MY SECOND MENU PLAN MONDAY!

Previous Entry: Something For Sunday

Well, my first week of actual blogging was not as painful as I had feared! It's actually quite fun, and I have so thoroughly enjoyed making my first friends in Blogland! Thank you to all of you that were so warm and welcoming. I appreciate the kind words and support!

And now for the featured item:

Thanks again to Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie
for hosting Menu Plan Monday each week!

Our schedule has not really changed in the last week and will not be changing for at least five more weeks before the first change occurs and then another six weeks before the next change. Ahhh...such is life!

As far as last week goes, we did have sandwiches on Monday night. On Tuesday night, we had pizza, but we just bought frozen pizza from the grocery store instead. YUM! Wednesday night, I got a horrible migraine headache, so I slept through dinner and church, while Mr. Brownstone and the whirlwinds ate from the $1 menu at McDonald's. To be honest, Thursday and Friday just sort of fell apart for me because the reality of the news we received on Monday was hitting me pretty hard, leaving me a bit disorganized and finding myself retreating to this blog or a book. Sadly, we brought in take-out (burritos and tacos) on Thursday night. Friday, Mr. Brownstone and the whirlwinds had a pizza buffet, and they brought me a hot sandwich and some chips. On Saturday, we got back on schedule - sort of - and had Taco Salad with friends. It was fun and relaxed to combine our food and just be at the home of great friends. Sunday went absolutely as scheduled with dining with our tween youth group for lunch and dinner with friends that night.

This week, we really do hope to dine in more...the kids, Mr. Brownstone, and myself are happiest when we can just chill out around the kitchen table. We also find that it is where our kids open up the most (next to bedtime) about what is going on in their lives.

MONDAY - For the next eleven 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, which is five more weeks.

WEDNESDAY - We normally eat at church for only $10! The menu for this night is Spaghetti and Peanut Butter Bars. We love getting to dine with our church family on this night, but this week we decided to forgo the meal. There are some things that are harder to eat when somebody else is cooking them, and spaghetti is one of them! We will probably eat at Whataburger on this night because it's close to church, and I am gone all day long. It's also the day of my grandmother's surgery - I think I might be a mess that day.
****If you are a praying person, please keep her in your prayers.****

Bringing us to my three cooking nights...last week's planned Italian Pork Chops and Vegetables, though very tasty, are not calling out to me this week. Neither is the Spaghetti and Homemade Meat Sauce, or the Build-Your-Own Fiesta Salad. Those will all be wonderful for another time...just not this week!

THURSDAY - I have a Club 56 planning session for most of the day, so it will be nice to have a one-dish-clean-up! We will be having Mexican Soup. (See recipe below!)

FRIDAY - We are having Fiesta Pork Bake and broccoli. (See recipe below!)

SATURDAY - We will have brisket, along with corn-on-the-cob (my FAVORITE!) and green beans, as well as King's Hawaiian Bread.

SUNDAY - We almost always dine out with all of our friends for Sunday Lunch AND Sunday Supper, and I suspect that is what we will do on this particular Sunday. What a wonderful blessing to have close friendships ~ we are making so many fond memories during these special times with friends!

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

Mexican Soup

1½ pounds ground beef, browned
1 can hominy
3 can beans, any kind, mix 1 of each (I use pinto, black, and kidney.)
2 cans Ro-tel, or stewed tomatoes, any combination (I use one of each.)
2-4 cups water
1 package taco seasoning
1 package ranch dressing mix

Mix all ingredients together. Bring to a boil; simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes. Serve over corn chips (I use Tostitos), and top with grated cheddar cheese.

Fiesta Pork Bake

6 pork chops
salt and pepper to taste
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 large green pepper, diced
1 cup uncooked rice (I use long grain Comet, white.)
½ cup ketchup
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups boiling water
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray, or coat with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper. Arrange in casserole. Top with soup mix, green pepper, and rice. Mix ketchup and water, then pour over top. Cover, and bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes, or until done. (Additional ½ cup water can be added if rice becomes too dry.) Remove from the oven, and top with cheese. Cover, and allow dish to stand for 10 minutes.

For more recipes from my mom's box, visit here, here, OR here!

Enjoy!

MY SECOND MENU PLAN MONDAY!

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