Meal Plan - Week of Nov 23

Mon - something from LoCal's

Tues - out with John and Elizabeth (here from San Francisco)

Weds - ???

Thurs - THANKSGIVING (see previous post for menu)

Fri - Leftovers

Sat - Leftovers

Sun - Leftovers?

Thanksgiving

We are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year!  We're expecting about 12 guests (10 family, 2 friends).  John and Elizabeth (from San Francisco) are staying with us Tues-Fri that week.  Here is the menu:

Cajun Fried Turkey
Sausage Rice Dressing
Sweet Potato Crunch
Green Bean Casserole
Broccoli Salad
Red Beets (for Jamin)
Cranberry Cherry Relish
Giblet Gravy
Artichoke Dip
Deviled Eggs
Ambrosia Salad
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Chocolate Mousse Pie

Wow, that's a lot of food!  I'm going to start cooking on Wednesday since we only have one oven.  Wish us luck!

Meal Plan - Week of Nov 16

Mon - Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry

Tues - Spicy Italian Sausage and Tomatoes

Weds - Lupe Tortillas

Thurs - Pei Wei

Fri - Chicken Tacos

Sat - BBQ Pork Ribs

Sun - Grilled Chicken Salad

Fun in Florida

Zachary took is 3rd airplane trip last week.  We went to Tampa/Clearwater, FL to visit Gigi and Uncle Jason (my MIL and BIL) and Mandy.  I was really nervous about how he would do on the flight sitting in my lap for 2 1/2 hours, but of course he did great.  It was a full flight but we got lucky and got a window seat and Zachary played with an Elmo sticker book the whole time.  Gigi picked us up at the airport and we all stayed at Uncle Jason's house.  Jason and Mandy have a big dog named Scout that Zachary just loved!  He liked to give her hugs.  We went to the beach where Zachary chased the gulls and collected shells (the water was too cold to swim).  We took him to a park where Jamin used to play when he was little.  We went to a children's museum and a bouncy house place.  Jamin flew in for the last 3 days of our visit.  We got to meet Uncle Matt and Aunt Phyllis who brought an "Elmo Live" doll for Zachary.  Elmo sings and dances, tells stories and jokes... he's pretty funny.  One night Mandy and her sister made sushi at home and it was delicious!  Better than Sushihana here in Katy for sure.  The day before we left we took Zachary to visit his Great Grandparents.  It was a great trip!

Meal Plan - Week of Nov 2

 Mon - Lettuce Wrap Tacos

Tues - Pork Tenderloin

Weds - Tilapia with Spinach Pecan Pesto

Thurs - Sun - in FL visiting Gigi

Zachary's Learning the Alphabet

Click on the arrow to view the video of Zachary naming the letters on his Elmo step stool! He also surprised me this morning when he started spelling his name! He was looking at the letters of his name on the wall and said them all in order. My little smarty pants!!!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

I always look forward to October when Starbucks brings back their Pumpkin Spice Latte.  I had one yesterday after dropping Z off at preschool.  But Starbucks is too expensive to get more than once in a while.  So I searched the internet and found a version that I can make at home.  It comes pretty close. 

1 cup milk
1-2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons pumpkin (from a can)
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 - 1/2 cup espresso or strongly brewed coffee

In a saucepan, combine milk, sugar, and pumpkin.  Bring to a light boil, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and pumpkin pie spice.  Whisk until frothy.  Pour mixture over espresso.  Top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.  Enjoy!