{weekend notes}

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Where did the weekend go?  It’s Monday, but it’s ok.  I got this.  Don’t forget to be awesome peeps!!

Friday night was all about Netflix and chillllll.  Dinner + drinks + Fuller House marathon.  With my fellow Mexico widow.  Cory and his buddies were gone to Mexico for a “guys” weekend.  So we got together to binge watch TV and catch up.

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I honestly wasn’t planning on digging it as much as I did.  We watched 5 episodes.  It felt like I was re-living part of my childhood.  I’ve seen every original episode of Full House more than once.  Who remembers being pumped on Friday nights for TGIF?  I sure do.  DJ looks great.  DJ Tanner, on the other hand looks like a hooker.  Uncle Jessie is still smok’n.  Have mercy!!  Aunt Becki hasn’t aged a bit.  Kimmy, is Kimmy.  You just gotta love her.  How about the Olsen twin jab?  I cant believe those b’s wouldn’t join.  What jerks.

Bailey + Charlie were especially into it.  Can you tell?  Thanks for dinner + your couch Sarah:)  Always a good time, even with our little turds.

Saturday morning I was at Sutter’s Fort bright and early.  The Plainfield Elementary 4th graders will be having an overnight field trip at the fort in April.  So all of us parents had to be trained (extensively) as to how we will basically survive the 24 hours there…lol.  They call it an Environmental Living Program (ELP).  During the overnighter, the students (and parents) will portray 1840’s characters and partake in period activities, such as carpentry, baking, trapping and candle-making.  I was assigned the Kitchen.  But, this isn’t like any kitchen I’ve ever cooked in before.  Dirt floors + a fireplace are what we’re talking about.   No ovens or refrigerators.  No buttons or timers.  Only open flames and cast-iron.

Serving approximately 80 people supper.  Pray for me!!!

On April 5th, this is where you will find me.  Dressed similar and all.  Wonder if red wine is 1840’s?  Maybe you’ll find some in my tin cup?  We will be sleeping under the stars with only a sleeping bag + pillow per person, on the ground.

I’m making it sound awful, but I really am looking forward to roughing it with my girl and her classmates.  It will be a huge learning experience for the both of us.

A morning/afternoon like this, only calls for one thing….champagne.  Ok, I know what you’re thinking.  “I thought this bitch gave up wine for lent!”  I did.  But I believe that champagne is champagne and wine is wine.  Who’s with me?  It’s very much two different types of beverage.  At least, if you ask me:)

I’ve been storing this bottle of bubbles for two weeks, so it was time.  Chandon ♥

I set up a Yogurt Bar for the girls.

Vanilla bean yogurt and all the best toppings.  Blueberries + chocolate chips + cupcake goldfish + granola + sprinkles.  While the moms sip + chat, the kids will be happy as shit.  For reals. Haha.

Saturday evening we invited my parents over for a Thank you so much for helping me everyday and making my life doable dinner.  I really should do it more often.  It turned out fab.  Bailey + I prepped, cooked and made dessert together.  I love how much she loves being in the kitchen too.  Makes me proud.

Bailey set the table using my parents wedding china the handed down to me.  I absolutely love it.  Every time we pull it out for a dinner it makes me insanely happy.

She even did her signature napkin silverware pocket fold.  I taught her how to do this about a year ago and she offers to take over the duty every time we use real napkins 🙂  I learned a few folds working in the restaurant industry, but according to Queen Martha, everyone should know at least one napkin fold.  Lucky you, I’m sharing Bailey’s easy pocket fold.  Check out the quick how-to video here.

Ok, let’s get back to the food!  We served salmon kabobs + rice pilaf + asparagus.  Yumm.  I started feeding Bailey salmon when she was about 2 years old.  She’s loved it since.  Check back this week, as I will be sharing this tasty salmon kabob recipe.  And you’re gonna want it, TRUST ME!!

For dessert, Bailey whipped up cheesecakes.

 

No-Bake Mason Jar Cheesecakes

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 brick cream cheese (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup powder sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
• strawberries, chopped

Combine graham cracker crumbs + 2 tablespoons sugar + melted butter.  Evenly divide mixture into 4 mason jars.

Using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add lemon juice + powder sugar.  Divide cream cheese mixture evenly into the four mason jars.

Chill cheesecakes for 2 hours.

Sprinkle strawberries with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and place in fridge till ready to serve.

When ready to serve top each cheesecake with strawberries.

She knocked it out of the park with these individual jars of goodness.  Best part, you can always swap out the strawberries for any fruit.  Or how about chocolate sauce or a preserve?  It’s a versatile recipe that tastes great with pretty much any topping.

Fuller House marathon round 2 happened Saturday night.  These two girls stayed up wayyyy past my bedtime and watched episode after episode till close to midnight.  I tried my best, but once 8:30 rolls around my eyes start closing.

Sunday morning I spent some time in the kitchen food prepping for the week.  Cooking chicken + hard boiling eggs + chopping veggies + pre-made salads.  I even made a Ravioli Chicken Bake for GG + one for Bailey + Cory.  I actually forgot about this recipe till last week when GG requested a casserole.  It’s an oldie but a goodie.  Not a healthy recipe, by any means.  But I like to have something I can serve Bay + Cory during the week when I play to have a salad or something with quinoa 🙂  Bailey has declared her hate for quinoa.  It was a sad day at our house.  I think I just over served it and she cant stand even the name of it now…lol.

Chicken Ravioli Bake

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
• 1 (12 oz) package refrigerated cheese raviolis
• 1/2 package sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 jar alfredo sauce
• 1 cup broccoli, chopped + steamed
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese

 

Preheat over to 350.

Melt butter in large pan over medium heat.  Add onion + garlic, cook 4 minutes.  Add Mushrooms and continue cooking and stirring for 3 more minutes.  Stir in alfredo sauce + white wine + chicken.  Keep warm.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package direction.  Drain well and transfer to baking dish, sprayed with pam.  Pour sauce over the top of pasta and sprinkle with broccoli + shredded cheese.

Bake 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Enjoy.

Sunday afternoon I had a family baby shower.  Another girl in the family!  So exciting.  Baby Ava will make her debut in April.

But first let me take a selfie.  With my sista! We sipped champs while the mom-to-be opened her gifts.  We played Baby Bingo.  I didn’t win, I never win.

Sunday we watched the Oscars.  Chris Rock didn’t disappoint.  He definitely set the tone, addressing the lack of diversity in the shows nominees all while selling $65,000 worth the girl scout cookies to Joe Biden + John Legend + Kate Winslet.  That’s impressive.  The gowns really didn’t do it for me.  Some were amazing, don’t get me wrong. I just wasn’t all that wowed.

We played The Oscars Bingo.  Bingo twice in one day.  I feel like I aged myself 🙂

How fun, right?  I found this cute printable last week and knew we had to play.  Luckily it didn’t waste too much popcorn:)

So many movies added to my red box list.  Mad Max: Fury Road + Brooklyn + The Big Short.

I so look forward to the Kids Dressed Up as Oscar Contenders.  You can check it our here.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and off to a great work week start.  Come back tomorrow!

 

xoxo stacyb