Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Wordless Wednesday: Family Picture

This Sunday after church we tried to get a family picture taken to send out to friends, family and supporters at Christmas. Here is the best one ... not sure if it will make the "final cut" or if we will try again. We ended up taking one "silly face shot". What do you think? Which one should go on the Christmas card? Ü

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Wordless Wednesday: Just one more reason to learn to read


My 7-year-old's teeth will be blemish free thanks to some poor "product placement" on the bathroom shelf and a failure to read the labels before use.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Monday Meanderings: October 22-28



This past week was another of those where the schedule kept getting thrown aside. This time it was because of a lot of emotional turmoil and some work related deadlines. Please read yesterday's post for an idea. It would have been too long to include here with the meanderings.

Thanks to Tiany's idea to post our goals and plans for the week I can start fresh again this week. I'm cutting back again to the bare minimum of goals and hoping I finally have some successes to chalk up. Success from last week was that I filed an expense report, got exercise in twice, got the house presentable enough for Friday's guests and read my library book at a time when it did not sabotage other more important things .. like making sure the family had clean clothes.
Bible Study/Devotional plan: Sticking with the same reading plan. Now on week 43.
Must Do:
1. Financial-- gather recipts for next expense reports and delegate a place for them to stay, Fill out, copy and mail health insurance claim forms
2. School -- turn in money and sign field trip permission slip for November field trips
3. Exercise -- Go walking at least 2 times (5km route)
4. FUN- Get out autumn decorations and decorate the living room with fall beauty.

Zone: Do Flylady´s challenges for the MASTER BEDROOM this week and consistently spend time decluttering the boxes of stuff being stored in the extra bathroom.

Train Them Up: My oldest gets home from school while I am out picking up his siblings from elementary school. Last week on Thursday and Friday he had checked the menu on the fridge and had set the table appropriately and started setting out the food for lunch so we could eat right away. It was so nice to see him take that initiative. Now, I need to make sure to stick to the menu or leave him a note if things are going to change. I may try and work with him on some kitchen skills if there are some last minute things that he can do to help with these meals.

Menu Planning:

Monday
Breakfast- oatmeal
School Snack- crackers and cheese wedge
Mid-day meal- cream of broccoli soup
Evening meal- macaroni and cheese (2 of our well guarded stash of Kraft blue boxes), Lincolnshire sausages (from the British import store)

Tuesday
Breakfast- banana muffins
School Snack- muffin/ bocadillo with salami and cheese
Mid-day meal- Spaghetti with meat sauce, salad
Evening meal- omelettes

Wednesday
Breakfast- cold cereal
School Snack- clementina/ banana muffin
Mid-day meal- BBQ pork in the crockpot, cream of zucchini soup
Evening meal- tuna sandwiches

Thursday
Breakfast- eggs
School Snack- croissant sandwich for Princess, fruit for boys
Mid-day meal- turkey soup (never got to it last week, just put the turkey in the freezer for another day)
Evening meal- quesadillas

Friday
Breakfast- cold cereal
School Snack- cherry tomatoes and red pepper strips
Mid-day meal- egg salad sandwiches
Evening meal- homemade pizza

Saturday
Lunch/dinner: ?
Sunday something in the crockpot.. unsure yet what. Any ideas?
Don´t forget to head on over to Laura´s for more menu plans.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Email

(This is a repost of an entry from last April that I posted in another blog I write. We had a reoccurrence of being emotionally put through the cyber-wringer this week and it has done me good to reread this.)


I have this love/hate relationship with email. There are the piles of junk mail and spam that come, many times uncaught by the filters that are in place to save me from seeing the trash before I hit delete. There are the warnings, prayer requests, petitions etc that urge me to "forward this to everyone in my address book". There are daily devotional emails that we subscribed to at one time that always make me feel a twinge of guilt when I have to delete them because I simply don't have time to read them all. Sometimes we see the return address of a friend or family member and with much excitement open it hoping to find a personal note only to find what is basically a piece of "junk mail" that was sent to us and 100 other people at the same time. Occasionally a nice piece of personal mail sneaks into the inbox and brightens our day. This week I experienced some real extremes in the world of cybermail. We received some very surprising and saddening news which caught us completely by surprise. It was shortly followed by another very difficult note full of strong emotion and misunderstandings. I walked away from the computer feeling like I had been punched in the gut.

I have been reading the online writings of several women in various situations but all claiming to have a personal relationship with the Lord. As I read of their trials I also read of their hope in the Lord and was inspired by what seemed to be true vibrant faith in their daily lives. I am glad to see that their trials are drawing them closer to God but it only seemed to magnify the funk I was finding myself in. That's right, this missionary mom has been in a spiritual funk. Life was kind of sailing along in the hum drum routine, but even as I looked at the dreary rainy days that we have been having lately and longed for Spain's typical bright sun, I was longing for the close walk and vibrant faith I have experienced in the past. The thing was, that those memories of intense spiritual hunger and joy of communion with the Lord have typically come as I walked through some real valleys and trials. I wasn't anxious for a medical trial, a financial pinch, a family crisis or any of the myriad of situations I imagined might be used to bring me to my knees. And I certainly wasn't expecting God to use an email.

I did know that whatever the circumstance that might "shake me up", that the answer would be in HIS WORD. And I wasn't mistaken. God's Word, although written thousands of years ago, is still as up to the minute as an "instant message". I'm convinced that it is no "coincidence" that Tim read the second chapter of Philippians to me aloud in bed the other day and that the words reverberated around in my head throughout the day because 25 years ago I took the time to memorize the entire book of Philippians while riding the subway to school each day. It is not "chance" that as I fell behind in my daily Bible reading schedule that I ended up in Jeremiah 1 with highlighted words jumping out at me like "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you", "everywhere I send you, you shall go, all that I command you, you shall speak" and "I am with you to deliver you". Nor did that same Bible reading schedule send my to Psalm 37 "by accident".
Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD, And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him, Do not fret ...
Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
The LORD sustains -- The LORD knows -- The LORD is the One who holds his hand -- The LORD loves justice -- The LORD will not leave him -- He is their strength -- The LORD helps and delivers them .... because they take refuge in Him.

Oh how I needed to read those words again and have them grab hold of my heart anew! What a joy it is to see that once again God's Word is quick and powerful and able to change lives .... even my own.

I'm still feeling a bit under the weather and plan to go get a physical to see if there is any physical reason for my listlessness and general fatigue. But I feel confident that God is at work in me, both to will and to do His good pleasure (italics mine) and that as I draw near to HIM, the spiritual funk will fade. *October update: everything is fine health-wise and I did come out of April's funk. I am confident that this week's events, although hard to go through, will also prove to strengthen my faith and not pull me into a pit, if I remember to keep my focus not on myself but on my Lord.

Oh, and as is so like the Lord in His abundant goodness, today's email contained news of a precious saint's promotion to glory, a fantastic newsy letter of encouragement from the wife of one of our supporting pastors, and a note from a church that is considering taking us on as one of their missionaries. As our European director always says, "GOD IS GOOD EVERYDAY, ALL THE TIME."

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Her First Lanz



My little princess eagerly explored the bag of hand-me-down clothes from a missionary friend of ours in the next town over who often passes on gently used clothing that her daughters have outgrown. We examined each piece and hung those articles that would fit on hangers in the closet or neatly folded items for the dresser. My eyes lit up as did hers when I reached in the bag and pulled out this flannal nightgown. But not just any flannal nightgown ... it is a Lanz of Salzburg gown. Ah, the memories of a Lanz of Salzburg flannal nightgown. It is one of my warm and fuzzy memories of growing up in New England with the cold winter nights. My Mom would get my sister and me new LOS gowns each year, usually at Christmas. Now my daughter has her first one and she loves it. I may have a hard time getting her to wear any of her pajamas now.

I haven't had a flannal gown for years. My husband puts out enough heat for the two of us, plus I live smackdab in the center of sunny Spain and the temperatures just don't dip quite enough for such sleepwear to be necessary. And I'm not even taking into account the most recent addition of my own personal endless summer. It's nice to have a Lanz back in the house. I think Princess will gladly carry on the tradition for me.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

WW: A Little salon time with my girly girl




Princess came up to me with a bottle of nail polish that she had been given by a friend. It is practically clear (just a hint of pink) and has little heart shaped confetti in it. She asked me if we could "please paint the nails on my feet" and how could I say no? We had a little "salon time" and I did my best to make sure I got a little heart on each of her big toes as she requested. I am so glad the Lord saw fit to give me a little girl. Don't get me wrong, I love my three boys, but none of them are knocking the others down to paint toenails and fix hair with Mom. And hey, that's OK too!

Monday, October 15, 2007

Monday Meanderings: October 15-21


Once again I've managed to go through another week without getting into any real schedule and routine for the week. I hate living from "fire" to "fire". I mean, I don't mind the variety of the days but what I hate is after I've put out the fire, and the emergency situation is taken care of, I am still facing mounds of laundry, a messy house and everything else that needed to be done but got ignored.

Thanks to Tiany's idea to post our goals and plans for the week I can start fresh this week. Here are my goals which I hope are reachable this time.

Bible Study/Devotional plan: Sticking with the same reading plan. Now on week 42. Still haven't done the catch up reading but I'm not going to beat myself up.
Must Do:
1. Financial-- File expense reports for at least two months, Fill out, copy and mail health insurance claim forms
2. School -- turn in forms to teachers to show deposit into the kids' co-op accounts,
Return library books and limit myself to only one new book, which cannot be started until Must Do #1 is completed
5. FUN- Buy peperoni for homemade pizza to share with friends this Friday night. Get out autumn decorations and decorate the living room with fall beauty.

Zone: Do Flylady´s challenges for the BATHROOM this week and consistently spend time decluttering the boxes of stuff being stored in the extra bathroom.

Train Them Up: Focus on several quick pick-ups throughout the day. This is the same as last week because we need some "extra help" on this.


Menu Planning:

Monday
Breakfast- cold cereal
School Snack- croissant and cheese wedge
Mid-day meal- Soft tacos and quesadillas
Evening meal- sandwiches with cold cuts and cheese

Tuesday
Breakfast- coffee cake
School Snack- peanut butter crackers
Mid-day meal- lasagna, tossed salad, fresh spanish bread
Evening meal- turkey soup

Wednesday
Breakfast- oatmeal
School Snack- banana, salami and cheese sandwich
Mid-day meal- swiss steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, corn
Evening meal- omelettes

Thursday
Breakfast- cold cereal
School Snack- croissant sandwich for Princess, fruit for boys
Mid-day meal- black beans and rice with chorizo
Evening meal- grilled cheese sandwiches

Friday
Breakfast- scrambled eggs
School Snack- tortilla rollups
Mid-day meal- leftovers
Evening meal- homemade pizza

Saturday
Breakfast: French toast
Lunch/dinner: hotdogs, macaroni and cheese
Sunday spaghetti and meat sauce, fresh bread
Don´t forget to head on over to Laura´s for more menu plans.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Another giveaway

I've been reading a bunch of fiction lately. Also been thinking I should do something better with my time. Sounds like this giveaway would be right up my alley.

See what Crystal is giving away.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Online Math "flashcards"

My boys really need some drilling to improve their speed and accuracy when doing basic addition, subtraction and multiplication facts. But flashcards are so boring, providing we could find where I have the card decks stashed away. Enter this website. They have several games but the ones we are using right now are the Two Minute Warning games. You have 2 minutes to solve as many addition, subtraction or multiplication facts as you can. At the end it will tell you the total number right and wrong. We are charting their scores and the goal is to try and get the number of correct answers to increase. Before they can play other things on the computer they need to do 1, 2, or 3 two minute drills. My 2nd grader is averaging in the teens right now, the 5th grader in the 20's, and the 7th grader hit 30 or 40 the other night. They don't complain about doing it because it is only 2 minutes and it is fun to mess with the number pad on the keyboard.
Improving their math skills "painlessly" ... that works for me!
Head on over to Shannon's for more Works for Me Wednesday tips.

Wordless Wednesday: Picasso goes to preschool


Since coloring graduated to Junior High last week, I figure turn about was fair play in showing you the latest masterpiece from little Princess. (4) Her class is learning the names of several famous paintings in preparation for the field trip they plan to take in January to the Reina Sofia art museum in Madrid. They are focussing on Picasso and after reading the list of titles that the teacher sent home, I'm sure I would not be able to name all of them unless it was matching or multiple choice. Princess was so thrilled to actually PAINT in class this picture based on one of Picasso's paintings. She continually referred to it BY NAME. "Mommy, see my Niña con paloma?" (that means girl with dove) Do you like the colors on my Niña con paloma? Can I carry the Niña con paloma? I want to show Daddy my Niña con paloma. etc etc etc.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Monday Meanderings: October 8-14


I had great plans last week but only a few actually materialized. With three trips to the doctor and school meetings, etc. I think I blogged less this week than I have in a long time. We´ll try again this week and see how we do. Go visit Tiany to see what other´s are planning this week.

Bible Study/Devotional plan: This week I will just keep it simple and set the goal of actually accomplishing each daily reading on it's scheduled day. I'm using this plan and am on week 41 right now. Didn´t get any catch up reading done last week. Will try again this week.
Must Do: Many must do´s are carried over from last week.
1. Financial-- pay rent, find receipts for filing expense reports, contact doctor in the states regarding medical billing
2. Grocery Shop -- again try to keep the list as small as possible
3. PRAY (We are entering a two week span of time in which several decisions will be made by others that will decide, in part, the location of our future ministry)
4. School -- find papers and book that need to be turned in to the teachers, get 3 photos of Princess for her preschool class, attend 2 teacher conferences.
5. FUN- plan something fun for the family on Friday, which is a national holiday here so that means we ALL have the day off.

Zone: Do Flylady´s challenges for the KITCHEN this week and continue the attack on the bedroom and laundry.

Train Them Up: Focus on several quick pick-ups throughout the day.


Menu Planning:

Monday
Breakfast- cold cereal
School Snack- cherry tomatoes and yogurt drink
Mid-day meal- sandwiches with cold cuts and cheese
Evening meal- quiche, asparagus, cheesy macaroni

Tuesday
Breakfast- Oatmeal
School Snack- Bocadillo, croissant with nocilla (chocolate hazelnut spread)
Mid-day meal- cream of zuchini soup
Evening meal- BLT sandwiches

Wednesday
Breakfast- homemade egg "mcmuffins"
School Snack- apple slices, banana bread
Mid-day meal- landlubber´s paella
Evening meal- tuna croissants

Thursday
Breakfast- cold cereal
School Snack- croissant sandwich for Princess, apple slices
Mid-day meal- raw veggies and cheese cubes, crackers
Evening meal- pork chops and scalloped potatoes, squash

Friday
Breakfast- waffles
School Snack- NO SCHOOL -- NATIONAL HOLIDAY
Mid-day meal- Chili and cornbread (Another variation of¨"beans, bread and water")
Evening meal- snacks or pizza

Saturday no plan yet-- we´ll move Friday´s meal to Saturday if we decide to go on a picnic or sightseeing for Friday´s holiday.
Sunday Broasted chicken dinner
Don´t forget to head on over to Laura´s for more menu plans.

Beans, bread and water: The Recipes


The Beans, bread and water meal was a big hit as usual. We all love the rolls -- a bit too much.


Baked beans for Baked Bean Haters

1 lb. ground beef,
3 or 4 bacon slices chopped,
1 chopped onion,
2 1 lb cans pork and beans,
1/2 cup molasses (Here in Spain I find this at Mercadona and it is called miel de cana)
1/2 cup catsup,
1/2 tsp dry mustard (or substitute aprox 1 tsp regular mustard),
dash of salt,
dash of worcestershire sauce.

Saute bacon and onion. Brown ground beef and drain. Add the rest of the ingredients and pour into casserole dish.
Bake at 375 F (aprox 170 C) for 1/2 hour.

Oatmeal dinner rolls

2 cups water
1 cup quick cooking oats
3 Tablespoons butter
2 (1/4 oz) envelopes active dry yeast
1 Tablespoon sugar
4 cups flour
1 ¾ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

Bring 2 cups water to a boil in saucepan. Stir in the oats and butter. Boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool to 110 degrees. Stir together yeast, ½ cup warm water, and 1 tsp. sugar in a 2 cup measuring cup. Let stand 5 minutes to proof the yeast.
Beat oat mixture, yeast mixture, flour, salt and brown sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (aprox. 5 minutes). Place in a well greased bowl turning to grease top Cover and let rise in a warm place free form drafts aprox 1 hour or until doubled in bulk. Punch down the dough, divide in half and shape each portion into 16 balls. Place evenly into 2 lightly greased 9 inch round cake pans. Cover and let rise 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Yield 32 rolls.

Homemade Lemonade

1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 cup sugar

Mix the juice and sugar in a 2 quart pitcher. Add cold water to fill pitcher. Stir well until sugar is dissolved.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Wordless Wednesday: Coloring graduates to junior high


My son's first project for 7th grade art class brought "coloring" to a new level. He needed to learn how to use a square and triangle "ruler" and a compass. He had the main design done and it was partially inked in, but he worked hard on this for almost 4 hours tonight to finish it since it is due tomorrow.

Works for me Wednesday: Backwards day

Today is backwards day at Works for me Wednesday hosted over at Rocks in my Dryer. Instead of sharing a tip we are to ask a question and see if the blogosphere has any suggestions for us. I have two things, totally unrelated but perhaps I can get some ideas that will work for me.
1. See yesterday's post for my new challenge. I'm pretty sure that the Beach Boys weren't talking about this when they put out Endless Summer, but I feel like my internal heater is working overtime. Anyone have anything that has worked for them in dealing with hot flashes and the like?

2. Anyone have any great ideas for how to store loaves of bread? I don't have much space in the cupboards and less counter space for a bread box. I bought a basket and tried keeping the bread in that but I have to stand the loaves on end to fit in the basket and it just always looks messy. Oh, and there is no drawer big enough to fit bread in either. Any ideas????

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

time to tackle life's little changes

(Although this is not a "typical tuesday tackle", it is where I am right now. Seems others are having unusual tackles this week too. Head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom to see the rest.)

When it's time to change (when it's time to change),
Don't fight the tide, go along for the ride,
Don't ya see.
When it's time to change, you've got to rearrange,
Who you are into what you're gonna be.
Sha na na na na na na na na
Sha na na na na.
Sha na na na na na na na na na
Sha na na na na


I have had this song running through my head lately. Anyone recognise it? Think back to the 70's and that iconic television show The Brady Bunch. Remember the episode where Peter's voice starts to change just as the kids are set to record some of Greg's songs in a real live recording studio? Well, our house is experiencing some of those same crackling sounds and we are navigating many "new waters" of change. They say that change is a stress-inducer and I certainly agree. There is a part of me that enjoys change and the adrenelin rush it brings, but deep down inside I really like the security of things staying the same. It seems just yesterday I was welcoming my first child into the world and now he is taller than I, the voice is doing the Peter Brady thing, and he is off to junior high and the world of secondary education. Meanwhile the last little indian has strapped on her mocassins and in a grand declaration of independance has joined the rest of the tribe as they head off each day to "colegio" (elementary school).
Where does that leave me? I "celebrated" another one of those milestone birthdays this summer --- you know, the ones that end in a 0 or a 5. Since it was a 5-er, it wasn't bothering me that much ... at least until I ran across the blog of a friend I went to college with. Now, mind you, we are the same age, but our lives have run different courses. She married after her freshman year and started a family right away and it took longer for me to find Prince Charming and even longer still to get the baby factory up and running. I'm enjoying her blog and marvelling at the pictures of her (slightly green with envy since she seriously does not look much different than she did the last time I saw her 15 years ago) and the next thing I read is a post about the birth of her grandchild!! Hold on there! You're telling me I am old enough to be a Grandmother!!! But I just gave birth to my own Princess a little over 4 years ago. I'm not ready for that change yet!
But I guess I'd better get ready. I've heard my doctor start using the phrase "At your age" during my annual physical last spring. The old internal clock seems to have an electrical short or old batteries or something and I am wondering if I will ever need to wear a sweater again. When did I move from this book club to this one? Oh, and did I mention what those wonderful children of mine (the ones that are supposed to make me feel young as I hobnob with the parents of their schoolmates, most of whom were not even born in the same decade as I) think of me -- looking old, and one foot in the grave?
As my doctor started to list some of the lovely things I might be noticing soon (he wasn't very positive in his outlook so I am finding someone new) my mood plummeted and I haven't been a very happy camper. I keep hearing (swirling around with the sha na na's from the song at the top, the Veggietales line "Is it my imagination or does Aunt Ruth have a beard?"). My husband is very supportive and is encouraging me to tackle this new stage of life. How am I planning to do that? Here's the initial plan: 1. Dr.'s appt this week as a recheck to see if the ovarian cysts from last spring are still there and if so, what to do about it. Discuss the changes I am experiencing and listen to his conclusions and suggestions.
2. Start exercising again. I've pulled out the walking shoes and am going to try to walk 5km 3x a week to start.
3. Memorize and meditate often on Philipians 4:8 and other similar passages.
There will be more I am sure. I will probably have to work on my diet somewhat but I am still being a bit rebellious in that area. (As I type, these cookies are in my oven)
So, pardon me, but I must lace up my shoes, grab a cookie and go start rearranging "who I am into what I'm gonna be"
Sha na na na na na na na na Sha na na na na. Sha na na na na na na na na na Sha na na na na

Be careful what you ask a kid!

I got my hair cut last Friday. It had been long for the summer so I could pull it back in a pony tail to deal with the hot weather. I figure the temperatures will be dropping now and the bangs were almost to my nose so IT WAS TIME. My wonderful husband told me not to cut too much because he really liked how it looked Sunday when I took the time to curl it and all, but I don't have time for that kind of maintenance every day. So I went off to the hairdresser's and enjoyed a mini massage in the massage-chair while they washed my hair and then had my hair bobbed back up to chin length. I picked the kids up at school and brought them home, waited for the oldest to come home, had lunch together and took off to meet Daddy and some friends for a picnic. No-one had yet commented on Mom's new do. So I finally turned to the kids and said "So, no-one notices anything new about Mom?"
My 7 year old takes a good look at me and then asks, "Mom, why are you looking so old lately?"
Note to self: Next time, Don't ask!

Monday, October 1, 2007

Monday Meanderings: October 1-7


I have had some relative success at planning my week's menus since I started participating in the Menu Planning Monday meme. (Scroll down to the end of this post for the menu.) About a month ago I ran across Tiany's blog and her idea to post our weekly plans and I am challenged to see if I can move beyond just menus. I have been dragging lately and am thinking that setting some goals and putting them down on "virtual paper" might help me get out of my unproductive funk. This is my first week. Here are the 5 areas Tiany has proposed and my first attempt at setting some weekly goals.

Bible Study/Devotional plan: This week I will just keep it simple and set the goal of actually accomplishing each daily reading on it's scheduled day. I'm using this plan and am on week 40 right now. I also am behind on some of the daily readings so I want to get "caught up" on at least 3 days. I'll leave the catch up reading on the other 4 days till next week.

Must Do: My "to do" list is huge already but if I have to pinpoint just a few MUST do's I guess they are as follows:
1. Financial-- Do banking, pay school co-op fees, pay rent, find receipts for filing expense reports
2. Grocery Shop
3. PRAY (We are entering a two week span of time in which several decisions will be made by others that will decide, in part, the location of our future ministry)

Zone: I try to follow Flylady's zones but this month she has us in the front entrance way and dining room and those two areas will not take me all week. However, last week I was supposed to be in the master bedroom and I didn't get much done there. I will focus my attention there since it is a DISASTER AREA and I can hardly walk without stubbing my toe on something.

Train Them Up: I need to take "small bites" in my first week of goal setting so I think we will just try to focus on bedtime this week.

Menu Planning: Here's where comes in.
Monday
Breakfast- cold cereal
School Snack- croissant and cheese
Mid-day meal- sandwiches with cold cuts and cheese
Evening meal- Fried rice

Tuesday
Breakfast- eggs
School Snack- Bocadillo, Julie's Awesome Oatmeal Cookies
Mid-day meal- quesadillas, cucumber spears, chips
Evening meal- Foil pack taco chicken dinner, corn

Wednesday
Breakfast- Oatmeal
School Snack- peanut butter crackers, nectarine slices
Mid-day meal- crockpot beef stew biscuits
Evening meal- omelettes

Thursday
Breakfast- cold cereal
School Snack- croissant sandwich for Princess, fruit from yesterday's market day for the other two
Mid-day meal- chicken and gravy over rice, broccoli
Evening meal- egg salad, raw veggies and ranch dressing dip

Friday
Breakfast- Maria cookies and Nesquick
School Snack- tortilla rollups
Mid-day meal- Baked bean casserole, oatmeal dinner rolls, homemade lemonade (We refer to this meal as "beans, bread and water" It sounds like prison food but is quite delicious and "special" because of the homemade rolls)
Evening meal- french bread pizza, apple crisp a la mode for company game time.

Saturday no plan yet
Sunday dinner out at friends' house after church

No time right now to post anymore. I'll try to get the recipes for the bean casserole and the oatmeal dinner rolls up later this week or on next Monday's meanderings.

Let me know what you think of the new plan for Mondays. And don't forget to head over to Tiany's and Laura's to see what others have on their plates this week.