Making a Monthly Menu

Step 1:
Pick out enough recipes to cover everyday of the month. I pull recipes from Pinterest, recipes we have had before and enjoyed and from a cook book I have. But to be honest most of my recipes come from Pinterest. This takes a while so I usually do it while watching tv.
As I find the recipes I print them out. Here is a link to the meals that I am using this month. If you click on the name of the dish it will take you to it.


Step 2:
Fill your Calendar with all the special events you need to work around for the month. I always put holidays (the regular ones and some unique ones), birthdays, and special events or meetings on the menu. This way when I am making out my menu I can see what's going on each day. So if need be I make a crock pot meal that night or decide that everyone is on their own I can. Sometimes what we have for dinner depends on the holidays, the regular and unique ones.
Something else I try to account for is that every Thursday Eli has Mexican with the gang at work. So I try not to make mexican dishes on Thursdays.

Step 3:
Fill your Calendar with meals. Make sure you don't clump all the chicken recipes in one week. Spread them out have a variety during the week. I have a set day that is crock pot meals, I don't have to do anything special day. This for us is Tuesday since I have Women's Group. I try to alternate chicken, beef, sausage, ect... so we don't get overwhelmed with the same thing. It has been pointed out to me lately that I make a lot of chicken dishes. So this month I am striving to add more variety.
I always go through and put the main dishes in first and then go back and add sides.

Step 4:
Once I am done putting everything in the menu I organize the recipes in the order they will be prepared. It just makes them easier to find them. And then they hang on the side of the fridge. Not going and looking for them.

Step 5:
It's time to make the grocery list. For me I try to buy most of the groceries at the beginning of the month. Eli gets paid once a month and so buying the groceries at the beginning of the month just seems to work out best for us. When I was working I would grocery shop once a week. So the way you grocery shop is really up to you, your schedule, and how you budget your money. Now there are times that I make a grocery run other times during the month. But it's usually for Milk, or if something special comes up and I need supplies.
I have a spread sheet that I made for my Grocery list. It has made things much easier and I even have a section to make note of a price match.

Step 6:
This is the not so fun part. I go through all the ads the week I am going to shop and price match things. Most things I get at Walmart because I can price match them. But there are still a few select things that I will buy at Kroger no matter what. Like Sausage, they have a kind of sausage that we really like and so I just buy it. Also I get coupons from Kroger and so if they are good then I buy the product there so I can use the coupon. Kroger has some pretty good sales once in a while but those things can also be price matched at Walmart.

Step 7:
Get on line and print coupons. Also go through the coupons that I have gotten from the paper or the internet. This month I sorted them out. I have a coupon I wanted to use immediately.
Kroger had batteries on clearance and I had a coupon for $1 off. So I wanted to use it while I could get this great deal. We go through a lot of batteries. Anyways...
I also stacked up all the ones that expire on the 31st. Let me clarify, not all of them but all the ones that are for products we would use or I would be buying next month anyways. Since Eli gets paid the 31st this month I will be sure to at least make a grocery run on that day so I can use the coupons before they expire.
Then I made a pile of ones that I knew I would use in the next month but I didn't have to worry about their expiration date.
I go through the grocery list then and look for coupons for items that are frequent to the coupon world. You know there are some items that seem to frequent the fliers and coupon.com.
Don't forget about those coupons you can load on your Kroger card. Sometimes I get a higher value paper coupon. If that's the case I don't let them swipe my Kroger card until I have used the paper coupon.
Oh and did you know that Sams also has coupons you can load on your card.
In my spreadsheet I also make note of whether I have a coupon or not.

Step 8:
Now for the grocery shopping. Sometimes this can be a 2 day process. It depends on what stores I am going to. If I need to make a Sams run
I try to get there when they open and then I usually make a Big Lots run if I am going to Sams. Fruit snacks, cereal, crackers, and spices are often cheaper there.
So usually if I make the trip to Chilli then I don't make it to Kroger or Walmart before Lilly is done with shopping and I need to get the kids at school. So then The Kroger/Walmart run happens the next day. I have learned the hard way that it is not good for me to take all three kids to the grocery with me. I will only do this in an extreme emergency. This really is only for the sake of my sanity.

Step 9:
Put it all away after you get home. There are somethings that I prep and freeze and such. But it really depends on the menu. I like to make ahead cream of Chicken soup and freeze it so that it's ready to go.

Here is a link to the menu I use:
Monthly Menu
This website Money Saving Mom has lots of free downloads. I really like her stuff. Most of her stuff can be edited on your computer. So if you download the menu you can type in the stuff instead of printing it out and writing it in.
I am sure if you don't like this one you can go to Pinterest and find something that suits you. I have searched Pinterest and there are many different menu planning ideas. This just happens to be the one that works for me.

I am going to try to figure out how to give you a link to my grocery shopping spreadsheet. If I get my hubby to help me I will update with it. If not and you are interested in it let me know and I can email it to you.

I think that covers it but I could be forgetting something. If you ahve any questions please feel free to ask. If you want to go through this with me step by step I am very open to that as well. And if you want me to do this for you I am open to that as well. I had someone tell me one time, will you just make up my menu and do my shopping? I have been thinking about that statement and I think that could be a cool thing to do. So if you need a little help let me know.

The one thing to remember is to be flexible. Things come up and sometimes you just don't feel like what's planned for the night. Don't be afraid to switch it around if you need to. This is the reason I do mine in pencil.

oh and I always have a couple meals stored up in case something isn't tasty at all. I haven't ran into that but maybe once but theirs always cereal right?

I hope this helps.

February's Menu

These are in no certain order. I tried to add recipes that I would be using this month for my syrup, buns, seasoning mixes and other things. If you click on the name of the dish it should take you to the recipe.

Flank Steak
Paleo Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken
Flour Tortillas
Ham
Biscuit and Sausage Gravy Casserole
Pancake Squares
Stuffed Green Peppers
White Pizza Grilled Cheese
Moo Shu Pork
Ooey Gooey Cheesy Meatballs
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

Homemade Pitas
Hot Chicken Salad
Crockpot Italian Beef
Homemade Hamburger Buns
Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
Chorizo Beef Nachos
Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
Croque Monsieurs
Jolean's Cheese Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole
Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Creamed Soups (Chicken, Mushroom, celery)

Pancake Syrup

Two ingredient Creamy Garlic Broccoli

Baked Potato

Ruth's Diner Mile High Biscuits

Seasoning Mixes (Dry Onion, Ranch, Taco)

The Christmas Mommy wasn't with it.

Well here we are Jan.2nd and the kids go back to school tomorrow. Really, where did Christmas break go? Did Christmas really happen already? UGH! I am feeling overwhelmed with guilt today. December seems like such a haze. I had so many things that I wanted to do with the kids. I am not sure even 1/2 the things happened. We had a countdown to Christmas that it seems was harder than ever to keep up with. Really, how hard is it to move a star everyday? I had an Advent Calendar again this year and we had an activity to do each day. Did any of those happen? Not many! Our Advent readings were just well not what I wanted them to be. I had bought a book but I wasn't pleased with it. So I bought another but it wasn't an every day type of book so I went from doing a reading everyday for Advent to doing a reading on Sunday's. Then I found a reading plan that someone had created to go along with The Jesus Storybook Bible. I didn't find this reading plan till the week before Christmas. So for several days we accomplished some daily readings that I think the kids could understand.
I think that due to there not being a moment in December when someone wasn't sick to the continuos rain that fell from the sky some of the things we wanted to do we just couldn't.
We started the month out good with a North Pole Breakfast, the kids enjoyed it. But after that it just seems to have gone down hill.

Did we make cookies? NO
Did we sit cookies out for Santa? No
Did we put reindeer food out? No
Did I take pictures of my kids in front of the tree? No
Did we stop to thank God for giving us the gift of His son on Christmas day? Nope
There is more but if I keep going the tears might come.

I just feel like I failed them this season.
Yeah they got presents and they are happy. But it's not all about the presents and I think I failed in conveying that this year.

Ugh, I guess there is always next year. I guess this is just the Christmas that mommy wasn't with it.

My creation

I have always been a follow the recipe to the T kind of girl. But last night when I started dinner I decided to blend two recipes ideas and make one. So I took a couple of aspects from the recipe my sister-in-law gave me for stuffed jalapeños and a recipe I found on Pinterest for Italian stuffed pepper.

Here are the ingredients:
6 Green peppers-tops cut off and cleaned out.
1 1/2 lb. ground sausage
1/2 lb. gr. beef
1/2 c chopped onion
2 tsp. oregano
1 brick of cream cheese
1 c shredded mozzerella cheese
3/4 c pasta sauce

Line the green peppers in a 3 qt. baking dish.

1. brown suasage and gr. beef
2. add onion till it's cooked
3. add oregano
4. let cook for a few moments
5. add the cream cheese- mix well
6. add the mozzerella cheese- mix well
7. add the pasta sauce- mix well

Bake 400 for 30-40 minutes.

I didn't but I think next time I make them I will either sprinkle them with parmesan cheese or mozzerella cheese toward the end of baking.

They were so yummy!

reflecting on the day

As I laid in bed last night reflecting over the day I must say I was a bit emotional. Maybe it was the episode of Parenthood that started the emotion. Probably not but I am going to say it started it. A birthday can bring such mixed emotions. I am not too concerned with turning a year older. I more concerned that I seem to have a few more grey hairs. I must do something about that soon.
There is always something that each of us are waiting for on our special day. That one gift, that one phone call, that one birthday greeting, ect...
As I laid there and shed several tears I realized how blessed I am. Eli bought me this cool retro chair on a whim because I sent him the craiglist posting. He had the kids make me cards, they were awesome. I received over 150 birthday wishes on facebook. A friend brought me lunch and a much needed letter. It was one of my favs- Pizza Hut Pan crust cheese pizza. A friend made a special trip to my house and brought me a mum for my birthday and a very sweet card. I made my self a cake that I have been wanting to make for almost a year now. The kids were in bed by 8 and I was able to just relax for the evening and take in some TV. We saw one of our old youth kids on a tv show on syfy, that was cool. And then I would like to thank the network of NBC for the great birthday present of the first episode of Parenthood premiering. LOL, I know they did that just for me.
But I think that best thing that happened yesterday was right before Silas went to be we were sitting on the floor cuddling. He looked up at me and said "Mommy next year I am going to make you a cake and it is going to have a heart on it because I love you so much. You are the best mommy." I cried! He said "are you crying?" I said "yes but they are happy tears. You make my heart happy, I love you!" He said "I love you too"
I am so glad that even though things don't go the way we think they should or hope they will that God knows what we need and when we need it. Yesterday was a good day!

37 facts about me on my birthday!

I am celebrating my birthday this week…and I thought it would be fun to let you know a few silly things about me. Since this is my 37th birthday, welcome to 37 Facts about Me.

1. I love to bake! I love the challenge of making something you can buy at the store. I love that it comes out tasting better than the store bought.

2. I love to eat homemade rolls with country crock butter on them, YUM!

3. I have never had braces. When I was in elementary school I used to have a sizable gap between my teeth. Some of my classmates would give me a couple of their rubberbands from their braces and I would put them on my front four teeth. They grew together and braces were no longer a thought.

4. I love fall! I love everything about it. Football games, bonfires, apple and pumpkin flavored things. The smells of fall, the crispness of a fall morning.

5. I love to organize and reorganize till it's just right. If we had a labeler we would be in trouble.

6. I love the colors chocolate brown, olive green, deep mustard yellow, and burnt orange.

7. My favorite lip gloss is from C.O. Bigelow, it's Cinnamint Mentha Lip Shine.

8. My secret to making my lip stick last all day long, when I wear it, is to take brown eye liner and dab it on your lips and then put your favorite gloss over it and smooth it. It looks great and lasts a long time. This is probably my one and only beauty tip. It was discovered when I ran out of lip liner one day.

9. My all time favorite candy is only sold once a year. Cinnamon gummy hearts from Brach's. update: I forgot to add in that I love everything that is Cinnamon flavored.

10. My second all time favorite candy has been discontinued and I really wish they would bring it back, cranberry jelly bellies.

11. If I had to pick a candy bar it would be a toss up between Butterfinger and a Kit Kat. I wish they would make Kit Kat's without the chocolate all over them.

12. I have this friend that gives the best hugs. I am always excited to see her because when she hugs you you know that she truly cares for you and loves you. I don't get to see her very often but I cherish these hugs! I am also excited to see her because of so many other reasons than just her hugs. But it's really nice to get that hug esp. when you are not having the greatest of days or feeling a little unloved. I would love to hug people the way she does!

13. I like Milk Chocolate. I despise Dark Chocolate.


14. I enjoy Tim Horton's Apple Cider. But when it comes to coffee it's Starbuck's all the way! I love a Carmel Macchiato.

15. I like Harbio Gummy Bears only! They are the best!

16. My drink of choice is Pepsi but I also enjoy sweet tea. My all time favorite wine is Mascato with Riesling a close second. I really enjoy a Smirnoff or Mike's Hard Cranberry Lemonade here and there.

17. I have a new found love for cooking. I am doing things I never thought I would. There are spices in my home that I never thought would be here.

18. I make my own laundry soap, dryer sheets, fabric softener, bathroom cleaner, stain remover and disinfectant spray.

19. Speaking of cleaning I hate cleaning the bathroom!

20. My favorite Ice cream is well get ready for the list, Jeni's Poached Pear Riesling, Cold Stone Chocolate with Mini Marshmellows mixed in, and Grater's Chocoalte.

21. My favorite Restaurant is Maggiano's. But local I would choose either Bangkok Palace or Max and Erma's.

22. I didn't get my driver's license until I was 22. I was a Senior in College.

23. I love IKEA!

24. My favorite meal is probably Pizza. But I also really enjoy Pastas, Roast and Dumplings, Tacos, and Chicken and Noodles.

25. I love Music! When I can get away with it I have it blasting in the house.
My current favorite musicians are Jenny & Tyler, Robbie Seay Band and All Sons & Daughters.

26. I recently found my celebrity look a like and even though some that I have shared this with think that I don't that how I feel I look like. So since finding this out I have had a complex. So I chopped my hair off. No more ponies or messy buns. Now to loose 50-70 lbs. I don't want to look like her and wish someone would have told me I did instead of me figuring it out for myself.

27. I have been to the following countries Canada, France, Hungry, Austria.

28. I have been to the following states Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Nevada and California.

29. My favorite cities that I have visited are Chicago, San Francisco, Nashville, Yellow Springs.

30. I love and long to help others.

31. I want to see the Northern Lights in all their glory before I die.

32. I know that I let my human nature get the best of me sometimes but I really strive to love others no matter what. Just like Christ loves me no matter what. Eph. 3:16-19. I pray that there may be no measurement when it come to loving others. Love surpasses all measurements and all things. Love Above all!

33. I am afraid of ticks and this fear causes me to not enjoy being outdoors.

34. I love to see the snow falling. It is such a beautiful picture of Christ. A fresh snowfall is so peaceful and gentle and pure and cleansing. And yet at the same time it can be powerful and bring things to a stop. It can cause you to stop and slow down.

35. I love to sit and relax and watch tv or movies before bed. Some of my favs are Parenthood, Modern Family and America's Got Talent. I also watch Grimm with the hubby. But I can't watch it by myself. My favorite movie of all time is Pride and Prejudice. But then there is nothing like a little Tommy Boy humor here and there. Update: How could I forget NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles, 2 Broke Girls, Mike & Molly, Parks & Recreation, Duck Dynasty, Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Ice Road Truckers or Hawaii Five. Told ya I like to watch TV. From 8-11 is my down time. I work all day so this is me time.-O

36. It seems like whenever I find something I really like they discontinue it. Like my favorite slippers from Brookstone, My favorite scent from Bath and Body, my favorite jelly belly's. So I am searching for new favs. I think they next time I find them I will buy double so when they are discontinued a month later and still have them, lol.

37. I love working with youth. I love everything about it! I consider those kids my own and I would do anything for them. I wish they believed that and took me up on it.


Wow, I did it. I thought in the beginning how am I going to come up with 37 things. But here we are. I will even give ya one to grow on, lol.

38. I guess maybe it's more a goal that a fact. I want to do the couch to 5K program and actually run, yes I said run, a 5K in the next year. I want to run the color run.

I got this idea from this blog.

My best friend went to Kindergarten.

This summer has gone by so quickly. I can't believe my kids are back in school. I am thankful for daily routine that it brings. I need that daily routine to function properly.
I remember when Ellie started Kindergarten. I remember waddling her into her room to meet her teacher and tearing up at orientation. I took her to school on her first day and picked her up. I teared up a little but not a full on cry. Soon after Ellie started school we had a distraction from Ellie's new adventure. Lilly came and life was more about her than Ellie leaving the house and going to Kindergarten everyday.
It was Silas and I at home with a baby to take care of everyday. Okay we all know that I was the one doing the caring for but man did that boy love to help and he wanted to do everything he could for his baby sister. He would even sit and hold her hand while he watched cartoons. He wanted to help feed her, change her and bathe her. I didn't work outside the home at this time, like I did with Ellie. Instead I was babysitting. I think that aided in a different level of bonding for Silas and I.
Yesterday was Silas' first day of Kindergarten and he LOVED it! Eli took him to school because the little girl I am babysitting for gets here at 7:15. I tear up when they left, and teared up a couple times during the day. At about noon I wondered, Is there any way I can find out if he's ok. I went to pick him up and I teared up. Thank goodness for big dark sunglasses. I ask him if he had a good day and he said it was awesome. And then I ask the question that no mom should ever ask their child. Did you miss me? He responds no. That only hurt a little. I don't want him to miss me I want him to have fun and enjoy school to the fullest.
After making dinner, cleaning it up and getting everyone to bed I nestled in my bed to fold clothes while I watched some tv. There was nothing on which just left me and my thoughts folding clothes. NOT GOOD! So it finally dawned on me. At noon yesterday it wasn't Silas I need to be wondering about it was me. I was the one not doing good. My best friend went to Kindergarten and I was a little lost. I didn't have anyone to talk to. Sure Lilly and Isabella were here but those are not the same conversations I had with Si. I didn't have anyone to snuggle with. Lilly doesn't snuggle very often if at all. I didn't have a helper following me around trying to figure out how he could help me with everything I was doing. I didn't have anyone to have some down time with and play wii. I had myself a good little sob and continued to fold clothes.
So thus a new chapter in our lives has come. I hope his loves for school continues and I hope that Ellie develops a love for school this year. I, and she, need for her to have a great year.
I am sure I will start handling this better. I am sure that Lilly and I will develop a deeper relationship and then in 4 years I will be right back here where I am now.