Milk's Immortality

Cheese - milk's leap toward immortality.
~ Clifton Fadiman


Cheese is one of the Wonders of the World...at least to this Nonnie. Everything is better with cheese, and there can never be too much cheese. This week's menu is no different. Everything on it has cheese. If I didn't eat cheese, I don't know that I'd get my daily dairy recommendations in.

So...last week's recap. White Chicken Chili is something we've had before, but the monsters decided that they hate it now. Sigh... Easiest No Boil Lasagna is the only lasagna we eat and so easy to put together!

This week's menu is as follows:

Monday ~ Scout Night

Hot Ham and Cheese Roll and chips

Tuesday ~ Get out and vote!

Monsters' Mexican Meatloaf with refried beans

Wednesday ~

Homemade pizzas ~ probably sausage and pepperoni

Thursday ~

YOYO

Friday, Saturday and Sunday ~ Monsters at their dad's

I didn't get around to the Buffalo Chicken Dip last week, so I may do it this weekend.

So that's it for this week. Stop by this week's MPM to see what other's are planning.

Until later...

Primal Food

Food is so primal, so essential a part of our lives, often the mere sharing of recipes with strangers turns them into good friends.
~ Jasmine Heiler

And isn't that a little bit of what MPM is about?

So...last week's recap. Grilled Spicy Chicken Sandwiches is something we have off and on...always a hit.

This week's menu is as follows:

Monday ~ Scout Night

Hot Dogs, Salad, Chips

Tuesday ~

White Chicken Chili

Wednesday ~

Easiest No Boil Lasagna

Thursday ~

YOYO

Friday, Saturday and Sunday ~ Monsters at their dad's

I think I'm going to make Buffalo Chicken Dip. It isn't the healthiest, but I'm feeling in the mood for it.

So that's it for this week. Stop by this week's MPM to see what other's are planning.

Until later...

Belly Rules

The belly rules the mind.
~ Spanish Proverb

Or at least it rules my mind as I'm putting the menu for the week together.

So...last week's recap. Creamy Pasta Parmesan ~ Yuck. I should have known that, but I was swayed by the "easy" idea. A Can Of This And That Crockpot Chili ~ Always a favorite here in the Hinterlands. Pizza Roll ~ another favorite.


This week's menu is as follows:

Monday ~ Scouts

Spaghetti (we're having this too often. I need to take it out of the rotation...after tonight.)

Tuesday ~ Wreath Sales

Pot Roast with Carrots and Potatoes

Wednesday ~ Wreath Sales

YOYO

Thursday ~ Wreath Sales

Divine Chicken Divan

Friday, Saturday and Sunday ~ Monsters on outings

Leftovers for me on Saturday and Sunday. Friday, Mr. A and I will go out to eat before heading to a movie.

So that's it for this week. Stop by this week's MPM to see what other's are planning.

Until later...

Torch of Love

The torch of love is lit in the kitchen.
~ Anonymous

Most every family celebration, be it an ordinary weekday high-five for a good grade, or a birthday dinner, starts in the kitchen. Love is in every bite...at least for us.

So...last week's recap. Pizza Casserole using To Die For Crescent Rolls ~ this is a family favorite, although I usually make it was the crescent rolls from the Doughboy. The homemade crescents were nice, but the convenience of the Doughboy? Nicer. And really, do I have to recap spaghetti? LOL!

This week's menu is as follows:

Monday ~ Mr. A Scouts

Creamy Pasta Parmesan

Tuesday ~ Wreath Sales

A Can Of This And That Crockpot Chili

Wednesday ~ Wreath Sales

YOYO

Thursday ~ Wreath Sales

Pizza Roll

Friday, Saturday and Sunday ~ Monsters with their dad

I'm clueless. Hopefully something will grab me by this weekend.

So that's it for this week. Stop by this week's MPM to see what other's are planning.

Until later...

Earnest Thinking

A man seldom thinks with more earnestness of anything than he does of his dinner.
~ Samuel Johnson

That's so true...at least here in the Hinterlands. I give a lot of thought to what I'm planning for dinner. It probably takes me an hour or more to decide, and then another hour to go through the pantry and make my grocery list for the week.

So...last week's recap. Authentic Hungarian Goulash "gulyasleves" ~ not going to stay in the keeper file. It was "okay" but something was off. Bacon Cheeseburger Rice Casserole ~ another "okay" meal. One monster doesn't really like rice, so I doubt I'll make this again.

This week's menu is as follows:

Monday ~ Wreath Sales

Pizza Casserole using To Die For Crescent Rolls

Tuesday ~ Football Practice

Spaghetti

Wednesday ~ Wreath Sales

YOYO

Thursday ~ Football Practice

YOYO

Friday, Saturday and Sunday ~ Monsters with their dad

I've got to make some of Kittencal's Extreme Chocolate Brownies for Bugaboo's banquet on Saturday, but other than that, it's up in the air.

So that's it for this week. Stop by this week's MPM to see what other's are planning.

Until later...

Dinner Table

Never argue at the dinner table, for the one who is not hungry always gets the best of the argument.
~ Richard Whately

Happy Monday!

There's a rule in the Nonnie Household, that there are no arguments at the table. It's one that we're pretty good about keeping. I think that the dinner table isn't the time for a family to hash out problems, but rather a time to connect about their day.

So...last week's recap. Chicken Fingers made with Best Batter Ever and fries ~ The monsters loved this. I'm not sure if it was the batter, or the fact that it was deep fried, but it got two thumbs up. Cheese Manicotti ~ this is an old favorite and always devoured. Orange Beef with Broccoli ~ Meh. It was okay for what it was, but I liked the sauce from the Orange Chicken a few weeks ago better. If I make this again, I'll swap out sauces. Shrimp Stroganoff ~ this was okay. I'm not sure I'd make it again, unless I could make a full recipe. Easiest Brownies ~ not a recipe I'll make again. I'll stick to my tried and true instead.

This week's menu is as follows:

Monday ~ Scouts for Mr. A

Authentic Hungarian Goulash "gulyasleves"

Tuesday ~ Football Practice

Bacon Cheeseburger Rice Casserole

Wednesday ~ Chore Night

YOYO

Thursday ~ Football Practice

YOYO

Friday, Saturday and Sunday ~ Monsters with their dad

This weekend is a huge question mark. Sunday is Mr. A's Fall Court Of Honor, so I'll be making something (what????) to take to that, but I'm not sure about the rest of the weekend. It'll probably be whatever I find in the cupboards.

So that's it for this week. Stop by this week's MPM to see what other's are planning.

Until later...

The Very Nicest Things

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.
~ Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright

Happy Monday!

It was a full weekend for us, but it's time to get back into the swing of things...so without further ado...

Let's recap last week's menu. The Orange Chicken was enjoyed by all of us. I added quite a bit of red pepper flakes as we like our food with a bite. The monsters liked the Open-faced Lasagna Sandwiches, but I think if I make them again, I'll use half the amount of spaghetti sauce and I won't bother with the fresh mozzarella. The monsters couldn't care less, and I can use that money on something else in my grocery budget. The Spicy Southwestern Pasta was so-so for us. The Pork Roast Yucatan Style, Mexican Mashed Potatoes and Apple Pie got huge thumbs up from everyone. They'll stay in the "Make Again" file. The Roasted Corn & Black Bean Salad didn't however, so that recipe gets 86'd. I also made Vanilla Pudding Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast on Sunday. They didn't make last week's menu, but they made the "Make Again" file!

This week's menu is as follows:

Monday ~ Scouts for Bugaboo

Chicken Fingers made with Best Batter Ever and fries.

Tuesday ~ Football Practice

Cheese Manicotti

Wednesday ~ Chore Night

Orange Beef with Broccoli

Thursday ~ Football Practice

YOYO

Friday, Saturday and Sunday ~ Monsters with their dad

I'm not sure what I'll do Friday. Probably a leftover night. Saturday I'll be making Shrimp Stroganoff and then a few batches of Easiest Brownies to bring to Mr. A's games Sunday to celebrate his birthday with his team. Sunday is Mr. A's double headers, so it'll likely be a picnic of sorts between games.

Don't forget to head over to Organizing Junkie to see the rest of today's meal plans!

Until later...

Intimate Acts

Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly.
~ M. F. K. Fisher

Sharing food is an intimate act. I think that's why families gather around the table...to share their days and to grow closer. I know that I enjoy hearing about the monsters' days as we eat.

This week is a little different from normal. We'll be celebrating Mr. A's birthday this weekend, so that's been added to the mix.

Monday ~ Scouts for Mr. A

Hamburgers...I got an excellent deal from Omaha Steaks for these.

Tuesday ~ Football Practice

Orange Chicken

Wednesday ~ Relaxing at Home

Open-faced Lasagna Sandwiches

Thursday ~ Football Practice

Spicy Southwestern Pasta

Friday ~ Chore Night

YOYO

Saturday ~ Football Game & Mr. A's Birthday

Pork Roast Yucatan Style with Mexican Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Corn & Black Bean Salad. For dessert, we're going to have Apple Pie on the birthday monster's request.

Sunday ~ Baseball Double Header

Up in the air. Mr. A's games aren't until 2, which means we'll need to be at the fields at 1. We'll see how I'm feeling when it comes to lunch, but I know that we'll probably grab McDonalds or Subway on the way home for dinner.

So that's what's up for this week. Stop by this week's MPM to see what others are planning. Who knows? You might get some good ideas for yourself!

Until later...

September!

It's been a busy summer here in the Hinterlands...I've not had a moment to spare what with baseball and everything else that the monsters have been involved in. That meant that Notions went by the way-side for me, but that's okay...family is much more important.

With September comes the start of school. The monsters will be home from their dad's at 8 tonight, and life will get back to normal. Mr. A starts school tomorrow, but Bugaboo doesn't start until Wednesday.



Also with September comes a return to MPMs for me. So without further ado, here's this week's menu.


Monday ~ Monsters not yet home.

YOYO ~ I'm not sure what's in the fridge, but I'll be eating it.

Tuesday ~ Mr. A's first day, football for Bugaboo

Pizza ~ Mr. A's pick. It'll be homemade sausage and pepperoni.

Wednesday ~ Bugaboo's first day

Chicken nuggets and fries ~ Bugaboo's pick

Thursday ~ Football & Baseball Night

Spaghetti

Friday, Saturday & Sunday ~ First School Weekend

Just me for the weekend. Bugaboo has a game on Saturday, Mr. A has a double header on Sunday. I'll probably eat whatever leftovers are in the fridge.

So that's what's up for this week. Stop by this week's MPM to see what others are planning. Who knows? You might get some good ideas for yourself!

Until later...

Last Week Of School

Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.

~ B.F. Skinner

So this is the start of the last week of school for the monsters. Overall, it's been a good year, but each has had their personal highs and lows. We'll see how much of their education survives this summer.

And with the start of the summer, there are changes to our lives. The boys will begin their summer living arrangements on the 8th. That means that they live with their dad from Sunday evening until Friday afternoon. This was the compromise that we came up with when we got divorced. This keeps the boys from jumping from house to house during the school week, but causes a lot of loneliness on my part. Oh, I can't deny that the first week or so, I'm excited that I don't have to cook for two endless pits, that I don't have to harp about chores or homework, but by Week 3, I'm ready for them to come back home where they belong.

This being the last week of school, also means the end to huge planned meals. Cooking for one isn't always fun, but I'll be attempting it.

This week's menu is as follows:

Monday ~ Scouts for Mr. A

Alfredo Bake We didn't get to this last week, so it's on the menu again.

Tuesday ~ Baseball Night

Monster's Mexican Meatloaf

Wednesday ~ Baseball Night

It's lasagna tonight...I'll post the link when it gets posted.

Thursday ~ Baseball Night

YOYO - You're on your own!

Friday, Saturday & Sunday ~ First Summer Weekend

My plans are to go to my parents' place and give the monsters their birthday present...yes, I know that their birthdays are two and three months away, but I think that this gift is worth giving to them early. So with going to my parents' place, that means I don't have to cook! WhooHoo!

So that's what's up for this week. Stop by this week's MPM to see what others are planning. Who knows? You might get some good ideas for yourself!

Until later...

It's Monday!

Nearly everyone wants as least one outstanding meal a day.

~ Duncan Hines

How true is that quote? Many of us have our stand-bys when it comes to meals, because we know that they are good meals. Some of us stick to our favorites because of that quote, while others go in search of the new and different to find the outstanding meal.

This week, we're having a little bit of both the new and old, but let's recap last week's menu. The Cheese Manicotti was a hit with the boys. I thought it was okay, but I think I'd want to jazz up the cheese filling just a little more next time. The Fantastic Taco Casserole was a repeat for us and the boys scarfed it down as usual. The Divine Chicken Divan is a family favorite, and hits our menu every month or two. I tried a new recipe for my grandmother's party also. It was Cheesecake Pops. It wasn't a hard recipe, just tedious and the results were fantastic...I'll try to get the recipe up within a week or so.

This week's menu is as follows:

Monday ~ Memorial Day

The boys are with their dad, so I'll be eating whatever is in the fridge.

Tuesday ~ Baseball & Soccer Night

Tex-Mex Gooey Casserole

Wednesday ~ Chore Night

It's a breakfast for dinner night. We'll be having Simple, Perfect French Toast, Hashbrown Casserole and sausage.

Thursday ~ Baseball Night

Alfredo Bake

Friday, Saturday & Sunday ~ Baseball Tourney

Mr. A has a baseball tourney here in town, so the boys are going to be home for dinner Friday night. We'll have spaghetti that night. Saturday, Mr. A has a minimum of two games, but my parents and my grandma will be here for the tourney, so I'm not sure what we'll do for food yet. I'll talk to my mom this week and see what's what and I may have to amend my menu for something that night. Sunday is more of the tourney if Mr. A's team does well, but I'm guessing that it'll just be me that day, so I'll forage for whatever is in the fridge.

Don't forget to head over to Organizing Junkie to see the rest of today's meal plans!

Until later...

Take It or Leave It

As a child my family's menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it.

~ Buddy Hackett

My family's menu consisted of pretty much the same thing. I've not done that to the monsters, and this menu shows it...We're having manicotti...again. Can I tell you how tired I am of manicotti? LOL!

Last weeks' menu was a 50/50 success rate. The Crispy Ginger Beef was given two thumbs up and then one of the monsters changed his mind and gave it a thumbs down. It gets two thumbs up for me. The Salisbury Steak gets three thumbs in the meh zone. I won't be making it again unless it's all I have in the cupboard. The Chicken Manicotti got two thumbs up from the boys. I didn't end up having any of this, but given the way they scarfed it up, it had to be good.

This week's menu is as follows:

Monday ~ Scout Graduation!

Bugaboo is bridging up to the next Scout level, so we'll be at the picnic while Mr. A goes with X and grabs something on the way to his game.

Tuesday ~ Soccer & Band/Choir Concert Night

Cheese Manicotti

Wednesday ~ Baseball Practice

Fantastic Taco Casserole

Thursday ~ Soccer & Baseball Night

Divine Chicken Divan

Friday, Saturday & Sunday ~

It's my grandmother's 80th birthday, so the boys are with me Friday and Saturday. Friday will be leftovers as I make a Brown Butter Cake with Buttercream Icing to take to her party on Saturday. We'll be eating out that day.

Don't forget to head over to Organizing Junkie to see the rest of today's meal plans!

Until later...

Monday...What's for Dinner?

It's Monday and that means MPM!

Last week's menu went over pretty well. The Crispy Onion Chicken got one thumb up and one thumb down from the monsters. I gave it a thumb up, so we'll be having it again. The Penne With Chicken and Roasted Asparagus was absolutely wonderful, and the cold leftovers were just as good. The Brown Sugar Apple Cheesecake was wonderful too, and if you don't like apples, the cheesecake without the apples would be just fine! In fact, I'm likely to make it without the apples next time.

It's not as busy this week as last week, which is a good thing. We have two school nights empty and while the weekend is full with a tourney, it's the weekend, so I'm okay with that.

This week's menu is shaping up as follows:

Monday ~ Relaxing!

Crispy Ginger Beef

Tuesday ~ Soccer & Baseball Night

Salisbury Steak The monsters have always liked the frozen kind, so we're going to test out the from scratch kind.

Wednesday ~ Chore Night

Chicken Manicotti

Thursday ~ Soccer & Baseball Night

Spaghetti

Friday, Saturday & Sunday ~

Mr. A has a tourney, so I'm guess I'll be eating out. I'm headed to my parents for the weekend, as the tourney is closer to their house than mine, and every little bit of saved gas helps!

Don't forget to head over to Organizing Junkie to see the rest of today's meal plans!

Until later...

Where Did The Weekend Go?

It's Monday (and that means MPM, too, so stay tuned!) and I have no idea where the weekend went. I can cheefully say I did nothing, so why is it over?

It's a busy week again, and I'm not sure how we're going to attempt getting the monsters to their various activities, but we'll manage some how.

Mr. A has his first game of the regular season today. I'm interested to see how things end up, especially after watching them practice last week.

This week's menu is shaping up as follows:

Monday ~ Baseball Night

We're eating out tonight. Bugaboo has a doctor's appt at 4, Mr. A needs to be at the field at 5:30 and the game is 45 minutes away...no time for a home-cooked meal.

Tuesday ~ Soccer & Baseball Night

Meatball Hoagies and Chips

Wednesday ~ Chore Night

Crispy Onion Chicken

Thursday ~ Soccer & Baseball Night

Monsters' Mexican Meatloaf

Friday & Saturday ~
I'm not quite sure what's happening this weekend. Mr. A has a Scout Outing, so I know he'll be gone until Sunday. Bugaboo may, or may not, go to his dad's Friday night. Either way, we'll be eating leftovers Friday night and possibly Saturday as well.

Sunday ~ Mother's Day

It's looking like my parents will be coming over to celebrate Mother's Day. Mr. A should be back from his outing by 3, and doesn't have practice until 6, so that gives us 3 hours to spend together. I'm going to make Penne With Chicken and Roasted Asparagus and for dessert, Brown Sugar Apple Cheesecake.

Don't forget to head over to Organizing Junkie to see the rest of today's meal plans!

Until later...

Can't Trust That Day...

It always seems to bring the beginning of another week that the word "pell-mell" can describe quite easily. Scouts, soccer, baseball, homework, the removal of braces...sigh. It's a never ending amusement park ride around here. BTW, can you name the song that verse came from...or the group? One of my all-time favorite groups to be honest. I so should have been born years before I was.

Last week during the Bloggy Giveaways, I found a new blog... I'm an Organizing Junkie. She's got quite a few great ideas that I can't wait to spend some more time checking out. She's also got a carnival that she runs each Monday, along the lines of Rocks In My Dryer's WFMW...It's called Meal Plan Monday, and I'm going to start participating.

You might ask why...Why do I need another item on an overly scheduled day? Well, that's easy. Last week, I realized that the monsters and I had Rotini Alfredo for the past 3 weeks running. If you are what you eat, I'm...



So, we're starting it off this week to make sure that the monsters and I are eating a more varied diet...

Monday ~ Scout Night

Mexican Queso Dip

Tuesday ~ Soccer & Baseball Night

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Wednesday ~ Braces Off

This will be Mr. Attitude's decision for a celebration dinner...he's still thinking about it.

Thursday ~ Soccer & Baseball Night

Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Friday, Saturday & Sunday ~ Clean Out The Fridge

The monsters will be with their dad, so I'll be eating whatever is leftover from the week...if there isn't anything, I'm going to make Shrimp Scampi Pizza for myself, as the monsters don't really enjoy it.

So that's what's up for this week. Stop by this week's MPM to see what others are planning. Who knows? You might get some good ideas for yourself!

Until later...