Who would imagine that a cute little chalkboard like this could change my habits? That a mirror turned chalkboard could land on the wall and get me more organized in the kitchen. It really has!
About the time I finished this sweet thing and hung it up in the kitchen, my hubby had hinted strongly suggested that I should really start meal planning. If you missed this little chalkboard project, go here to take a peek at how it started as an old mirror found at a yardsale.
I have always flown by the seat of my pants when it came to planning our meals for the week and that’s not particularly a good thing. Going to the grocery store meant that whatever struck me at the moment was what landed in my cart for the week and then I would put meals together with whatever I had at home and had purchased in my grocery store run. I can’t tell you how many times I had to stop back by the store for a missing ingredient or 2 that I was going to need for meal time prep.
So, when this went on the wall, right in plain view, it seemed like a pretty good idea to start adding the menu every week, at least Monday through Friday meals. And I have to say, it’s made my life much easier when it comes to kitchen prep and meal planning.
Now, at the beginning of the week, usually Sunday evening, I’ll sit down and go through my list of tried and true recipes that we tend to rotate on a regular basis. You know the ones. Those that you rely on for ease of prep and you just know that they will work and taste good. I think I have about 25 or 30 main dishes on my list now, but I’m always looking to add more. And the good thing is, hubby can read it too and know what’s for dinner!
I only put the main dish on the menu board and then I can add to that fairly easy, since I always have rice, pasta, and potatoes around to supplement. And I keep a good supply of frozen veggies in the freezer for quick meals too. Add in fresh salad fixin’s and I’m ready to go. My trio consists of a meat, carb, and veggie. Or pasta or soup or sandwich and veggie. Any of those combos work for me.
Now, here’s a strong case for never leaving a pot boiling on the stove. Especially if you’re over 50. I really think something happens to the chemicals in the brain after you turn 50 and you can’t keep things inside your short-term memory for more than about 30 seconds at a time. Do you know what I’m talkin’ about?? I told my sister it’s like everything is just ricocheting around in there trying to find a coherent thought. 🙂
So, I left this pot to boil, intending to come right back and turn it down to LOW and do you think I managed to do that? Of course not! I heard my hubby rushing down the stairs telling me to check the kitchen, as he ran around opening the windows and doors to LET THE SMOKE OUT! As I ran to the kitchen, the bottom of my stainless steel pot had melted all over the glasstop stove and left this horrid burn mark and gouges in the glass. I didn’t even know that was possible with these glass top stoves. The final straw was the hairline crack that started on this eye in the glass and traveled crookedly back to the other burner on that side. So now I’m cooking on the left side of the stove for awhile.
So, word to the wise. Don’t walk away and leave a pot boiling! I learned that very expensive lesson. Not sure how much it’s going to cost, but early estimates are $400 just for the new glass top. OUCH!
Do you do meal planning every week? I’d love to hear from all of you on that subject. How do you do it and is it working for you?
All of that to say this! How about we do a recipe party? I don’t know about you, but I can always use more recipes to add to my repertoire, can’t you? I thought this would be a fun time of year to drag out your tried and trues and share them with everyone. From meat dishes, to soups, salads, and whatever else you love. Including desserts. My personal fave. Let’s have a recipe party!
Spread the word! Don’t we all need new recipes to add to the menu?
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Marie Smith says
I meal plan off and on. It really helps to get new recipes that are “tried and true”, simple, healthy, and family friendly. I’ve tried to start cooking more. It’s good for our wallet and much better for our health. Menu planning makes this so much easier.
Paula says
Wow – I’m so glad that the boiling pot incident wasn’t any worse than it was: a new glass top is a whole lot cheaper than a new kitchen!
I love the recipe party idea – how fun!!
rebekah says
Hi, Rhoda! Lovely chalkboard! I found a mirror at a yard sale this summer and the frame looks a lot like yours! I was wanting to same the mirror but now I am not too sure! I really like your chalkboard idea! And it would save me the trouble of answering the dreaded question ‘Mom, whats for dinner?’…which I hear 100 time a day! – I try to plan meals. It does save a lot of $$ when food shopping if I already know what I want to fix for the week. – I can not believe that about your stove!! I would never have thought that would happen!! Ugggg…..
Pat@Back Porch Musings says
My neighbor did the same thing, only she went outside to talk to another neighbor and the next thing she new smoke was boiling out the door!!! Lots of smoke damage and lots of cleanup!!! Yes, she’s in her 50’s. I’d like to tell you that part of growing more seasoned gets better, but……..
Recipe party sounds fun!
tina says
That’s awful (your cooktop)!! I have the smooth surface cooktop also but have never burned a pot on it. LOL I have a real fear of fire, so I’m pretty careful in the kitchen.
I do plan meals, although not so organized as you. I plan a weeks’ worth, but not so much what we are going to have each particular night. It IS much easier to grocery shop this way. We usually eat at least a couple of veggies with our meal (or salad), and we don’t do as many starchy carbs. We also do some all veggie dinners. I love frittata – and what is funny – we are also having parmesan chicken tonight! LOL
Donna says
Oh, I know the the ricocheting brain syndrome BUT I am only 49…it has struck me early! I’m sorry about your cooktop! 🙁 I, too have had a few incidents which will go unnamed because it would take way to much space to write. Looking forward to the recipe party and trying out some new foods. Donna
Janey says
I can’t wait for the Party. Unlike your 25-30 main dish repitoire, mine might consist of 10. Ha!
Sherri S says
Great minds think alike! I’ve been back to menu planning for 4 weeks now. Posting weekly plans on my blog with thoughts. I wrote yesterday how much easier it has made my life AND how much $$$ I’m saving! Can’t beat that! More money to buy yardsale/junk finds. LOL Love the recipe party idea! Have tried to add at least one new one weekly in my planning. We’ve had some GREAT new dishes too.
Linda@Coastal Charm says
Rhoda…I’m with you in that over 50 club and know just what you are talking about with the short memory…soooo glad it was only your cooktop and not your whole kitchen.
Blessings,
Linda
Cheri says
Oh Rhoda, I am so sorry to hear about your “expensive” mishap, but I know the feeling of the over 50 thought process. LOL Been there. Hope that it is not as expensive as you think.
angela says
I too am over 50! Here is a tip I read from the fire dept. Any time you leave something on the stove or in the oven and walk away…take a wooden spoon with you. Don’t lay it down until you go back to the kitchen!
Amy Foxx says
Rhoda,
Don’t feel bad! I have done something like this twice and I just turned forty yesterday! The last time was a fire in the oven with a range I had only had two weeks! Uh-oh, what if it gets worse when I am fifty!
Yes, I plan meals, on a good day at least. I have four kids at home so it is a necessity. I generally plan for four weeks, but grocery shop weekly or every other week. It is so nice to only have to think about it once in a while. When I go to make something off my list it is like someone else has made the decisions for me :)!
Jenn says
I posted about this EXACT topic last week! It really does work…great minds think alike 🙂
~Country Lady~ says
Rhoda, first I want to say how sorry I am for the cooktop mishap. Something I believe all cooks have done one time or another. Now to the menu board…. I love this idea and have seen it used alot around blogland. I am so wanting to find just the right frame to prepare me a menu board. I love the idea of a recipe party. I love to cook. Fall and Winter brings out my love of cooking even more because it’s a time to cozy up and stay inside. Looking forward to your party!! Thanks for hosting the event.
Cynnamama says
I love the chalkboard! Sorry about your stovetop…
Your comment about leaving the boiling water behind reminded me… let me tell you about my brief story! I was boiling a pan of water to make hard boiled eggs. I put in about half a dozen, I went across the street to talk to my neighbor just a bit… well, just a bit went to tooooo long and something popped in my mind. I gasped and told my neighbor that I was boiling some water. I ran (I could have won the Olympics, ha!) and my hard-boiled eggs have cracked/popped open and went all over the kitchen! Ugh! It smelled SO BAD that I had to keep the windows/doors open for at least 2-3 days and use room fragrance spray until I ran out of it! At that time, I had coiled stove, thank goodness (I think)!
I want you to know, I love your blog and your great ideas!
Kathryn@BonafideSouthern says
Yes ma’am, I sure do meal plan! What I do first is look through my cabinets and freezer and see what ingredients I already have in my kitchen. Based on what I already have, I plan my menu around those pre-existing ingredients and what’s on sale or what I have coupons for. That way, I don’t waste things that I already have and I don’t waste money on excess ingredients. Next, I make my menu on the back of my grocery list and on the other side of my grocery list I write the ingredients I need to purchase from the store to complete my meals. After I go to the grocery store, I post the menu on the refrigerator so I can remember what I’m supposed to be cooking each night and so my husband won’t have to ask “What’s for supper?” every night. It works for me and prevents me from wasting what I already have and also prevents me from having to visit the grocery store for just one more thing.
I’m excited about your Recipe Party…I’ll definitely participate in that. I LOVE to cook! Hope you have a great week!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Every once in awhile I get the urge to meal plan. It winds up getting thrown off course if I have had a particularly tiring day and cooking is the last thing I want to do. I do try to plan 1-2 dinners a week that are planned and stick to it ~ this week it’s a chili recipe for a crock pot that I found from Ashlee over at the Workman Witticisms blog.
Tamera says
I just started meal planning and have successfully done it for the past 2 months…it’s easier on the budget and on your peace of mind to have something ready in the midst of a busy day:) Love the recipe exchange idea!!
Tamera@doubledelight
windy says
Oh, so sorry about the stove top! I have only boiled things over on mine and hate the clean up, but at least it wasn’t major damage to your beautiful kitchen!
I used to menu plan for the whole month, but have started couponing and now only do it for the week, and love it. I have an old Christmas-y chalkboard I am thinking I am going to paint and use for a menu board, thanks for the idea:)
Debbie says
Hi,
I like this idea of a menu party. Sorry to hear about your expensive mishap. How did you make the chalkboard?
Is there glass in there? Maybe you could share with us how you made it. I sure could use one of those. Thanks!
Debbie