Tuesday, April 12, 2011

How To Make Sure Your Family Eats a Decent Dinner Every Night

So I am not a "foody". I don't do meals. I prefer to serve either sides or a main dish not both. That would require too much work and way too much thought. So to say that I struggle in this area is a HUGE understatement. Realizing my weakness, and help me to not be a complete failure as a homemaker, I decided to make one of these...



I saw it on a blog somewhere and decided that it was cute and it would look good on my counter. I also hoped that it would help me be better at meal planing and feeding my peeps. I am happy to report that it has helped immensely. Unfortunately the rotation of meals is a small one because I only make like 12 things, but at least it's something right?

I think the reason why this is so helpful for me is because I hate that dreaded question....

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

Seriously that phrase can suck the joy right out of me. So on Sunday night I look through the recipes I have and look at the activities we have that week and plan accordingly. We don't stick to it completely, it can change but at least I have the ingredients on hand and I know if I need to throw something in the crackpot before lunch.

The craft is pretty simple. 

You will need:

a picture frame with glass, 

a piece of scrapbook paper to fit in the frame, 

a piece of velum, 

and a dry erase marker.

Pick a font and print off the days of the week on the velum. Then put it on top of the scrapbook paper and then into the frame...TA DA! Instant menu. Your kids will love it. They will never have to ask you that nasty question again.

15 comments:

crystal said...

If I were crafty (which I'm not), I would make one of these!

I just write my menus in a cruddy notebook where no one can see them but me. Dangit.

calibosmom said...

I'm pretty sure I make the exact twelve things you do. We would not make good Sister Wives when it comes to cooking. We would definately laugh a lot though and thats more important!

Christie said...

Okay, this is pretty much the cutest and most awesome thing I have ever seen! I love it. I am totally making one of these.

Whether or not I actually end up cooking for my family is another matter entirely. :-)

Lauren in GA said...

Jessica, that little frame is DARLING. I am going to make one of these. I love it!

I am not sure why but hearing, "What's for dinner?" is a joy sucker-outer-of-life for me, too. I guess it's because after I share what will be served I get sour faces and am told, "Ohhhhhh, I didn't want that...I wanted...(fill in the blank)." It makes me crazy. I want to yell, "Scram, you little ingrates!"

Lindsey said...

Very cute idea. I would need that here too, because although I cook LOTS of things, I have the converse problem. I can't think of what to cook because I make too much!

Anonymous said...

my favorite thing about this post is that you throw something in the "crackpot" after lunch. I laughed at the visual. really though, it's a great idea and i might need to do some version of it. thanks for sharing! love to you!

Suzanne said...

So. cute. I love it! I do a monthly menu, but yeah--it's on a plain ol' piece of computer paper, printed out and magnet-ed to the fridge. I love how cute yours looks! This is great. Displaying the menu like that would probably give my kitchen a more restaurant-y feel. =)

the wrath of khandrea said...

i do a menu planner, but i just print off a 2 week calendar and write on it. i like this idea because it's really cute, and i think i might try to make one. but i need to know what the point of the vellum is. please explain.

the wrath of khandrea said...

thanks. in advance.

Juli said...

I love that I could change the background with the seasons, color of the kitchen, or my own ADHD whim.

Awesome idea!

Christy said...

Super cute!!

Set a place for me on Sunday so I can get my Cafe Rio on!! ;)

Donna said...

This one is one cute idea! I'm saving this one. Thanks

Mrs Ana said...

Can you just make me one? I'm your tia and if I made it myself it wouldn't have the love factor than if you made it.

Leanne said...

Yup! I agree. "What's for dinner?" is the dreaded question of the day. I hate it. So for a personal progress 10 hour project Katelyn made a list of all of the meals that I make and made a year's worth of meal calendars on the computer. Complete with the grocery shopping list. I just have to print out the new month and stick it to the fridge. But what a cute and easy way to display it.

Erin said...

Adore! Love the craft project and love the organization. And you are right - that evil question does suck the joy right out of the evening! What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.