Menu Plan Monday

Last weeks' menu went as planned, with no changes. This week we'll have:

Monday - spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread

Tuesday - broccoli and beef stir fry with rice

Wednesday - left overs

Thursday - hamburgers on the grill, fried potatoes

Friday - hot sausage sandwiches, potato chips

Saturday - going out to eat

Sunday - Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans

Time for little chores!

I always seem to think that chores take alot longer than they do. So I timed myself, took note of how long it took me to do certain chores (cleaning toilet, doing dishes, dusting, vacuuming...). So, when I have a few minutes, such as, waiting for the bus to drop off the kids, I can pick a chore that will work in that timeline!

For more WFMW tips visit Shannon at http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/

Menu Plan Monday

My menu changed a bit for yesterday. I roasted a turkey and we had a turkey dinner. So, I'm planning around that this week.

Monday - Turkey noodle soup, homemade bread

Tuesday - Hamburger casserole (recipe below), biscuits

Wednesday - Something fast, busy night with dance class maybe sandwiches and soup

Thursday - Turkey and Biscuits, tossed salad

Friday - Steak salad with french fries

Saturday - Ham and bean soup, homemade bread

Sunday - Leftovers

For more Menu Plan Mondays, visit http://orgjunkie.com/2008/01/menu-plan-monday-jan-21st.html#comment-11023

New recipe I'm trying this week.

Potato & Hamburg Bake

1 box au gratin potatoes
1/2 bag shredded cheese
2 1/4 c. boiling water
2/3 c water
1/2 lb. hamburg

Oven 400 degrees. Brown hamburg and drain. Stir together potatoes, sauce mix, water, and milk in casserole dish. Add meat and 1/2 of cheese. Bake covered 30 min., then top with remaining cheese, bake until melted. Let stand 5 min., then serve.

Quick carpet air freshener tip

I made my own carpet air freshener, with things I already had on hand today.
I had a bottle of dollar store baby powder, some lavender essential oil, and baking soda.

I put some baking soda (around 2 tablespoon) in with the baby powder, added 3 drops of lavender essential oil, shook it up. I then sprinkled it on the carpet before I vacuumed, and it worked and smelled wonderful!

Just thought that I would share that.

Kids activities, and not forgetting!

On the weeknights when dd has her dance activities we are so rushed! My daycare kids leave 5 min. before we have to leave. So in order not to forget important things (like tap and ballet shoes, leg warmers, etc.) I make sure that they are all in one bag, and we keep it in the car! That way we don't forget them at home, and she doesn't have to go without!

Chicken Soup - my dd's cure for being sick

Woke up this morning to a sick child. The only thing she wants while sick is me and my homemade chicken broth. I always have some on hand in the freezer, frozen in ice cube trays and transferred to a bag. I put a few in a cup, microwave until melted and hot. Sometimes I'll cook noodles and put into it also. Here is my recipe for the chicken broth.

1 whole small chicken
3/4 carrots
1 large onion
1 large sweet potato
4/5 stalks of celery (including leaves)
1 bunch of parsley
1 or 2 cloves of garlic


I boil the chicken in a large stock pot for about 2 hours. Add veggies, and boil for another 1 1/2 hours. Remove chicken, bones, and veggies from pot. Discard bones, put chicken in another container (save for soup or a different meal). Place veggies in blender and puree, add back to broth. Veggie puree will thicken it a bit, if it is too thick for your liking, you can add a little water, or canned chicken stock. Add salt and pepper to taste.