September 2025 Recap

September is one of my favorites. I love the return to routines and the air getting into more manageable temperatures. The start of school brings some anxiety but was OK this year and we love the fall sports.

I made a Pickle Ranch Chicken Sandwich that was incredible.

This Tomato Ricotta Pie got a refresh from 2013 and works for dinner, lunch, and brunch.

We had meatball break-apart sliders that were met with a touch of hesitation and then were such a win. They may get a repeat with other flavors – ham and cheese would be fun, chicken/bacon/ranch is always a hit for us!

October has me excited for apple picking and halloween. I have some appetizer ideas and hopes for more pumpkin flavored things! Tis the season!

The Big Kid:
He is settled and doing well at school and all the sports. He’s trying intro to hockey and goes to the fall lacrosse clinics. It is so fun to see him progress and gain some confidence for hockey. Thankfully he likes some new electrolyte drinks we’re trying.

The Littler One:
She’s loving second grade – to the extent of not feeling like the weekend is necessary! We’ve been blown away by field hockey. She scored 2 goals the first week and 1 the second week. Some friendships are deepening and it is heartwarming to see.

Goals for this upcoming year:
Year of replacements/upgrades! I was upgrading my denim jacket but then didn’t love the color so it is still in progress.
Restaurant Recreations – nah, not really
Special ingredient focus – the fridge failure and replacement has meant we had a very regular replenishing, not a focus on special.
More fish – salmon!
What I’m reading – I read Julie Chan is Dead and do not recommend. I was medium-ish about This Book Will Bury Me. I loved Funny Story and it renewed my interest in Emily Henry. I listened to Broken Country and it wasn’t for me.

Meatball Break-apart Sliders

These were cute and fun which is exactly what dinner should be sometimes. Slider rolls get some garlic butter with sauce, cheese, and one meatball dropped in.

Meatball Break-apart Sliders
Ingredients: (for ~4)

12 slider rolls
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
12 meatballs
1/2 cup sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 teaspoon parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Melt the butter and mix in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and minced garlic.
Slice/scoop out the center of each roll and gently fold to separate but not split them apart.
Spoon some garlic butter into the bottom of each well and brush the tops and bake for 5 minutes.
Add some tomato sauce, mozzarella, and a meatball into each one.

Top with more sauce and cheese. Sprinkle parmesan over it all.

Bake for 15 minutes until warmed through and melty.
Enjoy!

They are soft and flavorful from the garlic butter. Each kiddo ate more than it first seemed like would happen – one actually said “I don’t really like any of this” and then got started and wanted more. Twice.

They’re a crowd pleaser, that’s for sure. Kids might like making them since it is mostly assembly. Other varieties would be fun too!

July 2025 Recap

July forever has me settled into summer but also feeling like there’s so much I want to do before it is over! We have been swimming, attending lots more parties than usual, and trying to stay cool. Meals feel more about speed and ease than being well thought out or unique.

I re-made Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza from 2012 and it was as delightful now as it was then.

This Pickle Lemonade was really fun and works well spiked or plain!

Mojito Slaw on Fish tacos feels restaurant-ish at home

Peach Crumble Parfaits were a cool breakfast when it has been too hot to function!

August is already upon us. I have such a pull to do all the things before summer is over! Meals have taken a backseat to anything else we might want to do. Also, our fridge kicked it so we have to be a bit creative. We have vacation, a 7th birthday to celebrate, and several parties and adventures ahead this month!

The Big Kid:
He has had some fun camps – and one “not favorite” but he made the best of. He’s all sports all the time – maybe with an exception for a new Star Wars obsession. He quietly hates the heat but doesn’t let it slow him down until it knocks him out. He did the biggest and most intense ride at the theme park and I was so proud that he really decided for himself if he was ready for it.

The Littler One:
Her swimming has advanced to include more underwater and more strokes. She is blowing through chapter books and can’t stop – which we love to see. She cannot wait for her birthday. This summer we have seen her build more friendships. Summer dance class has been fun!

Goals for this upcoming year:
Year of replacements/upgrades! I upgraded 2 new workout tops and let one favorite go
Restaurant Recreations – nope
Special ingredient focus – not really
More fish – fish tacos!
What I’m reading – I read Project Hail Mary which I liked, but could have been 150 pages shorter…then I read The Nature of Fragile Things and was obsessed with the twists and San Fran quake. I just finished the Lost Letters from Martha’s Vineyard and was very into it…60s Hollywood vs grandmother’s past life.