I so often use the word busy. It’s actually habit I’m trying to kick. Luckily, it’s easy to describe this past weekend without that word because Saturday and Sunday were anything but busy. It was refreshing.
Saturday was drizzly and cold. We grabbed breakfast at La Patisserie and, for once, didn’t discuss plans for the day. We just sipped our coffee (I <3 decaf lattes!), watched the drizzle and played with Hailey who was excited to be in a booster seat instead of a high chair.
We stopped at a neighborhood garage sale on the way home and scored 3 dresses for Hailey and a Tinkerbell costume.
Then, we set up shop on the couch and did nothing. Well, it wasn’t exactly nothing. We watched football. A LOT of football. The weather was too dreary for anything else… except baking and meal planning.
The Georgia game stressed me out so much I turned to pumpkin puree for relief.
PS- there is a reason they tell you to sift your powdered sugar before turning it into a glaze. Fortunately for me, it doesn’t affect the taste!
I downed more pumpkin muffins than necessary and tried to balance it out with salad for dinner.
A very simple looking salad, isn’t it? I’m obsessed with it lately though. It must just be when other people make my salad. Something about it just makes it just taste better.
While I was cocooned on the couch, shocked at the Clemson/FSU game, I also took the time to meal plan. Some of the meals I’m really excited for this week include…
Pan-Roasted Chicken with Lemon-Garlic Beans from Real Simple (a new-to-me recipe)
Shrimp and Goat Cheese Grits with Roasted Asparagus from Jen at Peanut Butter Runner
and a classic favorite
Lemony Tomato Herb Scallops from Gina at Running to the Kitchen
Sunday morning meant pancakes.
Hailey loved helping. David would crack eggs into the batter and she’d excitedly point to me and declare “Mama, TWO eggs!” I adore the joy she gets out of everyday tasks.
By the way, have I shown you the kitchen stand David built for her? She can climb right into it and be at the perfect height for helping (the floor is adjustable for height). We love it.
Mmm pancakes.
The sun was out, trying to warm up the cool morning and after a day of relaxation, I was ready to get going. Hailey and I took off for the farmers market.
I’m obsessed with Josh’s during the fall. One stop there and one stop at Healthy Home Market and we were back at home.
During nap time I did some meal prep by washing and chopping all the romaine, washing and trimming the beans and making some homemade lara balls for Hailey.
I also made a large batch of cool ranch kale chips. I always forget how much I love these.
We spent the afternoon at a neighbor’s cookout and got home in time to see the sun setting on a perfect fall day.
And now begins another week!
What is on your menu this week?
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says
Looks like a pretty perfect weekend to me 🙂
Lindsey says
Since I am on maternity leave with no baby yet I actually have time to cook this week! We have Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto from Iowa Girl Eats, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Easy, Creamy Tomato and Mushroom Pasta from Oh She Glows and a coconut lime chicken recipe on our menu for this week.
Brittany Dixon says
That’s a great upside! Coconut lime chicken sounds fantastic. What recipe do you use?
Parita @ myinnershakti says
LOVE that kitchen stand! What a great idea. 🙂
And my meal planning for the week was all about freezer friendly foods that I can make and freeze for Vishnu. I have to go on a last minute trip and he isn’t super comfortable cooking away in the kitchen. Thought I would help him out!
Brittany Dixon says
High five for being super wife!!
Karen says
Looks like a pretty amazing weekend!!
Kimberly @ Healthy Strides says
This post makes me hungry! And I love the stool. I need to work on something like this for Miles. It might make dinner time less stressful.
calee says
OK lady. So can you answer me some questions about the dehydrator?
1) what kind did you get, and did it cost an arm and a leg?
2) how often do you use it, and what kinds of things do you make with it?
I have wanted to get one for the sole purpose of making kale chips because I love them. So much. And they sell for $6-7 a bag and I know it would be a lot cheaper (and probably a lot healthier) if I just made my own.
Thanks for your input. 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
1) I have a nesco dehydrator that I bought from a friend for $30, but I think it retails at $60 (http://www.nesco.com/).
2) It works perfectly for all my dehydrating needs (which aren’t many ;)). I LOVE kale chips made in it and have also dehydrated fruit, herbs and beef jerky with success. I probably use it once a month or so. Sometimes I’ll go on a kick and use it more often.
If you love kale chips, I recommend it! Mine never tasted right from the oven, but the dehydrator works perfectly!
calee says
THANKS! Yes, my oven-baked kale chips never cut it for me. I’m looking into the dehydrator now. Thanks for all the info!
Marjorie says
I thought about you during that UGA game. 🙁 Glad there were yummy baked goodies to cheer you up!
That kitchen stand for H it too nifty! She is such a sweet little helper. Future foodie in the making. 🙂
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I really REALLY want to buy a dehydrator, for the sole purpose of making kale chips!! What brand do you have?
Brittany Dixon says
I have a Nesco and it’s worked perfectly well for what I need it for (kale chips, jerky, herbs and fruit). I bought it for $30 from a friend!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Awesome, thanks!! I’ll have to check out that brand.
Maria says
I love weather sometimes is like nature saying “Hey, slow down.” I wish CA had more rainy weather 😉
Amy @ Long Drive Journey says
The southern girl in me thinks those grits look AMAZING!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
I’m trying to kick the “busy” habit, too! And I love that stool he made for her. Did you see natural parenting stores sell them for over $100? Handyman you have.
Brittany Dixon says
Yes! I wanted one and David took one look and said he could build it. He was true to his word and I’m thrilled!
Amy says
That stand is awesome! Would he be willing to tell how he made it? I would love for my husband to make one for Savannah instead of buying the learning tower. I’ve had zero luck on craigslist 🙁
Brittany Dixon says
Sure, I’ll have to ask him the details, but he loves projects, so one trip to lowe’s and a few hours and he was done. It saved a lot of money!
Amy says
Thanks Brittany!
Daniella says
I agree with Amy…would love to know how David made the stand. Maybe David can publish a post on the instructions. 🙂
jen says
what a perfect, low-key weekend! enjoy your shrimp and grits! 🙂
Chantal says
I love that kitchen stand!! My husband was meaning to build me one too, though at this point it isn’t going to happen. Oh well.
My daughter can’t handle the booster seat at the restaurant, we’ve tried. It’s too much freedom for her! lol
Sarah says
That kitchen stand looks more like scaffolding to me! That is one lucky kid!
Jen says
And now thanks to you I NEED a pumpkin muffin! 🙂 I also love the stool — genius idea!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
I love that stand he made for her!! That is such a neat idea!
Dominique @ That's What Domi Said says
That salad – stellar.
All your planned dinners – fabulous.
The kale chips – intriguing. (Never had ’em..)
I’m just all kinds of drooling right now.
And that kitchen stand! – precious.
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
Sounds like a great weekend 🙂
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome says
What a lovely weekend! I need to get a dehydrator so I can make the perfect kale chips! The stand for Hailey is so cool! That would definitely come in handy in our house 🙂
Gcroft says
I love decaff lattes too! Ooh, I might try the chicken recipe this week. I’m having meal-plan block this week and for some strange reason, have a rather rice-heavy menu.
Neil Butterfield says
Kudos to David for building that stunning stand. She looks to cute in it. Treasure these moments.
Marie says
I’m a few days late, but I’m also asking if David could provide some simple steps of how he built the kitchen stand. We need it for “little chef”! Thanks!!!