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Good morning, and happy Sunday! Welcome to spring — it feels like the new season has finally arrived in Virginia.🌞 All of the highlights from the past few days, along with our easy dinners, are included in today’s roundup of Our Week in Meals.
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For those of you who are new to the blog, Our Week in Meals is where I share a little bit about what we’ve been up to over the past week — as it relates to our dinners each night. This series gives you a glimpse “behind the scenes” at some highlights from our life, shows you how I balance a busy schedule with feeding my family, and offers a few new ideas for your own weekly meal plan.
First, though, a quick note to let you know that my latest recipe for Roasted Cabbage Steaks is over at Taste of Home! With just 10 minutes of prep, you’ll have golden brown, tender and sweet cabbage slices, with flavorful, crispy edges. They’re a great vegetarian entrĂ©e or a simple side dish with steak, chicken, pork or fish. I hope you’ll check out the recipe and try them in your own kitchen soon!
Now, let’s back up to last weekend…
Those sunny blue skies were something special on Sunday morning!
I met three of my friends at Mollie’s farm for a walk early in the day…
…and then got out for a short hike with the whole family later that afternoon.
Keith grilled chicken for supper that night,
which I served with pasta salad,
and sauteed zucchini. Such a delicious meal!
It was back to the routine on Monday with work, school (for Spencer) and virtual school (for the older boys).
It started off chilly, but warmed up nicely so that we were able to meet our friends for a walk in the woods later that afternoon. They recently adopted an 8-week-old chocolate lab puppy, so Teddy has a new girlfriend!
I made Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce for dinner that night, which I served over pasta with garlic breadsticks and a Caesar salad on the side.
Tuesday was just like the day before!
School, work, and a walk on the trails — he actually paused to look at the camera (a small miracle for the child who is always running)!!
Keith was working late that evening, so the boys and I had one of their favorites — breakfast for dinner. This time it was waffles, bacon, and fresh berries with yogurt.
All three kids were home with me on Wednesday, so we spent the morning tackling their online work and Zoom calls, and snuck out once or twice in the afternoon when the rain let up.
I served Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta for dinner, with a basket of blueberry muffins on the side.
I finished another book this week, too! The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn is a quick, fun read! It’s a thriller that will soon be made into a movie starring Amy Adams and Julianne Moore. If you pick this one up, you’ll have trouble putting it down. It’s not scary, but the plot twists are suspenseful and will keep you guessing until the end!
I enjoyed a quiet day to get my own work done at the house on Thursday while the boys were all at school.
The fog was so thick that I couldn’t see the mountains right in front of us, but I did see some fluffy pink and white blossoms on the sour cherry trees nearby!
We had Taco Casserole with Rice that evening, which I made with ground turkey, since we had already enjoyed ground beef earlier in the week.
Plus chips, guacamole and salsa on the side.
The sun returned on Friday morning and it looked like Spring had sprung overnight! Everything was so bright and green.
I met my girlfriend for a walk, and then buckled down at the computer to get my work done for the day.
We had Crab Cakes for dinner that night, which I paired with French fries (frozen and baked)…
Apple and Fennel Slaw (a personal favorite)…
and Skillet Cornbread.
We took advantage of a warm Saturday and hit the Slaughter Trail for a hike along the Conway River, a few miles below Skyline Drive.
All was well until the last 5-10 minutes, when we were crossing the river on our way back. I slipped on a wobbly rock while carrying Teddy, fell right in the middle of the river, and shattered my iPhone on another rock when I went down.😭😭😭 Guess I’m headed to a repair shop in Charlottesville today…
We had marinated grilled flank steak for dinner, along with salad and leftover cornbread. It wasn’t fancy, but it was quick and easy at the end of the day!
There you have it, friends — another week of dinners in the books. I hope that you’ve found some inspiration for your own meals in the days ahead, too. Thank you for being here!❤
So glad you and Teddy weren’t injured on that fall, Blair! Bet the water was COLD! That is a beautiful area, but can be tricky. My husband was on a callout once for missing hikers there–the weather can turn quickly in the spring and summer and present a hazard for those unprepared. Take good care!
Thanks, Norma! Yes — I had the same reaction — so glad that I wasn’t actually hurt. Only the phone suffered! 🙂
Good morning Blair, Definitely putting a few of these on the menu this week.. I’ve been hesitant to try cabbage steaks, but will do this week. The book also looks like a winner, will add that to my kindle soon! I took a walk last evening near a woods by us and saw many daffodils in bloom . Someone must of planted a bunch there, it was a pretty site. Now if my own in my yard would just bloom,, should be any day now. Glad it was only your phone you broke in your fall! Take care and I look forward to your week in review next Sunday too.
Hi, Lisa! If you enjoy cabbage, then roasting it is absolutely delicious. I hope you enjoy!
I get so happy when I see daffodils blooming around here too, but we don’t have any in our yard. Maybe I need to change that! Take care and have a great week!
Sorry to hear about your fall but glad that at least came out alright. Drag about your phone. Looks like some great recipes to try this week. I’m definitely going to see if I can get my hands on that book! I love a book that I can’t put down.
Thanks always.
Yes, definitely check out that book. It was a fun one!
I totally agree — the phone situation is a costly drag! At least it wasn’t any worse. 🙂
Blair,
As always, I enjoyed your weekly blog. So fun to see what your family is up to and your cheerful nature even in the midst of a wet mishap! I too loved the book you mentioned and could not put it down.
Hah! A “wet mishap” is a kind way to put it, Lori. 🙂 I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed that book, too. Perfectly suspenseful!
Hi Blair! I too read The Woman in the Women and it was definitely one that you couldn’t put down! I just finished reading Anxious People by the same author as A Man Called Ove. I highly recommend this book…it is humorous and filled with so many unimaginable twists
turns! It’s another one you won’t be able to put down!
Oh, that’s good to know, Cindy! I had seen Anxious People, but I wasn’t sure if it was something I would enjoy. I did like A Man Called Ove, so I’ll add the newer one to my list. Thanks for that tip!
***Ooops!*** In my previous comment l meant “The Woman In The Window”.
So sorry to hear about you falling. My first thought was glad the river wasn’t rushing water. The Lab puppy is adorable! We have a yellow Lab, & they are just the best companions!
Hah! The river was definitely rushing and I was up to my waist in water, but Keith could easily pull me out. 🙂 My phone was what suffered the most, and it’s now fixed!
Hi, Blair!
Better the phone than you & teddy. BTW, does Teddy’s “girlfriend” have a name yet? Like most puppies, she’s a cutie.
Loved all the pictures from the farm & surrounding areas. Your weather temperatures must be nice & warm because everything is so green, even the trees.
Your dinners this week will keep me in the kitchen to try most of them. Been getting into a “rut” with meals around here, so your recipe ideas are an inspiration for a change.
Have a great week Blair, see you next Sunday!
Sandra W.
Yes, it’s been fairly warm so things are finally turning green around here. We’re ready for it!
The chocolate lab is named “Mocha,” but they call her “Mo” for short. 🙂
So glad that you might try a couple of new recipes this week. Enjoy, Sandra!
I’m so glad that you and Teddy didn’t get hurt. As fellow followers have said, the phone can, replaced. Body parts however, take longer to repair. I hope you and your family have a wonderful and blessed day.
Thank you so much, Mary! The phone has been fixed and Teddy and I are totally fine (thank goodness). You’re absolutely right — it could have been much worse! 🙂
Blair,
I to am very glad that you were not hurt when you fell.
I look forward to reading your new recipes and seeing the pictures of the beautiful landscapes and mountains. I grew up in Colorado and miss seeing the mountains when I look towards the west.
Thank you for sharing, it brings me many smiles.
Callae
Thank you, Callae! I’m so happy to know that you enjoy the blog and the photos of the mountains. Thank you for your support!