I keep waiting for the weather to be more like a Carolina summer around here, but with all the rain, we've been feeling more like we're in Seattle these days. But after several years of drought, I'm not necessarily complaining. It's just a little strange.

I'll take advantage of the strange weather by having some chili! Of course, if it turns hot, it'll be in the crockpot, so I won't heat up the house anyway. My kids l-o-v-e chili beans, so I'm sure to have some happy kids for that meal!

I am also trying to use leftovers more consciously. You'll see leftovers incorporated all through this week, as well as planned leftovers to freeze for later. After all, food you throw away is the most expensive food of all!

Here's the plan for the week:

Monday: Crockpot Chili with Cocoa (leftovers will be frozen)

Tuesday: Pork Fried Rice (using leftover pork chops and rice from this weekend)

Wednesday: Pesto Caprese Chicken and Fiesta Twice Baked Potatoes (We'll cook some "naked" chicken too for the pizza later in the week.)