Menu plan for the week of December 12

Hey y'all!  We got our first significant snowfall of the season yesterday, and I've gotta tell you.  Certain members of this family possess an almost pathological enjoyment of snow removal.  I'm not judging, because I'm one of them, but we're literally fighting for the best shovels and for the privilege of using the snowblower.  OK, not actually fighting, but there may have been a bit of shoving to get out the door first to secure the favorite snow removal device.  We even shovel when it's not entirely necessary.  I don't know of anyone else in the world who loves moving snow as much as we do.  It's kind of weird.  Good thing we have a nice long driveway.

Because of the first significant snowfall. we also had our first night time sledding session of the season.  We are so fortunate to have not one, but two excellent sledding hills on our property, not to mention the driveway, which is also an excellent sledding surface depending on snow depth and conditions.  Winter is so much fun.

This week I'm doing a little food planning for when we have house guests over Christmas break.  I'll be making and freezing a few things ahead, which will hopefully minimize prep time when I need to get meals on the table for eleven.  Yes, eleven.

Here's what's on the menu this week:

Supper:

• Kielbasa & cauliflower stir fry, steamed broccoli
• Shepherd's pie (make extra for a future meal), rolls (make extra for a future meal), applesauce
• Chicken casserole with mashed potato topping, carrots, mandarin oranges
• Beef & potato casserole (kind of like this), broccoli/cauliflower/carrots
• Pizza, salad
• Grilled chicken skewers (make extra for a future meal), grilled broccoli, salad, grilled garlic bread
• Grilled steak with red wine portobello reduction, roasted brussels sprouts
• Wild rice casserole, green beans

Other:

• Pizza sauce for canning
• Dutch style pigs in blankets
• Hot chocolate mix (I haven't decided which one yet, but it'll be one of the first four pins on my "Gift Ideas" pinboard)
• Cinnamon rolls
• Chocolate chip muffins