Thanksgiving Fun

Thanksgiving was perfect.  Family, Fun, Fellowship, and Food. Who could ask for anything more?  Well, we would have loved to have my sister-in-law with us but she woke up with the stomach flu so, then I guess we really didn't want her here :-/   In her words, "This is the worst Thanksgiving ever!". 

Here is our day in photos (and some comments ;-) )

 I was really trying to get a "good" photo of the boys and Darryl and it turned into a funny face making competition.  At least we tried ;-)

 Snacks to hold us over until dinner.  Southwestern Salad Dip, Brushetta, and a relish tray with some cheese and crackers.

 The set-up!  So, here's the deal, we have a long living room and, after trying to figure out how to seat everyone I came up with an idea that actually worked.  I tore apart the classroom on Wednesday so that we could use my banquet tables.  We moved the recliners out of the way and set the tables up down the length of the living room.  This allowed us all to sit together which was great.  After we prayed, I actually dismissed the table so that everyone at the far end got food first so that we didn't really have to crawl over people to get to our spots.  It really did work out perfectly.  Once dinner was done, the guys tore it all back down.  For the record, I also chose to use paper products to eat on.  I think once you get past about 8 people, it only makes sense otherwise there are just so many dishes to deal with it isn't fun anymore :-)

 Dinner!  Turkey, Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Stuffing, Sweet Potatoes, Corn and Green Bean Casserole, Sauteed Cabbage and Bacon, Cranberry Sauce and Deviled Eggs.  It was so good and I'm so thankful for everyone that did most of the cooking :-)  I just did the meats, stuffing and cabbage so I had it easy!  My mother-in-law made 4 fabulous pies for dessert and my sister-in-law made a fantastic Cheesecake!

 Watching the game.  We love watching the Detroit Lions Play and this years game was actually a great game despite the fact that they lost.

 My hubby.  I make the plan and he executes it all ;-)

 My dad :-)

 My dad stole my camera and took this photo.  Figured I would share

Ok, this is my mom and my mother-in-law.  The boys convinced them to play a game but eventually, the boys quit playing and these two keep going.  My mom finally won and my mother-in-law was mad :-) hehehe  Yep, they really do get along and it is great!

Weekly Menu

Welcome back!  First up, last weeks menu that I posted?? Well, totally did not do it.  I used up food in the freezer instead.  Well, Thanksgiving dinner was the same . . I guess it was really Sunday-Wednesday that I changed up more than anything.

Here's the plan for this coming week:

Monday - Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potaotes, Gravy and Corn (we had Scalloped potatoes and ham last Saturday instead of this meal)

Tuesday - Turkey Noodle Soup and Homemade Bread

Wednesday - (Just the boys and I) - Not sure what we will have yet.  I always leave it up in the air because sometimes, we just want to go out :-)

Thursday -Swiss Chicken, Crash Potatoes and Green Beans.

Friday -Meatball Soup and Homemade bread

Saturday- Chili Dogs (baked), Baked Beans and Potato Salad

Sunday  - Darryl has a concert so we will be grabbing something on the way home.

I plan on starting some Christmas baking -  basically that means making special cookies each week.  I'm hoping to put together some trays for the neighbors later in December so I'd like to "practice" a few recipes first :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!  We are hosting 13 people today so there will be lots of food, fun, fellowship and . . well, Laughter! 

 

Prepping for Thanksgiving

Hello!!  I'm still here just busy prepping for Thanksgiving.  Getting lots of cleaning done and today I'll be prepping a few food items.  By the time I sit down at night I'm pretty tired so not a lot of blog inspiration is happening this week :-)  The good news is that I have my blog post list written from Saturday through the beginning of January - lots of stuff to write about coming up!  As long as I can keep up with photos . .. it will all get posted :-)

For today - for those of you prepping to host the Turkey Day - best wishes :-)  My goal is to have pretty much everything done by tonight so that the next few days I can just enjoy fun and family!

Little Drummer Boy

Hello!  This has been a fun few days starting with this past Wednesday.  Every once in awhile things fall into place and we get to do something totally unexpected.  I've mentioned before that my husband plays in a Christian Group; they practice every Wednesday evening and he goes to practice, normally, every other week.  He was planning to attend practice this past Wednesday.  I talked to him at about 3:00 on Wednesday and mentioned that if I didn't have the munchkin, the boys and I would head into to town to meet him for dinner.  But, figuring that I couldn't get out of dodge until about 5:00, it just makes it to rushed to meet and still have him make it on time for practice.(not to mention the cost of gas, dinner, and a late night - it is NOT something we do often at all)  Then, at 3:30 the munchkin's mom pulled in the driveway a whole hour early.  I called my husband but, he was already eating so we just said "oh well" and left it at that.  Then he called back at 4:20 and said, "Why don't we just meet at the mall and you all can eat there, if there is time to kill, then the boys can play in the play area?".  Well, let me tell you, we JUMPED at that chance.  When I told the boys we were going, though, they were SURE we were going to Daddy's practice so they went looking for both their little guitars to take along.  Yes, we did go to practice too and we learned that we have a "Little Drummer Boy"!

Josh LOVED the drums. So much so that he played "air drums" with some extra sticks through most of the night and very intently watched the drummer play and tried to do whatever he did.  I think I see some drums in our future.  The good news is that Darryl can play drums so he can teach him the basics.  It was a really great night and, after one particular song, Josh exclaimed, "That was my favorite, do it again!"

This weekend was also filled with putting up outside Christmas "desherashions", going to a Chinese Buffet (which the boys LOVED - nothing better then picking out your own food and getting to eat ice cream!), driving around and looking at lights (Every time we came to a house Josh would say, "Ok, Dad, please stop a minute for me" hehehe)  and attending a concert to watch Darryl play.  It was a fun, family filled weekend!

Weekly Menu

I promise you that we ate last week even though I didn't post a menu :-)  My kids were gone until Tuesday so my husband and enjoyed eating out and easy food.  Isn't it amazing that Thanksgiving is part of this weeks menu???  Wow!  I feel like it is early this year yet it is on the same Thursday every year??  I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner but somehow I've gotten out of making most of the food - I guess that is the way to plan, right?  Anyway - this is our plan for this week!

Sunday  - I know I don't normally start with Sunday but our plans kinda changed so it's a new plan for the day!  The boys and I are attending one of Darryl's concerts and then attending a dinner afterwards for the group before heading home.  I plan on putting a chicken in the crock pot so we can have chicken, stuffing, and veggies for dinner later in the evening.

Monday - Baked Penne Pasta with broccoli, chicken and smoked mozzarella, salad and french bread.

Tuesday - Chicken Noodle Soup (using left over chicken from Sunday) and homemade bread.

Wednesday - Italian Wedding Soup and french bread.  I know, I know.  Soup two nights in a row??  Well, there is a chance we will actually have leftovers depending on how much food is left from the previous nights. 

Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!!   We are having:  Turkey, Ham, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Stuffing, Sweet Potatoes, Corn and Green Bean Casserole, Sauted Cabbage and Bacon, Cranberry Sauce, Deviled Eggs and Rolls.  Plus Pies and Cheesecake for dessert.  Doesn't it all sound yummy???

Friday - We are going to get our Christmas tree today!  Our tradition is to stop at our favorite restaurant and get lunch after chopping down the tree. Darryl and I usually get an array of appetizers.  Then, later in the evening we'll have pizza (probably homemade) and dessert - I think I will make some Monkey bread and see how the boys like it.  Maybe it will be a new tradition.  We actually used to do all kinds of appetizers while decorating the tree but, since we now do that at lunch, we changed things around. 

Saturday - There is a possibility my husband will be working but I'm going to plan like he isn't ;-)  We'll have brunch with Holiday French Toast and Bacon.  If anyone is hungry in the afternoon I'm sure there will be left overs. If not, I will have some soup on hand to feed those that need it. Then for dinner we will have Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy and Corn.  Just a good old comfort food meal :-)

Sunday - Roast, Potatoes and Carrots after church and then, are you ready, LEFT OVERS for dinner!  We'll need to clean out the fridge for sure!!

Food Friday - Mini Cinnamon Rolls

Awhile ago, a friend of mine posted on Facebook how they have a Sunday Morning tradition of homemade cinnamon rolls.  I really liked that idea but needed to find something quick and easy so I didn't have to get up early to make them before church.  I ran across this idea on Pinterest (of course!) and they are a hit in this house.  Right now I don't make them every Sunday but I think as the boys get older, they will be something that is expected :-)

Mini Cinnamon Rolls
adapted from Very Culinary

There really is not a lot to say about these other than to say they are really good.  They are the perfect size for little hands and the perfect size to just pop into your mouth. 

 
Mini Cinnamon Rolls
Makes 16
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Ingredients
• 1 (8 ounce) tube crescent seamless dough sheet **
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon skim milk
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
** If you cannot find the seamless dough, then just buy an 8 ounce tube regular crescent roll dough, but you’ll need to pinch all the seams together, then smooth out slightly with a rolling pin.
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a non-stick mini muffin tin with cooking spray; set aside.
Layout your dough, longer side toward you. Brush with the butter. Sprinkle with the cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecans. Roll into a log and cut into 16 equal pieces.
Place mini cinnamon rolls into your mini muffin tin. Bake for 12 minutes.
Meanwhile whisk together maple syrup and milk in a bowl. Add in powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached. Drizzle over warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy!

Enjoy!!