And here we are. The week before Christmas. Oh my heart, are you all ready? I am getting there. My goal this weekend is to wrap up the wrapping, pun intended. We’ll see if I get there today. I’m spending a lot of time planning out this upcoming week, so many things to do, bake, cook, wrap, drop off, pick up, remember, AH! I’ll be going day by day with my trusty planner to hopefully get it all accomplished.

One thing I’m going to take off my plate is what to make for dinner. Planning it out and grocery shopping today so everything is ready when I need it to be. This week’s menu plan looks pretty tasty, let’s dive right in! 

Sunday is one of my favorite nights, we will head off to our club with great friends and family for our annual Santa dinner. Can’t wait!

Monday let’s get a big pot of my five ingredient chili going on the stove. Yep, just five. And it’s oh so good.

Taco Tuesday anyone? How about in pasta format. Yes please. 

Wednesday I’m going to make an old stand by in our home: Italian sausage stuffed green peppers. Love this one, and they are pretty easy on the waistline.

Thursday night is always a good night for a slow cooker recipe so let’s get this chicken parmesan soup going. Thinking melted mozzarella on top along with some garlic bread for dipping.

And that brings us to Friday and to the first day of four, yep four, straight Christmases. Let’s do this!

Happy cooking!
C

Happy Sunday friends! I hope you are having a wonderful winter weekend. We had a very busy Friday and Saturday followed by an extremely chill Sunday, or, today. I actually wrote the word ‘rest’ in my planner. Trying to be intentional about planning that which seems silly, perhaps, but I’ve learned is important especially during this time of year. Today’s goals are grocery shop, make a stew that cooks all day, and get some gift wrapping one. Hopefully most of that will be spent in pajamas. Alright, without further ado let’s get to this weeks menu plan.

Like I mentioned today will be spent working on this lovely Chicken Brunswick stew from my fellow cooking club member, Beth! Can not WAIT to try it out, looks amazing.

Monday night I will be cooking with my very Italian friend who legit makes the best food. Mike, especially, is obsessed. We are making our go to stuffed artichokes and an angel hair pasta tossed up with fresh herbs and plenty of parmesan and olive oil. Yum.

Tuesday let’s lighten things up, shall we? This chicken and broccoli quinoa casserole seems bad for you but is actually pretty light and healthy. Score.

Wednesday I’m going to make the oh so delicious slow cooker smothered pork chops. Roasted up green beans on the side for some  health.

Busy Thursday night so let’s get the slow cooker lasagana soup going during the day. Friends, this one is SO GOOD. I need to blog about it! 

And that brings us to Friday, and to a Christmas party with friends. Can’t wait! 

Happy cooking everyone!
C

Happy Sunday everyone! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and getting in something festive. We got our outdoor lights up (and by we I mean Mike) and today Beckett and I are off to the nutcracker. Can’t wait! But before all the fun begins I’m taking a few moments to plan out the week, work on to do lists, and of course our menu plan! Let’s get it going.

Sunday night dinner will be out with some friends post Nutcracker play. Can’t wait to have some special time with just B. 

Monday let’s get a new slow cooker dinner going. Can’t wait to try out this thai peanut chicken. Going to serve it up with brown rice and plenty of fresh cilantro.

Tuesday night sounds like a good night for this TO DO FOR Mexican casserole. Bonus that it leans pretty healthy.

Let’s get some comfort food going Wednesday night, shall we? This french onion chicken is everything in life. EVERYTHING. Going to serve it up with some roasted green beans. 

Thursday is cooking club which is pretty much the best night ever. We are all bringing heavy appetizers this time and a few desserts to keep it casual and fun for the holidays. I’m baking up these mini ham sandwiches and of course providing plenty of good drinks.

That brings us to Friday. Logan and I are off to see my Dad sing in his Christmas concert, can’t wait. I’m going to get some Italian sausages in the slow cooker for Mike and B, and then eventually us when we roll back home.

Happy cooking everyone!
C

Happy Sunday everyone! Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving? Oh my goodness. We have a short week here but still sitting down this morning to get things planned out for all the festive fun ahead and of course, our menu plan for it all. Hope you have a moment to do the same!

Sunday night we are having some lovely friends by for an early Sunday dinner, which is one of my favorite times to entertain. Love slow cooking something all day in the cold and waiting for friends to arrive. I’m trying out Ina’s slow roasted spiced pork and serving it with sour cream corn bread and a winter slaw. YUM!

Monday night we have a family dinner in the city, can’t wait!

Back to entertaining Tuesday, my oldest friend who now lives in Denver is back in town for the holiday. I can’t WAIT to see her and to have her and her husband by for dinner. I’m thinking homemade chicken enchiladas and a salad with cilantro lime dressing will be perfect.

Wednesday we head to our dear friends for Friendsgiving, YIPPEE! I’m in charge of dessert and plan to whip up a brown bag apple pie and a batch of Gaia cookies. SO GOOD. 

Thursday is Thanksgiving! Per usual I have it easy this year and am only in charge of two pecan pies. Done.

And if we haven’t had enough fun so far this week, Friday we get to fly away to Florida. Thank the good Lord. This time is extra special as we are bringing along the boys bestie, Ryder. Can’t wait! 

That’s a wrap – happy cooking everyone, and a very happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
C

Another Sunday is upon us. And a chilly one at that! I hope you have had some cozy time in with friends and family and of course, good food. Spending a few moments this morning to go over this week’s menu plan. Always makes Monday that much easier. (Especially when on Monday I have to report to jury duty). Let’s do this!

Sunday sounds like a great day to get a soup going on the stove, while wearing pajamas of course. Have had my eye on this chicken, white bean, and kale soup. So healthy! 

Monday night the big boys are out which means I can eat whatever I want, yippee! Totally going to devour a salmon power bowl. Talk about healthy.

Tuesday night let’s get a little Mexican in our life. These baked creamy chicken taquitos are so ridiciously good. (Wow, that photo needs a serious update). Serve them up with a salad mixed with a cilantro lime dressing and you’ve got yourself a dinner.

I am off to see Jen Hatmaker (omg omg omg) Wednesday night with some friends so I will be getting some Italian sausages and peppers in the slow cooker earlier in the day because heaven forbid the boys have to fed for themselves. Ha. I am convinced Jen Hatmaker is my soulmate. In her latest book she admitted to stalking a referee in her son’s football game, like actually waiting by his car after the game. I die. (Not that I have done this………(ish)). 

Tomato, chicken, and spinach spaghetti? Yes please for a Thursday night!

And that brings us to Friday, ahhhhh. I have an amazing girls night in planned for my dear friend who is adopting her FOURTH baby! I KNOW! I can’t wait to be together with her closest friends to celebrate. 

That’s a wrap – happy cooking!
C