This week’s meal plan included Thanksgiving, which we hosted at our home. We had 14 people at our table for dinner and it was lovely. I almost varied from our “Celebrating Simply Thanksgiving Menu” and made an apple pie in addition to the pumpkin but then my husband talked sense into me. He reminded me why we keep our Thanksgiving menu simple – so that I enjoy it along with all of our guests. I was thankful in the end that I stuck to our “keep it simple” mantra.

We enjoyed a dinner out on Tuesday to celebrate my husband’s side of the family being in town and my son’s birthday. The restaurant easily accommodated our large group without reservations and my husband’s parents treated. Thank you, Nana and Pepere!

The next night, my brother-in-law and his wife picked up enough take and bake pizzas to feed a small army. By the next morning, it was all gone and anyone who didn’t care to eat their crusts had learned where the backyard chickens’ treat bowl was located in our kitchen. Yes, our girls were happy to eat the pizza crusts!

On Thanksgiving day, instead of serving a lunch, we munched on appetizers, until I called a stop to the snacking so that I could set the dining room table. I had lots of assistance setting the table and making name tags for everyone, from our nieces. Small, little hands’ handwriting is the sweetest, isn’t it?

 

Weekly Meal Plan

This meal plan is from Monday, November 19, 2012 to Sunday, November 25, 2012.

Monday: fish, quinoa, sautéed carrots

Tuesday: out to dinner with our extended family at the only spot it’s ok to have a melt-down whatever your age might be – The Old Spaghetti Factory!

Wednesday: pizza – from the take and bake shop – and baked at our house

Thursday: Thanksgiving dinner – our menu is here

Friday: Thanksgiving dinner (leftovers)

Saturday: chicken (fried chicken strips leftovers in freezer) and tomato soup (leftovers in freezer)

Sunday: pinto bean and cheese burritos and salsa

My daughter made dinner on Monday and after cooking the quinoa and chopping and sauteing carrots, she wanted to skip the fish. She reluctantly cooked it and it was delicious. My son made dinner on Sunday and had an easy night of it, for which he was thankful. He was in charge of the mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner so thought he needed an “easy” meal to prepare. I couldn’t disagree which is why I had an easy dinner of leftovers all planned out for Saturday night’s meal.

I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving at your home or wherever you celebrated the holiday.

What was your favorite menu item from Thanksgiving dinner?

Go Gingham related links:

11 reasons to meal plan every week – save money, save time and reduce food waste
How our freezer gets used – what I keep in our freezer and how I utilize the space
Grocery shopping soon? Plastic grocery bag alternatives
Celebrating Thanksgiving simply: keeping the menu simple helps me enjoy the day more!