Menu 2018: December 2-29

We had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving break spending time with both sides of the family at different points in the week. 💓 We didn't do a lot Black Friday shopping, which was fine because we don't really have the space (or budget) for extra things right now. I was able to get a lot of my Christmas shopping done though. We are traveling a lot throughout the holidays as my hubby is preaching out 3 of the 5 Sundays in December.

Menu 2018: November 4-December 1

Life has been crazy the last several months. At the end of April we determined that it was time for us to move on to a different ministry so my hubby resigned the end of May. By July we still didn't have an answer for question of "where" we were to go so we moved across the state and in with my parents the first week in August. The kids have settled into being in a school vs. homeschooling, and I am working to settle into the routine of being home by myself most days. I am not one to watch the clock so it has been harder than I thought to get used to not having the school day to fill my time. I have picked up some alterations jobs and my hubby has been filling in for other pastors besides his part-time consulting job. We also spent nine wonderful days away with friends on a cruise in the western Caribbean for a combined anniversary/birthday celebration. God has been so good to us amid the challenges we've faced. 💕

I am going to attempt getting back into the swing of posting my menus on the blog instead of only on the Facebook page so wish me luck. 😁

Menu 2018: April 29-May 26

The weather here in the frozen tundra of the midwest is finally warming up and we are enjoying soaking up some sun in the yard when school is done for the day. Warmer temperatures and sunshine lend themselves to meals on the deck at our house so I will start to make more "picnic" foods for supper.
I am also back to attempting a 4 week menu plan as the weeks get quite busy. Here is what I've come up with for meals.

Menu 2018: April 15-28

Only a month and a half left of school. We enjoyed having our friend's kids while they were away, but are ready to be back to just us and a "normal" routine of school and household activities.

The craziness of late spring will hit the end of April with church activities such as spring work day and mother/daughter tea, followed by prep work for vacation Bible school. 

Lemon Lavender Zucchini [Breads, Muffins, or Cake]

Anyone who knows me, knows that playing the mad baking scientist is kind of a stress reliever. With having 4 extra kidlets for 9 days, I decided it was in my best interest to whip up something creative after putting them all to bed one night.

Menu 2018: April 1-14

How is it almost Easter?! This year is flying by faster than I can keep up with no signs of life slowing down even a little.

We gain 4 more kids this month and the kids are super excited to have their friends here for almost 2 weeks. I will be attempting to keep the menus a bit simpler, as well as planning out breakfast and lunch menus. Here's what I've come up with:

Menu 2018: March 18-March 31

With March halfway over and April right around the corner, I need to be sure I stay on top of everything. The end of the school year will be here before I know it and we will have 8 kids instead of 4 for the first two weeks in April, which the kids are super excited about. :)
Since we are trying to get extra schoolwork finished

Kaeng Kalampi [Laotian Cabbage Soup]

When I was a kid, my mom worked on a berry farm to earn money for our family vacations. For 3 weeks every June she would leave the house early in the morning and come home in the afternoon Monday-Saturday harvesting strawberries. Several of those years she worked with a family of Laotians and they shared a recipe for cabbage soup with her. We always enjoyed eating, particularly on a cold winter day. It was fairly simple to make and was packed with flavor.

Fast forward 20 years. I decided to make this soup for a special dinner at church where everyone brings a different ethnic dish based on their own heritage or of one that they enjoy. It turned out well enough that my DD who doesn't normally like soup actually asked to have the leftovers for lunch the next day! So without anymore rambling, here is my take in that recipe.

Menu 2018: January 28-February 24

How is January almost over?! We are working at getting back in the swing of school, which is easier for some kids than others. We have had lots of cold days without much snow so the kids are praying for more snow, which I don't mind. I'd rather have snow than below zero temperatures any day!
I am attempting to do a better job at getting menus for the month done on time as it helps me stay on track both with my calorie intake and my food budget. Here is what I've got for February.

Mexican Chicken Soup

We love Tex-Mex food at our house, which I'm sure you already knew based on the number of times Tex-Mex ends up on the menu. When the kids were really little there was a Mexican restaurant over by my parents that we would sneak away to on dates. It had this delicious Mexican chicken soup that they would serve topped with avocado slices, sour cream, and cheese with chips on the side. It was a favorite of mine and I finally got it mastered using my 8 qt. Instant Pot. It has tons of flavor and is fairly simple with the help of the Instant Pot.

Menu 2018: December 31-January 27

Happy New Year!! I don't know if this is true for you, but 2017 just flew by for us. We had an enjoyable time with family of Christmas and I really didn't do much cooking, which was nice. :)
But, alas, Christmas break is fast approaching an end and I still have so much to do before we get back to the grind of school. Sigh. Oh, well. I must trudge on, so here are the weekly menus for the next few weeks.