Do you have a family ritual to welcome the weekend?
When Dino Boy was younger, we had matching family pajamas (known here forward as fam jams) that we used to wear one night a week. Life and another kid later, that fun habit has fallen by the wayside. The other day, we were discussing bringing back a fun way to welcome in the weekend and we decided to…
When Dino Boy was younger, we had matching family pajamas (known here forward as fam jams) that we used to wear one night a week. Life and another kid later, that fun habit has fallen by the wayside. The other day, we were discussing bringing back a fun way to welcome in the weekend and we decided to…
A picnic during the sunny days of summer.
Bring back the fam jam night! But better.
By having a fun picnic dinner and movie night. We’ll put down a blanket on the playroom floor. Get the kids set up with tray tables. And sit down on the couch behind them with our dinners.
I’m so excited! Do you have a special way that you welcome in the weekend? Sounds a lot nicer than collapsing into a heap!
Our meal plan for the next week
I meal plan most often on Wednesdays. It’s when the ads for our local grocery stores come out so I can check out what’s on sale on that day and it seems to work a little better for our weekly rhythm. I make a loose plan for the next seven days, usually sticking with it about 90% of the time.
Thursday: Hot dogs (regular and Seattle dog-style with cream cheese and caramelized onions), french fries (frozen), and fruit — this is fam jam night so an easy dinner
Friday: Homemade pizza (sans sauce for kids) and salad
Saturday: Sushi burrito night
Sunday: Ham (from the freezer — was on sale a few weeks ago) with scalloped potatoes (this makes slicing the potatoes a breeze and it’s easy to clean), fruit, and sautéed greens
*I usually try to make a larger meal this night to allow for leftovers for lunch and meat to incorporate in meals the rest of the week
Monday: Ham and grilled cheese, tomato soup, and fruit
Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner: quesadillas, bacon, and fruit
Wednesday: Slow cooker ham soup (I usually wing it, but will be similar to this recipe) with cornbread and salad
Notes for this week’s meals: I wasn’t super excited by what I saw in the sales flyers this week, so decided to pull from the freezer.
If you’re looking for other dinner inspo, I ask my pals on the Instagram what they’re having for dinner on Wednesdays. A few of their yummy dinner ideas: sheet pan meal, leftovers (always the best!), and ground pork stir fry and noodles.
What are you having for dinner? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Note: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I recommend only products I genuinely like. Thank you so much.
How are you surviving that hour before dinner with your kids?
How are you surviving that hour before dinner if you have young kids? I have a nearly 2 year old and a 3.5 year old. That hour before dinner can feel like a lifetime. A while back, I was talking to a friend’s mother-in-law about how chaotic that time can feel and she told me that they used to call it…
How are you surviving that hour before dinner if you have young kids? I have a nearly 2 year old and a 3.5 year old. That hour before dinner can feel like a lifetime. A while back, I was talking to a friend’s mother-in-law about how chaotic that time can feel and she told me that they used to call it…
Leftovers transformed into a yummy is-there-lettuce-in-there? salad the next day.
Hell hour.
That feels about right most days. One or both kids screaming. My husband on his way home or trying to get in the door. My patience is at the lowest point in the day usually.
It doesn’t take the stress away, but even just hearing someone else — whose kids are grown and now trying to survive that time themselves — somehow made me feel better.
Any tips? Right now, I’m relying mostly on Playdoh, occasional graham cracker bribery, and — most often — television to get dinner made and on the table.
Our meal plan for the next week
I meal plan most often on Wednesdays. It’s when the ads for our local grocery stores come out so I can check out what’s on sale on that day and it seems to work a little better for our weekly rhythm. I make a loose plan for the next seven days, usually sticking with it about 90% of the time.
Thursday: Homemade pizzas (sans sauce for the kids)
Friday: Takeout
Saturday: Sushi burrito night
Sunday: Pork loin roast (trying this recipe) with scalloped potatoes, fruit, and sautéed greens
*I usually try to make a larger meal this night to allow for leftovers for lunch and meat to incorporate in meals the rest of the week
Monday: Paninis with leftover pork loin roast or lunch meat and cheese and tomato soup and fruit
Tuesday: Swirly twirly soy sauce noodles (I like the hand cut ones from Trader Joe’s) with veggies and leftover pork loin and fruit
Wednesday: Trader Joe’s mezze platter with dolma, naan and hummus, veggies, and fruit
*Mezze platter sounds much nicer than saying mama is over cooking this week, so please enjoy this food some kind person at Trader Joe’s prepared
Notes for this week’s meals: I wasn’t feeling super wowed with either grocery store sale options this week, but Safeway has a $10 off $50 coupon for there. I’m going to get the pork loin from there and a few other things to hit the minimum. Then — oh darn! — do our big grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s. We’re out of the swirly twirly noodles that my kids really inhale from there. And I’ll pick up fun items for the mezze platter to have a baked in easy dinner night.
If you’re looking for other dinner inspo, I ask my pals on the Instagram what they’re having for dinner on Wednesdays. A few of their yummy dinner ideas: crispy chicken ranch tacos, ham pasta bake, Costco mac & cheese, salad mix, and chicken.
What are you having for dinner? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Four family-friendly make ahead breakfasts for Christmas morning
In my Christmas morning fantasy, the kids sleep in and I wake up to a quiet house, our home is magically clean, the coffee is waiting for me on the counter, and…
In my Christmas morning fantasy, the kids sleep in and I wake up to a quiet house, our home is magically clean, the coffee is waiting for me on the counter, and something delicious is cooking away in the oven. I’m a momtimist, but even I know that’s out of the realm of possibilities! So instead, I’m going to plan ahead so I can enjoy Christmas morning — and maybe a mimosa — too.
Is there anything more delightful than a fluffy, crispy waffle? This recipe is my personal favorite. It can be whipped up in a few minutes and made immediately, but the magic really happens if you let the dough rest overnight in the refrigerator. I can make these four at a time in my favorite griddle with the dishwasher-safe plates for a total of 12 waffles. I use this scoop to get the perfect amount of batter in each pocket. My kids love these with chocolate chips added in. I like to use mini chips and stir it into the dough for more even distribution. The leftover waffles reheat great in the toaster!
Want something a little more decadent than waffles? These cinnamon rolls are so yummy and turn out great every time. I make these ahead overnight, but they can also be made now and frozen. Please note that these need to rise on the counter for an hour or two before baking, so these might be better for a brunch if you’re not an early riser! I like to add about a teaspoon of lemon juice plus the zest of a lemon to the icing to get if it a little something extra. So yummy!
Speaking of decadent, this French toast casserole is so yummy, crunchy, and sweet. Make it the night before and let the oven preheat while you enjoy your coffee! If you make this is in a glass pan, don’t forget to set it on the counter for about 30 minutes so it can come to room temp. Otherwise, it might explode. Don’t ask me how I know that!
Want the ultimate easy make ahead breakfast for Christmas morning? These zucchini and chocolate chip muffins are so deliciously moist. Best of all, they freeze and defrost beautifully! Make them now and just set them out the night before to come to room temp. I prefer to use mini chocolate chips, but otherwise follow this recipe with no notes. If you make this baked bacon ahead of time, you can warm it up in the microwave a few minutes before serving. A zero mess breakfast? Now, that’s a Christmas miracle!
What do you like to serve for special holiday mornings?
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Perfect, fluffy pancakes
Trust me, I used to be a boxed mix pancake person. I would grab a box of Kodiak at Costco and go about my day. Then one day…
Trust me, I used to be a boxed mix pancake person. I would grab a Kodiak at Costco and go about my day. Then one day I made Pinch of Yum’s fluffy blueberry pancakes. They were yummy and shockingly easy to make.
I’ve made several tweaks to her recipe, and this is where we’ve landed for our family favorite perfect pancakes! Yummy, buttery, and with just a hint of lemon. Chef’s kiss!
Perfect Pancakes
Makes enough for one adult and two feral children. Double this recipe for enough to freeze for the week. Reheat in a toaster.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup milk
Juice from half a lemon
Zest from a lemon
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 tablespoons melted butter
More butter for pan (don't scrimp!)
Directions:
Heat a griddle to medium.
Mix together milk and lemon juice and let sit for a few minutes.
Whisk the dry ingredients together.
Whisk the egg, milk, and cooled melted butter together until combined.
Smear the griddle with butter. Be generous!
I like to use a mashed potato scoop to pour batter on hot griddle.
Cook until pancakes start bubbling then flip. Cook for about two minutes then flip again. Keep on griddle until cooked through.
Serve with butter and maple syrup.
Note: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I recommend only products I genuinely like. Thank you so much.
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The yummiest no recipe summer salad recipe
We’re in the middle of a heatwave here in the Pacific Northwest. It’s too darn hot to do much, let alone cook up a fancy family meal…
We’re in the middle of a heatwave here in the Pacific Northwest. It’s too darn hot to do much, let alone cook up a fancy family meal.
In comes my favorite fallbacks: a quesadilla made on my beloved Grillda Garten (just cheese and a tortilla is fine! I used leftover fajita meat and veggies) that miraculously doesn’t heat up the house much if used as a panini maker and this favorite salad. Tomatoes are really at their peak now, so dice up some homegrown ones if ya got ‘em.
The Yummiest No Recipe Summer Salad Recipe
Follow your heart and your family’s preferences to adapt this salad using what you have on hand
Ingredients:
A couple of diced ripe tomatoes or a bowl full of sliced cherry tomatoes (sun gold are especially good!)
1 - 2 small avocados diced or 1 large
A diced cucumber
1/4 small diced or thinly sliced (easier to pick out) red onion
Juice of 1 small lime (to taste)
A couple healthy glugs of olive oil
Pepper and a healthy sprinkling of kosher salt (I like Diamond Crystal)
Directions:
Mix ingredients in a bowl and taste salt and lime and adjust if necessary
Serve immediately.
Note: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I recommend only products I genuinely like. Thank you so much.
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What are you up to this weekend? It’s supposed to be dry and not freezing cold, so I imagine at least a portion of each day will be spent…