Menu Planning Monday

This week I'm cleaning out the pantry and the freezer and primarily making do with what we have on hand.  This week's menu should look something like this:

Monday--Parmesan Garlic Chicken--from the freezer
Tuesday--History Banquet at school--supposedly this will be medieval fare
Wednesday--Soup--also from the freezer
Thursday--Pad Thai
Friday--Pasta
Saturday--leftovers

I've had a couple of occasions recently for taking snacks to gatherings, and this recipe for Chocolate-Toffee Shortbread Bars has been a big hit.  Really, this is such an easy recipe and the bars are rich so a little goes a long way--perfect for our recent PTO meeting.  Yum!

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 4

For the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be dividing up and memorizing Psalm 121 as part of a Bible study I'm completing.  This psalm is one of my favorites, but I'm memorizing it in a slightly different translation than I've used before, so I hope I'm able to get the wording straight.

Psalm 121:1-2 (HCSB)

I raise my eyes toward the mountains
Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD
the Maker of heaven and earth.

I'm so thankful that my help comes from an all-powerful, infinitely loving God!!

Menu Planning Monday

Here we are back at Monday after a week of being stuck inside with sickness.  We didn't even get to enjoy the snow.  Meals last week were a blur of soups, sandwiches, and easy-to-grab foods.  No one felt like eating much, but that was last week, and this week, we're trying to get back on track, so with that in mind, here's the plan for the week:


M--Breakfast Burritos with Fruit
T--Zesty Chicken Potpie
W--Soup
Th--Hamburgers
F--Eating out
S--Fish

Have a great week!!

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 3

My first verse for February comes from Colossians:

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."  Colossians 4:6

Opportunities for more gracious speech abound around here, especially during a week when we've been snowbound and sick!!  Gracious speech opens hearts and engenders a gentle response.   As I'm teaching my kids to be gentle with their words, I'm reminded that they learn so much from my example.  As I memorize and meditate on this verse, I'm praying that my speech will be seasoned by a greater measure of grace!

On the Menu

Last week our menu had quite a few revisions.  Joel was out of town one night and we had some illness, so we didn't really follow the plan, but we did manage to have the Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Tri-Tip, and it was a hit with Joel and the boys.  Since it's a crock-pot dinner, it's super easy--a definite plus for me!!

This week's menu includes:

Roast Mushrooms and Kale over Mashed Sweet Potatoes  (super delicious, not super kid-friendly though)
Chicken Azteca
leftovers
Lasagna Soup
Hamburgers

Roast Mushrooms and Kale over Mashed Sweet Potatoes  (adapted from Rachael Ray)

2 pounds mixed mushrooms--cleaned, stemmed and sliced
3 cloves garlic--thinly sliced
5 Tbsps EVOO
Sea salt and pepper

5 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
1/2 cup milk
a few dashes of hot sauce
1 1/2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1 pound kale, stemmed and coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 450.  on a large baking sheet, dress mushrooms and garlic with 1/4 cup EVOO and spread out.  Roast mushrooms for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and season with sea salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, in a pot, combine the sweet potatoes and enough water to cover.  Bring to a boil, season with sea salt and cook until fork-tender.  Drain and return to the pot, then mash with the stock and milk.  Season with sea salt, pepper,  and hot sauce.  Stir in cheddar until melted.

While the potatoes are working, in a bowl, toss, the kale with the remaining 1 tablespoon EVOO and season with sea salt, pepper.  Arrange on a rack set over a baking sheet and roast until crisp at the edges, 10-12 minutes.

Combine the mushrooms and garlic with the kale and serve on a bed of sweet potatoes.

Print Grocery List

Menu Planning Monday

We enjoyed having a slow start to the week with the MLK holiday, especially since one of our little ones was under the weather, hence the chicken noodle soup for dinner tonight!  

Monday--Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with Buttermilk Biscuits
Tuesday--Stir Fry
Wednesday--Cranberry Chicken and Rice
Thursday--Sundried Tomatoes and Feta Tri-Tip
Friday--Out-of-town
Saturday--Burritos

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 2

This week the Living Proof Ministry Blog introduces a new app to help with the Siesta Scripture Memory.  Details about the app can be found here.  Joel already has an app for scripture memory that he really loves:  I'm sure there are many choices.


My second verse for January is also from Ephesians:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11


So often I try to be strong in my own strength, but, obviously, that never works.  My prayer is that I might be strengthened by HIS might which is made perfect in MY weakness.  Thankfully, His strength is more than enough for any situation I'm going to face!