Baking a Weeks Worth on Saturday Part 2

Breakfast cookies

Crusts for individual pizzas.

Chocolate chip cookies.

I honestly thought I would never get to this post! I may have bit of more than I could chew in the kitchen today, but it was well worth a sore back and feet. And I'll definitely sleep tonight!
Today I baked:

• a batch of choc. chip/M&M cookies for the kid's and Daddy's lunches.
• a batch of choc. chip/M&M cookies for Princess' class party on Monday
• breakfast cookie bars
• a batch of pizza dough that made 8 individual crusts- Wheels had one for dinner tonight, 5 will be used for dinner Thursday night
• a batch of white bread dough that made 24 dinner rolls and a 9 inch pie plate of sticky buns for tomorrow's breakfast.

I also had a whole chicken in the crock pot for our dinner tonight. It was a pretty big bird, so I had plenty of meat left for another nights dinner. After getting all of the meat of the carcass, I pulled a quart size freezer bag of veggie scraps to add to the crock pot along with some more water, then turned the crock back up to high. (Read here to learn how Heidi over at Frantically Simple makes a crock pot veggie stock.) I'll turn it down before bed and let it cook over night. Tomorrow after church I'll strain it out and save for Tuesday when I make chicken noodle soup for my lunches.

Speaking of chicken noodle soup, I've been thinking of canning my own soup. It would save on time, money and my health if I had my own soups ready to heat for lunches or dinners. Here are some links about canning your own soups:

• The Family Homestead
• Pick Your Own. org

This past week I posted my dinner menu plan for Oct. 24 to Nov. 5. I had to change my plan for this coming Thursday because I'll be working, so I need something easy and quick. This is where those pizza crusts are coming into play! I have them on the freezer, so Thursday morning I'll just pull them out to thaw.

When I shared with my sister that I had my dinners planned for the next two weeks, she asked me how in the world I could know what I was going to have. I said it was easy, I know what is in my freezer and pantry. Keeping a stocked pantry and freezer, as well as knowing what they contain is key to planning your meals. Here are some helpful links for keeping a pantry and menu planning:

• Better Homes and Gardens: Kitchen Pantry Ideas
• Organized Home: Beginner Guide to Pantry Pride
• Hillbilly Housewife: Menu Planning

Well, I hope this was helpful! It's 8 p.m. right now, and I am one tired Mama. Have a blessed Sunday.
Blessings,
Kelly