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Hi there! We’re finishing up another busy weekend and I wanted to share some highlights with you this evening. Ready, set, go!

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Our weekend actually started on Friday evening when I got the boys bathed and dressed in some decent attire (i.e., something other than mud-stained mesh shorts) so that we could head to the preschool fundraiser.

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Keith met us at the school after work for a performance by the students, a dinner, socializing, and a silent auction.

It was a fun night and we came home with tickets and a parking spot for the Montpelier Hunt Races in the fall. Hooray! I’m already getting excited and planning our tailgate. Local friends…get ready!

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Saturday morning started early with many, many loads of laundry, breakfast, and pre-soccer prep. The boys are loving these little flax, oat bran and whole wheat pita breads by Joseph’s for breakfast. Gibbs likes his with peanut butter on top and Casey likes to add some jam to the PB. They call them “breakfast pizzas,” and it’s an easy meal served with a banana or other fresh fruit and some milk. I found these at Martin’s in Culpeper, but I’ve seen them at places like Walmart and Costco as well.

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I also made some quinoa in my rice cooker (<– affiliate link!) so that I could have it on hand for future meals. I always seem to burn my quinoa when I try to boil it on the stove (or my pot overflows), so the rice cooker is perfectly dreamy! I just dump the water, quinoa, and salt inside, push the button, and it beeps when it’s done. I don’t have to do a darn thing, and it can sit there and stay warm until I’m ready for it. No burning, no overflowing, and it’s cooked perfectly every time.

The quinoa is great in cold salads (like this one), in Stuffed Peppers (so good!), heated up for breakfast with added milk and toppings (just like oatmeal), or reheated with seasonings for a quick dinner side. I just store it in my refrigerator until I need it.

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Gibbs had a soccer game in the morning, so we stopped at the Madison County Farmer’s Market on the way. It’s still a bit early in the season for most of the local produce, but yesterday’s haul included:

  • steaks for dinner
  • molasses cookies
  • eggs
  • bread
  • radishes
  • lettuce

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and this kiwi jam, which Casey sampled and then HAD TO HAVE.

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It was a beautiful morning and the temps were even finally warm enough to pull out the baby Keens! This pair was originally Casey’s. Gotta love hand-me-downs.

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After soccer we returned home for lunch. Once the crew was fed, I headed back out with Casey and Spence in tow. We were off to do our weekly grocery shopping in Culpeper.

Can you tell how crummy Spence feels? Poor kid just got sicker and sicker as the day went on. I thought that it was just a cold early in the day (since Casey had a stuffy nose a few days ago), but by Saturday afternoon Spence was pretty fussy and unhappy.

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After grocery shopping I spent the rest of the afternoon putting the food away, folding laundry, and prepping dinner. On the menu: grilled steaks from the farmer’s market, corn on the cob (which Casey picked out at the store), and a big salad!

I made a quick homemade Maple Balsamic Dijon dressing for the salad (just oil, maple syrup, dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, and salt and garlic powder). Shake it all up!

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Keith grilled the steaks,

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and I put together a glorious salad full of the lettuce and radishes from the market, as well as bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, broccoli, red onion, chopped dates, and candied pecans. Cleaning out the fridge!

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Guess who showed up in the kitchen as soon as she smelled some steak?!

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And I ate my dinner with one hand because my littlest guy was not feeling well and just wanted to sit on my lap. Pretty soon he was asleep, so I got the evening off from cleaning up the kitchen. Score. Keith put the dishes away while I sat with Spence on the couch. We stayed like that for the rest of the evening until I finally changed him into his pajamas and put him to bed for the night. I’ll take the baby cuddles while I can still get them…they don’t happen often anymore!

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By this morning, Spence seemed to be feeling a little bit better and he hasn’t had a fever today.

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For breakfast we had some toast on the honey whole wheat bread from the market, along with Casey’s kiwi jam (of course).

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Then I spent some time in the kitchen prepping for the week ahead. I made some mini blueberry muffins for the boys to eat for breakfast, and my little baker joined me.

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I also made a batch of Kristine’s Raspberry Chia Jam, but I used these mixed berries and cherries since that’s what I had on hand. Delish!

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Finally, I baked the chocolate cake recipe from the Dashing Dish cookbook, but I made it in my donut pan instead of in a square baking dish. I can keep them in the freezer for quick and easy snacks or treats.

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Then we headed off to Charlottesville for the boys’ swimming lessons with Kristie’s family. Keith took the older two into the pool while Spence and I ran over to Target to check out the new Lily Pulitzer collection.

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Unfortunately, the stock had already been picked over and I left empty-handed.

Once we scooped up Keith and the boys from the pool, we grabbed lunch at the kids’ favorite spot, Hibachi Grill, so that we could hit up the sushi buffet (and ice cream, etc.) and throw some pennies into the fountain. Yes, the kids eat some sushi. And yes, they still prefer the pizza and garlic bread! Gotta love a buffet.

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We’re home for the afternoon and I’m busy sorting through Spence’s summer clothes and packing away the winter stuff. Plus, doing more laundry. It’s a chore that NEVER ends.

On this evening’s menu: grilled salmon, couscous, and salad…a family favorite.

Have a great week!

blair

Hey, I’m Blair!

Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking!

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