Menu Plan - Pantry Challenge Week 13

Fast and furious week with almost NO COOKING: 

• Diva played for the annual Taste of the Arts.  It's where local restaurants tout their wares while piano students perform as the background music. 
• My parents had us over twice for dinner because my Aunt was in town.
• We ate at church.

So you see that little has been chiseled away from the challenge list. 

Last Friday, I had the good fortune of meeting up with my good friend Cricket for lunch then trundled over to beautiful Pine Cove for a meet and greet with Ms. Crystal from Money Saving Mom.  While there, we met Ms. Nony from A Slob Comes Clean too which was so cool since I didn't realize she was a Texan blogger (and f.y.i., she is not at all slobby in person - she's actually quite well put together and beautiful.)  There we were, a room full of ladies who had not met each other before for the most part, chatting about our journeys, asking questions, and generally just being a community of moms, wives, and women.  It was a great afternoon and actually quite inspiring.  Let's do it again soon ladies!  :)

Our church held something we called "Free-Bay" on Saturday whereby anyone who walked up could choose 7 items from those donated, and walk away.  It was a neat experience and we will be hosting them throughout the year.  It was a way for us to declutter our houses and to bless others; a win-win situation.

I'm not sure that I like this whole month-at-a-glace thing I've got going on with the menu plan.  I think the weekly planning works out better for me.

And speaking of menu plans...this Saturday Kristan and I will be conducting a class on menu planning and frugal food.  If you already menu plan, it would be great to have your experience shared with us and if you don't menu plan, it will be a great place to start!

This month we will be eating (in no particular order):

1. Beef Stroganoff & Salad
2. Sweet Potato Chili & Rolls (in freezer)
3. Steak Fingers, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans
4. Pumpkin Soup & Rolls (in freezer)
5. Tuna Noodle Casserole & Steamed Veggies
6. Salad Nicoise
7. Sausage, Biscuits, & Gravy (in freezer)
8. Croque Monsieur and Stewed Apples & Cranberries (assembled & put in freezer)
9. Ribs, Roasted Sweet Potato Salad, Greens
10. Quesadillas, Rice, & Beans
11. Roast Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, Dressing, and Cranberry Sauce
12. Pasta Salad, Rice Salad, Green Salad
13. Stuffin' Muffins, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Chard
14. Turkey Broccoli Rice Casserole & Sauteed Veggies
15. Quiche & Salad
16. Tin Foil Dinners
17. Beans, Greens, & Cornbread
18. Turkey Curry over Rice
19. Soft Tacos, Rice, & Refried Beans
20. Enchiladas, Rice, & Beans
21. Pork Stir Fry over Rice
22. Roast, Rice, & Gravy, Steamed Veggies
23. Grilled Turkey, Brie, & Cranberry Sandwiches, Slaw, & Broiled Grapefruit
24. Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese
25. King Ranch Turkey Casserole and Salad
26. Hashbrown Casserole & Mixed Vegetables
27. Ham, Salad, Sweet Potato & Collard Soup, Cranberry & Brie Crescents, Marinated Broccoli, Mung Bean Salad
28. Cuban Sandwiches & Beans
29. Chicken in a Cloud and Steamed Broccoli
30. Frito Pies made with Homemade Chili
31. Ham & Apple Casserole (assembled & put in freezer)

This is part of Menu Plan Monday.