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! This week included the final few days of school for the year, holiday baking, and lots of gift wrapping. You’ll find all of the highlights from the past few days, along with each of our dinners, in today’s roundup of Our Week in Meals.
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.
This Week’s Recipes
Now, let’s back up to last weekend…
Adria came over for a walk on Sunday morning before the rain arrived, and then I spent the rest of the day indoors focused on holiday prep.
I made multiple batches of Chex mix and Ranch pretzels,
plus a batch of soft peanut butter blossoms.
I was in the mood for a cozy braised supper that evening (taking advantage of a slower day at the house), so I turned to an oldie-but-goodie: coq au vin!
Served with a skillet of no-knead focaccia bread (maybe the star of the show?!) and a simple green salad with vinaigrette.
Book time! This week I read The Cartographer’s Secret by Tea Cooper — an entertaining historical fiction set in Australia. Part-mystery, part-adventure, this was definitely a page-turner!
The sun came back out on Monday morning, and the boys reluctantly returned to school for their final week of classes before the Christmas break.
Much of my day was devoted to wrapping presents, which is one thing that I can’t easily do while everyone is home. I also planned the menu and prepared a grocery list for our holiday meals. It’s a lot like Thanksgiving — I need time to prep dishes in advance so that it all gets done on time!
Keith and the kids always love pasta for dinner, so that night I mixed it up a little bit and served baked Italian shrimp with spaghetti and store-bought marinara…
…as well as frozen garlic breadsticks (another kid-favorite!) and a Caesar salad on the side.
Tuesday started with an early walk with Ashley, and included a quick trip to the doctor’s mid-day for me to get some eye drops.
I served chicken lo mein for dinner (love all of the veggies that I can throw into this dish!), along with a box of frozen egg rolls on the side.
Wednesday was an “elf day!” I joined Mollie for a walk at her farm bright and early, and then spent the rest of the morning delivering little holiday gift bags to friends and neighbors.
I wrapped a few more presents that afternoon, picked up a big grocery order for our Christmas meals, and scooped the boys up from school.
Dinner that evening was one of Gibbs’ absolute favorites: pork schnitzel with mushroom gravy. It’s a bit more hands-on than other weeknight meals since I double the recipe and fry the pork in batches, so I reserve this one for evenings when we have a clear calendar.
On the side I made a skillet of fried cabbage and apples, white rice, and soft pretzels (from the frozen section). A menu inspired by the local Bavarian Chef restaurant! If you have more time and want to make homemade soft pretzels over the holidays, this is our very favorite recipe!
Thursday was the boys’ last day of school until the New Year, so I tried to take full advantage of “the calm before the storm.” Hah!
After a walk with Ashley, I made a quick stop at Yoder’s that morning to pick up some lunch meat, country ham, cheese, bread, and other “necessities” for Christmas — including the Super Nutty Fruitcake, which my next door neighbor bakes for the shop. It’s so good!
Keith and I ran errands in Culpeper, and then Gibbs had a golf lesson that afternoon, so I put dinner in the slow cooker earlier in the day.
I used the other half of the cabbage (leftover from the night before) to make Crock Pot cabbage soup with hamburger. And since not all of the guys in my house are on-board with cabbage soup (surprise, surprise), I also heated up a couple of cans of tomato basil soup with grilled cheese sandwiches.
Friday was officially the first day of the kids’ two-week Christmas vacation.
They slept a little later than usual, played with Legos, worked on a puzzle, and joined us for a walk after breakfast.
Spencer is very excited about the Star Wars action figures on Santa’s list…
I had a handful of kitchen projects on my to-do list that day, which Casey was happy to help with. We made a Southern red velvet cake to stash in the freezer for Christmas (but baked it as a single layer cake in a 9 x 13-inch pan for ease),
and put together a tray of these fun little chocolate pretzel buttons for sweet-and-salty snacking.
There’s not really a recipe necessary — just top the pretzels with Rolos, Hershey’s Kisses, or Hugs (we did some of each), and bake them in a 200 degree F oven for 5 minutes. Top the softened chocolate with M&M’s, and then let them cool and firm up.
Finally, we prepared our favorite farmhouse cinnamon rolls, froze them, and will finish them on Christmas morning. The kids look forward to these every year!
Keith was meeting a friend for drinks that evening, so the boys and I had a very simple supper: Crock Pot chicken and gravy with buttered noodles and steamed green beans. Putting that slow cooker to good use — especially when I’m tired of cooking!
Another walk on Saturday morning, including a visit with our neighbors…
The rest of my morning included some more holiday prep in the kitchen. First, my mother-in-law’s Christmas Eve lasagna,
plus sausage stuffing for Christmas Day,
and an easy cheesy broccoli rice casserole (also for Christmas dinner).
Keith took the older boys to see the new Wonka movie that afternoon, Spencer and I went to our favorite antique store in Ruckersville, and then we all reunited for supper in Culpeper afterwards. The boys requested Chipotle, so it was tacos, burritos, and burrito bowls galore!
So there you have it, friends — another week of dinners! I hope that those who celebrate have a very merry Christmas and a joyful New Year. Thank you for sharing a little bit of your holiday weekend with me!
Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Jill! Merry Christmas to you, too!
I am sure it gets exhausting making these weekly meals blogs but I wanted to let you know I absolutely love them! I look at them every Sunday morning when I wake up and it helps me plan some meals for the week. I try to pick at least one thing for the week that’s out of our “norm”. I appreciate the work you put into everything you do!
Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much for saying that, Kris. It’s definitely a labor of love, so I’m happy to know that you enjoy them. Merry Christmas!
My husband and I saw the Wonka movie last weekend, and it was fabulous! I want to see it again, & once the DVD is released, we will add it to our collection.
Yes, Keith and the boys loved it!
Thanks so much Blair for all your wonderful recipes, wishing you & your family a very Merry Christmas
Thank you, Kathleen! Merry Christmas to you, too!
I read your dinner suggestions every week and appreciate your recipes so much. Thank you for sharing them and I hope you and your family have a merry Christmas!
Thank you, Erin. I really appreciate that! Have a merry Christmas!
I have a Yoders Super Nutty Fruitcake l on my counter. It was a gift and I love them. I didn’t know they were made locally.
For years I made my own fruitcake… similar yo this one but still very different.
Fruitcake
1 and 1/2 cups pecan halves
8 oz. Candied pineapple wedges
1/2 cup candied cherries
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons sugar
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 beaten eggs
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
Oven preheat 300
Line a 9 in. Round layer cake pan w/ foil
Lightly grease foil
In bowl mix fruit and nuts.
Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt over them.
Mix well.. recipe says use your hands
Add vanilla to beaten eggs
Pour eggs/vanilla over and again mix well with your hands.
Put into pan using rubber spatula to get all the batter.
Lightly Press fruits and nuts down in pan with fingers to compact the mixture.
Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Cool on rack.
Lift foil lined fruitcake from pan
Cool completely.
Wrap in foil and store in cool place
To serve I cut them in 1 inch ( or a tad larger) squares.
Since you like Yoder’s, I think you will like this also.
Thank you, Debbie!! That sounds amazing. I might just have to try it next year. Merry Christmas!!
Hi Blair – Wishing you and your lovely family a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.
Thank you for your weekly email ~ I look forward to it every Sunday!
Take care!
Thank you, Tylene! I appreciate your support each week. Have a great holiday!!
Happy Sunday Blair!!
As always you never dissapoint with your “Week in Meals” post, love them!
A great way to start my day with my coffee.
I picked out some tasty meals for me to try out…..again! LOL!
Thank you for your time, I know it can be a bit too much sometimes.
Especially now at Christmas time, but you’re doing a great job!
Wishing you and yours a beautiful Christmas!!
Your kind words made my day, Dalila! I sure hope you enjoy the meals this week. Happy holidays!!
Everything looks beautiful as usual! From your countryside, to your home, and your kitchen delights! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
Thank you, Robyn!! Merry Christmas!
Have a very Merry Christmas. Thank you for your article each week. Have tried many of your recipes. Look forward to reading your article each week.
I’m so glad to hear that, Joan! Thank you, and happy holidays!
Thanks for all your wonderful recipes and photos throughout the year! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
A very Blessed and Merry Christmas from Canada to you and yours…thank you for making my Sunday morning so enjoyable by sharing your family…and your recipes…after 50 years of preparing meals it is so wonderful to find so many special new ones from your ‘library’…
I love to hear that, Wendy! Thank you for following along with us for so many years. I hope that you have a wonderful holiday up north!
I rejoice to see how healthy, happy and tall your sons are growing to be. I am late in my birthday wishes to Casey and Gibbs, I’m afraid. So they’re 10, 13, and 14, now? And very nearly men!
I totally sympathize with them being reluctant to go to school. I was in one type of school or another for more than the first 25 years of my life but ALWAYS a most reluctant scholar. Hopefully, they have fun once they get to school. Goes to show how much they each enjoy their home life, their brothers and parents and sports.
That photo of Spencer as Darth Vader made me laugh! In high school, the library volunteers, including me had a Halloween party in 1977 or 1978, right after Star Wars came out. There were a lot of people in Star Wars costumes! Tell Spencer how long ago that was and I bet he’ll be surprised! I still can’t get used to the fact that I’m that old.
Looks like you’re preparing for an army with all that holiday food. Those candy/pretzel treats are so cute! Currently, I am eating your Dump-and-Bake Beef Stroganoff and have plans to make the Jiffy Pimento Cheese cornbread right after Christmas.
Merry Christmas and my love to all. Your fortunate to have both sets of grandparents nearby. My sister is my only remaining relative but luckily we are both here in Las Cruces.
Take care and thank you for everything!
Merry Christmas, Marion! I hope that you and your sister have a wonderful holiday.
The boys are now 14, 12.5, and 10. They are just more and more fun and wonderful the older they get! Plus, they still get really excited for the holidays, which makes the whole season more fun.
Again, they will not be happy to return to school in January!
Thank you & Merry Christmas Blair, to you & yours!
Thank you for the recipes and a glimpse into your family’s life! I enjoy reading and seeing the photots of Virginia. Thank you for your blog! Merry Christmas
Thanks for being here, Candice! Merry Christmas to you!!
I absolutely love these posts! I read them every week and usually add your book recommendations to my Goodreads account. I love hearing about your family and your boys. I just had my second boy last month, so reading your posts feels like glimpsing my future! It’s nice to know there is life beyond the diaper stage! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Becca! Oh my goodness…yes — there is absolutely life beyond the diaper stage — and it’s so good! Raising boys is such a gift, and one that I am grateful for every day. I hope that you have a wonderful holiday with your family!