Menu Plan 3/22

Well this week is a short week for me menu wise.  I am leaving on Thursday for a trip to Montreal.

Montreal you say-why would I be going to Montreal?  Well I’ll tell you!

I’m going up to Montreal to see a movie shoot!

You see, in response to the overwhelming input from focus groups that families wish there were more quality television shows for families to watch together,  Walmart  has partnered with Proctor and Gamble (aka P&G) to create 3 movies this year that will be shown on NBC.  It’s part of their “Bring back family movie night” initiative.  The first movie is finished filming and set to air on April 16th on NBC at 8e/7c.  You can see the trailer for “Secret of the Mountain” on YouTube.  As part of the Walmart Moms I have been given the opportunity not only to attend an advance screening of that movie, but also to fly up to Montreal to see part of the filming of the second movie.

I know it doesn’t have anything to do with Frugality, but I hope you will all bear with me if I give you a full rundown when I return.  As an actor I have participated in many stage shows (all non professional-I like to think of myself as a talented amateur) but I have never had the chance to see a movie in production.  I am very, very excited about this opportunity.

And as another totally un-frugal related fact of my life, I have just started rehearsals for a local show “The Dixie Swim Club”.  It’s a 5 woman cast and follows 5 friends as they meet at a cottage each summer.  You see them in their 40’s through their 70’s as they go through the various ups and downs that life throws at them.  It’s a great show, and if you are anywhere in driving distance of Sidney NY in May I’d love to have you come and see us.

Ok, on to the menu plan.  Tonight is Yankee Bill’s pool night, tomorrow night I have play rehearsal, and then Thursday through Saturday I’m out of town.  I’ve noticed that the freezer portion of my refrigerator is getting crowded, so I am going to try to make meals that will thin that out a bit.  So here we go:

Monday:  Hamburgers, Homemade Hamburger Rolls, Homemade Steak Fries and Salad

I have 3 lonely hamburger patties in the freezer up here.  I’ll throw the hamburger roll recipe into the bread machine (as soon as I get done typing!)  so I can have rolls.  Since I’m out of bread I can use those rolls for the kids lunches on Tues & Wed (they’ll buy the rest of the week-Yankee Bill doesn’t do the “packing a lunch” thing).  The Homemade Steak Fries are easy-I just need to remember to start them in time.  And I intentionally made enough salad yesterday to have plenty left over for another meal or two.

Tuesday:  Chicken Parmesan with Italian Rice & Peas

I had totally forgotten that last time I made Chicken Parmesan that I had pounded & breaded a double batch then froze some. Oops! I guess it’s only a time saver when you remember you have it on hand.  Luckily I found them and they aren’t even freezer burned (although that actually wouldn’t have ruined the food).  For those of you wondering, my Chicken Parmesan recipe is the same as my Venison Parmesan recipe-just with chicken.  The Italian Peas & Rice is a new recipe for me-if it comes out well I’ll share it soon.

Wednesday:  Spaghetti (with chicken), Carrots & Salad

I’ll just chunk up the leftover chicken from the Parmesan and warm it up in jarred spaghetti sauce to serve over noodles.

Thursday: All Day Crockpot Mac’n Cheese, Salad

I am flying out on Thursday, so I’ll get a pot of the All Day Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese going in the morning, and make sure there is plenty of tossed salad in the fridge.  I’ll even set the table before I head out.  That way all Yankee Bill has to do when he arrives home with the kids is serve up dinner.  Oh, and do the dishes.

Friday:  Frozen Pizza

Well, it won’t be like Mama’s Pizza Hut Crust Clone, but since I’ll be gone they will just have to do with Frozen Pizza from the freezer.

Saturday: Yankee Bill’s Choice

Which will either be “go to Nana’s for supper” or “take the kiddos out to the diner”.

Sunday:  Venison Steaks, Roasted Potatoes with Bacon & Green Beans

I get home late on Saturday, so I’ll be home on Sunday to cook.

For more great menu plans head on over to The Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.