Menu Plan Monday

YAY for another warm week this coming week.  There is no rain in the forecast this coming week.  We are also heading out camping this coming Saturday for 2 weeks.  No cancelling this time.  I can't.  We have a friend and her family living in our home for the 2 weeks we are camping.

MONDAY
moving from last week
Tortellini with Alfredo Sauce
Salad

Source: dashingdish.com via Tara on Pinterest

TUESDAY
BBQ Pulled chicken Sandwich left over
Salad
(I used this recipe last week, but used BBQ sauce instead of Hot Sauce)

Source: skinnytaste.com via Tara on Pinterest

WEDNESDAY
Homemade Pizza
cut veggies

Source: the-lifeofus.blogspot.ca via Tara on Pinterest

THURSDAY
Butter Chicken and Rice
Naan
Salad

Source: allrecipes.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: mennonitegirlscancook.ca via Tara on Pinterest

FRIDAY
Grilled Cheese
Tomato Soup
Cut Veggies

Source: girltalkhome.com via Tara on Pinterest

SATURDAY - camping
BBQ Chicken
Potatoes
Salad

SUNDAY - camping
natural hotdogs over a campfire
Salad

As always,
be sure to head over to The Organizing Junkie
and check out a ton more menu planning links

Menu Plan Monday

I didn't get a menu plan done last week, and I paid for it!  We ended up eating out 2x, not good.
Today my inspiration for menu planning is not with me, so I will do the best I can.  We can't afford another week like last week.  I'm hoping to have to do little to no grocery shopping.  Our garden lettuce is ready and so is our kale so I'll see if I can work that into the menu.

MONDAY
Chicken and Kale Soup
Salad

TUESDAY
Beef and Kale Taco Salad
with my favorite super easy
homemade tortillas

Source: tasteofhome.com via Tara on Pinterest

WEDNESDAY
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
I'll add a bunch of Kale and veggies to the chicken
and I won't be making it to spicy for the kids
with cut veggies

Source: skinnytaste.com via Tara on Pinterest

THURSDAY
Tortellini with a version of this alfredo sauce
Salad

Source: dashingdish.com via Tara on Pinterest

FRIDAY
Beer Butt Chicken
BBQ Potatoes
Salad

Source: easy.betterrecipes.com via Tara on Pinterest

SATURDAY
Chicken and Kale Soup
Cut Veggies

SUNDAY
Dutch Pancakes
Fruit

I have a huge zuchinni from the garden so I'll be making a few of these zuchinni loaves

Source: kingarthurflour.com via Tara on Pinterest

And of course as always
be sure to check out
The Organizing Junkie
for tons of menu planning ideas

Menu Plan Monday

Hooray!  Summer is finally here!
We have beautiful weather coming this week, how exciting.
So now to figure out something for dinner each night.  The only thing on the calendar this week is VBS for my boy and gardening. 

MONDAY
leftover spaghetti
salad

TUESDAY
Chicken and Kale Soup

WEDNESDAY
BLT toasted sandwiches
Salad

THURSDAY
BBQ Greek Chicken
BBQ Potatoes
Salad

FRIDAY
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Source: gardenandgun.com via Tara on Pinterest

SATURDAY
Cheeseburger Flatbread Melts
(I will make my own pizza dough)
Salad

Source: kevinandamanda.com via Tara on Pinterest

SUNDAY
Dutch Pancakes
Strawberries

As always, head over to The Organizing Junkie for a ton more menu plans

Menu Plan Monday

Well, the weather man called for rain.  So we cancelled our camping trip.  Our week went well.  We are spending a ton of time at our garden.  Having dinner a bit early and heading out after dinner, the kids play and we work.  My husband and I are really enjoying our garden and working in it.
On to our menu for this week.....

MONDAY
my husband is off so I hope to be at the garden
for a good chunk of the day with the family
so we will do a freezer Meal
Ham with mashed potatoes
Salad

TUESDAY
Spaghetti with meat sauce
Salad

WEDNESDAY
My boys 5th birthday!
I don't really do parties for the kids
just an extended family dinner
BBQ homemade Burgers
Salad (bought by family)
and I hope to make a 'ninja' cake
we'll see....

THURSDAY
BBQ Chicken
BBQ Potatoes
Salad

FRIDAY
Pay Day = Order In
I think it will be chinese this time
but we'll figure it out the night before
we often order in rather then go out,
it's much easier with the kids
and we find it is often cheaper as well

SATURDAY
We are going to visit my folks at the lake
so my dad will likely make dinner for us
I'll bring a salad and snacks

SUNDAY
Dutch Pannokoek
Strawberries

As always be sure to check out The Organizing Junkie each Monday morning for a ton more menu planning ideas

Menu Plan Monday

This will be a busy week....we are finally going camping.  The weather here has been the pits and we've cancelled two camping trips already.  I have a simple menu this week and am looking forward to camping.

MONDAY
Dutch PancakesStrawberries

TUESDAY
Pizza
Cut Veggies

Source: the-lifeofus.blogspot.ca via Tara on Pinterest

WEDNESDAY
Chicken and Kale Soup
Salad

THURSDAY - Camping
Natural HotDogs
Cut Veggies

FRIDAY - Camping
Spaghetti (Sauce in the Freezer)
Salad

SATURDAY - Camping
BBQ Burgers
Salad

SUNDAY - Camping
Family Dinner while camping
for my boys birthday

MONDAY - Home from Camping
Tuna Sandwiches
Tomato Soup
Cut Veggies

Grocery List
Organic Peanut Butter
Natural Hotdogs
whole wheat HD Buns
Organic Onions (3 pounds)
Organic Kale
Organic Lettuce (x2)
Organic Celery
Cucumber (x2)
Organic Peppers
(x3 varied colors)
Organic Spinach
Organic Broccoli (1 pound)
Turkey Pepperoni (for pizza)
Milk (1 gallon)
Cream (1/2 gallon)
Organic Pizza Sauce
Organic Apples (3 pounds)
Organic Bananas (3 pounds)
Organic Pears (2 pounds)
Organic Avocados (x4)
Organic Taco Chips
Organic lemons (x3)
Tomatoes (x4)
Organic Grapes
nectarines ?
strawberries ?


We are now only using cash to pay for our groceries to make sure we stick to our budget.  It's been an eye opener for me.  I've ordered my organic produce from Crazy Peppers, they still have the best prices around here and will have to make one more pick up and my groceries are done for the week.
Be sure to check out The Organizing Junkie for more menu planning ideas.

A General Update

I know that my blog posts are far and few between.  It's been a tough year.  I've been working hard to keep up on my Menu Plans for the most part.
I really don't want to give apologies.  It is what it is, life is difficult.  I totally love writing.  I miss writing and working on my blog.
Life has been overwhelming.  The changes in our lives since the tragic death of my brother in law have deeply affected us.  My idea of how the accident took place is in my brain like the pictures on the wall in your house.  It's always there.  Grief and sadness are a constant companion.  I've not only lost my brother in law, but really, my sister also.  She is forever changed and finding her way in this mess of a tornado that took what was dear and dropped the rest of her life all over the place.  I deeply miss my friendship with her, I feel like I lost that when Darren died.  I am trying so very hard to understand it all.
I've been working on decreasing my depression medication.  I'm not sure how that's going.  It's been very difficult.  I'm constantly utterly exhausted.  No matter what I try to gain energy, it seems to be out of my grasp.  My emotions are on a fine line.  My motivation to do anything is next to none.  My patience with my children is not at it's finest.  It's a complicated dance to figure out the right dose of medication. 
I've had some other medical issues going on as well.  I finally have some answers and am having surgery in September to hopefully fix the issue.
However along with this sob story of mine; God is constantly showing me His love and His presence in my life.  He is forever good and constant.  He has given me amazing and beautiful children.  A patient and extraordinarily loving husband who goes above and beyond.  God has reminded me time and again to give my energies to my family and He will bless me.  To give my worries and sadness to Him.
We all have difficult seasons.  Mine is no more hard then yours, just different.
This post is not a pity party, just to let you know why my blog posts are sparse.  I'm busy working and learning to create a healthy and loving family.  Expanding my knowledge and love.  I really am hoping to get back to writing.  To share the changes we are making in our family to be happy and healthy.

Menu Plan Monday

Sometimes the weeks just fly by.  We've had so much rain for the start of July, I've seen people call it Juluary!  I've not made it to the garden, so I'm pretty sure it's going to take a fair amount of work to get it under control.  We have camping coming up and our trailer should be pulled out this week so I can clean and pack it, so exciting!
On to the menu for this week!

MONDAY
Baked Spaghetti
Salad

TUESDAY
BLT Sandwiches
Tomato Basil Soup
Salad

Source: girltalkhome.com via Tara on Pinterest

WEDNESDAY
Quinoa Spanakopita
Salad

Source: anediblemosaic.com via Tara on Pinterest

THURSDAY
Turkey Burgers
Salad

Source: foodnetwork.net16.net via Tara on Pinterest

FRIDAY
Melt in your mouth Chicken
(I'll use Greek Yogurt instead of the Mayo in the recipe)
Roasted Potatoes
Salad

Source: food.com via Tara on Pinterest

SATURDAY
Chicken, Kale and Rice Soup
Cut Veggies

SUNDAY
We are out all day so no plans!

As always, be sure to check out The Organizing Junkie for many more menu planning ideas