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I have two favorite weeks in the year, the week of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day (technically that's slightly over a week) and this week that includes Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.

I love watching the Macy's parade, having our traditional Thanksgiving meal with family & friends and that evening starting to shift into Christmas mode.  Before Thursday night, there are no Christmas carols sung, no decorations out, no gifts being wrapped in Chez Moppins - it's all about Thanksgiving.  But once the guests go home, the Christmas radio station gets cranked up and it is Christmas 24/7 from that point until January 2nd.

Engineer and I have always gone shopping the day after Thanksgiving, not because there is some deal we have to have (I try to have all Christmas gifts taken care of before this point in the year) but because we enjoy the hustle and bustle of it all.  Our tradition is to go have Starbucks and walk around people watching.  If we happen to get a good deal in the process then so be it.

Last week we had plenty of our own hustle and bustle:

We joined the Life Center as a family.  We are trying to see if we can fit in working out as a family with our already fairly congested schedule.  I am hopeful.

Engineer attended a community government meeting.

I spoke at Pine Cove for a Lunch & Learn.

We all took a ride on the Polar Express.

I hosted some of my girlfriends for brunch with a menu of:

Texas Turtle Coffee
Pigs in a Blanket w/Cranberry Dijon Dipping Sauce
Spinach & Artichoke Puffs
Spinach & Mushroom Frittata
Mixed Green Salad w/Cranberry & Vidalia Onion Dressing
Marinated Mushrooms
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Snicker Bar Salad
Dark Chocolate Dipped Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls
  
On Saturday, Engineer was in and out of the house constantly while he was brewing.  Because of that, he left the door open and our dog Greta decided to go for a walk without us and we didn't see her leave.  It was pitch black outside and I had no idea how we were gong to find her.  Engineer drove around the neighborhood, I called and enlisted the help of family and neighbors to see if they had seen her.  My stomach sank at the thought of telling Diva that her beloved dog was missing.  I was outside calling Greta when our across the street neighbor said, "Are you missing a dog?"  I said yes, and that she was a Schnauzer.  My neighbor then proceeds to tell me that Greta had somehow gotten into her back yard and was having a ball playing with her Boston Terrier.  WHEW!  I called off the search parties and got Greta all warmed up (it was cold outside.)  What a way to end a week...not a way I'd like to repeat.

Here's what we will be eating this week:

Sunday - Finger Food Buffet
Monday - Black Eyed Peas, Salad, & Cornbread
Tuesday - Pot Roast & Salad
Wednesday - Garlicky Eggplant over Rice w/ Sauteed Cabbage
Thursday - Turkey *update* apparently Engineer really wanted to have a Turducken this year and has ordered one for our feast, Dressing, Gravy, Cranberry Chutney, Squash Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Green Salad, Sweet Potatoes, Pretzel Salad, Rolls, and Dessert (provided by my Mother-in-Law so I have no idea what it will be)
Friday - Date Night
Saturday - Leftovers

This is part of MPM.

Comments

  1. I really wish I was better at meal planning! I feel as though the hubby and I are too impulsive and will only eat what we're in the mood for.... this would be so much easier!

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    1. When there was just two of us, we didn't menu plan either. :)

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    1. I'm not sure about that, sometimes we seem to have it together and other times, not so much. :)

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  3. Your before Thanksgiving menu sounds much better than mine. :-) That brunch sounds amazing - your girlfriends are lucky! Enjoy your week.

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    1. I love having brunch with my girlfriends. I am the lucky one to have them as friends. :)

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  4. Do you think it is hard planning for other food the week of Thanksgiving? I do!

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    1. Absolutely it is Ms. Jenne! I don't want to have a lot of leftovers in the fridge that I have to shuffle around to fit Thanksgiving food.

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  5. I love menu planning! And I enjoy seeing other people's menus, it sure does inspire me when I'm planning my own :)

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    1. I like seeing what other people are eating as well Ms. Ashley. In fact, a lot of the time, I will read a menu plan and think, "Ooooh, that sounds delish! I'm going to have to put that on the menu plan for next week." :)

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  6. Loving this time of year, also!
    Our Thanksgiving Celebration is actually on Saturday, but our tradition is to yours. We pop our Christmas Favorites in the stereo as we clean up after the meal, then as people head home, we turn on the outdoor Christmas lights to help guide their way.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you!

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    1. I like the idea of guiding them on their way with Christmas lights, I don't think we will have time to do that this year but I may suggest it for next year. Thanks for that idea! :)

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  7. Holy yum! Can I come over to your house? ;) Thanksgiving Day and weekend are some of my favorite time of the year for 2 reasons: good eats and the Iron Bowl game! Cheers to you! Happy holidays!

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    1. We have an open door policy for Thanksgiving Ms. Taylor. :)

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