Big Daddy reads my blog.

So that makes this experiment less fun than it would be if he didn’t.

You see, last Friday?  it was the first day of Autumn.

Fall.

My favorite time of year.

I already wrote about why I love fall so much, but I might not have mentioned how much I love that it becomes soup and stew weather and how much I love soup and stew.

So…this week, I’ll be making, and serving, five different soups.  I’m wondering how long it takes for the Fam’ to figure out what’s going on.

Monday

Lasagna soup from the Deen Brothers.

Tuesday

Guinness Beef Stew (one of the recipes considered a favorite.  You can find other favorite recipes, at my Favorite Recipes page.)

Wednesday

Four Way Cincinnati Chili

Thursday

Quick and Easy Chicken Soup

Friday

Baked Potato Soup

Saturday

Probably out

Sunday

Another fall favorite, Caramel Apple Pork Chops.

What sorts of food do you  like to cook when the weather changes from summer to fall?

This past few weeks have been full of special dinners at our house.

Birthday.

Back to School.

Back to School

Birthday.

We’ve had one every week for the past four.

It’s not helping my diet much because no one picks poached chicken and broccoli for their back to school/birthday dinner. I don’t even pick that on an ordinary day.  Yuck.

I’m happy that my family likes my cooking and that i like cooking for them and that they enjoy picking out meals for their special days.  When they’re in school it’s hard, sometimes, to give a special day the real oomph it deserves, but a special dinner of their choosing helps a lot.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that your Mama makes you epic cupcakes.  ;)  I’ve been blogging about baking so frequently lately, I’m wondering if I’m not missing a passion or something.  Stay tuned for more baking and blogging because I’ve bakes some more yummy things that I can’t wait to share with you.

Monday

We celebrated Littlebit’s Fifth Birthday with a dinner of her choosing.

Oven Fried Chicken and “Dirty” crock pot mac and cheese, veggies and Hi-Hat Cupcakes.  Not familar?  Stay tuned!

Tuesday

Baked Pesto Chicken* over couscous with baked parmesan tomatoes

Wednesday

Unstuffed Pepper Bake*, garlic bread and salad

Thursday

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya*, corn bread and salad

(Yes, we eat a lot of salad.  I can buy a large container of organic spring mix lettuce for 4.99 and it feeds us for lunch and dinner all week. I can’t even feed us frozen veggies for that price)

Friday

20 minute roasted tomato pasta, garlic bread and salad

Saturday

Littlebit’s Fifth Birthday Party!  Can’t wait to share it with you!

Sunday

Something quick and easy.  We’ve had a busy few weeks with another busy one to go.  I like to “cook fresh” on Sundays (meaning, we don’t eat previously frozen meals).  It keeps us interested and keeps the food from being borning.

*Previously frozen earlier in the month and part of Once a Month Mom’s August menu plan.

The Princess goes back to school tomorrow.

Let that sink in a minute, folks.

THE FREAKING PRINCESS GOES BACK TO SCHOOL TOMORROW!

Now, before anyone thinks that I’m one of those moms, let me assure you that I’ll miss my big girl during the day.  However, I have a hard time keeping to a schedule during the summer and while the days are long and languid, they’re chaotic and I am not a fan of that chaos.    The first day of school always feels like New Year’s Day.  Endless possibilities and a fresh start, but  with school supplies on sale.

Today, the girlies and I are going bowling.

We’ll have ice cream after dinner at the local ice cream place to say goodbye to what really was an AMAZING summer and tomorrow, the Princess will sling her back pack over her shoulder and meet the year as a sixth grader.  She’s going to be fabulous.  Because, that’s how she rolls.

It also means she’s gone for 8 hours a day, which means 8 hours a day less of sibling bickering between she and Littlebit.

Last week, you might have noticed the Roasted Tomato Pasta recipe.  It was fantastic and probably even better because it contained tiny, super sweet yellow heirloom cherry tomatoes fresh from our garden.  Total keeper.  (As an aside, can you tell our dining room table needs to be refinished.  Be on the look out for THAT project to be coming soon)

Menu plan?  Yes!

Monday-Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya and corn bread (*Another Once a Month Mom recipe that will be doubled and nestled into the freezer for later consumption)

Tuesday-FREAKING FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! (sorry, Princess, but I’d jump in the air and click my heels together if I could).  Smoked cheeseburgers, tater tots and corn (the Princess’s pick)

Wednesday-Baked Chicken Pesto *, Aglio e olio, salad

Thursday-Sausage and Pepper Penne*, salad and garlic ciabatta bread

Friday-Smoked Pizza

Saturday-Mama’s going out for a belated birthday dinner, but I will be baking myself a fabulous cake that I’ll be sure to share.

Sunday-TBD.

Do you have a traditional back to school dinner or ritual that you share with your family?  I’d love to hear about it.