December 12, 2020

WEEKLY MENU 12.13.20

We’re soldiering on towards the holidays with an essential step – wrapping begins!

Presents seem more important than ever this year. If you’re having trouble deciding on that perfect gift, check out our Epic Holiday Gift Guide:

Multiple pictures in a Christmas Gift Guide

Don’t worry. I am NOT recommending the dog. But isn’t he the cutest? He’d also be super hard to wrap. Just saying.

When the boysies were little, we tried to institute a three present rule. We figured if it was good enough for Baby Jesus, it should be good enough for our brood. Of course I was no good at sticking to the limits, but it was a goal.

I got a tip that new PJ’s were a great gift – so everyone would look fresh in the pictures. These were in addition to the other presents. And we gifted them Christmas Eve – so the boys could wear them to bed. When Christmas started at 6 am we were ready.

We thought Santa was getting too much credit.

So we told the boys that ONE present was from Santa, and the rest were from us. We figured it would help explain the fact that the presents they could see about the house were found under the tree Christmas Morning.

As I wrap the presents, I put most of them on top of the breakfront in the dining room. They look great, and add to the decorations. Plus, I don’t have to hide them, and in the old days, the boys couldn’t reach them. (That has changed. Now the only one that needs help reaching the top is me.)

The boys check out the quantities and rub their hands together with glee as the presents increase (well past three each). I’m not much for ribbons or gift tags, honestly. I think the presents look clean and neat just wrapped in Christmas paper. I use a green sharpie to put the recipients name on them. (Affiliate links follow. See Disclaimer Page for details.)

Wrap as you go – the Weekly Menu 12.13.20 gives you plenty of time.

We’re starting the week with a family fave – Italian night! D’s most requested dinner is, hands down, Chicken Fra Diavolo. It also happens to be fast and easy to put together, freeing me up to do holiday things. Or watch some Sunday afternoon TV.

On Wednesday, I’m making a recipe of my Mom’s that we affectionately called Bereavement Chicken. It’s simple baked chicken breasts (on the bone – sorry, Bert) sprinkled with a tiny bit of flour, salt and pepper, and paprika. We’ll dot the top with a pat of butter before baking them off. The secret to keeping the chicken moist AND crispy, is putting about a quarter cup of water on the sheet pan under the chicken.

Why Bereavement Chicken?

It was the star in a basket of food that Mom would give to someone that had lost a loved one. She’d also add in some good bakery bread perfect for sandwiches. The chicken was spectacular cold.

A reader made the Skillet Sausage, Rice and Peas using kielbasa instead of fresh Italian sausage, then gave the recipe a five star rating, so we’re giving that a shot on Thursday. Nothing like a little comfort food to look forward to!