Sorry about the weird publishing on Saturday night.  I was trying to use the iPad to blog and obviously it’s not a very good idea.

As of writing this, my new iPhone 4S is out of commission. Baby Bee managed to shatter the screen despite the phone being inside an otterbox case. We have an appointment at the genius bar tomorrow, but I’m crazy sad. And, that’s just the tip of them iceberg lately.

From laptop problems to cat problems to family problemsn, I’ve had a rough couple of weeks. However, this is my favorite time of year and I’m not letting things get me down.

Well, except for the iPhone. I’m totally bummed about that.

We’ve signed up for a new activity on Monday evenings, so for the next six weeks, we’ll crock potting two nights a week; Monday’s and Thursday’s.

Monday Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Tuesday Baked chicken with Dijon and Lime

Wednesday Lemon Feta Chicken with Oregano

Thursday Beef Stroganoff

Friday Lemon Herb Chipotle Roasted chicken, Rio Bravo Rice and Beans a la Charra

Saturday A Smoked Meat Extravaganza!

Sunday Chicken and Dumpling soup

Hoping for a problem free week.  Happy Monday!

Last night, the five of us gathered in the kitchen to carve pumpkins. A tradition that Big Daddy and I love sharing with our girls. A tradition that we followed with our own families as children and that some day, our children will pass on to their children.

I found, for me, that Fall and Winter are the seasons of tradition. Spring and Summer are about new things, but Fall and Winter are about the comforts of tradition and the warmth of doing things the way they’ve always been done.  Carved pumpkins and soups.  Sugar cookies and a well worn pop-up book from which we read the same story every Christmas Eve.  Like I was read to and like I expect they’ll read to their babies someday.

I’m looking forward to sharing our Halloween pictures with you tomorrow, but for now?  A Monday Tradition.  The Menu Plan!

Monday

Carrying on our traditional theme, we’re having our traditional Halloween dinner of Halloweenie Winks and tater tots.  I’m sure most of you have made and eaten these and call them different things, but my Mom always called them weenie winks.  When the Princess was a baby, we added the Halloween twist and they’re our traditional pre-Trick or Treat dinner.

Tuesday

Double Dinner and a carry over.  Mama’s Meatballs and gravy over egg noodles with veggies

Wednesday

Double Dinner! Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Thursday

Slow cooker Brown Sugar and Balsamic Glazed Pork with couscous and veggies

Friday

Date Night!  If I can confirm with Auntie.  ;)

Saturday

Family Movie Night (and probably the easiest one yet!)

Sunday

Penne with Chicken Thighs, garlic bread and salad

What are some of your favorite Fall and Winter traditions??

And I slid in with one hour left in Monday.  At leat, on the East Coast of the United States.

We had a lovely fall weekend with my Dad and some very good friends in Northern Michigan.  Have I posted about how much I love Michigan?  I think I might have mentioned it in my birthday post from this past year, but if I haven’t let me tell you know.

I love Michigan.

But I never want to live there again. Which is a totally different story.

Anyhow, I usually need to take Mondays for myself to recuperate from what we’ve done over the weekend and that means I’m late with the menu plan.  BUT, never fear.

We are having an insanely busy week this week.  Tonight was our only free night this week and we had to take our poor old kitty cat to the vet.

She’s the white kitty.  On the right.  The kitty on the far left passed away four years ago.  The large annoying one in the middle is still going strong.  Kitty goes back to the vet for surgery tomorrow and I’m not sure the news is going to be good and I’m afraid we may not have her longer.  She was mine and Big Daddy’s first baby and despite people asserting that she’s “the devil” or “evil” she’s really just the perfect cat and they’re jealous and don’t appreciate her unique personality.

So, if you can spare a good thought for my kitty, I’d appreciate it.  She’s 12 but I’m pretty sure she has another 10 years of spunk in her.

And on that depressing note, how about the menu plan!

From now on, I’m referring to meals we’re making for the freezer as double dinners.  I’m not once a month cooking and freezer cooking doesn’t sound very descriptive or snappy.  I’ll use a * to denote which dinners will be double dinners (doubled, with the extra batch frozen).

Monday

Sausage Potato Casserole

Tuesday

Mama’s meatballs and gravy over egg noodles*

Wednesday

White Chicken Chili*

Thursday

Cider Braised Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes and Sage

Friday

We’ll be prepping for our big party, so it will probably be pizza night

Saturday

We’re having a Halloween Spooktacular and I’ll be serving from traditional cool weather fare along with some yummy, spooky goodies

Sunday

TBD-based upon how tired we are.

I’m also planning on making up a few loaves of Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread for breakfast eatings as well.

There are 75 days between now and the end of the year and only 69 (! ahem*) days until Christmas.  I don’t point that out to make you feel stressed, but only to point out there are only 10 more menu plan Mondays for 2011!

Really, don’t be stressed.

But I’ve already bought four Christmas presents.

But no stress.

And now hate mail, mmkay?

I’m happy to accounce that last week we ate the LAST meal from our August Once a Month (or, really batch) cooking.  I’m not sure why it took us so long.  Wel, that’s not true.  I do.

True Once a Month cooking would never really work for us.  It’s not because it’s not a fantastic concept, but because Big Daddy and I like to play a little more on the fly when it comes to menu planning.  It means that, on Thursday, if I get a taste for chowder, we’re having chowder.  No matter how many meals are waiting in the fridge.

BUT, some things about OAMC cooking really is great.  We all loved having some pre-made breakfast and lunch options to change up what really become mundane meals.  AND, it means on busy nights, cooking is pretty easy.  Just remove dinner from the freezer the night before and reheat.  Easy peasy.  That convenience also keeps us from eating out which is why I’m going to stock up the freezer again.  Not because I “cook for a day and eat for a month” but because it keeps us on the straight and narrow (and out of the drive thru line).

The reason I worte all of that out is because this weeks menu will be pulled (and doubled for later eating) from the fabulous Once a Month Mom website. I’ll be honest.  I don’t look for my own OAMC recipes anymore.  Tricia offers FIVE different monthly plan and I”m sure to find enough we like over there.

Monday

Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf, and scalloped tomatoes

Tuesday

Salsa chicken over rice with veggies (We’ve made this dish in the past and it’s very good.  I serve it over rice as noted above, but you can eat them in Tacos or as a sammie, if you’d choose)

Wednesday

Meatballs and gravy with crash hot potatoes and veggies

Thursday

Chicken and stuffing bake, cranberry sauce and veggies

Friday

I plan to either eat something cooked by my Daddy OR cooked over a campfire

Saturday

Fabulous brew food with some great friends.

Sunday

Sausage Potato Casserole with corn bread

This week, I will also be making a batch Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice soup to stick int he freezer in individual portions to be eaten for lunches. I’ll be making up Early Morning Power Pitas for breakfast

* did you need further proof that I’m really a 12 year old boy??

**whenever possible, I substitute healthier options into our meals.  Ground turkey instead of ground beef.  2% cheese instead of whole milk cheese, light sour cream, etc.  I’m pretty picky about taste and these small substitutions do make a difference as far as fat and calories go without it making much difference in regards to taste.