Menu Plan Monday, April 13, 2009

Easter dinner went really well. The pork chops were a hit. I also successfully used my new silicone steamer to make some delicious cooked carrots! My mother in law brought over a spice cake with apple pie filling from Living on a Dime. (I cannot find the recipe online, but it was delicious!) It's official name is "Glorified Spice Cake," which we thought was quite appropriate for Easter!

Unfortunately, I haven't given much thought at all to dinner this week! I will post a tentative list below, but I hope to glean more ideas from the other menu's on Laura's Menu Plan Monday at Org. Junkie.com.

Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: We didn't have group last week, so I didn't make the Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup. I'm making it this week instead. I think we'll have one more day of rainy weather tomorrow before it warms up, so soup should be perfect!
Wednesday: Church Group: I have an abundance of lettuce, and not a lot of time to prepare something, so I'll put together a quick salad for tonight.
Thursday: To Be Determined!
Friday: I checked out Leanne Ely's Saving Dinner and I really want to try some of the recipes from it. I think I will try her Garlic Lime Chicken. Have any of you tried it? Is it good?
Saturday: My Ham, Peas and Noodle Dish (We've officially coined this the Noodley Dish) . It's really quick, creamy and yummy. Plus it is a great way to use up leftover ham, and get non pea lovers to eat peas! I'll try and remember to post a pic at the end of the week.

Sunday Morning Praise: He is Risen!

(Photo Courtesy of FreeFoto.com)

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia!
Praise Him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!

A New Favorite....

Menu Plan Monday April 6th 2009

I'm glad I waited until Sunday night to post this as my plan for the week has already changed at least three times. For example, tonight we were going to have Monday's pork chops. But the weather was so nice, we ended up grilling the first time this season. My husband is in charge of the grill and he does an excellent job!

(I remembered to take a picture....I'm improving as a blogger! :) )

Anyway, here is the menu...for now at least :)

Monday: Cumin Rubbed Pork Chops with leftover mashed potatoes and green salad.
Tuesday: I'm cooking for home group. Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup with all the toppings, corn bread (from Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook) and I'll bring corn chips too.
Wednesday: Twice Baked Potatoes with Ham. I'll probably serve cut up fruit and a green salad.
Thursday: Taco Night!
Friday: Probably grill again, but I am not sure what yet.
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Hosting Easter Dinner. We're having Rosemary and Garlic Simmered Pork Chops (except I don't have rosemary, so I'll use sage, or marjoram), with baked rice, candied carrots and possibly rolls.

For more yummy meal plans, make sure to visit Laura's Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Sunday Morning Praise

My favorite Lenten Hymn....

What Wondrous Love is This
American Folk Hymn

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on.
And when from death I'm free I'll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
and through eternity I'll sing on.

Sunday Morning Praise

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Be Uncommon!

"The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it is conformity." Rollo May

I don't follow football, but I am a fan of the work of former Indianapolis Head Coach Tony Dungy. Not only does he teach his players self discipline and integrity, but as co-founder of All Pro Dad, Dungy seeks to instill men with the skills necessary to be responsible, attentive fathers.

I just finished reading his latest book Uncommon: Finding a Path to Significance. It was excellent! In between taking copious notes, two things kept crossing my mind: every young man (and woman, for that matter) should read this book, and please Lord give me the wisdom to instill these characteristics in our future children.

Dungy impresses the importance of understanding confidence vs. pride......

"Pride is all about me, but confidence is a realization that God has given me abilities and created me to fill a unique role that no one else is called to fill..and it's not just using the gifts to benefit me, but to help my team and impact others." (pg 19)

Modesty is good, but avoid false modesty......

"Don't be falsely modest, you have amazing gifts. Just recognize that others do too." (pg. 35).

Respecting others....

"Rather than insisting that others respect us, we need to make sure that we are respecting others, holding others in proper esteem." (pg 21).

And this is all in the first chapter!

Throughout the book he teaches men how to love their wife, be better fathers, handle conflict, choose the company you keep, and much more. Each word of wisdom is couched in Judeo-Christian values.

One of my favorite lines was when Dungy mentions the importance of leaving work at work, and spending time with your family when you were home. To paraphrase, he shared that when his team looses the big game in the last 20 seconds, he doesn't really feel like going home and playing Candy Land with his kids, but he does it because that is family time.

I had to return the book to the library, but I am certain it will find a place on our bookshelf so I can refer to it again. I hope you will find time to read it as well.