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…
I agree with Susan; your potato salad is to die for!
Thanks, Ed!
Hi Blair – Gibbs is 15! Wow, how exciting! He’ll be driving soon and able to help you out. 🙂 Time flies, doesn’t it?
My favorite recipe and something I always have in my pantry is your House Seasoning. I use it on chicken and fish, which I switch off having each week. It’s the best!
Have a great week! Putting up the Christmas tree today and letting my granddaughters help with decorating it. Wish me luck!
Thanks, Tylene! It really is hard to believe. We look forward to having a third driver in the house, for sure!
Enjoy your time with your granddaughters. It’s so nice that you get to see them so often!
I’m posting late here and this may have already been mentioned, but your Dutch Oven Chicken is our go-to roast chicken recipe. The simplest things are the hardest things to get right and this recipe gets it right! Can’t wait for the cookbook!
We live in the Shenandoah Valley and we stopped at Yoder’s last weekend. What a wonderful place. Next time we’re in your neck of the woods we want to stop at The Bavarian Chef. Thanks for the tips!
Thank you, Janet! You’re right — sometimes the simplest recipes are the most challenging to perfect. 🙂
So glad that you enjoyed Yoder’s! The Bavarian Chef is definitely a must-try as well!
Too many to list! Favorites are Pork Schnitzel with Mushroom Gravy, Zucchini Pie, Southern Squash casserole and your chocolate cake. I’ve become a big user of buttermilk thanks to you too.
Thank you, Denise!! This is so helpful. 🙂
Congratulations, Blair! I suggest that you include your healthy chicken Parmesan recipe. That recipe led me to your website over 5 years ago. I also love your Mexican lasagna recipe (it’s perfect for potlucks). I enjoy following along with you every week and can’t wait to see your cookbook!
Thanks, E! I appreciate that so much!
Your Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili is the BEST! It’s the only one I cook now.
Thank you, Trisha!
Hi Blair,
So exciting…..a new cookbook! You MUST add all your one bowl desserts! They are easy and fabulous! I also make, a lot!, your baked salmon with Old Bay Seasoning. It’s so easy and comes out moist every time. Now I need to go back to my Seasoned Mom bookmark to see what other recipes I have tried…..spoiler alert…..I loved them all!
Question….i noticed that you have blue plates hanging on your wall ( I also noticed that one was of Monticello, do you remember where you purchased it?). How did you hang them on your wall?
Lastly, I also purchased The Christmas Tree Farm at Barnes and Noble. I haven’ t read it yet looking forward to starting it tonight.
Have a good week!
Thank you, Paula! The plates were a gift from my mother-in-law, since she knows that I have a collection of various blue and white dishes. I think that she found them in a thrift store or antique store in Northern VA, but I’m not sure which one. Maybe the Treasure Trove in Springfield? I know that’s a favorite of hers!
I hung them on the wall using these plate holders. They were very easy to mount because they just hang from regular picture hooks (which are included).
I hope that you enjoy the book. It’s a cozy read for the season!
Congrats on your upcoming cookbook – I do hope it will be available on Amazon here in Canada!!! well as I am late to the ‘suggestion party’ it looks like all my favourites have already been mentioned for inclusion so even if half of them are included it will look like my ‘request list’…Happy Belated Birthday wishes to Gibbs…may the Lord bless you all this week…we are digging out of over a foot of snow which fell yesterday!!!
Thank you so much, Wendy! I will keep you posted and do my best to get it up north to you! 🙂
Hi Blair,
Congratulations on the up and coming hard copy cookbook. As a recipe to include in the cookbook may I suggest the Pineapple Glazed Ham. Besides making a pretty presentation, the ham is delicious!
Best wishes and Happy Holidays,
Kathy
Thanks, Kathy! It’s one of my favorites for the holidays. So glad that you like it, too!
another cook book – Wow, if it’s as good as the blog it should be awesome. A favorite in our house is slow cooker lasagna soup.
Thanks, Jill!!!
I made your Green Bean Casserole with Frozen Green Beans for Thanksgiving. It was super easy and tasty. My husband even made a point of commenting on it. I would make again. I’ve made your Egg Roll in a Bowl multiple times. It’s also super easy and tasty, as well. We always enjoy it. Good Luck!
Perfect, Michelle. Thank you!
First of all, big congrats on your cookbook!!
I have so many favorites, but what comes mind first is the chicken pot pie, sheet pan sausage & potatoes and the 3 Bean Chili. All the recipes I’ve tried have been easy and real crowd pleasers.
I started following you when your youngest was in preschool. I figured if your boys ate the dishes my picky husband would too!
Wow, that’s amazing, Susan! You’ve been following along for almost a decade! Thanks for your support, and for trying to so many of our recipes. 🙂
How exciting that you are working on a cookbook! I love reading your week in meals and have tried many of your recipes. At least once a month I make your mini healthy meatloafs. Such an easy recipe and healthy too!
Thanks, Megan!
Congratulations! Our favorites are the dump and bake sweet and sour chicken and crescent roll breakfast casserole! Oh, and the cast iron deep dish pizza! Susan
Awesome, thank you Susan!
Hi Blair,
Congratulations on the cookbook, & Happy 15th Birthday to Gibbs!
I have made many of your recipes. These are ones that I make on repeat:
Crock pot BBQ pulled chicken
Apple cider donut muffins
Maple glazed roasted turkey breast(I made this for Thanksgiving,and it was the best turkey I’ve ever made! Even my son liked it! I’ve passed the recipe on, and I’ll be making it again! )
Thank you so much for asking for our input! I can’t wait for your book!
This makes me so happy to hear, Jen. Thank you!
I’m happy to have found your recipes. I love the weekly roundup on Instagram. One of my favorites is the Cheesy Sausage Potato soup.
Thank you. We’re so happy to have you here, Tess! We hope you continue to enjoy the recipes.
Congratulations, so excited for you!! I love your granola recipe! It is a must for the cookbook!
Thank you, Jacqueline! 🙂
Congratulations on your cookbook! Thank you for all of the scrumptious recipes. Two of our favorites are Grandma’s Baked Eggplant Parmesan and Dump-and-Bake Ratatouille.
Great suggestions, Judith. Thank you!
Your coconut poke cake has been made multiple times for my crew and is a worthy entry in your collection.
Yes, ma’am! I love that cake!
Hi Blair,
I look to your site regularly! I love the Italian Crock Pot Beef, and also your cranberry bread recipe! I have made these on repeat and they never disappoint! Flavors and recipes are perfect ! My family loves them
Thank you, Mary! This made our day. We appreciate you being here and hope you continue to enjoy our recipes!
A cookbook…such exciting news! It’s hard to pick favorites, but my top two go-to recipes of yours are southern style green beans and pork tenderloin dry rub.
Thank you, Ouida!
Yeah Blair!! Congrats on the cookbook – can’t wait for it to come out!! Wouldn’t even know where to start with your recipes – you know we keep you on steady rotation around here 🙂 You’re my go to for a crockpot meal, so any of those. Happy holidays!
Thank you, Em!!!