Budget Menu Planning

     There is nothing quite like going home. I don't think it much matters how long you've been gone. The feeling of walking into your home and that feeling of "aahhh" just engulfs you. I was reminded of this when we got back home Sunday after a trip up north. Sadly, my hubby's grandfather passed away and we needed to be in New York for his funeral. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's for a long while, but his passing was/is still tough for those who knew him. We left to head up north last Wednesday evening after everyone got off work and drove for a few hours to a hotel where we met up with the hubby's parents and brother and stayed the night. So we arrived in the freezing weather New York on Thursday around dinnertime. We left to head home, with hubby's dad riding with us, Saturday afternoon and arrived home late Sunday afternoon. What a whirlwind trip. I'm glad we went, and now I'm glad we are back in spring-y weather home. Ain't nuthin like comin' home. :)

     So after everyone went back to work and school on Monday, I needed to write up some menus and go grocery shopping. I needed to plan out for 2 weeks. I'm excited about what I came up with.

Monday 4/2: Breakfast- Banana Muffins

Tuesday 4/3: Buffalo Chicken Strips w/ Baby Red Potato Salad & Biscuits

Wednesday 4/4: Roasted Tomato Soup w/ Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

Thursday 4/5: Homemade Shells 'n' Cheese

Friday 4/6: Homemade Pizza Dippers

Saturday 4/7: Meatloaf w/ Beets & Sauteed Yellow Squash

Monday 4/9: Soba Noodles w/ Sesame-Lime Dressing

Tuesday 4/10: Breakfast- Waffles, Crepes, or Pancakes

Wednesday 4/11: Lemon-Caper Capellini w/ veggies

Thursday 4/12: Mexican Lasagna

Friday 4/13: Homemade Pizza

Saturday 4/14: Tortellini, Gnocchi, and a veggie

Sunday 4/15: Carrot Ginger Soup

**I'll do a breakdown each day with specifics about where the recipe was found and Weight Watchers points and stuff.**

     My shopping list was for most of the things to make all of these dinners plus whatever we were running low on around the house. My point? I spent only $101 at Kroger! I was super excited about that because I got most everything I need and only need to go back for a handful of things. :) Which is good because I have a slightly smaller food budget for this 2-week period.

     Before we left, I checked on a few stores' sites to compare flyers and make sure I could get the best deal on things I needed. I'm glad I did because the chicken was on sale for $1.99/lb, usually $3.50/lb. Also, yellow & zucchini squash was on sale for $.99/lb, as were fresh green beans. And I got milk on manager's special for $2.49/gallon and it's still good thru 4/12 (and it was only the 3rd when I got it). And I had 2 coupons for things that were already on sale too. So all-in-all, it was a good shopping trip.

Let's get eating!