I like that the 4th is on a Saturday this year so that we have the whole day to celebrate, instead of just the evening. We’ll be hanging out at home this year, though sadly we don’t have a barbecue at our new house yet (my husband has some big plans when it comes to “designing his own” out on the back patio). So, whatever we do will need to happen in the kitchen, which I don’t mind. That’s what grill pans are for, right?

Our standard 4th of July dinner, when we’re at home and not at a friend’s, is usually steak with some oven fries and roasted vegetables. The kids, who, at this age, can take or leave steak, will probably get hamburgers. For that, I like to mix one pound of ground beef with a packet of onion soup mix and a tablespoon or so of Worcestershire sauce and some salt and pepper.

I think this year, because it is on a day we’ll all be together, I’m going to spend a little extra time on dinner, and make some homemade potato salad and dessert. This time of year always reminds me of my grandpa, who loved my Chocolate Zucchini Cake, so I think I’ll be surprising my family with that.

What’s on your 4th of July menu? Are you staying in or going out?

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

What’s on Your 4th of July Menu?

From there, however, I don’t usually plan out what specific days we’ll be having each meal, and this has led me some mad dashes and scrambling some nights when I realize I’m down to just a few choices and haven’t defrosted something or gotten something else into the crockpot in time.

So I figured I’d plan it out here, complete with links to recipes if I’ve already posted it, to help keep things straight. How do you plan out your grocery shopping? How many weeks or days do you do it in advance?

This week’s dinners are:

Monday: Tonight I’ll be making Glazed Meatloaf in the crockpot with mashed potatoes and gravy on the side with some green beans. Total comfort food!

Tuesday: Lemon Salmon Burgers and fries

Wednesday: Stuffed Pasta Shells and garlic bread

Thursday: Shepherds Pie and bread

Friday: Lasagna with garlic bread and vegetables

[image: sxc]

Post from: Blisstree

Menu Planning

Tonight the entire family went for dinner at Little Creatures restaurant in Fremantle. It was an unusual place, although I had no idea what to expect. The place is also a microbrewery. My daughter had a voucher for $100 worth of their food & drink, so we visited for dinner to celebrate Mother’s Day a bit early, since my mother was visiting.

Being in a restaurant my mind began to tick over. As I sat and enjoyed the company of my family and the excellent food I got the idea for tonight’s Freaky Friday.

Imagine you’ve been invited to a fancy restaurant. This is your first visit to this restaurant. You’re surprised on reading the menu to see not food listed but choices we make in life. Spend some time creating what your menu would have on offer. Either create a simple list or contruct your own menu for later pasting into your journal.

Heather
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Post from: Blisstree

Freaky Friday #58