Menu Plan (19th October 2015)

Another hectic week which is why this menu plan is late going on. I just can't seem to catch up. This week is hopefully quieter and I am planning on catching up with housework and crafts I have started. I was out last night at my WI craft club and I am in Aberdeen on tomorrow and my flight doesn't land until 9.35pm after leaving the house at 6.30am. Hopefully the hours hanging around in the airport will mean that I can catch up with some reading.  Craig is out Tuesday and Thursday and we are going to Blackpool on Saturday to see the illuminations so the menu plan is only Monday to Friday this week.


Monday - Bean burger, Sweet Potato fries and salad
Tuesday - Jacket Potato with cheese and beans
Wednesday - Chicken and Vegetable stir fry
Thursday - Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Friday - Fajitas.

Linking up with Mrs M and Organising Junkie to see what everybody else is eating.

Enjoy your week

Deborah

Menu Plan (12th October 2015 )

Back to menu planning following another week where I worked away for most of the week. Thankfully, I have only one more week when I am away for more than one night and that isn't until the beginning of December. Last week was hard as it involved lots of hours of driving and being stuck in traffic. I am so glad that I no longer have to do that every other week. I am hoping to practically eliminate any need for me to travel by holding webinars and recording training videos. That would definitely be a big help and I am also learning how to do something new.

I am loving the cooling of the weather as I find it easier to cook when it is colder and also, I do like comfort food which is too heavy for the summer months.

The menu for this week is as follows

Monday - Steak Carne Asada Tacos
Tuesday - Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
Wednesday - Sausage Crumble 
Thursday - Chicken Fried Rice (Matthew's request)
Friday - Pulled pork Burritos (Emma's request)
Saturday - Moussaka
Sunday - Roast Chicken Dinner

Linking up to Mrs M and Organising Junkie to see what others are planning to eat this week.

Wishing you all a good week.

Deborah

Menu Plan (28th September 2015)

It's back to planning after a week off. I was working away for a few days last week so Craig was in charge. He doesn't do plans. He tends to cook whatever he feels in the mood for. He doesn't mind me planning as long as I don't tell him because when I have done that in the past he has said that he doesn't want it.By not telling him then he won't be thinking about it and putting himself off.

This week, amazingly I am only out 1 evening and that is for my Mum's birthday. I will (hopefully) be eating before I indulge in cake, as I am in Sheffield all day. I might just get Emma to cook it so at least the others can eat.

We are also out for a meal with Craig's family on Saturday, all 20 of us. We are having to choose what we want beforehand. I guess this makes it easier for the restaurant and also for us as we can take as long as we need to choose.

So anyway, here is the plan:

Monday- Sausage in Giant Yorkshire Puddings, Veg and Gravy
Tuesday - Hunters Chicken with Roast Potatoes ad peas
Wednesday- Cubed steak and Farfalle in a Creamy Tomato Sauce (Clean Eating Magazine Website)
Thursday - Curried Mince Beef and Rice
Friday - Oven Baked Fajitas (didn't get to do them last time)
Saturday - Out with Family
Sunday - Homemade Creamy Chicken Pie with chips and veg.

Linking as usual to Mrs M and I'm an Organising Junkie.

Hope you have a good week.

Deborah

Happy 10th Birthday

My Little Man turned has turned 10. I cannot believe how quickly it has gone.

He had a brilliant day at the Trafford Centre with his friends. They went bowling, had a game of adventure golf and a go on the dodgems before having something to eat. 

Menu Plan (14th September 2015)

I am a bit late posting this menu plan this week. I can't seem to catch up with everything since the plans changed over the weekend. Other things have had to take priority and I feel as though I am constantly 'fire-fighting'. Hopefully being off work for the rest of the week will allow me to catch up.

Anyway, here is the plan for this week

Monday - Chicken Stir Fry
Tuesday - Homemade Pot Noodle
Wednesday - Sloppy Joe Bake
Thursday- Sausage and Bean Pie
Friday - Refried Beans and Cheese Quesadillas
Saturday - Pork Steaks in sticky BBQ sauce and Rice
Sunday - Beer Can chicken with potato wedges and veg.

As I am at home from Wednesday onwards I thought I would try some new recipes so all but Saturdays I have never made before. Wish me luck.

Linking up with Mrs M and Organising Junkie to check out what others are planning for this week.

The Death of the Autograph book and Rise of Pay to Meet

One thing I have noticed over the past few years when I have attended events such as Comic –con that you are now having to pay if you want an autograph or a photo with one of the celebrities attending.  Who set the precedent for this? When I was a teenager any autograph opportunities were free and you generally had an autograph book as you weren’t under obligation to purchase anything.

I have attended a few Comic cons on the last couple of years and to get to see the celebrity of your choice and either get a photograph or an autograph you have to pay £15 or £20 for one or the other, so if you wanted a photo and an autograph then you pay between £30 and £40. That to me is scandalous!  I have come to two conclusions as to why this happens. The first is, the organisers are looking to recoup the money they have paid for the appearance fee, or my second conclusion is that the celebrities (or their management) are looking to make extra money and are greedy.

If my first conclusion is correct then surely the organisers are making money from selling the tickets and charging the people who wish to exhibit. If it is the second then I hope there are some celebrities out there who would make a stand and not charge as it does seem to be the norm at all these conventions.  The people who attend these events have already paid to get there and to get in, they should not be subjected to having to pay to meet their idols..

It’s not just conventions where you are having to pay to meet an idol. Emma  wants to go to Tyler Oakley's (a Youtuber)  book signing next month.  She is having to pay £15 for the privilege. Granted she gets a pre-signed (non personalised) copy of his book and a selfie with Tyler but the website states that due to time constraints Tyler will not be able to spend any extra time chatting with people.

Come on, when I meet Thunder in the late 80’s I bought their CD and then queued up for the autographs all of which were personalised and signed in front of me.. The guys were great and chatty, nobody hogged their time and loads of photos were taken.  The band also performed live for free. There were security around but they were not needed to ask anyone to move along. I have seen book signings lately and it is like a conveyor belt and completely soulless and would surely leave everybody unsatisfied.  I am hoping Tilly doesn’t have that feeling.

Fans need to make a stand and not attend any events where you have to pay because how long will it be before some celebrities will charge when a fan asks them for an autograph or photo on the street.

Menu Plan (7th September 2015)

First full week back in school and college for the Kids and Craig is at his first Masonic meeting of the new season as well.

I am so glad to be getting back to normal after the holidays, including eating better meals. The summers are so busy that meals do tend to be rushed or changed and we end up eating out a lot more. I am always pleased when the kids are back in school as Craig is less inclined to change plans at the last minute.

This week's menu is as follows

Monday - Quick salmon pasta
Tuesday - Slow cooked sausage casserole
Wednesday - Cottage pie with Sweet potato mash
Thursday - Chicken risotto
Friday - Oven baked Mexican Fajitas (from Kitchen Shed website)
Saturday - Pulled pork, fries, salad and coleslaw
Sunday - Lamb steaks, garlic mushrooms and homemade potato wedges.

Linking to Mrs M and Organising Junkie.

Have a good week.