Menu Planning

We had a busy weekend - it always shows when that happens because I don't get a chance to sit down and write up posts.  Plus, the well has been a little dry lately :-)  I think of great ideas when I'm laying in bed but then forget about them when it's time to post!

I love meal planning.  I've tried all kinds of ideas through the years to keep things exciting.  I've had some really dry times in menu planning too.  I find that we go through different stages in life where I can menu plan and stick to it like glue and then other times when life just gets in the way and we are eating the cupboards bare until I have a chance (or desire) to get to the store!  Recently I came across a couple different blogs that shared some good ideas on menu planning and I thought I would share.

The first one comes from Creative Home Keeper.

The basic idea is that you write down 20 or so of your favorite recipes to rotate throughout the month.  Yes, 20.  That leaves room for eating out, leftovers, and new recipes.  I also like that she actually has two lists - one for spring/summer and one for fall/winter.   When I read this post a few weeks ago, I liked the simplicity of it.  It's been stewing in the back of my mind since then and I'm slowing creating my spring/summer list.  One of the reasons this appeals to me is that it is flexible but I don't feel like I have to search recipes every Thursday to plan my menu.  I can use my master list to keep things simple. 

The other blog is Lime Life Planners.

I like this concept because she uses her planner to plan out meals and her grocery list.  Now, you know I am a total planner girl so this appeals to me on so many levels (and no, I don't use a Lime Life Planner - I just a cheap old planner I get on Amazon!).  My disclaimer to the grocer list, though, is I have a master list on my computer that matches the aisles in my store to make shopping easy.

If you don't meal plan or are looking for inspiration - maybe one of these ideas can help make planning just a little easier!

Our Week in Photo #20

Here's a look back at our week   I feel like I might have shared some of this already!! 

 On Saturday, I spent time rearranging some new furniture we got from my mom.  The animals loved having a new chair to sit on!  (So much so that they even sat together!) 

 We enjoyed time at my mom's new home. 

 Nate got to enjoy a fishing field trip with his fishing class from Friday School. 

Speaking of School - we are wrapping up projects!  They each have a science project to finish and one Language Arts test to take and we are done!  (Josh is really happier than he looks HA! - this is his Michigan History Timeline) 

Weekly Menu

It is the unofficial start to summer!  Can you believe that it is Memorial Day Weekend?  I cannot.  I'm still remembering how extremely long January was and yet May is flying by like it only has two days in the month!!

Friday -- Leftover Potato and Ham Soup from the freezer and Biscuits

Saturday -- It's my mom's birthday!  It's time to celebrate her :-)  She has requested steak and cheesy potatoes so that is what we will have! I'll add our favorite Corn and Tomato Summer Salad too :-)

Sunday -- Hamburgers and French Fries

Monday -- Memorial Day!  Brats and Hot Dogs, Zucchini, potatoes

Tuesday -- Sloppy Joes, Mac and Cheese, and Green Beans

Wednesday -- Chili Dogs and Fries

Thursday -- Tacos

What I'm Reading.

So, what have I been reading? 

HA!.  Truth. 

I have had next to no time to ready lately.  

I cancelled the Unlimited Kindle monthly subscription because I wasn't finding books to read that I liked. 

I haven't been keeping up with the Baker Bookhouse book challenge.  

So . .. 

I found this kind of funny which is I why I posted it.  

I do have a whole shelf of real books to read and I have a book for Book Club to read by mid-June. 

I also need to try and catch up on my Baker Book Club books.

I guess I better get reading!

The Big Move

After months of anticipation . . .actually almost a year of anticipation . .the big moving day finally arrived this weekend.

Last summer, by the time my mom was leaving the campground for the summer, the plan was in place for her to sell her home in the spring and move closer to my little family.  She put her house on the market at the end of March and had an offer within about 24 hours.  Of course, then comes the things like inspections and appraisals and closings.  Those took a few weeks but in just over a month the whole process was done including purchasing a home just 10 minutes from us. 

Friday morning actually started out with some rain but thankfully it lasted for all of about 10 minutes and then the rest of the day was clear.

 My mom had worked all winter packing up the house so it was completely ready on moving day.  It was such a blessing to just have to load because she had it all ready. 

 She rented a huge truck (and it is a good thing she did!) 

 We had amazing help.  Friends from the church there came and helped load the truck.  One of my brothers friends was in charge of "the puzzle" of the truck.  He did amazing and fit everything in that truck! 

 The last pictures with the house before we headed out. 

The truck, driven by Darryl (with the boys along for the ride of a lifetime!) as they headed out. 

When we arrived at my mom's new place, people from my church just kept showing up.  It was amazing.  They got the entire truck unloaded at her house and then, came to my house to unload things into my garage and furniture into my house that I was getting. It was a very long day but it was so nice to have it all unloaded by Friday night.  

On Saturday, my brother helped my mom with things at her place before we all headed in to return the truck.  After dinner we all hung out at my mom's new place and enjoyed some time visiting.  My mom is busy unpacking with the help of two boys who are already loving that she lives so much closer!  

I love the view out her living window (and so does her dog!) 

Sunday Worship - I Have This Hope

I heard this song not long after learning that a friend of mine from college had cancer.  This is a song I had heard many times before but in light of the unexpected news, it took on new life to me.  Even in the darkest moments, we have hope.

Our Week in Photo #19

Here's our week!

 On Saturday, we met friends at the park.  It was only about 50 degrees so it was chilly - a perfect day to play!  

 We went to our favorite wooden park.  We need to go more before these two get too big to go to parks. 

 On the way home, we had to stop at Meijer and they just happened to doing a "decorate a cupcake" activity so the boys did just that.  And yes, they were good. 

 For dinner we did something we rarely do - we got Papa Murphy's pizza.  I considered it an early Mother's Day present - easy dinner HA! 

We love our cat. 

Sunday - Mother's day!  We started with breakfast at home and then went to my sister-in-laws

My boys and me! 

These were the gifts the boys got me.  Now, lets keep it real.  I picked out the necklaces from my friends jewlery.  She wrapped them all up and even threw in a free necklace.  The boys were not thrilled that I did that (lesson learned HA).  They did get me Biggby gift cards though which I love! 

I shared these photos in a previous post but on Tuesday we got some outside time in finally. 

 On Wednesday the boys and I had some furniture to move.  We are gaining some new furniture from my mom when she moves.  Well, the animals all love when something new happens! 

 The cat claimed this sideways chair as his own. 

 The dog was like, 'What's up with the couch?" (Gottta love Lazy Boy - the backs all come off!) 

Finally we met my mom at her NEW home!  Yes!  Now on to moving! 

We will be busy with moving details the next few days.  Technically there should be photos but I'm guessing I won't get a chance to post them on Friday night (and this goes live on Saturday!)  So I'll share those later in the week!