Menu Plan Monday

Got to be in Richmond for my Psyc. appointment at 9 o'clock this morning. It was off of Nuckol's Road too. Joy. I hate traffic. [They are re-doing the fly-over for I-295 and the 2 lanes for I-288 a bit before it at this point still end into 1 onto I-64 which cause a large back-up because people still think they don't need to read the signs and start merging now- they can just wait until they get to the end of the road and force their way in there.] I didn't think about it when she made the appointment. And this was just a med check so it took all of 15 minutes too - so it wasn't even worth the hassle or the gas. Good thing I had thought ahead and looked over my menu plans and made a grocery list. I don't need much - and was even thinking of putting it off and doing it later in the week - but this way it's out of the way and I don't have to go out until WAY later in the week (like when we might be out of milk or something like that). I also got to use fresh peppers instead of frozen ones for the Crockpot Teriyaki Pork too - not that it'll matter much - they'll still be pretty cooked either way, but that's ok).

I also stopped for some Starbucks coffee - something I do occasionally. Hubby sometimes gets gift cards from his work - they are anywhere from $5 - $10 - and he got a Starbucks one once. They give them out I think when the employees do something good or go above "the call of duty" kinda thing. He doesn't go to Starbucks on his own - but I have no problems with it. I drink "candy bar coffee" as he calls it. He drinks black coffee - no sugar, no cream. I blame my grandparents for my love of coffee the way I like it since my sister says she likes it the same way. My grandparents always had coffee - and they let us drink it when we were with them. BUT it was always milky and sweet. I also picked up another one of those fruit/cheese/fruit bread things like I got when we were in NYC. I really need to make one of those fruit/cheese/bread thingys one time for when I'm out and about. It's a really nice thing to nosh on and fills me up nicely as a light lunch/snack thing. This one had green and red grapes, cheddar, jack, brie, apple slices and cranberry-raisin bread. I also got a Pumpkin Spice Coffee. I haven't tried it before and it was good. I forgot to tell the lady to make it as sugar-free and fat-free as posssible but that's ok. I'll deal with it later. Next time I get some more cash I need to add more to my card though, I feel stupid using my debit/credit card to add to my Starbucks card - may-as-well just pay as I drink then.

I found the perfect Christmas gift for hubby - even if I can't afford it, much less know where he'd put it. In the catalog they show an Antique Nickel one that he'd like better.Photographer's Tripod Floor Lamp. I must admit - I've never actually been into the Pottery Barn (we now have one in Short Pump I think) but some how we got on their catalog list years ago and we occasionally get their catalogs. I like what they have - except for the prices. They also have table-top and spotlight style lamps too - but I know he'd love the floor lamp. We are having a heck of a time finding an entertainment stand that we like for a corner. Everything is made for a flat wall - and the way our living room is set up - it just fits better in the corner. Course I'm trying to talk hubby into eventually maybe getting a flat screen and putting it over the fireplace - especially since we don't use the fireplace at this point (it's gas and we removed the tank - although at some point we would like to get it hooked up again - just move the tank out to the woods instead of sitting beside the house.) It's still not really the best place to put the tv but would make it easier to use the Wii and exercise.

Still using the Frugal Menu Mailers from SavingDinner.com

Monday: Teriyaki Orange Pork
Tuesday: South of the Border Stack
Wednesday: Pasta with Tuna and Black Olive Vinaigrette
Thurs: Cheesy Sausage Quiche
Friday: Pizza

For more menu ideas (she's now hitting over 300!) visit I'm an Organizing Junkie: http://orgjunkie.com/2008/09/menu-plan-monday-sept-15th.html