Menu Planning - February 2 - 8, 2013

I finally feel like I have a handle on our meal planning.  I created a board (it's called 2013 Meals) on Pinterest for menu planning.   After I decide what we're having, either from Pins or family favorites or new recipes, I write down it down on paper and write the ingredients needed to purchase.    Then, I go to the store.  Our grocery bill has decreased.  Our eating out has decreased (except for this week, but these are planned meals out and not an "Oh what's for dinner?")

Saturday -  Leftovers for lunch and dinner with family, I took a Chocolate Sheet Cake.

Sunday -   Chilli - it's Superbowl Sunday

Monday - Squash Mac & Cheese  and a salad

Tuesday - Uncle Meaty pizza from Armand's for S & the boys (it's T's birthday and I am working 2-8)

Wednesday - Sausage and Bean Soup with Pasta

Thursday -  Out for T's birthday dinner at Texas Roadhouse (family tradition usually on their birthday)

Friday - Skinny Slow Cooked Pernil (Puerto Rican Pork)

And so planning begins for next week.  I'm glad this week's grocery store trip was small (I did not have to purchase any meat because I planned around the freezer) because next week's will include a family dinner and the birthday boy has not decided what he wants other than lemon bars, lemon cake and mousse. 

The Greatest of these is LOVE...

The second reading at Mass today was 1 Corinthians 12:21 -13:13.   The verse is very special to me and my husband.  We used this reading as our 2nd reading at our Wedding Mass.  The verse was chosen because of the words and how beautiful it was, not for what it truly means.  

The priest presiding over our Mass today took those words and put the in a different perspective.   We all know that God is Love.    So look at the verse again but change the word love to God:

"God is patient, God is kind.
He is not jealous, He is not pompous,
He is not inflated, He is not rude,
God does not seek his own interests,
He is not quick-tempered, He does not brood over injury,
He does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
God bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

God never fails."

He then asked us to use this verse as an examination of conscience and to ask ourselves are we living out this verse as God lives out this verse.   And here is how that would look:

1. Am I patient? 
2. Am I kind?
3. Am I or have I been Jealous?
4. Am I or have I been rude?
5. Am I pompous?
6. Am I inflated? 
7. Do I only do things that will benefit me?
8. Am I quick tempered?
9. Do I rejoice over wrongdoing? 
10. Can I bear all things, believe all things, hope all things and endure all things?

I teared up as I realized that to answer these questions honestly, I had to honestly say "No".   I am not living this verse/my life as God intended.  Change is not easy, but sometimes necessary.   I find myself not being patient or kind with the boys.    I should be rejoicing in the time we have together and the time spent on homework and housework and cooking.    But many days, I am not, I'm angry, upset and definitely not patient.  

Time for some small, simple changes for us.  

I'm reading Cleaning House by Kay Wills Wyma.   Why am I reading it?  Because I need to rid my home of youth entitlement.     Yep, I admit...my kids are spoiled and do very little for themselves.   My hopes are that by teaching the boys how to help me (do for themselves), I will be raising them into young men that can care for themselves.  


I'm also participating in the Let. It. Go. online bible study that is being hosted by Melissa Taylor.   Signing up for this was last minute...like in, the study starts today and I signed up yesterday.  Thank goodness the book was available for Kindle. 

Wendy