Zzzzz tired after the weekend

We had a fun and busy weekend again.
Friday the boys and I went to grocery store. And played outside for a while. It's nice that Richard can get home in time to have dinner with the boys on Friday's. I made a new dish, cheddar garlic chicken, I'm going to review it tomorrow.

Friday night Blake woke up to go the bathroom. Colby woke up twice to go the bathroom. ANDDD a cat woke us up meowing or whatever outside. That was a loud cat. How annoying to not get a full night sleep.

Saturday we had basketball in the morning. After that we headed to Panera for lunch. The boys love when they get to go out to eat for a treat. When we got home we re-organized the garage. Richard purchased new shelving for the back wall of the garage. We had to move out the old shelves and then he installed the new ones. I managed to do laundry, watch the boys ride their bikes, all those other weekend things. Richard's sister came over for dinner. The boys love visiting with her.

Saturday night Colby had a tough night. He woke up around 10:30pm in a major coughing fit. We gave him a breathing treatment at that time. He settled down shortly after that. We thought it was the end, but NOPE. He was hacking major around 12:30am to the point where I was concerned about his breathing. So, back across the house I went. I tossed him in the shower. He couldn't have another breathing treatment until 1:30am so we just worked on settling him down, clearing his head and crossing our fingers. He did fall back to sleep after that and then slept until almost 9am.

Sunday the boys had a lazy stay in their jammies day. Richard had plans with a friend in the morning. After lunch all four of us went to the Y. After the Y we went back into the garage to finish organizing and cleaning. We finally put the last of the Christmas stuff in the attic. Does anyone else always find one or two things after you put away the bulk of the Christmas stuff? When we finished that up, we made dinner and got ready for bedtime. The boys crashed guess it was the late bike riding they did while we worked in the garage. We taped the Super Bowl for two reasons, one Richard and I watched it after the boys were asleep and two Blake really wanted to watch it. We are going to let him watch it this weekend if he has a good week at school.

Guess what... I was up with Colby again Sunday night. He was coughing on and off a bit around 10pm, but he couldn't have another breathing treatment yet so we just re-adjusted him on his pillows and left him alone. Yeah well, 1:30am rolled around and he was hacking away again. I turned off the monitor and took my pillows to the couch. I gave Colby a breathing treatment, but it took him until almost 3am to go back to sleep. He was congested and couldn't stop coughing.

If you read this whole thing, you now know I haven't had a full night sleep all weekend. Colby doesn't seem to be fairing too bad, but I'm dragging. I did go do an intense cardio workout at the Y which seemed to help me function a bit better.

Menu for the week:
Friday--cheddar garlic chicken, fries and onion rings
Saturday--grilled meatball pizza and pasta
Sunday--nachos

Weekdays:
hummus chicken wraps
fend for yourself
pasta
quesidillias.

Hope you had a great weekend.

long short week

We had a busy week. Both of the boy and I have been fighting head colds/ allergy issues. Never a good way to spend a week, but that's life. Richard starts a new job on Monday so we decided to plow through a bunch of things that we needed to get done this week. Things like taking both my car and his truck in for servicing and things like that. This meant that our days were jumbled up quite a bit, but hey it's all done.

I didn't get to the gym much this week, I notice I'm dragging a lot more, but at the same time it's not really easy to workout when you can't breathe. Yeah that's just a minor detail (o:

Then there was the whole thing of Richard and Blake having Monday off. Long weekends are always appreciated, but short weeks always give a feeling of being off. Blake doesn't have school today either. It is the end of the term here so the teachers have a work day and the kids get a day off. So Blake only went to school 3 days this week.

I've decided to stay home this morning instead of going to the gym. I'm letting Colby sleep in and we will watch a movie and then go to the grocery store. I decided this was better than exposing them to more germs when they are already fighting colds.

So here is the menu plan for the week:
--marinated skirt steak and potatoes
--breakfast for dinner (I'm making pancakes for the boys and maybe french toast for Richard and I for a change)
--out for pizza (a big treat for the boys that they keep asking for)
--tacos
--fend for yourself (basketball practice on Tues so I don't plan for that night)
--pasta
--?? will decide soon I guess

Hope you have a great weekend

What weekend?

Do you ever have a weekend that feels as busy as a week? We did. Richard went for a bike ride in the middle of the day on Saturday. I let the boys watch Cars 2 so I could edit pictures. When Richard got home we took down the outside Christmas lights, then it was time for dinner. That day was done.

Sunday we slept in a while, ok well I slept in a while. After we got up and ready we headed out shopping for a new kitchen table. We have wanted one for a while since the table we have I bought back in the 90s when I moved out on my own. Needless to say it's in tough shape now. We spent most of the day shopping for that. Then we headed to BJ's to get a new battery backup for the main pc since the old one died Saturday night. We then went out to eat, a big treat for the boys. The problem was they hadn't had any active moments before that so they had a harder time sitting. It went, ummm ok, in the long run.

When we got home we decided to let the boys play outside for a bit. We got Colby to try riding his bike again, and this time he was successful. Which is good since he has really out grown the tricycle. We keep trying to convince Blake to give up the training wheels, but he won't let go of the fear still.

I wasn't feeling 100% all weekend which makes it even feel longer and less relaxing.

Oh well today is Monday whether or not I like it.

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Here's the menu this week:

Buffalo Mac & Cheese, yes this was on the menu last week, but it never got made.

tacos

ravioli casserole

burgers

beef curry leftovers

breakfast for dinner (here's the new pancake recipe we like)
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Back to our routine today. Drop off Blake at school, Y for Colby and I, pick Blake up, and then I think we are off to the grocery store.

Hope you have a fantastic Monday

Monday Menu

If you follow my blog then you know I'm an avid menu planner. I really don't know how people shop without menu planning.

This week we are having:
Mexican Meatzza, leftovers

American Chop Suey, leftovers

Potato Soup, this is a new recipe for me. It's based on Panera Bread's recipe. I gave you the link I'm using as reference.

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese. I'm making this because Richard had it at the Magic game the other night and really enjoyed it. I linked to a recipe I'm basing mine off of.

Chicken Enchilada pasta, leftovers

Root beer pulled pork. I saw this on Pinterest and said... yep got to try that.

What are you having the first week of the new year?
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Tomorrow is my 4th blogoversary. Tune in Wednesday to see my thoughts on a Wordless Wednesday link-up/photo fun thing.

Menu Planning

If you've followed my blog for any length of time, then you know I like to cook and bake. I love to bake, it is my true kitchen passion. I love the chemistry and exactness about it. I love to tweak the flavors and hope that it doesn't mess with the chemistry of the recipe. Cooking is fun and is done more frequently. I like that with cooking I can toss in whatever I feel like and hope it tastes good.

I am constantly searching for new and exciting recipes. I find I'm drawn more to baking recipes since well I can make up my cooking recipes and can't make up baking ones. I really like Pinterest for this (and for kids crafts).

One thing that I have done forever is menu planning. I sit down with Richard, and sometimes the boys, and plan a week's menu the night before I go grocery shopping. We have a few things that make it on the menu every other week or so, but I try to mix it up as much as possible.

I am not one of those people who likes to have the same thing all the time. I know there is a push to go back to the whole notion of meat on Monday, Italian on Tuesday, Mexican on Wednesday etc... but even that thought is too routine for me.

When I menu plan, I plan two weekend meals and 5 weekday meals and don't necessarily assign them to a given day. I shop for all the ingredients and pull the meats out of the freezer and have everything on hand. This way I can decide what works best for that day depending on time and mood.

For example this week's menu is: Burgers (that was Sun), Hummus chicken (a new version of this be watching for it on a TT recipe soon), ravioli, Teriyaki-Beer Skirt Steak, chicken fajitas (one of our staples), and waffles with bacon.

If you don't menu plan, I suggest you try it a few weeks and see if you like it. I like having everything set and only have to decide which night to make what. (I typically don't plan what to bake unless there is an occasion)

Menu planning

Since I am now doing grocery shopping alone (well with the two boys, but you know what I mean) I decided to switch it to a Thursday activity. So here's the menu plan for this week

Thursday: fend for yourself
Friday: order out for pizza
Saturday: we are having our tailgating group over for appetizers and deserts. I'm making sweet and sour meatballs, pretzel crusted chicken and chocolate triffle
Sunday: Mexican Meat-zza (tasty Tuesday dish!)

day 1: pressed sandwiches
day 2: chicken, balsamic veggies, rice dish concoction... this is my next thought on what to do with the yummy balsamic onions and peppers from the steak dish
day 3: leftovers

What day of the week do you shop on? Do you menu plan too??

Menu planning

Before I post my menu... I wanted to update you on Colby. I took him to his pedi. yesterday and we've decided that most likely the hives were caused by a virus. Pretty much unless he breaks out again we will never know for sure. Today he woke up with no sign of the hives at all! (o;
We have to give him the Benedryl today and tomorrow and then hope they don't come back again after that. Thank you all for your cares and concerns.



Yes, I know I haven't done this in a while. But, since I'm planning on starting a new Tasty Tuesday segment on Tuesday... I figured... hey why not post my menu plan too??

Thursday: Spaghetti Squash with homemade meat sauce (the sauce is leftover)
Friday: Stoup concoction (I made stuffed peppers that came out... alright, but I need to do something different with the leftovers... so stoup it is!)
Saturday: Buffalo Turkey Burgers with chili fries (watch for more about this on Tuesday)
Sunday: Breakfast for dinner (french toast and bacon)

day 1: Pressed Sandwiches
day 2: Grilled chicken or steak fajitas (I haven't decided which yet... lol)
day 3: leftovers

Menu planning

Week of June 19th - 25th
Friday: out
Saturday: steak
Sunday: ribs

day 1: cracker crusted chicken
day 2: chicken tender salad
day 3: leftover meatloaf
day 4 leftover American Chop Suey

Menu planning

Ok... back to our regularly scheduled program... lol



I got away from Menu Planning while we had company and what not. But, now we are back!!

planned June 12-18
Friday: out
Saturday: pressed sandwiches
Sunday: homemade pizza

day 1: tacos
day 2: chicken salsa couscous
day 3: pretzel crusted chicken
day 4: leftovers

Menu planning

Planned: (May 22-28)
Friday: nachos (maybe)
Saturday: burgers
Sunday: baked potatoes with salad

day 1: ravioli
day 2: lemon pepper chicken with rice
day 3: bbq beef
day 4: leftovers

Actual:
Friday: nachos
Saturday: burgers
Sunday: brownie sundaes
Monday: baked potatoes with salad
Tuesday: ravioli
Wednesday: fend for yourself (Richard didn't get home until 11:30pm)
Thursday: leftovers (chili mac & cheese)

Planned: (May 29-June 4)
Friday: lemon pepper chicken with rice
Saturday: breakfast
Sunday: no clue yet

day 1: bbq beef
day 2: grilled chicken
day 3: ham steak
day 4: leftover

Menu planning

Planned: (May 15- 21)
Friday: pulled pork sandwiches (leftovers)
Saturday: out to mom's for dinner
Sunday: Spaghetti and meatballs (meatballs are leftovers)

day 1: leftover sloppy Richard's
day 2: tacos
day 3: nachos (using the leftover taco meat from day 2)
day 4: ?? who knows we couldn't decide on another meal

Actual:
Friday: pulled pork sandwiches
Sat.: dinner at Mom's
Sunday: spaghetti and meatballs
Monday: Sloppy Richard's
Tuesday: taco wraps
Wednesday: herb and garlic chicken w/ rice pilaf
Thursday: Panera Bread for dinner... I had/have a sore throat so nacho did not appeal

Planned: (May 22-28)
Friday: nachos (maybe)
Saturday: burgers
Sunday: baked potatoes with salad

day 1: ravioli
day 2: lemon pepper chicken with rice
day 3: bbq beef
day 4: leftovers

Menu planning

Planned: (May 8th- 14th)
Friday: subs
Saturday: lasagna roll-ups
Sunday: burgers

day 1: lemon pepper chicken
day 2: grilled ham steak
day 3: chicken tenders
day 4: leftovers

Actual:
Friday: steak subs
Saturday: burgers
Sunday: lasagna roll-ups
Monday: leftover steak and chicken on salad
Tuesday: chicken tender wraps
Wednesday: ham steak and salad
Thursday: chicken teriyaki chicken on rice

Planned: (May 15- 21)
Friday: pulled pork sandwiches (leftovers)
Saturday: out to mom's for dinner
Sunday: Spaghetti and meatballs (meatballs are leftovers)

day 1: leftover sloppy Richard's
day 2: tacos
day 3: nachos (using the leftover taco meat from day 2)
day 4: ?? who knows we couldn't decide on another meal

-- let me tell you I love having my stand alone freezer... when I make things I often make double so there is leftovers to freeze. I don't like having the same thing twice in a week (I will eat it for lunch, but not for 2 dinners) so freezing them and pulling them out later is so nice (o:

Menu planning

Planned: (May 1-May 7)
Friday: Appetizers
Saturday: out
Sunday: baked potatoes and salad
day 1: leftovers
day 2: bbq beef tips
day 3: grilled chicken fajitas
day 4: skirt steak

Actual:
Friday: bagel pizzas and bagel dogs
Saturday: R & L out at Longhorn
Sunday: baked potatoes and salad (I made the boys sweet potato fries to try)
Monday: BBQ beef tips with homemade bread
Tuesday: leftover Chunky Italian Stoup over fettuccine and no this isn't a RR recipe... just one morphed off of one of hers)
Wednesday: skirt steak w/ salad
Thursday: grilled chicken fajitas

Planned: (May 8th- 14th)
Friday: subs
Saturday: lasagna roll-ups
Sunday: burgers

day 1: lemon pepper chicken
day 2: grilled ham steak
day 3: chicken tenders
day 4: leftovers

Menu planning

Forecast: (April 24-30)
Friday: ??
Saturday: out (R and L are at a party)
Sunday: breakfast for dinner

day 1: American Chop Suey
day 2: bbq chicken
day 3: leftovers
day 4: ??

Actual:
Friday: wings
Saturday: out
Sunday: pancakes and bacon
Monday: pressed sandwiches
Tuesday: leftover taco mac & cheese
Wednesday: American Chop Suey... only it turned out different so it is now it's own concoction
Thursday: bbq chicken on couscous w/ salad

Planned: (May 1-May 7)
Friday: Appetizers
Saturday: out
Sunday: baked potatoes and salad
day 1: leftovers
day 2: bbq beef tips
day 3: grilled chicken fajitas
day 4: skirt steak

Check out the new poll about menu planning on the sidebar!

Menu planning

planned: (April 17-23)
F--??
S-- tacos
S--chicken bake (chicken, potatoes, peppers, onions, EVOO, and seasoning... mixed up and baked) we are having Easter with my family at my house I'm making that and a brownie bottom cheesecake

day 1--meatball subs
day 2-- ham steak
day 3-- chicken with apples and onions (leftover apples and onion w/ gravy from week 2)
day 4-- leftovers

actual:
Friday: fend for yourself (R- tuna, L-salad w/ couscous , B- chicken nuggets)
Sat.: tacos (B- taco meat, cheese)
Sun.: chicken w/ peppers, onions, potatoes; corn, green beans, rolls, salad, brownie bottom cheesecake, spice cake mix cookies (B- chicken)
Mon.: meatball subs w/salad [if you mash the meatballs up they heat up faster anddd they are easier to eat and don't fall out of the sub!] (B- meatballs, roll, cheese)
Tue.: chicken leftovers from Sun. (B- meatballs, banana, tortilla)
Wed.: grilled ham steak, mashed garlic potatoes, salad (B- ham)
Thurs.: chicken w/ apples and onioins (B- pancakes, banana)

Forecast: (April 24-30)
Friday: ??
Saturday: out (R and L are at a party)
Sunday: breakfast for dinner

day 1: American Chop Suey
day 2: bbq chicken
day 3: leftovers
day 4: ??

Things have been off as far as menus these last few weeks... I'm often feeding the boys way before Richard gets home and then feeding Richard and myself. So we are doing quick easy meals. Soon his work will settle down and we'll be back into real meals again (I hope!)

Menu planning (week 9)

planned:
F--??
S-- tacos
S--chicken bake (chicken, potatoes, peppers, onions, EVOO, and seasoning... mixed up and baked) we are having Easter with my family at my house I'm making that and a brownie bottom cheesecake

day 1--meatball subs
day 2-- ham steak
day 3-- chicken with apples and onions (leftover apples and onion w/ gravy from week 2)
day 4-- leftovers

menu planning (week 8 -revisited) (take 2)

planned menu (Richard's parents are visiting Fri. night - Sun. morning that is why things aren't as planned as normal)

F- out
S- ??
S- appetizers and desert!

Richard thinks he will be late most nights this week so we went for ultra simple... can be made/served in two course meals
day 1- pressed sammies
day 2- chicken tender salad
day 3- tacos
day 4- leftovers

actual:
Friday: take out pizza and baked ziti (B- pizza)
Saturday: BBQ chicken, rice pilaf, salad (B- chicken)
Sunday: left over pizza, wings, baked ziti (B- pizza)
Monday: pressed sandwiches (B- grilled ham and cheese sammie w/ pretzels)
Tuesday: fend for yourself... R- chicken tender wrap, L-chicken tender salad, B- fish sticks, french fries, pancake, chicken tender (yes he was hungry!)
Wednesday: leftover BBQ chicken with tater tots (B- chicken, french fries)
Thursday: R picked up subs -- chicken parm, italian (B- meatballs and tater tots)

most nights this week Blake ate dinner early with Colby since Richard worked later than normal

Menu planning (week 8)

planned menu (Richard's parents are visiting Fri. night - Sun. morning that is why things aren't as planned as normal)

F- out
S- ??
S- appetizers and desert!

Richard thinks he will be late most nights this week so we went for ultra simple... can be made/served in two course meals
day 1- pressed sammies
day 2- chicken tender salad
day 3- tacos
day 4- leftovers

Menu planning (week 7--revisited)

planned:
F- quesidillias
S- sloppy joe manicotti... thanks Danielle for the suggestion
S- out at my mom's house

day 1 - chicken cordon bleu
day 2- ham steak
day 3- grilled chicken
day 4- R pick up wings

actual:
F--Nachos (B- chicken, cheese and nacho chips... just not together, you wouldn't want the food to touch would you?)
S-- sloppy joe manicotti -- we made this as it and found it an interesting concept, but the recipe was rather bland for our palate, so the next time we make it we will certainly spice it up a bit (B- chicken nuggets, banana, goldfish crackers)
S-- burgers and dogs at my brothers
M-- grilled bar-b-que chicken with rice and veggies (B- chicken)
Tu-- leftover sloppy joe manicotti I added salsa and spices to it and it was soooo much better!(B- leftover pancakes)
W-- chicken, ham and cheese bake I was going to make a bake version of chicken cordon bleu, but I didn't have bread crumbs and I changed the flavor cheese, so I figure I had to call it something different (B- ham, cheese and cheerio mix)
Th -- take out chicken wings a big treat for us as you can see we don't usually eat or order out (B- leftover ham and chicken bake)

Menu planning (week 7)

planned:
F- quesidillias
S- sloppy joe manicotti... thanks Danielle for the suggestion
S- out at my mom's house

day 1 - chicken cordon bleu
day 2- ham steak
day 3- grilled chicken
day 4- R pick up wings