WEEKLY MENU 01.07.24
Celebrating again and again during the Weekly Menu 01.07.24~
We’ve got BIG celebrations this January – and they are a big part of the Weekly Menu 01.07.24. Monday starts the parties ~ it’s our 30th Anniversary! Bert and I were married on a cold, snowy, definitely wintery Saturday thirty years ago this year, if we make it that far. That’s a Papaism – he said something along those lines every time he and my Mom’s anniversary rolled around. Fun fact: Bert’s birthday and their anniversary are on the same day.
We got engaged at the end of May, 1993~
Poor Bert didn’t know what was coming. I called him the next day with the fabulous news that our home church (Saint Peter Cathedral) was available on January 8th. “This January 8th, coming up? In seven months January?” Was his slightly flabbergasted response. I was shocked they had an opening too. January seems like a big wedding time in beautiful Erieland. We had a lot to get done before the big day, of course, but we had so much fun. My favorite party to plan yet!
Best decision ever. Marrying him – not the date, although that worked out well too. Except for all the people that couldn’t make it because of the snow. But that’s a story for another day.
Love you, Bert.
See that darling kiddo on the far right in the group picture? She’s the second reason we are celebrating during the Weekly Menu 01.07.24. That’s my very much younger seester. The absolute best surprise ever in our family. I was a very mature fourteen when I was blessed with one of my most favorite people on the planet. She and I were headed to the hotel pool many moons ago, and an older gentlemen in the elevator commented that she looked just like her mother. I said thanks ~ and I’m still very proud that people think she’s one of may babies.
She has acquiesced to coming up for dinner, and I’m making her favorite. We call them Chicken Crepes, but I don’t actually make crepes anymore. Back in the day, when boneless, skinless chicken breasts were a thing that other people bought, I created this recipe. It was a labor of love de-boning chicken for 10, but I did it. Then I made crepes, cooked the chicken with a little butter and a little onion before adding it to a cheddar cheese sauce. It was fabulous, if I do say so myself.
Turns out though, that the draw wasn’t from the crepes so much as it was from the cheesy, creamy chicken in sauce. So I ditched the PIA crepes and serve it over rice. YUMMY.
Her birthday is on Friday. She became the first birthday of the year in our family when she came along. One of my older brothers had that honor before my little brother came along. F tossed them both out with her January award.
Love you F. Aurelia.
Another big reason to celebrate:
The OG Baby Boy got engaged last weekend! We are beyond thrilled for both of them. They are a darling couple and very much in love. She comes from another big, Irish Catholic family here in Erie. Talk about a party to be planned! We’ve known The OG was planning on popping the question for a few weeks, so the Christmas holidays were a little fraught with the question of when.
The engagement went off without a hitch. Bert said it best – he wishes we could run through the entire day again, slowly. Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and countless shared blessings. Cheers to the beautiful journey ahead!
Pshew. How about the Weekly Menu 01.07.24?
Weekly Menu 01.07.24
Unusually, we’re starting out the Weekly Menu 01.07.24 with a super casual dinner. Why? Parties, baby.
We’re having Homemade Chex Mix, Cajun Wedding Soup and some ridiculously easy to make Crusty Bread. We’ll finish the de-decking if necessary, and probably eat in front of the fire. I’m not even making dessert – there’s ice cream left in the freezer if someone desperately needs a sweet treat before Friday’s birthday cake.
Monday night, Bert and I are going out for our anniversary dinner. I’ve put Ravioli in Broth on the menu (and some ravs in the freezer) so the boys can make dinner if they want. I used to make the boysies Date Night Macaroni & Cheese when we had a sitter. Now they’re old enough to shinny on their own side, as DOLD would say. Chipotle may rule the day.
Friday night is the Big Birthday celebration – we’re starting with an old time favorite from a restaurant that’s no longer in existence, sadly, but was one of our favorites growing up. The Deviled Crab was served as part of a multi-course Prix Fix menu at the Aviation Club. Appetizer, soup, salad, main course and dessert were all part of the dinner. Plus toasties and Dill Dip. But the Deviled Crab was always the favorite course. Nothing but the best for my girl.
Weekly Menu 01.07.24
Wow lots of great memories for January. Happy Anniversary. Wishing you many more. I Hooe 2024 brings great health, great memories and lots of happiness!