Meal Plan and Grocery List 7/19-7/25 and Forgiveness Clouds

Hi friends...I'm still here! I took the weekend off from blogging. Not on purpose, we were just so darn busy! On Friday night a friend and I chose to de-brief from a crazy week with a girl's night out! We opted for strip mall Mexican food and a late night shopping trip to the Super Kmart (I know, you want my life. Ha ha.) Hey, it was 10 for $10 week at Kmart! Gotta love chicken for $1/lb! We had a blast! By Friday I was "running on empty" and our outing, complete with grown up conversation, enchiladas, and lots of laughter turned out to be just what the doctor ordered. On Saturday, my husband and oldest daughter hit a baseball game while I prepared for the neighborhood Wine Walk (more about that in tomorrow's post) that we participated in last night. Today began with 2 consecutive vacation bible school programs and a bridal shower luncheon. Then it was home for a trip to the pool followed by a cookout with friends tonight. Lots of summer fun...but no time to write. I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend too!

Here's the meal plan for this week.


Monday July 19th

Bacon, Spinach, and Tomato Salsa Wraps

I know this made the meal plan last week, but it's such a perfect, quick, summer dinner that we're having it again. The ingredients are in season and my kids love these!

Tuesday July 20th

Chicken Lasagna

Wednesday July 21st

Grilled Sirloin and Vidalia Skewers

Thursday July 22nd

Italian Chopped Salad

Friday July 23rd- Sunday July 24th

Out of Town

We'll be dining on cookout and wedding food!


Grocery List

Produce

4 large tomatoes
red onion
cilantro
jalapeno pepper
lime
baby spinach
romaine lettuce
cauliflower
asparagus
garlic
4 Vidalia Onions
lemon

Meat

turkey bacon
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 lbs. beef sirloin

Dairy

10 inch flour tortillas
Italian cheese crumbles
Parmesan cheese
butter
sour cream
cream cheese
milk
shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese
shredded Swiss cheese

Canned Goods

light mayonnaise
light Italian dressing
2 cans cream of chicken soup
cider vinegar

Dry Goods

rotini pasta
lasagna noodles
paprika
sugar
oregano
beef bouillon granules
garlic powder

Other

6-8 bamboo skewers


Forgiveness Clouds continued from my VBS snacks post.

I promised pictures of the Forgiveness Clouds, so here's one last "Goodies from the Galley" recipe from my week in our vacation bible school's High Seas Expedition kitchen.

A tray of Forgiveness Clouds:



Here's a closer look. I have to say that the Forgiveness Clouds that the children made didn't look much like the pretty picture provided in my "Goodies from the Galley" guide. The picture featured a neat layer of chocolate graham cracker crumbs, topped with a smooth layer of whipped topping, followed by a couple tablespoons of cherry pie filling and finished with a neat dollop of more whipped topping. As the kids (aged 5-11) prepared these, I had to remind myself that the point of this project was not perfectly presented, picturesque snacks. It was meant to be a learning experience. The children practiced following directions and measuring skills. They worked as a team. They felt a sense of accomplishment in preparing 170 snacks for their bible school friends. And, of course they learned what this snack represented.



The story that I read to the children before we began snack preparation dealt with the disciples, Peter and John, teaching about Jesus and how he loved us so much that he died on the cross for our forgiveness. The chocolate crust represented darkness...the sin. The red cherries represented the blood shed for us, and the white whipped topping represented the forgiveness....covering our sin.

I found that the children went extra heavy on the forgiveness. Good for them! I'm glad that I purchased extra tubs of whipped topping! : )



Forgiveness Clouds from High Seas Expedition VBS

Yield: 1

2 tablespoons chocolate graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons whipped topping
2 tablespoons extra-fruit cherry or strawberry pie filling
9 oz. clear plastic cup

Spoon graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of the cup. Top with 1 tablespoon whipped topping. Smooth slightly over the graham cracker crumbs. Top with pie filling. Finish with a dollop of more whipped topping.