Warm Heart, Cozy Home: Menu Planning Monday.....

Happy New Year! Well I have been in a funk for a few months and wasn't doing anything I enjoyed but its a new year and Here I am trying to get in the groove again with my menu planning. I started a new job back in May and boy did that turn my world upside down. My old job I had did for 12 years. I was very spoiled working early hours getting off at 10 a.m. leaving me the whole day to do the things I love. This new job was working regular 9 to 5:30 hours and boy I hate it. The whole is shot and there is no time for anything else. I guess maybe I'm just not organized enough I don't know and was very spoiled. Anyway its a new year and new beginnings and I'm trying new hours 5 to 1:30 leaving me more daytime to get out of this rut and funk I'm in and get back to doing some things I love and enjoy again. This new year is all about change and new beginnings and that includes my children. I got a new Grandson in August and my daughter is having a new baby in February, her fourth and a baby boy. She has three little girlies and now a little boy. Life is wonderful. She lives in North Dakota and this year will be bringing new change to her little family also as they will be moving back here to live and join a family farming operation. I will get to be a hands on grandmother to these beautiful grandbabies, something I have never gotten to do and my daughter has greatly missed the closeness of family ties so excitement is brewing. My son also started a new job and moved to Sheridan Wyoming. He loves it there and loves his new job and family and that is all you can ever hope for your children is happiness and for them to thrive. I still have my Christmas trees up but my house is beginning the conversion to Valentine's day. I love all the lights and glamour of the holidays and my lights are still all up and my trees which are easily converted to Valentines as they have the white lights and red decor. Yes its a bit unconventional..but who cares..i'm happy. I finally sat down last night to do some menu planning for the week and thought I would share it with you. This is a brand new year with new beginnings...so cheers and raise your glasses! Enjoy and embrace what life has to offer you :)

MENU PLANNING MONDAY

Monday -Baked Runzas, Tossed Salad.

Tuesday - Beef & Vegetable Noodle Bowls.

Wednesday - Drunken Porkchops, mashed potatoes, green beans, garlic cheese biscuits.

Thursday - Shrimp w/scallions and garlic in Chili Tamari Sauce, rice.

Friday - TGIF! DATE Nght!

Saturday - Upside Down Supreme pizza, salad, garlic buns.

Sunday - Cipolini onion & fennel pot roast, herb flatbread, apricot & pineapple crisp.

SNACK - Valentine's Day Cake Balls.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries &
Strawberry Cheese Cake Balls - www.mommyskitchen.net

1 (18.25 ounce) package strawberry cake mix + cake mix ingredients
1/2 - 1 (16 ounce) container prepared cream cheese frosting
1 - 24 oz block vanilla flavored almond bark
milk chocolate flavored almond bark
(I use Plymouth Pantrys almond bark from Walmart in the baking isle)
Icing paste or candy coating paste
sprinkles (optional)

Prepare the cake mix according to package directions using any of the recommended pan sizes. When cake is done, crumble while warm into a large bowl, and stir in the frosting until well blended. Melt vanilla coating in a glass bowl in the microwave on the DEFROST selection or in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Use a melon baller or small scoop to form balls of the cake mixture. Dip the balls in melted candy coating using a toothpick or fork to hold them. Place on waxed paper to set. Roll in sprinkles or leave plain. I tinted the vanilla coating pink and swirled dark pink over that. For the chocolate covered strawberry cake balls, I dipped them in chocolate and swirled dark pink on top of that.