I am running behind today in posting my menu and linking to the Menu Plan Monday meme as well.  I think sometimes we get so busy with life and being a mom and wife that we don’t always get to do the things we want to…when we want to.  But, I figure that slow is perhaps better than not doing it at all.  At least I am trying, and that is progress in the right direction.

One of my very favorite quotes is by Neil A Maxwell.  Here is what he said:  “Eternal things are always done in the process of time.  Direction is initially more important than speed.”  I think that is so very true!  And I like to think that even something as simple as menu planning is indeed an eternal thing, as it benefits my family and nourishes them physically so they can better do for others.

So here are our menu plans for this week:

Monday–Ribeye Steak, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans  (It’s a celebration night in our home.  So a special meal is being prepared.)

Tuesday–Hamburgers, French Fries

Wednesday–Fish Sticks, Mac & Cheese

Thursday–Teriyaki Steak and Vegetables, Rice

Friday–Pizza, Cheesy Salad (This is green salad with cheese sprinkled on top.  My son likes to call it Cheesy Salad.)  

Saturday–Chicken Foldovers, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Salad

Sunday–Oven BBQ Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, Brownie Sundaes

Yes, I realize that this Sunday is the same as last Sunday.  However, we had a change in dinner plans and were invited to eat with my BIL and family.  So we actually had Roast Chicken, Peas and Carrots, Potato Salad, and Apple Crisp instead of the BBQ Chicken I had planned.  I hate to waste a great menu item, so I re-scheduled it for this week instead.

I promised that I would include this recipe on the blog.  I like to include gelatin salads in our meals, because they are generally light, fruity and yummy.  I also like that they help to tame a sweet tooth and yet they are a great way to sneak some fruit into the meal without my son being too suspicious.  So here it is, and I hope you enjoy it!

3 oz. package orange gelatin

1 Cup boiling water

1 Cup crushed pineapple

4 oz. cream cheese

7 ice cubes

1 can mandarin oranges

2 Cups whipped topping

In blender, add boiling water and gelatin.  Stir until dissolved.  Cut cream cheese into pieces and add to blender, mixing until well blended.  Add 7 ice cubes and blend until smooth. Pour into bowl and fold in whipped topping.  Stir in drained pineapple and mandarin oranges.  Chill until firm.

I have been inspired by a post over at The Legacy of Home, to post my goals for 2010. I have had these in my mind these past few weeks, but I know that goals become more concrete if you actually write them down. So after much pondering, I have come up with this list of 10 goals that I would like to work on achieving in 2010.

SPIRITUALITY–They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.  ~Isaiah 40:31

For my own personal goal, this will include reading the Bible every day so I complete it this year in my own personal studies.  For my family, this will include a new dedication to completing family devotions each day and having family prayer each day.

• KINDNESS–“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”  ~Aesop

This goal involves me being more aware of others needs and serving and helping them as needed.  I am thinking especially of my neighbors and church family.  But I need to also remember to try extra hard to speak words of kindness and love to my own immediate family as well.

• WISDOM–Seek always, for by looking for one thing you will surely find another–this is the path to wisdom.

This is to help remind me that everything we learn in our homeschool has a purpose, even if we don’t see it right away.  This is also to remind me that if something isn’t working in our school, then to keep searching until I find something that will.  If I have faith, then God will guide me to find the things I need to teach my son.  He is truly in charge.

• IMAGINATION–“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.”  ~Theodore Roosevelt

I want to incorporate more fun into our homeschool this year.  By using my imagination, we should be able to find fun ways to learn the things we need to, making school even more enjoyable.

• AMBITION–If you can’t swim with the big fish, stay out of the water.

This year I plan to take some of my ideas and dreams and actually complete some e-books that I will sell on a few of my websites.  I have had plans to do this for awhile, but this is the year I will actually make these tangible and concrete.  I also plan to finish up my novel and get it ready to pitch to either an agent or a publisher.

• PERSISTENCE–“There is no GIANT step that does it.  It’s a lot of LITTLE steps.”  ~Peter A. Cohen

This year I am going to work on posting more regularly to each of my blogs.  Sometimes I worry too much that I don’t have the “perfect” post, so I just don’t post at all.  I am going to worry less about that this year and try to post about something, even if it is just a short post.  I also plan on participating in some blog communities and memes this year.  These should help me to make posts more regularly.

I am also planning on making some design changes to each of my blogs this year to make them more user-friendly and appealing.  I know I have changed this one a few times, but I am still not happy with it.  We will get there this year.

• TEAMWORK–Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.

This goal centers around our home and the upkeeping of it.  I often try to do too much of it myself.  So this year, I want to involve my family more in caring for our home.  I plan on dividing up the chores more and not just doing them myself to avoid complaints and actually getting them done.  If we work as a team, then we should be able to accomplish what we need to and have more time together as a family.

• FAMILY PORTRAIT

This may sound like a silly goal, but it has been years since we had a family portrait taken.  I am determined that we will actually hire a photographer and get one done this year.

I also want to take more pictures throughout the year of our family.  I am just really bad about it.  We need to have some photo documentation around our house.

• COURAGE–Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.

I have been alarmed at what is happening in our country.  So this year, I plan on becoming more active in defending our beliefs and upholding the Constitution.  To do this, I will actually begin writing my congressmen and making phone calls as needed.  I will also make sure I make my voice heard there and in the voting booths.  I always vote, but I want to make sure that my son understands the importance of doing it.  This is not a time to be passive.

I will also make sure that I include the leaders of our country in my prayers.  I want to be more diligent in that.  And I will continue to pray for those who defend our country everyday.

• INCREASE HEALTH/LOSE WEIGHT

This year I want to make sure we are eating more healthy in our family.  To accomplish this, I will be making meal plans.  This will help us to eat better and will also help us to save money.  I also want to increase our exercise.  We will employ the use of our Wii and use the Wii Fit as well as the other exercise programs we have for our Wii.  This should encourage my son to do more, as he loves his video games.  I will probably include some sort of exercise in his school boxes each day.

I would also like to lose some weight this year.  I had this goal last year, and I did lose around 40 pounds and I have been able to  maintain the weight that I lost.  Now I would like to lose another 40 to get me down to my ultimate weight goal.

So that is my list of goals for the next 365 days.  Have you set any goals for this new year?  What are they?  Please share!

For even more goal inspiration for the New Year, please visit The Happy Housewife.

Pictures provided by AllPosters.com