FREE Weekly Meal Planner

Hey everyone!

I've been desparately trying to get organized and ready myself for this new blog so I actually have time to post stuff on it!  One of the things I've been working on is trying to make better use of my days and make them more efficient.

Believe it or not, I have just started getting in the habit of doing grocery shopping just once a week.  I clip my coupons on Sunday and then Monday I make the meal plan for the whole week,  make my grocery list and do my grocery shopping.  It's actually pretty nice to not have to go grocery shopping so often, and it has really saved us some money too. 

I wanted to come up with a way to keep my meals for the week nice and organized.  I came up with this weekly meal planner that I wanted to share with you.  The top half is a nice place to write down your entrees and your side dishes for each day of the week and even if you need bread or salad to go with your meal.

The other half is a grocery list for you to record everything you need to make your meals that week.  The neat thing is, you can cut it right off your meal planner for an instant list to take to the store with you. 

 

I have used this for a couple of weeks now and I have to say, I really like it!  I really like having all our meals planned out for the week.  It saves a lot of time during the day not having to worry about what I'm fixing for supper and if I'm going to need anything from the store after I figure it out.  It leaves more time in the day for crafting! 

The second part of the planner that I decided to make is a list for leftovers.  Since I'm the one that cooks and puts away leftovers, I usually know what's in the refrigerator, so the list is really helpful for the other members of the family.  It keeps them from digging through the fridge to see what's in there!  But it is also helpful for me to plan more efficiently to use up any leftovers we may have for lunches, snacks or if there is enough left over, just add it to another meal that week.

I have mine on the side of my refrigerator for easy access.  You could also put it inside a cupboard door if you have a stainless steel fridge that you can't use magnets on.

I hope that you can use this and it helps you stay organized like it does for me!  If you would like a copy of either or both, just leave a comment with your email address and state if you would like it in Word, Publisher or PDF format.

I will be making tablets with a month's worth of Meal Planners and Leftover Lists that will be available for sale on my Etsy shop soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

I know what you're probably thinking....."Thanksgiving is over!"

Well, that may be true, but this recipe is soooo yummy and good all year round.  It's hard for me to eat ham or turkey without it anymore.  It's also good with pork chops and chicken.  Even if you think you don't like cranberry sauce, you have to give this one a try.  It's such an easy peasy recipe, you can make a big batch and keep it in the refrigerator for when you need it.  I've never tried to freeze it, but if anyone tries it, please let me know how it works out!

In a baking dish, combine 4 Cups fresh cranberries, 2 Cups sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.  Give it a little stir.

Bake covered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

I forgot to cover mine, so a lot of my cranberries didn't burst......don't do that :o)

Next stir in a 13 oz jar of orange marmalade, 1 Cup coarsely chopped walnuts and 2 Tablespoons lemon juice.

 

That's it!  It's such a beautiful rich color!  You can serve it warm, cold or room temperature.

I always make extra and jar it to give to friends and neighbors for gifts a day or two before Thanksgiving - or the day of, if I'm unorganized like I was this year!

You have to make this right now!  Let me know how you like it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!