When I think of this December, the Bible verse that comes to mind is: “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” This month was full of celebrating and mourning, of laughing and crying. We definitely ate out more than normal, but one thing is true: it doesn’t matter whether we’re in our dining room at home or a greasy pizza joint states away. The beating heart of a family is around the table. Ticking off the days before Christmas, we made delicious meals and treats crowded around the kitchen counter. And after celebrating the life of my grandmother, tables full of aunts and uncles and cousins gathered together to eat, reminisce and share stories. How fortunate am I? May I never forget what a gift I have in family.
Week 22 (cont.):
Friday, December 1: waffles for the kids, Home Chef for date night (sirloin steak with brown butter bordelaise and brussel sprouts and roasted potatoes)
Week 23:
Saturday, December 2: P’s birthday! apple-gouda smothered chicken with brussel sprouts
Sunday, December 3: panko crusted chicken fingers with homemade french fries
Monday, December 4: simple tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches (SO good!)
Tuesday, December 5: beef and broccoli ramen noodles (I didn’t have a lot of the special ingredients, but made it work.)
Wednesday, December 6: skillet Italian meatballs and pasta
Thursday, December 7: slow cooker kielbasa and barbecue beans
Friday, December 8: popcorn and cocoa for the kids (while watching The Polar Express!), Home Chef for date night (ranch chicken with jalapeno popper twice-baked potatoes and green beans)
Week 24:
Saturday, December 9: chicken and bacon pasta in a garlic cream sauce
Sunday, December 10: leftovers
Monday, December 11: tacos
Tuesday, December 12: Refrigerator Clean-Out Night
Wednesday, December 13: salisbury steak meatballs with egg noodles
Thursday, December 14: Oktoberfest brats and roasted vegetables
Friday, December 15: homemade pizza for the kids, Home Chef for date night (ribeye steak quesadillas with pico de gallo)
Week 25:
Saturday, December 16: out for burgers before we looked at neighborhood Christmas lights
Sunday, December 17: slow roasted pulled pork
Monday, December 18: Memere’s wake. out for pizza after the wake
Tuesday, December 19: Memere’s funeral. late luncheon after the funeral
Wednesday, December 20: we were exhausted from our trip and just grabbed anything
Thursday, December 21: taco salads
Friday, December 22: cereal for the kids, steak and potatoes for date night
Week 26:
Saturday, December 23: A new Christmas “Adam” tradition: barbecue from our favorite local spot
Sunday, December 24: Christmas Eve! french onion meatball sandwiches, pizza dip
Monday, December 25: Christmas Day! Mom and Dad brought over leftover ham for panini sandwiches and pecan, blueberry and pumpkin pies
Tuesday, December 26: we snacked all day and just grabbed whatever for dinner – the joys of that post-Christmas fog!
Wednesday, December 27: spaghetti and homemade meat sauce
Thursday, December 28: simple tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
Friday, December 29: homemade pizza for the kids, Home Chef for date night (sirloin steak and loaded potato wedges with smoky mushrooms)
Week 27:
Saturday, December 30: pot roast and potatoes in the Dutch oven
Sunday, December 31: New Year’s Eve! chicken thighs, mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts
Oh my, that tomato soup looks delicious!! Saving that one to try soon. We love soups around here!
It is seriously amazing. We've had it three times already. Mark said it was his favorite EVER and that is high praise from someone so particular about food, haha! I hope you love it as much as we do.