All posts by Nichole

menu plan Monday

Menu Plan Monday raids the freezer

Menu Plan Monday logoIt’s another one of those between-paychecks weeks around here, which means it’s time again to hit the freezer. Since we moved recently, my freezer stocks have dwindled. But I do have enough for two meals! I guess it’s time to start stocking up again.

Monday: Sloppy Joes
I have a few Joe “pucks” waiting in the freezer, making this an easy and budget-friendly option.

Tuesday: Lasagna Primavera
I’d expected to have half a pan of last week’s lasagna to freeze, but thanks to our post-dinner nibblers I ended up with only three pieces. That should be plenty, though.

Wednesday: Moe’s
We usually go to Moe’s after church on Sunday, but we didn’t do it this week. Poppy was pretty sad. We decided to give her a mid-week treat before we go to the fair.

Thursday: Waikiki Meatballs
My friend Carrie makes some great meatballs that I’d like to duplicate. I think this recipe might do the trick. (I know I could just ask for her recipe, but she’s out of town and I’m making my grocery list.)

Friday: Pizza

Social Media

Friday links! Ears, bags, treats and ads

  • The Washington Post says you should “Leave That Ear Wax Alone in a sort of gross but ultimately informative report by Kathleen Doheny.

  • I bought some reusable shopping bags from Target awhile back, and I love them. A few of the bags sort of zip up into themselves to form a little wallet-sized packet, and they’re super-handy. When I saw them, I thought, “Boy, that probably wouldn’t be too hard to duplicate.” And then I thought, “Zippers! Argh!” And then I didn’t take the thought process any further. But someone at Whipup did! Here’s here tutorial for a wallet-sized fold-up reusable shopping bag.

  • There’s a group out there on the Internet called the Daring Bakers. Each month, they issue a baking challenge. August’s challenge? Chocolate Eclairs. Yum. I’ve joined the Daring Bakers, but I don’t think I’ll get my first challenge until October. Stay tuned.

  • Casey at Moosh in Indy is coming to terms with the fact that some things — like being a superstar or a cheerleader — aren’t in the cards for her. But she’s dealing with it gracefully and looking at the sunny side in “Never Always.”

  • Speaking of the sunny side: Peanut Butter Cups at Have Cake Will Travel! I keep thinking I’m going to make my own peanut butter cups, but it has yet to happen. For now, I’ll just drool over these.

  • Writer Rachel Beckman takes issue with targeted advertising in “Facebook Ads Target You Where It Hurts” at the Washington Post. I hadn’t paid much attention to the ads on Facebook before I read this, but I’ve been keeping an eye on them this week. They haven’t been too rude to me thus far.

  • McSweeneys occasionally features someone with an interesting or unusual job, and this recent interview with Joel Pierson, cruise ship pianist is a great one.