TGIF!

We have barely survived the week back into real life after the holidays.  So tired! Mixed with growth spurt and multiple wake ups and having to get the 8 year old to school, this week has been busy! Today I am volunteering in the classroom, picking up a Target Drive Up order, and preparing for the horror of snow/cold/whatever that is coming our way, which is funny when right now it is 48 degrees????

My favorite picture from the week:

The high of my week was volunteering in the school library! My mom officially retired at the end of the year and in January she's hanging with Adeline a few times so I can volunteer at the elementary school again! This week I was in the library on Tuesday and then helped put together the Friday Folders in the 3rd grade class.  Next week I am going to volunteer in the library again.

The low of my week was lack of sleep and an 8 year old who apparently has forgotten how to listen and follow directions! OH MY LORD.

Meal plan for the week was  so for 2020 I am trying to get back into meal planning a month ahead.  This has always helped us safe money on groceries and it makes me less crazy than asking weekly what people want for dinner.  I'm also trying to use one of our cookbooks a month, going through it and trying recipes from them.  If we decided we like nothing from the cookbook, might as well get rid of it! Especially since we get most of our 'new' recipes from the internet! For January, I'm using my Rachael Ray 30 minute Meals Cookbook.

Monday -  Chili for Veg Heads aka Vegetarian Chili topped with tortilla chips, cheese and sour cream   (This is pretty much the recipe I used.  I got it from her cookbook that ive had for a gazillion years.  We used 1 red pepper, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 tablespoon 1 cumin, half an onion diced, I used beef broth, left a few seeds of the jalepeno in, and used regular vegetarian refried beans) My 8 year old liked it but said she'd only eat it if she had sour cream because it was just a bit spicy for her.

Tuesday -  Italian Mini Meat Loaves, mac and cheese (kraft not the recipe here) and a salad ( ANOTHER family winner.  My 8 year old ate about half of her mini loaf and said she'd try another meat loaf that had cheese in it.  My husband loved it and I felt for a meat loaf, it was pretty good.  No sauce needed.)

Wednesday - Garlic Roast Chicken (this recipe calls for 6 garlic cloves and the cookbook calls for 4)  and mashed potatoes --- this was just okay

Thursday -  Meatball subs, refried bean dip w/ chips 

Friday - Chili and baked potatoes

The best money I spent was on lunch with my mom? She watched Adeline on Tuesday and we split a salad and sandwich from a local restaurant.  So yummy.

What I’m listening to back logged podcasts.  Especially ones dealing with Iran.  Ugh.

What I’m watching Hallmark movies that I didn't watch before the holiday!

What I’m reading: The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams

My plans for the weekend include wondering if the weather is going to be as horrible as they are making it sound.  Our taco dinner with friends got rescheduled AGAIN and Isla and her friend are supposed to be models for a local studios camera class.

What are you watching/reading/listening to?