Menu Plan Monday (Tuesday)

Today is finally MY Monday! Only it's Tuesday. Yesterday, the kids had a snow day. Only there wasn't any snow. See, that's just how we roll here on the South Carolina coast. We're used to balmy. The weatherman says possible ice and the schools shut down and folks don't leave their homes. So, my Monday was spent as an extra weekend day. No menu planning. Nothing constructive.  I did, however, enjoy the roads all to myself. Today, the kids had a 3 hour delay. The weatherman said that word again! Thankfully, they are all nestled quietly in the desks and I am enjoying MY Monday. On Tuesday. So, without further ado...

Monday: Cashew Carrot Ginger Soup; Grilled Cheese for the kiddos and bread for Hubster and myself

Tuesday: Barbecued Raspberry-Hoisin Chicken; brown rice, orange slices (OK; you caught me. This was on last week's menu. Truth: Life got in the way and I never fixed it. I think we ate Chick Fil-A instead. This week, I vow to make it.)

Wednesday: Corn & Broccoli Calzones; Salad

Thursday: Beef Tagine with Butternut Squash, cous cous

Friday: Chicken Larb

Saturday: Date night with the Hubster! (We deserve it. We've been trying unsuccessfully to get to our haven on the Ridge. We keep getting snowed out. By actual snow. Having no 4WD, we cannot possibly make it up the mountain. So, a date night is in order. We need to plan our next attempted visit.) 

Happy 4th of July!

Marshmallows are dipped and sugared!

These are the ones Singing With Birds did.
Although I love love love hers, I only did one end of the marshmallows, didn't have the festive skewers, and used one marshmallow per skewer. I chose to put them in a vase with a frog to separate them from each other. I then entwined star garland loosely around the skewers.
 

Patriotic Fans are Complete!

Kawaii Crafter at zakka life made these. I thought they were so cute and would be perfect for our annual 4th of July celebration. I used patriotic themed paper and star garland instead of thread and beads.

Fireworks are Purchased!

Obviously, ours won't be this spectacular. But aren't these pretty?

May you have a wonderful 4th of July. Remember those who put their lives on the line each day to protect our freedom. If you'd like to do something to thank them, visit Soldier's Angels. Thank you.

My First Official Bentos!

Reading all the many blogs I do, I've found the perfect solution to lunch at my house. Bentos! I'm able to serve portion-controlled, healthy lunches to my family and bring my creativity into play. Perfect! So I've found tons of websites and blogs on the subject, ordered some supplies, and gotten to work. Yesterday, I put everything I'd learned to the test.

I started with this Breakfast Bento...
Yes, that is chocolate cake! All the cool moms are serving it! It's actually a slice of Amy's organic chocolate cake. Think of it as a rectangular muffin. There's also kiwi and strawberry flowers. And, finally, granola with yogurt.

So, lunchtime rolls around and what does my Princess ask for? A Bento, of course! Supplies come back out and this is what I whipped up quickly before I scooted to the polls to vote. Did you vote yesterday?

The Four Little Bears

The Bear Sandwiches are turkey and spinach.

There are carrots with ranch dip, pistachios, and strawberries.

These were my first attempts at Bentos. I think they turned out ok. The Princess sure ate them up! I'll be posting them over at What's for Lunch at our House as part of her What's For Lunch Wednesday. Check out all the entries!