Sand Castle Cake and Turning 7

The sand castle cake.

I can't believe Miss D is seven now.  Wow!  The mermaid party turned out great.  I think the kids loved swimming in the pool and playing in the gym.  We had starfish cookies, octopus marshmallow pops, veggie sushi, sweet candy sushi, fruit and veggies and other little nibbles.  But best of all was this smile!

Menu Plan Monday - June 11, 2012

I know, I know it's been a few weeks.  We've definitely been in Summer mode here.  Memorial Day holiday, my birthday, and summer camps have started the past couple of weeks.  The menu planning continues, although I'm trying to keep it easy. 

Sunday - BBQ Beef Brisket sandwiches, corn on the cob, and matzo ball soup.  I know a strange combo - but my daughter was under the weather and said the soup would make her feel better.  What mama wouldn't say yes to that?

Monday - Manicotti (crepes are in the freezer), crudite

Tuesday -Chili-topped baked potatoes with guacamole

Wednesday - Turkey burgers and grilled veggies

Thursday - Pizza (maybe on the grill?)

Friday - Baked tilapia, challah, not sure?

If you are looking for more menus, please visit MPM at orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday - May 21, 2012

Wow!  It's the last week of school already!  Trying to keep this short today.  Just an update first.   I made cupcakes for Miss D's school last week.  I think they turned out pretty nicely.

I made fondant apples for the tops.

The cupcakes were pretty simple vanilla with vanilla buttercream.  I made 4 dozen and only brought half a dozen home.  I would say a success. 

Okay, on to the menu:

Monday - Hamburgers, corn on the cob, watermelon

Tuesday - Penne a la vodka, baked zucchini "fries"

Wednesday - Grilled Chicken and veggies

Thursday - Homemade Pizza

Friday - Baked Tilapia, challah

Weekend (Shavuot) - Not sure yet, I know I will be making this recipe for Baked Blintzes and some sort of cheesecake (maybe a frozen key lime cheesecake? or a traditional baked cheesecake?), other than that, not sure.
  Looking for more menu ideas, please visit MPM at orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday - May 14, 2012

Rainy weekend.  Lots of rain.  Not complaining though, we certainly needed it.  Many things going on this week.  I need to make four dozen cupcakes for Miss D's school on Thursday.  Art and music night Thursday, dance rehearsal Friday and recital next Sunday.  Whew!  I'm tired just thinking of it.
Went to Micheal's this weekend to pick up a few things for cupcake baking this week.  Has anyone else noticed the changes in the baking aisle?  What is up with that die-cut cake decorating system?  The prices and the amount of space it takes up makes my head spin.  Here I am, trying to find a simple 99c decorating tip and ending up frustrated and empty-handed.  I mean, I understand why they are doing it, but ugh!  Now I know I don't always stick by Alton Brown's rules of unitasker versus multitasker (especially when baking is involved), but I try.  Who has the room for all this stuff?  Okay, 'nuff said.  On to the menu.

Monday - Turkey Burger sliders, zucchini

Tuesday - Pasta night

Wednesday - Oven chicken strips, broccoli

Thursday - Pizza Night

Friday - Spag. and meatballs (already made and in the freezer).  Heat the sauce and meatballs in the crock-pot, so they are ready when we get home from rehearsal. Challah.

Looking for menus and recipe ideas, please visit MPM at orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday - May 7, 2012

So not ready for Monday this morning.  We had a great weekend.  DH was home all weekend for the first time in a looong time.  We got some little projects around the house done.  So nice.  We even had some rain Friday.  My grill is clean and semi-fixed.  Still waiting on a part to come in the mail.  We celebrated our Cinco de Derby day in style.  Watched the races with tortilla chips, salsa, black bean salsa and guacamole.  Ate grilled fish tacos and I made a Brown Derby Cake for dessert.  Has anyone ever heard of this cake or made it?  Gosh, what a blast from the past.  Maybe it's a New Jersey thing?  Not sure.  I remember (way back when I was growing up in NJ) the Wycoff Bakery had this cake.  I didn't find too many recipes for it online, but I found a great video from the Crumb Boss.  I didn't add the peach filling and just used a box mix of devil's food cake, but it was so yummy!

Menu:
Monday - Onion Pot Roast (in the crock-pot) with carrots

Tuesday - Ravioli, crudite

Wednesday - Grilled chicken tacos, guacamole

Thursday - Homemade Pizza

Friday - Lime Scallion Chicken (made the tequila lime chicken last week!)

Looking for more recipes, please visit MPM at orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday - April 30, 2012

Wow, almost May already!  Fired up the grill last night.  (Note to self:clean grill).  I think grilling season is definitely here.  DH ordered a few necessary parts that have deteriorated due to time and rust.  A good clean and we should be ready for summer.  Hot weather predicted all week here and not a drop of rain.  Only one more month of school for Miss D and then summer break.  I haven't even finished planting my garden (Note to self: plant garden :)



Sunday - Island Ribs, grilled potato wedges

Monday - Grilled Sliders, Oven sweet potato fries

Tuesday - Pasta night

Wednesday - Crunchy Chicken

Thursday - Homemade pizza

Friday - Tequila Lime Chicken or Lime Scallion Chicken?

Saturday - Soft Fish Tacos, guacamole, salsa and chips...and maybe a Hungry Girl Margarita?

For more menu ideas, please visit MPM at orgjunkie.com

Shlissel Challah or sea creature?...you decide

  This is the Shlissel (key-shaped) Challah I made last Friday.  I think it looks a bit odd.  Oh, well.  Points for trying?  The kids loved it though (and the sprinkles).