Sometimes I am really on the ball when it comes to menu planning. For instance, I start writing down dinner ideas as soon as I’ve made the menu for the current week. But then there are times when I am so NOT on the ball, it’s not even funny. I can’t come up with a single thing to make that sounds good or works with my pantry ingredients or coupons I have going.
When I plan my menus, I try to think a lot about what I already have so having to buy a million ingredients and then I try and come up meal ideas, based on what’s in the freezer or what my coupons are for. It is really hard work sometimes. But I learned all of my coupon and meal planning techniques from my mom and it’s a skill that has paid off many many times.
Since this is Valentines Week, we usually plan to make one really nice dinner on Valentines Day that we enjoy with the kids and then Josh and I will go out later, after the holiday dust has settled and the restaurants aren’t busy and have a good time. Valentines Day lands on a Thursday this year, which means it’s our Awana night and there won’t be time for an elaborate meal. So I think I’ll have to make our nice dinner on Tuesday or Wednesday. On Saturday, Josh and I are going out to dinner and then to the ballet to see Swan Lake. I’ve always wanted to see Swan Lake. It’s on my bucket list. So I am super excited to go. It will also be our first time away from Christian. That’s not really something I’m looking forward to quite yet. I’m pretty attached to him…even if he spits up on me all the time.