Good morning, and happy Sunday! This week we enjoyed Thanksgiving, celebrated another birthday, and decorated for the holidays. I’ve also got a big announcement to share, so look for that at the end of the post. In the meantime, 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 Meals
Now, let’s back up to last weekend…
Spence and I left the house before the sunrise on Sunday morning to get to his soccer game in Northern Virginia, while Keith and the older boys took care of outdoor jobs at the house. It was the end of a successful soccer season, so we’re now looking forward to a slightly quieter schedule in the coming weeks!
Since the weather was fairly mild, we decided to take advantage of the grill that night. I served honey garlic Dijon pork tenderloin (you can also roast it in the oven),
along with spinach casserole, roasted rosemary potatoes, and rice.
Let’s talk about this week’s book! I decided to kick off the holiday season with a fun and festive read! I picked up The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore when I saw it on display at Barnes and Noble a couple of weeks ago, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is total fluff — think a spicier version of a Hallmark movie — but it was exactly what I wanted when cozied up in front of the wood stove!
The boys went to school on Monday morning, I met Ashley for a walk, and I ran a couple of errands afterwards.
First, Yoder’s for a few groceries, and then to a local furniture maker.
They were having a holiday sale, so I stopped in to pick up a Christmas gift. Of course, I came home with something for myself, too — this saddle stool to use as a plant stand…
I met my parents for lunch at Burton’s Grill in Charlottesville to celebrate my dad’s birthday. This was a tasty southwestern chicken salad — delish!
Since I was out of the house for most of the day, I planned an easy slow cooker meal that wouldn’t require too much effort or attention: Crock Pot chicken Alfredo, which we paired with a green salad with red wine vinaigrette and garlic bread (from the freezer).
Tuesday was the boys’ last day of school for the week. Teddy went to the groomer, I had a golf lesson, and Casey went to PT that afternoon.
So much hay!
I made a Mexican lasagna for supper, which we served with tortilla chips, salsa, and guacamole.
On Wednesday morning, Adria, Barbara, and I met for a walk before Spencer’s friend came over to the house.
After lunch, I dropped the boys off to play a round of golf while I spent the afternoon in the kitchen.
I was busy with some Thanksgiving prep, including a double batch of cranberry orange sauce, a double batch of sausage stuffing, and a loaf of pumpkin bread. We weren’t hosting the holiday, so these were all options that I could prep in advance and that would travel easily!
For dinner that night, I served the kids’ favorite dump-and-bake sesame noodles, but I omitted the chicken. Instead, I paired the noodles with a skillet of 15-minute honey garlic shrimp, these frozen egg rolls, and a simple shredded iceberg salad.
Thursday was Thanksgiving!
Keith and I went for an early walk, and then we all piled in the car and headed up to Northern Virginia where we joined Keith’s brothers and their families at my in-laws’ house for dinner.
Keith smoked a few turkey breasts, his brother brought a honey baked ham, and we enjoyed all of the best sides, like sausage stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin bread, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, ambrosia salad, corn, roasted carrots, and more…
Plus pumpkin pie for dessert! The other hit of the dessert table was this turtle pie, which the kids devoured…
On Friday, we switched gears into Christmas mode and cut down our tree at Claybrooke Farm.
Back home, I got dinner started in the slow cooker, and we spent the afternoon and evening putting up our decorations.
We had a simple Crock Pot chicken stew,
along with Keith’s very favorite jalapeño cheddar bread.
And gingerbread cake for dessert! ‘Tis the season…
Another reason to celebrate on Saturday — Gibbs turned 15!
We opened presents that morning, Keith took care of yard work,
Casey and I went up the street for some fresh air, and my parents came for lunch.
We had pulled pork sandwiches (using pulled pork that I picked up from Yoder’s), as well as coleslaw and Duke’s homemade mac and cheese. Plus brownies and leftover gingerbread for dessert!
For dinner, the birthday boy requested German food at The Bavarian Chef. The giant soft pretzels and the chicken paprika schnitzel are his favs!
Plus sachertorte and creme brulee for dessert…
Some News to Share!
Okay, and now for my “big announcement:” For over a year now, I’ve been working behind the scenes on developing and photographing new recipes for a cookbook! At this point, I have created about 50 new dinner recipes that have never been featured on my website. But this is where you come in! I’d also like the book to include some of my readers’ favorite recipes from the blog. What would you like to see in a hardcopy published book? Do you have any favorites from The Seasoned Mom that you turn to again and again? If so, please let me know! This will help me decide which ones I include. Thank you in advance for your support and feedback! More to come in the months ahead…
That’s awesome news about the pending cookbook!
I have made the ramen coleslaw multiple times for picnics and potlucks and it always gets eaten.
Take care! Ann M.
Thank you, Ann! That’s one of my favorite sides as well! 🙂
I often make the Dump and Bake Chicken Mushroom Pasta. I always have the ingredients in my pantry. I also love the Jiffy Cornbread.
I look forward to your weekly emails. All the best to you in the upcoming season.
Thank you, Mindy!
The recipe that I’ve made more than any other is the House Salad with Candied Pecans. One of our favorites. Can’t wait for the cookbook!
There are so many of your recipes I make:
-Chicken wings with secret ingredient
-Southern Meatloaf (family can’t get enough)
-Sheet Pan New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
-3-Ingredient Bacon Wrapped Chicken
-5-Minute Honey French Baked Chicken
-One Bowl Buttermilk Chocolate Cake
-One Bowl Buttermilk Vanilla Cake
The Thanksgiving photo at your in-laws looks like a Norman Rockwell painting. Gorgeous table setting.
You are so kind, Renee. Thank you!!! I really appreciate your support!
I am so excited about your upcoming cookbook. Whenever I need a recipe I search your website first. Your sweet potato casserole is a staple for our Thanksgiving meal.
That’s so great to hear, Heather. Thank you! 🙂
Congrats on the cookbook!
Our go-to is your Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs! We made them for my parents and they raved about them, so much flavor and so delicious
Awesome! Thanks, Ashley!
Congratulations on your cookbook, Blair!
I love your Aunt Bee’s Shrimp Pasta Salad. I’ve made it many times. I generally will also add imitation crab meat and I love it! The flavor is spot on and the different textures in the dish are so satisfying to me!
I also highly recommend your Fluffy Pancakes! Yummy!
Thanks for all your recipes you share with us, as well as your sweet sons! I can’t get over how fast they are all growing up! A big Happy 15th Birthday to Gibbs!
Thank you, Deb! I really appreciate that! 🙂
I’m so excited for your cookbook!! We made the crock pot chicken and dumplings tonight and it was amazing!
Yay! So glad they were a hit, friend. 🙂
After reading ’bout your adventures and enjoying the beautiful photographs…………
Can you and your family adopt me?
Hah! You’re kind, Alan! I’m happy to capture and share the photos!
Congrats! I use your three ingredient biscuits regularly and your chili is our new go-to.
That’s awesome, Kaci! Thank you!! 🙂
I agree with Shelby. House salad is a must!
Thanks, Andrea! 🙂
Our family – including our newest member, a wonderful boyfriend, loves your Stromboli recipe that uses crescent rolls. Also your Dutch oven pot roast – cooking low and slow not only makes the whole house smell incredible but it is absolutely mouthwatering!
Wonderful! Thanks, Karin!
Congratulations Blair!! Your 2 ingredient pumpkin muffins are a staple in our house.
Thanks, Alicia! 🙂
I agree. My granddaughter loves them for her lunch at school. Great and fast and so easy.
Thanks, Jane!
Awesome Blair,
My favorite especially for holidays is your Italian Sauage Pasta recipe. It’s a Christmas Eve special!
Delicious! Take Care! Sandy S
Thank you, Sandy. Happy holidays!
Include the No Knead Dutch Oven bread and the White Texas Sheet cake.
I love both of those and they are my “go to”.
I bought very small sheet pans from Amazon. When I play cards at the beach… we usually have 6 ladies, I make the White Texas Sheet cake but divide the recipe into 1/4. That amount fits perfectly in my little pan and it serves 6 people perfectly.
I know …leftovers are good but I would eat it all if I made the entire cake!
Thank you, Debbie! That white Texas sheet cake is definitely a family tradition on my husband’s side. I’ll be sure to include them!
Blair,
I love to make the Rustic Peach Galette and Aunt Mary’s Blueberry Bread. These are my two go to recipes whenever I want to make something special for a friend. I am excited to hear about your upcoming cookbook.
Perfect, thanks Linda!
My go to favorite recipe is the chicken and dressing casserole. So easy & delish!
Oh, mine too! Thanks, Carol!
My two favourites are
Stuffed pepper soup and
Egg roll in a bowl
I look forward to your cookbook.
Thank you, Donna!
My two favourites are
Stuffed pepper soup and
Egg roll in a bowl
I look forward to your cookbook.
We love your Crispy Baked Chicken Wings! Ever since I discovered your secret ingredients, it’s the only way I ever make them. We love them so much that they are almost on a weekly rotation!
Congrats on the new cookbook!
That’s so great to hear, Christie. Thank you!
That’s an easy one:
Zucchini Pie
Can’t wait for the cookbook!
Yay! Thanks, Tim. I always appreciate you!
For sure your dutch oven pot roast! It’s my very favorite of yours! How exciting can’t wait to purchase!
Thanks so much, Leslie!
Easy Potato Salad recipe. It’s replaced my Mother’s recipe for potato salad ,which I would never have thought possible , in my recipe repertoire !
Oh, that’s my grandmother’s recipe and the one I grew up on. Definitely!!!
Congratulations on the cookbook, that is so awesome! You have so many recipes that I love to make, but one of my family’s favorite is your Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken, it is so easy to make and so yummy.
That’s great to hear, Kathleen. I haven’t made that dish in awhile. Thank you for the reminder! 🙂
Congratulations. Baked breaded pork chops – the only way my husband eats pork chops – delicious. Looking forward to seeing your cookbook!
Thank you, Marion. That’s my favorite way to eat pork chops, too! 🙂
The easy Bundt cakes made with boxed cake mixes and all of your slow cooker and dump and bake recipes are faves. The one bowl banana bread is also on frequent repeat – I usually make it as muffins since they cook faster. I can’t wait for your cook book!
Thank you so much, Holly! 🙂
There are so many great recipes to choose from but the two that have been repeated more times than I can count are Maple Glazed Sheet Pan Salmon and One Pit Creamy Beef and Shells. Thank you for your recipes! Looking forward to the book!
Awesome, Erin. Thank you!
I love receiving your email each week and eagerly look forward to your Week in Meals. Any recipe that I have used has always turned out perfectly. My “go to” recipes that I use over and over again are your Dutch Oven Pot Roast and Blueberry Pound Cake. They remind me so much of my mother’s cooking.
Thank you, Ginny! I love to hear that!
Super excited about that cookbook. Please include some of your great photos. I lived in Reva VA from 1985 until 1999. Love to still see it in pictures, Mary
Hi, Mary! I definitely will! I love to share our little part of Virginia!
Congratulations on the cookbook, Blair. A couple of my favorites are the Best Ever Banana Nut Bread–it really is the best ever, and a frequent gift for our friends and neighbors. Another hit with my grandkids and husband is your Frito Pie.
Thank you, Joy-Dawn! I appreciate your suggestions and your support!
Your recipes that have become our family recipes:
https://www.theseasonedmom.com/virginia-brunswick-stew/
https://www.theseasonedmom.com/peach-galette/ (variation: seasonal fruit)
Yay! Thanks, Kari!
https://www.theseasonedmom.com/honey-glazed-salmon-recipe/ is my now 21-year-old son’s signature meal that he cooks for family and friends.
What an honor! 🙂