Welcome to the weekend, my buddies! I hope your week (and your climate) have been improbable and that you simply’re having fun with the vacations nonetheless you select to rejoice them. We loved a dusting of snow this week and I used to be in heaven for the transient day that it lasted on the bushes. 

I can dream of a white Christmas, however this yr, it’s solely a dream. We’re presupposed to hit 60 levels on Monday (only a few levels decrease than the forecast for Phoenix) – what sort of nonsense is that? No less than I can look ahead to a day stroll within the hotter climate.

What we’re EATING: It’s been a severely scrumptious week over right here with out a single new weblog put up to point out for it. (And I’m by no means unhappy about that proper now.)

Sean made the Floor Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry the opposite evening and I could also be responsible of getting hidden the final serving for my lunch – zero guilt right here, that’s how we roll. I tossed the leftover beef and broccoli with some leftover Noodles with Cabbage and the mixture was so flipping good it gave me an thought for an additional new recipe.

I made a batch of Cinnamon Crinkle Cookies after which proceeded to eat an absurd variety of them with my morning and noon and late afternoon espresso. I’m fairly positive that when a cookie encourages me to drink an increasing number of espresso, it won’t be factor, however the cookies are simply so completely chewy with a buttery cinnamon sugar taste, sigh. I really like them.

We’ve been on a roll with Breakfast Sandwiches currently, though they typically get made nearer to lunchtime. I’ve additionally been knowledgeable that “Dad’s sandwiches are higher than yours, Mother” <gasp> with the added non-apologetic remark, “Sorry, however it’s true.” So, it seems to be like I may have to analyze precisely what makes his higher. (Odds are good that it’s a complete lot of meat, as my carnivore crew can’t get sufficient bacon and sausage of their breakfasts.)

I made a model of this Cashew Rooster Salad, however wound up swapping so many substances each as a result of they sounded good and since I didn’t have every thing readily available, it grew to become a complete new recipe. Not unhappy about that although, as I made notes in order that I could make it once more. The entire household was consuming the rooster salad on crackers, proper out of the blending bowl.

My youngest son helped, really did a lot of the work, to make his favourite dinner final evening and it was perfection. Buttered Steak Bites (with mushrooms) and a giant pot of Truffle Mac and Cheese, together with a Candy Kale Salad (although I did fortunately cheat that one and simply grabbed the bag of salad at Costco this week). 

I additionally made one other batch of those Loaded Mint Cookies. They’re a dream come true for anybody who loves mint + chocolate as a lot as I do. Paired with a cup of Peppermint Sizzling Cocoa, I’m in peppermint heaven.

What I’m CRAVING: Talking of peppermint, it’s time to churn a batch of Peppermint Ice Cream. I already stocked up on sweet canes once more, so I can preserve making all of it yr. 

And I’ll be making a batch of my buddy Katrina’s perfect-every-time sugar cookies this weekend too. In case you haven’t tried them but, they’re a vacation must-make. Superb taste, completely crisp cut-out edges, zero chill time required for the dough, what extra might I ask? I’ve been making her recipe and solely her recipe for over ten years now.

My FAVORITE THING this week is that this butter dish. I could also be a wee bit obsessive about this factor. I’ve had a Butterbell for years, however the reality is that for our household, it simply doesn’t maintain sufficient butter to make it a sensible selection. I lastly went on the lookout for an answer that meets my fussy necessities: straightforward to maintain clear, seems to be good on the counter, holds not less than two sticks of butter, and has a lid.

That is every thing I wanted and extra. It’s probably the most sensible butter dish I’ve ever seen and it really works completely. No bizarre grooves or edges to gather butter, it stays clear, and it simply holds additional butter too.

What I’m WATCHING: all of the Christmas films! White Christmas is my favourite Christmas film of all time and my youngest son nonetheless watches it with me every year. And The Polar Specific has been our Christmas Eve morning custom yearly since my boys had been toddlers.

Die Laborious 1 & 2, Deadly Weapon, and The Ref are additionally on the listing for this weekend. (Facet notice, I really like having older children who can watch these with us eventually! It’s a lot enjoyable. My youngest is impatiently awaiting a number of extra birthdays earlier than he’ll be becoming a member of us for these.)

What I’m READING: Soiled Thirty by Janet Evanovich. Lastly! A twist in one of many Stephanie Plum books. I’ve ranted in regards to the lack of character improvement after studying the previous couple of books on this collection, and honestly, this one wasn’t on my listing to learn. The books are nonetheless enjoyable reads, however that is guide 30 within the collection and I’m past prepared for Stephanie to maneuver ahead. 

A reader emailed me just a few weeks in the past although, (Hello, Glynda!) and prompt I give this one a attempt. It has a shock ending that made me grin and now I’m trying ahead to studying the following guide. Right here’s hoping that the collection continues to maneuver ahead now.

What I’m LISTENING to: Ceaselessly Christmas by David Lanz and Kristin Amarie. This can be a new one for me and I can’t suggest it extremely sufficient. The music is gorgeous in each manner. David is a pianist/composer and Kristin is a vocalist with a panoramic voice. 

I had a troublesome time selecting a favourite tune on this album. O Holy Evening and Silent Evening are long-time favorites and these renditions are flawless, however Ceaselessly Christmas is superb as effectively. In different phrases, it’s best to most likely give it a pay attention and see if you happen to can select a favourite.

“For to us a baby is born, to us a son is given; and the federal government shall be upon his shoulder, and his identify shall be known as Great Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 ESV

Wishing you the very merriest of Christmases!

Mary