Menu Plan

I'm trying to get more organized with meals and decided to make up a menu plan for the week. I have a ton of fresh produce to use up and I want to keep track of it better. I am also going to try to use up what we have on hand for meals as much as possible the next several weeks, because we had an unexpected car expense yesterday that I'd like to try to pay for out of our food budget (we have savings I just don't want to touch it if I don't have to). What better place to put my menu than on my blog so I don't risk loosing my paper that I write it on.

Thursday: Pizzets and corn on the cob.

Friday: BBQ chicken at my mom's (I'm bringing broccoli salad)

Saturday: Lunch - Picnic for hubby's work
Dinner - Tacos (tomatoes from farmers market & lettuce from garden) with peas

Sunday: Lunch - Sandwiches and/ or soup
Dinner - Chicken Stirfry (snow peas from garden, chicken cooked on thursday, green pepper, onion and tomato from farmers market) with rice

Monday: Burritos (left over taco meat, tomatoes) with fried zucchini

Tuesday: spaghetti with garlic bread

Wednesday: Grilled Pork Chops, crash hot potatoes, peas

Thursday: left over burritos

Friday: dinner at mom's

Living Intentionally

So I have just spent the last hour reading the blog of an old acquaintance from high school and was challenged on many levels. First of all I was plesantly suprised to discover that she and I have a lot in common. She seems to be very passionate about bargins and finances. She is also a christian. But there were a few other things I noticed. She seems to live her life with passion and intentionally. She got married last summer and from what she has written on her blog she seems very happily married (which is exciting to see someone else from school make wise choices in the marriage department - but that is another post for another time). Any way "A" has spent her first year of married traveling all over the country with her new hubby and just having a great time. I look back at my first year of marriage and remember spending it in grad school and then with a new born before the year was up. Not quite the exciting cross country adventures that "A" has had. But before I get stuck comparing myself with others, I realize its not her cross country journey that I am envying, but the intentionality with which she lives her life. I have gotten stuck in a rut. I no longer am taking life by the horns and going forward, I'm just doing what needs to get done for the day or week. Now no matter what I do, my life won't resemble "A's" life. I have three kids and can't just up and travel all over, but I can live with purpose. I can be intentional with what I do and my attitude. I think I need to get back to setting goals and more detailed to do lists. I need to focus on getting back (or maybe starting for the first time) to living intentionally. I also want to focus on my hubby. We have three beautiful girls, but he tends to get lost in the daily shuffle. I want to be more intentional about spending quality time with him and showing him my love in tangable ways. Well thats enough rambling for now, its late and I'm really tired.

I now officially drive a van

So we traded in my baby for this 2007 Ford Freestyle Van tonight. Pretty sure its time we joined the ranks of the minivan drivers since we have three kids.