Meal Plan Monday - Week 18

Last week flew by. I don't know where the time went. The weather in Florida was wonderful. We didn't get to do everything that I had wanted to, but realistically I was there to see and spend time with a friend who learned just before her 40th birthday that she is pregnant with her first. She doesn't have a ton of emotional support at the moment as she is planning on going this alone, so it was good to just be there and spend some time with her.

I did get to spend quite a bit of time hanging at the pool and catching up on some reading, something I feel like I don't get to do enough of at home, but I really need to make more time to do it. I finished The Hunger Games trilogy and started on 50 Shade of Grey trilogy. I loved The Hunger Games trilogy, and it is not something that I would normally read. We did see the movie after I had finished the first book as well, loved it.

We had a few changes in plans for the weekend. I really just wanted to be home this weekend, spend time with my little Stella cat who missed me dearly, and catch up on some things at home.

Friday night we had friends M & C over for dinner. I made blue cheese mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli and cauliflower and braised short ribs. I had never made them before and had been wanting to try them. They turned out fantastic, we all absolutely loved them and the flavor was superb. I used this recipe and just cooked it in my Le Crueset for about 4 1/2 hours in the oven at 250. I found some chocolate cups at the grocery store, filled them with vanilla pudding and topped them with a strawberry for dessert.

Saturday night my parents came over for dinner. I grilled some steaks and froze my tushy off. It was SO cold I could see my breath outside! Dinner was good though and it was good to see my mom and dad. For dessert I made homemade cream puffs (which were so easy to make) and used up the rest of the vanilla pudding, topping them with whipped topping, fresh strawberries and a drizzle of chocolate.

Sunday I tried to motivate myself to get stuff done at home, but it wasn't easy. I had a very cuddly kitty to contend with as well as the fact that I just wanted to stay curled up in my chair in my office reading. I did get out and run some errands. Picked up some spring and summer work items as well as my mandatory once a summer pair of black flip flops. It seems as though I got through at least a pair a year since they are my go to flip flops for everything.

This week I need to focus on some projects at home. I need to get the pantry cleaned out, the laundry room cleaned out and my summer clothes put away. We are going to get some errands done today after work, hoping to drop some things off at Turn Style. I took some items into Clothes Mentor before I left for FL and they bought 22 pieces at $82. My mom tsk tsk'ed it, but realistically, while I know I have expensive clothes, I usually just wind up donating them, so at least I am getting something for them.

Here is what this week looks like!

Monday
Plans - Errands, if it gets to late, we may just grab something while we are out, but otherwise I am going to make Skinny Mac and Cheese Soup (I know I have everything at home for this, and I know it will be easy to whip up).
Dinner - See above

Tuesday
Plans - Working from home, focusing on getting my list of chores accomplished. Believe it or not, I still need to unpack my bag from Florida!
Dinner - Out, Northeast Social

Wednesday
Plans - Home, working on more of that list
Dinner - Pork Chop Parmigiana

Thursday
Plans - Haircut, can't wait, it has been a few weeks. . . First Thursday HH, I am one of the hosts, should be fun!
Dinner - Out at BLVD

Friday
Plans - Home
Dinner - Tacos, gearing up for Cinco de Mayo

Saturday
Plans - Hopefully it will be nice enough to work out in the yard, with a Margarita!
Dinner - Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas, Taco salad, Strawberry Basil Sangria

Sunday
Plans - HOPEFULLY more working in the yard. . . .it is also the season finale of The Amazing Race, so we are hoping our parents will be coming over for Brats on the grill.
Dinner - Brats, baked beans, chips and dip, pasta salad - keeping it easy.

For more meal plans, and links to recipes, check out the orgjunkie!