Monthly Meal Calendar

When we decided I would stay home with Luke, it became necessary to tighten the purse strings a bit.  A few months later, this monthly meal calendar was born.  It has allowed me to make one major shopping trip each month...hallelujah!  Plus, "what's for dinner?", "Oooh, that looks great!  Wait...do I have what I need to make it?", "Do I really want to cook dinner?", "Wouldn't Whataburger just be easier?" never enters my mind. Win.

Over the past year, I've received so many questions and comments about this little 'gem' that I decided to post it! Since I can only figure out how to post this month's calendar, you'll have to message me if you want the excel workbook with all 12 months.

It's made my life a bazillion times easier.  What are you waiting for?!

What's for Dinner? Leftover Turkey and Sausage Gumbo

I made this a few weeks back and forgot to tell you about it!  This made meal #2 from our leftover smoked turkey.

First, you need a little background before I dive into this recipe.  I'm kind of a gumbo snob.  Growing up, my Grandma made the best gumbo ever.  EVER.  Even to this day.  The recipe for The-Best-Gumbo-Ever is in my recipe binder but I only pull it out on special occasions.  Mostly because it takes all day to make.  No lie. 

So, when I say this Sausage and Turkey Gumbo is "great"...you can take it to the bank. =)  However, I may have strayed from the recipe just a tad.  Shocking, I know.  When I make roux, I do it the old fashioned way...1:1 ratio of flour to oil(butter) and stir like mad until it's a nutty, caramel color (thanks, Grandma). This recipe calls for a totally different roux experience.  I'll let you decide which is better!

Leftover Turkey and Sausage Gumbo

He loves tractors SO much...

...he locked himself in one. Time to turn on the radio and "Just Dance!"

What's for dinner? Cider Mustard Glazed Pork Sirloin Roast

Good Morning! What a beautiful Monday! When the skies turn gray, I can't help but LOVE it. (Especially since our landscape is FINALLY in and needs a drink...pics on that project soooooon!)

I made this roast last week and was super impressed by it. I'm not certain it even needed the gravy, it was so flavorful! But it added a nice touch...so there's that.

The roast was served on a bed of my typical mashed potatoes with my typical veggies. In this house, side dishes are rarely exciting...all the more reason for an all star main dish!

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!

Cider Mustard Glazed Pork Sirloin Roast

Happy Valentine's Day from Happy Gilmore

What's for dinner? Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

Happy Friday!! 

This recipe is a new favorite in our house!  I love that I can just partially thaw my sirloin, thinly slice it and just throw it in the crockpot. It's so easy and SO yummy. AND Luke eats this like its the Last Supper. Win for Mama!

Hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

http://www.bsrecipe.blogspot.com/2012/04/crock-pot-beef-and-broccoli.html?m=1

Let's go fly a kite!

Luke, here!  Are you singing Mary Poppins yet?  Maybe it's just me. 

We've had some windy days lately, haven't we??  Daddy took advantage one evening and pulled out the kites! 









See that??  That's me.  Didn't think I could fly a kite?  Never underestimate Luke Duke.

I'm a pro, I tell ya.  See that side pull?  P-R-O.

Daddy needed some pointers.

Why is there no kite flying in this picture?  This is what you call a 'cliffhanger'.  Daddy and I played around on this bad boy all weekend!  Why?  You'll have to wait for the next post!  Mwahaha.  

Until then!

What's for dinner? Crockpot Pork Chops with mashed potatoes

Lindsay here!  Aren't you proud of me for posting so much this week?  I feel productive.  :)

This recipe has been in my monthly meal rotation for almost a year now.  It's delish and incredibly easy.  The gravy created in the crockpot is heavenly, too!  I love the way my house smells when I cook these chops.  

I threw my *frozen* pork chops in the crockpot about noon and they were ready by 5.  Awesome, right?!

I've made a few changes to the original recipe...I guess I could technically call it my own!  But I only changed the mashed potatoes.  Does that count?  I guess I should create an actual recipe for my mashed potatoes.  It's always a 'throw and go' dish with plenty of taste testing.  And I'm never hungry when it's time to eat dinner.   hmm...

I hope you enjoy this as much as we have!  Happy Thursday!


Crockpot Pork chops with Mashed Potatoes

What's for dinner? Pioneer Woman's Beef Stew with beer and paprika

Ok, ok.  I promise this is my last post today.  What can I say?? When you're on a roll...keep on truckin!


This was my first attempt at anything labeled "stew".  That word scares me.  Why?  Who knows.  Maybe because I'm afraid it will be bland and unworthy of the time put forth. 

But...holy Moses!  This was great!  "Pretty good" by Jake's standards...but he has a different scale than I do. 

I will admit I tweaked the recipe just a tad.  Only to add Jake's rib meat he smoked a few days prior.  That was a smart move.  It added a little smokey flavor that I will definitely be using again.  In lieu of Jake's smoked rib meat, I would just add some cumin, chili powder and maybe a dash of brown sugar. 

The only addition to this meal was crusty garlic bread!  Because you can't soak up yummy goodness with your finger. 

Here's the link...now go make some!!

Pioneer Woman's Beef Stew with Beer and Paprika

New Posts: "What's for Dinner?"

I have been thinking of telling the world about any dinners that turn out *yummy* but have been apprehensive about the entire endeavor.  So I'm jumping in!  Hope you can enjoy some of the many dishes I have tried and loved!

This is my plan: post a link to any recipe that Jake deems "pretty good" (which is hard to come by from a guy that eats Del Frisco's every other week...)  We'll see what happens!

Feel free to comment on any post!