This weekend… how to describe it? Perhaps I should just say that I didn’t change out of pajamas all day yesterday? Yes, that ought to sum it up.
Starting on Friday, Kaitlyn was not feeling well. She was a little warm and extremely fussy, especially for such a happy baby. The poor thing just looked miserable, so I took her to the doctor to find out that… I have a sensitive teether. I guess that’s good news and all, but “sensitive” doesn’t seem to describe it accurately enough for me. For the entire weekend, she refused to nap anywhere but on either David or me. It made for a cozy, at-home weekend and a decent amount of wine consumption.
After a trying Friday afternoon, David insisted he take the reins for dinner (twist my arm) and we enjoyed a lovely evening of delicious aromas, wine and conversation while I happily sat on my bottom.
It was very Valentine’s-ish, which was perfect since on Valentine’s itself we resorted to simple fajitas (just grab a pre-cooked rotisserie from your local grocer) and The Great Gatsby (love me some Leo).
Of course, hanging around the house doesn’t have to be dull. Hailey reveled in the extra downtime, which gave her ample opportunity to ‘do some work’ as she put it.
I’ve slowly learned to just let her to do art however she wants. There is a side of me that twitches when she wants to ‘make a face’ but lines all the googly eyes up in a row instead of the classic two eyes, nose and a mouth, but that’s the whole point of art right? To interpret it and make it how you want? Now that I’ve embraced just letting her go crazy, I love the chaos she puts on paper.
I escaped the house (with said fussy baby in tow) on Saturday afternoon.
It was one of those ‘shoot we need to buy a bunch of stuff’ trips, so I hit up Lowe’s Foods. The bill was still to the tune of $220 (?!?), but we did stock up on coffee, butter, bottled waters, some broth, condiments and other staples that tend to inflate the bill. We’ve also been focusing on eating more at home, both breakfasts (because we are a three ring circus) and dinners, so if you compare an increased grocery bill to what we spend eating out, we are saving money, so that eases the pain slightly.
Rationalize much? Yes, yes I do.
Yesterday (you know, the day I stayed in jammies all day?), was quite relaxing. David played with the girls and his guitar in the morning while I tackled some laundry and kitchen tasks (recipes and what not). It amazes me what some downtime can do for everyone’s psyche, including a three-year-old. Hailey was sweet as it comes yesterday and I soaked it up. I’m pretty sure the smell of homemade bread deserves some of the credit too.
Dinner was particularly delicious, so much so that it is totally worth sharing. I’ve made it and adapted my own liking and did I mention it is made in the slow cooker? Winner!
Perfectly Simple Slow-Cooker Brisket
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This simple brisket recipe is quick to throw together and makes for a hearty cold weather meal that will fill you up and make your taste buds dance.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lbs beef brisket
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Thinly slice the onion and place in the bottom on the slow cooker.
- Place the brisket on the onion.
- Prepare the sauce my mixing the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt and pepper in a separate bowl, then pour over the beef.
- Set slow cooker on high for 8 hours until brisket falls apart.
- Serve with thick buttered toast, slaw and a pickle.
Enjoy!
How was your weekend?
Did you cook dinner or go out?
John J. says
Insight: Hailey has my artistic gene. Be kind! Looks like more pajama time for you as snow looks to be coming your way. Fire going? We’ve had a good one last night while enjoying your Mom’s seafood gumbo!
Brynn says
We had a wonderful but quiet Valentine’s. I was treated to some of my favorite things, a trip to the salon and we went out for an early bird dinner. My little guy goes to bed at seven but we wanted to celebrate together. Wishing you luck with the teeth!!
Monica says
I feel for you! My Harlow has had the worst teething ever… she started teething at 4 months old (according to her doctor) but didn’t actually GET her first tooth until 13 months. Every time a tooth comes in, it is just miserable for everybody, poor baby. You’ll get through it and in the scheme of things, it is really just a blip in life! Hang in there!
We had a very romantic Valentine’s Day stay-in date… pizza and Sharknado 2. lol. 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Glad I don’t have the only “sensitive” teether! Did Harlow get fevers too?
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
YUM, that brisket looks awesome!
And gosh, why do groceries have to be so expensive?! I alternate my shopping between Harris Teeter, Lowe’s Foods, and Kroger, and for stocking up on major staples, I’ve noticed that Kroger is definitely the cheapest!
christina says
go, david, go! what a sweetheart. i love that i’m not the only one who takes photos of my grocery cart. someone saw me one day and i cringed. i was that blogger girl. haha. well technically it was for the insta…but you know. can we talk about that almond milk with honey? how is it?
Brittany Dixon says
First time trying the honey so I will report back, but I’ve heard good things! Also, I’m always that blogger girl. And now H takes pictures of food everywhere too sooooo we are just the totally weird family now. Oh dear.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I can’t tell you how many doctors trips for us ended in “teething” as the diagnosis.
I was so sick on Valentines Day! Fever, chills, aches, cough. I honestly thought I had the flu, but it passed quickly (thankfully). But my son woke up sniffly this morning, so I am anticipating a call from daycare any minute to come pick him up.
How sweet for David to make dinner!? And wasn’t Gatbsy so visually stunning? I think the visuals (especially all the party scenes) were my favorite of that movie.
Brittany Dixon says
I’m so sorry you were so sick!! Miserable. I hope no one else gets it. I hate when family just passes it around.
And yes, Gatsby was visually stunning! I am even mean more so than just Leo himself 😉
Jessica @Myhealthypassion.com says
Our weekend was fabulous and COLD!!! We went out and Saturday night made it a Fondue night!!! Loved every minute!!!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my gosh, I LOVE fondue. How delicious!
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
I haven’t cooked brisket much but this seems like a good place to start!!
Lauren says
Have you posted your bread recipe before, Brittany? Looks delicious! By BLW champ consumes quite of bread now that she’s a toddler…would love it to be homemade!
Brittany Dixon says
I have not because I use a different recipe every time. Yesterday I used this one: http://www.food.com/recipe/best-bread-machine-bread-dough-156408
and baked it in the oven instead of the bread machine. It was very good!
Kat @ Where the Sidewalk Ends says
While our baby isn’t born yet, I do have to say I love how doctors name something that can feel so traumatic things that sound positively comical. Sensitive teether sounds so gentle, while “baby who does not want to let go of my neck…ever” is nothing to sneeze at. Hang in there, and enjoy the brisket 🙂
Kim says
What read machine do you have? My husband wants to one! My VDay weekend was spent working but it’d rather it be that way with Tyler deployed 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
I have a zojirushi which I’ve been really pleased with! The only thing I’m not wild about is the large, tall loaves, but I think that’s pretty standard. I’ve been using the dough-only cycle and baking it in the oven lately to get a smaller loaf 🙂
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
Looks like Kaitlyn had the right idea getting you all to relax this weekend 😉 Sorry she’s not feeling well. Hopefully those teeth will come in soon!
Danielle says
I noticed your brisket recipe says to slow cook on high for 8 hours. I typically do low if it will be in there for 8 hours. Do you think it makes much of a difference?
Brittany Dixon says
There is some difference between machines so definitely play around and see what works best for yours. For mine, 6-8 hours on high or 10-12 hours on low works best for brisket.