tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10865019427352382472026-07-19T15:11:30.136-06:00weekly menus, favorite recipes and all other things I loveJennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comBlogger864125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-78779244948853350612022-11-16T18:52:00.002-07:002023-06-17T09:39:00.480-06:00

This pie is our new favorite. I used to make a cooked pudding banana cream pie, but it often didn't set up like I wanted it to. I got this recipe from my sister-in-law, Maggie, and we've been making it for holidays, birthdays and just for fun. Super easy and always yummy.Banana Cream Pie2 baked pie crust shells1 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding1 cup cold water14 oz can sweetened condensed milk1

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-73718249087129344662022-01-10T23:30:00.004-07:002022-01-29T17:16:15.036-07:00

It's been THREE years since I've posted a recipe! And over a year since I've shared a blog post. Funny how life gets busy and changes. I started sharing my weekly menus and recipes in 2007 when my oldest child was 6 and now she is 17 and ready to graduate from high school! Most of my recipes these days come from Mel's Kitchen Cafe, so I share many recipes here. Our weekly meals include a lot of

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-32310125973070914622020-12-14T13:30:00.000-07:002020-12-14T13:30:01.511-07:00

My kids have been in charge of deciding what we are having for dinner for most of 2020.  We started a dinner/dishes chart when we were all quarantined at home in March.  The kid that gets to unload the dishwasher that day also gets to pick what we have for dinner.  This system has worked great for the most part and has cut out on a lot of complaining at dinner time. I've

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-66363589842753246762019-11-19T15:01:00.001-07:002019-11-19T15:01:27.539-07:00

My two "little" boys trying out the new ninja course near us. Hi all!   I was thinking today about how much easier life would be if I actually planned a menu and shopped for it.  We're in a super busy stage of life (with kids in elementary, middle and high school) and often dinner is my family members choice of oatmeal, scrambled eggs, multigrain cheerios or leftovers.&

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-30507963255809681522019-10-14T14:44:00.003-06:002019-10-14T14:44:50.684-06:00

Happy Monday!  It's been forever since I've planned and posted a menu.  I'm feeling like I want to use my crockpot a lot this week, so my meals are a little crockpot heavy.  Feels good to have a plan!  Monday:  BBQ chicken sandwiches, baked fries Tuesday: Crockpot San Francisco pork chops\, rice, veggies Wednesday:  Crockpot chicken stew Thursday:  Slow

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-45046549790868595672019-05-24T14:45:00.003-06:002019-05-24T14:45:57.485-06:00

View from one of my early morning runs.  I love sunrises!  Except that the sun starts to rise at like 4:30 here. Hi friends!  I've got to keep this short and sweet.  I have a few thoughts: 1. A bird was chirping at 4 am this morning and woke me up.  My kids still have 14 more days of school. 2.  That's three more weeks before summer. 3.  I might need to

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-82362224416255392652019-02-26T13:38:00.001-07:002019-02-26T13:38:21.799-07:00

Hi there!  We are on our 6th school snow today today.  Luckily it's sunny and the snow is trying to melt a bit before we get another storm tomorrow.  It's a little insane that we have had so much snow this month and no snow at all the rest of the winter.  (My kids didn't go to school for 11 straight days a week or so ago.)   Anyway...menu planning is

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-71817729394719086102019-01-14T12:17:00.002-07:002019-01-14T12:17:37.842-07:00

Hi friends!  It's been forever since I've posted a menu.  I'm determined to get back at it.  I spent last week in Phoenix with my husband, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for keeping the kids alive and on schedule!  I got to hike, eat yummy salads, shop, go to the temple, visit my aunt and lots of other fun things while my husband attended a conference.  We did some

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-52723660751604947582018-10-29T17:22:00.001-06:002018-10-29T17:22:43.727-06:00

Hi there!  It's definitely fall at my house, but we've been lucky and it hasn't frozen yet.  We're still picking raspberries and making freezer jam.  And I finally picked all my green tomatoes this weekend.  I hope the warmish weather stays as long as it can.  :) Soccer season is over.  Yay!  We have our first free Monday evening in months and months.&

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-4075210021678314362018-10-29T17:10:00.001-06:002018-10-29T17:11:04.763-06:00

I had this menu post all typed up last week and never pushed "publish" because I got distracted. So, better late than never.  Hi friends!  Because of really nice friends and carpools, I've made dinner every day this week.  It's been amazing!  Cross country is mostly over for my kiddos.  This is the last week of soccer too.  And now we can just enjoy

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-11645176036246520102018-10-15T12:35:00.002-06:002018-10-15T12:35:36.274-06:00

Happy Monday!   Just for fun, I'm sharing this picture from 2012 when life was way less busy, I blogged a lot and my kids were tiny and squishy.  Lately, I've been trying to remember what life was like back then, before I got a smart phone.  Back in the days before I could text or had social media.  Those were the days!    My husband and I have been

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-75969253457992583442018-10-08T11:35:00.000-06:002018-10-08T11:35:08.516-06:00

I'm trying to get back into blogging, instead of spending time on social media, both posting and browsing.  Life is super busy with all the kids in school and sports, etc.  I've got to do better at realistically menu planning. So this post will be short and sweet. Menu time! Monday:  crockpot taco soup Tuesday:  broccoli cheese soup and one hour rolls Wednesday:

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-22295941882273493262018-08-02T19:05:00.002-06:002018-08-02T19:07:39.370-06:00

Some of our backyard where we spend lots of our time in the summer, looking out to the garden. Hi all, The summer is buzzing along!  I can't even keep up, so I'm just enjoying the crazy ride.  This week is a slower week at my house, since my 12 year old is at scout camp.  I've actually made dinner a few times, so I thought menu planning would be a good idea for the next

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-82606551934791429912018-06-25T09:54:00.000-06:002018-06-25T09:54:08.042-06:00

Hi all!  It's been months since I've posted a menu.  Life just got busy, I guess.  We still ate dinner and I kind of planned menus, but no blogging happened.  We are starting our second full week of summer break and I'm ready to get organized. Last week was full of camping, mosquito bites, helping at cup scout day camp, a hospital visit to get stitches, etc.  My

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-18934316664023153652018-04-10T16:21:00.001-06:002018-04-10T16:29:42.508-06:00

Alki Beach - My boys love this picture since it looks like there's a bird on my head.  We were grateful that the sun was out, thus the squinting.   Hi all!  We are in recovery mode from having spring break last week.  We spent the whole week in Seattle, where my husband worked and the kids and I played (and tried to stay sane while together in our hotel room). 

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-40745386258563270962018-03-19T12:30:00.000-06:002018-03-19T12:31:13.410-06:00

Hi all.  I've been slacking with menu planning lately, especially since spring sports multiplied by 3 kids has started, plus 3 different piano lesson schedules, plus preschool, plus church activities, etc has been happening full force.  Last week showed me that I HAVE to plan ahead or my family is going to be eating rotisserie chicken or cereal every night.   So,

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-9978726951342369722018-01-20T09:34:00.000-07:002018-01-20T12:18:42.756-07:00

This chicken noodle soup is an Instant Pot win!  I've made it three times now (two batches in one day).  Each time has been delicious!  And each time I've made it I've simplified the process of making it.   In the past I've struggled making the perfect chicken noodle soup.  I hadn't gotten the broth perfected, so I would usually thicken it and make it a

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-19207738591104613252018-01-19T10:48:00.004-07:002018-01-19T10:48:34.886-07:00

Hi there friends!   This week has been a good one.  It's been full of yummy food and sunshine!  This January has been so mild compared to last year when we had tons of snow days.  We've had sunny days and have got to spend time outside at the park, even if it's a little chilly.  So nice!  The only downside is there are so many sicknesses going around.&

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-62484707834243304802018-01-12T10:24:00.002-07:002018-01-12T10:24:25.063-07:00

Hi everyone!  January is going great!  The kids are back in school and we're kind of back in a groove. Here are some highlights of my week: 1.  We survived our first week of having the 2:30 to 5:30 block schedule at church.  It was dark at around 4:00.  Kind of weird, but it was ok.  I've never gone to church that late in my life, but we have four wards (

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-22215998246865501772017-12-11T10:10:00.000-07:002018-03-09T18:42:55.407-07:00

Putting up lights.   Hi everyone!  Happy Monday.  The next two weeks are getting busier and busier.  Menu planning is a must, because my family likes to eat and we have family coming to town. :) So, here goes: Monday:  meatball sandwiches Tuesday:  chicken and wild rice soup Wednesday:  teriyaki cedar-planked grilled salmon, orzo/rice/

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-63931924707774507932017-12-04T10:08:00.001-07:002017-12-04T10:08:12.126-07:00

#LIGHTtheWORLD is becoming one of my favorite things about December.   Hi everyone!  Wow, my menu postings are kind of far and few between these days.  I really did make dinner the last month.  We hosted my brother-in-laws family for Thanksgiving and my sister-in-law and I whipped up a tasty feast.   I think my favorite part of Thanksgiving was that I

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-72136715127697555452017-11-13T12:46:00.000-07:002017-11-13T12:46:05.923-07:00

Gorgeous sunrise this morning! Great way to start week. Hi everyone!  I think we're finally recovered from last week.  The combination of the time change, my husband being out of town for work and a new sports schedule was a little crazy.  I'm ready for this week and excited that we no longer have soccer practices, so we can eat dinner at a normal time as a family!  That

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-70842605604174762542017-11-06T13:02:00.001-07:002017-11-06T13:02:18.643-07:00

I came home from running kids around to practices, etc. last week and my four year old presented me with this picture of me.  I love it.   Hi everyone!  Remember the days when I used to post my menu every week?  Well, I started this blog 10 years ago (wow!) and posted menus weekly faithfully for years.  My kids are getting older (now 13, 11, 8 and 4) and things

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-82614039409318149962017-10-23T16:12:00.003-06:002017-10-23T18:57:10.484-06:00

We had some teenagers over for a Swedish themed dinner last night.  They were participating in a "missionary for a day" activity.  They were paired up into companionships, like the official missionaries for our church and were assigned to a family for dinner.  They ate with us and then taught us a lesson about Heavenly Father's plan for us.   My husband served

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086501942735238247.post-65435820098793622282017-09-18T16:58:00.002-06:002017-09-18T16:58:59.698-06:00

We enjoyed eating and giving away this giant pan of peanut butter fudge bars (recipe from Mel's Cafe). Hi everyone, How is it already September 18th?  This month is flying by.  Our family calendar is getting a little crazy with three kids in sports, plus church activities, plus piano lessons, etc.  But I'm going to get it figured out so we all stay sane, well fed, rested

Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683576532459927195noreply@blogger.com