Welp. As evidenced by the fact that I never even got around to posting the September meal plan, last month apparently lasted approximately 30 seconds. It’s October, and I have basically no memory of anything that happened in September — it’s just a vague, hazy blur of business travel, chauffeuring kids to various activities, and adjusting to all the new routines that have come with transferring the boys to two new schools, part of which includes getting up at an hour that my personal internal clock considers barbaric.

September was so crazed, in fact, that we already used up part of the stash of meals I’d popped into the freezer in August, because the calendar just did not support us handling dinner like sane, normal human beings. There were also — full disclosure — a couple of delivery pizzas and some takeout from the local clam shack in the mix. Basically what I’m saying is, phew, we got L. launched into his middle school career relatively okay (MIDDLE SCHOOL, ACK) and P. settled nicely into his new elementary school for Grade 4, and J. and I did a bunch of other stuff that kept family and household and careers and so forth moving along, but I’d rather not have to repeat a month like that again for a while.

Enter October: AKA, the beginning of the holiday madness. Because sure, why WOULDN’T I want to start planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas right now?

This entire month’s meal plan is less about staying a step ahead of myself and more about putting together a list of dinners that I think will work really well for “survival mode.” It seems like I can’t really predict what’s going to end up on our calendar from day to day anymore; every week something new crops up, like L. getting a big part in the school drama club show (surprise! rehearsals!) or P.’s piano lesson schedule changing. Or J. being offered a new job with a whole different schedule from his current one. Or school dances, or concerts, or outings with friends. Everything’s good but everything’s crazy, and until (unless?) we settle down soon I’m mostly just thinking about: 1) What will people want to eat? 2) What will I feel like cooking? 3) What will be relatively quick and healthy? 4) What will not cost a fortune?

And we’ll go from there.

October 2018 Meal Plan

WEEK ONE

Monday, 10/1: Chicken cacciatore and pasta
Tuesday, 10/2: Sheet pan pork and sweet potato satay, rice and broccoli
Wednesday, 10/3: Homemade pizzas
Thursday, 10/4: Spanish tortilla-style frittata with smoked sausage, spaghetti squash and salad
Friday, 10/5: DIY sushi bowls
Saturday, 10/6: Date night for me and J. I’ll pull together something for the kids — probably leftovers, as I bet there will be plenty.
Sunday, 10/7: Sunday roast chicken dinner

WEEK TWO

Monday, 10/8: Pasta with sweet potatoes and red peppers, salad
Tuesday, 10/9: Sheet pan nachos with shredded chicken
Wednesday, 10/10: Homemade chicken noodle soup and sweet potato dinner rolls
Thursday, 10/11: Bacon and egg fried rice, stir-fried vegetables
Friday, 10/12: Mom’s old-school goulash, salad
Saturday, 10/13: Fresh seafood
Sunday, 10/14: Szechuan style beef and shrimp stir-fry with rice

WEEK THREE

Monday, 10/15: Creamy mushroom pasta, roasted vegetables
Tuesday, 10/16: Turkey tacos
Wednesday, 10/17: Honey mustard chicken and kale skillet, dinner rolls
Thursday, 10/18: Pasta e ceci, salad
Friday, 10/19: Burgers and sweet potato fries
Saturday, 10/20: Fresh seafood
Sunday, 10/21: Maple pork chops, potatoes and vegetables

WEEK FOUR

Monday, 10/22: Veggie pad thai
Tuesday, 10/23: Beef and bean taco salad
Wednesday, 10/24: Pasta poulet and salad
Thursday, 10/25: Apple barbecue pulled pork, beans and rice
Friday, 10/26: One pot farro with tomatoes, roasted brussels sprouts
Saturday, 10/27: Fresh seafood
Sunday, 10/28: Slow cooker California Chuck Roast and rolls

WEEK FIVE

Monday, 10/29: Spaghetti and salad, garlic bread
Tuesday, 10/30: Green chicken chili and cornbread
Wednesday, 10/31: Halloween! We’ll probably do the kids’ usual “mummy hot dogs” before trick or treating.