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    Home » Uncategorized » Our Week in Meals #251

    Our Week in Meals #251

    Published: Sep 5, 2021 by Blair Lonergan

    Good morning, happy Sunday, and happy Labor Day weekend! We're enjoying some beautiful late-summer weather, cookouts, and lake time with friends. All of the highlights from the past few days, 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 threw me a curve ball when we ended up at MedExpress for 4 ½ hours so that I could get antibiotics for Spencer's ear infection. Out of an abundance of caution, they gave him COVID and strep tests while we were there -- both of which came back negative. That said, the doctor advised me to keep all of the boys home from school for a few days until we received a second negative COVID result from the longer test. The good news is, Spencer felt totally fine. These days, we can't be too careful when it comes to the kiddos, and the last thing we want to do is spread germs!

    We laid low the rest of the day, and Keith grilled the kids' favorite shrimp for supper.

    Close up side shot of the best grilled shrimp recipe garnished with parsley and limes on a blue and white plate

    I paired the shrimp with an Antipasto Pasta Salad (one of Keith's favorite sides), as well as sauteed zucchini and a loaf of beer bread.

    Overhead shot of a big platter of antipasto pasta salad

    It was a hot and sunny Monday before the storm clouds arrived late that afternoon.

    Since the boys were all home with me, we had a quiet day at the house with online school assignments and work.

    My younger two boys really like Chinese food, and it had been awhile since I'd made any Asian-inspired dishes. A quick stir-fry was on the menu that night! I used my Shrimp Fried Rice recipe, but substituted thinly sliced chicken breast for the shrimp. Plus egg rolls on the side!

    Front shot of two plates of easy shrimp fried rice on a wooden table

    Since Spencer's second test came back negative (it really was just an ear infection!), the boys all returned to school on Tuesday. I spent my day cooking and catching up on projects at the house...

    ...and made an easy dinner that everyone could agree on: Fish n' Chips! Instead of frying my own fish like I sometimes do, I just used frozen fish fillets that night and served them on rolls with tartar sauce, lettuce and tomato. Plus French fries and coleslaw on the side!

    Close up front shot of fried fish sandwiches served with tartar sauce and a side of pickles

    I have a fun book to share with you this week: The Secret French Recipes of Sophie Valroux by Samantha Vérant. Maybe the story was a little predictable, but I enjoyed reading about the French culture, French food, and of course, Sophie's complicated relationships with the people she loves. A delightful escape!

    Not much to report from Wednesday! It poured rain almost all day, so after a morning walk with my friend, I spent the rest of the day in the kitchen while the kids were at school. I was testing a couple of new baking recipes (that utterly failed), and also re-shot an old soup recipe to share again soon.

    With cooler, wet weather in the forecast, I decided on comfort food for dinner: Baked Ziti with Sausage, garlic bread...

    Close overhead image of a serving spoon in a dish of homemade baked ziti with sausage

    ...and a green salad with my favorite red wine vinaigrette.

    Close up side shot of a mixed green salad

    After the storms rolled through, we were blessed with the most gorgeous crisp, clear, and breezy September Thursday.

    Casey joined me for a quick walk with the dog that morning before I had to take him to an orthodontist appointment (and eventually to school).

    We opened up the house, and I actually drank a cup of hot tea while sitting at my computer. Fall is not here quite yet, but we're getting excited (and the decorations will be coming out this weekend)!

    When we had taco quesadillas for dinner last week, I cooked extra taco meat, stashed it in the freezer, and used it to make nachos for supper on Thursday evening. Plus corn, guacamole, and salad greens. So, so good!

    Overhead shot of a hand reaching and picking up simple homemade nachos recipe on a tray

    More clear blue, sunny skies on Friday meant a beautiful walk in the woods with my friends that morning before heading up to Culpeper to take care of a number of different errands on my list.

    I don't love running around for these "chores," but I do love treating myself to Panera for lunch. I grabbed a bowl of broccoli cheese soup and a baguette at the drive-thru window on my way back to Madison.

    Sour Cream Chicken was on the menu for supper that evening, which I paired with cornbread (leftovers from the freezer) and apple butter, rice and steamed broccoli.

    Close up side shot of sour cream chicken sliced on a blue and white plate

    My Saturday morning included house chores, a stop at the local farm stand for peaches and tomatoes, as well as dinner prep since I knew that we would be gone all afternoon. We had haircuts after lunch...

    ...and then met friends at their lake here in Madison for some time on the pontoon boat.

    Back home, Keith grilled steaks for supper,

    A sliced grilled New York Strip steak on a cutting board

    which I paired with Arkansas green beans, sliced fresh tomatoes,

    Close up front shot of Arkansas Green Beans with Bacon

    and a loaf of no-knead bread.

    Front shot of no knead bread recipe made in a Dutch oven

    And for dessert, our favorite one-bowl buttermilk chocolate cake! These were all really easy recipes that I could make in advance, so that when we arrived home from the lake hungry, there wasn't too much actual cooking to do. And every Saturday night deserves a chocolate cake!

    Slice of easy chocolate cake on a white plate with chocolate frosting

    So that's it, friends! I'm off to enjoy the rest of this Labor Day weekend with friends, family and another cookout. Have a great week ahead!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Leslie

      September 05, 2021 at 7:29 am

      I look forward to your email every Sunday morning. I enjoy reading about you and your family’s activities, and your recipes.

      Reply
      • Blair

        September 05, 2021 at 10:30 am

        Thank you, Leslie! That makes me so happy to hear!

        Reply
    2. Nancy Assmann

      September 05, 2021 at 11:00 am

      Nice pontoon boat. My father and a friend built one back in the early 70's. We were quite the site on Owasco Lake in the Finger Lakes in New York State. I really enjoy your blog. More photo's of Teddy please...

      Reply
      • Blair

        September 05, 2021 at 12:10 pm

        Thank you, Nancy! Yes, Teddy should make another appearance soon! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Anita Anderson

      September 05, 2021 at 4:35 pm

      Cant wait to try the Shrimp Fried Rice recipe -- home made ! (we usually just buy it when we feel like chinese dinner out!) This will be great to try ! PS where do we get hoisin sauce ? International Aisle ? Never heard of this
      one.

      thx
      LOVE YOUR FOOD POSTS and WEEKLY views of your beautiful country side there with all the family and friends. Thanks for doing this for all of us!

      Reply
      • Blair

        September 05, 2021 at 6:25 pm

        Thanks, Anita! Yes -- the hoisin sauce should be on the International aisle near the soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, etc. Hope you enjoy the meal!

        Thank you so much for your kind words!

        Reply
    4. Maureen Cirino

      September 06, 2021 at 11:11 pm

      I really enjoy your blog every Sunday. The pictures of your area are always great. Thank you for making my Sunday brighter.

      I made your baked chicken breast with molasses and it came out perfect and was absolutely delicious. We will be making it again.

      Reply
      • Blair

        September 07, 2021 at 5:24 am

        Yay! Thank you for letting me know, Maureen. I appreciate your kind note, and I'm glad that you enjoy the blog each Sunday. 🙂

        Reply
    5. E.

      September 07, 2021 at 10:42 am

      This week's update finds me taking screenshots like crazy! We have been in a food rut and I'm hopeful some of your recipes can shake things up around here. As a side note: all of our kids have had terrible colds since returning to school and we also did the testing as a precaution. It's really tricky now whenever they have a cold or sniffles. Props to you, you're doing great! Thank you for the positivity you bring every week!

      Reply
      • Blair

        September 07, 2021 at 12:51 pm

        Thank you!! I really appreciate your kind words, and I'm so glad that some of the recipes might help with dinnertime in the week ahead. Glad your kiddos are okay, too! You're right -- it's a very tricky time as a mom. 🙂

        Reply

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