Last week on grocery day I printed out the list.  I added  a few items to it.  And when I got to the store, I realized I’d left the list on the table at home.

So much for being organized!  Thankfully, I did remember a few things that were on the list.

And I have a system for efficiently shopping without a grocery list.  It’s not something you want to do every time, but it will get you most of what you need on those trips where you’re list-less for whatever reason.

How to Shop Without a List

• Shop the same store all the time, so you’re completely familiar with where things are located.
• Use the aisles to prompt your memory.
• Pick up the things you always buy. If you’ve got the money for it, when in doubt buy it – as long as it’s a pantry or frozen item that will keep a while.
• Try to think of a few favorite meals that you know the necessary ingredients.  Pick up the items to make 4-5 of these meals.

This is how I shopped last week.  It mostly worked.  It also made me really thankful to have a list to shop with.  And determined to remember to stick it in my purse next time.

I also hit the farmer’s market on Saturday.

 

Swiss chard (first time trying and we liked it), zucchini, radishes, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and eggs.  I made the Swiss chard with grilled pork chops on Saturday night.  We had zucchini, bell peppers, garlic, onion and tomatoes with the scrambled eggs on Sunday after church.  Delish!

Saturday night, we had a gorgeous double rainbow that stretched full across the sky.  I could only fit half of it in the photo.

We  also picked up our oldest daughter from the airport on Saturday night.  She’d been in Bolivia all week on a trip with Compassion International.  She’d had a great trip, but the almost 24 hour travel time to get home had wiped her out.

On Monday, I experimented with an idea for a new slow cooker meal.  I had such high hopes for it – Lime in the Coconut Chicken.  I even gave it a cute name.  Unfortunately, we voted that it was not blog worthy.  It was edible, but I go for much more than edible when I share recipes with you.  Maybe I’ll tweak and try again.  Or maybe not.

We played a new-to-us game called Spot It on Monday night.  It’s a great game that has lots of ways to play, can be played with just two people or a bunch, and by little kids up to adult.  Have you ever played it?

 

Tuesday, I grilled chicken for dinner and made sweet potato fries.  I know we had some other things with it, but I can’t remember what.

And remember the swans that visited our pond last week?  They came back.  Maybe they’re going to visit every week on Tuesday.  I hope so!

Wednesday morning, Jim and I took Meredith back to the airport.  This time, she headed to Washington D.C. for one night, then onto Xiamen, China where she’ll spend the next eight weeks studying the language.  She had a bit of a hard time with the good-byes this year, since she remembered how homesick she was last year on her trip to Shanghai.  We’re praying that she has a good trip and won’t struggle too much with homesickness this year.

We stopped at McD’s for a clean bathroom and coffee on the way to the airport.  I snapped this photo while Meredith wasn’t paying attention.  She was a little teary and I didn’t want to ask her to let me take a picture of her.  I’m really proud of her courage to go do something that she knows is going to be hard.

Wednesday night, I grilled smoked sausage.  I think we had mac & cheese and a veggie with it.  The boys headed out to youth group and Mia went to bed early.  She had volley ball camp this week and topped it off with swimming in the afternoon.  That’s a good way to wear a 10 year old out!

Jim was out of town on Thursday night.  I made Chipped Beef Gravy over Cornbread for the four of us at home.

And Friday, the cold that I’d been vaguely aware of all week decided to kick into high gear.  By Friday night, I gave in and ordered pizza for dinner.  Actually, Jim ordered the pizza while I laid on the couch.

Want to shop with a grocery list that’s all made out for you?  (Just don’t forget the list at home!)  Here’s a sneak peek at this week’s meal plans.  When you join the Weekly Meal Plan list, you get the grocery list and printable recipes with side dishes included.  You can find out more about how to get them delivered to your inbox by clicking here.

Slow Cooker Plan