Meal Planning that Changes Every Time the Wind Blows

Whether you live in Texas or not, you've most likely heard about our run of triple digit temps for the last couple of months.  For this reason you will know why I shout with joy that today....

"I turned the air conditioner off and opened up all of the windows!"

The breeze was a beautiful sound as it rustled the leaves of our trees, causing many to flutter to the ground.  Yes...it even looks like fall.  (I'm ignoring the fact that the brown leaves falling to the ground are actually dead leaves dried up from lack of water...work with me here...I'm grasping for thoughts of cool weather and fall like days so soon after the close of Labor Day Weekend! *grin*)

Of course, the first thing that comes to my mind when the windows fly open and the breezes prevail over artificially conditioned air is....

...what shall I make for dinner?!

Now, if I were the meal planner I used to be, this would be a problem.  Years ago I took great pride in my carefully planned menus, often set in stone weeks in advance.  During that time, I would have planned salads and cool weather recipes for this week, since September in Texas is understood to be just a continuation of the grueling August heat.

Ahhhh...but I have changed (who says old dogs can't learn new tricks!)

My menu planning is very flexible and often done just a few days at a time. That said, I had actually set my menu plan for this week a few days earlier, but this is not. a. problem.!  Let me share with you a glimpse of my flexible (albeit crudely crafted) menu planning system.

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The small sticky notes going down the right side of our family calendar is our 'meal plan'.  Here is what it looked like for this week....

The rows of sticky notes attached to the yellow gingham paper to the left of the family calendar are all of the meals I have to choose from.

Each week  I  go to the sticky notes on the gingham paper and choose what sounds good for the next 7-14 days.  I have the sticky notes organized into categories, like Slow Cooker, Family Favorites, Quick and Easy, Soups and Stews, No Cooking / Salads, etc...

The sticky notes are handwritten menus.  (no...I don't have a resource for tiny sticky notes...but I'd like to!  Mine are cut down from normal sized sticky notes) Each one is a meal the family has had before and would like to have again.  However, there is another category called 'Something New' where I will create and post new sticky notes with recipes I find that I'd like to try.  If they like it...it goes to a permanent category.  If they don't...it's tossed in the trash!

So today, when the weather changed to 'open window weather', I easily switched Raspberry Chicken Tossed Salad with Taco Soup and tomorrow we might even forgo the Ceasar Salad with Chicken and choose Slow Cooker Chili instead.

I love flexibility in meal planning!

Another favorite perk of this system I have is the family participation.  First..I rarely hear the words 'what's for dinner' anymore.  They all know right where to look.  And it's not unusual for child #4 (the 16 y/o boy) to be seen standing at the calendar and heard asking 'can we switch and have xxxx tonight instead'.

"Why certainly!" I reply with glee, happy to have input from those that must endure enjoy whatever meal I plop down in front of them.

Before you go, there is one more tip for this type of flexible meal planning.

KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE ON HAND!

This is where my freezer inventory comes in hand.

like this? want this? see link after signature line and you too can download and print for YOUR freezer!

This hangs on my freezer where I can keep track of what I have on hand.  I shop and stock by what is on sale at the grocery...so my meals are planned around what I have stocked.

...and as you can see here, I even have one package of stew meat in the freezer. Hmmmm...maybe stew this week!  Yummy Fall Flavors!!!

The items with no marks mean they are items my family enjoys but we are out and I'm waiting for a sale!

This leads me to one more category on my yellow gingham board... 'need ingredients'.

If a meal in any category requires something I don't have on hand, it gets moved to this column until my freezer / fridge or pantry is restocked.

So how do you plan your meals?
One day at a time?
Only when someone asks 'what's for dinner'?
A week at a time/ 2 weeks/ a month?

Do tell by hitting the comment link and sharing.  It's fun to see how many different ways it's done and to find comrades who plan (or NOT) the same way.  You might even have an idea we all want to steal!  So don't be shy.  Either way, be sure to say hello even if you don't want to linger and chat!

BTW...I'm hooking up with Menu Plan Monday so click over to see some other menu planning ideas!

God Bless and Keep You,

Here is the link I promised to that freezer list.  It's pinned on my Pinterest board, along with another inventory list I also like.
Do you Pin?  If not...you should try it.  It's fun!  If you do...give me a follow and I'll follow back if you like.

Source: littlebirdhouse.wordpress.com via Tami on Pinterest

Coffee Treats without 'Coughing' Up the Cash

Our family has been enjoying a special treat this summer.  I don't know if the unending Texas temps of 100+ degrees or the drastic budget cuts of a double-unemployed household drove us to adopt this summer sipping sensation, but it is a new family favorite that my boys can now add to their list of 'recipes they can make when mom isn't home to help'.  (this is one of my checklist goals for my 3 boys ~kitchen skills)

This frothy, iced coffee treat is super simple to make and costs pennies compared to the similar drinks found at your local coffee shop.  Here's what you need:

• Brewed coffee (make it strong!)
• Half and Half  OR Heavy Cream (you decide how decadent it needs to be!)
• Caramel and/or Chocolate syrup
• Ice
• Cup or container with a lid

Using a two cup liquid measuring cup, pour in 3-4 ounces of half and half or creamer




I love these liquid measuring cups that have the measurements on the inside!

Make it according to taste.  If you like it creamier, add more.  We usually make ours with half and half...but there are 'those days' when I am drawn to the carton of heavy whipping cream.  (you know those days...right!)

Now add 2-4 tablespoons of either chocolate or caramel sauce...OR BOTH!

My favorite coffee house drink is the caramel machiatto, so that's what I usually go for.  However, the boys like the mocha version better and I may have been known to do both!

Then top it off with 1/2 to 3/4 cup coffee.

Note: the coffee coming out of the maker for this particular batch is a little weak.  Not sure who made that pot, (*ahem*) but the liquid streaming from the spout is a little too 'transparent brown' if you ask me!  Strong coffee is recommended because you are diluting it with a lot of other things. 

You can make this with those instant coffee packets that are popular these days too...but those can get expensive.  I like the budget version better.

TIP:  I like to make a full pot of coffee in the morning, even though we will only go through 1/2 the pot (as long as hubby is not home to chain drink all day *grin*).  Later in the afternoon, when we all need that caffeinated 'push',  the coffee is there and ready to use.  No need to make a fresh pot. 

This mixture is now ready to be poured into a large glass filled with iced.  I really like using those cups with lids and straws that are popular these days.  I can pour the liquid over the ice, put the top on without the straw, put my finger over the straw hole and shake!

Yes, you can just stir it, but I like the froth that results from a few hardy shakes! Heavy cream makes it Very Frothy! 

See...super easy and such a treat.  I had a neighbor drop by unexpectedly the other day in the middle of the afternoon and we all enjoyed our 'made to order' treats while we chatted about the unbelievable streak of Texas Heat!  I suppose we could have hopped in the car to the local coffee shop, ordered a cold coffee treat and fought for a table inside with comfy chairs ~ but I liked this better!

This post will be linked up to Mouthwatering Monday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, Tuesday at the Table and Foodie Friday.  Hop over and see what else they have cooking! 

If you are a neighbor...you really should come over and I'll make you one of these.  If you're a blogging friend that can't make it to our woodsy, East Texas home, make 2 and invite your neighbor over to sit at the table and chat a while! 

Thanks for sitting at my table today...I hope you enjoyed our visit!  Do you like coffee drinks or are you a tea person?  If there are some tea drinkers out there, leave me a message and I'll write about my favorite 'coffee house' tea drink this summer.  If you have a variation of this tasty treat, leave a message and share!  OR...just say hi, so I know I'm not talking to myself *grin*!

God Bless and Keep You,

Did I Say That? Walking the Talk!

I had coffee with a friend this morning and I found myself having a conversation with her that I never imagined having before.  

Friend: "So Tami, have you applied for unemployment yet?"

Me: "Yep, but I didn't start the process until a week ago.  Darius applied about 4 weeks ago though and has his first payment on the way."

 {aside: Yes, you read that right.  Remember yesterday when I said my world had been turned upside down in more than one way in the last 8 weeks? Ya.  2 weeks after I became unemployed, our only other source of income lost his job too when his employer decided to 'go in a different direction'.  There's even more world rocking 411 that was pressed into that small window of time, but that will have to come much later...when I'm ready.]

back to the conversation...

Me: "After watching him do it, I decided to go ahead and start the process even though my contract work will delay payments for a while.  It's not as hard as I thought it would be"

Friend: "I know.  Same here.  I struggled with the idea of signing up for it, but it's there for a reason and it's the one thing that's keeping our head above water and giving me time to start a new career"

Me: "Can you believe we are starting new careers at this time in our lives? I suppose one could say this is an opportunity! I just never imagined myself being in this place at this time in my life" 

Unemployment does that.  Puts you in a place where you find yourself doing things you never imagined doing. I'm reminded of the many times I stood on stage, delivering a motivational message to a room full of home based business owners that one must step out of their comfort zones to get beyond where they are today.  


I even looked up the old script I had written years ago and here it is word for word:

• When we aspire to climb higher…to reach goals in our lives…we often must face fears and step out of our comfort zones. 
• Like climbing stares, when we are willing to step out…we inevitably step up.

Let me share the next line in that script I wrote so many years ago...

In what areas of your life do you need to take a step out to get past this road block to your future?  

Now, when I wrote that in 2010, I never imagined it being the motivational message I personally needed to hear as I 'stepped out' into a new and strange world less than 12 months later.


But it is.  It's exactly what I needed to tell myself.  So then I started to wonder...what else do I need to tell myself?  This led me to a 20 minute diversion of searching through several years of scripts written from my heart...that came back to stir my heart once again.  


It was fun!  I'm pumped and ready to step out!  Here were some of my favorites:

• decide what you are going to do with the opportunity you have been given
•  THAT'S RIGHT! This isn't unemployment, it's an opportunity!!

• What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?
• Yes! Fresh start...and what will that new thing be for me to go out and accomplish? 
• Finish the devotional book I've been writing for 4+ years and get it published? That would be exciting!
• Become the Christian / Motivational Speaker I feel called to step out and be? I can't even believe I'm writing that considering how I stepped into the world of public speaking 12ish years ago, kicking and screaming! But YES...I think that is something I should attempt. {does YOUR church group need a speaker this fall? I'm available *grin*}
• Get the training to be certified as an executive coach for entrepreneurs, direct sellers or leaders in business? Hmmmm...this is a new one but one I am seriously contemplating.  Stay tuned...
• Write a cookbook?  I might have some recipes others would like to have access to. *wink*  Maybe?  Not sure if there's any interest in that or not? Yes...no?  Speak up or I'm scratching it off the list!

• Have you begun today what you wish to be tomorrow?
• Ya...had to throw that one in there because I have become the queen of getting chores done and closets organized but REALLY(!?)...is it getting anything accomplished for the things listed above? I suppose I should get a little more focused and intentional...yes?!

Which leads me to one of my last quotes from past speeches that reached out to me as I read through them...

Conrad Hilton   said…  "Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit

Which then reminded me of another great quote by a woman I've long admired, Martie Byrd, who once told us all to  "Keep on swimmin' "


Funny, a few paragraphs up I said "Unemployment does that.  Puts you in a place where you find yourself doing things you never imagined doing".  I suddenly had a powerful deja vue...I think I've been here before.  Not enough income to stretch to the end of the month, on my knees seeking His guidance and a heart willing to go where He leads and do what He says.  Hmmm...where have I heard that before? *grin*


Yep, 14 years ago I was in a very similar place and that's not a bad place to be if you ask me!


Enough with the walk down memory lane.  I'm sure your cup of coffee is empty by now and it's time to stop chatting and start doing *wink*  But before I get up from the table and end our chat for today, let me share one more quote with you that caught my eye after seeing all of the wonderful comments and 'hellos' clicked in the comment box for yesterday's post.  

Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.

—ALBERT SCHWEITZER

Your words, thoughts and hellos left after reading yesterdays posts made me smile more than you know!  You rekindle my light *BIG SMILE*


If you're inspired to comment again today...I'm wondering 2 things:


1.  What did you think about my list of things I'm considering under the quote "what would you do if you knew you could not fail?"  I think I can do more than one...maybe?  If you and I were sitting at the table chatting, what would you say to me? 


2.  What's on YOUR list?  Nothing worse than an attention hog, right!  Share that one thing you want to attempt without fear of failing and let us all encourage you.  I'm ready to blow your flame if you need some rekindling! (ya, ya...left myself wide open for the 'hot air' wise cracks *giggle*...go for it ~ give us your best shot and make me laugh!)


God Bless and Keep You,

Where to Begin?

6 months.

1/2 of a year.

That's how long it has been since I placed my fingers on the keyboard and typed my thoughts onto the pages of this blog.

My absence started as a result of an overwhelmed life.  

My absence was perpetuated as a result of an overturned life.  

Where to begin?

6 months ago I was the founder of a company called Homemade Gourmet.
Today I am...?

Hmmm....I've contemplated that question many times in the last 6 weeks and there are many ways I can fill in that blank ~ I am....

• Unemployed 
• FREE!
• Seeking employment
• Waiting to see where God is leading me
• Getting a lot of housework done and closets organized!

The list of possible answers could go on for a while as I have entertained many versions of what 'I am', now that I am no longer the founder of  a thriving company. (And if you are not familiar with 'what happened'...click here and read the rest of the story.)

Stripped of identity as the world knows it...how do we finish the statement 'I am _____'.  This has been a question I've pondered quite a bit in the last 6 weeks. 

What I found interesting was that I didn't immediately return to my first answer to that 'I am' statement.  

'I am a stay at home mom.' 

I can remember years and years of pleading with God to let me be released from the responsibilities of Homemade Gourmet so that I could go back to being a stay at home mom.  I can even remember the early years of that journey where I struggled to finish the statement 'I am the founder of Homemade Gourmet" because I saw myself as a stay at home mom...not a business woman.  

The personal revelation that I now had so much of my identity tied up in the statement "I am the founder of Homemade Gourmet" was eye opening and ~ to be completely honest ~ a little humbling.  I used to shy away from answering the question  from strangers 'what do you do'.  I cringed at the attention I would get if the person I was meeting was familiar with Homemade Gourmet.  

"You started the company?"

"Yes", I would say, usually with a shy smile and often with a quick glance to the ground or aside to avoid eye contact.  I always thought I did this because I loathed the attention.  I don't like being the center of attention.  

or. do. i?

Does my need to 'be' somebody at the end of that 'I am' statement reveal a desire to be 'important'? 

Do we all want to finish that I am statement like this...

I am important. 

I think so.  I think scripture tells us the that our "I am" statement really is "I am important"  

Psalm 139: 14 

I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

your works are wonderful,

 I know that full well. 

The problem is that we take our eyes off of the maker, The One who has the authority to say we are important, and turn our eyes instead to the world and seek our approval (our sense of importance) there.  

That's what I did.  And 6 weeks of unemployment with only 1 of my 4 children left at home gave me lots of free time to reflect on this self awareness.  

Now in the spirit of being fully transparent, I didn't pull up a chair to the table with God and spend all of those free hours seeking His answer to my 'I am' statement.  I spent hours at a time trying to find a new answer to my 'I am' statement.  Filling out applications, creating a resume (ugh...that was hard ~ but something to talk about another day), taking calls from friends and family members who have 'leads' that would be great jobs for me to pursue.  Hours and hours of time spent finding me an answer to the statement of identity I ...the world needs me to have. 

But what I have let God show me is when I AM lost in who He says I am, the need to be important in the eyes of society melts away and my confidence comes from His answer to my 'I am' statement. 

I am... a child of God.  

I am...redeemed by the blood of Christ.

I am...an over-comer.

Yes, my life has been overturned in the last 6 months, and not just by the turn of events in my career.  My personal life has take a few whirls as well, challenging other 'I am' statements in my life.  But this too is for another day, another post. And since I have eluded to 'another post' several times in 'this post'...I suppose I can now reclaim one 'I am' statement that I lost 6 months ago....

I am a blogger! 

I'm so glad to be back at the table. I'm resisting the urge to establish daily topics or themes to build my posts around (and when I say 'resisting'...I mean full out organizational junkie resisting!)...and instead I'm moving forward with a new approach.  I've always said this blog is like pulling up a chair at my dining table and chatting together over coffee...and so it is.  Who knows what will spill out of my thoughts and onto the pages of this blog!  

One thing I DO KNOW.... sitting at the table with a cup of coffee and talking to myself is just sad. Sad and insane!  So when you pull up a chair, don't let me do all the talking!  Click the comment link below and leave a note. Even a quick 'hello' will make me smile and feel less lonely. 

God Bless and Keep You,