Last Wednesday was my 5 year "blogiversary" for the What's for Dinner blog! Is it strange that I've been blogging about what I eat for five years? Hopefully my meal plans and recipes have been useful for many of you. They are vital for my family. If I didn't meal plan, my family would eat out or eat junk way too often. Meal plans are definitely a key component of survival for this mom. :)

Today is New Year's Eve, and we woke to a dusting of snow on the ground! It has been so warm this December that it's nice to have it actually feel like winter finally. We don't have any huge plans for the evening. Corey's girlfriend, Hannah, is visiting, and they plan on making some cookies today. We are going to have fun appetizers for dinner, watch movies, play games and ring in the New Year with a sparkling grape juice toast. :) Hopefully Eric and I will be able to stay up that late. ;)

Here's this week's menu. Enjoy and have a great week! Be sure to follow me on Facebook to get fast updates from the blog. :)

Sunday - Eat at Silver Dollar City (had to go see the Christmas lights one more time for Hannah)

Monday - New Year's Eve fun food - Mini pigs-in-blanket (turkey little smokies wrapped in crescent rolls), Mini meatball subs (meatballs cooked in marinara sauce and put on wheat Kings Hawaiian rolls with provolone), Chips and Queso, Orange slices, and whatever cookies the kids make today :)

Tuesday - Tator Tot Surprise (didn't get to it last week - too much leftover ham and beans to eat), Salad, Oranges

Wednesday - Lasagna Rolls (borrowed my brother's pic as I forgot to take on last time I made them), Salad, Garlic Bread, Strawberries

Thursday - Taco Salads, Fruit

Friday - Creamy Chicken Breasts, Rice, Green Beans, Salad

Saturday - Turkey Dinner (Wal Mart had turkeys on sale for 50 cents/pound!)

For more menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com.  

It's Christmas Eve! I can hardly believe today's the day. It has been so warm here lately (60 degrees yesterday) that it doesn't seem very Christmasy But, we actually have a winter storm watch for Christmas day, so maybe some snow is in our near future.

Corey and I are officially on break from school for two weeks! Woo hoo! He has had a very tough semester with 6 AP classes, half of which he takes on online. No "blow off" senior year for my kid - yes, he's crazy! He has definitely earned some down time. We took in a couple of movies this weekend (Hobbit and Lincoln - both great), and we're looking forward to heading to Grandma's house to eat lots of food.

We will be around a few days this week, so I have a few things on the menu, all of which are requests from the boys. Here's this week's menu. Enjoy and have a great week! Be sure to follow me on Facebook to get fast updates from the blog. :)

Sunday - Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup, Salad, Blackberries

Monday - Ham and Beans (recipe coming soon), Sinfully Sweet Cornbread, Salad

Tuesday - Eat at Grandma's! Merry Christmas!

Wednesday - Southwestern Egg Rolls with Avocado Ranch Sauce, Strawberries, Salad

Thursday - Tator Tot Surprise, Salad, Oranges

Friday - Eat at Grandma's

Saturday - Eat at Grandma's

For more menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com.  
 

It's hard to believe that we are just over a week away from Christmas! This is our last week at school before break, and I look forward to sharing holiday stories and activities with my students in the library this week. Even more than that, I look forward to some time at home with my family over our break. I'm hoping to have to extra time to spend in my kitchen. :)

Here's this week's menu. Enjoy and have a great week! Be sure to follow me on Facebook to get fast updates from the blog. :)

Sunday - Chili, Fruit Salad

Monday - BBQ Pork Sandwiches (from freezer), Green Beans, Salad, Oranges

Tuesday - Apple Butter Glazed Chicken, Broccoli, Salad, Pineapple

Wednesday - Chili Ranch Grilled Pork Chops, Green Beans, Salad, Applesauce

Thursday - leftovers

Friday - Steak, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad

Saturday - Ott's House Casserole, Broccoli, Salad

For more menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com.  

I'm back! Literally, I guess. ;-) I threw my back out last Sunday morning, and it pretty much knocked me out for the week. It's still a little sore, but I'm at least up and moving around again. We have two weeks until school is out for Christmas vacation, and I can't wait. I'm anxious to have some time to do some extra cooking just for fun. I did make my Christmas cookies today and some Pretzel Hugs and Faux Turtles. I also got my cooking done for my meals this week, so my family should eat well.

Here's this week's menu. Enjoy and have a great week! Be sure to follow me on Facebook to get fast updates from the blog. :)

Sunday - Pork Roast (just threw it in the slow cooker with some rosemary sprigs), Day Before Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad

Monday - Cowboy Stew, Sinfully Sweet Cornbread, Salad

Tuesday - Lemon Thyme Chicken, Rice, Broccoli, Salad

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Eat out

Friday - Spaghetti with Meatballs, Broccoli, Garlic Bread, Salad

Saturday - Southwestern Egg Rolls with Avocado Ranch Dipping Sauce, Fruit Salad

For more menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com.  

These are much easier than traditional Turtle candies.

Ingredients:

2 11 oz. packages of Rolo candies, unwrapped
1 bag mini pretzels
Pecan halves (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. Place on e pretzel for each pretzel treat desired on prepared sheet. Top each pretzel with one Rolo candy.

3. Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until caramel piece begins to soften, but not melt. Remove from oven; top with either pecan half or additional pretzel. Cool completely.

Recipe Source - Rolo bag

These are a nice alternative to dipping pretzels in chocolate. :)

Ingredients:

1 1 lb bag Snyders Pretzel Snaps (you can also use regular mini pretzels)
2 bags Hershey's Hugs

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Unwrap the Hugs.
Lay down one pretzel for each Hug, and top each pretzel with an unwrapped Hug.
Place the tray in the oven for 2 mintes.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 1 minute to continue the softening process. (Be sure not to leave them in the oven too long or they will completely melt and run all over your tray.)
Top each Hug with another pretzel, pushing down gently so they stick together.
Cool in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to set.
 

Our family traveled to New York City to visit my brother over Thanksgiving. We had a fabulous trip, but since we didn't get back until Sunday, I don't have a formal menu this week. We're kind of winging it using my freezer stash and yes, I'm a bit ashamed to say, some frozen Stouffers meals.

Here is a slideshow of photos from our trip. (You won't be able to see the slideshow if you are viewing this on an iPad or iPhone since it is Flash based.)

Here's this week's rather pitiful menu. Enjoy and have a great week! Be sure to follow me on Facebook to get fast updates from the blog. :)

Sunday - Stouffers Cheese Ravioli with Meat Sauce, Salad

Monday - Mexican Chicken (from freezer stash), Peaches

Tuesday - Stouffers Chicken Alfredo, Broccoli, Salad

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - BBQ Pork Sandwiches (from freezer stash), French Fries, Green Beans, Salad

Friday - Homemade Pizza, Salad

Saturday -  Steak, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad

I'm taking a short hiatus this week for Thanksgiving, so no menu plan. Here's last year's menu if you want to see what my family eats for the holidays. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and I'll be back at it in a week.

I just realized I hadn't posted the menu, so it's going to be a short post again this week. My Internet connection hasn't been working well this weekend, so I need to make it fast while I'm actually connected. Enjoy and have a great week! Be sure to follow me on Facebook to get fast updates from the blog. :)

Sunday - Stuffed Pork Chops, Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad

Monday - Sausage Potato Soup, Salad, Applesauce

Tuesday - Crock Pot Beef Tips, Rice, Broccoli, Salad

Wednesday - Tator Tot Surprise, Salad, Peaches

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Homemade Pizza, Salad

Saturday - Eat at Mom's

For more menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com.  

My friend Yvonne shared this recipe with me. I altered the original recipe a little to make it a smidge healthier, and they were still very yummy. I didn't have any green onions when I made them to take the picture, but I would definitely encourage you use them.

Ingredients:
4 large baking potatoes
8 slices center cut bacon, cooked in the microwave or oven (drains fat better) and crumbled
1 cup fat free sour cream
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded 2% Milk Cheddar cheese, divided
8 green onions, sliced, divided

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Wash potatoes and wrap in foil. Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour.

When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh so the potato maintains it’s shape; save skins.

To the potato flesh add sour cream, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese, 1/2 the green onions, and milk. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy.

Spoon the mixture into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon.

Bake for another 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

I am participating in the Secret Santa Swap 2012 hosted at the Apronista. We are supposed to post the following questionnaire on our blogs so that our Secret Santa can get some ideas for the swap package. I am so excited! I love Secret Santa activities. :) Here are my responses:

1. What are your hobbies? - cooking, reading, sewing (aprons and bags), hiking, running
2. What are your favorite colors? - pink!
3. Do you collect anything? - no
4. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? - allergic to cats
5. Do you have any pets? - I have two dogs - a black lab and a yellow lab
6. Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate? - Chocolate!!!!!! (coffee is yucky!)
7. What do you like to read? - I'm an elementary librarian, so I read lots of stuff. I like most things (but not raunchy stuff) as far as fiction goes. I don't really care for non-fiction. You can some of the stuff I read on my Shelfari page (http://www.shelfari.com/o1514418329)
8. Do you prefer Cookies or Candies as a sweet? - Dove Dark Chocolates are one of my favorites
9. What is your favorite holiday treat? - Lindor Milk Chocolate Truffles (the ones with the red wrappers - yum!)
10. Describe your favorite holiday tradition. - baking cookies with my family to give to the neighbors (we make tons of chocolate chip cookies - my claim to fame)
11. Did you believe in Santa as a child? - not for long :(
12. When do you open presents? - Christmas morning
13. Do you put up a tree and when?  If not, how do you celebrate? - yes, and as early as possible after Halloween
14. Does your tree have a theme? - nope
15. What has been your favorite gift to give?  to receive? - can't really think of an answer for this one

I can't wait to see what my swap partner comes up with, and I can't wait to create my own package! Fun!

Had a crazy busy week at school (family reading night), and a wonderful weekend with the family (ran a race, went to SDC, and saw a movie!). I'm running short on time again, so here's the menu. Enjoy and have a great week! Be sure to follow me on Facebook to get fast updates from the blog. :)

Sunday - Steak, Green Beans, Strawberries, Salad

Monday - Chicken and Dumplings (yes, I really made it this time - pic and recipe later), Broccoli, Salad

Tuesday - Tacos, Applesauce

Wednesday - Bacon Cheeseburger Potato Pie, Green Beans, Salad

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Ott's House Casserole, Broccoli, Salad, Peaches

Saturday - Stuffed Pork Chops, Green Beans, Salad, Strawberries

For more menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com.  

Short post because of a crazy week. I have something every night, we were are going to be scrounging a bit. Be sure to try the Snickerdoodle Blondie recipe I posted last week. They were amazing!

Here's this week's menu. Enjoy and have a great week! Be sure to follow me on Facebook to get fast updates from the blog. :)

Sunday - Eat a Mom's! She made lasagna and sauerkraut and dumplings! Woo hoo!

Monday - Leftover chicken strips, green beans, salad, grapes 

Tuesday - Eat at family reading night

Wednesday - Leftover lasagna from mom

Thursday - Boys eat taco salad (I have book club)

Friday - Eat out

Saturday - Chicken and Dumplings, Green Beans, Salad (didn't make it last week) 

For more menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com.  

I'm not a big fan of Snickerdoodle cookies (too crunchy for my taste), but I am a huge fan of blondies, and I do love cinnamon rolls. I'm guessing that these will have the yummy cinnamon sugar flavor of cinnamon rolls, but the chewy buttery texture of blondies. And, yes, they do! So yummy and chewy when they are warm out of the oven.

Ingredients:

2 2/3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 Tablespoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and beat until well blended.

4. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.

5. In a small bowl, combine the white sugar and cinnamon.

6. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the batter in the baking pan.

7. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until the surface springs back when gently pressed. Remove from oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack. While still warm, cut into squares with a sharp knife and serve.

Recipe Source - My Own Sweet Thyme

Last week was parent-teacher conference week at school, so I didn't teach my computer workshops after school. This week, things are back in full swing. I train on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. I also have an author visiting my school on Thursday, and I have a book fair teacher preview I'm hosting Friday morning before school. Those extra things make providing meals for my family an extra challenge. But, luckily I'm pretty good at preparing for weeks like this, and I'm going to rely on my freezer stash this week. I usually do a lot of pre-cooking for the week on Sunday, but we had lots of activities today (all good - running, church, visiting a new baby in the hospital, and going to the wedding of two very dear friends). So, freezer stash, here I come. :) If you struggle with busy evenings, I strongly suggest stocking your freezer with extra meals on those rare days you have extra time. ;)

Here's this week's menu. Enjoy and have a great week! Be sure to follow me on Facebook to get fast updates from the blog. :)

Sunday - Steak, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad

Monday - BBQ Pork Sandwiches (from freezer), French Fries (yes, the frozen kind), Broccoli, Salad

Tuesday - Crockpot Lemon Chicken on Noodles (from freezer - forget to take a photo last time I made this), Green Beans, Salad, Applesauce

Wednesday - Brisket (from freezer), Broccoli, Salad, Peaches

Thursday - Mexican Gumbo (chicken and soup from freezer), Salad

Friday - Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Muffins

Saturday - Chicken and Dumplings, Green Beans, Salad

For more menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com.  

Quick post this week (and yes, I know I'm late on posting recipe pics - I promise to get them up soon) as time has gotten away from me. I'm relying on the freezer stash again this week. Here's this week's menu. Enjoy and have a great week! Be sure to follow me on Facebook to get fast updates from the blog. :)

Sunday - Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup (it was one of those days)
Monday - French Bread Pizzas (no recipe - just add some sauce and cheese to French Bread and toast in the oven), Salad, Peaches
Tuesday - Kickin' Beefy Crescents (from freezer), Green Beans, Salad, Applesauce

Wednesday - Turkey and Gravy with Mashed Potatoes (from freezer), Broccoli, Salad

Thursday - Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Hot Dogs, Salad, Peaches

Friday - Chicken Fajitas (using Mexican Chicken from freezer), Salad, Fruit

Saturday - Eat at band contest

For more menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com.  

Fall has officially hit southwest Missouri. On Thursday, our afternoon temperatures were right at 80 degrees. Overnight, a cold front came through, and the high on Friday was in the mid fifties. Saturday morning we woke up to 36 degrees! BRRRR! I actually had to turn on the heat to take the chill off the house. But, that brisk morning ended up being perfect for me and Eric.

Some of you may know that our family is training for the Disney marathon (Eric), and half marathon (Corey and me) in January. Our training plan has us doing our long runs on Saturdays. Eric was scheduled to do 15 miles, and I only had to do 3 (though I planned to do 5 anyway). Corey had to take the SAT for National Merit, so it was just me and Eric. Saturday was one of those days that was just made for running. It was cool, cloudy, and there was no wind. I was having a great run, and knew that I was going to do 5 miles instead of the three that was scheduled. That's kind of the minimum distance I like to do for a long run. I finished my 5, and I was feeling great, so I decided to keep going. I thought to myself, "Oh, go ahead and do 6.25. Eric has to run 15, so you might as well keep going." So I did. I finished the 6, and still felt great, so I kept going. Eric passed me on the trail just as I finished 9 miles, and needless to say, was surprised to see me still running. :) I ran 10 miles that morning! That's the longest distance I've ever run. I have to admit, I was pretty pleased with myself. Eric knew when he saw me that I would go to 10, so he pushed himself and ran 16.2. Together, we ran a marathon! ;) Pretty good for two old people who have only been running for a couple of years. I couldn't resist sharing my running success with you.

My other cool news this weekend is that What's for Dinner is now over 1000 likes on Facebook! That makes me smile. I'm so glad to know that my nerdy hobby of posting my menus and recipes is helpful to others. :)

Today I spent the day doing my cooking for the week. My fridge now has three large meals cooked and ready to heat up throughout the week as we need them. I am so appreciative of my Sunday cooking day.

Here's this week's menu. Enjoy and have a great week! Be sure to follow me on Facebook to get fast updates from the blog. :)

Sunday - Parmesan Pork Tenderloin, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad

Monday - Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing, Broccoli, Salad, Applesauce

Tuesday - Taco Corn Bread Casserole, Salad

Wednesday - Quick and Easy Goulash, Salad, Peaches

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Eat out (visiting friends)


For more menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com.