Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.
Good morning, and happy Sunday! I’ve got a great giveaway for you in today’s post, so keep reading for those details!! You’ll notice that it was kind of a crazy week around here as we celebrated Thanksgiving, my dad’s birthday, Gibbs’s birthday, and my in-laws’ anniversary. My head is still spinning, and the Christmas prep is just getting started! All of the highlights, along with our easy dinners, are included in today’s roundup of Our Week in Meals!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For those of you who are new to the blog, Our Week in Meals is where I share a little bit about what we’ve been up to over the past week — as it relates to our dinners each night. This series gives you a glimpse “behind the scenes” at some highlights from our life, shows you how I balance a busy schedule with feeding my family, and offers a few new ideas for your own weekly meal plan. Now let’s back up to last weekend…
Sunday morning was beautiful weather for a walk at my friend’s farm.
On my way home, I swung by Sallie’s house to drop off some of Spencer’s old John Deere toys. Parting with the toys that all 3 of my kids have enjoyed is sentimental, difficult, and also very necessary. It’s just nice to know that the little tractors and other equipment will continue to be loved by another two-year-old!
Gibbs turned 10 this week, so he celebrated with friends a few days early on Sunday afternoon. Keith took four boys to the bowling alley and arcade for lunch and games, while I stayed home with the younger two. We had our own little lunch date for burgers and ice cream at the Tastee Freez!
And basketball officially started that evening, so I served an early supper before the older two boys headed out the door. We had Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup, which we paired with chips, salsa and guacamole on the side. One of our very favorite soup recipes (you can also make it on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot)!
The boys only had two days of school last week, so I had a lot to get done before they were officially on a break!
As soon as the kids climbed on the bus Monday morning, Keith and I took the dog for a walk up the road before we parted ways — he got to work, while I made a quick run over to Yoder’s Country Market for some Thanksgiving goodies.
It’s the best place to pick up cheeses and meats (like homemade sausage for our cornbread stuffing, as well as Kite’s local Virginia country ham and a roll of summer sausage for a cheese board), dried fruits and nuts, homemade sandwich buns for dinner that night, among other things that weren’t even on my list (as usual)!
Back home, I baked two boxes of this cornbread (to use in our Thanksgiving stuffing).
While the cornbread was in the oven, I multi-tasked and set our dining room table for Thursday’s dinner. I had already washed all of the dishes and utensils on Sunday evening, as well as ironed the napkins, so the actual process of setting everything out didn’t take too long.
The dishes are new this year — the Plymouth Turkey Dinner Plates and the Plymouth Turkey Salad Plates from Williams-Sonoma. The chargers, napkin rings, and napkins were from Pier 1 last year.
Love these cute little turkey tea lights, too! I picked up a set of 6 on Amazon last week to add some additional festive candlelight to the table.
But really, the focal point of the table was the floral centerpiece! My friend’s husband has a business called Overnight Flowers, which is an online flower “shop” that offers handcrafted, hand-tied bouquets with free overnight shipping. With proper care, the flowers can last in great condition for weeks!
I picked this design called “Feast” for our holiday table, and they were such a fresh, natural, colorful addition to the celebration (plus, I didn’t have to do any work)! A festive bouquet from Overnight Flowers would also make a great centerpiece for your Christmas table, a lovely hostess gift if you’re visiting family, or a simple way to brighten up your home for the holiday season.
Giveaway!!!
Overnight Flowers has offered to send one of my lucky readers a beautiful, fresh bouquet of your choice! To be entered to win the giveaway, simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post. I will select a winner at random this Saturday, December 7. Good luck!!! And if you don’t win, no worries — all of my readers get 20% off your flower purchase when you enter the code “BLAIR20” at checkout. Thanks for being here, friends!!!
Now, back to the rest of our Monday adventures…
Spencer had a well-check at the pediatrician in Charlottesville that morning, so I scooped him up from school around 10:00 so that we could get to town for his 11:00 appointment. It just happened to be my dad’s birthday that day, too, so Spence played hooky from school for the afternoon and instead we met my folks for a special lunch date at Burton’s Grill.
I had the Harvest Salad and the reuben sandwich with sweet potato fries — all delicious!
We made it home in time for me to bake two big trays of brownies for Gibbs to share with his classmates at school on Tuesday to celebrate his birthday.
We had Crock Pot Pulled Pork sandwiches for dinner that night, which I paired with creamed spinach and store-bought potato salad. I tried hard to keep the meal plan really simple this week, knowing that I’d be doing plenty of other baking and cooking in anticipation of the holiday and birthday fun.
Tuesday was off to a busy start! I met my friend at an early gym class, stopped by Dunkin’ on my way out of Culpeper for a Gingerbread Cappuccino (!!!), and then went by Gibbs’s school to deliver his birthday brownies.
Back home, the Thanksgiving prep continued with a batch of 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Mini Muffins (to include in the bread basket) and a pot of my grandmother’s Easy Sauerkraut recipe (also for Thursday’s meal). These are two items that can be prepared well in advance, so it was nice to check them off the list.
I joined Spencer and the rest of the kindergarteners at their Thanksgiving Feast for the afternoon, where I had the pleasure of serving graham crackers and pumpkin dip to some of the cutest pilgrims and Native Americans!
Dinner was another quick and easy option: 4-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole served with side salads.
The kids didn’t have school on Wednesday, so they happily spent the morning playing outside in the rain while I got some more cooking done in the kitchen. On my Thanksgiving prep list for the day:
- Assemble the Green Bean Casserole (double recipe)
- Assemble the ingredients for the Cornbread Stuffing so that I could just stir it together on Thursday (double recipe)
- Prep the Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese ingredients
- Prep the ingredients to go in the turkey breasts
By the time I was ready for a break from the kitchen, the kids were getting antsy and hungry, so I let them choose a special lunch destination.
They opted for Chili’s in Culpeper, where we feasted on chips and salsa, burgers, chicken fingers, and a Southwest Shrimp Caesar Salad (for me).
Back home, I baked (yet another) batch of my favorite thick and chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, which I packaged as party favors to share with my family on Thursday.
And for dinner, I made an oldie-but-goodie: One Skillet Chicken Sausage Tortellini, which I paired with a simple salad on the side.
Thursday was the big day! Since I had taken care of most of the prep over the preceding days, there really wasn’t too much to handle at the last minute. We went for a hike that morning (with lightsabers), and then my parents, my aunt, and my uncle arrived after lunch.
I set out a small cheese board in the afternoon (sausage, cheddar, crackers, grapes, smoked almonds, dried apricots and Harvest Jam), as well as a cheddar snack mix from Yoder’s.
My mom entertained the kids with a gingerbread house, the guys watched football, and then it was time for supper.
Our menu this year included:
- Garlic and Herb Turkey Breasts (which Keith smoked on the grill)
- Southern Cornbread Stuffing
- My Grandmother’s Sauerkraut with Bacon
- Classic Green Bean Casserole
- Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
- Cranberry Sauce (that my mom brought)
- Apple and Butternut Squash Casserole (that my mom brought)
- Ambrosia (that my aunt brought)
- A bread basket with mini pumpkin muffins and dinner rolls
- Buttered corn (because Spencer requested it!)
Everything was delicious!
My mom and my aunt were in charge of dessert, so my mom made a pumpkin pie and Barbara made a cranberry apple crisp. Both, please!!!
After a year of ups and downs, I’m so incredibly thankful for my family — especially this amazing lady who has been through so much!!!❤️
Black Friday was the perfect day for Christmas tree shopping! We spent the morning packing up our fall decorations, and then headed over to Stonehearth Farm here in Madison to cut down this year’s tree.
The boys aren’t too worried about which tree we bring home. Instead, they’re most concerned with getting as many marshmallows as possible in their cups of hot chocolate…
Spencer and I baked a birthday cake for Gibbs (to enjoy the following day) — he requested chocolate cake with chocolate chunks and chocolate frosting…
…and then I recruited my three elves to help with Christmas decorations.
We just pulled out a bunch of leftovers from the fridge for dinner, which is always one of the best parts of a holiday. If we’re going to put that much effort into one meal, we might as well reap the benefits for a few days! My Friday night plate was basically a repeat from the night before, but this time followed by peppermint stick ice cream for dessert!
Gibbs officially turned 10 on Saturday, and he made sure that the whole house was up and ready to watch him open presents by 5:55 a.m.!????
He also requested his favorite Lemon Bread for breakfast…
We then jumped in the car and made a little road trip up north to Alexandria for the day, where we celebrated Keith’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary!
The whole family met at Ramparts Tavern for lunch: Keith’s parents, the three brothers and their wives, plus all 7 grandsons!
I had the crab cakes, which came with green beans and sweet potato fries. They were SO good!
We made it back home around dinnertime, so we picked up carryout for supper on the way home. Gibbs’s birthday dinner request was a Chicken Parmigiana Sub from Miranda’s Restaurant, which worked out well since I wasn’t home all day to cook!
And of course, chocolate birthday cake for dessert!
And that’s where I’ll leave it for today! It was a week full of family, friends, and over-the-top decadent, delicious food…and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thanks to all of you for being here and for sharing in our lives. I hope that you’ve found a few new dinner ideas or sweet treats to try in your own kitchen this week, too!❤️
I always enjoy your Sunday post. Good recipes, seeing what you are up to and beautiful scenery. That chicken parm sandwich looks really good. May have to try and make one.
Thanks, Cindy! It’s a delicious combo, and you could totally make it at home with a shortcut using frozen chicken tenders or a frozen chicken patty sandwich. 🙂
Love your Sunday posts look forward to them every week. It’s nice to see the adventures u and your family r up to. Also as a fellow coffee lover I like to see what u get from Dunkin or Starbucks ????.
Thanks, Tiffany!
Beautiful Thanksgiving table setting! The tea light turkeys are the cutest. You have a lovely family and I enjoy reading about all you do. Happy Belated birthday Gibbs!
So thankful for the great weekend our family and friends were able to share in together. Looks like your was just as great.
Thanks, Karen! We loved those turkey lights — they will definitely appear again next year!
I love your emails and fix your recipes quite often – they are simple and so yummy!
Thanks, Melissa!
I look for your recap every Sunday morning and try many of your recipes. My girls are currently obsessed with your fried apples from a few weeks ago, We have had them twice a week all month. Tonight I will be making the four ingredient Taco casserole. It will also be a winner and easy to pull together after decorating the house today.
Wonderful, Kelly! I love those apples just like your girls! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your recipes, Blair! 🙂
What a whirlwind of a week you had. Watching your boys grow up so fast is amazing. I will start doing more prepping next Thanksgiving next year. Thanks Blair
Always enjoy the recipes and sneak peeks at your life. Hope you continue to post . Happy holidays!!!faye
Sounds like a great week! The flowers are beautiful!
Flowers!!!!!!
And my favorite Sunday morning FB read!!!!!
Thank you, Kim!!! The flowers are awesome!! 🙂
Happy Birthday, Gibbs!! I’m with Gibbs, I sure would love to have your Lemon Bread for my birthday breakfast or for any day breakfast!! Yum!Thanks for all your sharing, Blair! ☺
Thanks, Deb!! It’s definitely a winner — I hope you get to try the bread!
I love how easy the 2 ingredient muffins were. What a
simple and yummy idea.
Thanks, Jen!
I’m new to your blog, but I am SO GLAD that I found it! Your week sounds similar to mine as far as busyness and obligations go! I plan on ordering from Overnight Flowers for Christmas arrangements regardless, but it’s always wonderful to win something! I’m a fairly young mother of 5 and a new Nonna to two infant grandchildren! This holiday season is going to be one for the memory books! Thanks for all you contribute and share with everyone!
Looks like a great week! Happy birthday, Gibbs;
I look forward every Sunday morning to hear the adventures of your week through the food you feed your family. I’m going to make the crockpot chicken and noodles for tomorrow’s dinner. It’s awesome to have dinner ready after working all day. I’m a Middle School teacher and at the end of the dinner is not what I want to fix when I get home. I too love that you share about the different coffee you drink- always makes me want to try something new. Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season
Debbie in OK
I love a festive table! Happy Holidays
Look forward to reading your article every Sunday morning. I also enjoy all the pictures.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Thank you for all the delicious meal ideas and recipes . Your post is the first I look for every Sunday morning . I also love your book reviews as I am an avid reader . Wishing you a joyous holiday season!
I look forward to your email every week. I am so glad that your mom is healthy. I have gone through some medical issues this year and it really brings into focus what is important in life. Have a great week!
What a great Thanksgiving holiday you and your family had! I read your blog every single week and I’m always excited to get the latest quick and easy recipes. Thanks so much for sharing. Now I’m going to go buy those turkey tea lights!!!
I love seeing the beautiful scenery in Virginia. I have tried many of your recipes and they are amazing! As the holidays are now here hope you get to enjoy special family moments as the kids grow up so fast. Thank you for your posts of some really clever ideas to make our hectic lives a little easier! Thank you Blair, love reading your blog. Happy holidays to you and your family!
Thanks for such a kind note, Michelle!
CONGRATS, Michelle!!!! You are the winner of the Overnight Flowers giveaway! I will send you an email right now! 🙂
What a beautiful week of family and wonderful food. So much to be thankful for. Thanks for sharing.
Exactly, Jody! We are so thankful, and I appreciate your support!
Love your posts and recipes. Your style of cooking is right up my alley!
So glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Those fresh flowers are gorgeous. “See” you next Sunday.
Blair, thank you for your Sunday ray of sunshine1 Love your column, recipes, and pics of the boys and your decor. I really liked the “old” flatware used with your cheese tray. Your table was spectacular as well.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and wish you and your family the best in the new year. Happiness & Blessings for you all!
Janie
Thank you so much, Janie! Your kind note made my heart happy today! 🙂
Hello Blair
I really look forward to your weekly emails featuring food, family and friends. I enjoy seeing how you manage a busy week and still find time to treat your family with scrumptious home cooked meals. I should know because I’ve tried a couple of your salmon recipes and they were absolutely delicious! Right now, I’m eyeballing that 5 ingredients pulled pork. Thanks for sharing your family with us…..Happy Belated Birthday Gibbs!
Thank you, Portia! I hope that you try that pork — it’s a good one! 🙂
I always look forward to your Sunday morning blog and finding out what you and your beautiful family are doing and eating — yum, yum. Happy holidays to you all.
Blair, I read your blog every Sunday, and I love your recipes. Even more I love reading about your busy life: raising children, working from home, and everything else you do! It reminds me of when my kids were young—I wish I had your easy recipes then!
Thank you, Robin! That makes me so happy to hear!
Blair,
So enjoying reading your Sunday posts. Great recipes. love following your week and especially enjoyed seeing the picture of you and your special Mother this week.
Happy Belated Thanksgiving to you and your family,
Best,
Susie Dolibois
Susie!! So good to hear from you! Thanks for following along with us and taking the time to leave me a note. Happy holidays to your family!
The flowers are gorgeous!
I really enjoy your weekly posts as well. I always make time before we head to church! I am so happy for the gingerbread cake recipe. I grew up with this cake, although I am pretty sure my mom used molasses. So glad to have a recipe as hers has “disappeared”.
And I would love to win those fresh flowers for my holiday décor.
Keep on writing, please!
Thanks, Cathy! I hope you’ll try the cake. You won’t miss the molasses, and it would be so great if it reminds you of your mom!
Thanks for sharing!!! Love your recipes! ❤️
Thanks, Patience! I’m so glad that you enjoy the meals!
What a wonderful column! The fresh flowers look beautiful. I plan to order some for my mother and mother-in-law as an early holiday surprise.
Thanks, Maria! If you do, make sure that you use that 20% off code. Every bit helps! They’ll make a wonderful gift!
As a native and life long Virginia resident, I love how you incorporate all things Virginia into your posts and recipes.
Love your beautiful table especially with the Overnight flowers!
Great receipts I will have to try your lemon bread it looked delicious! Happy 10th birthday!
I love to see u so family focused. Enjoy every minute of it, including Teddy.
I can’t wait to try your slow cooker chicken and noodles recipe for dinner tonight. It’s a gray and rainy day, so this will cook while we decorate our house for the holidays. Thanks for your easy, delicious and kid-friendly recipes!
Always anxiously await your Sunday email. Have enjoyed your family and recipes. Makes my heart happy!
I look forward to reading what you’ve been up to each week! I love the scenery and the fun things you do with your boys. I make dinner for my son and DIL every Wednesday and I always use one of your easy and delicious recipes. Thank you for being there!
Thank you for sharing! Keeps my “mom spirit” up.
I always like reading your Sunday recap. I’ve made quite a few of your recipes from those posts. Thanks for your inspiration!
I love reading your posts on Sunday. Your meals looks amazing and your home looks amazing inside and out.
Sounds like the perfect week! The bouquet was beautiful!
We’ll be up north near Boston for the holidays this year. I’ve bookmarked some of you recipes to try out for the family up there. Everything looks great.
Love love love your blog! My favorite !
Flowers are beautiful, always makes for a special centerpiece!
I really enjoy reading about your family life . So amazed at the vegetables your children eat ! Lucky you !!
Thank you for the wonderful share and recipes
Your week sounds crazy busy like in my family! We have birthdays on the 24, 25, 26, 27, town on the 28, and one on the 29th!! Plus throw in Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping traditions. It makes for an enjoyable week with family though!
Best of luck to all of you with any upcoming travels and also to the lucky winner of some beautiful, well deserved flowers!
I really enjoy your wonderful recipes! I have tried some of them and am not at all disappoinnted!
Thanks for sharing, you’ve been very busy! As I meal prep for the week I’m putting your tortilla soup and chicken tortellini on the calendar. Also, beautiful flowers!
Two great meal choices, Betsy! 🙂
The creamed spinach is going to make an appearance at our table. I forget to make it but I loooove to eat it.
The Harvest Salad was delicious!
Awesome! Thanks, Vivian!
Sounded like a wonderful holiday week with good food and family So glad you could spend it with your mom. She looked great and thanks for letting all of us peek in as well
Like WOW! I can’t decide if its your Thanksgiving meal or that gorgeous table that’s my favorite thing!
Where do you get your energy to complete all these tasks?
Love your creativity!
I,too, look forward to Sunday’s post about your fantastic meals and all the joys of your children..celebrating birthdays and anniversaries are life’s blessings.
I enjoy trying your recipes..eager to try a turkey breast on the grill.
Those flowers are so beautiful.. I’ll be sharing them with friends and family. That’s news to us.
Thanks Blair!
You do one fantastic post!
,
Thank you so much, Barbara! Your kind words totally made my day! 🙂
I Love your blog!!! It would be so awesome to win some flowers!!!
Thanks for sharing your home and your recipes. I hope you and your family have a blessed holiday season.
The flowers are beautiful!! Thank you for simple, real life dinner ideas!
Reading your blog has become a regular activity after church on Sundays. Enjoy reading about your weekly activities.! Your recipes are tasty and easy, making use of readily available ingredients. Thank you!
That’s wonderful to hear, Linda! I’m touched to be a regular part of your Sunday. Thank you!!
Happy Thanksgiving Blair to you and your beautiful family
I too, thoroughly enjoy reading every Sunday about your past week. You seem so down to earth, it would be fun to have you as a neighbor. Take care, and keep the wonderful recipes coming.
I’d love to have YOU as a neighbor, Barb! I’m definitely lucky with the neighbors that I have, too. 🙂 Thanks for being my virtual friend — even if you’re not here in Madison!
Thanks for your blog. I enjoy reading the recipes and how you feed your family. Have a merry Christmas!
Just now reading your blog; it’s the highlight of my Sunday. You are a true homemaker; wish I could keep up. Love to see what Teddy is wearing. He is so cute!!! Enjoy
So funny — I have way too much fun dressing that dog. My boys think I’m nuts! 🙂
Hi
I will be using your Mac and cheese recipe for Christmas such a great idea using the crock pot!!!! Hope your having a relaxing day today
Great choice, Chris! It’s one of Keith’s absolute favorites!
I enjoy your posts of easy recipes! I would love to win the flowers. I’m hosting Christmas Day and my son is having foot surgery tomorrow so it would be amazing to not have to worry about a centerpiece. Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!
They would be SO perfect, Christie! Good luck!
Love your posts, great recipes ????????????????
I enjoy receiving your email every week. It is a highlight of my Sunday while I prepare for the upcoming week. I love the pictures, the yummy recipes , and of course, the news of your past week with your family. It looks like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Looking forward to Christmas!
I’m always impressed with your ability to balance a busy week with great meals! I hope your family appreciates it ????. We appreciate all the great recipes!
Wow! I thought I had a busy week. Loved this post and your turkey plates.
Wow, you are one busy woman Blair, but isn’t it great to be making all those fantastic memories with your cute little boys! Sooooo much yummy food in this blog post!
I miss buying flowers cheap at this store I use to go to. If I was the lucky one, I would give them to my Mom bc she loves flowers too and it’s the season of giving!
Have a fantastic week coming up Blair!
What an amazing week… Family and Friends are everything.
Thanks for sharing love reading your blog every Sunday
It’s the best. ….
Oh Blair, your pictures make me so happy! You and your mother are twins! Your three boys remind me of my three kids! What a fun family! Thank you for sharing your daily Thanksgiving prep! Happy holidays!
Thanks, Andrea! It’s crazy how we turn into our Mom! ???? Hoping you and your crew had a great holiday as well. It’s such a fun time of year!
Happy Thanksgiving, Blair! Looks like a full (and wonderful!) week for y’all. Lots of good looking recipes we’ll need to try out too! Loved seeing the pics of the fam – your mom looks exactly the same! Sending big hugs your way from GA!
Happy Thanksgiving, Blair! Looks like a full (and wonderful!) week for y’all. Looking forward to trying out some of these recipes :). As always, great to see pics of the fam. Your mom looks exactly the same! Sending y’all big holiday hugs from GA!
Ha, also sorry for the double comments! Technical (4 year old) difficulties over here ????
Thanks, Em! Sending you and your boys so many hugs and love this holiday season. xoxo
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Looked like an amazing week of holiday adventures! Your Thanksgiving/birthday weekend looked like so much fun!
Such sweet pictures and precious memories. All of the food is making my mouth water. The flowers are would be a nice treat.
What a busy, crazy, beautiful week you had. I live across the country from you in Arizona, so I appreciate all of your beautiful photos with the trees and hiking scenery. I also enjoy reading about all of your adventures raising those special boys of yours!
Thanks, Jeanette! I love to be able to share our little corner of the country with so many “friends!” Have a great holiday season!
Really liked your festive Thanksgiving table! I’m headed to the Overnight Flowers site to check them out. Thank you for the giveaway! And for the family dinner inspiration!
I’m new to your blog, but I am SO GLAD that I found it! Your week sounds similar to mine as far as busyness and obligations go! I plan on ordering from Overnight Flowers for Christmas arrangements regardless, but it’s always wonderful to win something! I’m a fairly young mother of 5 and a new Nonna to two infant grandchildren! This holiday season is going to be one for the memory books! Thanks for all you contribute and share with everyone!
Thanks, Johanna! Time to pick out some beautiful Christmas flowers now! 🙂
Blair,
It looks like you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am glad your mother is doing well, you sure favor her. Gibbs sure seemed to enjoy his 10th birthday. Happy Belated Birthday to Gibbs! I sure enjoy reading about your family’s activities every week! Many blessings to you and your family. ????
Thanks, Angela! Yes — my mom and I not only look alike, but also act alike in just about every way. 🙂 Have a great week!
You have some delicious sounding recipes. My children are grown but I work full time and getting dinner on the table is challenging many nights. I’m just whooped. Thank your weekly posts.
Blair,
You have some delicious sounding recipes. My children are grown but I work full time and getting dinner on the table is challenging many nights. I’m just whooped. Thank your weekly posts.
Thanks, Sue!
I’m new to your blog, but I am SO GLAD that I found it! Your week sounds similar to mine as far as busyness and obligations go! I plan on ordering from Overnight Flowers for Christmas arrangements regardless, but it’s always wonderful to win something! I’m a fairly young mother of 5 and a new Nonna to two infant grandchildren! This holiday season is going to be one for the memory books! Thanks for all you contribute and share with everyone!
Thanks, Amber! I’m so glad to have you here! You are definitely one busy lady, and I’m so glad that some of my easy recipes might help to get you in and out of the kitchen! 🙂
As I was reading your post, I came across the recipe for the pumpkin muffins. I called my 10 (soon to be 11) year old over and asked if he wanted to take some to school tomorrow. After an enthusiastic “YES!”, we drove to the store, ran (literally as it had begun to snow a bit again) in, grabbed cake mix, paid, ran back out, drove home, and before my keys are in the dish, he is holding a can opener while reading your post for the instructions. I had to pinky promise that he could have on for breakfast before he would go to bed. Thanks for another “In-to-the-binder” recipe!
That makes me so happy, Lesli! Those are memories that your kiddo will never forget! 🙂
Oh I envy those with talent for arranging flowers! I love trying but usually it ends up looking as if my toddlers put the arrangement together! I will be looking at your friends website, as I am definitely in need of some flowers for my home. Fresh flowers always brighten up a space like nothing else can. And bringing some of the outdoors in helps when it’s too cold to go outside ourselves. This post was so much fun to read and has given me quite a few ideas for things to do with my kiddos as we await the arrival of our next one. God Bless and thank you for taking time out to give us inspiration!
I envy those with talent for arranging flowers. I always feel as though my arrangements end up looking as if my toddlers put it together. That doesn’t stop me from trying though! There’s nothing better than bringing some of the outdoors inside to help brighten things up. Plus it helps when it’s too cold to head outside ourselves. Your post gave me some cute ideas to do with my toddlers and they will appreciate it with snow in the forecast. Thank you for taking time out to inspire those of us that find our inspiration lacking at times. We’ll be busy bees as we await the arrival of our newest addition and keeping an eye on your posts for more meal and fun ideas. God Bless!
Me too, Jestine! That’s why I leave it to the experts! 🙂
What a beautiful table you set!!!! I love everything about it. Simple yet stunning.
Thank you, Santina!
Thank you for all the sharing you do! I love your recipes!
The flowers were beautiful! But, a close second was that chicken parmigiana sub! I want one of those!
Thanks for the inspiration each week, I hope you have a blessed holiday.
Thanks, Michele! You can’t go wrong with a chicken parm sub! 🙂
You’re Chicken tortilla soup looks to die for! I haven’t ate this morning so I’m starving!
Thanks, Ashley! It would be great for breakfast, too! 😉
I look forward to your post every Sunday. ITs great to get different ideas for home cooking.
I don’t live in the USA so if I’m lucky enough to win I would send the flowers to my daughter in law who lives in CA.
Thanks, Sharon! She would love that! 🙂
Wish me luck!
Good luck! 🙂
Hi Blair,
Your friends flowers are beautiful!! Do you know if they ship to Canada or is it just in the U.S.A.? I can’t find it on their website.
I was so happy this week to see the picture of your mom, looking so wonderful! I’m so glad it was such a great Thanksgiving for you guys!
Take Care!!
Hi, Alicia! Unfortunately, the company doesn’t ship to Canada at the moment. They provide overnight shipping to the continuous US for any orders placed before 2:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday-Saturday. 🙂
As a guy living by myself, I enjoy looking forward to your ‘simple and easy’ recipes. Look forward to your weeks in review, and the great food suggestions. Thanks for all you do.
Thank you, Dave! That makes me so happy to hear! Happy holidays!
Such a whirlwind Thanksgiving week you’ve had! Thanks for sharing your recipes and life with us. Lots of good things to try from the Sunday post, and the other recipes this week. I’m looking forward to trying the Lemon Bread, and Gingerbread Cake, among other goodness you’ve shared. The flowers are beautiful, and those turkey tea lights add a nice touch. Thanks, Blair!
Thank you, Nancy! Happy holidays, and enjoy those baked goods!
Love your blog…..I enjoy reading It every week! It is so realistic and relatable!!!!! You are so talented and creative and full of energy! I sometimes feel drained and exhausted just reading about your week…cant imagine living it. I hope your family and friends know how much you do. I have made many of your dishes and they have gotten rave reviews Thanks so much!
Kathy! Thank you! I’m so glad that you find my ideas helpful or entertaining. I appreciate your support and I’m so glad that you’re here!
Happy Belated Birthday to Gibbs!
What a crazy busy holiday week you all had! I adore those turley tealight holders you found!
The f;owers are gorgeous, and I am going to bookmark the site to send my parents a Christmas bouquet!
That’s wonderful! You will not be disappointed with the flowers. Such a perfect gift and a lovely way to spoil someone! 🙂
Gingerbread recipe looks yummy. My daughter actually works at seasonal Gingerbread Shop during the Christmas holiday. While they are mostly known for their hot chocolate, they do sell Gingerbread cake. We’re not big fans of Gingerbread, but making the cake a la mode it’s awesome. Might try your recipe to see how she likes it. Would make for a different Christmas dessert for us.
Hi, Gina! This cake would be so good with a scoop of ice cream. I think it’s a perfect dessert for Christmas, and your family might enjoy the mild taste (it’s not overpowering like some gingerbread can be).
Happy Belated Birthday to Gibbs!
What a crazy whirlwind holiday week you had! You need to restz LOL!
Mom looks great, glad to see she is doinp well!
I adore thos turkey tealight holders you found. And the flowers are gorgeous, I am going to bookmark the website to send my parents a Christmas boquet!
Love your table scape with the pretty flowers and whimsical turkey votive holders.
That was one busy week. I spent Thanksgiving in Houston with my two oldest daughters. So much good food and great memories. I love this time of the year. Just hate that it goes by so fast.
I totally agree — it goes by way too fast!
Happy Belated Thanksgiving to you and your family. Happy Belated Birthday to Gibbs. I love your Thanksgiving table setting and the flowers from Overnight Flowers. They are so beautiful. Love the turkey tea lights also. Have to look for them on Amazon for next year Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Cecilia!! Happy holidays to you, too!
Happy Belated Thanksgiving to you & your family. Happy Belated Birthday to Gibbs. Woohoo! On your in law celebrating 50 yrs of married life.
I love your Thanksgiving table setting and Overnight Flowers centerpiece. They did an awesome job. Love the turkey tea lights also. Have to get some for myself next year on Amazon.
Have a good day.
Cecilia
Hi Blair,
I enjoyed your blog as I always do every sunday.
I’m a devoted fan of yours & appreciate the time & effort you put into your blog. It takes talent, time, & knowledge to accomplish what you do every week.. Its always fresh & new & never boring. Running a household alone with 3 boys isnt easy, but you do it perfectly. I’m so happy you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family all around the table.. (such precious memories). If anybody deserves the flowers its YOU!
Your an awesome mother, daughter, wife & friend. The love for your family shines through your blog each & every week. All the mothers around the world should take a lesson from you….what a wonderful world it would be!
I look foward to your next weeks posting!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Judy! You are a true light and I’m grateful for your long-time support. ❤️
Gosh you always amaze me with what you get accomplished in a week!! Thanks for all the good recipes. Have a happy holiday season with your family.
There is so much delicious food. The chicken tortilla soup looks so delicious and that ground beef casserole is such a great weeknight meal idea.
I also think those turkey tea lights are really adorable.
Your Thanksgiving table was beautiful! I always look forward to your weekly email.
Nice post!