Monday: Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Tuesday:  New Years Eve Celebration--I'm going to make a bunch of fun h'orderves.  Here's my plan
Cream Cheese Penguins, Baked Brie in Phyllo and Magnificent Cheese Ball with crackers and vegetables, Little Smokies, Fruit platter and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels.  I'll ask my guests to bring another sweet treat!
Wednesday:  Salmon, Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus
Thursday:  Lasagna, French Bread and Green Salad
Friday:  Real Man Quiche
Saturday:  Taco Salad after Landon's Baptism!
Sunday:  Roasted Chicken with Winter Vegetables

Monday:  Homemade Cafe Rio
Tuesday:  Grilled Pizza
Wednesday:  Roasted Cauliflower and White Cheddar Soup with Bagel Melts
Thursday:  Sloppy Joes, Relish Tray, Chips and Salsa
Friday:  Landon's birthday--he wants to go to Zupas
Saturday:  Larson get-together
Sunday:  Dinner at friends house

Roast Pork Loin with Apples
Easy Chicken Satay
Crockpot Cubed Steak
Cheesy Chicken Chowder

Monday:  Taco Salad with this dressing Thousand Island Dressing
Tuesday:  Broccoli Rice Casserole
Wednesday: Sweet Chili Salmon with Parmesan Polenta
Thursday:  Grilled Cheese and Soup
Friday:  Mom's Night Off :)
Saturday:  Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
Sunday:  Dinner at Friends

Menu for the week:
Monday:  Chicken Tortilla Soup
Tuesday:  Toast Cups
Wednesday:  Quesadillas
Thursday:  French Dip Sandwiches
Friday:  Angelhair with Marinara
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off!
Sunday:  Chicken Cordon Bleu with Steamed Rice and Veggies

Some recipes I've tried in the past week that I really liked and want to archive, so here they are.  I'll be back to my posting soon, I just needed to take a break.

Delicious Rice cooked with Beans and Bacon
Crockpot Black Beans
Shepherd's Pie Recipe
Vitamix Ice cream

One of the parts I love about being the mom of teenagers is when they have their friends over to the house.  Keaton asked me a few weeks ago if his friends could have the Homecoming Dance dinner over at our house.  I was thrilled!  Because this week has been a bit crazy, I'm only going to post the Homecoming dinner menu.  The dance is on Saturday.  His friends all decided they wanted a classic steak dinner, so here's what I've got planned:

Grillled Marinated Steak
Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes
Caesar Salad
Sweet Dinner Rolls
Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

Molten Chocolate Cakes with Sugar Coated Raspberries

Whoa!  Crazy times around here.  How did the pioneer women do harvest time?  Tomatoes coming out my ears, zucchini literally covering my countertops, peach fuzz up to the ceiling, grapes, beets, green beans, etc. etc. etc.  I'M SO TIRED!  Happy for all the amazing food, I simply need to clone myself three or four times to get it all done, along with the laundry, cleaning, and just taking a shower.  Here's to harvest time....

Here's my menu this week:
Monday:  My favorite lentil soup with Italian Bread
Tuesday:  Easy Chicken Parmesan with Steamed Broccoli and Pasta
Wednesday:  Fish Tacos--use cold seltzer water in place of the beer (it's the carbonation that matters).
Thursday:  Grilled Margarita Pizzas with Green Salad
Friday:  Mom's night off :)
Saturday:  Burritos
Sunday:  Beef Stroganoff over Brown Rice with Spinach Salad

I hate to admit this, but I absolutely dread the Elementary school 'Opening BBQ'.  Well, it's here!  Monday is the night.  Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy being with the great people that are there, the activities are fun and the bake sale is great.  I just hate hot dogs....so so much!  And each year, it's the same--hot dogs, chips and soda.  Three of the foods that make me feel the most gross!  So, each year I bring a picnic for my family.  I feel like a high society snob.  I don't really know what else to do!  I don't want to pay for that yucky dinner for anyone in my family, but I also don't want my kids to feel left out.  So, I guess I'll do it again this year.  Hmmm....what sounds like good picnic food?  At least the Bake Sale is great!

Monday:  Buttermilk Baked Chicken, Broccoli Salad and Rolls
Tuesday:  Torta Rustica and Spinach Salad
Wednesday:  Artichoke Chicken, Angelhair Pasta and Rosemary Roasted Butternut Squash
Thursday:  Mongolian Beef with Rice Noodles and Stir Fried Vegetables
Friday:  I'm guessing In-N-Out Burger--we're going boating!
Saturday:  Waffles, Eggs and Bacon
Sunday:  Larson Family Dinner

We had one of the best Labor Day weekends ever!  Camping with good friends, and boating with the kids!  Doesn't get much better than that!

Here's my menu for the week:

Tuesday:Crockpot Honey Chicken (didn't get to this last week), Steamed Rice, Garden Veggies

Wednesday:  Zucchini Lasagna, Homemade Bread, Fruit

I get Thursday, Friday and Saturday off!  Yay for business trips!

Sunday:  BBQ Glazed Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Rolls and Green Beans

Yay! Back to a routine!

School starts tomorrow, a bitter sweet day for me.  I've really loved this summer, but my family is craving a routine.  We partied up to the end, going to Bear Lake this week (Monday to Thursday), then a family wedding all day Friday, my 20 year high school class reunion on Saturday and then my husband's parents mission farewell today.  What a fantastic week!

Now that school is starting, menu time has returned!  Yay!
Here is my menu for this week:
Monday:  Chinese Cabbage Salad, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, Sauteed Vegetables and Garden Honeydew with fresh lime
Tuesday:  Avocado Chicken Enchiladas, Cowboy Caviar, Spinach Salad, Cantaloupe
Wednesday:  Turkey Burgers, Melon Plum Salad, Sliced Zucchini with Horseradish Cottage Cheese Dip
Thursday:  Spaghetti with Meatballs and Green Salad
Friday:  Going Camping!
Saturday:  Pizza Night!
Sunday:  Crockpot Sesame Honey Chicken over Rice with Sauteed Vegetables and Fruit

Monday:  Spicy Honey Chicken Salad with Open-faced Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Tuesday:  Bombay House Style Chicken Coconut Kurma, Basmati Rice, Peas
Wednesday:  Pepperoncini Beef Sandwiches, Chips and Relish Tray
Thursday:  Hawaiian Haystacks
Friday:  Grilled Chicken and Vegetables
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off :)
Sunday:  Chicken Fettucine Alfredo with Broccoli and French Bread

Monday:  Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Broccoli Salad and Parmesan Cheese Texas Toast
Tuesday:  Fish Tacos with Chipotle Cream
Wednesday:  Chicken, Rice and Black Bean Salad with Mango Mojo Dressing and Croissants
Thursday:  Grilled Pizza, Green Salad and Apricot Smoothie
Friday:  Israeli Couscous and Tuna Salad over Green Leaf Lettuce with Fruit
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off
Sunday:  Grilling Night!  Steak, Potatoes, Green Beans and Fruit

Monday:  Chinese Chicken Salad, Croissants, Honeydew melon and Tomato Soup
Tuesday:  Chicken and Broccoli Crepes with Strawberries
Wednesday:  Bagel Melts, Chips and Salsa, Veggie Platter
Thursday:  Shredded Beef Enchiladas, Mexican Rice and Steamed Green Beans
Friday:  Eggs, Bacon, Toast and OJ
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off
Sunday:  Chicken Cordon Bleu with Rice Pilaf, Green Salad and Rolls

Monday:  Asian Lettuce Wraps and Vegetable Fried Rice
Tuesday:  Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole and Fruit Plate
Wednesday:  Lasagna, Parmesan Toast and Spinach Salad
Thursday:  Honey Ginger Glazed Tilapia with Couscous and Broccoli
Friday:  Egg Salad BLTs
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off!  :)
Sunday:  Wall Family Dinner

Monday:  Butternut Bisque and Grilled Tuna Sandwiches and Fresh Fruit
Tuesday:  Artichoke Chicken Pasta, Watermelon, Spinach Salad
Wednesday:  Italian Ribeye Steak, Sweet Potatoes, Spinach and Veggie Salad
Thursday:  Turkey Santa Fe Casserole, Green Beans and Fruit Smoothie
Friday:  Mom's Night Off :)
Saturday:  Bon Apetite Nachos
Sunday:  Lasagna, Breadsticks and Green Salad

I sent out this email to many of my friends and family.  I want to reach as many people as possible so I'm going to post it here as well.  Cancer is on my mind because of a tender family situation, and I know how devastating it is.  I just want everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones in every way possible, so here's my 'Radon' email.  Please read!

Judson and I recently had our home tested for radon after I saw a news program on ksl talking about high concentrations of radon in Utah.  We were 2 1/2 times over the safe limit.  We are having a radon removal system installed next week.  Because I love you guys, I wanted to encourage you to get your homes tested.  Radon is dangerous, it is the #1 cause for lung cancer among non-smokers.  The following is a link to the utah government website that talks about the epa grant given to Utah to help it's residents get testing done for a very small amount.  It only costs $7.00, including shipping, lab fee, and test kit.  They will send you the kit and it has instructions for administering the test, and then you send it back to them and they do the lab work and send you the results within a week or two.  The removal system we are having installed is around $1300.  A small price to pay for peace of mind.

Here's the link http://www.radon.utah.gov/  To order the test look on the right side of the webpage.

Love,

Marisa

Here's my menu for the week:
Monday:  Amazing Chicken Tortilla Soup with Tortilla Chips and Guacamole
Tuesday:  Homemade Chicken Nuggets, Broccoli Salad and Brown Rice
Wednesday:  Roasted Vegetables, Couscous and Italian Slowcooked Ribeye Steak
Thursday:  Grilled Pizza and Spinach Salad
Friday:  Brooks' Birthday Dinner--Looks like Cafe Rio tonight!
Saturday:  Open-faced Tuna Sandwiches and Soup
Sunday:  Family Dinner

We returned late last night from a great Spring Break Adventure!  Our little family went to Ixtapa Mexico where we experienced the joys of Club Med!  All you can eat, drink and play to your hearts desire.  The kids loved their G.O.s (counselors) and the other kids in their groups.  They played from sun up to sun down; sailing, trapezing, kayaking, archery, swimming, body surfing, tennis, and so much more.  We're all a little browner and little exhausted, but it was a great week!

As crazy as I know it sounds, I'm glad to be cooking again.  Here's my menu for the week:
Monday:  Spinach Chicken Pasta Salad (see recipe below) with Fresh Fruit
Tuesday:  Parmesan Risotto with Broiled Salmon and Asparagus
Wednesday:  French Dip Sandwiches, Cottage Fries and Vegetable Platter
Thursday:  French Toast Bake, Bacon and OJ
Friday:  Taco Soup
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off!
Sunday:  Dinner with Friends

Spinach Chicken Pasta Salad

Combine for dressing:
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
3/4 cup oil
3 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup green onion chopped (I don't add these)

Toss dressing with:
1 bundle fresh baby spinach
1 - 12 ounce package egg noodles cooked and chilled
4 breasts of chicken cooked and cubed

Top with candied almonds

Monday:  Southwestern Beef Wraps
Tuesday:  Tuna Salad on Croissants, with Chips and Relish Tray
Wednesday:  Spicy Turkey Lettuce Wraps with Potstickers
Thursday:  Napa Cabbage Salad with Rotisserie Chicken and Fruit Plate
Friday:  Spaghetti with Meatballs
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off ;)
Sunday:  Dinner with Friends

Monday:  Mango-licious Tilapia and Grilled Vegetables with Balsamic Vinegar and Toasted Bagels
Tuesday:  Parmesan Chicken with Kale Waldorf Salad and Stir-fry Asparagus
Wednesday:  Sweet Potato Enchiladas with Edamame Fresca
Thursday:  My Birthday Dinner!  I'm thinking Pei Wei sounds delicious!
Friday:  Mom's Night Off!  :)  Wait, wasn't last night my night off?  Doesn't matter, it was my birthday!
Saturday:  Eggs Benedict
Sunday:  Larson Family Dinner--Looks like Taco Salad

I have several ingredients around the house that need using up....artichokes, cauliflower, feta cheese, cream and eggs.  So this week's menu is designed to use up all the extras in the kitchen before they go bad!  But I think some of these recipes look pretty tasty.

Monday:  Chicken Cordon Bleu, Steamed Artichokes and Roasted Garlic Cauliflower
Tuesday:  Shredded Beef Tostadas with Avocado Feta Salsa
Wednesday:  Mini Frittatas, Spinach Salad and Fruit
Thursday:  Fish Chowder, Crusty Bread and Salad
Friday:  Pizza
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off!
Sunday:  Crushed Crouton Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Green Salad

Exhausted and Lazy tonight!  My menu reflects it!

Monday:  Pasta
Tuesday:  Bon Appetit Nachos
Wednesday:  Shepherd's Pie
Thursday:  Bagel Melts
Friday:  Eggs, Bacon, Toast and OJ
Saturday:  Mom's Night off!  :)
Sunday:  Wall family dinner Teriyaki Rib Eye Steaks

Monday:  Mini Taco Cups and Apricot Smoothie
Tuesday:  Quiche, Muffins and Fruit (we didn't get to this last week!)
Wednesday:  Saucy Swiss Slowcooker Steak with Baked Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli
Thursday:  Slowcooker Honey Sesame Chicken, Brown Rice and Stir-fried Vegetables
Friday:  Open Face Tuna Melt Sandwiches, Chips and Vegetables
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off!
Sunday:  Lasagna, French Bread, and Caesar Salad (I didn't get to this last week either ;)

Monday:  Baked Pesto Salmon with Kale, Quinoa, Avocado Salad
Tuesday:  Layered Tortellini Salad and Rotisserie Chicken
Wednesday:  Shredded Beef Tomatillo Enchiladas (with this sauce), Spinach Salad and Fruit
Thursday:  Quiche, Muffins and Fruit
Friday:  Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off!
Sunday:   Easy Lasagna, French Bread and Green Salad

Monday:  Cuban Picadillo with Tostada Shells and Avocado and Romaine Salad
Tuesday:  Crispy Chicken Wraps, Green Beans and Fruit Salad
Wednesday:  Parmesan Chicken,  Couscous Salad and Spinach Salad
Thursday:  Asian Turkey Meatballs with Lime Dipping Sauce with Brown Fried Rice
Friday:  Fannie Farmers Classic Baked Mac and Cheese with Green Peas
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off! :)
Sunday:  Roasted Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes and Zucchini Carpaccio

Monday:  Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce over Penne Pasta with Green Salad and French Bread
Tuesday: Family Favorite Chili and Cornbread
Wednesday:  Toast Cups
Thursday:  Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup
Friday:  Keaton's Birthday Dinner
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off!
Sunday:  Roast, Carrots, Mashed Potatoes,  Rolls and Green Salad

Monday:  Turkey and Quinoa Meatloaf, Sweet Potatoes, Mixed Green Salad
Tuesday:  Tuna Melts and Cream of Broccoli Soup
Wednesday:  Easy Chicken Parmesan over Angel Hair Pasta with Spinach Salad
Thursday:  Taco Soup
Friday:  Pizza Night!
Saturday:  Mom's Night Off
Sunday:  Beef Stroganoff over Egg Noodles with Green Salad