Meyer Family - Menu Planning

I have been working on this for months now and finally completed it! I believe if you create a weekly menu with what you already have in your home, you end up saving money and time. This summer I am planning on letting Kaila cook a few her favorite meals from my Menu Planner. So when she grows up and leaves the house she will know how to make her favorite meals!
I purchased a large D 3 ring binder and embellished it to make me want to look inside : )

I have dividers for all categories (chicken, beef, turkey, pork, side dishes, desserts, soup and salad, appetizers and miscellaneous). Some pages have cute dividers that I did during a recipe swap with a few moms.

I put the title of the meal on the top, then I found a picture online that came closest to what my meal looks like! Some meals I listed the items I need to make that meal along with suggestions on what to serve with it. Some meals have the actual recipe/directions listed on them.

In the back of the planner I inserted clear 3 slot photo protectors I found at the store. I cut strips of different color card stock to fit inside. They are used for recipes I find in magazines that I want to try. I went through all of my magazines I've been collecting for years and tore out articles I want to read and recipes I realistically will try. The articles went into a basket that's next to my bed and the recipes get glued onto the strips of card stock and the magazine gets tossed. Once I try the recipe, if it's good enough to make again, I'll turn that into a larger recipe page and it will get filed under a tab then the magazine cut out will be tossed. If I tried the recipe and I know I won't make it again, it gets thrown away.

I keep a pen, post it notes, scissors, glue stick and a grocery list pad inside the binder at all times. I also have dividers that have pockets to keep coupons in.

I'm loving my menu planner!

Next project is purging the toys!! I'm thinking black trash bags?

I love my parents!

I have the best parents! They come over probably 1-2 times a month during the school year and during the summer I see my mom alot more.
They came out for Kaila and Michael's birthday and we went to eat at Kaila's choice of restaurant. She chose "Shogun" in Southlake. We thought she wanted to go for their hibachi food, but she only wanted their chicken fried rice that they cook in the back kitchen!
This is Tamae. Pronounced Tuh-My. She is the perfect mom. I can not think of one thing wrong with her! Even when I was little, I never had a problem with my mom. We would sit and watch soap operas together in the summer, go shopping on her only day off from work and eat out on that day. She is the reason Kaila wants to attend TCU so she can live closer to her Grandma and have a shopping buddy. We still shop till we drop during the holidays.

This is Bruce. He is where I get my sense of humor from. I have never met anyone that has met him that doesn't like him. He is just a great guy to be around! He has this tattoo on his forearm. It, I believe is of an eagle and has USAF (United States Air Force). I remember growing up and was often scared of my dad because he had that tattoo....then one day I thought to myself "Why am I scared of him?" If I ever wanted anything or if I wanted to do something, he 90% of the time said YES! It's weird how seeing a tattoo as a little kid can make you be scared of someone for no reason.

I just love my parents!

Today's Horoscope - Capricorn

I came across my horoscope for today....so true, so true!

Life has been busy with errands and running around but now the Moon is in your fourth house it's time to retreat and nest. De-clutter and redecorate your living space. Create order in your private world. Sorting out family matters or home to do's helps build a foundation for the next fortnight. The fourth house is the bottom of the chart and represents things that are hidden. You may find secrets and mysteries fascinating, though if you find out anything juicy, it's best to keep it to yourself. Family events or relaxing nights at home help you recharge in preparation for the outstanding achievements promised in the coming two weeks.

Birthday Surprise!

I have been planning this little birthday surprise for a month! The kids had no idea we were going. I took them out of school early on Thursday and I told them we had to take something to their Dad's work and then we were going to take him out to lunch for his birthday. As I got closer to Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, the kids started saying they wanted to go their some time. So I whipped into the parking lot and said "SURPRISE!" We stayed Thursday, Friday and went home Saturday afternoon. We had a great time!

Holy Cow!! Mike is 40!

Happy Birthday to my 40 Year Old Man!

The boys and I put out balloons!

The kids wished their Dad a Happy Birthday!

Still looking good after all these years!