How did your week go? Are you finding it harder or easier to menu plan in the summer? Are you pulling out the crockpot to avoid heating up the kitchen? How about enjoying yummy summer salads? I love a good potato or pasta salad, something you just can’t beat on a hot day that is for sure. For some summer recipes you might be interested in this free pdf from Econobusters called Molly Green FRESH.
I hosted a packing party the other night (such a great way to attack the task at hand) and made up the Bacon Cheese Dip in a Bread Bowl for my guests. Unfortunately I ended up having to throw the whole thing out because it was sooo salty from all the bacon. Toni suggests using bacon bits instead so I’ll definitely give that a try next time. I’m getting down to bare bones in my fridge and freezer so it will be interesting to see how this week plays out for me.
Oh and before I forget I did want to let you know that I’ve updated my Menu Planning Resources page a little bit so if you haven’t had a chance to check it, please do. Some very helpful links there.
So here’s what I’ll be eating this week…..maybe :)
Monday: The Single Lady Pancake (gotta love a name like that!)
Tuesday: Thai Chicken Pizza
Wednesday: Grilled Cheese with Tomato
Thursday: Leftover buffet
Friday: Dinner out
Saturday: Appy Night ~ Layered Black Bean Dip
Sunday: Church potluck ~ Black Bean and Corn Chicken Taco Bake (4 ingredients!)
WHAT’S ON YOUR MENU PLAN THIS WEEK?
Menu Plan Monday guidelines and banner selections are here.
PLEASE NOTE:
Mr. Linky was out of commission today so I’m trying inlinkz instead. I’ve seen inlinkz used on a few blogs and I love that the links are displayed with a thumbnail image. You get to select any image from your blog or blog post.
So let’s give it a go and see how it works out (please let me know your preference). Click on the frog face below to add your link.
Connect With Me:
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
Black beans are one of the few foods Cora will eat. I’m definitely going to check out the black bean recipes on your menu plan.
Have a great week!
Toni
I was planning to have grilled cheese & tomato for lunch today! I think I’ll try your recipe. Thanks for hosting!
Grilled cheese and tomato is one of my favorites. Fantastic combination!
I am definitely utilizing my crockpot this summer!! I try to do one crockpot recipe a week…
I completely agree with the crock pot! I have a recipe this week for the crock pot!
Summer has been hard for me. I’ve been using the crock pot and trying to do simpler meals.
I’m trying the teryaki salmon this week….can’t wait!
Have a great tasty week.
I LOVE grilled cheese with tomatoes — especially mozzarella and a little garlic butter. :)
I am off to check out the black bean recipes … I love me some black beans!
Thanks for the linky. I love being able to see the thumbnails!!! YAY~
Amy
http://www.thecheapandchoosy.com
I love the thumbnails, but was totally unprepared! lol!
you can do this with McLinky too!
Thanks for the ideas…
Looking forward to looking through the menus! And one of my meals this week is Roasted Red Pepper Soup with grilled cheese….has a lot of tomato in it, so we must be having a theme! :)
Uggh, I do not like the thumbnails. LOL! I just don’t typically have pictures in my MPM post. Oh well, I guess I could have done a picture of one of my 5 giveaways. LOL!
I have a super busy week this week and my post with recipes reflects that.
That Bacon Dip looks YUM! :-) I am saving the recipe to try later
I like the new linky! Thanks for hosting!
I totally stole your grilled cheese with tomato for this week-thanks for the idea!
love the new linky!
I like this linky~the thumbnails are fun:) Can’t wait to browse all your new links in the menu planning resources! Planning meals in the hot summertime is not the most fun for me.
I’ve been avoiding using the oven to keep the kitchen cooler. It always seems to be the warmest room in the house. We’ve been grilling a ton lately and I’m busting out the crock pot this week!
On another note, I’m looking for some good meatless Monday recipes that aren’t spicy (I don’t cook with peppers due to health problems). If you have some good recipes, do you mind hoping over and sharing them in my comments?
i finally made a weekly menu plan and im so proud of myself!! i am looking forward to planning every week and finding new recipes to try. thanks for the link up!
Thank you for hosting! Summer is harder to plan meals, I think. It should be easier…I have a little more time during the day, but it is so HOT, that limits my choices it seems! :)
Salads have been seen a lot here, too. And thanks for the update on the bacon dip. I had it flagged to try.
Newbie here! I can’t believe I haven’t seen this before….I’m so excited to check out everyone’s menus.
Interesting link system – thanks for hosting!
Thank you for the great meme each week! It makes me accountable, and my family thanks you! :D
Will definitely be checking out you dish for the potluck :) Souds great!
I use the crockpot during the summer. This week is the only week we aren’t using the crockpot for any of the meals. My hubby is a meat and potatoes man and doesn’t like salads so I don’t do salads.
I l ove the thumbnails as they are more personal/interesting than just the links. Liz
Your menu sounds yummy! I’m especially intrigued by the Thai Chicken Pizza.
I really like the new linky! I just picked some tomatoes at my parents this morning. I’m going to steal your grilled cheese and tomato idea for lunch!
I joined MPM for the first time this week. I’m cooking mostly based on things I have on hand this week. We’ve been grilling A LOT lately but we’re taking a break from that this week, which is probably ok since we’re supposed to have afternoon storms almost every evening.
I am anxious to give your thai chicken pizza a try…sounds yummy!
Thanks for hosting…
Thank you, Laura, for hosting! (But not for introducing me to that Single Lady Pancake–Oh my, I think I want to make that every night!)
The Thai Chicken Pizza looks amazing. I love Taste of Home recipes.
Yummy menu this week! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been trying to use my slow cooker on baseball nights. Helps me having something made on time before we have to head out the door for baseball. Helps from not having to rush out the door.
This is such a fun post! And yes, I am pulling out the crockpot tomorrow to make chili. Then grilling the next day. It is too hot here!
The thai pizza looks good! A little tweaking for our family and it’s going on my menu next week.
LOVE the new linky. It’s great to see the thumbnail pics!!
I used one of my crockpots once last week and I’ve planned two crockpot meals this week!
Thanks Laura!
I use the inlinkz linky on several of my blogs, it’s wonderful! It’s so nice to have a little sneak peak. Hope you’ll continue using it. I haven’t had any problems with it at all, and Aris the owner is awesome and very readily available if you have any questions or issues.
Have a great week :-)
Thanks for keeping us all on track, Laura! The menu planning is making my life a lot easier and allowing me more time and energy to focus on my art and to be creative in the kitchen! I like the new linky tool.
I LOVE the new MPM link/thumbnail layout! I like to look through the links every week but always end up losing my place when the links are arranged in the 3 long columns. Now that they are in rows I can just start with #1 and keep going row by row. It’s so much easier to keep track of where I left off if I have to stop browsing. I would love to see it like this every week. :O)
Woohoo! I finally remembered to link mine up! The inlinkz functionality is pretty slick!
Thanks for you recipes. It is winter here and hard to stay really inspired.
http://tamarastitterings.blogspot.com/2010/07/monday-menu-19-july.html
Love the linky! Mr. Linky seems somewhat unreliable at times, isn’t it?
Hi there!
Big fan of your blog :)
I follow you on Twitter and “Like” you on Facebook. I refer to your site any chance I get. You have made organizing something I look forward to doing.
I gave you the Sunshine Award! Hope you like it!
Check it out here:
http://mylifesimpleandbeautiful.blogspot.com/2010/07/sunshine-award.html
Best,
Rachel
I love the thumbnail linkys too. Pictures are make it so interesting to look at.
I tackled menu planning this week for camping. Recipes for camping. Meal prep for camping. And when I say camping..I mean camping with a tent, and a gas bbq and a picnic table….we don’t own a camper. I love having my meals organized for camping because it makes my life so much easier and keeps the husband happy too, as he is the cook.