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.

Menu Plan Monday

Weekly Meal Plan for January 14th thru January 20th

Monday: Tuna Burgers, seasoned french fries

Tuesday: Red beans and rice (leftovers), cornbread

Wednesday: DD has dance class, dh works out of town, so something on the run!

Thursday: Spaghetti and meatballs, tossed salad

Friday: Taco salad, homemade dinner rolls on the side

Saturday: Pizza made at home

Sunday: Grouper pan fried in olive oil, garlic roasted potatoes

For more dinner ideas and Menu Plan Monday participants, please visit Laura of I’m An Organizing Junkie.

How to make honey-butter

My dd loves this on her toast in the morning before school. I make some every Sunday night, so I have it on hand for the whole week!

Honey-Butter

1/2 pound of butter, room temperature

1/8 cup of honey

1/8 teas. cinnamon

Blend together butter and honey with a mixer until well blended. Add cinnamon and blend in. Store in airtight container, I use a jar, either in the fridge or on the countertop.

Tastes especially good on bagels!

I also use the above butter on pancakes, waffles, and french toast, delicious!

Sleep in Sunday!

Today we all slept in, then dh and dd went to the mall while I did some much needed laundry. Tonight was dh's turn to cook, so we had homemade pizza and tossed salad, which was delicious!

Here is a quick tip of the day: If you are out in the yard and have no bug spray, use Vicks Vapor Rub. It repels mosquitos, flys, and gnats! It really works. My dh keeps some in his tackle box for when he goes fishing!

I just read a post somewhere

about keeping family recipes alive! I wanted to share one, since I don't have much family left anymore. No one except me knows how to make this (in our family anyway). On Christmas Eve we have a traditional Polish dinner. Which means, no meat. Our menu is:
Salmon patties
Clear mushroom soup
Mashed Potatoes
Pickled Herring
Pickled pigs feet
Garlicky Kidney beans
Homemade Bread

Here is my dh's favorite, the salmon pattie recipe. As a sidenote, I don't measure, and never will so you'll have to guesstimate the amounts.

4 cans of Salmon (can use less for your family)
1 handful of cheez it crackers, crushed
1 handful of ritz crackers, crushed
2 eggs
salt
pepper
onion powder

I pick the bones out of the salmon, because it is just a texture thing to me, but they are very good for you and are a great source of calcium. Mix all ingredients together as if making a meatloaf. Form into patties, I make large patties, any size you want. Fry on top of the stove in large skillet, in olive oil (enough to cover bottom of pan). Fry until brown and crispy on the outside, on each side. Voila'! Time to enjoy!

Stay Home Saturday

Today will be spent just hanging out around the house. I'm working on an afghan for our bed, crochet, so I'll be working on that. It consists of a huge granny square, and is in mutiple colors using scrap yarn. I have red beans cooking on the stove, for Red Beans and Rice for dinner, will probably make cornbread to go with that.

Or just thinking, maybe it is nap time. My two kitties seem to think it is time to nap, and I don't think that they are wrong. Hmmmm....

First post rambling!

This is my first blog ever! Forgive me if it takes time to get everything together in my head! I will be posting about my frugal and simple lifestyle. I will also have some recipes included, tips for housekeeping, and frugal and simple ways to have fun.