Monday Meal Planning ~ October 17, 2011

We're halfway through October, and Halloween is sneaking up fast. This weekend I helped my younger son with a big craft/costume project. He is making himself a ghillie suit. He's got some hand-me-down camouflage clothing, and he bought a huge roll of jute. We spent a few hours on Sunday dyeing about 1000 feet of it 2 different colors. He still has to dye about 300 feet one more color.. and then spend lots and lots and lots of time tying knots! I'm curious how it will turn out -- it's a process but he's working his way through it. His goal is to have it finished by Halloween. We'll see!

For my menu plan this week, it's kind of like my son's project... one step at at time! Over the next few weeks, I have some new recipes to try, including testing some cookie and treat recipes for the holidays. So many choices... but I think I've narrowed it down to one for the week! Here's my plan:

Sunday: Pasta with Winter Squash and Tomatoes. I'll be using fresh tomatoes and acorn squash from our garden. This is the new recipe I'm trying this week -- we have LOTS of squash to use!

Monday: Mexican Pork and Sweet Potato Stew. Another chance to use up those tomatoes!

Tuesday: Leftover night! I'll also be trying a new cookie recipe, probably Butterscotch-Glazed Coffee Shortbread Bars

Wednesday: Chicken and Broccoli Lo Mein, I'll be using some chicken thighs I have in the freezer.

Thursday: Grill Night

Friday: Homemade Pizza Night

Saturday: Polenta Lasagna with Feta and Kale.  I will probably substitute spinach... we don't have greens in the garden at the moment so I'll need a substitute!

What are you having for dinner this week? If you need some more inspiration, check out Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie. Have a great week!