The Love Language That Is Hamburger Helper

Tonight for dinner I was all about Michael's love language -- Hamburger Helper.  You mean you didn't know Hamburger Helper is a love language?  Well, with my hubby it's love language number 1!

When we first got married there was a night Michael offered to make dinner, which was really awesome of him.  Until I realized he was fixing me Hamburger Helper.

Yum.  Thanks, babe.

As a bachelor, Michael apparently lived on Hamburger Helper.  And he loves it.  Me, on the other hand....it's not quite so appealing.  I'm not crazy about the mystery flavor pack...

So, when I was meal planning and came upon Chili Cheese Beef 'n Mac from one of my favorite food blogs (Budget Bytes), I knew I had to make this one.

I, unfortunately, didn't take any pictures (what was I thinking?!), but Michael has officially requested this meal several times a month.  I'm not sure I'm good with homemade Hamburger Helper several times a month, but it was definitely a repeat meal!

Picture from Budget Bytes

Sick Day

I went to bed last night with body aches, a sore throat and a headache.  I was really hoping a good night's rest would make me feel a bit better.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen.  I woke up this morning with a fever (I haven't had a fever for YEARS), a terrible headache, chills and aches, and a terrible sore throat and ears.  Needless to say, I didn't go to work today.

So after spending the entire day curled up on the couch, I thought a good i-phone photo emptying was in order!

Getting ready for a night out with my mom

Kiwanis Trivia Night with my man

One of my besties, Shawna, and me.  Shawna invited us to the Rachel House Banquet last night.  We had a really great time, and learned a lot about a wonderful organization here in Kansas City that assists women with unplanned pregnancies.

Rachel House Banquet

My not-so-exciting sick day on the couch.  At least my kitties were happy to have me home for the day!

Meal Planning

I hate meal planning.  But I'm not good enough at making dinner to just "wing it" every night.  Plus, I would absolutely never have the right ingredients here.  So once a week I sit down with my computer, my cookbooks and my meal plan calendar to agonize over what I'm going to fix for dinner.

My meal planning calendar

UGH.

But it's finished for the week, and here's what we've ended up with.

Sunday -- Three Cheese Ravioli with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce (I made a big bath of the sauce a month or so ago and threw it in the freezer.  We've had several meals off of this sauce, and it's so yummy!  Find the recipe here.)
Monday -- Beef Tamale Pie (I love me some Budget Bytes!  Almost always proves to be delish!  We're excited to try this recipe, but with my homemade cornbread.)
Tuesday -- Beefy Vegetable Noodle Soup  (This is actually my own concoction!!  See the post here.)
Wednesday -- Italian Sausage/Mushroom/Bell Pepper Saute (My parents do this on the grill.  We're going to do it on the stovetop.  Marinate the veggies in Italian Dressing and then saute them with the sausage.)
Friday -- Easy Peazy Spaghetti dinner.  We love love love Totta's Italian Sausage and V's Spaghetti Sauce.  It just so happens that Michael's family is responsible for both of those brands!
Sunday -- Cheesy Chicken and Rice.  This was one of the most recent recipes I put on the blog.  And like I said before -- stupid easy.

Happy eating!!