Monthly Menu: January

Here are my dinner plans for 31 days of January.
* This month, I'm using themes for each week - makes my use of leftovers seem more fun!
* The kids told me they are tired of chicken - I don't blame them, we eat it all.the.time (usually because it is the cheapest meat) - so I'm going to spend a little more this month and we'll eat more beef and pork - but we still have to stay on our $550 budget for 6 people - so hopefully my leftovers will stretch!

 Week 1 Menu: Soup Week
1. Homemade Chili (hamburger, onions, chili beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, basil and garlic)
2.Cheddar Bacon Potato Soup
3. Chicken Noodle Soup
4. Party Chicken (bacon-wrapped chicken with cream of chicken and sour cream in crockpot) 
5. Chicken and rice (with leftover party chicken sauce)
6. Leftovers
7. Homemade Burgers & Fries
Snacks: Apples, "Cutie" Oranges, Granola Bars

Week 2 Menu:Texas Food Week
8. Beef Enchiladas & Mexican Rice
9. Beef Brisket, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw
10. Leftovers
11. BBQ Beef Sandwiches & Chips
12. Taco Salad
13. Eat Out: Burgers & Fries
14. Taco Ring (I'm trying this recipe)
Snacks: popcorn,pears, yogurt, trail mix, "Cinnamon Cheerios"

Week 3 Menu: Italian Week
15. Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes
16. Ravioli with Meat Sauce & Corn
17. Lasagna & Garlic Bread, Green Beans
18. Spaghetti & Meatballs
19. Baked spaghetti with pepperoni
20. Leftovers
21. Eat out: Order Pizza
Snacks: jello, pudding, popcorn, pears, "Cutie" oranges

Week 4 Menu: Pork - the Other White Meat
22. BBQ Pork Loin, Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Corn on the Cob
23. Sausage & Sauerkraut, Fried Okra
24. Pork Chops & Baked Potatoes
25. Leftovers
26. Sausage & Egg Bake
27. Eat Out: Sandwich Shop
Snacks:grapes, cinnamon tortilla roll-ups, yogurt w/ granola

Week 5: Family Favorites
28. Breakfast for dinner: pancakes, bacon, eggs
29.Chicken Fried Rice
30. Mashed Potato Buffet - Toppings: bacon, cheese, sour cream, broccoli, chicken, chili,
31. Shepherd's Pie: BBQ beef, mixed veggies, topped with mashed potatoes & cheese
Snacks:string cheese, cookies, bananas, apples

Birthday *Giveaway*

I love celebrating special days, like birthdays - and Sunday is mine! So, in honor of my birthday, I'm having a giveaway - Hooray!

Here's what's in my Birthday Giveaway - I recently reviewed 2 wonderful books that would a great addition to any mom's bookshelf:





Seasons of the Heart: A Year of Devotions from One Generation of Women to Another Compiled by Donna Kelderman is a  rich treasury of thoughts and encouragements from 12 godly women of the 14th-19th centuries. The book includes daily devotions for January through December. (The Book Review)








From Creation to Resurrection, God's Great Plan by Melissa Cutrera is a beautifully poetic explanation of the Gospel for children. (The Book Review)






a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monthly Menu: December

Here are my dinner plans for 31 days of December.
*Since there are always parties to go to in December, here are a few suggestions for easy dishes to take along to any potluck or as party snacks:
- Chocolate Eclair (graham crackers, instant vanilla pudding mixed with whipped cream, graham crackers, warm chocolate frosting - layer and refrigerate)
- Plate of Cheese and Crackers
- Puppy Chow (Chex cereal with peanut butter, chocolate and powdered sugar)
-  Chips & Cheese Dip (cubed Velveeta and Rotel tomatoes in crockpot on low, stir regularly)

 Week 1 Menu:
1. Spaghetti with meat sauce, green beans and garlic bread
2. Ravioli Lasagna (tried this recipe)
3. Baked Ravioli and steamed veggies
4. Party Chicken (bacon-wrapped chicken with cream of chicken and sour cream in crockpot)
5.Chicken and rice (with leftover party chicken sauce)
6. Homemade Tamales and Mexican Rice
7. Leftovers
Snacks: Apples, Grapes, Cubed Cheese, Granola Bars

Week 2 Menu:
8. Birthday Dinner (Hoping my family takes me out for Mexican Food!)
9. Cranberry-Pomegranate Salsa with Cream Cheese over Chicken in Crockpot
10. Cheese Manacotti with meat sauce, corn and rolls
11. Pork chops and mashed potatoes
12. Crockpot BBQ Chicken, baked beans and coleslaw
13. BBQ Chicken Pizza with bacon and pineapple salsa
14. Christmas Party (see party take-alongs above)
Snacks:popcorn, yogurt, trail mix, fruit smoothies

Week 3 Menu:
15. Homemade Chili (hamburger, onions, chili beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, basil and garlic)
16. Frito Chili Pie (corn chips, leftover chili, shredded cheese and sour cream)
17. Roasted Chicken with potatoes and carrots
18. Chicken Pot Pie
19. White Chicken Chili (here's my recipe)
20. Leftovers
21. Eat Out: Sandwich Shop
Snacks: Oranges, bananas, homemade cookies, pretzels

Week 4
22. Beef Enchiladas, Mexican Rice
23. Order out: Pizza
24. Dinner with friends
25. Christmas Dinner: Ham, Mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, rolls
26. Leftovers
27. Ham, broccoli and cheddar soup
Snacks: .Chex Mix, Cookies, Candy/chocolate from grandma/parties, applesauce

Week 5
28. Breakfast for dinner: Pancakes, eggs and bacon
29. Lasagna, Corn and Rolls
30. Eat Out: Burgers & Fries
31. New Year's Eve: Meat, cheese and veggie trays
Snacks: Puppy Chow Cereal Mix, Chex Mix, Cookies, Apples