The Toy Box Years: Menu Monday

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

Menu Monday

I hope you'll leave a comment and share your menu plans and/or favorite recipes! Hopefully we'll all get some great ideas for meals!

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So, here's our menu for the week of 2/21.

Monday - 2/21

Lunch:
Fruit parfaits
Veggies and dip

Dinner:

Tangy Sirloin Strips

Mashed Potatoes

Broccoli

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Tuesday - 2/22

Lunch:

PB and Jelly
Cheese and crackers

Dinner:

Night Flight for My Marine
Grilled Cheese
Veggies and Dip

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Wednesday - 2/23

Lunch:

Turkey and cheese sandwiches
Fruit

Dinner:

Pork Stir Fry
Sesame Noodles

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Thursday - 2/24

Lunch:

Chicken nuggets
Veggies and dip

Dinner:

Shepherd's Pie
Bread

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Friday - 2/25

Lunch:
Salami and provolone sandwich
Fruit and dip
Dinner:
Tilapie filets
Mac and cheese
Green beans

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Saturday - 2/26
Lunch:
Cheese quesedillas
Veggies and dip

Dinner:
Sloppy Joes
French fries
Veggies and dip

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Sunday - 2/27

Lunch:

PB and J

Goldfish

Dinner:

Omaha steaks

Twice-baked potatoes

Salad

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Remember to come and share your weekly menus too!

4 comments:

Camp Isaac Mama February 14, 2011 at 6:04 AM: My new favorite easy recipe...

2lbs skinless boneless chicken breasts

1 1/2 cups heavy cream (milk will work, cream makes it richer)

1 1/2 cups parm cheese

2 8 oz packs cream cheese

1 fresh clove garlic, diced

Coat inside of crockpot with non-stick cooking spray.
Put chicken in a single layer into crockpot. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a little paprika.

Combine other ingredients in a pot on the stove over medium heat until the cheese is melted, whisk until creamy. Pour over chicken in crockpot.

Cook on low for 8 hours. Add a bag of frozen broccolli (or any frozen veggie you want to add, really, peas would also work well...). Cook on high for one hour.

Serve over linguini noodles (or any kind of pasta you have handy!)

Very easy to double the recipe! Chicken was falling apart by the time it was ready!!!
MaryAnne February 14, 2011 at 6:36 AM: Sounds delicious! Thanks for the inspiration =)
I'm Tara. February 16, 2011 at 7:09 AM: Okay - love recipe sharing!

Let's see -- this week has been/will be:

Friday: Maple Glazed Pork Chops with parmesan new potatoes
(sooooooooooo good and so easy - my hubby's absolute favorite!)
Saturday: Homemade cheeseburgers and sweet potato fries
Sunday: crockpot chicken & veggies
Monday: heart shaped pizza
Tuesday: dinner out
Wednesday: skillet lasagna

Thursday: Shrimp stir fry
Friday : Chicken manicotti
Personalized Sketches and Sentiments February 16, 2011 at 11:17 AM: I used to do menus...now with it being my hubby and I, I find that I will just whip up whatever I have in the fridge or pantry... "...aka surprise!"

If it isnt something simple like soup and a melted wrap, then I do still try to keep it balanced with some type of vegetables, salad, etc...

Blessings & Aloha!