Menu Plan Monday ~ April 25/11 + giveaway
Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. If you remember I had planned an Easter casserole this year instead of our normal ham and twice baked potatoes menu. This was our first Easter dinner without extended family and friends (and hubby was working as well) so I wanted to create new memories with my family rather than remember old ones. Unfortunately the Mother’s Ham Casserole recipe wasn’t so much of a casserole but more of a stoup (stew/soup). Wasn’t quite what I had in mind but once you got your mind wrapped around calling it something else it didn’t taste too bad 🙂
I’m not sure what happened either. This was a contest winning recipe on Taste of Home and I followed the directions exactly (as I typically do the first time I make a recipe). Oh well, I think God knew I needed a bit of a distraction and something else to focus on other than missing my family and friends so I’m thankful for that.
I’ve never thought of myself as a hospitable person but not having entertained this holiday has made me miss it for sure. It’s easy entertaining family and friends though because they love you despite all your shortcomings. Inviting new friends is a whole new story and something I’m a little more hesitant to do. Someone who isn’t afraid to entertain ever is Sandy from the lovely blog, the Reluctant Entertainer, and the author of the book by the same name. If there is anyone to inspire you/me to get past the things that hold us back from entertaining and opening our homes up to guests it’s Sandy. She is an amazing woman and her book is gorgeous!
You can read my original review here if you’d like and today I’ve got a SIGNED copy to giveaway to one of you. Simply leave a comment on this post prior to April 28th at 2:00 pm EST letting me know you are interested. If you’d like to go ahead and purchase a copy for yourself or Mother’s Day you can do so here.
Have a wonderful week everyone. I’ve got a number of giveaways coming up this week so be sure to come on back and check them out 🙂
Here’s what we’ll be eating this week:
Monday: Sassy Potato Corn Chowder (missed from last week)
Tuesday: Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Wednesday: Slow-Roasted Rosemary and Garlic Chicken (loved the tip for the drippings) served with mashed potatoes and carrots
Thursday: Leftover buffet
Friday: Quick Homemade Pizza
Saturday: Chicken Caesar Wraps
Simple Supper Sunday
WHAT’S ON YOUR MENU THIS WEEK?
Menu Plan Monday guidelines and banner selections are here.
I’d love to win a copy of reluctant entertainer! I love entertaining but don’t love cleaning and I always manage to be very stressed about the cooking part, too!
Sorry to hear about the casserole dish! It’s all part of the experimentation process. I’m sure you had a lovely Easter regardless!
Thanks for hosting another great MPM Laura! I have been wanting to get Sandy’s book for awhile!
Have a great week!
~Liz
The slow roasted rosemary and garlic chicken sounds really good. I am always on the lookout for more whole chicken recipes. Thanks for sharing!
I hate when that happens. I try to make a recipe for the first time on a holiday just in case, lol! Although I broke my rule yesterday and tried a brownie recipe from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures. It was awesome!
Have a great week.
Toni
Thanks for hosting Laura 🙂
And I’m interested in winning the book too!
Sometimes it’s just baffling when a recipe doesn’t turn out the way you expect. Glad it tasted good though!
You plan for the week looks great. Sorry that the casserole did not turn out, sometimes that just happens doesn’t it.
Bummer about the casserole!! We have a very similar recipe that my mom used to make, and we absolutely love it – we’ve tweaked it over time, but it may even have originated as that Taste of Home recipe. Here’s the link, if you’re interested: http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com/2010/04/ham-and-potato-casserole.html.
I’d enjoy a copy of the book; we love hosting people in our home, but feel like we have a lot to learn. Happy Easter Monday!
I’d love to check out this book!
I’d love to win a copy of this book! I’ve read some great things about it!! Thanks for the giveaway.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for hosting a great Monday Party and hope you have a wonderful week!
Miz Helen
I tried a new recipe for strawberry banana muffins yesterday and the streusel topping burned – it was a “epic fail” as my son referred to it. Thankfully, my family still loved the cinnamon rolls and me! My perfectionist attitude often gets in the way of entertaining- I forget to enjoy it because I am so busy trying to make everything perfect! I would definitely enjoy a copy of this book!
I would love to win this book! I like to have company over, but can never think of what to serve. Thank you so much!
I’d love to be entered in the giveaway! I’m not much an entertainer, but now that I am living with my fiance and we’ll be married in just a few short months, I’m sure I’ll be doing more of it in the future.
I would love to have that book…..I do love to entertain!
Pick me pick me!!! I love love love entertaining, but I can always stand to learn more from others! This looks like a great book! Hope I get it! Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love a copy!! Thank you!
i’m interested. thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to win a copy of this book!!
The book looks brilliant and so does your Clutter Rehab book, which I might buy
I’d love to win a copy!
Thank you for the book recommendation, I checked out her blog. She has wonderful tips! I would love to win it! I am going to add a few of your recipes to my upcoming menu’s. I might try the Beef Stir fry on the grill, I love to grill!
I would love this book!! I have been wanting to become a better hostess, and make people really feel welcome in our home. I always stress about the food and the cleanliness of the house too much, so by the time company gets here I’m exhausted! Some tips would be fabulous.
Thanks for another week of hosting Menu Plan Monday for all of us! 🙂
Wow! Thanks for the book recommendation! Her blog is beautiful and inspiring – and I can only imagine how much more so her book is! I grew up in a family who entertained often. Now that I have a family of my own, I try to do some of that, but I’m intimidated for some reason. I am truly a reluctant entertainer. I’d love to win a copy of the book. Please enter me in your giveaway!
The garlic rosemary chicken sounds awesome!
That is such a bummer about the casserole. That recipe is on my list to use up leftover ham. Wonder if it was such a glitch?
I would love a copy of the reluctant entertainer. I swear that should have me on the cover! I understand about the casserole. That always is a bummer when you are looking forward to something!
I’m glad you had a happy Easter, Laura…despite missing family and friends. Holidays always make us homesick too, but we’re thankful for the little family get togethers that we can have with our small NY family. 🙂
I would LOVE to win the entertaining book! I always struggle with this, so I would enjoy reading Sandy’s insights.
Thanks for hosting another great Menu Plan Monday! Can’t wait to see what everyone is cooking this week!
Thanks for the great giveaway too! I hope I win! 🙂
Have a great week!
I would love to win a copy!
I’d love to win a copy of Reluctant Entertainer. I would like to entertain more but I always feel stressed about the food and the house. Checked out Sandy’s blog and plan to follow it.
I’d love to win the book! As an Army wife I’m always needing to entertain and host events and with moving every year it’s usually with new friends. I’m always so worried about making everything perfect that I stress out. I’d love tips to become more comfortable hosting both casual and more formal events.
I’d love a copy of the book – my husband’s family are all great entertainers – and I’ve never had the creativity or gumption … So they kind of leave me in the dust so to speak. 🙂
Would love a copy of this book
I’m interested! “reluctant” is a gentle word for my feeling about it but I do it anyway!
Thanks for hosting! I’d love to win a copy of this book. I’m always looking for new inspiration!
I’d love to win a copy of the book! I enjoy entertaining, but I still need to work on not getting stressed by all the little details
I would really enjoy a copy of this book. I always have big ideas but not practical ones!
I love The Reluctant Entertainer, her website is great for helping us get past those fears of entertaining when it’s (our home, us, our cooking) not perfect. I would love a copy of her book. Put me in the pot. 🙂
Interested!? Of course I’m interested! Not only am I a lover of books, but I’m also the black sheep in a family of Amazing Entertainers!!!!
Very interested in the book.
Love that you have links to your recipes in your plan. I’ve tried a few on my crew as well.
Thanks!
We used to entertain often, but it’s fallen into the “best of intentions” category lately. Maybe this book would get me motivated to follow through!
I’m sorry you didn’t have your family around for the holiday! What a good idea to make something different then…although, are you missing the ham leftovers? I love them and am making a ham pie with them tonight- has a cheesy crust I love. 😉
I’d enjoy Sandy’s book, too, as I’ve heard a lot about it! Thanks!
Hmmm that sounds yummy!
Hi! Did you post the winner of the Silhouette giveaway? Or did I just miss it?
Thanks!!
Hi Lauren, yes I announced the winner here (near the bottom):
https://orgjunkie.com/2011/03/silhouette-sd-giveaway.html
I would love a chance to win that book. It looks great!
I’m also a reluctant entertainer (even though I enjoy it when I actually do it), so I would love to win this!
I would love to win this book!
I would love to enter!
I would love to win this book! Thanks for keeping us inspired with your menu plans and linky.
I so need a copy of this book! I’m definitely a “reluctant entertainer”!
I would love to win
What a beautiful book! Please count me into the drawing…
Your menu looks so good this week!
And I love the giveaway, that book looks really good!
My husband loves having people drop in and stay for dinner. I, on the other hand, struggle with it (I like to be organized and prepared for company!) . We have found a compromise over the years and it seems to work. So, I would love a chance to win the book so I can have another resource of how to entertain gracefully! Thanks!
I do love to entertain, even if the house is messy, but I always am over-apologetic and probably annoying. I’d love to have a plan to feel more relaxed about my house when people come over! And I love reading her blog in the past so I think I’d love the Reluctant Entertainer’s book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Would love to win this book! Thanks for the oppurtunity!
I would love to go from reluctant to effortless. My grandmother always had a stocked hor dourves pantry and enough cheese for a beautiful tray just in case.
I would love to win a copy of this book! I’ve been wanting to read it every since I saw your original review!
i would love to win. Thanks for the opportunity!
I would love to win a copy of Sandy’s book…it looks great! Thanks for the chance!
I would love to win this book!! I like the “idea” of entertaining, I just have no idea where to start!
What a beautiful book and speaks to my heart–love the idea of entertaining but reality can overwhelm sometimes.
Very interested in this giveaway.
I would love to win a copy of the book!
I would love to win a copy of the book! 🙂
I would also love to win a copy of this book! What a great giveaway. Thank you!
I would love a copy of the book. I’m new to your site and have enjoyed browsing. I’ll be back next week to share my menu 🙂
I am surprised. Taste of Home has amazing recipes and I have used them often. I am always on a lookout for new books.
I would love to win a copy of this book!
love the cover!
That book looks fabulous! I would love to win.
I am little late posting getting over here this afternoon. Today has been so busy. But took a look around at the other menu plans and they all looks great.
I love entertaining, but my husband does not. This book might be great for him!! Happy Easter!
that looks ilke a fun book! I would love a copy. D:
I would love to win a copy of The Reluctant Entertainer!
I had the same problem following an enchalidas recipe yesterday? For once, I actually followed everything as the recipe said and it still ended up like stew. Luckily I saved it, but no enchildadas for warming up for lunch this week now! (Phooey) I’d love to win the book too!
So many comments, how ever shall you choose?? LOL 🙂
I love to entertain but usually go a bit overboard, which causes anxiety for me and my family. By the time the event begins everything goes just fine. But I worry about every little detail! I could definitely use some help from an expert, and would love to win a copy.
Yes I’m interested in the giveaway! The book sounds great. Thanks.
I would love this book! I need help with entertaining.
I’d love to get this book. Thanks!
I’d love to win this…love Sandy’s blog!
Oh my gosh, I would LOVE to win this copy of the Reluctant Entertainer! Since moving back to Texas we find we have company, sometimes with only a days notice, at least twice a month! And some, friends of my husbands, friends of our children, I don’t know as well as I’d like. This book would be a God-send for me!!
Would love to win this– love her blog!
I’ve looked at her book several times. It would be a delight to win it.
I love hospitality over at my site. I’d love to win and thank you for hosting every week.
I would love to own a copy of this book!
This book would be a great help to me – I could use it!
I so love the Reluctant Entertainer blog. She is truly ministering to others thru her blog. I would SO LOVE to have her book 🙂
I would love to read this book!!
I’d love to part of the drawing for the book! Thanks for hosting a great giveaway! ~~Rhonda 🙂
I’d love to win. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like a great book! Those chicken caesar wraps look good too, thanks!
I would love to win a copy! I am such a basketcase when it comes to entertaining. Hopefully this well help calm my fears. Thank you for the opportunity.
i would love a copy!
I would love a copy of the Reluctant Entertainer book! That sounds right up my alley since I’ve been put into the role of reluctant full-time housewife lol!
Speaking of, I had the same thing happen to a “casserole” of mine–and I still haven’t figured out what I did! Lol at least it still tasted yummy!
I would love a copy of the Reluctant Entertainer. I actually just added that book to my Amazon wish list today!
Would love a copy! Thanks for the giveaway!
homemakingpilgrim(at)gmail(dot)com
Definitely interested in the book…. it sounds great, and the cover does look beautiful!
I have found that of my own parties, the ones I enjoy most are the impromptu ones. You know, friends came over to swim in the pool and it’s close to dinner time, so I just invite them to stay. I get too tense to enjoy the parties I plan far ahead. If this book can help me relax a bit more when I entertain, I’d love to have a copy!
I would love this! I think that I have the gift of hospitality but there is still so much I can learn. Thank you!
This book is right up my alley. I think it might help! Thanks for all your great ideas!
I have several friends that have read this book. I would love a copy for myself!
I love entertaining.. I like getting ready for it: the cleaning, cooking, decorating (if needed), but I usually leave the inviting to my husband.
Ooh I’m interested in this book! Throw my name into the hat please 😉
I would love to win this book!
I would love to read this book! I am a very reluctant entertainer and would like to change that. 🙂
I would love this book. Martha Stewart I am not- but my step-sisters entertain as if they were her identical twin. Needless to say, it’s quite intimidating!
I would love to win this book. I have retired recently and have been doing more entertaining with family, who are more forgiving. I had to go out and outfit my kitchen, it had been awhile since I’d done any seriouce cooking/entertaining. Haveing this book would boost my courage to invite non family to dinner.
Looks like a great book! I would love to read it! 🙂
I have had this book on my wish list for some time now!
Great giveaway! I’d love one.
Wow, looks like a beautiful book and I am definitely a reluctant entertainer (or maybe that is an incompetent entertainer)! Please enter me in the giveaway.
Interested!
I do a lot of entertaining and would love a copy of the book. Think I’ll try some of your menus this week, too!
interested!
I would love the book too – as I need all the help I can get! lol!
I could really use this book! I am more reluctant than I want to be sometimes. We just moved in January and I agree, its harder inviting people that aren’t family and old friends too.
I would love the cookbook. Entertaining is always a bit stressful for me.
I would love to win this book.
The reluctant entertainer – sounds like me. I’d love to read this book.
– Danielle
other-option AT hotmail DOT com
Oh! I would love love love to be the winner of this book! I am a bit addicted to recipes and cookbooks! The Reluctant Entertainer would be a fabulous addition!
Thanks so much!
Shawn @ chicksdigcoupons.blogspot.com
Sounds great. Count me in please.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I would love to win a copy!
I love to entertain……..but i’m really not god at it…I would love to win a copy! thanks for the opportunity!
I would love to win this book. Please pick me!!!! I think I am a social disaster most of the time … maybe, just maybe this would help me!
The book looks great – would love to win it! Thanks!
OOooh…this book looks awesome…I love entertaining, but it stresses my husband out – it doesn’t matter if it’s one person dropping by for coffee or a large family Thanksgiving, his stress level is the same – through the roof! Maybe we can figure out how to make it less stressful for him!
I love Sandy’s book. Even though I was sorry to hear about the recipe mishap, it is comforting to know that this happens to someone else too.
I would love a copy of the book!
I’d love a copy of the book. Entertaining always sounds like a great idea but then I get too worked up about messing it up!
I’d love a copy of the book – has been on my Amazon wish list for a few months. Love your blog, Laura! Practical, encouraging, always gives me a boost!
Love your blog. Gets my organizational juices flowing – I check it daily!
Would love a copy of the book – always at a loss for new ideas in the kitchen!
Would love the chance to win! Looks like a great book 🙂
I would love to win a copy!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
I want a copy! I’m intrigued!
I’d love to win a copy of the Reluctant Entertainer!
Great menu as always! I would love a chance to win!!
I’m interested; thank you :).
I would love to win this book! I would love to learn more about being good at entertaining!
I would love to win this book… I could use all the tips I can get to have a MARTHA heart in this MARY world! 🙂
This definitely sounds like something I could use! Thanks so much for the giveaway! 🙂
I would love to win the book.
I’m interested in the book. Thanks!
The Reluctant Entertainer and your own Clutter Rehab book have been at the top of my Wish List for quite a while now! I live in hope of winning either of them, or placing an order for them when I head home for the summer to Scotland
I live overseas, and really hope I am eligible to enter this giveaway. Btw, your Blog is amazing!
Thanks Laura.
I love entertaining and am always looking for new ideas about how to have fun with my guests!
I had a failure of a recipe over the weekend. Friday was my husband’s 40th b-day and he loves coconut cream pie. I’ve made one in the past but this time I used a new recipe. Needless to say, it was coconut cream soup….UGH. We ended up buying one:(
I have been planning my menus and following your website since the beginngin of this year. I Love it!! I’m saving so much money at the grocery and my husband loves all the new meals I’ve been making. Thanks so much for posting your menus. I’ve used many of your recipes and one of our favorites is the pasta carbonara (the one when your husband requested bacon). YUM!
I would LOVE a copy of this book! We are moving in about a week to a little bigger of a house and I look forward to entertaining a lot more. I don’t really have the opportunity to do that where we are now- not as much as I would like anyway. I know it’s not all about the space you have- you can be hospitable anytime no matter the space, but it sure does make it easier with a little counter space to prepare meals, and an area for people to eat and visit! Now maybe family can come to MY house for thanksgiving or Christmas or Easter dinners and I won’t have to drag my 3 little kids to theirs!! 🙂
Hello! I would love to be entered in the book drawing! Thanks and have a great week!!!!
I’m interested! Thank you!!
If ever a book title speaks to me, this one does! I love to tablescape, but I am the true reluctant entertainer! I need this book to help complete the portion of the tablescape and menu planning parts of my life.
Would love this book!!! Thanks for the chance!
Looks like a really great book! Thanks for the chance!
I would love to win the book! Thanks.
Looks like a great book!
This book looks like a fun read with great info!
I would love to win this book! Please enter me!
Would love one.
If entertaining only meant cooking wonderful food & then eating it with friends & family, I’d do it all the time. Unfortunately, there’s that cleaning element involved….so it rarely happens 🙁
So glad I found this linky party! I’ll be back to check out more of the links! And I could use inspiration from a book like that too! 🙂
I’m interested in winning the book — entertaining is fun!
The book has been on my Amazon list forever, but I haven’t purchased it yet. I’d love to win a copy!! Thanks Laura!
I love the new look and navigation of your blog! Looks beautiful! I think I am really bad at entertaining guests. I want to be that person that throws parties and everything looks beautiful and comes together, but I can’t ever figure it out!
Thanks for sharing about a recipe that doesn’t turn out the way you thought! I appreciate your honesty. This book looks like one I could really use.
Thanks!
Thanks for another great give away! I would love to be entered in for the book!!
I am also curious to hear how the corn chowder on your menu plan turns out… I would be leery of putting miracle whip in my soup!
I’d love to win RE! It’s a beautiful book.
I would love to win your signed copy of The Reluctant Entertainer. I am new to your blog and I have lots of work to do with organizing. Looking forward to learning from you.
I would love a copy! Love your blog, thanks for writing it 🙂
I am interested in this book!
Oh, I would love to win this book! I’ve heard great things about it.
That book sounds awesome! I also struggle with entertaining people. Even if it’s friends I have known for a while, I still get stressed out not knowing what to do!
Yes i would be interested in this lovely book
What a beautiful cover!
I miss you too!
Sounds like a great book! I’m certainly interested!
I’d be delighted to win the book. Thanks for the chance!
mmstangerjunk (at) comcast (dot) net
I too would love to win a copy of the book! I am (reluctantly) trying to get myself back into entertaining after two years of not doing so do to illnesses in the family.
I’m always looking for new entertaining ideas…. Just found your site today!
I have been popping around to several of the Meal Plan Monday links. I have noticed many of the links go to interesting blogs, but they do not have meal plans posting. Found some good reading, a couple of recipes I have to try soon. While what they do have posted is interesting, I am just curious as to why link to a site with a specific topic when they don’t follow the topic.
Hi Dianna, it really is frustrating isn’t it and very bad blog etiquette at that. The reason they are doing this is to get the blog traffic without taking anyone else into consideration. I try to monitor it but with so many links it’s hard to keep on top of it. I will be adding a new feature next MPM to try and stop this behaviour from happening in future. Thanks for stopping by!