Hot Tamales

1- Steam Mixture

1/2 c. Tomato Sauce
2-3 T. Salt
2T. Chili Powder
2T. Chili Seasoning
1/4-1/2 can rotel tomatoes
Water to cover tamales
Bring mixture to a boil.

2- Corn Meal Mixture

2-3 White Corn Meal
1 T. salt
Mix well & use to roll tamales in.

3-Meat Mixture

2 lbs. ground meat
2 med-lg. onions
1T. Salt
4 cloves garlic or 4 tsp.minced garlic
6T. Chili powder
2T. Chili seasoning mix(in packs)
1/2 c. Water
1/2 c. White corn meal
1 1/2 c. Tomato sauce
1/4-1/2 can rotel
50-75 tamale papers or about 40 coffee filters

Combine first 10 ingredients of meat mixture (blender onion, garlic, water, tomato sauce & rotel). Mix well with meat. Drop one tablespoon of meat mixture into cornmeal mixture and roll lightly, shaping into a roll about 2" long.place on paper and roll securely. Stack in pot. When finished rolling, pour steam mixture over tamales, cover & simmer for 1hr. & 15 min.
(if using tamale papers, soak in water and squeeze excess water out. Roll with paper grain going crosswise. Coffee filters do not need to be soaked. All I use now is coffee filters. They are much easier and cheaper.)

Light frappuccino

DIY Light Frappuccino Recipe
Enjoy a homemade version of Starbucks Light Frappuccino from the convenince of your own kitchen. Each low calorie frozen blended cappuccino has just 2 Points + per serving, making it an ideal frozen coffee fix f

or Weight Watchers Members.

Ingredients
2 tbsp instant coffee granules (regular or decaf)
2 tbsp fat free vanilla flavored coffee creamer, powdered
1/2 cup fat free milk
8-10 ice cubes
Instructions
Blend all ingredients together in a blender and process until smooth. If desired, sweeten with Splenda.

Preparation time: 2 minute(s)
________________________________________________________________________________

This is what I (Jill) made:
I just made this. It makes about 1 1/2-2 cups, I  used 1 c. Milk,  2 T. Instant coffee or Caffix ( coffee substitute),It was very good! I had liquid creamer and it wasn t sugar free. I also added 1 sweet n low & 1 equal, 1tsp. Vanilla, 1 c. Milk and 1 T. Cool whip at the end=215 calories

I made another to compare with usung: vanilla almond milk, 2T.Caffix (coffee stubstitue), 1tsp. Vanilla, 1 sweet n low, 1 equal, 8-10 ice cubes. Blend then put in cup, add 1T. Cool whip and stir a little= 115 calories.

Chick's Brownie Cupcakes

In heavy saucepan add:
 4 squares semi-sweet chocolate
 2 sticks margarine
 3/4 c. Pecans or walnuts
Melt together.
Add to:
 1 1/2 c. Sugar
 1 c. Flour (before adding vanilla, fluff sugar and flour with fork several times)
 1 tsp. vanilla, overflowing

Pour saucepan batch into dry ingredients and mix together. Add 4 eggs, adding one at a time and beating after each egg. Pour into muffin cups. Bake at 325 for 20-25 mins. ( don't overbake, the top should be crinkled)

Pecan Pie

1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c. Melted margarine or butter
Pastry for 10" pie (I use frozen)
3 eggs
1 c. dark corn syrup
1 1/2 c. Chopped or pecan halves
3/4 c. Sugar

Prepare pastry. Line 10" pan. Beat eggs and salt unit light and lemon colored. Beat in sugar a little at a time. Fold in melted butter and syrup and pecans. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake in preheated oven at 375 for 45-50 minutes, until set and pastry is browned. You may have to cover with foil at about 40 min. so crust doesn't burn while pie continues to bake or it may be runny inside. Let cool before eating.

30 years of marriage!

John and I have been married for 30 years (July 24, 1982)! Wow, it seems like it went by short and then again, it seems like we've been married forever. I'm married to the most positive person I know. He's truly the same all the time. (There is no private John Mahoney and public John Mahoney, or Christian at church and mean at home.)  It's been great living life with him! He also has no thought of one person being better than another. I've seen him in sooooo many situations that prove that. The downcast guy on the mission field is treated with the same respect as a patient in his office.  That is just some of the things I love about John.  He has lived up to his name: Gift from the Lord!
Some of the things I've learned and are still learning in marriage are:
 1-Don't put expectations on your spouse. No one has esp! Psalm 62:5 says "my soul, wait only upon God, for my expectation is from Him."
2- Give your spouse space to enjoy the things they want to learn about or do, but at the same time remember you are no longer single so don't put your interest ahead of your spouse/family. It's also important to communicate your plans with each other to see how it will work on the family calendar. (You are not asking permission, you are considering each other!)
3-Usually money only matters to one spouse more than the other so set up a reasonable budget: tithe, save, pay bills and also budget for  each to have money to spend like they want. John likes to fish and I like to garage sale and antique shop to find old things.( It's like a treasure hunt for me to find things I remember from my grandparents home). Four things about money: 1- if you don't get into debt, you will have much, much more freedom to live. 2-If you are in debt and you want to be free and you do all you can to get out, God will make a way, but there will be no explanation for how He does it except, Wow! He will make a way for you to be free way sooner than you think, if you do your part. 3-Each person spends money on what is important to them. It's  different for each person and it should be because we are different and we were raised different. So don't feel bad if you aren't comfortable or don't want to spend money on something that everyone else is. If it's not important to you than save for what is. 4-Last but definitely not least, tithe (give 10 %)  to the Lord. God can make 90%  go a lot further than 100%. It's His rules and He takes awfully good care of us! P.s. can you tell which of us is concerned about money? Lol My favorit book on money is "Debt Proof Living" by Mary Hunt. She also has a great little book called "Debt Proof Kids."
4-Pray about big decisions and be in agreement. Also, sleep over things, before being in a hurry. John and I always tell people that we need a night to sleep over a decision before buying something from them, if it's a costly item. (It's also a great excuse to leave "the rush to buy."
5-Learn the art of communication in a calm manner. This is definitely John's gifting, not mine. I would get mad, but not John, so you look mighty foolish being in a one person argument! Proverbs 15:1 says "a soft answer turns away wrath." This is also great when dealing with children.
6-in the book ' "The 5 Love Languages" it explains each persons primary love language. It's worth reading to find out your spouses love language (you can get it from the library). Try to do something everyday in their love language. Normally, you do what you want done to you, but that s not necessarily their primary love language. Example: I like quality time or acts of service. John likes physical touch. Giving John a hug means more to him than folding his clothes (even though that needs to be done too), but for me, visiting and drinking coffee with me means more than a hug. Just something to think about and work toward. It's esteeming the other more than yourself.
7-For sex, read "Sheet Music" by Kevin Leman.  It covers pretty much everything.
8-On raising children, be on the same page and if you are not, don't let your kids know. You were raised differently so the best answer you can give your child is,"We will talk about it and get back with you."  You two discuss the pros and cons of how things will work best in your household. You will make mistakes and grow like the rest of the world, but there is one thing for certain: you are doing the best you can for your child and no one will ever love your child more than you! Always pray for wisdom, your spouse, and for each child. A great book on child rearing is "Making Kids Mind Without Losing Yours" again by Kevin Leman. I like that guy!
9- You don't have to do everything. (I'm preaching to myself, actually for all of this! lol)  Like my friend always says: Don't sweat the small stuff! Everything is the small stuff! Make sure you have a family night or day each week just to be together. Turn off all electronic, play a game, have a picnic on the living room floor, set the table like for company, visit,take a walk, build a inside tent, etc. if you die the things you do will get done by somebody so just relax and enjoy the journey with your family. Try to find a common interest you can all do together. One of my all time favorite little books I read every year is "Living the Simple Life" by Elaine St. James. It's a great yearly reminder for me!
10-Have friends over!  It makes for a great environment and heritage for your children.Most folks, including me, don't want to have people over because the house is dirty (I had to get over that or we would never have company or my family would hate me from stress.) Anyway, some years back I heard about the flylady.net. It's a free website for people who live in chaos (can't have anyone over syndrome). She also has a book called "Sink Reflections" that has great tips for keeping things in order (if only I would just do them!)
You can invite folks over for coffee, tea or play a game or just visit. You don't  even have to offer food, but popcorn and pink lemonade are pretty easy and cheap! (10lbs. of Pancake mix and a gallon of syrup from Sam's can feed a small army for about $12.)  You get to know people and spread and receive joy!

Blessings for the Lord on your journey thru life!

Homeschooling Chapter Has Come To An End

 It has been a great 22 year ride! I have done life with my six awesome children, what more could a mom ask for!  I will forever be grateful to God for changing John and my life and giving us the opportunity to have children and  to home school them. I feel it was an huge, awesome gift!  Of course it  had its ups and downs, but the benefits that we have seen far surpass the downsides. One thing, in which I am very grateful, is that peer pressure didn't squeeze their life and individuality out of them. We've had flexibility in our schedule for vacations, individual interest pursuits, field trips, mission trips, etc.  Our children are best friends with each other. They are all creative in their own way and have a wide variety of interest which include  writing, camping, music( piano, bass, accordian, violin, harp, cello, harmonica, guitar, tamborine), knitting, designing, sewing, painting, photography, researching, cooking, telling stories, second hand saling, drawing, dancing, teaching, reading, hospitality, videography, biking, all water activities, ballet, animals, traveling, hanging with friends, friends and more friends and host of other things. There is never a dull moment when they are all around. John has traveled quite a bit with them. He started when they were born and isn't about to stop now! We camped a lot when they were younger so most trips were done camping. They went on several missions trips also. We've had an assortment of animals along the way, depending on who was into what: dogs, cats, snakes, sugar glider, hamster, rabbit, raccoons, squirrels, baby owl, little critters, and a couple of friendly alligator visitors.
I could list a lot of downsides, also, but I won't! Lol (Find out for yourself or ask my children!)  They are all educated so that is accomplished. Actually, they are really good at learning on their own and continue to do just that!
Now I will start the next chapter, not sure where it will lead, but I do hope it includes children of all ages and of course, lots of grandchildren! Hint, hint!

Chick's Cinnamon Sticks

1loaf bread, air dried. Cut off sides & cut into 4 equal slices.
4-5 sticks unsalted butter, melted in small skillet. Let cool slightly.
Dip one slice of bread at a time on all sides & place on cookie sheet.
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top of each slice, as much as you like.
Bake 25 min. In a 325 degree oven on center rack.
Let cool thoroughly before removing from pan. You might needa spatula.
Place in an air tight container. Keeps for several days.

Chicken Tetrazzini

Chicken Tetrazzini

8T. Margarine
8T. Flour
2 c. Chicken broth ( you can use bouillion cubes or broth)
1 c. Milk
8 oz. jalapeño Monterey jack cheese
2-3 boneless chicken breast, cut in bite size pieces-season with tony' or slap your mama
Tony's, salt & pepper
Parmesan cheese
16 oz.angel hair pasta or whatever you like (cook according to directions)
Melt margarine, add flour and stir a few minutes. Add chicken broth, milk and cheese ( cut in small pieces so it will melt faster). Let cheese melt then add chicken and seasoning, let cook about 10-15 min. Put pasta in greased baking pan. Pour sauce over pasta and spread to cover all noodles.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake @ 375 for about 30 min.


You can also serve it like an Alfredo sauce. Keep the noodles and sauce separate and let folks take pasta and put sauce on top as they are serving.

Another was it to serve in fondue pot and have tortellini noodles on skewers and dip into pot. You can put 2 noodles on each skewer. You can put chicken in sauce or leave it out.

Jambalaya (Lonie strikes again!)

This is a recipe for about 25. You can multiply or divide it:

6-8 lbs of meat (pork, sausage or chicken)
Marinate pork night before in garlic, salt & red pepper, optional)
2 lbs onions
2 bell peppers
2 T minced garlic
2.5 oz soup base or bouillion
2 oz kitchen bouquet
1/2 gal. Water
2 1/2-3 lbs rice
Tony's, salt to taste

Brown meat real good. Add veges and cook for a while. Add soup base, water and kitchen bouquet, stir and cover. Let cook for a couple of hours stirring occasionally. Cook rice separately and Mix before serving.

Jambalaya ratio:
Item: Multiply _______ X amount of people = total
Meat. 0.25 lbs. X amount of people (my suggestion is 3:1 pork to sausage)
Onions(lbs) 0.1 lbs X amt. of people
Bell peppers 0.06 peppers X amt. of people
Rice (lbs). 0.11 lbs X amt. of people
Kitchen bouquet 0.08 oz. X amt. of people
Garlic, minced 0.04 T. X amt. of people
Soup base 0.1 oz. X amt. of people
Water (gal.) 0.02 gal. X amt. of people

Roach poison recipe (not for people to eat only roaches!)

1/2 c. Flour
1/2 small onion, minced (or 1/8 c. Onion powder)
1/4 c. Bacon grease
8 oz. boric acid (or roach and bug killer from
Dollar general that's 100% boric acid)
1/8 c. Sugar
Water to make soft dough

Mix all dry ingredients, then add bacon grease.
Add water a little at a time then form into small
Balls.

It works for 1-2 years!

If your house is on piers, put roach on sill
Under house and also in attic. If on slab find places
Around the outsid of your house to put poison that
Will be out of the rain. Inside home, put in out of
The way places like back of cabinets, behind toilet,
Washer & dryer, back of beds and sofa, etc.
It

Best soup Ever! Crawfish & Corn Maque Choux Soup

(it's like corn and crab bisque)
Put following ingredients in a rice pot:
1 can sweet cream corn
1 can whole kernel corn, undrained
3/4-1 can rotel tomatoes
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic or 4 tsp minced garlic
1 stick butter or margarine, chopped
Creole seasonings (Tony's or Slap Your Mama)
1/2 lb. crawfish tails
1/4-1/2 container crab meat
(you can use whatever seafood or
Amount you want.
Stir and close pot and cook.
When done, add:
1 pint (2 cups) half & half
Stir, cover and let it stand
Heating for 10 mins. Before serving.

Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

2- 14 oz. artichoke hearts,drained and coarsely chopped
2- 8 oz. cream cheese (room temp.)
3 boxes or 1- 28 oz. bag frozen chopped spinach(thawed and drained)
1/2 c.  helllman's mayo
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. parmesan cheese (shredded or grated)
1 c. mozzarella cheese
Mozzarella cheese to sprinkle on top
1/2 capful of lemon jc.
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp basil
garlic, salt, and tony's

Spray pan.
Cream together: cream cheese, mayo, and sour cream.
Add cheeses, seasoning, garlic, and lemon juice.
Add: drained spinach and artichokes and mix well.
Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake @ 350 for 25min.

Week 1 Recipes

MONDAY

Fajitas

3 Chicken breast, cut in bite size pieces, seasoned with whatever you like

Sauté together:

1-2 onions

Bell peppers, any color

You can cook the chicken with veges or pan fry them separate.

Warm tortilla on both sides in skillet

Add chicken and veges to tortilla then toppings and roll it up and enjoy!

Toppings:

Sour cream, picante, cheese , etc

TUESDAY

Taco Soup

This is so good. It s from weight watcher s

1 lb ground meat, brown and drain off grease

Add 1 chopped onion and cook a little while

Add to pot (including juices in all cans)

4 T or one pack of hidden valley ranch dressing mix

4T or one pack of taco seasoning mix.

1can of black beans w/ juices

1 can of kidney beans w/juices

1 can of white beans w/juices (one of my girls doesn t like beans too much so I buy the blue runner creole cream style)

1 can Rotel

1can tomato sauce

1can diced tomatoes

1can whole corn w/juices

1 can water

Seasoning to taste

Cook about an hour

(If you need more just add another can of beans, tomato sauce or whatever)

You can have sandwiches with it and fruit salad.

WEDNESDAY

Chicken Enchildas

12-15 flour tortillas

1-2 Lg. cans Enchildas sauce

16 oz. sharp cheddar cheese

8 oz. cream cheese. (Or any of the cheeses you like)

8 oz velvetta

1 onion finely chopped

Warm tortillas in skillet turning so both sides are warm. Dip tortillas in sauce then put cheeses and onions in tortilla. Fold in sides then roll and place in casserole dish with seams down. Cover all Enchildas with remaining sauce and sprinkle with cheddar cheese on top and a little rotel(optional). Bake @ 350 for 20-25 min.

Serve with Spanish rice (they sell little bags of it by the rice) and Refried beans (heat beans, add picante sauce and salt), picante and chips.

I loved it, John would just prefer all cheddar, the more the better-lol!

THURSDAY

Chicken Tetrazzini

8T. Margarine

8T. Flour

2 c. Chicken broth ( you can use bouillion cubes or broth)

1 c. Milk

8 oz. jalapeño Monterey jack cheese

2-3 boneless chicken breast, cut in bite size pieces-season with tony' or slap your mama

Tony's, salt & pepper

Parmesan cheese

16 oz.angel hair pasta or whatever you like (cook according to directions)

Melt margarine, add flour and stir a few minutes. Add chicken broth, milk and cheese ( cut in small pieces so it will melt faster). Let cheese melt then add chicken and seasoning, let cook about 10-15 min. Put pasta in greased baking pan. Pour sauce over pasta and spread to cover all noodles.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake @ 375 for about 30 min.

You can also serve it like an Alfredo sauce. Keep the noodles and sauce separate and let folks take pasta and put sauce on top as they are serving.

Another way to serve:in fondue pot and have tortellini noodles on skewers and let folks dip skewer into pot. You can put several noodles on each skewer. You can put chicken in sauce or leave it out. It is nice for a party.

You can serve broccoli with it.

FRIDAY

Red Beans and Rice

1 lb camellia beans

1 onion, chopped

Garlic, minced

Tony's, Tabasco, salt,whatever you likez

1lb smoked sausage, sliced thin

Tasso (it's a smoked pork), cut in bite size pieces

Soak beans overnight or bring them to a boil and dump water and start again.

Add all ingredients and cook for about 2 hrs. Add tonys, salt and Tabasco about half way thru. Someone said adding salt slows down cooking time. Not sure if it's true or not.

Serve with rice,jiffy cornbread and coleslaw.

Jalapeño Cornbread (it's a modified version of Mrs. Eula Mae's Dore')

3 boxes jiffy cornbread

1/2 c. Vege oil

2 eggs

1 c.milk

A few jalapeño slices, chopped fine

1 can cream corn

Handful of cheddar cheese

Add all ingredients and bake in a greased 9 x 12 pan. I can't remember the time, so keep checking after 20 min.until top is a little brown and toothpick comes out clean.

Coleslaw

Cabbage-in bag already grated of buy a head and grate it yourself

Add salt, mayo and Italian dressing.

Dena adds a little zatarain's creole mustard-hers was the best I've ever eaten. When I find the recipe, I'll update.

SATURDAY

Grilled Chicken Breast

Just marinate 3-4 chicken breast and grill on pit.

You can use Italian dressing and or seasonings or one of the marinates in a bottle.

You can also cut breast lengthwise to get the same thickness and grill for a shorter amt. of time.

Sometimes the edges dry out while the thicker part cooks.

You can also grill some veges with it like: zucchini slices. Asparagus, squash, etc

Macaroni and Cheese ( from Mel-this is some of my childrens favorite, but only from Aunt Mel)

16 oz elbow macroni-boil

Melt: 1 stick margarine and 1 lb. velvetta

In deep casserole dish add:

Cooked noodles, 1 egg, and salt, mix well

Add cheese and butter mixture, stir and make sure each noodle is coated.

Add enough milk to look like cereal, just stir a little once milk is in.

Baked covered for 45 min. And uncovered for 15 min. @ 350

(the secret is a high sided dish and lots of noodles)

SUNDAY

Brisket (from Michael Berry)

Brisket, cut fat off

Marinate all day in Italian dressing and Tony's

At night put brisket in a pan covered with tin foil with a few fork holes in foil

Cook all night on 200.

In the morning, take brisket out, slice it and drizzle BBQ sauce on it.

Cover and put back in 200 oven until lunch. Yummy!

You can marinate all night and cook all day, also.

It's a great meal for Sunday!

Rice Dressing (from T Rit)

Simoneauds rice dressing mix

Little roux, about 2 T.

Onion and seasoning

Put dressing mix in pot. Add chopped onion, little roux and salt and tony's.

Cook for about an hour.

Cook 2-3 rice separately. Mix rice in dressing a little at a time and season accordingly.

I usually cook the dressing mix on Saturday so on Sunday morning I just have to cook rice and heat up dressing mix.

Lonie's Green Beans

Frozen cut and whole green beans

Put some olive oil in pan with 2-4 tsp minced garlic.

Add green beans and cook til green beans soften and turn brown.

If you cover them, it cooks faster.

Week 1-done! Hope you enjoy meals with your family and friends and folks you just met!

Italian-Style Chicken Rolls

4 chicken breast, cut lengthwise in two

Swiss cheese for each roll

Slice of turkey, ham or pepperoni for each roll

2 tsp paprika

Breadcrumbs

Parmesan cheese

1tsp garlic salt

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp basil

4 T or more of melted margarine

( I don t measure seasonings, I just shake a few shakes in bowl)

Preheat oven to 350. Layer on each ch. breast: cheese and ham, turkey or pepperoni.

Roll and secure with toothpick. Mix bread crumbs & dry seasonings together in bowl and mix. Dip chicken in butter; roll in crumb mixture to coat. Place rolls seam sides down in baking dish. Bake for 25 min. Or until chicken is cooked through and golden brown.

Soups

Tomato Basil Soup

Melt:

1 stick margarine

Sautee onion and garlic

Add 1/2 c. Flour

Stir well

Add:

2 cans diced tomatoes

1/2 can rotel

2 cans tomato sauce

Some chopped tomatoes, optional

2 cans chicken broth

Slap your mama or Tony's, black pepper, basil

Simmer for one hour

Add 1/2 c. Heavy cream or half&half and cook a little longer

Enjoy!

Broccoli & Cheese

1 can cream of mushroom

1 can cream of potato or whatever cream one you want

1 box of frozen broccoli of fresh, steam

8oz. Of velvetta, cheddar or Jalapino cheese

2 cans milk ( it s one can of milk for each can of soup)

Staple am broccoli. Add soups, cheese, & milk to pot and let melt.

Continue to stir so cheese doesn t burn. Add broccoli, season and serve.

Chicken and Rice Soup (from C.T., my father-in-law)

Boil chicken and all ingredients together for an hour except rice

one chicken or chicken pieces

Sliced carrots

3 stalks celery, chopped

2 chicken bouillion cubes

Tabasco

1 onion

Italian seasoning

Salt & pepper

Worcestershire sauce (about 3 shakes)

Boil chicken and ingredients together for an hour. Taken chicken out and add 3/4 reg. measuring cup of rice. Cook for about 30 mins, pot uncovered on soft boil. While rice is cooking, debone chicken. Put chicken back in when rice is done and season to your tasting.

If you prefer noodles, you can substitute them for rice to make chicken noodle. You can add cream of chicken soup to make it a little thicker, if you prefer that consistency.

French Onion Soup (from Uncle George Mahoney, John's uncle)

Sauté 2 onions in on stick of butter or margarine

When onions are clearish add

About 6-8 c. Chicken broth

1 envelope of Lipton onion soup mix

Cook a while then turn off.

The next step has two ways of doing it:

1: toast slice of French bread

Put soup in bowl

Put French bread floating on top of soup

Top with a slice of Swiss cheese and sprinkle Parmesan cheese

Microwave about 30 sec.

Or

2: toast French bread

Put soup in bowl that can go in oven

Top with Swiss and Parmesan cheese and put in 350 til cheese melts.

Mmmmmm good...

8 weeks of Menus

So my main purpose for this blog was to write weeks of menus with recipes, but don't know when that will happen so I will start on the menus:

Week 1:

Mon: Fajita's, Salad

Tues: Taco Soup, Sandwiches

Wed: Cheese Enchiladas, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice

Thur: Chicken Tetrazzini, Brocolli

Fri: Red Beans, Rice, Cornbread, Coleslaw

Sat: Grilled Chicken Breast, Macaroni & Cheese, Salad

Sun: Brisket, Rice Dressing, Green Beans, Bread

Week 2

Mon: Wok veges with chicken

Tues: Chicken cacciatore soup with pita sandwiches

Wed: Flank steak, baked pan potatoes, salad

Thur: Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, broccoli

Fri: Chili with Fritos, cheese, and crackers

Sat: Honey Mustard chicken wraps (chicken made in slow cooker)

Sun: Chicken curry with condiments

Week 3:

Mon: Chicken and Goodies

Tues French onion soup, Po Boys, Layered Salad

Wed: Pizza Bread, Fruit Slices

Thur: Lemon Chicken Wings, White Spaghetti w/Bread Crumbs, Green Peas

Fri: Taco Salad w/cheese, chips, s. cream, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa

Sat: BBQ chicken w/corn on cob ( all in slow cooker)

Sun: Chicken Alfredo w/Tortellini, Lonie's Green Beans & Salad, Bread

Week 4:

Mon: Etoufee', Ceasar Salad, Peas

Tues: Chicken & Rice Soup, Chick's Chicken Salad on Pita or Croissant, BBQ chips

Wed: Roast, Rice & Gravy, Corn

Thur: Hot Tamales, Coleslaw, Jiffy or Jalapino Cornbread

Fri: Gumbo, Rice, Potato Salad, Bread

Sat: Grilled Fish, zucchini & eggplant (marinate veges in Italian dressing before grilling)

Sun: Lasagna, Corn, Salad

Week 5:

Mon: Stuffed Green Bell Peppers, salad, Sliced Fruit

Tues: Tomato Basil Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Wed: Homemade Pizza

Thur: Italian-Style Chicken Rolls,Garlic Oven Potatoes, Broccoli, Breadsticks

Fri: Hamburgers & Hot Dogs

Sat: Rigatoni, raw veges marinated in Italian dressing

Sun: Baked Turkey Breast, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans

Week 6:

Mon: Chicken Pasta with artichokes, Carrot Salad

Tues: Broccoli and Cheese Soup, Turkey & Spinach in Pita with honey mustard dressing

Wed: Roasted Chicken, little Boiled Potatoes, roasted Carrots

Thu: Stuffed Quesadilla, Guacamole with Chips and salsa

Fri: Jambalaya, String Beans, Salad

Sat: Mrs. Liz's Fish Almondine, Pasta Salad, Corn on Cob

Sun: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad, Bread

Week 7:

Mon: Taco Ring w/guacamole, sour cream & chips

Tues: Vegetable Soup, Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwiches

Wed: Five Cheese Ravioli (found in frozen section) w/Ragu Sauce, Broccoli, Fruit Salad

Thur: Shish-a-bobs, potatoes, Chick's Sumi Salad

Fri: BBQ Beef (slow cooker), Buns, Corn on Cob, Salad

Sat: Smothered Cabbage & Sliced Smoked Sausage cooked in Rice cooker, Raw Veges w/ranch

Sun: Lonie's Chicken Pasta w/Bowtie Noodles, Salad

Week 8:

Mon: Black Bean Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries (baked)

Tues: Russell's Potato Soup,

Wed: Chicken Parmesan over Angel Hair Pasta, Ceasar Salad

Thur: Baked Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes, Fruit Salad

Fri: Crawfish&Corn Maque Choux Soup(like bisque), spinach & mozzarella pita pizza

Sat: Sautéed Onions then add Shrimp over Angel Hair Pasta, Broccoli

Sun: Pork Lion Ribs or spareribs, Cheesy Corn Grits, Green Beans

My overall goal was to have:

Mon & Sat-something kind of easy

Tues-soup

Fri-Something that feeds extra folks

Sun-Something that I can start the day before or easy to put together before church and it has to

feed extra folks

If don't cook each day, just cook it the next week.

Another way I've heard to make menus is

Mon- Italian

Tues- Mexican

Wed-Cajun

Thurs-Chinese

Fri-American

Sat-Thai

Sun-French

Breakfast ideas:

Cereal

Oatmeal

Grits

Fruit

Yogurt

Granola

Biscuits

Eggs

French Toast

Cinnamon Toast

Hope you enjoy many, many meals with your family and friends!!!!!