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A New Year’s Meal
My mom and brother came up to celebrate a late Christmas with us in Georgia, but since they are leaving New Year’s day, I fixed my traditional New Year’s meal two days early. For me, a New Year’s meal means ham, collard greens, black eyed peas and cornbread. And then I add whatever else I’m in the mood for – which this year meant we had green beans and mac and cheese. Talk about a feast! Most times I use hog jowl or salt pork, but this year I lucked out with my hubby picking up some house-smoked bacon from a local butcher shop and so half of my dishes…
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French Toast Casserole
Breakfast casseroles are a must-have during the holidays. We enjoyed this French toast casserole at my in-laws this Christmas and it turned out delicious! It was really easy to make – we were able to make this the night before and throw it in the oven in the morning. This was my first time making this but it won’t be my last! French Toast Casserole 1 loaf crusty sourdough or French bread, cut/torn into 1″ to 2″ cubes 8 eggs 2 cups whole milk 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 3/4 cup brown sugar 2 tbsp vanilla extract Topping 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tsp cinnamon (plus more…
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Day 21 to 24 – Hostages, sleds, dates and angels
Our elf has been having loads of fun! One more night and then the big guy arrives!
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Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
We enjoyed this salad with our Pork Tenderloin Marsala last night. I can’t take all the credit on this one… I knew what I wanted this to be in theory, but had to call in the real chef (Blake) for the execution on the warm bacon vinaigrette. It turned out great – and the different color tomatoes made it a beautiful salad as well! This would be a great addition to any meal (or make a meal by itself!). Some of the quantities below are approximate – real chefs don’t have time to measure 🙂 Just taste and adjust as needed. Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette Salad Fresh spinach…
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Pork Tenderloin Marsala
This is one of my most requested meals – and probably my personal favorite. It is savory and rich and full of flavor. Pretty simple too – not a lot of ingredients, and can be prepared start to finish in just about an hour. Not typically one of my weeknight meals, but a weekend go-to for sure! The pork cooks to a perfect medium and is so juicy and tender. Pork Tenderloin Marsala 2 pork tenderloins 4 – 5 tbsp Dijon mustard (Grey Poupon Country Dijon is best) 2 tbsp olive oil 4 tbsp butter 4 shallots, minced 2 cups marsala wine (not cooking wine, real wine) 2 tbsp Dijon…
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Day 18, 19 & 20 – Balloons, Briefs and Marshmallow Messages
The latest misadventures of Max… Aside from the fact that Becket is obsessed with balloons and went nuts to get the “buh-ga” (his 18-month-old word for balloon), we’ve been successfully creating magic each morning without dramatics over the favorite toy that’s off limits for the day. Just 5 days left this year! Click here to see what else our elf has done this year.
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Say what?!?
Here’s a little sampling of all the inappropriate / interesting things my three-year-old has said to me in the last couple of days. It’s like I have a teenager in a toddler’s body. No, seriously. That’s exactly what he’s like. The smart-mouth comments are relentless. In the car today… Brogan: Mommy, you wear me out. Brogan: Mommy, I have had it with you! Uggghhhh…. Gosh…. Oh. My. Goodness…. Brogan: You are not being a good listener! You aren’t getting ANY MORE presents! The other day when I wouldn’t let him push his own toast down in the toaster… Brogan: You just took away my sunshine. Whenever he hurts his self…
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It’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Time!
So this year, Blake and I both had company Christmas parties with an ugly Christmas sweater theme. I go big or go home, so it had to be perfect. And so when I stumbled upon a couple’s sweater concept that included one end of the a reindeer barfing holiday cheer, and the other end crapping it, I knew I couldn’t go wrong. And so you have our ugly sweaters… I picked up the sweat shirts at Wal-Mart. I cut out the reindeer from a canvas brown fabric in 8 pieces (head, torso, bottom, tail and 4 legs). The antlers and feet are felt. I initially thought I would iron on…
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Day 15, 16 & 17 – Toilet Paper, Guitars & Reindeer Cars
The last couple days of Max shenanigans looked like this… We’ve been running into some trouble with Beckett – when Max is within his reach, he wants him… and sometimes grabs him, which is problematic because Brogan’s worried he’ll lose his magic. We’ve tried to explain that when little brothers don’t know any better, it’s alright, and obviously Max has not lost his magic yet. The explanation works for now. Click here to see what else our elf has done this year.
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S’mores Cookies & Ginger Snaps
Every year around the holidays I have this list of things I’d like to do during the season. And one thing that is always on my list is to make Christmas cookies. To me, Christmas cookies don’t have to be decorated just so, but there have to be enough to share. And ideally, I’d put them in bags, tie pretty bows on them and give them to my neighbors. Well, it liked to kill me, but mission accomplished! I have to thank Brogan for this feat, because first thing this morning, he started asking for us to make cookies. Since the hub’s new job means he works every weekend, anything…
