MY FIRST MENU PLAN MONDAY!

Today I am making only my second ever published blog post! I've had a blog for a few months now, but no posts have made it out of draft form before this past Saturday! You can read about my fear of posting here since I've actually begun publishing some of my original posts. I will be gradually freeing all of my posts from "draft prison" but am still working up the nerve! :)

In my new found independence of actually posting what I blog about, I decided to join in the fun of:


Menu Plan Monday is one of my most favorite finds in the world of blogging. Thank you to Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie for hosting this great carnival each week! I've thoroughly enjoyed reading through the great ideas from everyone and am so happy to be adding to them.

Sadly, we don't have much time for cooking on the first three days of our week for the next few weeks, but we will get to enjoy some great family time and good food in the latter half of the week. During the school year, I try to cook three or four nights a week. We then have leftovers available (and of course dining out) for the other meals.

MONDAY - For the next twelve weeks, Mr. Brownstone and I have a weekly obligation that falls in an awkward time frame. It's too early to eat a big meal before we leave and too late to eat a big meal when we get home. We will be having sandwich night until this commitment is completed.

TUESDAY - This is also an awkward night for us for the same reasons as Monday...we leave too early, and we get home too late. Tuesday nights will have to be $5 pizza night for now until this particular season of kids' sports is finished.

WEDNESDAY - We eat at church for only $10! The menu for this night is Hawaiian Hay Stacks and Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Thankfully, we will finally enjoy an actual home-cooked meal for the first time all week!

THURSDAY - We have a Curriculum Night at school, so it will be nice to have a one-dish-clean-up! We will be having Italian Pork Chops and Vegetables in the slow-cooker. (See recipe below!)

FRIDAY - We are having Build-Your-Own Fiesta Salad. I will double this and freeze some for a later date.

SATURDAY - We will have Spaghetti and Homemade Meat Sauce with Texas Toast and salad. I will double the sauce and freeze this as well.

SUNDAY - We are dining with the Tween Youth Group we teach on Sundays. Usually we dine out with all of our friends for Sunday Lunch AND Sunday Supper. We we still be dining with half of them, as there are four couples total that teach this youth group! What a wonderful blessing to have close friendships!

That about wraps up our week. I hope you enjoy the following recipe, courtesy of my mom's recipe box!

Italian Pork Chops and Vegetables

1 16-ounce bottle Italian salad dressing
4 pork chops
4 potatoes, sliced or cubed
6 carrots, thinly sliced (You can use whole baby carrots if you prefer. I do sometimes.)
1 onion, sliced

Place chops and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover with salad dressing. Cover. Cook on high for 6-8 hours.

You may omit the vegetables if you want just the chops. We like to eat both, though! It's easy to prepare and easy to clean.

Enjoy!

MY FIRST MENU PLAN MONDAY!

http://xboxwife.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-first-menu-plan-monday.html