I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Twenty-one school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Weekly Menu Plan – September 14-20

September 14, 2008 · Narrative

On our way into the city this morning, The Neighbor Wife and I were talking about menu planning and the merits of it. This is now the third week of consistent menu planning for me, and while I haven’t been following it letter for letter, I have kept to it about 80% of the time, which, for me,  is huge. For it to work, I have to have the flexibility to be able to swap around days. Last week, I forgot about a school meeting on Monday night, so since Tuesday was an open day, I just made that Monday instead and made Monday’s menu items on Tuesday. Because I already had the menu formulated, the recipes pulled and most of the ingredients purchased, it takes away a lot of the guesswork and 6 pm-what’s-for-dinner stress.

When pulling together the menu for the week, I’m trying to make it a mix of new recipes I’ve clipped to try, recipes from cookbooks on my shelves and tried-and-trues. If I make 50 new recipes a day between now and the day I die, I will never make all the recipes I’ve clipped. But at least with this plan of attack, I feel I’m putting the ridiculous amount of recipes I’ve collected to use, we’re getting a nice variety and things are running a bit more smoothly. Or that’s the plan.

Alright, onto this week.

If I know the recipe is available online, I’ll try and link to it here, that way if you feel inspired to make it, you can play along … at least until I can get the recipes added here myself. Here goes:

Sunday:Banana Sour Cream Pancakes from Barefoot Contessa’s cookbook, Family Style. Tortellini with the kids (The Husband working tonight, so keeping it easy for early-bedtime-school-work-tomorrow).

Monday: Baked Cod and Potatoes from Family Circle magazine for dinner. Snack: Spicy Chickpea Mix from Every Day with Rachael Ray.

Tuesday: Dinner: open. Baking with Nicholas: Barbara Bush’s Shortbread from Christmas Cookies magazine. No political agenda here, I assure you. This recipe is from the last election season – in 2004.

Wednesday: Cuban Black Bean Stew with Rice from Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food. Green Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing from the February/March 2006 issue of Eating Well magazine.

Thursday: Deep Dish Pizzas from Everyday Food, Tomato Fennel Salad from Barefoot Contessa. Baking with Nick: Banana Rum Coconut Cookies from Cooking Light.

Friday: Kitchen closed.

Saturday:Cipriani’s Famous Pasta from the March 2006 issue of InTouch magazine, of all places. Cipriani is a popular restaurant in New York City, frequented by celebrities. Baking with Nick: Peanut Butter Bars from Better Homes & Gardens.

Now what about you? What’s coming out of your kitchen this week?

Hungry for more menu planning inspiration?
Check out Kristen’s Dine & Dish menu (she usually posts on Mondays) and the Organizing Junkie site, where you can find more menus than you’ll ever need.

A year ago today… Grilled Peanut Chicken.
Two years ago today… guilty pleasures.
Three years ago today… nothing but muffins.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Sara says

    September 15, 2008 at 12:38 am

    I’ve never made Ina’s sour cream banana pancakes, but I’ve always wanted to. Do report back on those please!

    Saras last blog post..Mediterranean chicken and vegetable kebabs

    Reply
  2. Sherry says

    September 15, 2008 at 9:08 am

    Great menu! The pancakes sound amazing!

    Sherrys last blog post..Menu Plan Monday – Sept 15th – 21st

    Reply
  3. Mellisa says

    September 15, 2008 at 12:46 pm

    I menu plan everyweek and have for years. I cook for my family of four and my mom and Aunt. They enjoy trying new things and relish in the fact they don’t have to cook or shop.
    Mom – Pizza ( dr. appts. so no time)
    Tues – Taquitos, Guac, queso and fruit salad
    Wed – Classic Stuffed Peppers and Salad
    Thurs – BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches and Cole Slaw
    Fri – Leftovers

    Reply
  4. Tracy says

    September 15, 2008 at 1:13 pm

    We were very formal about “this meal this day” for awhile, but once the kids came along we got more flexible (for which read: lazy) and just said “here are the five [or six or whatever] things we’re going to have this week” and each evening I would look at the list and we’d decide what tomorrow’s dinner was, pull out anything that needed to thaw, and go from there. It also eliminated the temptation to order pizza or something–“I don’t really feel like eating THAT tonight, and we didn’t thaw anything for any of the other choices…” Either way, I heart menu planning!

    Tracys last blog post..A Collection: Things I Never Thought I Would Say (or would never have to say)

    Reply
  5. Kristen says

    September 15, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    I love menu planning! Last week, we stuck to the meals, but switched a couple of the days around. It is so much nicer to have a plan than to go all willy nilly!

    Kristens last blog post..Menu Plan Monday

    Reply
  6. Michele Lane says

    September 16, 2008 at 12:14 pm

    I love menu planning too.. It keeps me so much more organized and also more on track with healthier eating for my family (Im not so tempted to just grab a burger or pizza if everything is all right there for me)

    Michele Lanes last blog post..Menu Plan Monday

    Reply
  7. Kathy says

    September 25, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    I would love the recipe for the Cipriani’s pasta. Any chance of that?

    Reply
  8. Cate says

    September 26, 2008 at 7:19 am

    Kathy – here you go > http://sweetnicks.com/2008/09/eat-like-a-celebrity/

    Reply

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I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Twenty-one school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.

Pinterest

I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Twenty-one school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef

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