This week was busy but fun. I helped my son work on his Eagle Scout project, which basically meant I was his chauffeur while he contacted businesses to support his project. My husband's family came to visit for an extended weekend, and we had a great time getting to spend time together. This week I'm back to work at the library, the boy goes to robotics camp, and the hubby does his normal work gig. :) Here's my menu for the week. For other menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com.

Sunday - leftovers from the family visit
Monday - Chicken soft tacos, Peaches
Tuesday - Chicken Fajita Salad
Wednesday - Kabobs on the grill, Salad, Strawberries
Thursday - Salisbury Steak (son request), mashed potatoes, green beans
Friday - Homemade pizza, salad
Saturday - Padre Island Shells, fruit salad

Ingredients
¾ c (3/4 stick) Butter Flavor Crisco Shortening
1 ¼ cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
3 cups quick oats, uncooked
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup raisins
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

(I always leave out the cinnamon, raisins and nuts.)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Grease baking sheets with Butter Flavor Crisco. Place sheets of foil on countertop for cooling cookies.
2. Combine Crisco, brown sugar, egg, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended.
3. Combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix into creamed mixture at low speed just until blended. Stir in raisins and nuts.
4. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart onto baking sheet.
5. Bake one baking sheet at a time at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to foil to cool completely.

Servings: Makes about 2 ½ dozen cookies

My bloggy friend Lanny tagged me for this meme. I usually don't post this kind of stuff, but, what the heck.

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Here are my “random” things. Not very exciting, but that' me. :)
1. I like Barry Manilow. It makes me feel very old (yes, I’m 38) and geeky to admit that.
2. I’m a stay-at-home mom wannabe. I love to cook and sew and take care of my family. I just can’t seem to give up my teaching gig (love those kids too much).
3. My 13-year-old son is actually a really nice kid and enjoys spending time with his parents. (Egads! A teenager that still claims his family – amazing!)
4. I actually wear an apron when I cook and don’t find it to be demeaning to me as a woman. I’m a messy cook and I have really cute aprons!
5. I have a secret desire to dye to my hair pink and be in a rock band. Sadly, I can’t sing and the only instrument I play well is the clarinet. Not quite rock band material.
6. I hate to clean my house. Luckily, my husband is somewhat of a neat freak and keeps it looking great.

Hmmm..... now to tag some others:
Debbie

DeAnna

Melissa

Stefanie

Shawnee

Casey

I know this has nothing to do with menu planning, but I'm so proud that I just have to share. My younger brother, Chris, competed in the New York City Triathalon today. We got to watch his progress online and even watched him cross the finish line live on a webcam - pretty cool! I'm so proud of his accomplishment. He completed the entire race in 3 hours and two minutes. Way to go, Brother! I think you're awesome!

You may have noticed that I didn't post a menu last week. We actually went on vacation! We spent a wonderful week in Wyoming visiting the Tetons and Yellowstone. It was so nice to escape the heat and humidity of Missouri. In Wyoming, we had mornings with temperatures in the 40s and daytime highs in the lower 70s. It was wonderful! We did some hiking and got to see some amazing sites (waterfalls, moose, a bear, Old Faithful, etc. etc.). We stayed in a very nice bed and breakfast in Jackson and had some fantastic breakfasts (yes, I took pictures of the food and I will post them later ). I should have a family vacation video to share soon.

This week its back to work at the library. I'm also going to help Corey work on his Eagle Scout project. On Thursday, Eric's family (all of them!) will be coming to visit. We are so excited to get a chance to have everyone together at our house. Here is our menu for the week. For more menu ideas, check out orgjunkie.com.

Sunday - Leftover turkey and gravy, green beans, salad
Monday - Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad,French Bread
Tuesday - Filets, Sour Cream and Chive Potatoes, Pea Pods
Wednesday - Pizza Cups, Salad, Peaches
Thursday - Chicken Pockets, Mac & Cheese, Spinach Casserole (recipe coming soon)
Friday - Out to eat with family
Saturday - Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Corn on the cob, Grilled Zucchini, Salad, Fruit

Ingredients:
1 can buttermilk biscuits (sm. 10 count kind - I use the 100 calorie ones)
10 TB pizza sauce
2 ounces part skim Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped (I leave this out)
20 slices turkey pepperoni, chopped (or substitute your favorite meat - I'm using Turkey Italian Sausage)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375. Spray muffin pan with no-stick spray. Chop veggies & turkey pepperoni. Flatten biscuits between palms, then pat into bottom and up sides of muffin pan. Spoon a TB of pizza sauce into each cup. Sprinkle pepperoni, onions and peppers evenly into each cup. Top with cheese, then bake for 14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cheese is melted.
(You could easily add or substitute your favorite toppings .)

These tasty muffins are great with soups and stews, and I love to to serve them even when we grill. They are quick and easy to make when you want a nice side bread with dinner.

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, diced

Topping
4 T butter, melted
1/4 tsp garlic salt

Directions:

Heat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. In a small bowl, mix together egg, milk, garlic and onion. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients and pour in the egg mixture and melted butter. Mix together using as few strokes as possible. The batter should have small lumps in it. Pour into 12 muffins tins coated with cooking spray, filling about 2/3 full. Bake 20 minutes or until muffins begin to turn golden on top. Test for doneness with a toothpick, which should come out clean. Remove from tins and cool slightly. Brush garlic butter over biscuits while hot.