Christmas Notebook

We are tolerating winter’s brief show and looking forward to later in the week when spring is expected to return. Twice the past week, we had a light dusting of snow that melted away in the afternoon. I hope that is the last of winter for us till the end of the year.

The menu for the week follows. We have company in the person of Youngest Daughter’s college roommate. They, of course, have their own schedule and are busily in and out of the house. If they’re here, they eat with us. If they’re not, they eat elsewhere. We are enjoying the company regardless of how often we see the girls.

Monday
Leftover Pot Roast on
Homemade Buns

Tuesday
Tacoritos
Taco Chips
Avocado Sour Cream

Wednesday
Homemade Pizza

Thursday
Rosemary Ranch Chicken
Oven Fried Potato Wedges
Sugar Snap Peas
Sweet and Sour Cucumber Slices

Friday
Chicken Fettuccine

Saturday
Church Quilt Day at our house. Everyone’s bring salads to share.

Sunday
Roast Turkey
Mashed Potatoes
Corn Casserole
Steamed Green Beans
Garden Salad

I am still working on spring-themed Putz houses. I’ve cut out five patterns (made two or three of some of them) and all the bits and pieces needed to finish them. I’ve made three bases so far. Eight more are needed. When the bases are done, I will start painting the houses. I hope to have some finished by Friday.

~~Rhonda

We had plenty of fridge food (leftovers) to use for the first part of the week, so I put off menu planning till today. The grands are coming over Friday evening to spend the weekend. Just in case we really do get some snow on Saturday. If we do, they will enjoy playing in it. If we don’t, there are plenty of other adventures to be had.

Thursday
Spaghetti
Homemade Red Sauce
Peas
Garlic Bread

Friday
Simply Great Chicken
Asparagus
Baby Baked Potatoes

Saturday
Smoked Pork Shank and Beans
Cornbread

Sunday
Alton Brown’s Pot Roast
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Garden Salad

Monday
Fajitas

I’m looking forward to the weekend. Just hoping the 19° expected Saturday night doesn’t hurt the flowering trees and shrubs. I’m afraid my lovely pink magnolia is going to quite browned.

~~Rhonda

I haven’t posted a weekly menu plan for a long time. Today, I’m thinking about what to make for the next few days or so. I am thinking about items that can be made ahead and then frozen or that can keep in the fridge for a few meals. Crock pot meals are good because they can be started early in the day and then forgotten till it’s time for supper. Once I am knee-deep in a craft project (which happens almost every day), I hate to stop and come down to spend an hour preparing a meal. Because the long staircase is a painful proposition for my arthritic knees (thank you, genetic material), I only go up and come down once a day. Once down, I stay down.

I’ve discussed menu options with Middle and Youngest Daughters, planned a menu and made a shopping list. Middle Daughter plans to make a grocery run later this afternoon.

Tuesday
Baked Shells and Broccoli ~ Due to popular demand, I’m leaving out the broccoli and adding chicken, mushrooms and sundried tomatoes.
Asparagus
Garlic Bread

Wednesday
Cheeseburgers
Homemade Buns
Grapes

Thursday
Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef
Rice

Friday
Spaghetti with Homemade Sauce
Garlic Bread
Peas

Saturday
Fridge Food

Sunday
Alton Brown’s Pot Roast
Mashed Potatoes
Fresh Green Beans

Might even throw in some apple crisp for dessert.

Now I’m off to take care of the do-ahead bits and pieces. Cook chicken, make rolls and buns, make spaghetti sauce, prepare tonight’s casserole, etc. Tomorrow, I’ll probably be back up in the craft room. For today, Youngest Daughter brought down a project I can work on while I’m between tasks in the kitchen. I made thirteen Putz bases in the past few days and started the painting process yesterday afternoon. I can finish that at the kitchen table today.

~~Rhonda