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Good morning, and happy Sunday! The boys enjoyed a short week of school, we were on the road for more sports, and we even snuck in a quick trip to the beach. 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.
Now, let’s back up to last weekend…
Sunday got off to an early start, as I took Casey to Raleigh, North Carolina for his soccer game.
Meanwhile, Keith and Gibbs drove Spencer up to Northern Virginia for his two games.
Casey and I were still traveling home at dinnertime, so we grabbed drive-thru burgers along the highway, while Keith baked chicken wings at home for the other boys. They had waffle fries, carrot sticks, celery sticks, and Ranch dressing on the side.
Let’s chat about books! This week I read West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. This story started off a bit slow, but in the end I’m so glad that I finished it. What a beautiful novel!
Based on an incredible true story, this is the tale of a young man who helped drive two giraffes from New York City to the San Diego Zoo during the Great Depression. It reminded me of a cross between The Lincoln Highway and Remarkably Bright Creatures (one of my favorite books from last year!). Definitely worth a read!
Ready or not, we jumped back into the work and school routine on Monday morning.
I took a walk, the boys had an orthodontist appointment in the afternoon, and we ate an early supper before heading out the door again that evening. Keith took Spencer to soccer practice, while Gibbs and I went to the high school to register him for next year’s classes. We will have a freshman in the house!
I made Reuben sandwiches (and plain grilled cheese sandwiches for those kids that didn’t want a Reuben), along with potato chips and cut-up raw veggies.
A beautiful, 70-degree Tuesday!
Made a batch of the best chicken salad to have on hand for lunches and quick snacks…
Keith and Gibbs had a tee time to play golf that evening, while I stayed home with the younger boys.
Basketball in the yard on a warm evening…
Once everyone was home, we had cheesy smoked sausage pasta with broccoli for supper — a convenient meal in one pan!
Ashley and I walked our dogs together on Wednesday morning.
Since I had a doctor’s appointment in Charlottesville mid-day, my mom met me for lunch afterwards at the Tip Top diner. A favorite!
Dinner that evening was a meal that I could prep in advance. With Casey’s early soccer practice and Spencer’s late soccer practice, we were eating in shifts whenever it was convenient. On the menu: Crock Pot garlic brown sugar chicken (which my two younger boys particularly love),
along with microwaveable packets of rice, frozen egg rolls, and a big bowl of ramen noodle salad.
After a walk with Mollie on Thursday morning, I spent most of the day cooking and photographing recipes in the kitchen.
I took Gibbs to a golf lesson after school, while Keith took Casey to soccer practice. Dinner was an easy one for another busy evening: dump-and-bake tortellini and meatballs paired with a Caesar salad and frozen garlic breadsticks.
The boys had the day off from school on Friday for a teacher workday. I met Adria for a Pilates class in Culpeper, ran a few errands in town afterwards, and then came home to pack up the car for another road trip. Spencer and I were headed to Virginia Beach for the weekend for his soccer tournament.
We survived the Hampton Roads tunnel traffic and arrived at our hotel, The Founder’s Inn, late in the afternoon.
After a short walk outside to stretch our legs, I let Spencer pick our dinner spot. It’s always fun to see what he chooses when his older brothers aren’t around to influence his decisions! He wanted pancakes at IHOP (which happened to be less than a mile from our hotel), so that’s what we did…
Spence told me to “get a shot of the syrup pouring” for the blog. Hah! I’m training him well!
Really great cinnamon-sugar bagels from the NY Bagel Cafe for breakfast on Saturday,
followed by a morning on the soccer fields.
We had some time to kill between Spencer’s games, so we made a quick visit to the beach after lunch.
The water was far too chilly, but he thought it was wonderful!
And finally, after the boys’ last game of the day, we had a team pizza party for dinner at the hotel pool.
So there you have it, friends — another week of dinners! I hope that you’ve found something new to add to your table in the days ahead. Thank you for reading along with us, and have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!
The Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel is something else, right? We avoid it if at all possible. I am like Spencer in that I like to put my feet in the water no matter the time of year. I am looking forward to trying the Tortellini and Meatballs. I love your Dump and Bake recipes especially on a Sunday. Leisurely cooking…. Have a great week!
Yes, that tunnel is definitely not my favorite. I’m already dreading the traffic when we leave here this afternoon! Hope you enjoy the meals, Linda. Have a great week!
I love chicken salad so anxious to try your version. Do you think Everything Bagel seasoning would be good to add?
Hi, Susan! Sure, I think that would probably be good. Just add a little bit, taste it, and if you think it needs more go from there. It’s always best to add gradually! 🙂
Particularly beautiful pictures this week, Blair! Safe travels home today.
Thank you, Tim! Hope you have a nice week!
It makes me so happy when Sunday comes, and I get to read all of your yummy recipes and about your life! I have decided that my husband and I are going to go our daughters, and for one week cook for her and her family. Much of what we cook will be your recipes!!! You have inspired me!!! Thank you! Have a blessed Sunday!
Thank you so much, Candice! What a wonderful gift for your daughter and her family. I hope they enjoy the meals!!
Hi Blair – Boy, you sure are busy going here and there with 3 boys! And I thought I was running around all over when my 2 sons were that age! I really appreciate your Sunday email! Thanks again for letting us peek into your life! 🙂
Yes, it’s been a particularly busy few weeks. We will appreciate a little bit of a break in the next couple of weeks! Hope you have a nice Sunday!
I so look forward to receiving your email every Sunday but have to admit I’m worn out after reading about your always busy week. I don’t know how you do everything. Your calendar must be jam packed.
You were in my neck of the woods in Virginia Beach. Funny your son would choose IHOP with so many great restaurants around, but my boys would have done the same. Do your boys ever participate in the sand soccer tournament at the beach?
I love your photographs as much as I do your recipes. You could easily be a successful photographer. Thanks for always producing a beautiful and useful product.
Thanks, Ouida! We had a great weekend at the beach! I know — there were so many restaurants we could have visited, but he was thrilled with those pancakes. Hah!
My boys have friends that have done the sand soccer tournament, but we’ve never made it out for that. I’ve heard it’s really fun, though!
Spencer is a boy after my own heart. Pancakes or pizza works for me. Keep it simple!
The boys don’t like Reubens yet?! They don’t know what they’re missing! Is it the sauerkraut? I must admit, I was in my early 20s before I really turned onto cabbage and sauerkraut. And Bleu cheese for that, matter. It was mostly the smell in each case.
By the time I was in my early 20s, I had had Chinese food occasionally, including egg rolls which I LOVE. My mother pointed out that her panned cabbage was the same as what was in eggrolls so that was ok. She made Reubens occasionally which launched me onto sauerkraut. She also made a terrific Bleu cheese-black olive-cream cheese dip which made a Bleu cheese convert out of me.
Maybe some time you could make an extra Reuben as well as the grilled cheese for the boys and let them just try it with the understanding that you and your husband will finish the extra Reuben if the boys don’t want it. Might work.
Great write-up as always. It’s always lovely to know what you are doing.
My best regards, love as always, and God bless you. Take it easy!
Thanks, Marion! A couple of the boys like Reubens (minus the sauerkraut). Slowly but surely, they’ll come along!
I hope that you have a nice week as well. Thanks, as always, for following along with us and checking in.