Menu Plan–December 15

The third week of Advent is here already!  Time is going by so quickly. 

This past week, we had a few highlights, including finishing classes, playing games with our friends on Friday night, Christmas with my mom’s side of the family today and a Christmas service at our church tonight. 

Our menu highlights of last week included:

Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Soup

Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal

Simple Potato Soup

This week, we plan to enjoy:

Sunday
Whole Wheat Buttermilk Waffles, fresh fruit
Healthy Mac & Cheese, broccoli (made on Saturday)

Monday {giving final #1}
Leftover waffles with apples
Pasta & Creamy Mushrooms (carry over from last week)

To do: Thaw bread

Tuesday {giving final #2}
Granola
Bacon & Egg Grilled Cheese (need, eggs), veggies

To do: Start bread in bread machine so it’s ready for breakfast! Thaw chicken

Wednesday
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Chicken Stew (need mushrooms & zucchini)

To do: Prep filling for pizza braid

Thursday
Granola
Pizza Braid (new)

To do: Wash potatoes and prep for crockpot, bake cookies

Friday {Commencement & Game Night!}
Cinnamon Raisin Bread French Toast
Crockpot Baked Potato Bar with corn, broccoli & cheese
Game night: Hot Cocoa Bar, Cookies & Popcorn

To do: start milk in the crockpot for hot cocoa, skewer hot cocoa on a stick, make popcorn and set out cookies

Saturday
Buttercup Squash Baked Oatmeal with Criaisins
Three Cheese Baked Ziti

Find more great menus at OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

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Menu Plan - December 8

We got our first major snow this week – followed by cold temperatures.  After a week of temperatures that barely made it above zero, I’ve concluded that it really doesn’t matter what temperature it is outside once it’s below about 5 degrees.  It’s just cold! 

On Friday night our church hosted a Ladies Christmas Tea and we had valet parking!  What a gift that was, seeing as it was –5 and felt like –20.  My mom and sister joined me for the event and we had a great time. 

Saturday, we celebrated the Christmas season with a Christmas concert at the university where I teach.  What a beautiful night – and such a treat to see so many of the students using their gifts and talents to glorify God and serve others with such amazing music.  We had dinner together with our family before hand with our favorite crockpot pork dish. 

This week is our last week of classes, and I’m looking forward to the week!

Sunday
Kris Kringle Pancakes with Apple Topping
Grilled Cheese on Wild Rice Bread & Roasted Tomato Soup

To do: Prep baked oatmeal

Monday
Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal
Potato Soup & Fococcia Bread

To do: Thaw chicken

Tuesday
Leftover Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal
Sweet & Sour Chicken, Brown Rice & Steamed Veggies

To do: Make Bread Sticks

Wednesday
Granola and Dried Cherries
Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Soup, Olive Garden Bread Sticks

To do: Make cake for Friday

Thursday
Leftover Kris Kringle Pancakes (from freezer)
Leftovers

To do: Make ice cream for Friday

Friday
Granola and Dried Cherries
Pasta & Creamy Mushrooms
Candy Cane Crunch Ice Cream Cake

To do: Nothing; thaw chicken

Saturday
TBD
Crockpot Chicken Parmesan, Green Beans

To do: Make dish for Christmas gathering with Grandma & Grandpa

Find more great menus at OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

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Menu Plan–Dec. 1

Happy Advent!  Although Thanksgiving & Christmas are close together this year, I am loving it.  There’s nothing like gratitude and Thanksgiving to get your advent season off to a wonderful start. 

We had such a fun long weekend.  Thursday, of course, we celebrated with our favorite Thanksgiving foods. 

Friday, we decorated our house for Christmas!

And, Saturday, my mom, sister & I baked from 9:30am until 7pm!  It was a blast.  Christmas music on… assembly line down and much laughter and good food.  

We have all of our baking done for the season (sans a 1-2 treats we’ll make closer to Christmas); we were so productive, and my freezer is full. 

We wrapped up our weekend by hanging our outdoor Christmas lights, and reading about the first week of advent – our Hope. 

This coming week, we’re planning to eat pretty easy meals around here:

Sunday
Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal
Broccoli Hotdish (uses leftover turkey & stuffing)

To do: Dice & peel sweet potatoes, thaw Italian sausage

Monday
Leftover Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal
Sweet Potato Risotto (double recipe)

To do: Prep mushrooms for pizza

Tuesday
Granola & fruit
Canadian Bacon & Mushroom Pizza

To do: Prep dinner for Wednesday night

Wednesday
Granola & yogurt
Healthy Mac & Cheese with Broccoli

To do: Thaw muffins

Thursday
Blueberry Greek Yogurt Muffins {freezer}
Leftovers

To do: Prep appetizer for Friday night; thaw turkey

Friday
Granola with Dried Cherries
Crockpot Turkey & Wild Rice Soup {new}, Artisan Bread
Ladies Christmas Tea! Bringing Loaded Baked Potato Dippers or 40-Minute Pizza Bread

To do: Thaw pork

Saturday
Whole Wheat Buttermilk Waffles
Crockpot Balsamic Pork with Baked Apples
Buttercup Squash
Sweet Potato Pie with Gingersnap Crust

Find more great menus at OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

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Menu Plan–Nov. 24

Here we are, at Thanksgiving week!  I have a short week, with classes only through Tuesday, and I’m really looking forward to celebrating all that we have to be Thankful for on Thursday. 

If you missed some posts last week, we shared our favorite Thanksgiving bread, side dish, turkey, and dessert recipes.  Plus, on Friday we shared 5 menu plans for your Thanksgiving event.  I do hope you’ll check them out. 

Following Thanksgiving, we have our annual Black Friday Baking Day!  Except, this year, we’re planning to decorate our tree on Black Friday and bake on Saturday.  Can’t wait.  You can check out my Christmas Baking Pinterest Board for some recipes on our list. 

This week, we’re taking it easy in the beginning of the week and then enjoying leftovers following Thanksgiving.

I’m also going to be taking the week officially “off” from blogging, so no Ingredient Spotlight this week.  I will be posting on Facebook, though, so be sure to say “hi”.   

Sunday
Kris Kringle Pancakes with Maple Apple Sauté
Life Group Chili & Cornbread Dinner
Apple Pockets

Monday
Blueberry Greek Yogurt Muffins
Winter Minestrone, Artisan Bread

Tuesday
Maple Brown Sugar Granola {new}
Crockpot Spaghetti with Whole Wheat Pasta & Steamed Veggies

To do: Boil veggies for stuffing

Wednesday
Pumpkin Pancakes with Apple Topping
Spaghetti Braid, Broccoli

To do: Make wild rice bread, stuffing, dinner rolls, pie

Thursday
Buttercup Squash Baked Oatmeal
Bacon Wrapped Turkey + Bacon Infused Gravy
Wild Rice Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Squash
Green Bean Hotdish
Sweet Potato Corn Bread
Sweet Potato Pie with Gingersnap Crust & Spiced Whipped Cream

Friday
Gingerbread Scones (or Pumpkin Pie… just being honest!)
Leftover Turkey Sandwiches on Wild Rice Bread

To do: Put up tree! Make caramels

Saturday
Potato Doughnuts
Turkey Noodle Soup or Turkey Mushroom & Brown Rice Bake

To do: Christmas baking day #1! 

Find more great menus at OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

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Menu Plan–November 17

I can’t believe we are a week away from Thanksgiving! This semester has gone by so quickly.  This last week, was no exception.  Although it felt long at times, it really did fly by; I am so thankful for a menu plan at busy times.  We really enjoyed:

Sweet & Sour Chicken – this is a baked recipe, and delicious.  We added pineapple and bell peppers, and even though I only had one chicken breast (there’s nothing like opening raw chicken and your nose telling you it is rotten), it was a hit. 

Roasted Red Pepper Soup – this was another recipe we had not had in a long time; I always forget that I should double it, because we love it so much. 

Since things are picking up a bit at school in preparation for the end of the semester, this week will be a busy one.  We’re opting for each meals and meals that I was able to prepare yesterday to make our week much smoother. 

Sunday
Blueberry Greek Yogurt Muffins
Make Ahead Butternut Squash Pasta Bake

Monday
Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes
Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

Tuesday
Leftover Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal {freezer}
Leftovers

Wednesday
Maple Brown Sugar Granola {new}, dried cherries
Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie

Thursday
Leftover Blueberry Greek Yogurt Muffins, Bananas
Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup, Artisan Bread

Friday
Maple Brown Sugar Granola {new}
Chicken & Brown Rice Bake

Saturday
TBD
Winter Minestrone, Artisan Bread

I hope you will join us this week – it’s Thanksgiving week!

Stop by on Monday for breads, Tuesday for side dishes, Wednesday for the Turkey {& Leftovers}, Thursday for Desserts, and Friday for 5 Thanksgiving Menu Plans (including kid-friendly & GF). 

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Menu Plan–November 10

Last week was a busy week.  While Wednesdays are always a busy day for me, this week I was asked to teach the Board of Trustees at our University in our new SCALE-UP classroom.  It was an amazing and fun night for me, even though teaching a room full of CEOs and men/women in suits was a bit different than my college freshmen :) 

To make it through that busy day, we relied on a quick and easy dinner – Creamy Shells & Cheese with Broccoli.  We had not had this dinner in a long time and I forgot how easy it was and how good. 

We also made Meatball Tortellini Soup for the first time this season.  This is an amazing soup, something about the flavors blends so well, and better yet – it makes a huge batch of soup.  Perfect for freezing, or for eating for lunches/dinners if you have a busy week. 

On tap for this week: 

Sunday
Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup, Homemade Crescent Rolls

To do: Thaw chicken

Monday
Maple & Brown Sugar Granola {new}
Sweet & Sour Chicken, Brown Rice, Broccoli

To do: Roast bell peppers while oven is hot

Tuesday
Whole Wheat Buttermilk Waffles with Maple Apple Sauté Topping
Roasted Red Pepper Soup & Grilled Cheese

To do: Thaw Italian sausage, make dessert

Wednesday
Maple & Brown Sugar Granola {new}
Rigatoni with Stewed Veggies
Raspberry Swirl Bars {new}

To do: Thaw chicken

Thursday
Whole Wheat Buttermilk Waffles with Maple Apple Sauté Topping
Mozzarella Mushroom Chicken, Broccoli & Red Pepper with Garlic & Herbs

To do: Nothing

Friday
Veggie Scramble
Spinach & Mushroom Calzones

To do: Nothing

Saturday
Kris Kringle Pancakes or Pumpkin Muffins {new}
Creamy White Bean & Bacon Soup {new}

Game Night: Pizza Dip

Snacks
Apple Chips
Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars
Sweet Potato & Dark Chocolate Bread

Find more great menus at OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

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Menu Plan–November 3

Last week wrapped up October, and I’m finding that hard to believe. We had easy and seasonal meals last week including an old favorite: French Bread Pizza.

It can’t get easier than that – French bread topped with your favorite toppings & broiled for 5 minutes.  That’s it. 

We also went for a crockpot dish we fell in love with last year – a delicious chili.

After a long day, there is nothing better than coming home to dinner, ready & waiting.  Agreed?  What’s better with this chili is that it literally goes together in less than 5 minutes, so it’s easy to get going before I head out for work in the morning. 

Friday night after another crockpot meal (this time we opted for Teriyaki Chicken Legs), we headed to see some of my college friends.  I brought honey butter popcorn, which is always a fun treat.

This coming week, we are planning to eat: 

Sunday
Whole Wheat Buttermilk Waffles with Maple Apple Sauté Topping
Un-Stuffed Pepper Casserole {made ahead}
Dessert: Apple Cinnamon Rice Krispie Treats

To do: Nothing

Monday
Crockpot Granola, dried apples
Meatball Tortellini Soup

To do: In the AM, thaw meat for soup

Tuesday
Leftover Waffles {Freezer}
Roasted Veggie Open-Faced Sandwiches

To do: Nothing

Wednesday
Crockpot Granola, dried apples
Leftovers

To do: Thaw sausage

Thursday
Crockpot Granola, dried apples
Roasted Apples, Squash & Sausage {new} or Lazy Sunday Casserole

To do: Thaw chicken, dice bell peppers

Friday
Whole Wheat Buttermilk Waffles with Maple Apple Sauté Topping
Sweet & Sour Chicken, Brown Rice

To do: Make granola while the oven is hot

Saturday
TBD
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage, White Bean & Kale Soup {new}, Artisan Bread

Find more great menus at OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

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Menu Plan–October 27

Hello fall.  You look quite beautiful in our yard.  Two weeks later than last year, but our Blazing Star Maple Tree is taking after its name.  I love it.  I’m pretty sure I just sat and stared at it today.  As we cleaned out the garden, I know winter is coming, but at least for today, I was able to enjoy fall in all its vibrant colors, and bright sunny sky. 

It was a big change from our rainy and cloudy week, which consisted of two really large pots of soup, including that dreamy and 6-ingredient potato soup pictured above, crusty bread and apple crisp.  Yum-o. 

On our menu this week

Sunday
Veggie Scramble
French Bread Pizza

To do: Nothing

Monday
Pumpkin Spice Granola with Craisins
Cheesy Green Beans & Rice {make in rice cooker}

To do: Prep veggies for soup

Tuesday
Leftover Waffles {freezer}
Vegetable Cheddar Soup & Roasted Veggie Open-Faced Sandwiches

To do: Prep for chili

Wednesday
Pumpkin Spice Granola with Craisins
Crockpot White Chicken Chili

To do: Make treat for Friday night

Thursday
Pumpkin Spice Granola with Craisins
Pumpkin Pizza!

To do: Hand out candy ;-) Thaw chicken legs

Friday
Veggie Filled Omelet
Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken Legs, Brown Rice, Steamed Veggies
Get-together: Bring either Apple Rice Krispies, Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels, or Caramel Cranberry Much

Saturday
TBD
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage, White Bean & Kale Soup {new}, Artisan Bread
German Apple Cake

Find more great menus at OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

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Menu Plan–October 20

With Frog Prince and I working full time (or more than full time), menu planning is a huge help.  This allows us to plan meals that use the crockpot, which is a huge time saver for us.  Our dinner on Friday night was a new one – a balsamic pork roast-- and a HUGE hit.  I can’t wait to share this recipe with you.

We also save time during the week by prepping ingredients for the next day while we make dinner.  Sure, it’s not always fun, but we’re thankful that we are able to make so much of our own food.  

We had a great weekend.  Friday we started off by playing 7 Wonders with new friends from church (and trying a new dessert with them).  The dessert was a hit, in fact, there’s only one piece left and I haven’t even had a chance to photograph it. 

Saturday we spent in the kitchen before 11am we had made waffles, two loaves of bread, cream of mushroom soup, wild rice hotdish, granola and ice cream.  Then, we processed all the remaining produce from our garden (since they predicted the first freeze here on Saturday night).  It was tiring, but feels good to have it done now. 

Today is a relaxing day after church and then tonight we get together with our Life Group and are looking forward to it. 

Here’s our menu plan: 

Sunday
Leftover Waffles 
Wild Rice Hotdish {made ahead of time}

To do: nothing

Monday
Veggie Filled Omelet
Potato Soup, Wild Rice Bread {new}

To do: thaw chicken, chop veggies (chop extra for Wed)

Tuesday
Granola
Sweet & Sour Chicken, Brown Rice, Broccoli

To do: Prep soup, make corn bread while oven is hot

Wednesday
Granola & yogurt
Leftovers

To do: nothing!

Thursday
Oat Cakes with Maple Apple Sauté
Lucy’s Amazing Chili, Sweet Potato Corn Bread

To do: thaw pork, make BBQ sauce

Friday
Pumpkin Spice Granola with Craisins
BBQ Pulled Pork Potatoes with Cheddar, steamed broccoli

Saturday
Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Muffins {new}
Chicken Soup {new} or Slow Cooker Kale & Sausage Soup {new} with French Bread

Find more great menus at OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

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Menu Plan–October 13

Friday brought fall break to the Finding Joy in My Kitchen household.  Frog Prince and I took advantage of the day off and went to see some fall colors – on the trees & in the sunrise. 

 

We arrived home late Friday night, and I was thankful we had this Roasted Vegetable Lasagna in the fridge for leftovers.  Yum. 

Then, for dessert, we topped it off with leftover Caramel Apple Cheesecake with Crumble Topping.  It was a great end to a fantastic day of fall colors. 

This week, we’re going to enjoy some fall favorites:

Sunday
Oat Cakes with Maple Apple Sauté
Mozzarella & Roasted Tomato Open Face Sandwiches on Wild Rice Bread {new}

Monday
Granola & Cherries
Parmesan Chicken Bake, Steamed Veggies

To do: Make and bake baked oatmeal, soak lentils

Tuesday – Field Trip!
Zucchini Bread Baked Oatmeal
Sweet Potato, Kale & Lentil Pockets {new}

To do: Thaw Italian Sausage, brown it at dinner time & prep veggies

Wednesday
Veggie Filled Omelet
Crockpot Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup, Artisan Bread

To do: Make muffins while baking bread

Thursday
Sweet Potato & Oat Muffins with Apples – or Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins {new}
Spinach & Mushroom Quesadillas (or Calzones)

To do: Thaw pork

Friday
Granola
Crockpot Maple Apple Pork & Crockpot Winter Squash

To do: Thaw Italian sausage

Saturday
Pumpkin Spice Swirl Bread {new}
Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup with Cheese Quesadillas

Find more great menus at OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

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Menu Plan–October 6

Hello, October!  Bring on fall colors, fall foods, cooler temperatures, comforting soups and crusty breads.  I can’t wait. 

Last week we pulled out some fall favorites to enjoy:

Veggie-Stuffed BBQ Turkey Meatloaf

Pumpkin Spice Granola

Cheesy Chicken & Ranch Casserole

This week, we’ve got plenty more of our fall favorites to enjoy:

Sunday
Overnight Oatmeal Waffles with Apple Topping
Lunch with my family for my sister’s birthday – I’m bringing Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Crumble Topping. 
Leftover Rigatoni with Stewed Vegetables

To do: Nothing

Monday
Pumpkin Spice Granola with Craisins
Roasted Garden Vegetable Lasagna, Garlic Bread

To do: Make apple sauté, roast extra veggies for soup

Tuesday
Oatmeal with Maple Apple Sauté
Leftovers

To do: Prep dry ingredients for donut holes

Wednesday
Apple Cider Donut Holes
Roasted Vegetable Minestrone with Artisan Bread

To do: Nothing, make scones

Thursday
Pumpkin Spice Granola with Craisins
Leftover Roasted Vegetable Minestrone & Bread
Dessert - Apple Cinnamon Rice Krispie & Oat Bars {new}

To do: Start bread 1-hour before dinner

Friday – Fall Break!!!
Maple Oatmeal Scones, Apples
St. Louis Style Pizza {new}

To do: Nothing!

Saturday {Apple Picking!}
Pumpkin Pancakes with Apple Toping
Roasted Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese

To do: Make granola, wild rice bread, applesauce, and dessert

Find more great menus at OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

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Menu Plan–Sept. 29

What a terrific week we had last week.  The weather was outstanding for fall, and we enjoyed our first apple recipes of the season.  Topping the charts were the apple cinnamon rolls (we topped these with cream cheese frosting and apple maple saute)!

Coming in second was Spiced Country Applesauce made with Macintosh apples.  Yum-o.  This applesauce makes a weekly occurrence around here during fall.   

In third place – these easy apple danishes.  Amazing. 

For our non apple recipe of the week, that goes to the spaghetti braid.  If you ask me, it’s the best way to serve leftover spaghetti.  In fact, I’ve been known to make spaghetti, just so we could have the spaghetti braid. 

Our menu this week is shaping up to look like this:

Sunday
Leftover Whole Wheat Buttermilk Waffles with Maple Apple Sauté
Grilling – Burgers, Pickles, Grilled Potato Packets

To do: Nothing

Monday
Oatmeal with Maple Apple Sauté
Cheesy Chicken & Ranch Casserole

To do: Thaw turkey

Tuesday
Pumpkin Spice Granola with Craisins
BBQ Turkey Meatloaf, Crockpot Garlic Mashed Potatoes {new}

To do: Nothing

Wednesday
Leftover Cinnamon Raisin Bagels {freezer}
Leftovers

To do: Thaw ham for soup, make bread dough, dice extra ham for Friday

Thursday
Pumpkin Spice Granola with Craisins
Wild Rice Soup, Artisan Bread

To do: Nothing

Friday
Pumpkin Spice Granola with Craisins
Ham and Broccoli Pockets, carrots

To do: Prep for my sister’s birthday celebration

Saturday
TBD – perhaps Overnight Oatmeal Waffles, Pumpkin Spice Bagels, Maple Oat Scones, Apple Cider Donut Holes
My Sister’s Birthday Dinner – TBD

Desserts {TBD}
Apple Cinnamon Rice Krispie & Oat Bars {new}
Apple Dessert Braid {new}
Apple Cinnamon Spice Ice Cream
Apple Cake
Apple Pie with Crumble Topping

Find more great menus at OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

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