Monday's Meal Plan and Meanderings

There's something about Mondays that compel me to tell you about my weekend. In short, we sailed the SeaChicken, had some nice meals, and did some shopping and thrifting. One of the places where we thrifted was an indoor flea market where I spotted this unusual ensemble.

Yes, that IS a mannequin in a wedding gown wearing a feathered Mardi Gras mask and a gun belt with a gun and knife of some sort attached to it! EEK!

In addition, a little boy (around 6 years old) there stopped running to inform me that he and his family were from Mars. Oops. . .that may have been classified information. Other than that, the flea market held no treasures for me to take home. However, I did score a few things at my trusty, neighborhood Goodwill.

These were in a ziplock with a bunch of kids' plastic beads and some fishing wire. See the brass bells in the upper right? THAT'S why I bought these! The plastic beads and wire will be going back into the Goodwill donation box.

These long strands of small beads were reasonably priced and I know I can find a use for them.

I even got some new beads in the mail today.

I won these from Gaea last week and they're here already!!

Needless to say, I've got a pile of fun stuff to play with and am anxious to try to get something made today. So, let me share this week's menu and be on my way.

Breakfasts: Waffles, cereal/oatmeal, bagels, hashbrown baskets, PB&J tart, ham omelets

Lunches: Tuna noodles, turkey & cheese paninis, bean burritos, pasta with tomato cream sauce, PB&J, leftovers, turkey sandwiches

Dinners: 

Dr Pepper Pork (from freezer) tacos w/black beans & taco toppings

Slow cooker orange chicken w/jasmine rice & steamed green beans

Turkey taco soup (recipe follows) w/tortilla chips

Mushroom parmesean w/pasta & salad

Pot Roast w/carrots, potatoes, & rice

There's more Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

I know just about everyone has a Taco Soup recipe, but here's the one I use. It can be done in the slow cooker or quickly on the stove. As well, it's a rather flexible recipe. 

TACO SOUP

1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey

1 medium onion chopped

1 15oz can corn, mostly drained

1 or 2 15oz cans of black beans, kidney beans, and/or chili beans (drained and rinsed)

1 15oz can diced tomatoes

1 15 oz can tomato sauce (crushed tomatoes work well too, if you can find them)

1 pkg taco seasoning mix

1 pkg ranch dressing mix

Directions:

~ Cook meat and onions together in a soup pot until meat browned and onions translucent

~ Drain meat and onions and return to pot

~ Add all other ingredients to pot and stir to combine

~ Allow soup to simmer until soup heated through (about 20 minutes)

~ Serve with tortilla chips and shredded cheese (additional optional toppings: sour cream, green onions, jalapenos, etc.)

* To make in a crockpot, brown and drain your meat, then put it and all other ingredients in the slow cooker for 6-8 hours on low. 

ENJOY!

For just a quick but of eye-candy, check out this necklace I added to the shop last week.

Dot What Necklace

Now, I must really be running along! How's your Monday shaping up?