Week of December 27th

It is the LAST week of the year.  Didn't we just do this?  The only thing that keeps me from getting depressed that time is flying so fast is the ANNUAL FAMILY NEW YEAR'S PARTY!  Always so fun.

Monday:  Chicken wings

Tuesday:  Hamburger Patties, Mashed Potatoes

Wednesday:  Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Thursday:  Flat Enchiladas

Friday:  New Year's Eve Spread - Finger Foods, Tortilla Soup and Goodies til your gut hurts

Saturday:  Lasagna, Garlic Bread and Salad

Sunday:  Hearty Mac and Cheese

Week of December 20th

Monday:  Chili Dogs

Tuesday:  Spaghetti

Wednesday:  Beef Taquitos

Thursday:  Out to Eat

Friday: Chicken Wings

Saturday:  Christmas Dinner - YUM!

Sunday:  Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

Week of December 13th

Monday:  Leftovers

Tuesday:  Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Wednesday:  Sloppy Joes

Thursday:  Biscuits and Gravy

Friday:  Pizza

Saturday:  Tamales

Sunday:  Mongolian Beef

Week of December 6th

'Tis the Season...
What would be your DREAM Christmas gift, okay maybe not your dream gift.  But wouldn't it be nice for someone that was a good cook to show up on your doorstep with dinner?  Especially while you run through the month.  So instead of that plate of fattening goodies,  maybe dinner is a better gift.  If you cook one that freezes easily then you don't have to worry about picking the right night or time.
A gift for yourself is also a great idea.  Cook once and eat twice.  Make twice as much and freeze for a night in a week or two when your family has forgotten how yummy it was the first time.

Monday:  Macaroni and Cheese

Tuesday:  Chicken Enchiladas

Wednesday:  Beef Stirfry

Thursday:  Chicken and Rice (crock-pot)

Friday:  Spaghetti

Saturday:  Leftovers

Sunday:  Pot Roast with Carrots and Potatoes

Under Pressure...

But who isn't.  As if December isn't busy enough, I decided to get some much needed canning done.  I have never used a pressure canner before, so my WONDERFUL, AMAZING, PATIENT mother came to help me.  I took a whole 2 1/2 days off (minus conference calls) to play with this contraption.

Green Beans:  Fairly easy and took only 20 minutes to process.

Pinto Beans:  Easy to seperate and season but took 90 minutes per batch. AND I had a whole batch that didn't seal.  Kinda frustrating but neighbors and family were good sports to take them off my hands.  They were yummy and I did some as BBQ baked beans.  By far the favorite!

Deer Meat:  Again 90 minutes to process, and I was a bit nervous.  I'm not a huge fan of deer, elk, any game meat really, but I'll try anything once!  So I canned it with beef broth and YUM!  It tastes exactly like shredded beef.  The best part is that I put it in the freezer after the Man cut it up and was able to can it when I decided.

I decided to make a whole meal from my latest adventure.  So here it is: 

BBQ Meat

Baked Beans

Green Beans

Rolls (store-bought, I ran out of time)



Week of November 29th

I'm running behind this week.  So what's new?

Monday:  Taco Salad

Tuesday:  Chicken Fettuchini

Wednesday:  Chicken Fried Steak

Thursday:  Eggrolls

Friday:  BBQ beef sandwiches

Saturday:  Black bean chili

Sunday: Peppersteak

Week of November 22nd

Thanksgiving already?  I am Thankful just feeling like time is flying way too fast!  One thing I am thankful for is that the worst part of dinner is deciding what to have and not how I'm going to feed my family.  Food drives are very important this time of year but we tend to forget that it is needed all year round.  We normally donate to a local kitchen and this year we were told it was more important than usual.  They have seen an increase in need and a decrease in giving.  Please share the wealth!

Monday:  Biscuits and Hamburger gravy

Tuesday:  Chicken tacos

Wednesday:  Tamales

Thursday:  THANKSGIVING

Friday:  Turkey and Dumplings

Saturday:  Sloppy Joes

Sunday:  Mongolian Beef

Week of November 15th

Monday: Popcorn Chicken and Rice

Tuesday:  Out to Eat

Wednesday:  Curry

Thursday:  Lasagna

Friday:  Oriental Chicken Salad

Saturday: Macho Nachos

Sunday: Meatfoaf

Week of November 8th

We just got back from hunting (left Dad there), so I'm a little late in posting a menu

Monday:  Stew

Tuesday:  Leftovers

Wednesday:  Green Chile

Thursday:  Chili Beans

Friday:  Fajitas

Saturday:  BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Sunday:  Peppersteak

Week of November 1st

November 1st?!?  REALLY?!? 

Monday:  Leftovers

Tuesday:  Homemade mac and cheese

Wednesday:  Lasagna

Thursday:  Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

Friday:  Tacos

Saturday:  BBQ meat, potatoes and salad

Sunday:  Fried Chicken

Week of October 25th

Monday:  Tacos

Tuesday:  Spaghetti

Wednesday:  Chicken Rolls

Thursday:  Hamburger Patties with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Friday:  Homemade Pizza

Saturday:  BBQ Chicken

Sunday:  Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Week of October 18th

Monday:  Pizza

Tuesday:  Leftovers

Wednesday:  Orange Chicken

Thursday:  Fajitas

Friday:  Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Saturday:  Chicken Fried Steak Fingers, Mashed Potatoes

Sunday:  Ham and Potato Corn Chowder

Week of October 11th

Monday:  Chicken Parmesan

Tuesday:  Hamburgers

Wednesday:  Out to Eat

Thursday:  Chimichangas

Friday:  Sub Sandwiches

Saturday:  Chicken Stir Fry

Sunday:  Roast, Potatoes and Carrots

Week of October 4th

Can't believe it is October all ready. Hope you all have a wonderful week.

Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: Baked Garlic Chicken, Mashed potatoes

Wednesday: Mongolian Beef

Thursday: Chicken Quesadillas with Mango salsa

Friday: Crock pot Mac and Cheese with Ham

Saturday: Chicken Curry

Sunday: Chicken Enchiladas

Week of September 27

I will apologize for this week but last week was so crazy that cooking was impossible. Because this week is only slightly better I am using last week's menu. Thanks for understanding:)

Week of September 20th

It's gonna be a busy one!

Monday: Pizza

Tuesday: BLT's

Wednesday: Eggrolls

Thursday: Chicken Noodle Soup

Friday: Chicken Tacos

Saturday: BBQ Beef Sandwiches

Sunday: Meatloaf, Mashed Potates, Carrots

Week of September 6th

Monday: Fried Chicken

Tuesday: Steak

Wednesday: Beef Stroganoff

Thursday: Homemade mac and cheese with ham

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Out to Eat

Sunday: Oriental Chicken Salad

Week of August 30th

Monday: Tacos

Tuesday: OUT

Wednesday: Chicken and Dumplings

Thursday: Hamburgers

Friday: Family Reunion

Saturday: Family Reunion

Sunday Family Reunion

Week of August 23rd

Good Morning! Let's get this week started.

Monday: Oriental Chicken Salad

Tuesday: Chicken Fried Steak with Mashed Potatoes

Wednesday: Hawaiian Haystacks

Thursday: Chicken Enchiladas

Friday: Mongollian Beef

Saturday: Eggrolls, Gyozas and Fried Rice

Sunday: Chicken Rolls

Week of August 16th

Now that school is back in session and work is in full swing, no more slacking. I have to be extremely organized to make it through the weeks.

Monday: BBQ Chicken, roasted potatoes, green beans

Tuesday: Tacos

Wednesday: Chili beans and cheaters

Thursday: Chicken Curry

Friday: PIZZA

Saturday: Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

Sunday: Ham and Cheese Chicken, potatoes, carrots

Week of August 9th

I'm running behind but that seems to be the theme of my life lately
Anyway...

Monday: BBQ beef sandwiches

Tuesday: Hawaiian Haystacks

Wednesday: Beef Enchiladas

Thursday: Chicken Fettuchini

Friday: Chili Dogs

Saturday: Fried Chicken

Sunday: Peppersteak

Week of July 5th

Monday: Frozen Pizza while I'm at work

Tuesday: Fried Chicken and Potato Salad

Wednesday: Roast Beef Sandwiches

Thursday: Hamburger Patties with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Friday: Chicken Tacos

Saturday: Chicken Alfredo

Sunday: Peppersteak

Week of June 21st

Monday: Hot Dogs, all because I love the boys coming to my house for a SLEEP OVER!

Tuesday: Party Finger Foods, all because I love girls night in

Wednesday: Chicken Curry, all because I love my husband

Thursday: Tacos, all because I love my kitchen but don't want to spend all night in it

Friday: Take out, all because I love Brenna and will be picking her up from Grandma's

Saturday: Homemade Pizza, all because I love my sister and her hubby

Sunday: Roast with potatoes and carrots, all because I love Sunday Dinner

Week of June 14th

I'm a little late due to just getting back from vacation. It was a wonderful relaxing time.

Monday: Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

Tuesday: Take out - Pizza

Wednesday: BBQ chicken, roasted potatoes and corn on the cob

Thursday: Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Friday: Oriental Chicken Salad

Saturday: Chicken and Dumplings

Sunday: Chicken and Squash Cassorole

Week of June 7th

Monday: Sub Sandwiches at the park for Jax's b-day

Tuesday: Fajitas

Wednesday: Eggrolls and Fried Rice

Thursday: Chicken Marsala (recipe to follow)

Friday: Burrito Bar - green chili, bean, etc

Saturday: Beef Stroganoff

Sunday: Leftovers

Week of May 31st (I'm Still Here)

I have been slacking. I have an entire list of excuses but when I tried them on my sister in law and my mother in law I was told to just hurry up and post. NO EXCUSES!
I will just be glad I didn't get any nasty comments. Thanks to Jan and Amy for getting me back on track.

Monday: Girls Night Out! What a way to start the week. Yay for dad/kids fishing trip.

Tuesday: Green Chili Burros

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Hamburgers

Friday: Pepper steak

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday: Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Week of April 5th

Back to life and home and comfort food.
Yay!
Tired of fast food and other peoples kitchens.
(No offense)
Have to go to the grocery store.
Yuck!

Monday: Crock pot Mac and Cheese with Ham

Tuesday: Chicken Fried Steak

Wednesday: Chicken and Dumplings

Thursday: BBQ Beef Sandwiches

Friday: Chicken Enchiladas

Saturday: Hawaiian Haystacks

Sunday: Stew and Homemade Rolls

Week of March 22nd

Sorry this is late, but this is what dinner looked like this week...

Dear Husband,
I've gone out of town. There are leftovers in the fridge and don't worry none of it will kill you, I cleaned it out last week or the week before. (I can't remember)
There is also frozen pizza. I'll be home Saturday night, we will be having leftovers on Sunday also. You will probably really appreciate me next week.

Love you!
Wife

Week of March 15th

We are making some of our favorite meals this week.

Monday: Tacos

Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo

Wednesday: Egg rolls

Thursday: Hawaiian Haystacks

Friday: Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday: Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls

I Owe Ya'll Some Recipes

Chicken and Squash Casserole- (for Erika)
Cube chicken and cook in butter with onions. Add chopped green chile and simmer for 3 minutes. Add cut up yellow squash and cover to steam for 2 minutes. Line bottom of pan with cooked rice, then cream of mushroom soup (undiluted), then the chicken/chile/squash mixture. Top with cheese and bake until heated through.

Flat Enchiladas- (for Wendy)
Tortillas: 1 cup of Masa (used for tamales), 1 tsp salt, water to moisten
Mix together and roll into balls (approx. 2" in diameter)
Flatten in tortilla press or between 2 plates
Fry in oil
Meat Mixture: 1-2 lbs ground beef browned
Add tomato sauce and seasoning (chili powder, cumin, garlic, salt and pepper)
Simmer while preparing tortillas and toppings
Toppings: Shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, olives, green onions, sour cream, avocado... Pretty much anything you want!
Layer tortilla, then meat mixture and top it off.

*That recipe has been approved by picky kids :)

Mongolian Beef- (for Jan)
Tastes just like Pei Wei's Mongolian Beef, got the recipe from recipezaar

Thinly slice partially frozen beef and toss in cornstarch. Let sit.
Heat sauce pan over medium-low heat, add 2 tsp oil, 1/2 tsp ground ginger and 1 Tbsp chopped garlic. Add 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup water with 1 Tbsp cornstarch mixed in, and 3/4 cup brown sugar. Increase to medium heat and boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand. Heat oil and saute beef for 2 minutes. Remove from pain and drain oil from pan. Place meat back into pan, add sauce, sliced green onion, and mushroom caps (halved). Serve over rice.

ENJOY!

Week of March 8th

Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: Chicken and Dumplings

Wednesday: Beans and Cheaters*

Thursday: Chicken Enchiladas

Friday: Chicken Fried Steak and Mashed Potatoes

Saturday: OUT TO EAT!!! YAY!!!

Sunday: Roast, Potatoes, Carrots, and Rolls

Week of March 1st

Monday: Taco Salad

Tuesday: Chicken Curry

Wednesday: Spaghetti

Thursday: BBQ Chicken

Friday: Fajitas

Saturday: Chicken and Squash Casserole

Sunday: Meatloaf

Week of February 22nd

Monday: Sloppy Joes

Tuesday: Fried Chicken

Wednesday: Flat Enchiladas

Thursday: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Friday: Mongolian Beef

Saturday: Steak

Sunday: Baked Chicken

Week of Feb 15th

Busy, Busy, Busy... I have no other excuse

Monday: Hawaiian Haystacks

Tuesday: Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Wednesday: Hamburger Patties, Mashed Potatoes, Peas

Thursday: Chicken and Dumplings

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Out to Dinner

Sunday: Peppersteak

Super Fun Ideas

Not that these are super fun but we did them for the Superbowl and they were definitely enjoyed. I know not everyone gets into football or the Superbowl, but I thought these were cute.
I love chocolate covered strawberries and our sports minded daughter made them little footballs. So cute and so delicious.

We cheated and used the Baker's brand chocolate dipping cups. They come in milk chocolate and we added semi sweet chips. The white laces are just white icing for cookies.
Next, we had some little fans coming over so we did Pigskins in a Blanket.

Just hot dogs and flaky refridgerator biscuts. I cut the tops open to tell if the hot dogs were done. We also did a version of these for Halloween this year and cut the biscuts into strips and wrapped them around to make them mummies. They were a hit with the kids
I made homemade taquitos too.

I've done these before but this time I prepared the tortillas in oil like usual but after I rolled them I baked them instead of frying them. They were really crispy and good. I usually make the filling from canned beef (from my food storage), salsa, salt, pepper, cumin and green chiles.
We did the other usual stuff, wings, veggie and fruit trays and multiple chips and dip. So if you are looking for football inspired finger foods for your Superbowl party or your Pee Wee Football party, enjoy and have fun!

Wacky Week

Sorry no menu this week. We've just been playing it by ear. But because I haven't done it in awhile I will be posting some pictures and recipes before the end of tomorrow.

Week of February 1st

Monday: Tacos

Tuesday: Chicken and Dumplings

Wednesday: Chili Dogs

Thursday: Fried Chicken

Friday: Chili and Cheaters

Saturday: Night Out on the Town

Sunday: Super Bowl, which means finger foods galore - Wings, Nathan's Buffalo dip, chips and dip, veggies and much more!

Week of January 25th

I finally have gotten a handle on having dinner ready by 5 most days so Delv can eat before he goes to work. I need new recipes to break up the repetition. PLEASE share some! This is my desperate call for help... I'm bored!

Monday: Chicken Sandwiches

Tuesday: Fajitas

Wednesday: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Thursday: Chicken Stir fry

Friday: Green Chile Burros

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday: Chicken Rolls

Week of January 18th

Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: BBQ beef sandwiches

Wednesday: Egg rolls

Thursday: Chicken Alfredo

Friday: Flat Enchiladas

Saturday: Foil Dinners

Sunday: Meatloaf

Week of January 11th

Monday: Chicken Tacos, Beans and Rice

Tuesday: Spaghetti, Garlic Bread and Salad

Wednesday: Hawaiian Haystacks

Thursday: Chicken Curry and Rice

Friday: Chili Beans and Cheaters (fry bread)

Saturday: Wings and Potato Salad

Sunday: Baked Chicken with Red Potatoes and Green Beans

Week of January 4th

I apologize for slacking, but I'm sure everyone has been busy.

Monday: Chicken Enchiladas, Salad

Tuesday: Beef Stroganoff, Salad, Rolls

Wednesday: Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Peas

Thursday: Chicken and Dumplings

Friday: Hamburgers

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Roast, Rolls