Weekly Menu - Year End

 And that's a wrap!  Wow!  

Friday - My plan is to clean out the fridge/freezer.  Leftovers, a meal we never ate on a previous week.  Whatever I can pull together will work.  

Saturday - Dinner at my moms house. 

Sunday - It is New Year's Eve!  We will have soup and bread after church. Then, later in the day we will have a few favorite appetizers to snack on - Bacon Wrapped Sausages, Bacon Cream Cheese, Crescents, Little Smokie pigs in the blanket, chips and salsa, and maybe some fruit for good measure. 

Monday - It is New Year's Day!  We will head to my mom's house and she will feed us well on this first day of 2024

Tuesday - Ham and Scalloped potatoes

Wednesday - pasta carbonara 

Thursday - ham and potato soup and biscuits 

Weekly Menu - Let the Celebrations Begin!

 This week is filled with celebration from a birthday of a boy (well teen) and the birthday of a King!  Lots of family time and lots  of food! 

Friday - Today is Nate's 14th birthday!! How crazy is that?  He requested Mac and cheese So I am doing a pork loin, Velvetta shells and Cheese, Sweet Potato Casserole, and a veggie

Saturday - We are celebrating Christmas with Darryl's family.  I’m taking a super simple lettuce salad.  

Sunday - Christmas Eve!  We will celebrate Christmas Eve with my mom at her house and she always does a great spread of appetizers.  We will have something light after church - pork and bean nachos are the plan. 

Monday - Christmas Day!  We do breakfast and dinner at our house.  Breakfast is:  Ham and Cheese Quiche, Sausage Balls, some sort of Danish, and then Orange Julius to drink.  Dinner:  Ham,  Mac and Cheese, a salad, green beans and rolls. As far as dessert - Pumpkin Roll , and I always make my Christmas Cake too.  

Tuesday - Leftovers 100% 

Wednesday - chicken tacos 

Thursday - My kids are going away!  Where?  To their Nana's!  Yes!  Sure it's just down the road but that shouldn't matter - they are staying with her a few days just like if she lived an hour or two away.  So probably leftovers at home 😊

Weekly Menu

 I'm trying to plan December "ahead" so I can pick up things that are on sale.  So I'm writing this menu a few weeks in advance - we will see how well I stay on track!

Friday - Fried Ham rice and wonton soup

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's

Sunday - I have a concert today so I have to go right to rehearsal but my guys will have Mac and cheese and ham

Monday -  Potato and Sausage Soup and French Bread

Tuesday - Sheet pan nachos

Wednesday - No more youth group until January so now I have to plan dinner HA!  We've kind of gotten use to soup and sandwiches so I think I'm just going to do can soup and grilled cheese

Thursday  - pancakes and sausage 

Weekly Menu

 December.  How is 2023 already almost over?  On one hand January 1st seems SOOOO long ago and yet, on the other side of things, I feel like I blinked and here we are!  December always brings "extra" so I really work to keep my normal grocery budget super low so I can do the "extra" without too much stress.  This is the time of year when choosing to live one income so that I can be home with the kids reminds us of how tight things really are!  In the end it is worth it but sometimes it is hard to make it all stretch!  

Anyway, here is the plan for the coming week: 

Friday - Stroganoff and green beans  

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's 

Sunday - Dr. Pepper Meatballs and Chili Cheese Dip

Monday - Chicken and Dumplings and Salad

Tuesday - Chicken Noodle Soup (Make with leftovers) and Crescent Rolls

Wednesday - Leftovers 

Thursday - Tacos.  

Weekly Menu

 And just like that it is December.  Last weeks menu shifted so there will be some repeats this week.  Nothing too exciting going on in the coming week :-) 

Friday - Spaghetti Carbonara and French Bread

Saturday - Dinner at my moms.  (Rumor is that we are having pizza which is always a nice treat!) 

Sunday - We have a pot luck at church and I'll be taking my "famous" Hawaiian rolls (ha! - Yes, I take the easy way out but I never bring any home which means other people like them too!) 

Monday - Homemade Spaghetti and Garlic Bread

Tuesday - BBQ Cups and French Fries

Wednesday - Maybe just "leftover"  spaghetti (maybe I'll use a different pasta to make it different HA!)  I'm not sure yet if my guys have youth group so not sure who I am feeding!  (Just Darryl and I or all of us!) 

Thursday - Baked Chicken and Amish Noodles

Weekly Menu

 I love the holiday season - the lights, the music, and the focus on Jesus is just wonderful.  I'm focusing this month on just cooking our family favorites.  I actually went through my recipes and pulled on the things that we really love and plan to just make those instead of making so many new things.  

Here's the plan for the coming week:

Friday - I'm not sure yet - maybe we will have leftovers with my mom - we've done this before.  If not, maybe we will get some pizza.  

Saturday - We are heading to my in-laws to have "Thanksgiving" with Darryl's family.  This is not something we normally do but, this year, they decided to gather on a Saturday which made it possible for us to go to.  (We enjoy Thanksgiving Day with my mom and Darryl's Dad at my mom's house).

Sunday - Stuffed Shells, Garlic Bread and Green Beans

Monday - Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Braid

Tuesday - Homemade Spaghetti and Garlic Bread

Wednesday - Soup and Sandwiches

Thursday - Spaghetti Carbanara and French Bread

Weekly Menu - It is Thanksgiving Week!

 Thanksgiving - how in the world are we already at the end of November 2023?  Last year we were gearing up for our first snow storm of this season - this year it is still hanging around 55-60 degrees and just beautiful!  Our schedule is quickly slowing down (which is always nice) as our co-op has ended.  We are getting in a lot more hours of school each week which is also nice as it allows us to start to get ahead!  Plus I really like to slow things down as we come into the holiday season so that we can really focus on what it is about.  

So now, here's the plan for the coming week. 

Friday - Leftovers!  I know, exciting right?  I made a big pan of of baked Ziti on Thursday with lots of leftovers so we will warm those up and I also picked up some good cheesy garlic bread to go with it. 

Saturday - Joshua, Nate and I have an activity with our co-op so Darryl is on his own!  We are going to meet my mom for brunch at a little Cafe in town though!  

Sunday - Crock Pot smothered pork chops and potatoes and a salad

Monday - Beef, Tomato, and Acini Pasta Soup and French Bread

Tuesday - Loaded Nachos with ground pork and beans and a salad

Wednesday - Sausage Biscuits and Gravy, eggs and crash potatoes 

Thursday - Thanksgiving :-)  My mom is hosting! 

Weekly Menu

 I totally missed my menu post last week that I know you all wait for each and every week :-) Just an oversight on my part because, as you might guess, we totally ate dinner every single night this past week.  Anyway, things are really slowing down around here as our weekly Co-op wraps up tonight with our Presentation Night.  This is technically "No-November" so I try to not add anything extra to our schedule that isn't already there and try (really hard) to not spend anything not planned but this past week was hard as I had a lot of things to get done for tonight.  So now, it is time to "tuck in" and stay home HA!  

Anyway, all of that to say I am not forgetting this week! 

Friday - Presentation Night.  There is food so we just enjoy the snacks and appetizers. 

Saturday - I'm heading to a ladies dine out and leaving Pot Pies for my guys. 

Sunday - Slow Cooker Creamy ranch Pork Chops, Souper Rice, and acorn squash 

Monday - sloppy joes and crash potatoes 

Tuesday - baked chicken, noodles and squash

Wednesday - soup and rolls 

Thursday - Baked Ziti and Garlic Bread

Weekly Menu

 October is just plain flying by, isn't it?  I'm ready for our annual "no November" so that things will slow down just a little (but will they??)  

Friday - Chicken Wraps and chili cheese dip and chips

Saturday - Today is Joshua's "day" .  We will be doing some of his favorite things and eating at his favorite places. 

Sunday - Slow Cooker Lasagna, Salad and Garlic Bread

Monday - Corn Chowder and French Bread

Tuesday - Orange Peel Chicken, rice, and egg rolls

Wednesday - Youth Group so leftovers it is! 

Thursday - Sweet Pork Burrito Bowls, Rice and Beans, and Chips and Salsa

Weekly Menu

 Joshua's birthday hits this week.  He is turning 15 and that is just crazy.  The last 15 years have flown by (yes, the days are long but the years are short is very true!).  In the same amount of time . . he will be 30!!!  AHHHHHH :-) 

Here's the plan for the coming week - 

Friday - French Toast sticks, bacon, sausage, and scrambled eggs  Today is "breakfast and bingo" in one of my co-op classes so I will be cooking for that and want a super simple dinner!  

Saturday - dinner at my mom's . 

Sunday - Joshua's birthday :-) He has requested Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops and Cheesy Potatoes. And, for his birthday dessert - Homemade "After school" banana bread.  

Monday - I'm sure we will have leftover Cheesy Potatoes so I will add some ham slices and green beans

Tuesday - Sloppy Joes and French Fries

Wednesday - Youth Group Night - so simple!  Leftovers, soup, etc. 

Thursday - Pasta Carbananra and Garlic Bread. 

Weekly Menu

 Fall arrived this past weekend and I just love it!  The heavy clouds, rainy days, and changing colors just bring me so much joy!  This might be my favorite time of year!  The house stays cooler and the sunshine is just so much more intense as it bounces off of all of the colors.  Yes, I love the cold days of winter when we can "hunker" down in the house and snuggle in for the winter but these beautiful days are just fabulous.  

Here's the plan for the coming week: 

Friday - French Toast Sticks, Bacon/Sausage, and Scrambled Eggs

Saturday - I'm taking off for the day so I'm leaving dinner in the crock pot for the guys.  To keep it simple, I'm putting a pork loin in the crock pot that they can shred up and have on sliders with bbq sauce.  I'll have some Bob Evan's Mac and Cheese to go along with that as well. 

Sunday - Chili and Fritos.  This is a favorite on Sundays and the leftovers are great too! 

Monday - Leftovers :-)  There will be pulled pork leftover as well as Chili.  We eat in shifts due to TKD so this will be the perfect meal.  

Tuesday - Taco Tuesday :-)  I don't always do Taco Tuesday but I will this week.  Actually one of our favorites is the Pork and Bean Nachos and we haven't had them in awhile.  It's such an easy meal and so tasty!  I'll add a little side salad to round it out. 

Wednesday - With youth group, it has to be simple now.  It will be leftovers (if there are any) or Nuggets, pizza rolls, or just cereal depending on the teens want.  I usually have soup on hand for Darryl and I (Like canned soup and rolls - really super simple) 

Thursday - Tonight is the night my teens volunteer at the community dinner with our church so I will eat there when I pick them up and Darryl usually just eats at home so I'll have something for him.  (Not sure what!) 

Weekly Menu

 I think that maybe our calendar is starting to slow down a little and we have more time at home, less running around, and more time to focus on family.  October is at a high "medium" when it comes to activities as we start to slow down for winter where we "snuggle in" for the winter and focus on school work more than anything else.  

Here is the plan for the coming week

Friday - Sloppy Joes and Fries 

Saturday - Nana's House

Sunday - Chili and Fritos

Monday - Sweet and Sour Beef Stew and Rice

Tuesday - Tacos for the guys and I'm going to a Mom's Night Out

Wednesday - Cheesy Hama nd Corn Chowder and Hawaiian Rolls

Thursday - Pasta Carbanara and French Bread

Weekly Menu

 This past week didn't really go as planned.  We were running a lot plus Darryl worked late Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday not getting home until after 7:00 every night.  I shifted some things around and we ate canned soup at least once HA!  Oh well, it makes menu planning for this coming week easier!

Friday - Soup and Garlic Bread.  Actually my teens are going with a couple of friends to a youth activity at the friends church.  It sounds fun - a BYOBowl Cereal and Game Night. 

Saturday - Finally - dinner at my mom's.  It has been awhile . .. Saturdays in September were busy! 

Sunday - A Pot Luck at church. 

Monday - Ham, Mac and Cheese and Biscuits - A carry over from last week

Tuesday - Sweet and Sour Beef Soup over rice and garlic bread

Wednesday - Leftovers or chicken wraps

Thursday - Tacos

Weekly Menu

 Our school year is in full swing.  It keeps us busy but it is all good things!  Music lessons, youth group activities, and more!  

Here's the plan for the coming week:

Friday - Our Co-Op is in full swing so if I don't plan something easy, it is too easy to order in!  Tonight will be Meatball soup and Hawaiian Rolls.  

Saturday - Darryl and I are heading off to my college reunion.  Joshua has the opportunity to work at a Michigan State Game with his youth group and while Nate wishes he could do the same (he isn't old enough) he is going to spend the day with my mom. 

Sunday - Church, Football, and youth group.  All fun, enjoyable things but I also don't want to spend the first hour after church in the kitchen!  I'm trying to have crock pot meals that are ready when we come home so we can just eat.  I'm trying a new one this week - Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef with Rice (microwave rice for the win!) and a salad. 

Monday - Between TKD, Choir, and Darryl's work day we work in shifts!  Chicken Alfredo and Salad is easy for everyone to grab on their own time. 

Tuesday -Broccoli Cheese Soup, Ham Slice, and Biscuits

Wednesday - They guys have youth group but I now have to feed them HA!  Again, it is time to eat in shifts so BBQ cups and Fries it is! 

Thursday - We have a field trip today so to keep it easy I'll cook a frozen lasagna and add garlic bread and green beans for a nice dinner. 

Weekly menu - the one I forgot 🤣🤣

 I was sure I had created and posted a menu but I did not!   I will keep this short and sweet! 

Friday - Roast and Noodles

Saturday - A family gathering at my father-in-laws.  I made sloppy joes and Mexican dip. 

Sunday - chili and Fritos 

Monday - left over sloppy joes 

Tuesday - tacos! 

Wednesday - Stromboli and Salad 

Thursday - BBQ cups and fries 

Weekly Menu - The Week when all the stuff starts back up

Yes, we started school last week and had some appointments like hair cuts and dental appointments, we didn't start the "stuff".  That all starts this week which means I do a lot more driving places and sitting in the car.  Neither of which I mind.  I get time to read and plan; I also have great chats with my kids and we laugh a lot.  I really enjoy these times and don't take them for granted.  Precious moments for sure.  

With the schedule ramping up, it also means I have to plan meals a little differently.  More crock pot meals and meals we can eat in "shifts".  Also, Fridays have to be planned well or we just eat out.  By the time we are done with our homeschool day and I unpack everything once we are home, the last thing I want to do is cook.  So, it is to already be in the crock pot, already made, or it is time to order pizza HA!  

Friday - While our Co-Op doesn't start today, we had our open house followed by my leadership team meeting.  I'm keeping it easy making pancakes, sausage balls, and blueberry coffee cake. 

Saturday - A busy day!  I am attending a ladies seminar in the morning while Darryl takes Josh to stay with my in-laws for a few days.  Then Darryl and I are attending my choir dinner in the evening. 

Sunday - I think we will just hit Taco Bell. 

Monday - Nate has TKD and I have choir.  A favorite on Mondays is simply tacos.  :-) Everyone can eat in shifts. 

Tuesday - Since Joshua is gone this week, we are going to take Nate out to dinner - his choice - but I am guessing some McDonald's will be in our future.

Wednesday - This is the first week of Youth Group at our church but this year they aren’t feeding than.  Ahhhhhh! 🤣 Hosh is coming from his grandparents so Nate, Darryl,  and I will just have sandwiches 

Thursday - This is usually the one night we are all home with no where to go!  I try to "protect" this day when I can (it doesn't always work) to give us a full day of school and then an evening at home Dinner tonight will be Spaghetti Carbanara (a favorite) and French Bread. 

Summer Fun Week 13

 This is our last official week of summer.  This was one of those "pop-up" weeks where we started the week with not much on the plan but then things "popped up".  

Monday - My brother, Kel, came into town so we had dinner at my mom's and played a game.  

Tuesday - Kel and I got to meet for coffee at our favorite coffee place and "catch up" for a bit. 

Wednesday - My teens and I headed to my mom's early for breakfast before my brother took off. Then we had an afternoon of fun with games with our homeschool co-op.  That was followed by Josh and Nate hanging out with friends

. 

Thursday - Nothing!  Actually Nate had his back to school call with his on-line teacher.  Otherwise, we had nothing :-) 

Friday - Outside of Josh's last PT appointment for now, we enjoyed the start of the holiday weekend.  I worked on school plans for next week too. 

Saturday - we attended a concert! 

Sunday - we had a quiet day at home. 

Weekly Menu - The unofficial end to summer

 While we all know that summer really doesn't end until mid-September when Fall officially starts, Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end to summer as Schools jump back into full swing and life returns to a different pace and schedule.  We officially start school this coming week, all be it slowly, and then all of the "stuff" starts the following week.  This summer felt more busy than it has in the past and, because of that, it has kind of flown by.  

Our menu took a fast right turn this last week when our area got hit with storms, tornados, and straight line winds last Thursday evening.  While we had no ill effects from the storm, just a 1/2 mile from us there was damage and power outages that lasted for days.  That meant I did not actually do grocery shopping until Saturday evening so I switched my menu to accommodate what I had on hand. Then, my oldest brother made a quick trip back to my mom's so we had dinner with them one evening.  Finally, on Tuesday, a friend of mine who owns a catering business texted me and said, "Don't cook dinner!  We have tons of food left over from an event this weekend and I'm bringing you dinner".  Not only did she bring enjoy for Tuesday, we had enough for dinner on Wednesday too.  What a true blessing that was!  

With all of that said, here's the plan for the coming week. 

Friday: Homemade Chicken Pot Pie and a Salad

Saturday - Our plans are up in the air at the writing of this.  We might head towards the Lakeshore for a concert and if not, maybe we will actually have a bonfire and roast some things over the fire.  

Sunday - Beef Acini Soup and French Bread 

Monday - Labor Day!  We are heading to my moms. 

Tuesday - I am going to a Ladies Dine Out.  I plan to leave stuff for BBQ cups and chips for the guys. 

Wednesday - meatloaf and crash potatoes 

Thursday- stuffed shells and salad

Summer Week 12

 We are still enjoying summer.  Our friends have returned to school and we have two full weeks that we call "we don't have to go to school" weeks. HA!  I try to throw in a few things to do but really, we all enjoy two weeks of sleeping in, no school, and no activities!  After Labor Day everything starts again and we get busier! 

Monday - Friday -  we enjoyed a quiet week.  

Saturday - We all headed to my FIL's for his birthday. 

Sunday - Sunday evening I headed to a celebration for a long time Pastor Friend of mine.  It was great seeing him honoroed and seeing so many friends. 

Weekly Menu

 I've tried a few new recipes from Tastes Better From Scratch and have been pleasantly surprised. I've find them to be tasty, easy to make and budget friendly.  I'm looking ahead at this coming week and am following the inspiration of this weeks menu plan.

Friday - French toast, sausage and bacon, and crash potatoes 

Saturday - Originally today we were going to a wedding reception for a friend from church but then my Father-in-law asked us to come over to celebrate his birthday before he heads out of town for a few weeks.  My FIL turns 83 in another week and has had a few health struggles this year so we decided that celebrating him was pretty important.  I'm not sure what we are doing with him for a meal yet. In the past we have picked up KFC (chicken only) and then brought along sides so maybe we will do that. 

Sunday - The past few weeks we have had sandwiches and have enjoyed this easy after church meal.  I usually pick Hawaiian rolls or wraps for bread and then have extra topping.  Plus a summer salad and chips and salsa round it all out. 

Monday - Beef and Acini soup and French bread

Tuesday - stuffed Shells and garlic bread

Wednesday- Chuck-fil-a nuggets and fries

Thursday - Mini Meatloaves, crash potatoes, and Salad.  I have several great meat loaf recipes (we really like meatloaf in the winter - it is such a great comfort food on a cold evening) but this one cooks in a muffin tin and has a shorter baking time making it easier to cook up in the summer!

Summer Fun Week 11

 Officially, we have two weeks left of "summer".  Our friends go back to school today so we will enjoy our extra two weeks off - the perks of homeschooling!  Last week was oddly full of things to do! 

Monday - We all headed to my in-laws for the afternoon.  The kids enjoyed putting together the "nearly impossible puzzle" and playing yard chess.  Then, I left Nate for the week and the rest of us headed home. 

 

Tuesday - Josh had physical therepy but otherwise this was the quiet day. 

Wednesday - Joshua got to attend a baseball game with some friends. 

Thursday - Joshua headed to a friends house for the afternoon and then worked at a Community Dinner. Nate had some fun with kayaks. 

Friday - The kdis and I enjoyed brunch at my mom's house with my brother and sister-in-law.  Then, Joshua, Darryl and I met up in Grand Rapids for dinner.  This is something Joshua had been looking forward to for awhile.  

Saturday - Today we had a family birthday party to attend.  

Sunday - I attended my in-laws church to see some college friends.  Then, in the evening, Nate, Darryl and I headed to a concert while Josh attended a Praise service at our church with my mom.  

Weekly Menu

This is the second week I'm using Tastes Better From Scratch as my menu planning inspiration.  Last week I actually ended up only using one recipe only because our week changed after I menu planned!.  I am using it again this week - Ironically this week there were several recipes I did not like HA!)  Even though I don't use all of the recipes it is great to use as inspiration as well.  Our "school schedule" is starting too which means I'm gone some evenings and have to plan meals that are quick and/or we can eat in shifts.   My choir practices started this last week again so Mondays we eat in shifts.  

Friday - We are going to treat Josh to dinner at one of his top places, which happens to be a buffet . . .and Nate doesn't love it so it's the perfect time to go (Since Nate is still at the grandparents house)  

Saturday - We are attending a birthday party for Darryl's brother-in-law. 

Sunday - We have a little bit of a busy day with church and some of us then attending a concert so I'm going to just have sandwich fixings, chips and salad for lunch. 

Monday -  Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy with Rice and Green Beans.

Tuesday - Chicken Fajita Pasta and Garlic Bread

Wednesday - Thai Basil Beef and Rice

Thursday - Chicken Tortilla Soup and French Bread

Summer fun week 9 and 10

I missed posting on Monday about summer fun week 9 so decided to just post it together with this week.  We've had some quieter weeks but our weekends are ful!

Week 9

Monday and Tuesday were both quieter days.  Outside of Josh attending PT on Tuesday, we just hung out at home

Wednesday - Joshua had an appointment at the children's hospital for an ultrasound on his hip. So he and I headed downtown for that and then enjoyed lunch on the way home

Thursday - Another quiet day outside of PT for Josh. 

Friday - We headed to a friends house for the afternoon to hang out and swim.  I took zero photos though! 

Saturday - My mom, Nate, and I headed to southern Ohio for a baby shower for my niece.  We had a great time seeing family and just hanging out.  

Sunday - Just church and then a quiet afternoon! 

Week 10

Monday - a super quiet day which was great! 

Tuesday - Josh had PT and then the guys mowed my mom's grass. 

Wednesday - I had a leadership meeting that my guys tagged along too so they could hang with friends. 

Thursday - Today we had a great field trip to SMAT (School of Missionary Aviation and Technology).  It was a great time with our co-op group!

Friday - A great day to stay home! 

Saturday - Joshua and Nate attended a Lake Day event with their youth group.  

Sunday - My brother Kel, and sister-in-law, Deb, are in town for just a day or so.  We enjoyed dinner and some games at my mom's house. 

Weekly Menu

 Welcome to another week of summer :-)  I've been feeling less than inspired lately with cooking/recipes which is pretty normal when you cook every.single.day. HA! At least it feels that way!  So I went searching for "meal plans" and stumbled across an amazing site called Tastes Better From Scratch that has great meal plans and recipes.  It also includes a grocery list if you want to use that as well.  I love that it only includes 5 dinners so there is still room for our favorites.  Plus there are breakfast, lunch, and snack ideas.  I scanned a few of the recent meal plans and found that most of the recipes are things I would actually make.  I haven't done this yet but apparently if you set up a free account, you can save recipes and then swap them out on meal plans if there is one you don't want to use.  Such a great idea!  So, I'm trying it to see if it can help me get of the rut I'm in as we crawl toward fall! 

Friday - Buttermilk Waffles, Sausage and Bacon, and Fruit and Dip (this is a family favorite)

Saturday - Joshua and Nate are attending a Lake Party with their Youth Group so Darryl and I always take advantage of that to have a date night/dinner out

Sunday - We will be at my mom's!  My brother Kel and sister-in-law Deb will be in town for just one night so we are hanging out and playing games for a few hours

Monday - BBQ Chicken Bowl and Salad

Tuesday - Cheese Enchiladas, Rice, and Salad

Wednesday - Nate is at my in-laws and Joshua got invited to a Whitecaps Base Ball game with friends so Darryl and I are on our own! 

Thursday - Tonight is the Community Dinner that our church helps with so Joshua is helping with that; I'll eat dinner there when I go to pick him up.  Darryl doesn't usually make it home in time to go so I'll have something here for him to eat. 

One thing I noticed on the meal planner is there is often a main dish type of salad one night of the week.  That will not fly with my guys HA!  So I'm going to use the salad dish as my lunch most weeks which will be great for me!  

Weekly Menu

 We have enjoyed some quieter weeks - our weekends are super busy but the week days are not.  I'm really trying to savor this month of August before all of the lessons, youth groups, and Co-op start again with the start of school.  

Friday - Buttermilk Waffles and Sausage

Saturday - Darryl and Josh are on their own; Nate, my mom, and I are heading to my niece's baby shower with family. 

Sunday - I'm hoping for burgers on the grill this week.  Darryl's back went out last weekend so there was no grilling!  I'm also hoping to grab some corn from my friends farm stand again this week.

Monday - Ham and Cheese Quiche, Asparagus, Fried Potatoes

Tuesday - BBQ Cups and Fries

Wednesday - Tacos

Thursday - Spaghetti and garlic bread

2023 Reading

 I set a goal this year to read 52 books with a sub-goal of 12 of those being non-fiction.  I'm not too off track on the total as it is week 30/31 and I've completed 27 books so far.  BUT I've only completed 1 non-fiction  - oops HA!  Obviously I enjoy reading fiction much more than Non-Fiction.  I took some time the other day to put together my current stack of "to read" books in order to get myself motivated to read again.  

I read a quite a few books on my Kindle but I also have lots of paperback books to read too.  The stack on the left is my current stack of Fiction books I'm hoping to get read in the next few months.  For the record, I do a lot of my reading in the car while I'm waiting for my guys to finish whatever they are doing - Youth Group, Lessons, etc.  So I get much more reading done during the school year.  

"The Lady of Galway Manor" and "A Dance in Donegal" are both by the same author - a new one to me - but who is compared to some of my favorite authors so I'm hopeful they will be ask good. 

"Feather's of Hope" is by a favorite author of mine, Sharon Brown.  She has a different style of writing than a lot of authors I read; she is more thoughtful and purposeful in her writing making it deeper to read. 

"Under the Tulip Tree" and "Come Down Somewhere" are books that just looked good and were on the bargain table at my favorite Christian Book store :-) 

The stack on the right is my current stack of Non-Fiction books.  Now, I'm a little lose with the "Non-Fiction" idea because I include Bible Study Books.  Spending time in a Bible Study is, well, time consuming if I'm being honest.  It's a good thing to let consumer you but that also takes up some of my reading time. 

"Through the Desert" is my current Bible Study I'm doing within an online group.  I chose this one because it is written my one of my long time friends, Lina, and she has an amazing way of presenting the Bible and Biblical truths. 

"Prairie Fires" is about Laura Ingalls Wilder who I just love.  This will be one of those books that I read a chapter at a time and then ponder it.  This might take me the rest of the year to read. 

There is another small Bible Study book called "Pease Be Still" which is not as in-depth as many so I'm looking forward to doing that one after I finish my current one. 

The rest in the stack are just good non-fiction books that I've been wanting to read and just haven't made the time. I often read multiple books at once so I imagine I will be reading a few of these at once and taking some notes. 

And then I found two more Non-Fiction books to add to my list HA!  

If I read all of these by December I will be one short on my total of 12!  I guess I need to find one more to add to my stack of books! 

Summer Fun Week 8

 Eight weeks of summer already???  Thankfully we still 5 full weeks before our school year technically starts (and we start slow HA!).  One of the many reasons I'm thankful for the ability and opportunity to homeschool is that our breaks can be longer and much more enjoyable! 

Monday, 7/24 - Nate headed to camp!  I love to scour the camps Facebook page and find as many photos of Nate as I can! 

Tuesday, 7/25 - Joshua got a hair cut and both of my extras had things today so they were in and out (Haircuts, Dentist Appointments, and a Volleyball camp)  I'm thankful that we can work together so well and get everyone where they need to be! 

Wednesday, 7/26 - I originally was going to take the guys out for a little scavenger hunt but then the storms rolled in and we stayed home. 

Thursday - 7/27 - Truth be told, I'm enjoying these stay at home, do nothing days right now.  

Friday - 7/28 - Lots of video games on this steamy day! 

Saturday - 7/29 - Nate's Home!

Sunday 7/30 - Nate has been looking forward to this Austin French Concert since it was released!  I'm so glad we were able to go :-)