Menu Plan for the Week of 10/11/09

This week I "shopped" out of my freezer and pantry to put together our weekly menu . . . money is a little tight until our next paycheck! Here is what I came up with:

Sunday: Pierogies, edamame, fresh mozzarella with tomatoes

Monday: Crock Pot Roast, steamed broccoli, homemade dinner rolls

Tuesday: Parmesan Crusted Chicken, quinoa with mushrooms, garlic and onions

Wednesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup, cornbread

Thursday: Pasta with Homemade Sauce, salad, garlic rolls

Friday: Scallops with Lemon Sauce, red potatoes, brussel sprouts

Saturday: Date Night : Steak, veges, oven fries

Other cooking projects for the week:
coconut milk yogurt
strawberry jam
sour cream muffins


Join the Organizing Junkie at www.orgjunkie.com every Monday for Menu Plan Monday and lots of great ideas for your weekly menu plan!

More Organizational Projects

I have been in an organizing mood over the last few months. Its like I am nesting again but I am not pregnant. Maybe it is the approaching cold weather. Maybe it is the knowing that we will be inside our home so much more in the coming months. Whatever the reason, I always enjoy organizing! One issue we had was with the storage of book bags, lunch boxes, shoes, coats, homeschooling books, etc. We took a trip to Ikea and found some shelves that we installed in our dining room. Here is the end result:


For our homeschooling and reading materials, I found these nice sturdy baskets at a yard sale for a few dollars each. I found the larger containers at Lowes. Each girl has an assigned container for their items such as dance shoes, soccer equipment, and library books.


Mary's container has her homeschooling materials:



My next project? My "Command Station:"
This is where I keep my calender, my control journal, school papers, lists, books we are working on, and just about everything I need to keep our schedule running smoothly. I have not quite decided what needs to be done here, but something needs to be done quickly! Any ideas?

Too Much to Read, Too Little Time

I love to read. Lately (more specifically in the last 6 1/2 years), I have struggled to find the time to read with my little ones running around. I rely on magazines and books with short chapters to satisfy my need to read. Unfortunately, I end up with stacks of books and magazines in places where I can sit for a few minutes uninterrupted. Here is my pile in the living room:


"The Pile" drives my husband nuts, and frankly, it drives me nuts. So, I found a small book rack at the thrift store for $5. It was a little beaten up, so I decided to give it some color:







A very inexpensive solution to "The Pile" and my living room looks much more tidy!


Do you have any easy and inexpensive solutions to life's little piles?

This post is linked to Homemaker's Challenge DIY Accomplished!

Menu Plan for the Week of 10/4/09

I love to plan my weekly menus. It gives me such a sense of control over my week. When I plan and shop on Sunday, the week seems to go so smoothly. I do not always follow my plan exactly because so many things happen during the week that can sidetrack me. However, with a good plan, I cook a "delicious and nutritious" meal most nights of the week. I do not specifically "plan" breakfast and lunch, but it is one of my goals for the fall. Here is my plan for the week:

Sunday: Chicken Piccata and steamed carrots.

Monday: Beef Stew with Noodles and homemade dinner rolls.

Tuesday: Jambalaya and homemade birthday cake to celebrate Dan's birthday.

Wednesday: Lemon Chicken for the kids and Garlic Lime Chicken for me (Dan will be home late), brown rice, and steamed broccoli.

Thursday: Dance classes - Spinach Minestrone Soup and homemade dinner rolls.

Friday: Cheeseburger Macaroni and a vegetable

Saturday: Date night - steak, rice and veges for the kids, fresh mozzarella and tomatoes with olive oil, prosciutto, and Italian bread for us.



Join the Organizing Junkie at www.orgjunkie.com every Monday for Menu Plan Monday and lots of great ideas for your weekly menu plan!

Apple Picking

I took our little ones to a local farm to pick apples on a very warm day in September. We met some good friends in the orchard and picked 1/2 bushel of apples. There were a lot of bees, but thankfully, nobody was stung. The market was so beautiful with the flowers, pumpkins, gourds, and scarecrows. When we got home, we made LOTS of applesauce and a caramel apple crisp for dessert. And, there were plenty of apples left to snack on!

Fall Decorating

Autumn is my favorite time of year. In Western Pennsylvania, the changing trees, crisp air, and farm fresh foods and flowers make these few months so magical. I started my fall decorating on the day after Labor Day. I do not like to decorate for Halloween but my fall decorations make the house so cozy. Pumpkins, autumn leaves, wreaths and candles set the tone in our home. Here is a little peak at what I have been up to.

Back to School In Style

As school is back in full swing, I wanted to share some of our favorite "green" school accessories. We absolutely love our Laptop Lunchboxes from www.laptoplunches.com. These bento-style boxes allow me to pack a waste-free, colorful, and nutritious lunch. They include four individual containers with two lids, a dip container with lid, utensils, and a drink bottle. I also pack a cloth napkin. To let the girls know that I think about them all day, I always try to pack a little note of love and encouragement. The girls usually finish most of their lunches, and if they do not, I can always see what they actually ate. Often times, they finish whatever is left in their lunches as soon as they get home because their lunch period is so early - 10:40 a.m.! We also love reusable sacks in lieu of plastic snack bags. I got these cute sacks on www.etsy.com through Kathi's Kreations. They are large enough to hold snacks or sandwiches. The top is secured with a generous strip of velcro so nothing slips out. We also chose these cute personalized backpacks from Land's End. With a coupon and free shipping, I was able to get these for about the same price as the backpacks at Target. The start of the school year has been great so far. Grace and Erin have started soccer with Coach Dan/Dad teaching them new skills. They are also starting Daisy Scouts soon. Grace chose to take a cheer/gymnastics class, and Erin chose a tap class. Mary and I have started homeschooling using some Sonlight curriculum and some Catholic Heritage curriculum. We have really enjoyed the reading and snuggling, the crafts and activities, and the field trips. The Fall will be busy but we are having a great time!