Hanukkah Dreidel Decorating

The winter holiday season is one of my most favorite times of the year. I love how each year we create and celebrate all sorts of family traditions. We celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas in our home so there is a lot of celebrating! One of the kids' most favorite ways to celebrate Hanukkah is by decorating new dreidels each year. And they love to go through our collection and remember what we've done in the past. This year we decided to keep it simple and sparkly. Head over to Honest to Nod to see what we're spinning this season! 

A FUN Kids Table for Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays! I love getting up early, having my coffee while reviewing my cooking schedule for the day, and having friends and family hang the whole day before dinner. We always have our kiddos eat with the adults, but this year I also wanted to add a kids table that focused on fun and creative activities that are also in the spirit of the holiday. Head over to Honest to Nod to see how we plan to do just that!

The Friday Five!!

Fall is finally here in D.C.! I've got the fireplace tuned up, my slippers out, and cozy sweaters ready to go. We've been cooking up comfort food, crafting, and holiday prepping. And you know just everyday life too, including ...

Making -- Cam got a chance to test out one of OOLY's new gift sets this week and they are fab! The So Much Color Art Gift Set is chock full of rainbow goodness for sketching and writing and I am ALL for gifting art supplies instead of more toys. So add these to your holiday list!

Playing -- we break out the puzzles when the weather turns cold and Kane is still going strong on presidents.

Cooking -- when Cooking Light called this Magic Green Sauce, they meant it. I could put it on everything, but it is absolutely delish on these Pork Medallions with Scallions.

Wanting -- I'm obsessed with skin masks lately and have been wanting to try a charcoal mask and this one is called a pudding, so ....

Reading -- One of Kane's buddies gave him Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth for his birthday and we are lovinghte quirky characters. And I just started Little Fires Everywhere and have such high hopes!

All American Chili + 30 Days of Dinner!

There is a lot not to like about America right now, but if this chili is All American, then at least we've got that. Because it's DELICIOUS. Something about the combo of proteins that just makes it absolutely fantastic. And it just gets better after sitting for a bit too, so leftovers are still crazy good. I've taken to making a double batch and freezing one because it's become the kids fave nacho topping for an after-school snack (hence the nacho photo above). But it's just as tasty on it's own, so make sure to add this to your fall menu!

This fall has continued with a lot more dining out and take out than I'd like, but that's just how its going. I've kept up with the Plated a few times a week and that's helped a lot too. Nevertheless, there are some new goodies mixed in.

All American Chili 

(from Cooking Light) 

Ingredients
- 6 ingredients hot turkey Italian sausage
- 2 cups chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground sirloin
- 1 jalapeño pepper
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1/4 cups Merlot or other fruity red wine
- 2, 28-ounce cans no-salt-added whole tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chopped
- 2, 15-ounce cans no-salt-added kidney beans, drained
- 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese

Directions
1. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add sausage, onion, and the next 4 ingredients (onion through jalapeño) to pan; cook 8 minutes or until sausage and beef are browned, stirring to crumble.

2. Add chili powder and the next 7 ingredients (chili powder through bay leaves), and cook for 1 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, tomatoes, and kidney beans; bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

3. Uncover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard the bay leaves. Sprinkle each serving with cheddar cheese ... or save and serve over nachos!

*               *               *

Day 1 (F) -- Slow Cooker Ramen 

Day 2 (Sat) -- dinner out 

Day 3 (Sun) -- Greek Marinated Flank Steak and Hummus Plate 

Day 4 (M) -- One Pot Cheesy Turkey Taco Chili Mac 

Day 5 (T) -- Spinach and Feta sausage sandwiches 

Day 6 (W) -- Giordano's pizza for Kane's birthday! 

Day 7 (Th) -- Crispy Flounder with Spinach Orzo and Tomato-Olive Tapenade (Plated) 

Day 8 (F) -- leftovers 

Day 9 (Sat) -- Shawarma Turkey Burgers with Roasted Tomatoes, Tahini, and Chickpea Salad (Plated) 

Day 10 (Sun) -- dinner out 

Day 11 (M) -- Baked Thai Pineapple Salmon in Foil 
Day 12 (T) -- Slow Cooker Cholula Shredded Beef Tacos
Day 13 (W) -- Sausage Ragù over Polenta (big hit with the kids)
Day 14 (Th) -- dinner out
Day 15 (F) -- leftovers
Day 16 (Sat) -- brinner
Day 17 (Sun) -- Crockpot Beef Chili (I use jalapeños for the peppers because I find it too mild without)

Day 18 (M) -- Spinach and Feta sausage sandwiches (obviously my new go-to quick meal)
Day 19 (T) -- dinner out
Day 20 (W) -- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Day 21 (Th) -- leftovers/brinner
Day 22 (F) -- dinner out in NJ
Day 23 (Sat) -- dinner out in NJ
Day 24 (Sun) -- dinner out

Day 25 (M) -- dinner out
Day 26 (T) -- dinner out
Day 27 (W) -- Spicy Crunchy Shrimp Bowls with Sushi Rice and Pickled Radish (Plated)
Day 28 (Th) -- All American Chili
Day 29 (F) -- dinner out
Day 30 (Sat) -- dinner out