I don't do the once a week thing but I do try to cook something on the weekend that I can eat for lunch most of the week, like chili or whole wheat pizzas. This weekend I went to Trader Joe's and was tempted by the frozen veggie burritos and spanakopita, so I decided to make and freeze my own. So now my freezer is full of that, and I will eat a few of each every week until they're gone, but I will still cook other meals. I also just decided to start cooking half of my dog's meals (using the diet recommendations by Lew Olsen at b-naturals.com). So my freezer now has portions of chicken and beef and liver. I could probably be cooking more of that at a time so I don't have to do it every week. I need to make a blackberry cobbler and an apple pie to free up some freezer space. Melissa

I apologize I'm just now getting back to this. Liriodendron - Thanks for the info about the Jarden jars. I'm going to look into them. I'll also check out Tractor Supply. I didn't realize they carried some of the things they do. When I first saw read how the girl on that blog froze the ingredients without blanching I figured it wouldn't taste right but she never mentioned it so I thought I'd give it a try. We have a Food Saver and seem to use it in spurts. I do like how fresh it keeps the food though. I also much prefer fresh or frozen and can is used as a last resort for us. I just realized I have a copy of the Ball canning book someone gave me the other year. I was planning to can tomato sauce but we didn't have enough tomatoes at the same time and I never got around to it. I'm going to have to flip through it. I'll also check out that website. Thanks! Marie - "I love it when I don't have to cook and can take home made soup or stew out of the freezer." Me too! Especially now that DS is here. It's just so much easier for me to have things already made. Lyfia - I noticed while out that there are a variety of smaller glass containers with lids available. I have a set of Pyrex ones that came in a set but I use them often enough that I need to pick up others for the freezer. Lyban - Good idea about the individual slices! Deedee - I haven't done cookie dough yet. I love the idea of freezing them on the tray and putting them in bags to bake later. I would like to have some desserts in the freezer at times for guests. We typically don't have junk food in the house (because we eat it, lol) There's a store close by when we're in a crunch but I'd prefer to whip out something home made vs. a bag of chips. Camlan - I'll have to try the cookies baked too. I've cooked pancakes and froze for later and they were good. I'd like to get into making my own bread but haven't done it yet. I'm still using the ice cube trays a lot but he's a toddler now so really go through the cubes. I should pick up more trays so I don't run out as often. Ever since we stopped mashing, not much fits in those tiny cubes! I'm thinking we'll start doing a combo of ice cube trays and other containers. This post was edited by sheesharee on Mon, Aug 5, 13 at 23:55

I freeze a lot of things, and I know Sherry made meals for her in laws and froze them weekly. I've never tried to freeze mac and cheese, but the grocery store does it so I can't see why it wouldn't work. I usually freeze lasagna before cooking, but it's OK after cooking too. Cabbage rolls freeze well, as do muffins, cookies, bread. I make "hot pockets" with bread dough and filling. Amanda makes them with frozen bread dough, instead of making her own but she'll do it my way eventually, LOL. I've filled dough with pizza sauce, mushrooms, canadian bacon and cheese, I've used reuben ingredients, I've filled with meatballs and cheese, ham and swiss and mustard, chicken and broccoli, beef, cheese and onions/peppers that have been grilled. I freeze meatloaf and meatballs, both before and after cooking and Elery smoked a bunch of ribs and we froze them, they were great reheated with sauce. Soups nearly always freeze well, except the creamy ones which sometimes separate. Chili freezes well, as does goulash. Good luck, you're a good friend. And stay the heck out of those hospitals, as soon as you can! Annie

Thank you so much for your thoughtful responses to this thread. I enjoyed reading every one of them. Interesting that on a cooking forum, so many of your posts are more concerned with the people around the table rather than the food on the table. Is it a coincidence that a lot of us have chosen what could be called comfort food? Dukerdog, it sounds lovely and I wish it could happen. Sissyfran, a wonderful picnic! I might have to try gingersnaps and Pepsi. I love gingersnaps and coffee on a cold morning. Daylilydayzed, hugs to you in the loss of your mother. Lpinkmountain, your post cracked me up. Thanks for the chuckle. Teresa nc7, your post reminds me of a Seurat painting. The best part is that noone would be texting anyone or saying, "Excuse me, I need to take this call." (What is Chicken Foot?) Dixiedog, could I be invited to the Crab Seafood Fest? Sounds wonderful. Girlsingardens, youÂre going to need a lon-n-n-g table for all those grandbabies. Rachelellen, what a beautiful, loving thought. Chase, our Thanksgiving dinner is very much like my mother used to make. I wish I could ask her how she did some things, though. Triciae, I donÂt think the coffee would be noticed, either. So hereÂs to all our missing family members. Buon appetito!