Weekly Menu

 Now that I have the list of my families favorite meals I am working on a binder to keep meal planning a little more functional.  I saw a video online of someone’s binder and it just seemed to “fit”.  Each day has a different “theme” but recipes can fit into multiple themes.  I’m still putting it together but when it’s done I’ll share it 😊

So, Here’s the plan for the coming week: 

Friday: I’m heading out of town.  We also joke that if I leave the guys will starve and have no clothes to wear 🤣🤣 it’s really just a joke because they are all self sufficient at this point (I’ve raised them well - well, at least the teenagers!  🤷‍♀️🤪).  BUT I love them lots so I'm leaving Sloppy Joes in the crock pot for them to enjoy along with baked beans and chips

Saturday - I’m still gone!  They have $$ to eat dinner out - their choice! 

Sunday - I come home but I’m not sure what time.  To keep things simple I left chocked ready for the crockpot before they leave for church.  They can enjoy chicken taco bowls when they get home.  

Monday - Dr.Pepper meatballs and Rice 

Tuesday - my guys will both be gone so Darryl and I will enjoy the last two pasties in the freezer (then I’ll need to buy more!) 

Wednesday - I think maybe both teens are gone again.  If so, Darryl and I might grab something out.  If not, soup and grilled cheese! 

Thursday - Amish baked chicken, butter noodles, and zucchini 

Weekly Menu

 This past week was Nate’s last week at camp so we are all “home” this week! 

Friday - pot pies 

Saturday - we are attending a wedding

Sunday - crock pot fajitas 

Monday - Pork loin and Mac and Cheese 

Tuesday - Chick-fil- a nuggets and fries

Wednesday - this is a night everyone kinda fends for themselves due to running teens places like youth group! 

Thursday - Chili 

Weekly Menu

 A few weeks ago I asked each person in my family to give me a list of their five favorite meals and one thing they would like to never eat again, 🤣. I’m now planning my menu based off of those suggestions! 

Friday - Pancakes, eggs and bacon

Saturday - I have a school reunion that I’m hoping to convince the whole family to attend with me 🤣

Sunday - bbq chicken on the grill, roasted zucchini and baked beans 

Monday - Spaghetti Carbonara and French bread

Tuesday - shrimp and grits 

Wednesday- biscuits and gravy 

Thursday - Pasties 

Weekly Menu

 June was a blur.  An absolute blur!  We have been running nearly non-stop for the past 2-3 weeks and I'm looking ahead knowing we can breath a little sigh of relief as things slow down this next week.  For real.  Two weeks of Josh and Nate involved in Day Camps has meant a lot of running around, friends over, and get togethers.  I know this seems like a funny "marker" - but it was evident how little we were home by the fact that our trash can was nearly empty after a week HA!.  Today is the last day of day camp and then we can breath a little.  Nate will be off to work at camp and Josh will still have work to get to but it's much calmer!  Here's the plan for the coming week: 

Friday (6/26) - we have an Open House to attend tonight. 

Saturday (6/27) - the guys have a men’s gathering and I plan to use my quiet evening to scrapbook! I ordered a pizza in my grocery order to stick in the oven to keep dinner super simple. 

Sunday (6/28) - have a concert today — Darryl and I are going to grab something before I have to be at the church for the concert; my guys are riding home with my mom.  

Monday (6/29) - shrimp and grits and cornbread 

Tuesday (6/30) - Swedish Meatballs and Noodles 

Wednesday (7/1) - pasties - I picked up some frozen Pasties from a great shop near us to have in the freezer for an easy dinner.  So, tonight is the night! 

Thursday (7/2) - I'm not 100% sure.  This is the day Josh works the longest and I clean our church and then hang out and wait for him so we aren't running back and forth multiple times.  It may just end up being frozen pizza once we get home!  

Weekly Menu

 

Here's our plan for the week:

Friday - Stuffed shells 

Saturday - Finally going to dinner at my mom's on a Saturday night! 

Sunday - Roast and Noodles

Monday - chicken tacos 

Tuesday - chicken Alfredo 

Wednesday - slow cooker ham and scalloped potatoes 

Thursday - Amish Breakfast Casserole and Banana Bread

Weekly Menu

 I know this will sound super weird but I feel like I'm finally getting back into a groove of meal planning/cooking after going months without an oven and then a crazy schedule.  I was so excited to get the oven fixed that I wanted to more crock pot meals but, in the end, we still need that good old crock pot because we eat in shifts multiple days a week! I also finally refiled all of my recipes after pulling out all of the ones that didn't need an oven back in in October to make it easier to plan . .. . so now everything is back where it belongs :-)  

So here's the plan for the next week: 

Friday - Easy Taco Casserole.  This is a recipe that my mom shared with me last fall and we had it once and really liked it.  I love the word "easy" HA!.  I'll make a nice salad (instead of a mean one HA!), and chips and salsa

Saturday - Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes and Ham.  I have leftover ham in the freezer from Easter and we really enjoyed this recipe when I made it before.  Again, I'll make a decent salad and cook up some green beans. 

Sunday - It is Mother's Day!  We have a nice breakfast at church.  Then later in the day we are going to head to my mom's for dinner. 

Monday - Chili served with cheese, sour cream, and fritos 

Tueasday - Meatloaf with stuffing, Mashed Potatoes and Corn

Wednesday - This is the last week of youth group at our church until fall!

Thursday - Stuffed Shells and Garlic Bread

Weekly Menu

 

Here’s the plan for the coming week: 

Friday - I’d hoped we could  have a bonfire and burn some dead yard waste but it’s been raining for days so everything is wet! .  We are still having brats and Hot Dogs, chips and dip, and potatoe sakad though! 

Saturday - my guys are attending a hone school dance and Darryl and I are the drivers.  We are eating at a local restaurant with the teens. 

Sunday - We are still trying to have those Fajitas that I plan every Sunday 🤣

Monday - turkey breast, potatoes, stuffing and green beans 

Tuesday - grilled chicken,  souper rice, roasted zucchini and mushrooms

Wednesday- youth group

Thursday - pork tenderloin, sweet potatoes, and green beans 

Weekly Menu

 It's April.  And it is Easter weekend.  I guess it is time to take down my winter shower curtain and put up the spring one. HA!  (That is one of my goals this month - aim small, right?)  

Here's the plan for this week:

Friday - Tacos

Saturday - Dinner at my Mom's.  Our weekends have been busy throughout the last month or so so it is nice to get to head to her house for dinner again! 

Sunday - It is Easter!  The plan is Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, Stuffed Mushrooms, Roasted Zucchini, and Rolls.  Plus my mom is bringing dessert! 

Monday - BBQ Cups and  Chips 

Tuesday - Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

Wednesday - Pancakes, Bacon, Sausage and Fried Potatoes (No youth group this week due to Spring Break)

Thursday - Chili with Fritos 

Weekly menu

 This past weekend I made a list of all the oven baked meals we’ve been missing and will be planning menus including those favorites once again!  Since our evenings are busy, there will still be simple crock pot meals but it will be nice to have more options.  We were all getting tired of the same meals over and over again! 

Friday - homemade pizza and salad 

Saturday - my guys have a game night so Darryl and I get a date night 😊

Sunday- Crockpot  Fajitas - this was planned for last Sunday put plans changed so I shifted this to this week. 

Monday - Stuffed Shells and Garlic Bread

Tuesday - happy St. Patrick’s Day!  Stuffed cabbage, crash potatoes, jello salad and dessert! 

Wednesday- youth group

Thursday - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn 

Weekly Menu

Guess what? My oven is finally fixed!  I wasn’t sure if I’d have it tet this week so my menu only includes a few oven items but just wait until next week. 🤣

Here's the plan for the coming week:

Friday - my first oven meals— pot pies! 🤪  

Saturday - Nate FINALLY gets to have his birthday party :-)  So, Chuck-e-cheese for lunch.  What about dinner, you ask?  I have no idea - I'm leaning towards just tacos (again) because it is easy and everyone can make what they want based on how hungry they are.  

Sunday - I've been trying to make crock pot Fajitas for weeks but our schedule kept changing so it didn't happen.  I like to do this on Sunday so my mom can come over for dinner after church as she also loves them!  

Monday - meatball soup and French bread! 

Tuesday - Darryl has an elder meeting and Nate has centershot (which is where I will be too!)  Nate gets pizza (and so do I) at the last night so I'll probably make a quesadilla for Darryl and Josh before we have to leave. 

Wednesday - Youth group. 

Thursday- Biscuits and gravy 

Weekly Menu

 February ended up being an oddly busy month.  The weather also calmed down so we could actually do all the things too! So, here’s the plan for the week. 

Friday - tacos

Saturday- We have a funeral to attend around noon and then the guys are attending a Men's night with our church.  I plan to maybe get a little scrapbooking in while they are gone.    

Sunday -  Keeping it simple - we had a pork loin on Thursday so between the leftover pork and leftover taco things - I think we will have tacos - either pulled pork or beef taco meat.  Plus chips and salsa 

Monday - English Muffins, Eggs, Sausage, Bacon and Fried Potatoes

Tuesday - Spaghetti and Red Lobster Garlic Biscuits

Wednesday - youth group

Thursday - Broccoli Cheddar Soup or Chicken Noodle Soup, Ham, and Biscuits

Weekly Menu

 Guess what?  It's Darryl's birthday weekend!!  So fun!  Our guys are also going to winter retreat so there's that HA! 

Here's the plan for the week:

Friday - The guys are heading to camp.  We will have tacos before heading out. 

Saturday - Darryl and I are going out for his birthday.  I've planned a little adventure :-) 

Sunday - The boys come home from camp - and today is Darryl's actual birthday!!  We actually celebrated last week when my brother was here.  I’m planning bagel pizzas for dinner. .  

Monday - Spaghetti Carbanara and Garlic Biscuits

Tuesday - shrimp and grits and biscuits 

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - Pancakes, Sausage, Bacon and Fruit

Weekly Menu

 February is a busy month - Winter Retreats (Nate has 2 and Josh has 1), My brother Ken is coming for a visit, Superbowl Sunday, Darryl's birthday and Valentine's Day! As I plan my menu this month, I imagine that meals - and plans - will evolve some.  It should be a great month though! 

The plan for this week is: 

Friday -Nate is heading to his second weekend of winter retreat with friends.  He loves camp.  Josh, Darryl and I will enjoy dinner at home.  French Toast, Bacon/Sausage, and maybe some eggs.  Josh always likes eggs when I make breakfast for dinner! 

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's :-)  

Sunday - Guess what?  It is Superbowl Sunday!  Nate will return from camp early afternoon; Josh is actually going to his best friends house to watch the game.  I'm going to make a pot of chili for after church.  We usually have superbowl snacks but I think Nate will head to his normal Sunday Night youth group leaving just Darryl and I so I'm not really sure what we will do - have cereal? LOL  

Monday - Either leftover Chili or Spaghetti (I have sauce in the freezer from last week) 

Tuesday - Biscuits and Gravy, Eggs, and Fried Potatoes

Wednesday - Youth Group.  My brother Ken arrives today so, that may shift what and when we eat.  

Thursday - Spaghetti Carbenara and Bread

Weekly Menu

 January.  My cooking this month has been less than stellar.  We had so many "sick" days where only one or two of us was actually eating that I didn't actually cook a ton of real meals.  We ate a lot of canned chicken noodle soup, fried rice, and chicken.  I would guess that I cooked one "good" meal a week and that's about it!  Not to mention schedule changes and me just not always feeling like cooking.  I'm hoping as we enter into February I can get my groove back!  

 

Here is a look at this weeks menu:

Friday - The guys are heading to a youth activity so Darryl and I will most likely grab something simple to eat after dropping them off. 

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's.  With my teens busy social life (ha!) we don't make it for dinner every week but we make it as often as we can and enjoy it (and a game normally) very much!  So thankful my mom lives so close! 

Sunday - Spaghetti (Homemade Sauce), French Bread, and green beans.  I haven't made a batch of my homemade sauce in awhile so I can make a big batch and then freeze some for an easy meal on a Friday evening. 

Monday - Swedish Meatballs and Noodles 

Tuesday - Tortellini Soup and Bread

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - Spaghetti Carbonara and French Bread

Looking at this menu . .. . apparently it is pasta week HA! 

Weekly Menu

I've had to rewrite this whole post on Thursday night because our plans have changed due to crazy winter weather! This was supposed to be a birthday party weekend for Nate but we have rescheduled that for March and will be home for the most part.  It has been snowing here for a week; the roads are terrible; and now we are in line for wind chills of up to -30.  (That's not a typo!)  Everything has been cancelled this week -- or we made the decision to not go due to the road conditions.  It's been kind of nice actually - except my husband still has gone to work.  (Well, except Monday when it was an actual Snow Storm Warning!!!).  Anyway, the goal this weekend is to stay warm and safe! We still have to eat though so I had to rework my menu plan; I also tend to "snow storm" buy when I place my grocery order just in case we are hungry for anything LOL  It's ok though because anything I planned can be put into the menu plan either this week or next week!   

This weeks menu:

Friday - Pork Roast in the crock pot with cheesy potatoes and green beans.  A great "cold weather" kind of meal! 

Saturday -  There is still a question mark on today's plans but - we will either have dinner with my mom OR stay home and have leftover pulled pork.  

Sunday - We are not sure if we will make it out to church; if so, they are having a potluck and I plan to take a taco salad to take since that is easy to put together kind of at the last minute.  If we don't go, then I plan to make breakfast - probably eggs, toast, bacon/sausage, and fried potatoes.     

Monday - Scalloped Potatoes and Ham in the crock pot.  (Yes - the recipe I made a few weeks ago).  This will use up the ham from Christmas.  

Tuesday - Homemade chicken noodles soup.  Last week I froze the leftover chicken and dumplings (minus the dumplings!) and will use that as a base for the soup.  I like to add corn and noodles for a great soup!  I will make some biscuits to enjoy with it. 

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - Roast, Noodles, and Corn 

Weekly Menu

 One of my personal favorite "winter comfort foods" is Scalloped Potatoes and Ham.  Last week, with leftover ham from Christmas I decided to try a Slow Cooker version.  Now, let me preface this by saying that I have a tried and true oven baked recipe that I have made for years.  Well, THIS recipe is far superior and my whole family agreed!  It was super easy to throw together and cooked perfectly. Cook it on high like the recipe says and your potatoes will be perfect.  I added larger pieces of ham on top for the last hour and, next time, I would add more cheese.  Also, I added an additional 1/2 cup of milk or so after mixing everything together - it just didn't seem like there was enough liquid. (And I'm glad I did!)  

Moving on to the menu for the coming week. 

Friday - Guess what today is?  The first day of our Co-Op!  I've been doing this long enough that I know the last thing I will want to do is cook dinner after a full day!  So, I am budgeting to get Little Ceasars Pizza for dinner. 

Saturday - Nate heads off for his first weekend of Winter Retreat.  My tentative plans are for Darryl and I to have a date but that is not set in stone as of yet.  

Sunday - Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes, Chips and Dip, and Fruit and Dip

Monday - Meatball Soup and French Bread

Tuesday - crock pot Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes   

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - Olive Garden (Copycat) Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccini and Garlic Biscuits

Weekly Menu - Welcome to 2026

Happy New Year and Happy 2026!  Every year I think to myself, "Self, this is the year you are going to make a master menu so that you don't have to recreate the wheel every year."  January starts strong and then . . .I realize that it's kind of dumb to do that because I get bored with the same thing all the time. HA!  Plus you just never know what each year will bring or what the schedule might be from year to year.  Instead, I'm just planning meals that we like, throw in a few new recipes along the way, and call it good!   So, with that said, here is the first menu planner of 2026! 

Friday - Broccoli cheese soup and ham slices

Saturday - Nate has Black Belt Testing today.  As far as dinner, I really am not sure.  We might go out for something after he is done. 

Sunday  Slow Cooker Zuppa Tuscana and Bread w/dipping sauce

Monday - Chicken Scaloppini, Noodles, and Salad

Tuesday -- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steaks, Mashed Potatoes, and Corn

Wednesday - Youth Group picks up this week (weather permitting as is the case all winter long!).  If the guys want something before youth group I'll make Grilled Cheese! 

Thursday - ham and scalloped potatoes 

Weekly Menu - Racing towards the New Year!

Now, it is time to settle in for a week or so and just relax and enjoy the end of the year.  I'm hoping to scrapbook in-between running my teens to hang out with friends.  (Their social life is busy sometimes!).  

 Friday - The plan for dinner tonight is just leftovers.  I may throw a couple of sweet potatoes/potatoes in the crock to go only with ham depending on what sides we have left.  

Saturday - dinner at my mom's house :-) 

Sunday - pulled pork tenderloin and acorn squash 

Monday - Han and potato soup 

Tuesday - Ham and Scallop Potatoes and Green Beans

Wednesday - It is New Year's Eve!  This year our church is having an event so we will enjoy snacks there.  

Thursday - Our tradition is to enjoy a late lunch at my mom's :-) 

Weekly Menu - It is Birthday Day and Christmas Eve!

I have been trying to savor and enjoy this last month of 2025.  The lights, the Christmas songs, picking up little gifts, the wrapping and remembering the true reason of this season - Jesus.   It's easy to get wrapped up in the daily lists in order to get everything accomplished especially in this social media/Pinterest perfect driven world.  The reality is that no ones world is perfect and spending time with family is where the memories are really made.  Thankfully this week is full of family AND festivities!  

Friday - Josh and Nate have a youth group Christmas Party on the books for this Friday eve.  I think Darryl and I will grab something out (and I have one last stop on my to do list so we will do that as well!) 

Saturday - Today is our Family Christmas with Darryl's side of the family.  The plan is do have soup, salad, and sandwiches.  I'm bring dessert - a fruit trifle and a plate of varies yummy cookies.  

Sunday - We are celebrating Nate's 16th birthday today (officially it is Monday)!  He has requested chicken in the crock pot and Velveeta Mac and cheese.  I'm going to add sweet potatoes and a salad to the menu to round it all out. 

Monday - Today is Nate's birthday!  My mom is coming over for lunch with us and Josh's girlfriend will also be here.  I'm just planning to have chicken pulled tacos for dinner as Nate has TKD and Josh and I will need to take Averie home and then pick Nate up.  It will be a busy evening! 

Tuesday - Pork Loin, Acorn Squash and a Salad 

Wednesday - Christmas Eve!  It's time to tie up all of the lose ends before we head to my mom's for Christmas Eve.  The extra treat this year is that my brother, Kel and sister-in-law, Deb will be in town!  We are looking forward to a fun evening of snacks and family time! 

Thursday - It is Christmas!  My mom, Kel and Deb will join us for breakfast.  I've thought alot about breakfast and I think (as of this writing - my grocery order is not going in until Sunday afternoon so this could change HA!) I'm going to go "old school" and make scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, a fruit salad, toast, and a breakfast pastry.  Oh, and a batch of our favorite Orange Julius (along with milk and apple juice).  Later in the day I will serve up Christmas dinner.  My mom and possibly my Father-in-Law will join us.  Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, Green Beans, a salad, rolls, and dessert.  

Weekly Menu - The Countdown Continues

Winter is here and it hit hard!  Lots of snow, freezing rain, more snow, and cold.  I enjoy the changing seasons but, even for me, this intense bite of winter is just a bit much.  I keep looking ahead in the weather hoping for a few more days of 40 degrees HA!  

Here's the plan for the coming week: 

Friday - Shrimp and Grits 

Saturday - we are off to get our tree! I'm planning Meatballs and Homemade Mac and Cheese to enjoy with decorating. 

Sunday - Turkey Breast, potatoes, and a veggie

Monday - Chicken Noodle Soup, crackers and bread

Tuesday - Pasta Carbonara 

Wednesday - Youth Group (Chicken Noodle Soup or Tenders) 

Thursday - Josh has his final drum recital this evening which means a quick early dinner.  I think we should have leftover chicken and or turkey breast so I will just make a big pan of fried rice.  It's easy to eat and quick to make!