Everyday Life and Menu Plan (11.21.16)

A day late on the menu posting because we went to see Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid author) last night!

Kinney was super fun and engaging and very gracious during the signing.

I'm very glad to be on the mailing list for every local bookstore, because I snatched up a ticket to this sold out event within an hour of the email going out. Thus, we were in the first group of people to get our book signed - I think we were about fourth in line. So we had plenty of time afterward to go out for a nice little mother son dinner date at the bar and grill next door and gab about our experience, which was priceless.

Meanwhile, my daughter got to have a Yahtzee and Candy Land marathon with daddy, followed by a trip to good old Red Robin. The kids definitely had a banner week, because they also had the school dance on Friday, which is an absolute hoot. They learn all sorts of fun dance moves in PE during the week leading up to the event and we get to sit back and enjoy. Well, and get roped into doing YMCA by the end of the night. 

Today I got the Thanksgiving shopping done and my kitchen smells like homemade Chex mix!

I'm looking forward to a few cozy and lazy days around the house with the kids having time off from school for Thanksgiving, and to EAT!

• Monday - Pizza
• Tuesday - Chicken Hoisin Rice Bowls (from Cookin' Canuck)
• Wednesday - Grilled Chicken Club Salad with Guacamole Dressing (an old Rachael Ray favorite)
• Thursday - THANKSGIVING!

roast turkey breast - We buy a 5lb breast and have used Alton Brown's brine recipe for about the last seven years - DELICIOUS.

classing New England style stuffing (with sausage and chestnuts) I also add granny smith apples to this recipe we've been using from Cooking Light for more than ten years. 
hash brown potato casserole - I use this Cooking Light version of a dish that's been a favorite since I was a kid.
mixed greens salad - I use the bones of this recipe, omitting chicken/bacon and add Trader Joe's spicy/sweet pecans and apples.
crescent rolls - I HATE working with yeast, but I thought I'd give these another go, as they are also a favorite since I was a kid.
cranberry sauce - I caved to the jellied stuff this year because the kids actually like it - oh well.
pumpkin pie - I just pick one up from the store as the kids are really the ones who eat it and they're not very particular about their pie.

• Friday - Cheesy Butternut Squash Quinoa Bake with Gruyere and Brussels Sprouts (and leftovers, of course)
• Saturday - Korean Style Short Ribs in the Crock Pot, Spicy Green Beans and Mashed Potatoes (easy and delicious recipe from Food.com)
• Sunday - Turkey Chili Taco Soup (moved this delicious Skinny Taste recipe back from last week, due to Wimpy Kid fun!)

As always, I'm linking up with Org Junkie - be sure to check out all the great weekly menus!