Monday, February 01, 2010

Menu Plan Monday & Eat From the Pantry ~ Week 4



[mpm-1.jpg]

It's time to plan my menu again. If you'd like to do that also and then link up, go to "Orgjunkie". It's really helpful when you know what to cook for the week.

Monday: Chicken Curry with Basmati Rice

Tuesday: Cheddar Chowder (I found this recipe over at Sarah's blog)

Wednesday: Home-made meatball sandwiches & mixed vegetables

Thursday: Pasta with sauce from Wednesday's meal

Friday: My hubby's cooking because I'll be away in Malaga, Spain with a friend :-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are still eating out of the pantry as much as possible, especially since our move is just around the corner. I'll tell you more about that tomorrow.

So here's the thing... I broke budget!! I must clear something up anyway while we're talking budget. That £250, while it might be doable for some families of 7, was and is not doable for us. I had originally put that number up because we were and still are eating out of our pantry and freezer plus I didn't have a good handle on what our monthly food spend is to begin with. Am I taking the easy way out and not trying to budget? No way, dudes! I just need to pay closer attention to what we regularly spend and then I can have a fair budget.

The other tiny issue was that Shawn and I hosted Sunday lunch here for some of the older folks at church. They call this lunch "Open Home" and different families host it during the month. We really enjoyed having the 8 here, plus we also hosted 8 of the sweetest girls that are currently attending Bible college at Capernwray Bible School that were visiting our church yesterday. They will be back in a few weeks to serve in all kinds of ministries that our church does. ALL THAT TO SAY we ordered food on-line again to make the food and that also helped to break my measly budget. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat! By the way, I invited those same girls for dinner when they return in a few weeks. I think they liked my homemade "New York Style Cheesecake."

Happy Menu Planning and eating-out-of-your-pantries-until-the-food-is-all-gone. :-)

10 comments:

Unknown said...

I would love for you to join me for Crock Pot Wednesday whenever you can. There's a giveaway going on.

Veronica said...

Love your meal planning idea. I really need help in this area for sure!

Tomorrow night's dinner is going to be yummy, for sure! ;)

Denise said...

Off to Malaga! you lucky gal, I hope it's warm there for you. I didn't do a menu plan this week, although I do need to eat out of the pantry and freezer. I'm waiting for my PW cookbook to arrive so I may try some recipes out of that when I get it.
:)

Darcie said...

There is nothing like opening your home to having others for a meal, huh? I am sure they enjoyed it just as much as you.

Can't wait to here more of your news and "YAY" for you and Malaga!

He & Me + 3 said...

I need to start eating from our pantry too. I buy too much stuff we don't need or use. Your menu sounds yummy.

McCrakensx4 said...

Oh sounds yummy...and don't feel bad about the budget...soemtimes they are ment to be broken!!

Heart2Heart said...

Carol,

Loving the idea of meatball sandwiches as hubby and I were talking the our weekly menus get a tendency to be a bit boring. Thanks for the ideas!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Anonymous said...

I would love the chicken curry recipe!

Sarah @ Preaching In Pumps said...

Hi Carol,

I am so glad everyone liked the chowder!! It is one of my favorites for sure.

Congratulations on the house and best of luck as you start to make this big transition. I've always said that transitions are like waterfalls - no matter how hard you plan for them, sometimes it just feels like you are water rushing down a rock. However - they are absolutely beautiful and there is always calm water ahead!!

Sarah @ Preaching In Pumps said...

P.S. I am newly married and trying to figure out meal planning. I usually remember around Tuesday or Wednesday and plan for the rest of the week - have you always done this? It's such a great way to be organized (and save money by not going out when you have nothing to cook).