Menu Plan Monday and the Week Ahead…

I simply cannot wrap my head around the notion that Christmas is Friday. THIS FRIDAY! How did that happen??? I finally got the tree decorated last night. Today I will be finishing all the decorating and cleaning the house. Lord willing and the creek don’t rise. 😉

Tomorrow I have to go to town to pick up my bi-weekly organic produce order (my refrigerator is full; wherever will I put it???). I’m going to make one final stop at the grocery store for a few items and then one other errand which I can’t mention because my husband and kids read my blog. And it’s Christmas. Shh…don’t ask questions. After those morning errands I am then going to complete my gift wrapping while watching “Miracle on 31st Street”. I haven’t decided which version, yet.

Wednesday evening is our final Advent service of the year and I will again be assisting our pastor in serving communion. I then have choir rehearsal, as well as a short rehearsal for a small, women’s ensemble that will sing Christmas Eve. If I’m really productive and stay on task today and tomorrow, I just might be able to spend a few hours during the day on Wednesday simply soaking up the Christmas spirit. I’d love to relax with a Christmas-themed book, listen to some holiday music, watch a Christmas movie and maybe even catch a short nap. Hey, a girl can dream.

Thursday is Christmas Eve. Yes, I have a knack for stating the obvious. Our extended family will gather for lunch and gifts for the kiddos at noon at my cousin’s house. God bless her; she’s been willing to host this, and other family gatherings, for several years now. I sometimes wonder if they regret building such a big house. 😉 We have decided to forgo the big, traditional meal (which we just did at Thanksgiving) in favor of finger foods. We’ll likely spend a few hours together and then back home to get ready for our candlelight Christmas Eve service at 8 p.m. I have to be there at 7 for one final choir rehearsal. This service is the highlight of my holiday. It’s a beautiful service and no matter how hectic things might have been up to that point, when the congregation sings “Silent Night” together in a darkened church, each of us holding a lit candle…well…somehow the stress melts away and it is indeed finally Christmas.

On Christmas morning, our daughter and son-in-law will come over early to have breakfast and open gifts with us. Of course, our son is here, too. We all love this relaxed and fun time together. Lisa and Justin then go back to their house to celebrate with Justin’s parents. David, Chris and I will then go to my parents’ around 1 p.m. for lunch and gift opening with them. I haven’t heard yet if my brother and his family will be there but I’m guessing they will be. I do know that my other brother who lives in the Tulsa area is working so they won’t be able to join us. That’s why we went to their house to celebrate Saturday before last.

I’m really looking forward to Saturday. All the going and doing will be over and we can spend the day enjoying our Christmas decorations and new gifts, watching movies, napping and eating. I plan to cook a small turkey breast that day and maybe I’ll bake something special, too.

I suspect there won’t be a lot of people at church Sunday as many will be out of town, but we will be there. I’ve actually always liked the Sunday after Christmas. It just seems so quiet and still after the hustle and bustle of the holidays. It’s a good time to catch my breath and reflect on things.

And now…my menu for the week:

Monday:

• lasagna roll-ups (vegetarian)
• tossed green salad
• toasted garlic bread

We will watch “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

Tuesday:

• Chinese food (haven’t decided if I’ll cook or if we’ll get take-out)

We will watch “A Christmas Story”. If you’ve seen it, you’ll understand why we are having Chinese food.

Wednesday:

• vegetarian green chile/sour cream enchiladas (I’ll try to share the recipe soon.)
• refried beans
• yellow rice
• chips and salsa

Thursday:

• lunch at my cousin’s
• late supper after church service consisting of grilled hot dogs (veggie dogs for Chris) and homemade potato salad (we did this last year and decided to make it one of our weird traditions)

Last year we watched “A Charlie Brown Christmas” while eating our late supper and plan to do the same this year.

Friday:

Breakfast –

• some type of breakfast casserole (haven’t decided yet)
• natural, uncured bacon
• canned orange rolls (Chris’ favorite and an annual treat)
• fresh-squeezed orange juice and coffee

Late lunch at my parents’-

• Honey Baked ham (mom)
• potato casserole (mom)
• layered salad (mom)

I’ll probably bring some homemade cranberry sauce, a vegetable and maybe some homemade rolls. Mom also ordered some pies from a local restaurant.

Saturday:

• turkey
• mashed potatoes and gravy
• cranberry sauce
• rolls
• green beans and/or salad

Sunday:

• turkey sandwiches
• other leftovers

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