December is a flurry – and a delicious one, but so full. From holiday meals, to cookie swaps, to cooking for PTO breakfast, to the hustle of the season – it was joyful and tasty.
I made these Jingle Jangle Cookies for a cookie swap and I loved them! They are packed full of everything with sweet and salty.
I’m on a soup kick and went vegetarian with Gnocchi & Mushroom Soup using creamed spinach as a speedy way to add flavor.
The Big Kid: He is having a great time with hockey. Christmas cookie season is a fun one for him.
The Littler Kid: She has done better eating enough despite this being an exciting time.
Goals for the year: Year of new footwear – I’m switching to socks & shoes. December is socks! Side dish emphasis – tomato/cucumber/feta/garbanzo salad Soups & salad – Gnocchi & Mushroom soup was a veggie packed More drinks – spiked hot chocolate was a nice way to end the night. What I’m reading – the end of the year is approaching and I’m at 46 books
November is always packed with work and we had a few dog visitors. There were some highs – we had a fun trip downtown on a day off and also some stressful and worrisome moments too.
I made this restaurant recreation for a very Autumn Chicken Salad with flavors of apples, honey mustard, sharp cheddar, and arugula.
My blog’s 15th blogaversary came up as a time for reflection and a look forward.
The Big Kid: He absolutely loved the golden retriever visiting. He convinced us he had to try the never-ending pasta bowl at Olive Garden and he was into it! We enjoy seeing him meet up with the boys in the neighborhood to ride bikes until it is too dark. He’s still into ramen.
The Littler Kid: She started back to ballet and tap and has been enjoying it. Her Christmas list is lengthy and detailed. Her lunch of choice has been a tuna sandwich…on repeat.
Goals for the year: Year of new pizzas – we had a white one with honey garlic sauce, cheese, potato slices Side dish emphasis – I was on mashed potato duty for Thanksgiving! Soups & salad – Yes! The tortellini & spicy sausage one was great More drinks – not yet What I’m reading – the end of the year is approaching and I’m at 46 books
15 years strong! This was a year of a lot of pizzas that are not blogged, many burrito-ish wraps, and a bunch of refreshed posts from back in the day. >10 years definitely comes across as back in the day in terms of photos/light/and more wordy posts. Now, for my self-proclaimed superlatives:
Most likely to be repeated: I made this Chicken Parmesan Dip that is delightful as a dip or as a whole meal
Best hand-held: hands down (haha) this Chopped Chicken Caesar Salad Sub was better than the restaurant. Theirs was an explosion and was not at all hand held. I like mine better!
What’s next: January starts a new role in my same department, on another team so I’m looking forward to that. Dinner times aren’t as much as a frenzy as the kids get bigger but while we still can manage schedules. We’re enjoying the kids discovering foods and bringing that to the menu – empanadas were a recent new one. They’re not scared of new things and when we can get away from talking too much about it, they often go for it and it’s fine, even if it isn’t a favorite – butternut squash sauce on tortellini went from a few mentions of “I wish these were with butter” to everyone eating all of theirs. They’re so good at eating out at restaurants which is so so fun.
Goals for from this past year: Year of replacements/upgrades! I was glad I did it, though I skipped a few. Restaurant Recreations – These were so fun. I might just keep it in mind as a tool for meal ideas. Special ingredient focus – this might have required more brainpower and inspiration than I have. More fish – this did not happen that often. I want it to, but then forget. What I’m reading – I’ve read 44 books and will likely end the calendar year ~50. I have a handful of 5 start favs this year and to pick just one: All You Have to Do Is Call by Kerri Maher or The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters are two of my stand-outs.
Goals for next year: I usually start with a bunch and see what sticks! Year of new pizzas! I think I want to push for more variety in where we get it, or taking the whole family out for it. Maybe some will be homemade though we already make pizza at least once a month – maybe it’s time to tap into my very long list of topping ideas. Side dish emphasis – These are not my strength and sometimes become an after thought. Soups & salad – I would be happy focusing on some more of these. More drinks – cocktails, smoothies, fancy coffee What I’m reading – I will probably estimate reading ~50 books next year too
October is one of my favs to finally feel fall in the air and so many fun things. We picked apples and the kids dressed up for Halloween several times already before the actual holiday.
I made a Street Corn Burrito with brown rice, white beans, Mexican corn, greens, and corn chips!
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls got a refresh from 2016 and the TikTok way of baking them in cream cannot be beat.
November’s darkness means we need to hunker down with some comfort food and maybe add some some soup to the menu. We’re dog sitting and have a few more lined up.
The Big Kid: 5th grade homework is no joke. It doesn’t take him long at all, but it is definitely more substantial. He is having fun in hockey and lacrosse clinics. He decided it’s hockey, not basketball for him. We love seeing him bike around and meet up with the neighborhood.
The Littler One: She’s an all-star speller, which she did not get from me. She looooves field hockey and wished it wasn’t ending but with that end brings her back to dance class.
Goals for this upcoming year: Year of replacements/upgrades! I kind of skipped this month. Restaurant Recreations – Special ingredient focus – T saw Frito Chili Pie on the back of the package and wanted to have it – he loved it! More fish – we did our tried and true, fish tacos. What I’m reading – I read The Last Ferry Out which was entertaining enough, and then I was blown away by All You Have to Do is Call which was one of my top books of the year, for bookclub we read The Cliffs and I can’t wait to talk about it.
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.
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.