Subtle Hints/Meal Plans & Budgeting

One week and one day ago we went to see Drew's Grandmother. Before leaving my sweet husband suggested I bring cook books and make a menu as we drove. He said something to the affect of: remember when you used to have a menu plan and went shopping once a week.

Bring the cook books I did, I also ended up driving part of the way so only worked some on the menu. It was a good time to get the kids input, what they like, don't, etc. I just finished the menu plan tonight (something like Jan 6, when I started typing this post).  I am excited at the prospect of simplifying life by having a plan!  I have been flying by the seat of my pants since August and man has it had a negative effect on our budget.

(finishing the post tonight, Jan 18)
I have saved everything on google drive so if you want the link to my recipes and shopping lists leave a comment with your email and I will "share" them with you. Or mail me at borntwicedotregenerateatgmaildotcom.

Here is the plan!!

Sunday Breakfast	Pancakes	Sunday Breakfast	Pancakes
Lunch	Lamb or Beef Roast	Lunch	Roasted Chicken or crock pot chckn
Supper	popcorn and leftovers	Supper	popcorn and leftovers
Monday Breakfast	Quinoa Porridge	Monday Breakfast	Quinoa Porridge
Morning Snack	Yogurt Whip	Morning Snack	Yogurt Whip
Lunch	Cheesy Noodles	Lunch	Chicken Sandwiches (leftover chkn)
Supper	Beef Broccoli & noodles	Supper	Creamy Beef & noodles green beans
Tuesday Breakfast	Farina	Tuesday Breakfast	Farina
Morning Snack	Hunter’s Mix (Sam’s Club purchase)	Morning Snack	Hunter’s Mix (Sam’s Club purchase)
Lunch	Pizza bread	Lunch	Pizza Bread
Supper	Autumn Casserole	Supper	Quiche
Wednesday Breakfast	Oatmeal	Wednesday Breakfast	Oatmeal
Morning Snack	Applesauce and Oatmeal Bake	Morning Snack	Applesauce and Oatmeal Bake
Lunch	Hard cooked eggs	Lunch	Hard cooked eggs
Supper	Baked Potatoes & Turkey Chili	Supper	Baked Potatoes & Turkey Chili
PM Snack	Yogurt Whip	PM Snack	Yogurt Whip
Thursday Breakfast	Cereal	Thursday Breakfast	Cereal
Morning Snack	Hunter’s Mix (Sam’s Club purchase)	Morning Snack	Hunter’s Mix (Sam’s Club purchase)
Lunch	Chips/Cheese & Apples/P.Butter	Lunch	Grilled Cheese
Supper	Crock Pot Chicken	Supper	Pizza Fondu
Friday Breakfast	Coconut Porridge	Friday Breakfast	Coconut Porridge
Morning Snack	Yogurt Whip	Morning Snack	Yogurt Whip
Lunch	Chicken Sandwiches (leftover chkn)	Lunch	Chips/Cheese & Apples/P.Butter
Supper	Pizza	Supper	Pizza
Saturday Breakfast	French Toast BH&G pg70	Saturday Breakfast	French Toast BH&G pg70
Lunch	Leftovers	Lunch	Leftovers
Supper	Scrambled Eggs	Supper	Scrambled Eggs

Precious Friendships

I get so discouraged sometimes hearing how mean my children can be to each other. They nit pick, nag, tease . . . on and on it can go. So when my youngest son came to me about three weeks ago with a plan of what he wanted to make for Mary's (his oldest sister) birthday I about cried. He explained how he wanted to stitch it and that it should be on one of those round things that holds fabric. Then he said he wanted it to be a girl and an arrow would point to it with "Mary" stitched above the arrow. Today he was in a panic because it was present opening time and he couldn't find it. Ah, but with mom's help it was found, wrapped and delivered. Precious little sinners do share moments of victory for which I praise God!

A Christmas Carol!!!

We had our first rehearsal for "A Christmas Carol" tonight. The whole family is excited as we ALL were cast!

Drew: Bob Cratchet,
I: The Mrs.
Mary: Ghost of Christmas Future
Jacob: Peter  Cratchet
Abi: Belinda Cratchet
Baruch: Boy Scrooge & the ghost of Ignorance
Abram: Boy 1,
& last but not least, (drum roll)
Chloe: Chloe, daughter of old Belle & the ghost of Want!

I am so excited to all be in this together! The play will be performed two consecutive weekends before Thanks giving at The Grand! Their website has ticket information. We know a number of people in the cast and are looking forward to working together to put on a great show!

Dead on the Road Side

Jacob has been working hard to improve his running.  This is the conversation I heard this morning after Jacob came home from his run.

Jacob: If I can not be sore tomorrow I will be on the road to getting better
Chloe: You know Jacob, running on the road is dangerous, there are cars
Jacob: No, the road to success
Chloe: Yep, dead on the road side

Pretty hilarious!

I am very proud of both Mary and Jacob. They are both running cross country this season. It is pushing them (in a good way). They are both motivated to train and are seeing results.

If you are interested, here are their *and Abi's race results for the season so far:

Sept. 3 - Monroe
4 K JV Girls Mary: 25:18 pace 10:09
5 K JV Boys Jacob: 26:37 pace 8:34

An Extremely Hot Sept. 7 - Darlington
4 K JV Girls Mary: 26:53 pace 10:49
5 K JV Boys Jacob: 28:29 pace 9:10
1.3 Mile Junior High Abi: 11:30 pace 8:51

Sept. 21 - Mount Horeb
4 K JV Girls Mary: 23:00 pace 9:16
5 K JV Boys Jacob: 24:08 pace 7:47

*Abi has only raced once as not all the races are open to Junior High.

Happy Golden Birthday!

Twelve on the Twelfth

Apple Picking

Gifts from Grandma and Pa!

Hard at work breaking cement.

On the way home ; )

Party on the Fourteenth

Praying Mantis

At the Park

In hot pursuit of . . . 

A Bull Frog

Picnic Time

Rides home

Back to the house to frost your own cup cake

and open gifts

and pick some up : )

After the party came the post party surprise - ear piercing!

Making Abigail smile!

Anticipation 

 Ear # Two

 The Worst is Over!

 

Friend Support.

On the way home Abigail said the day had been like a dream and she was waiting to wake up. The great party, all the wonderful friends, gifts and now having her ears pierced all seemed too good to be true!