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Good morning, and happy Sunday! Rainy weather, cooler nights, and a busy schedule meant that our table was full of easy, cozy, prep-ahead meals this week. 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.

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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…

After such a busy day outside on Saturday, we were all pretty happy to have a quiet Sunday with very few plans. Gibbs went to a friend’s birthday party, but otherwise we stayed close to home, watched football, and prepped dinner.

Since I knew that I’d be around the house for a few hours that afternoon, our Sunday supper included my favorite oven roasted chicken

Close up side shot of a golden brown easy oven roasted chicken on top of potatoes and vegetables

…along with shells and cheese, and this beautiful fall salad (which I will share on the blog soon). I actually cooked two chickens side-by-side in a large roasting pan so that we’d have plenty of leftovers for the week.

The boys were grumpy about returning to school on Monday after a long weekend. Once they were out the door, though, I buckled down and got back to work.

I also snuck away from my desk to pick up eggs at my neighbor’s house, as well as white oak saplings from another neighbor’s farm.

We had soccer practice that evening, so I relied on my Dutch Oven Pot Roast for an easy dinner that I could just reheat when we returned home late.

Close overhead shot of dutch oven pot roast recipe on a wooden surface

Tuesday was a busy work day at the house. After a walk with my friend Ashley, my morning was devoted to cooking, while the afternoon focused on Zoom calls and the computer. Before I knew it, it was time to scoop up the boys at school!

I received a fun package in the mail from my friends at Taste of Home that day, too. The seasonal “Special Delivery” box always includes a new cookbook, kitchen tools, and other food-related products, and this fall edition does not disappoint! The theme is baking-focused, and includes the soon-to-be-released Ultimate Baking Cookbook, a dough blender, sugar duster, silicone baking mat, and other tools, along with some Stroopwafels cookies (which my boys devoured almost instantly). If you’re interested in receiving (or gifting) a Special Delivery box, you can check out the details here.

Keith was working late that night, so I kept dinner really simple: chicken salad sandwiches using the best chicken salad recipe and the leftover roasted chicken from Sunday’s meal. On the side, we had carrots, celery, and Ranch for dipping, plus potato chips.

Front shot of the best chicken salad recipe served on a sandwich in front of a white wall

It rained almost all day on Wednesday, so I stayed indoors and only ventured out for a wet walk with a friend in the woods that afternoon. I did manage to finish another book in the school pickup line, though! Turning Season is the seventh novel in Melanie Lageschulte’s Melinda Foster series. These books remind me a lot of Hallmark movies — light and predictable, but also entertaining and heartwarming. I love reading a new one at the start of each season, so this was the perfect way to kick off October!

While I was home all day, I simmered a pot of spaghetti sauce on the stovetop for dinner. The house smelled so good by dinnertime! We had my mom’s Spaghetti Meat Sauce served over pasta with a green salad and garlic bread on the side. The perfect cozy meal for a damp, gray day.

Overhead shot of garlic bread and spaghetti with meat sauce

On another rainy, foggy Thursday, Keith and I met with a builder in the morning, and then stopped at Yoder’s to pick up buttermilk, deli meat, and ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch on our way home.

With soccer on the agenda that night, I planned an easy, hands-off dinner to enjoy afterwards: Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, along with tortilla chips, salsa, and pumpkin bread.

Overhead shot of two bowls of white chicken chili on a wooden dinner table

The gray, damp weather hung around on Friday, too…

I met Mollie for a walk at her farm that morning, picked up a grocery order, and otherwise took care of work at house until it was time to get the kids.

We had Oven-Fried Pork Chops for supper…

…along with homemade applesauce, rice, store-bought crescent rolls, and steamed broccoli.

Spoon in a white bowl full of cinnamon applesauce

Then it was Saturday! We started the morning with the boys’ favorite waffles

Pouring syrup on a plate of crispy Bisquick waffles with fresh berries

…and spent most of the day on the soccer fields.

We headed to Culpeper later that afternoon to shop for Halloween costumes, and picked up pizzas for dinner on the way home.

We finished the night with college football on TV, and that brings us to today! I’m heading out for a walk with friends shortly, and we’re looking forward to a visit from my brother in law and nephews this afternoon. Thank you for joining me here, as always. Have a wonderful week ahead!

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!

Read More

Square overhead shot of hands serving a chicken pot pie recipe with biscuits
Overhead image of a bowl of chili mac on a dinner table with cornbread
Hands serving a platter of sheet pan sausage and potatoes

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Comments

  1. Ooh, I can’t wait to try the Pumpkin Soup recipe! I will be the only one who will eat it in my house. How could I make it less fattening and caloric?

    1. Hi, Leslie! Most of the ingredients in the soup are really healthy and not fattening at all. If you want a less-sweet option, you can replace the cider with extra broth. You can also try a low fat cream or low fat coconut milk (or reduce the amount of cream/coconut milk called for) — it just won’t have the same mouthfeel and texture. It’s a matter of personal preference and whether your priority is fewer calories or better taste! 🙂

  2. I have a good book recommendation for you since you always give us such excellent book choices. It is “The Heirloom Garden” by Viola Shipman. Very well written and I have not been able to put it down. Almost done with it and am seeing if our library has any of her other e-books.

    1. Oh, that’s great! Thanks, Barbara! I’m adding it to my Amazon wish list right now. 🙂 I always love new book recommendations!

  3. Hello Blair! I am new to your site, I just had to comment, the meals you provide are fantastic! Thank you for sharing about your family! The pictures of your surroundings that you have provided are stunning! Keep up the beautiful work.

    1. Thank you SO much, Stephanie! Welcome to the blog. 🙂 I really appreciate your kind note. Happy to have you here!

  4. Blair, your meal ideas are inspiring; your photographing is stunning; and reading your blog makes me feel like I’m reconnecting with a old friend. Our family lived in Virginia for many years before moving away 8 years ago. Your writings evoke such wonderful memories. Thank you for everything!

    1. Marcie! What a wonderful note! Thank you so much for your kind words. I feel like I’m connecting with old friends each time I publish a Sunday post. 🙂 I can’t tell you how much I appreciate hearing from you all. I especially love sharing my home state with so many. Virginia is a special place!❤