What's Cooking This Week?

It's Sunday, you know what that means! I've got some yumminess planned for the week that I want to share with you all...

Sunday: Italian Wedding Soup
Monday: Cucumber Avocado Subs
Tuesday: Nutty Fruity Salad with Grilled Chicken
Wednesday: Crock Pot Lentil Soup
Thursday: Lemon Shrimp Stir Fry

You wouldn't know it from this rare moment I captured just a few minutes ago, but our little darling is having a very fussy weekend! We went out last night with our friends who were visiting from NY and she basically screamed the entire time. It's been a while since we've seen this side of her. Poor thing! Something must be bothering her...my vote is that she needs to poop (so sorry to future Ella who will read this some day).

Last night was still great despite the cranky kiddo. We sampled some yummy holiday beers at World of Beer. Ella got to finally meet her Auntie Joanna! It was a beautiful December evening so we sat outside of course! 

Today we were planning to take Ella to meet Santa, but I think we'll wait until next weekend in the hopes that she'll be in better spirits. Hubs and I have a lot to do around the house anyway. I hope to catch up in Blogland, and get some online shopping accomplished. Maybe even a nap? We'll see! Speaking of naps....look who passed out while I was typing this! 

Looks like now is my opportunity to get some rest in before we start another eventful week! In case you were wondering, my first week back to work went really well. I'll fill you all in soon! Goodnight!

The Boys Behind The Blog #7 - {Questions}

It's already time for December's The Boys Behind the Blog! This time of year is crazy for everyone but we hope you will still join us for this month's link up on Thursday, December 19th.

New to The Boys Behind the Blog? The Boys Behind the Blog is a monthly linkup featuring your husband/fiance/ boyfriend/best guy friend/dad/brother/grandpa! Mal & I created this link up to brag about our men and get them more involved in our blogs. We post the questions on the 1st Thursday of the month (today), you ask your man to answer 5 easy questions and then link up with us on the 3rd Thursday of the month (December 19th).

The Boys Behind the Blog #7 Questions:

1. What is your favorite cereal?

2. Pancakes or waffles?

3. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

4. Finish the sentence: All I want for Christmas is...

5. What was your best moment of 2013?

Grab your guy and ask him these 5 easy questions! We can't wait to read his answers when you link up with us on Thursday, December 19th, 2013 at 6 a.m.

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You can check out the previous The Boys Behind the Blog posts here.

 

Thanksgiving 2013

Our first Thanksgiving as a family of three was prettyyyyy great! Ella did so well with her first long car ride. She slept the entire three and a half hours down. We made great timing since we didn't have to stop (same goes for the way home). She napped well during the day, ate well, and slept well at night. She was LOVING all of the extra attention she was getting all day long from everyone. The shocking part is that Hubs and I were able to sit down for Thanksgiving dinner with everyone....uninterrupted! It was pretty unbelievable, I was not expecting that at all! As always, the food was incred. I even made the best of it trying to avoid dairy as much as possible. It wasn't easy with the antipasta though!

We took photos for our first family Christmas card outside by my Aunt and Uncle's pool (my flip flops will be cropped out). I was very proud of myself for coming up with the idea of changing Ella's headband and tights to make it more "Christmas-y". Her two holiday looks were both too cute!

On Friday we went out for lunch, and did a little shopping. I got some new comfy shoes for work. We came home on Saturday morning so we could prepare for the busy week ahead. It was such a nice quick little getaway. Hubs and I were very pleased with how well Ella did!!! Yay!!!
Pics...

 

 

Kitchenspiration {Link-up}

It's time for another round of Kitchenspiration!
Chelsea and I are SO excited to bring you this weekly link-up! Kitchenspiration is all about ANYTHING that inspires you in the kitchen. 

This can be:

-Recipes you've tried or want to try

-Weekly meal plans

-Pinterest recipe ideas

-Food related tips

-Your favorite kitchen essentials

The possibilities are endless!

You can link-up a brand new post OR link-up anything food/meal/recipe related from your blog that you posted within the previous week.

Before you scroll down to link up:

***Check out some Kitchenspiration from this past week on NTSST:
Sweet Butternut Squash Soup
My Weekly Meal Plan

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What's cooking this week?

Today I feel a little blue. Tomorrow I go back to work and it's Ella's first day at daycare. Don't get me wrong, there is obviously a part of me that misses my job and the people I work with (a lot of them are like family). The daycare arrangement we have set up is incredible...I feel 100% okay with it. Regardless, it still won't be easy. We are getting ready today for the week ahead. The menu is SUPER easy. Cooking is honestly the last thing on my mind. Deep down I know it's all going to be completely fine. Wish me luck as I start a new chapter as a working Mommy!

Sunday: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Monday: The Easiest, Most Delicious Pulled Pork Ever
Tuesday: Taco's!!!
Wednesday: Pasta Aglio E Olio
Thursday: Mufulettas

You better believe I will be loving on my little chunk-a-munk more than usual (if that's even possible) for the remainder of the day! We are also having a Christmas movie marathon, starting with Elf!

Congratulations to Rachel from Sunshine and Sinatra for winning the Pearls N Stitches giveaway!!!!

Tomorrow is the Kitchenspiration link-up! Hope you can join Chelsea and I!

Happy Weekend!