Menu Tuesday ;)

 

Weekend highlights:

Saturday – The norm.  Playing, napping and football watching!  We actually did get to go to our friends’ house sans kiddo thanks to Grandma Pam babysitting.  It was so fun, yet weird to have a day and night to hang out like old times!  E had a blast with his Grandma and didn’t miss a beat (or us I don’t think!).

 

 

A trip to our doctor on Sunday took up most of our morning.  Everett has been battling a cold/sore throat for about a week and he was showing signs of an ear infection.  Just to make sure we decided to take him in (thank goodness our pediatrician’s office is open 365 days a year – and our dr. was even on call Sunday – score!) and luckily his ears were ok.  We are hoping for continued healing so our little guy can start feeling 100%.  Thank goodness he hasn’t been running a fever – that’s the worst!

Since our peds office is downtown Orlando and we knew E was just suffering from some congestion we decided to make a pit stop for some breakfast and coffee at Panera and then a nice walk around Lake Eola.  Definitely a nice, unexpected, Sunday morning.

 

 

Later that day, for our last long training run we chose to run along the Seminole Wekiva Trail.  The terrain is very flat and they have the coolest fence painting along the way.  Mike found his mustache idol and had take a picture before his Movember mustache was no more.

 

 

 

A quick trip to Tijauna Flats for a late lunch after our 10 miler was in store.  Food was much needed (and earned)!

 

 

As for this weekend it’s the OUC Half Marathon alongside some of our best friends, including our girl Kate from Colorado!  I can’t wait to see her!!!

 

The menu this week is all over the place, but yummy none the less-

 

M:  4 Rivers BBQ

T:  Birthday Dinner!

W:  Steak and Blue Cheese Pizza w/ Roasted Green Beans

Th:  Sweet and Sour Chicken w/ Fried Rice

F:  Girls’ Night w/ Kate!

Sa:  Chili Mac

Su:  Lasagna Rolls w/ Chopped Salad

Have a good one!

Giving Thanks

 

 

 

Thanksgiving was truly a blessing this year.  We have so much to be thankful for day in and day out, but this year proved to be one that will go down into the record books.

It was so fun to celebrate Everett’s first thanksgiving with all of our Florida friends and family, as well as Grandma Pam (Mike’s mom) who is visiting from Wisconsin. 

 

 

We started the day off with some playing with the little guy before we headed out to make up our own Turkey Trot.  The weather was beautiful (a little chilly at the top of the bridge) and it felt so good to get our 5 miler finished before the festivities started!  We didn’t really have a route picked out when we started…we just started running and when we hit 2.5 miles we headed back.  It felt spectacular…just as it should since our half marathon is THIS WEEKEND!  Eek!

 

 

Since E had the attention of both Gransie and Grandma he was in hog heaven and didn’t even know we were gone.  Everett even got to play with his buddy Hurley who survived the week in the hospital and came home for Thanksgiving!  We were all so thankful!

 

 

After a few last minute tasks it was almost time for the guests to arrive.  Everett got into his Thanksgiving best and even put on shoes…although he really couldn’t figure out what was on his feet!  He was a hit with the family and actually handled all of the new faces very well.  Mike and I were busy setting up the buffet and didn’t even see him for a while.  I’m glad he did well, since this was just a precursor to what Christmas will be like in Wisconsin – he’d better get ready!

 

Loving on Aunt Dawnie!

 

Our Thanksgiving Menu included the following:

Turkey (of course)

Mom’s Famous Dressing

Gravy

Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans

Sweet Potato Casserole

Cranberry Relish

Strawberry Congealed Jello Salad

Homemade Yeast Rolls

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Pumpkin Pie

Apple Pie

 

Spectacular dessert with a spectacular sunset!

 

 

 

After stuffing ourselves, all of the grandchildren (and spouses) were summoned over to our Nana’s house – which is right next to my mom’s house.  My cousin Jason thought we were in trouble, just as Mike was saying, “All the grandchildren at Nana’s, how cool!”  As it turns out she wanted to bring us all together to give us each an amazing gift; coins that my late grandfather Pop had collected. 

 

Nana explaining all about the coins, just as Pop would have.

We were all so surprised and honored.  We think of him everyday and love that he had collected the coins for us to have one day.  He was a great collector and on most of the coins has labeled them with the date and location from which they came.  I haven’t decided how, but I would love to find a way to display them in Everett’s room – they are not only special, but sooo cool!

After that, it was pajama time for the little guy, which I was so excited for since it was officially “after Thanksgiving” I could officially put him in his Christmas pajamas (and even Christmas diapers – courtesy of Target).  Two thumbs up.

 

I don’t think he was quite as worn out as we were, but it was close.  After he went down, we adults ended the night with some coffee, football and early bed times.

And for those of you who have been praying for my mom’s dog Hurley; good news!  He came this past Monday and was with us for Thanksgiving (as mentioned above)!  He literally was on his deathbed and has to be the biggest (canine) fighter I know.  He’s walking like a champ and so happy to be with the ones he loves.  And for that we are truly thankful.

 

We definitely had so much to be thankful for this year!

Cookie Monster

 

 

 

I love cookie cakes.  They are thick, delicious and the ultimate comfort food.  I just didn’t know how easy they were to make at home!

This is definitely my new go-to dessert and I am so happy to share it with you.  Enjoy!

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Print this recipe!

 

3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp cornstarch

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips OR about 1 cup of chocolate chunks

 

Directions:

1. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

2. Mix in egg and vanilla extract.

3. With the mixer on low speed, add flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt.

4. Stir in chocolate chips. Dough will be thick.

 

 

5. Chill for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

6. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

7. Place parchment paper into the bottom of your cake pan to help the cookie not stick; or use a tart pan with a removable bottom for best results (spray with nonstick spray).

 

8. Spread the dough out into the cake pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden.

 

9. Remove from oven and let cool for a couple minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.  Add frosting if desired once cooled.

 

For the frosting:

You can absolutely make your own butter cream frosting, but if you are like me and always in need of more time, you could simply buy your favorite store bought frosting, add some color (or not) and decorate away!

I have a collection of decorating tips that I have had for a while that I use for any sort of cake decorating.  Using a plastic sandwich bag I snip the edge, attach the tip, put the icing in and pipe away for any occasion!

 

Menu-ish Monday

 

Our weekend in a nutshell:  playing, standing, exploring, napping, eating, running, repeat.  Wouldn’t change it for the world.

 

 

Also, Grandma Pam is here for the next two weeks visiting from Wisconsin…can you see why she was so excited!?!?

 

This week is go, go, go but we are so thankful for it all.  I hope you have a blessed Turkey Day!

Speaking of food, here’s our plan---

 

M:  Grilled Chicken with Veggie Wild Rice and Corn on the Cob

T:  Taco Salad

W:  Baked Ziti in Palatka!

Th:  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

F:  Baked Potatoes w/ Chopped Salad

Sa:  Chicken Pesto Paninis w/ Chips and Apple Slices

Su:  Meatloaf w/ Roasted Carrots and Green Bean Casserole

 

Have a happy week!