, this looks so good I wish I could taste it!  But I imagine everyone will go crazy over this cake!

Tuesday:

Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup is from Now Find Gluten Free

Gluten Free Cornbread is from My Gluten Free Kitchen - this sounds delicious, but if I am running short on time, Krusteaz makes a good gluten free cornbread mix that I always keep on hand

Mom's Ice Cream Dessert is from All Recipes 

Wednesday:

Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins are from Gluten Free Baking - once in awhile I like muffins for a change of pace at breakfast

Gluten Free Pizza is from Meaningful Eats - always ready to try a new pizza crust!

Thursday:

Shepherds Pie is from What A Girl Eats 

Friday:

Slow Cooker Ribs are from Buns In My Oven

Gluten Free Chocolate Cream Pie is from Faithfully Gluten Free 

Saturday:

Shamrock Protein Shakes are from Dashing Dish - super yummy!

That's it for this week!  Next week, I know we are having corned beef and cabbage on Sunday to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  Last year, I made two of them.  One in the crockpot, one in the Instant Pot.  We wanted to compare the two.  Our decision was that we liked the crockpot version best!  We loved how the corned beef turned out in the Instant Pot, but the veggies didn't have much flavor.  I think they need the slow cooking to absorb the flavors from all the juices.  So crockpot it is for this year!  I already have a corned beef in the freezer, and I'm going to try some gluten free Irish Soda Bread for me this year!  

Have a great week, and hope you can find an idea or recipe here you can use!

Weekly Menu Plan for Week of March 3-9, 2019

Spring has to be coming, right?  If we just hang in there a couple more weeks, it will come, won't it? I'm starting to count down the days....I'm about done with winter.  And we haven't had it near as bad as a lot of people.  Just done with freezing.  And snow.  And ice.  I can't wait for birds chirping, green grass, flower buds, and to see my forsythia in bloom.  Patience.

Last week was another crazy one, with two grandkids home sick for two days and one for three days.  I felt like I was working full-time again!  Finally on Thursday, they were all back in school and on the mend.  Strep and flu, it hit hard.  I hope it, like Elvis, has left the building!  Everyone had a good, healthy weekend so I'm crossing my fingers they are all good to go this week.

For this week's menu plan, I am again trying to focus on some healthy dishes.  Grandma and Grandpa need to stay healthy and active with this family!  I wish the weather would warm up a bit because we need to start walking every day.  But it's too cold this week!  Maybe by the end of the week we can start.

Here is this week's menu plan.  There are LOTS of links this week, because most of the recipes are new for me.  I'm trying to keep things interesting!

For a printable copy, please click HERE.

Recipe links and notes are below.

Sunday:

Slow Cooker Irish Stew is from Slow Cooker Gourmet - I made this tonight and it was delicious!  I used cornstarch instead of flour, and no beer because I didn't have gluten free beer.  It was still very yummy!

Gluten Free Cheese Garlic Biscuits are from Betty Crocker - they were very good!

Gluten Free Kentucky Butter Cake is from Mama Knows Gluten Free - excellent!

Monday:

Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots is from Cooking Classy - a very good recipe for pot roast

Gluten Free Rolls are from Life After Wheat - new recipe, can't wait to make these

Gluten Free Lemon Meringue Pie is from Pillsbury - looks so good!

Tuesday:

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is from Gimme Some Oven - actually, this is just the recipe for the sauce.  I am adding the chicken and broccoli and gluten free penne pasta to the sauce.  I just use two cooked chicken breasts, dice them, and add a package of frozen broccoli cuts.  Stir that into the sauce and serve over gluten free pasta.

Wednesday:

Shepherds Pie is from Genius Kitchen - this recipe is lowfat and gluten free

Thursday:

Skinny Banana Pudding Trifles are from Dashing Dish - a new recipe for me to try

Friday:

Hershey's Gluten Free Brownies are from Hershey's - tried and true, and perfect!

That takes us through another week - then only 2 weeks until spring!  I hope you have a wonderful, healthy week and that you can find an idea or two to use from this week's menu!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Weekly Menu Plan for Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2019

Are you getting hit with this Arctic blast?  We are heading into a super cold week here.  I think the high temperature for Wednesday is 1 degree. You can bet I will be in front of the fireplace with a hot cup of coffee and a blanket!  How many days until spring??  52?  It's definitely time to start thinking spring!  At least we'll be heading into February at the end of this week!

For this week's meal plan, I am using up some frozen foods from my freezer.  I am trying to get it cleared out enough so I can defrost it and give it a good spring cleaning.  See, I'm thinking spring! 🌸

Here is this week's menu plan:
For a printable copy, please click HERE.
Recipe links and notes are below.

Sunday:
Easy Breakfast Pizza is from Six Sisters Stuff

Gluten Free Homemade Chicken Nuggets are from Mama Knows Gluten Free - so good and not hard to make at all!

New York Cheesecake is from Food For A Hungry Soul - I haven't tried this recipe yet, but it sounds perfect!

Monday:
Lasagna - I am using a frozen Stouffers lasagna from my freezer

Tuesday:
Chicken Ala King is from Genius Kitchen - I use gluten free cream of chicken soup and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch instead of the flour to make it gluten free

Chopped Salad is from Nutritious Eats - I don't know what it is about a chopped salad, but I love them!  It is my favorite thing to get at Subway and Portillos.  So good!

Lemon Dream Cake is from The Country Cook

Wednesday:
Roast Beef is from Frugal Momeh!

Glazed Carrots are from Deep South Dish

Thursday:
Baked Lemon Cod is from What's Gaby Cooking

Banana Bread Bars are from Life's Simple Measures

Friday:
Turkey Manhattans - For these I use Carving Board Turkey (Oscar Meyer), and gluten free turkey gravy mix.  Just heat the turkey and the gravy on the stove top, and serve it over white bread or toast, along with the mashed potatoes and gravy.  Just an open-faced sandwich!  Quick and easy!

Saturday:
Almond Maraschino Cherry Cupcakes are from Your Cup of Cake - so cute and delicious!

That takes us through January and into February!  I think we can do this!!  Have a wonderful week, and I hope you find a delicious meal plan or recipe while you're here!

Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest if you like cooking, baking, sewing, or knitting!  Just click on the button at the top of the sidebar!  Stay warm and happy cooking!