Good morning, and happy Sunday! This week included warmer temps, Presidents Day, and King Cake. 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…
We finally said goodbye to the lingering snow and ice this week, thanks to spring-like temps and Sunday afternoon’s rain.
Keith and I got out for a short walk in the morning, his parents came for a visit, and we spent the afternoon in Charlottesville at the boys’ last indoor soccer games of the season.
We were home in time for dinner, so I made easy chicken enchiladas…
…paired with tortilla chips, salsa, and guacamole.
Let’s chat books! Over Valentine’s weekend, I read a really great romance that I received from Book of the Month: One & Only by Maurene Goo. I cruised through this gem and couldn’t put it down! It was so unique, refreshing, and well done.
In this novel, a woman from a magical matchmaking family who has spent years waiting for her destined soul mate ends up in an unexpected romance that makes her question everything she thought she knew about fate and love. As family secrets surface and her heart pulls her in a different direction, she has to decide whether to follow destiny or choose her own happily ever after.
Monday was Presidents Day, so the boys were home from school and Adria came over for a walk that morning.
I went to Yoder’s for some quick groceries, Gibbs played golf with a friend, and we ate an early supper before Spencer’s late soccer practice that night.
On the menu: 20-minute linguine with clam sauce, a simple green salad, and garlic breadsticks from the freezer. This meal has been a 5-star favorite for years, and I often forget about it. It’s such a hit in our house — even the kids love it. I hope you’ll give it a try if you haven’t already!
Back to work and school on Tuesday morning!
I met Mollie for an early walk, jumped on a Zoom meeting with blogger friends mid-day, and enjoyed a quiet night at home without kids’ sports on the agenda. Lots of Olympics on TV!
We had oven-fried chicken breast for supper…
…which I paired with sauteed spinach,
baked potatoes, and spoon bread.
In honor of Mardi Gras, Keith brought home a king cake for dessert!
A cloudy start to Wednesday…
I got out for a walk, went up to Culpeper for an eye doctor appointment, and picked Gibbs up from school early for a doctor’s appointment in Charlottesville. It wasn’t intentional, but this turned out to be a week full of appointments…
We had baked rigatoni with spicy Italian sausage for supper, along with a salad and dinner rolls. Then we were out the door for Youth Group, while Spence stayed home from soccer practice to nurse a foot injury from basketball.
On Thursday morning, Spencer’s foot was still hurting him so we went to the doctor…only to learn that he broke three bones! Needless to say, our soccer (and all sports)-loving child is devastated.
To add insult to injury, he had to go to an orthodontist appointment to get his braces tightened right after the doctor’s office. No fun!
Spence obviously didn’t go to soccer again that night (and will not be playing for months), so we had dinner as a family at a normal hour. On the menu: toasted ham and brie baguettes (from page 83 in my cookbook), but I used Ashley’s sourdough bread instead of baguettes. One of my favorite combos! Plus chips and cut-up veggies with dip on the side.
My walk with Ashley on Friday morning was derailed thanks to rain, but I was able to get out for some fresh air later in the day.
Keith and Casey left town around lunchtime to get to Williamsburg for a soccer tournament, while Gibbs, Spencer, and I stayed home for the weekend. The three of us were originally planning to be in North Carolina for Spencer’s soccer tournament, but those plans changed when he got hurt.
I tried to cheer up my little guy with one of his favorite meals that evening: Goldfish chicken nuggets (it kind of worked?!). Plus frozen French fries and fresh fruit on the side…
Spencer obviously couldn’t play, but he wanted to watch his team’s basketball game on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, Gibbs took advantage of the mild weather and played a round of golf, and Casey had a couple of soccer games in Williamsburg.
Take-out pizzas for supper that evening, and a night off from the kitchen!
So there you have it, friends — another week of easy dinners. I hope that you’ve found something new to add to your own table in the days ahead. Thank you for being here, and have a wonderful Sunday!
Good morning, Blair!
We have church potluck later today, so I made your mandarin orange salad to take as a dessert/ side. Had considered the cornbread with cake mix, but they supply buns with our main dish of bbq, so will keep that recipe for taking a meal.
Have a good week, and hopefully Spencer’s foot will continue to heal!
Thank you, Ann! The orange salad is great option. Hope you have a good day and a fun time at the potluck!
Update, Blair!
They ate all the salad and scraped the bowl clean!
Definitely a keeper!
Thank you!
Oh, good! Thank you SO much for letting me know. Glad it was a hit!
Have you tried the Spoonbread mix at Yoder’s? It’s on the top shelf in the flour, etc. section ( I think)…all you add is water. It’s good to use when you want spoonbread quickly and easy. I use to make spoonbread from scratch using The Williamsburg Cookbook. That recipe is similar to yours.
My mother in law used a mix that she got at the grocery store. I started using it but then it was discontinued. I was excited to find a similar mix at Yoders. One of Billy’s favorite suppers that his mother made when he was growing up is sausage.. just Jimmy Dean’s cut into pattie’s.. fried apples, and spoonbread. I made it often also. Next time you’re in Yoders, pick up a bag of it and try. Not as good as homemade but still good, quick, and easy.
On another note.. do you have the Williamsburg Cookbook? I think they sell it at Yoder’s.. when I was in my 30’s it was the “go to” cookbook for my friends and me. If you do have it the Pork Chop and Sweet Potatoes are delicious. I use a pork tenderloin and cut it into medallions and a can of drained sweet potatoes. Thank goodness for Yoders because that’s where I get the currant jelly for that recipe. I have been enjoying your cookbook. Have made many recipes and have others marked to try. Not in your cookbook but I make your Grandmothers Hamburger Soup often!
Hi, Debbie! Yes, I’ve tried the spoon bread mix from Yoder’s at your recommendation. It was pretty good! I think that I still have the Williamsburg cookbook, but I’ll have to check — it’s been years since I’ve thought of that one. A classic! I think I got it from my mom.
So glad that you’re enjoying the cookbook and the hamburger soup! Stay warm and dry!
Good morning Blair,
Your recipes are always so delicious. I have what I need for your shrimp rolls, so that’s on the menu today! Your easy chicken enchiladas are enticing… I’ll need to put cheese on the grocery list so I can make those later this week.
I’m sorry to hear about Spencer’s broken bones. That’s quite an injury! hope it heals well and he’s back into the sports he enjoys really soon.
Thanks, Kris! Enjoy the shrimp rolls and the enchiladas — those are definitely two of our favorites around here.
Have a great week!
Wow, another good looking batch of recipes for me to save and try someday. My husband passed away late Thursday afternoon, and I made his final arrangements on Friday at a local funeral home that’s close to where we live. They made the process much easier, & my next door neighbor went with me to offer her support, which I welcomed. I’m not going to church today, because I’m not ready to answer questions about why he’s not with me, etc. I’ll stay home, & watch it online. We are expecting more snow( yuck)today, & tonight here in KY. I dread it, because I don’t drive well on it. I’m not planning to go anywhere. I’ll just stay home with our pups,& pray the Electricity stays on, and I have working heat. It’s been a rough 6 plus weeks. I’m grateful he’s no longer suffering from pain, & is st peace n Heaven. That’s my comfort right now. I’m sorry for this being such a sad post. Thank you for your sunshine on this cold morning. Hope Spencer is feeling better, & that his foot heals quickly.
Leslie, sending you all our love and prayers. I hope you’ve seen the messages that other blog readers have left you over the past few weeks — there are so many folks out there thinking of you. I am so sorry for your loss. Stay warm and take care of yourself.❤️
Great pics of the snow. While it’s nice to look at from afar (Southwest Florida), I don’t really miss it. Love your recipes and use them often.
Thank you! We’re tired of seeing the snow and ready for more green! Hope you have a great week in Florida. I know it’s a beautiful time of year down there!
Speedy healing and recovery wishes to Spencer! Glad you’re thawing out there! Have a good and safe week!
Thank you, Celeste! He will take all the healing prayers available. Hope you have a great week, too!