Menu Plan Monday

Saturday: Brats, Baked Beans and Broccoli Salad

Sunday: Sloppy Joes and Broccoli Salad

Monday: Turkey Sandwiches, Fresh Veggies and Dip

Tuesday: Chicken Fajita Burritos (I’m going to use up some leftover fajita filling, add some black beans and cheese and call it good)

Wednesday: Fish “Fry” Night – Baked Fish, Au gratin Potatoes and Coleslaw

Thursday: Chili and cornbread

Friday: Homemade Pizza Night

Grocery Bonus

Last week I brought home a couple bags of 16 count hamburger and hot dog buns leftover from a recent potluck. For those of you with a large family, I know these wouldn’t last long, but at our house they will last for about 8 meals. As I was picking them up I was reminded of the time years ago when my sister who has 7 children looked into my freezer and saw that I had a package of individually wrapped hot dogs. She incredulously asked why on earth I would buy individually wrapped hot dogs! I reminded her I was only feeding me and that package of 8 would last me 2 months (I had one a week in the summer). We both had a good laugh.

Anyway, not being the one to let something go to waste, I tossed the buns in the freezer to keep until we can use them. Each week I’ll try to have one meal that uses buns – this week it’s two because brats are on sale and George has been wanting some. I think he’s getting in the mood for spring by the way he’s always mentioning foods that can be prepared on the grill.

Groceries

I keep hearing how grocery prices are on the rise around the nation and we can only expect higher prices to come. So far I haven't noticed a huge increase and haven't been having too much of a problem sticking to our $50 a week grocery budget. Of course that doesn't mean I get to buy whatever I want -- there is a process I go through to eliminate a few things off most every grocery trip. That sounds kind of restrictive, but I actually like the feeling of sticking to a budget (and yes, there are some times I go over) and it keeps our cabinets from being stuffed to the brim with stuff that might go out of date before we can eat it.

It's been quite a while since I've shared a grocery shopping trip with you and I've been enjoying Tammy's Costco Series so much I'll share how Saturday's grocery trip went with you later this week.