I’ve never participated in the Menu Plan Monday before, but I’ve been thinking about it for quite awhile thanks to Heather at Joyful Wandering who faithfully posts her menu every Monday which causes me to have to leave her little comments about closing my eyes as I skim over her Menu Plan Monday blog entires (LOL).

One day awhile back in replying to a comment I left on her blog, she stated that she didn’t think our kids were starving or anything so she wasn’t going to worry about us. I had to LAUGH OUT LOUD because just a couple of days before that our (last) daughter (at home) took a picture of our refrigerator and it was 3/4 empty! The kids were BEGGING me to go to the grocery store (LOL). Little did Heather know and I wasn’t about to take a picture and show the whole world how bare our cupboards had gotten. I had too much Christmas shopping to do to bother with grocery shopping. Ok. That’s only one of several excuses I have up my sleeve.

At that point, I decided that I should really think about menu planning in the new year for several reasons the biggest one being that I can hopefully maximize my time if I plan ahead (see below hamburger frying plan). Second reason is I hope to avoid last minute trips to the local restaurant for take out pizza. Previously, that wasn’t an option for us living clear out here in the boonies, but this past year a family from our church opened up a nice little restaurant out here and I keep telling myself it’s ok to stop in a couple of times a week for dinner because we’re helping support their business. Ok.. well enough excuses. It is a new year and I’m determined to make a menu.

I’m so all or nothing that even making something as simple as a menu becomes a HUGE project for me. As I was making this blog entry I got the notion that if I have a Week 1 through Week 4 menu that I really only have to make 4 blog entries and then repeat them each month (LOL) so that meant I had to think a little more about what we really want to eat in a given week. Those who know how much of a stumbling block this could be for me will be proud of me when I tell you that I just DID IT! I forced myself to not analyze any further than this week and what I know I already have mostly on hand. Plus, with a big cooking day scheduled for Sat there isn’t a need to think about a month’s worth of menus TODAY!

So, I went to the Menu Plan Monday sign up at the Organized Junkie website to join the group of women who are posting their menus this week and she had a great encouraging post about the benefits of making a menu. I’ve never been anti-menu planning, it’s just that I’ve never really had a big need to do that because I always shop in bulk and can usually drum up something every night without too much hassle. The problem is the amount of time we spend contemplating what to make each day. It’s exhausting. So.. now that’s done! YEA!

I promise I won’t post big long blog entries every Monday. I just thought I should post an explanation this first time (LOL)… but I’m guessing none of you really care why I decided to post a menu (LOL).. I guess I’m just using the blog to talk myself into the idea.

Breakfast:
Everyone is on their own for breakfast. They can chose from cereal, oatmeal, or eggs/toast. We also have the makings for french toast or pancakes. If someone decides to make a hot breakfast then they make enough for everyone.

Lunch:
Lunch is usually left overs from the previous night. If not left overs then we always have the makings for grilled cheese sandwiches/tomato soup, macaroni and cheese, canned turkey or chicken for sandwiches, etc.

Dinner:

Monday – Dairy Queen (dinner meeting for travel bb team)
Tuesday – Tater Tot Casserole (will fry enough hamburger for Wed and TH)
Wednesday – Spaghetti, salad, and french bread
Thursday – Chili & Cornbread
Friday – Roast and potatoes/carrots
Saturday – Cooking Day.. not sure what we’ll eat that day (hopefully leftovers from the week)
Sunday – Stew – I make this in the crockpot