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Monday, January 5, 2009

Menu Plan Monday

Whew! Its finally time to get back into the swing of things! I must say though, that I am not looking forward to the kids going back to school tomorrow! We've had a lot of fun and I have to admit that I have enjoyed sleeping late. But its back to the daily grind starting in the morning. Now that the holidays are over I am also looking forward to getting back to menu planning and eating better! I had panic attacks over the amount of sugar my kids have been ingesting! If you are a regular visitor to Grocery Cart Challenge you will see that I am copy-catting a lot this week. Gayle has 4 kids so I figure that its a good bet that my kids will like some of their favorites too.

Monday - Today I am making split pea soup with buttery bread machine rolls. I have never had split pea soup before so this might be a total flop, but judging by the reviews on this recipe I think it might be good. I'm excited to try it. As far as the rolls go...I'm not a bread maker. I've tried and tried to make bread. I dream of one day spending time in my kitchen kneading dough, popping it in the oven and coming out with a gorgeous loaf of bread. So far all of my bread has come out horrible. However, I did purchase a bread machine at a yard sale this past summer. The ingredients are in the machine as we speak. I am very nervous. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Tuesday - Roast Sticky Chicken with Lentil and Brown rice Casserole. We love Roast Chicken around here. This one sounded pretty easy and good. The Lentil and Brown Rice Casserole is also one I'm borrowing from Gayle. I have tried several lentil recipes lately, all with great results. Have you added lentils to your diet yet? You really should.

Wednesday - Baked Potatoes topped with chili with salad. My kids LOVE baked potatoes. Hubs and I will top ours with canned chili and the kids will have theirs with butter, sour cream and shredded cheese.

Thursday - Leftover night!

Friday - If all goes well, I will have enough chicken left from Tuesday to make Fried Rice with egg rolls. My kids love fried rice from the local Chinese restaurant so I hope this one will be just as good.

Saturday - Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and carrots. I use Christels recipe. There's a joke in there somewhere that I will let the rest of you in on some day (right Christel ;). But lets just say that Hubs LOVES meatloaf and I think he may have fallen in love with Christel about five years ago when they had us over to eat one night. So that he would love me more, I got her recipe...and have been making it that way since. (Christel, I know it was five years ago, because A was tiny and in her carrier and it was a couple of weeks into January and you still had your Christmas tree up! Oh and I won't be making a Chocolate Pie, Ha!)

Sunday - Leftovers

By the way I just finished New Moon. I do have to say that I didn't like it as much as I liked Twilight, but it was still good. Stop reading right now if you haven't read it yet, because I am about to spoil things. You can start reading again in the next paragraph..... Am I the only one who really sort of wanted Bella to kiss Jacob in the kitchen? Of course I knew she would be reunited with Edward someday and kissing Jacob would have made things complicated but I can't help but really like Jacob. Poor guy. Don't tell me any details from Eclipse or Breaking Dawn. I'm sure all of that will be cleared up. Does Jacob turn bad? Does Bella get changed? Will Jacob find someone to love him like he loves Bella? So many questions. I will be at the store today purchasing Eclipse. Oh and Hubs was going to take me see Twilight Saturday night and when we got there it was sold out...I couldn't believe it! It's been out for over a month! So instead we went to see.....

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. SO GOOD! I cried. It reminded me a lot of Forrest Gump though, which is not bad because I liked that movie too. I think this is the first time that I have truly appreciated how beautiful Cate Blanchett is. Her skin is simply gorgeous. I would definitely rank the movie as a must see!

Alrighty! That's all I have for now. I'll let you guys know how the pea soup and the rolls turn out! Whats on your menu this week?

9 comments:

BoosMom said...

So many answers I could give you about Eclipse and Breaking Dawn.....Ahhh, you will love them! Especially Breaking Dawn.

A.D. said...

That's how I felt about New Moon too. Don't worry...the next two books are so much better! You're going to love them!
I have a bread machine, but I'm afraid to use it! Past attempts have not been good. I read Grocery Cart Challenge too and have always thought these sound good, but what do you do with that many rolls? Can you freeze them or freeze the dough and use it later? Let us know how it turns out...good luck!

Readings, Recipes and Rambles said...

Can't wait to hear how the pea soup is!!!!!!!
I am 3/4 finished with Eclipse....good but so far I still like Twilight the best. I would love to see the movie as well but want to read all 4 books first!!!!!!

Rachael said...

Good luck with the bread! I used to think I couldn't make bread either, but somehow I got the formula down and now it magically turns out great. (usually :))

Can't believe you've never had split pea soup. It's one of my faves! I have a really good mediterrean style one that a college friends' mom (who is Persian) made one time and now I make it all the time.

And lastly...Twilight. I loaned all the books to my sister Francie and the whole time she was reading them, she kept saying, "But I like Jacob! Why can't Bella be with Jacob!" She was driving me nuts, because I couldn't tell her anything. I just kept saying READ THE REST. (Although, I'm not sayin' who ends up with who, so don't let me lead you wrong here, but it all works itself out in the end, and you will see.) Have you seen the T-shirts that say "Team Jacob?"

Christel said...

I am delighted that you still like my meatloaf! (Yep, our guys and their red meat...) ha ha.. It's amazing how much M and R are alike!
Hey, your chicken-n-dressing is still a hit around here too! It's a favorite! : )
The pea soup is interesting.. do post and tell us how it was!

Christel said...

Oh, ps.. yes, about 5 years ago... Too long ago!

Carie said...

Thanks Julie for not letting the cat out of the bag! A.D. I'm so glad the last 2 are good cause they are LLLLOOOOONNNGGG! I'm not sure I could read a book that long if it wasn't good!

Rachael, I have not seen those shirts but I think I need one!

Christel - I miss you. M said he talked to R today and said that you guys should come visit us Saturday, but he forgot that his nephew is getting married!

Readings, Recipes and Rambles said...

Check out my blog..........treat for you!!

Junebug said...

I liked Jacob, too.