Why I do Menu Plan Monday

Sorry that it seems that I'm only menu planning lately, but that's about all I have time for. Since I've started menu planning, my stress during the week has gone down a lot. It used to stress me out all day long (starting from waking up), trying to figure out what I was going to make for supper that day. I'd sit at breakfast and ask Renato what he wanted for supper, and he always looked at me and said, "How can I think about supper when I'm just eating breakfast! My stomach can't "think" that far ahead. Just cook something! I'll eat it!" Menu planning has freed up my mind, so it's one less thing to think about/stress about daily.

I also don't follow it exactly. If something comes up, or we don't feel like eating that, or I don't feel like cooking that, it's no big deal. But the big idea here, is that I HAVE A PLAN! And with me, a PLAN is always a GOOD idea!

So really, these posts are really just for me as a guide to what my week will look like. I refer to it daily for what I've planned and to look up the recipes. I also LOVE searching for recipes online. It's become a fun "hobby" of-sorts, for me.

This all comes down to......if you want to know what we're eating during the week or if you want to get some good recipes, check out the Menu Planning Monday posts, if you don't care....don't look at it. But for me, it's my sanity plan. Hallelujah! :)

Monday- Labor Day Picnic

Tuesday- Lasagna Casserole

Wednesday- Enchilada Casserole x's 2....making an extra one for a friend having a baby! OR this Honey-Lime Chicken Enchilada recipe.....I can't decide!!!
***I made the honey-lime enchiladas....they were great, but next time I'll add more lime (real limes) and less honey.***

Thursday- Crusted Chicken, Dill Potatoes, Fresh Garden Veggies

Friday- Grilled Honey-Lime Chicken Sandwiches

Saturday- ????? Our town is having it's "Fall Festival" today, so not sure if we'll be home or not.

Sunday- Breakfast for dinner: Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon

I'd also like to try baking these this week Whole Wheat Honey Zucchini Muffins! Remember to check out Organizing Junkie for LOTS more menu plans!!
****These muffins and bread turned out GREAT!!! I'm putting this recipe in my "favorites".****

Menu Plan Monday

For some reason I'm having a hard time coming up with a menu this week. We're super busy right now harvesting from all the produce we have coming in from the garden, which is a lot of work, but so worth it! We're getting a ton of zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, and by the end of the week, apples. So we're doing a lot of baking, preserving, and freezing. Here goes....we'll see how the week turns out!

Monday-- Not at home....

Tuesday-- Beef Stroganoff, Egg Noodles, Peas

Wednesday-- Pork Roast, Potatoes, Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Thursday-- Zucchini Lasagna ***Need much more zucchini, and don't add the peeling ends of the zucchini...too hard.***

Friday-- Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings ****YUMMY!!!!! Turned out GREAT!!!****

Saturday-- Grilled steak, grilled potatoes, grilled zucchini

New Pictures....Finally, I know!

I realized last week that I haven't taken many pictures of Dawson lately. He's growing and changing so fast! He's 5 1/2 months old now, and so much fun! His hair is growing like crazy.....he may have to have a haircut soon. :) Here are some fun facts about Dawson:

~He loves to eat bananas, but doesn't really like avacados......yet!
~He just started rolling from his back to front, and he's getting pretty fast at it!
~He's doing well sitting, but still needs support.
~He's teething like crazy, but still only has those first 2 bottom teeth that popped out at 4 months.
~He's on a 3 1/2 hour schedule, and sleeps like a rock at night! (praise God!)
~He's very ticklish and loves to play.
~He's in 12 month clothes, but not too sure how much he weighs....he sure feels heavy though!
~He's very happy and smiles most of the day.





And Camden is having a blast helping Papa with Harvesting. Yesterday he was on the combine with Papa harvesting wheat. After they filled the truck up, he even got to play in it!

Menu Plan Monday

Another Monday, here and gone. Yep, I'm a bit late posting this, but I was gone most of today at appointments. I think I have this week figured out....the meals at least. :)

Monday: Papa Murphy's pizza.....YUM!

Tuesday: Knoephla and Sauerkraut (local german/russian recipe)

Wednesday: Crock Pot Swiss Steak (rolled over from last week)

Thursday: Grilled BBQ chicken, Grilled zucchini, and potatoes

Friday: Beefy Nacho Crescent Bake, and Re-fried Beans

Saturday: Pasta with chicken and fresh garden veggies

Sunday: Brazilian Torta (my husband does this....kinda like puffed pizza with various toppings)

Well, we'll see how this week goes and how we're able to follow the plan. We have a TON of fresh veggies and apples that are being harvested right now....which is so yummy!

Make sure you go HERE for more great menu plans!

Menu Plan Monday

Yes, I've been absent for a long time from the blog, but I'd like to get started up again, so here goes! I've been menu planning the past few weeks, but all on paper. So I'd like to try to get it on my blog so I have them for future reference. Here's our week ahead!

Monday: Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, peas, salad

Tuesday: Cheese Tortellini with chicken and alfredo sauce, fresh garden veggies

Wednesday: Zucchini Parmesan

Thursday: Crockpot Swiss Steak, Baked Potatoes

Friday: Tacos

Saturday: Homemade pizza, with homemade crust

Sunday: Grilled Steaks, Potatoes, and Zucchini

We're in North Dakota!

Yes, we're in ND, and we've been here for a few weeks now. Needless to say, we've been a bit busy so I haven't had much time to blog. I have a lot to catch up on!

Our last month in Brazil was spent at my in-law's house. Camden played a lot with family and everyone had fun getting to know Dawson. Camden spoke mainly Portuguese during that month and became much more fluent than I am!

Traveling went well with the boys. All connections were smooth and Camden was excited to go "na-night" on the airplane. We definitely are blessed with good travelers!

Since we've been in ND Camden has not stopped running on the farm! He's even more obsessed with tractors then before. He's constantly asking everyone for a tractor ride. I think we may have a little farmer on our hands. :) And Dawson is still growing like a weed! He's so much fun!!!

Right now we're just hanging out here on the farm and helping wherever we can. Renato is helping my dad around the farm and I've enjoyed cooking for everyone. (Cooking here is SOOOOO easy!!)

We're still not sure when we'll head down to Colorado. We're just having fun here and enjoying our time on the farm!

2 Months Old!!!

Dawson is 2 months old today! Time is flying! Here are some "fun facts" about him:

~He LOVES getting his diaper changed!
~He doesn't like baths very much. Sad.
~He's very strong and loves to stand up as much as possible.
~He's cooing and "talking" a lot and LOVES to smile!!!!
~He LAUGHED for the 1st time yesterday! I love that sound!!!!
~He's on a 3 hour schedule and wakes up 1 time at night to eat...he's done this from the beginning.
~He's VERY long....and is wearing 3-6 month clothes, but mostly 6 mo. clothes. (He moved into 3-6 mo. clothes a month ago.)
~He has a "grouchy" time in the afternoon when he doesn't want to sleep, but he's a very happy baby besides that. (hoping he grows out of that grouchy time) :)
~He's got new hair growing in already, and it seems to be dark.