Welcome to the weekend, my mates! I hope your week (and your climate) have been unbelievable and that you just’re having fun with the vacations nonetheless you select to have fun them. We loved a dusting of snow this week and I used to be in heaven for the transient day that it lasted on the timber.
I can dream of a white Christmas, however this 12 months, it’s solely a dream. We’re purported to hit 60 levels on Monday (just some levels decrease than the forecast for Phoenix) – what sort of nonsense is that? At the very least I can stay up for a day stroll within the hotter climate.
What we’re EATING: It’s been a significantly scrumptious week over right here with out a single new weblog publish to point out for it. (And I’m under no circumstances unhappy about that proper now.)
Sean made the Floor Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry the opposite night time and I could also be responsible of getting hidden the final serving for my lunch – zero guilt right here, that’s how we roll. I tossed the leftover beef and broccoli with some leftover Noodles with Cabbage and the mix was so flipping good it gave me an thought for an additional new recipe.
I made a batch of Cinnamon Crinkle Cookies after which proceeded to eat an absurd variety of them with my morning and noon and late afternoon espresso. I’m fairly positive that when a cookie encourages me to drink an increasing number of espresso, it won’t be a very good factor, however the cookies are simply so completely chewy with a buttery cinnamon sugar taste, sigh. I really like them.
We’ve been on a roll with Breakfast Sandwiches these days, though they typically get made nearer to lunchtime. I’ve additionally been knowledgeable that “Dad’s sandwiches are higher than yours, Mother” <gasp> with the added non-apologetic remark, “Sorry, however it’s true.” So, it seems like I may have to analyze precisely what makes his higher. (Odds are good that it’s an entire lot of meat, as my carnivore crew can’t get sufficient bacon and sausage of their breakfasts.)
I made a model of this Cashew Rooster Salad, however wound up swapping so many components each as a result of they sounded good and since I didn’t have every part available, it turned an entire new recipe. Not unhappy about that although, as I made notes in order that I could make it once more. The entire household was consuming the hen salad on crackers, proper out of the blending bowl.
My youngest son helped, truly did many of the work, to make his favourite dinner final night time and it was perfection. Buttered Steak Bites (with mushrooms) and a giant pot of Truffle Mac and Cheese, together with a Candy Kale Salad (although I did fortunately cheat that one and simply grabbed the bag of salad at Costco this week).
I additionally made one other batch of those Loaded Mint Cookies. They’re a dream come true for anybody who loves mint + chocolate as a lot as I do. Paired with a cup of Peppermint Scorching Cocoa, I’m in peppermint heaven.
What I’m CRAVING: Talking of peppermint, it’s time to churn a batch of Peppermint Ice Cream. I already stocked up on sweet canes once more, so I can maintain making all of it 12 months.
And I’ll be making a batch of my pal Katrina’s perfect-every-time sugar cookies this weekend too. For those who haven’t tried them but, they’re a vacation must-make. Wonderful taste, completely crisp cut-out edges, zero chill time required for the dough, what extra might I ask? I’ve been making her recipe and solely her recipe for over ten years now.
My FAVORITE THING this week is that this butter dish. I could also be a wee bit obsessive about this factor. I’ve had a Butterbell for years, however the fact is that for our household, it simply doesn’t maintain sufficient butter to make it a sensible alternative. I lastly went searching for an answer that meets my fussy necessities: simple to maintain clear, seems good on the counter, holds not less than two sticks of butter, and has a lid.
That is every part I wanted and extra. It’s essentially the most sensible butter dish I’ve ever seen and it really works completely. No bizarre grooves or edges to gather butter, it stays clear, and it simply holds additional butter too.
What I’m WATCHING: all of the Christmas films! White Christmas is my favourite Christmas film of all time and my youngest son nonetheless watches it with me every year. And The Polar Categorical has been our Christmas Eve morning custom yearly since my boys have been toddlers.
Die Arduous 1 & 2, Deadly Weapon, and The Ref are additionally on the checklist for this weekend. (Facet be aware, I really like having older children who can watch these with us finally! It’s a lot enjoyable. My youngest is impatiently awaiting a number of extra birthdays earlier than he’ll be becoming a member of us for these.)
What I’m READING: Soiled Thirty by Janet Evanovich. Lastly! A twist in one of many Stephanie Plum books. I’ve ranted concerning the lack of character growth after studying the previous few books on this collection, and in truth, this one wasn’t on my checklist to learn. The books are nonetheless enjoyable reads, however that is e-book 30 within the collection and I’m past prepared for Stephanie to maneuver ahead.
A reader emailed me a number of weeks in the past although, (Hello, Glynda!) and urged I give this one a strive. It has a shock ending that made me grin and now I’m wanting ahead to studying the subsequent e-book. Right here’s hoping that the collection continues to maneuver ahead now.
What I’m LISTENING to: Ceaselessly Christmas by David Lanz and Kristin Amarie. This can be a new one for me and I can’t advocate it extremely sufficient. The music is gorgeous in each method. David is a pianist/composer and Kristin is a vocalist with a panoramic voice.
I had a tough time selecting a favourite music on this album. O Holy Night time and Silent Night time are long-time favorites and these renditions are flawless, however Ceaselessly Christmas is superb as effectively. In different phrases, you must most likely give it a pay attention and see should you can select a favourite.
“For to us a toddler is born, to us a son is given; and the federal government shall be upon his shoulder, and his identify shall be known as Great Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Wishing you the very merriest of Christmases!
Mary
