Menu Plan Monday ~ My First

I usually plan my menu a week at a time and post it on my refrigerator. I plan the dinners based on a combination of what I have on hand and what is on sale that week. Having a plan definitely cuts down the temptation to just "go out and grab something quick" and it certainly keeps me more organized.


This week I am joining in with my menu plan for Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie. Check it out and see what everyone is cooking this week and get some new ideas!





This Week's Dinner Menu...

Monday ~ Creamy Chicken Casserole, Honey Carrots, Green Beans

Tuesday ~ Tacos

Wednesday ~ Breakfast Dinner with scrambled eggs, sausage, toast and fruit

Thursday ~ Oregano Chicken, rice, broccoli

Friday ~ Sloppy Joes, chips, veggie dippers

Saturday ~ leftovers

Sunday ~ out


I'm in the mood to make some desserts too...not sure what I will make. Just pulled out a recipe for Hot Fudge Cake so don't be surprised to see that on my blog very soon!

Some Of My Favorites...

One of the sites I subscribe to gives me a little bit of encouragement everyday. Have you discovered this one yet? It is called (in)Courage. Each day includes a short post written by a variety of women...all meant to inspire and encourage. Part of The Heart behind this site states...

More than anything, (in)courage is about relationships - with God and each other.

We realize that our readers are in many different places in their journeys of faith. All of you are welcome.

Today's post on (in)Courage is written by one of my favorite bloggers, The Nester. She has written I Decorate Wrong and I Don't Care. Check it out...

Check out The Nester's blog too. She posted yesterday about a new book coming out written by another blogger that I enjoy, Sandy at The Reluctant Entertainer. Plus, she is giving away 5 copies of the new book.

Check out both of these ladies and be inspired that you do not have to be perfect to be beautiful and a worthy entertainer.

Dishing It...Summer Reading

Amanda at Serenity Now is hosting another one of her Dishing It parties and it's always a fun way to mix and mingle with other bloggers and find some neat people along the way. Thanks for hosting Amanda!

The theme this time is all about Summer Reading...love it! Reading is one of my favorite things to do and always has been. I love to curl up with a good book and get lost in the pages. I love the idea of settling in with a good book while lounging at the beach or lake, all nice and quiet, listening to the sounds of...quiet. But really, how often is that going to happen? So, typically I pick up my book before bed and read for about an hour before ending my day.

A couple of the books I've enjoyed recently have included...

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Flirting With Forty by Jane Porter

And next on my list is Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

(picking it up from the library tomorrow!)

If you know anything about me you know that I am a frugal kind of girl. So I don't usually go out and buy books. I am a big supporter of my local library, which is where the majority of my books come from. I mean, you can't beat FREE, can you? Sometimes I borrow books from friends and occasionally I pick up some at Goodwill or yard sales.

It is rare that I will go to a bookstore to buy a book...unless it is something by Nicolas Sparks because I know I will read and re-read his books over and over again...love his stuff!!! I'm such a sucker for love stories (but NOT romance novels).

I also love to sit with my children and read with them. I like to see my love of books is being passed on to them as well.

My daughter just started The Sisters Grimm series (she is going into 4th grade).

And my son is into the Flat Stanley books right now (he is going into 1st grade).

I am anxious to see what everyone else is reading...What are some of your favorite books? What are you reading this summer?

Some Of My Favorites...

When you have a few minutes check out Some of My Favorites from other bloggers this week...

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars from Bake at 350...YUM!!!

Concrete Planters & Hurricanes from Sweet Something Design...these are neat and look easy to do. Can't wait to try this out myself!

While checking these out, be sure to see more of their posts. Both blogs are great...neat ideas and beautiful photography.

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

Coupon Abbreviation Cheat Sheet

If you've ever wondered what some of the abbreviations mean on coupon blogs and message boards, here is a great "cheat sheet" for you to use. This list was compiled by Who Said Nothing In Life Is Free.

AC = After Coupon
AFC = A Full Cup
AR = After Rebate
BLINKIES = coupons near products that come out of boxes (usually have a blinking light)
BOGO or B1G1 = Buy One Get One Free
B&M = Brick & Mortar (as opposed to an online store)
CAT or CATALINA = coupon dispensed at register after purchase
CRT = Cash register tape
DND = Do Not Double
DOUBLE COUPON = coupon that a grocery store doubles in value
ECB = Extra Care Bucks (from CVS)
FLIPS = Food Lion Internet Printables
GDA = Good Deal Alert
HBA = The health and beauty aid section in the grocery store
HCW = Hot Coupon World
IVC = Instant Value Coupon (found in Walgreen’s monthly coupon books)
IP = Internet Printable Coupon
MFG = Manufacturer’s Coupon
MIR = Mail In Rebate
NED = No expiration date
NBPN = No Beer Purchase Necessary
NWPN = No wine purchase necessary
OOP = Out of Pocket
OYNO = On your next order (deals with catalina coupons)
P&G = Proctor & Gamble insert from Sunday's paper
PEELIE = coupon that you peel off the package
Q = Coupon
RC = Raincheck
RP = Red Plum insert from Sunday's paper
RR = Register Rewards (from Walgreens)
SD = Slickdeals
SS = Smart Source insert from Sunday's paper
STACKING = Combining a store coupon with a manuf coupon
TEARPAD = A pad of coupons found hanging from a store's shelf or display
TMF = Try Me Free (deals with rebates)
WAGS = Walgreen's
WINETAG or WT = coupon hanging from wine bottles
WYB = When You Buy
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary / Your Manager May Vary

Mealtime Monday ~ Honey Carrots

Here is a quick and easy side dish that your kids will love! I have used fresh baby carrots for this but usually prefer the frozen ones to speed things up.

Enjoy!

Honey Carrots

1 bag frozen crinkle cut carrots

1/3 cup raisins

1/3 cup honey

2 tablespoons butter

Cook carrots according to package. Drain carrots and return to pan. Add raisins, honey and butter. Cook over low heat until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally.

*I always just “eyeball” this recipe and never really measure anything.

Very kid-friendly! Great way to entice them to eat some veggies!

Some Of My Favorites...

I haven't been on the computer much this week but I did manage to find a couple of things to share with you all...

Enjoy a great weekend everyone!

Check out these yummy S'mores Cupcakes over at Sumo's Sweet Stuff...wow, these look great and no fire needed (although campfires are fun!).

I just love this Bandana Quilt Tablecloth that Anneliese at Aesthetic Nest made for her daughter's birthday party. How cute!

Here's a tutorial on making a cute and colorful Birthday Wreath. I found this on How Does She, which is a neat site to check out.