We tried this Layered Cornbread and Turkey Salad at Shelly’s suggestion and it was really good. So much flavor packed into one dish.

At my friend Ursula’s persuading, we’ll be having Chicken-Pasta Primavera one day this coming week. Yum.

I also stumbled across this gem for a breakfast idea. Oh, brown butter…how I love thee. If you have never made anything with brown butter in it, you are really missing out. It gives such a lovely flavor.

And now, for your viewing pleasure…just one of the many beautiful skies we have seen this week. This was taken from the highway at our exit. We just had to pull over and take it in.

Most of my crew are Ranch dressing eaters, but me and my girl prefer my signature balsamic vinaigrette, which consists of balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, pepper and olive oil. Not original you say? Well, okay. I concede that point. Still, it’s good.

And the name is inspired by our good buddies Brandon and Maddy, who showed me how to make a Japanese dish containing chicken and eggs a couple years ago. Thus, the label “parent-child,” in case you were a little slow on the uptake on that one. (I only say that because it took me a second, too)

Next time you have a little bit of chicken leftover, you should give this a go. I mean, I’m not telling you what to do, but you really should. (I’ve even used chicken nuggets before, and no one turned their noses up at it. It’s very forgiving)

Also, on an almost completely unrelated note, this list is going on my fridge. As far as shopping around what’s in season and knowing what produce will get me the most bang for my buck, I think this could really save us some moo la.

While I don’t know that I can ever let go of  “brown paper packages tied up with string,” I do enjoy the idea of fabric gift bags like Amanda’s. (If you missed her posts about a “week of elving,” go there and be inspired. File away some ideas for next year!) Anyway, I got a jump on this last year and was able to add to our stash in the last week or so.

These are just great, not only because they’re pretty, but because they are kid friendly,

and husband friendly!

(Isn’t he cute? There is a “this is lame” warning on the tag. Just so you know, I love lame gifts.)

And check out this beauty! It’s for Sam, so I can’t show you what’s inside. But I’ll spill the beans next week.

I hope your last couple of days before Christmas are days that you enjoy and not dread. By the way, are you looking for an easy homemade breakfast to serve your loved ones? Shelly just posted a lovely recipe for a pastry braid and I can personally attest to the deliciousness of it.  Pay her a visit over at ModMamas and you won’t be sorry.

Happy wrapping!

“This tastes better than I expected.” -7 year old daughter

“This is the best fish I’ve ever eaten. It doesn’t taste like fish at all!” -33 year old husband

“Mo! Peeeeeese.” (rubbing belly for emphasis) -18 month old son

Through tears “I don’t want to gag on my spinach!”  -nearly 5 year old son

(Okay, so you can’t please all the people all the time.)

Another good thing that came of it: I discovered German Pancakes. Hello. Easiest and quickest breakfast ever. Rebekah had a giveaway and a plea for breakfast ideas a couple weeks ago and lo and behold! As I zipped through the comments, I saw that people kept mentioning German Pancakes or “Dutch Baby.”

Now. Who of you already knew of this and with held the information? Shame on you. I followed the directions of the very first commenter who mentioned it and our breakfast was delish and so easy.

Here’s how she said to do it:

The original recipe (which I usually double for my family of 7 and put it in 2 9×13s instead) is melt 2 tbl. butter in a glass pie dish (in the oven while you are preheating it to 425). In blender, mix 3 eggs, 1 c. milk, 1/2 tsp. of salt, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and 1 scant c. of flour. Pour into pan and bake for 20 minutes. Serve with maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or all three!

If you try this, let me know how you liked it. It just doesn’t get a whole lot easier…

Here are a few things that are keeping us busy in our spare time:

The bathroom. Sheesh. Don’t ask. (but soon and very soon it will be done! I’m sure of it)

The pool. Overcoming fears and cooling off in the shallow end, chilling with friends and eating picnic lunches. That’s pool day. Once a week.

Menu planning. Well, sort of. I’ll explain later in the week. But check out these sweet planners that my friend Shelly drew to my attention. Surely the pure cuteness of those will motivate me to plan our meals better?

Exploring math games. Fun and education together is my thing. We love playing Blink, which I picked up on a recent whirlwind tag-along-with-your-husband-while-he-drives-to-another-town-for-work day. (sorta fun, but in the end, probably not something I’ll do again in the near future.) What can I say? I try to fly by the seat of my pants, but sometimes spontaneity just isn’t the best thing for me.

Planning our school year. (yes, already!) Apologia has won my heart. We’re looking forward to studying zoology for science this year!

Oh, here’s a website I’m still really enjoying: “a site dedicated to anyone out there who just wants to enjoy the home they have been gifted, the family they love and the career they cherish–blemishes and all.  A place where women of all backgrounds and life journeys can share ideas and help support one another in the seemingly mundane endeavors of daily life.  A new way of living, inspiring and exhaling–by fully realizing domestic ease.”

I’ll leave you today with a new recipe that my daughter wrote.

Rice Crispy Treets

Wipt cream

Stroberrys

“You cut them out. Then you put the wipt cream on top and a stroberry.”

Here are a couple other places for some inspiration and more detailed instructions.

Rachel Ray’s version

Smitten Kitchen’s Shaved Asparagus Pizza

From Simple Bites (this is where I originally saw it)

See my helper in the background? Sort of like, Where’s Waldo?

Welcome to dinner at our house…

Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs. Here is how I tweaked it: I used skin on, bone in chicken thighs and crisped them up in my skillet before adding veggies and seasonings. Substitute Dijon for regular mustard and serve over cous cous with steamed broccoli on the side.

I thought my niece was crazy when she told me about frozen grapes. I was so wrong. Try it. You’ll like it.

Ever since our first experience with sno cones, oh say….LAST WEEK, We’ve been enjoying this freezing cold yumminess. It was so easy to make.

What treats do you enjoy in the summer?

In my mind, it’s hard to beat a good muffin for breakfast. (But a bad muffin is a real disappointment.) I’m always nervous to try a new recipe for fear that it will be a flop. But hopefully the tips that go along with this recipe will prevent any further mishaps in the muffin department. Happy baking!