My friend Karen at Between Two Worlds has asked for tips for menu/meal planning.  I can tell from her latest entry, she was trained well by her mother.  Praise God!  This is such a blessing to your family to have this area of your life under control.  It helps save money, and makes meal time something to look forward to instead of a stressful time of not know what's for dinner.   We can bless our families by serving healthy meals at the table. 

I have three tips to share: 

1.  Make the table an attractive place to gather.  You don't need money to cut some greenery this time of year and place in a vase for the table.  I love Nandina especially for it's dainty elongated leaves and bright red berries.  Some evergreens from long or short-needled pines add a fresh scent to your whole home.  Light candles at least one night a week.  Yes, even with the kids at the table.   Lower the lights, and see how lighting can change the mood of your home. 

2.  We've made table time after dinner a fun part of our evening.  We have lots of activities we do depending on the season, and our interests.  After clearing the dishes from the table, someone volunteers to make a pot of tea and find some sweet treat to go with the tea for the table.  Then the fun begins!

In November of last year we went through Vocabulary Cartoons after dinner.  One of us acted as teacher/instructor for the night.  We read the ten words one at a time and asked for guesses as to definitions.  Then we share the funny cartoons which help mentally imprint this word and it's definition in our minds.  Then the fun part comes with the TEST!   The definitions are read and we race to raise our hands to be chosen to say the word.  We all have tons of fun playing with these new words, and see how many ways we can use them throughout the rest of the evening.    We also read books aloud, read scripture, and play speed scrabble, or work on crossword puzzles together during this special time after dinner. 

3.  My last tip concerns leftovers and ways to use them up.  In my home it's traditional to have  Saturday Quesadillas made from leftover meat from the weeks meals.  Here's how we do it:

Chop leftover chicken or beef, or use taco meat from the freezer

You can also add some leftover mashed beans, kidney, pinto, or black are good

Mix in some grated Cheddar or Monteray Jack cheese, or mix them

Stir in some salsa to bind the cheese and meat together

Add some chopped onion, green onions, cilantro leaves, minced red or green peppers

Heat a cast iron skillet or your favorite heavy bottomed skillet.  Add some butter and olive oil and throw in a flour or corn tortilla.  Add two or three large spoonfuls of the meat mixture, a little extra cheese to help the top stick, and top it with another tortilla.  Flip when it begins to brown and brown on the other side.  Cut into wedges with a pizza cutter, and serve with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, refried or canned beans and fruit. 

In the summer we like to make these outside on the side burner of our grill, so we don't heat the kitchen.  Plus we eat as many meals outside on our covered porch as possible.  Enjoy this fun way to clean out the fridge.