Monday messed with my Menu {but I have a plan}

It's been a heck of a week around here... yes, already! Around midnight on Sunday we discovered that our upright freezer had died, leaving a gross mess.  We salvaged what we could... of course this happened not long after we'd purchased 1/4 of beef.  Let's just say that clean-up was ugly (we bleached everything) and tossing part of that prime meat was painful. We did decide that we'd rather pitch meat that was questionable than take a chance on food poisoning.... but still, it's hard to do!

Monday afternoon we went to order a new freezer.  That was definitely not planned in the budget,  but necessary.  I buy all our meats in bulk, I buy bread several loaves at a time at the local bread outlet, and I make/freeze dishes ahead when I can.  None of that is possible if we're limited to the small drawer freezer on our regular fridge. 

So... belated as it is, I do still have a menu plan.  I had to change some things around try to work with what we have left- which means no chicken or pork, other than some kielbasa. You'll notice it's all quick and easy meals this week-- I felt like that was a safe way to go considering how the week started!

• MONDAY:  bacon, scrambled eggs, sliced tomatoes, cinnamon rolls
  
• TUESDAY:  new recipe: simmered round steak, our favorite cheesy ranch potatoes,, green beans  (I'm going to try putting the round steak in the crockpot for the afternoon instead of baking it.)
• WEDNESDAY:  one of my favorite soups: tomato-basil soup & grilled cheese or cold meat sandwiches
• THURSDAY:  kielbasa, macaroni, tomatoes
• FRIDAY:  crockpot Mexican beef roast  (a family favorite- roast beef, taco seasoning, salsa) on tortillas with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, etc
• SATURDAY:  It's Pizza Night here every Saturday- we pretty much always have some variety of homemade pizza and tossed salad. This week I'm going to try and talk the kids into trying ham & pineapple!  :)

Menu Plan Monday 8/15

• MONDAY: frozen BBQ Ribettes, macaroni, tomatoes
  
• TUESDAY: First day of school tradition: Tacos! with salsa/ chips/ tomatoes/ lettuce/ cheese/ peppers.  And I'm hoping to have time to make a special dessert or cookies, too. 
• WEDNESDAY: crockpot roast, veggies, salad
• THURSDAY:  family party @ my sister's house-- lasagna, tossed salad, garlic bread, birthday cake.  I'm in charge of the garlic bread and salad.  I'll be making THIS, which is a personal favorite.   (Will you take a minute to go wish my newlywed sister a happy birthday-- and welcome her to the world of blogging?  Thanks!)  
• FRIDAY:  pasta, meat sauce, salad
• SATURDAY:  It's Pizza Night here every Saturday- we pretty much always have some variety of homemade pizza and tossed salad. 

..................................... Have you heard? I've started a new blog, The Sugar Sharks, all about our life with Type I Diabetes. ..................................... This post may contain sponsored reviews or affiliate links.  You can read my policy here. I always provide my honest opinions.

What will your kids eat at school?

Every year about this time I get interested in Bento lunches and all the fun things I could be sending my kids in their lunchboxes.  I love, love, love to look at pics of interesting Bentos.   In fact, I've got two Pinterest boards going... one for those fancy Bentos I just love to look at, and one that's more realistic in terms of things I might actually make for my kids' lunches.

Our school does not serve the best lunches, so we plan to let the kids eat there one or two times a week, and the other days they will bring a {healthier} lunch from home.   That worked out pretty well last year with DD-- she was happy because she got to eat the crap they serve what her friends were eating some days, especially on Fridays, when they get pizza from a local restaurant.   I can live with that once or twice a week.

Today the kids and I bought and bagged up snacks... both will need one a day, plus whatever we use in lunches, plus something for the days they go to our babysitter's house after school.  Apple straws, cheddar sharks, pretzels, and some low-sugar fruit snacks are all ready to go.  Of course we will also do grapes, cheese sticks, orange slices, etc., but it feels good to have something ready in the pantry to grab and go.   I plan to make some homemade goodies (granola bars?) to freeze and use for snacks, as well.

Next up: tackling the pile of uniform shirts that need patches ironed on-- yuck!

.....................................  Have you heard? I've started a new blog, The Sugar Sharks, all about our life with Type I Diabetes. ..................................... This post may contain sponsored reviews or affiliate links.  You can read my policy here. I always provide my honest opinions.

Five Question Friday.... on time!

Look at me, posting a meme on the right day....crazy! LOL!

1. Do you have siblings and are you close with them?  I have three younger sisters, and yes, we're all close.  :)

2. Would you rather be slightly UNDER weight or slightly OVER weight?  Hmmm.  Tough call.  I have a friend who battles being under weight all the time, and it's hard on her.   And I see little elderly ladies who are practically wasting away.  I guess I'll stick with being slightly over weight. 

3. What's your favorite State Fair food to splurge on?   Since it's County Fair Week here, and I've spent several hours there this week for work, I am quite freshly versed in Fair Food.  My favorites: a giant Italian sausage sandwich (from a specific vendor who is in the same spot every year... and only from him), and, the ultimate guilty-pleasure: Fried Veggie Platter.  

      I actually just had the fried veggies last night-- broccoli, cauliflower, pickles,  and mushrooms, all with a spicy dipping sauce.  Mmmmmm. SO much grease... and so many of my WW points (no, I didn't actually calculate it).... but totally worth it! Besides, I figure I'm earning plenty of WW points back as I sweat and haul wheelchairs around the fairgrounds!

4. What are your thoughts on your kid(s) going to school in a few weeks?  My kids start the 16th. I seriously can't believe this summer is over already.  It seems like just last week we were finishing up the last school year!

5. Pool or Ocean?  It depends on what we're talking about.  I am a huge fan of ocean life, sea creatures, etc... in fact, I just changed my phone's wallpaper to a gorgeous picture of a sea turtle swimming with tropical fish.   I dream of going scuba diving one day.  The one and only time I've been snorkeling in an ocean ranks up there as one of the best experiences of my life.  I go to sleep some nights listening to the sounds of an artificial ocean playing through a cool app on my phone.   But... if we're just talking about a normal swim, I'd rather be in a nice clear pool than on a beach.  

Post your own 5QF answers HERE!

..................................... Have you heard? I've started a new blog, The Sugar Sharks, all about our life with Type I Diabetes. ..................................... This post may contain sponsored reviews or affiliate links.  You can read my policy here. I always provide my honest opinions.