Hi there. Happy weekend.
I don’t really have exciting things to share today but I do have some photos of what I ate while I was in Florida over the last week. To say that it’s been nice to have someone else cooking me dinner would be an understatement. I am SO GRATEFUL to my parents for cooking me all of these good dinners. They have been good for the soul, truly.
Switching topics…gosh, it’s HOT and HUMID out there.
It certainly feels like we’re in the thick of long, hot summer days right now. I am reaching the point where I’m ready to feel a crispness in the air but cool mornings and evenings are quite a ways away! I hope you guys have some fun and relaxing things planned for the weekend, and that you stay cool.
Here are those eats…
BREAKFAST
While I was in Florida breakfast most mornings was my dad’s homemade plain yogurt with fruit, granola and nut butter.
On this day I had some of my dad’s homemade granola to go with it and subbed almond butter for peanut butter. Coffee always. I’ve been sticking to one cup a morning if I drink full-strength and two cups if I do half-caffeine.
This morning I made scrambled eggs cooked in butter with buttered cinnamon raisin toast and strawberries.
LUNCH
Chicken salad sandwich with avocado and tomatoes. Watermelon on the side.
Really random snack plate with pimento cheese, chicken salad, crackers, beets, bread and butter pickles and watermelon.
Pimento cheese sandwich with avocado and tomato.
Peanut butter, honey and banana sandwich.
DINNER
Grilled pork loin with couscous and squash casserole. OMG I love squash casserole so much.
My parents have been cooking this “shrimp Diane” recipe for many years. It’s so flavorful and delicious.
I have to show you more photos from pizza night. I love how my dad does slices of cheese instead of shredded cheese.
So very good.
Chicken and dumplings with roasted carrots on a rainy, stormy day.
And finally, sauteed bone-in pork chops with mashed cauliflower and baked sweet potatoes. My dad uses a potato masher for his cauliflower instead of a blender and I love the chunkier texture. He also added some cheese! 🙂
ETC
My dad has been on a homemade poundcake kick and has finally perfected his recipe/technique. He baked one while I was there and we ate it with fresh strawberries. I had a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side because I’m not a big fan of whipped cream.
My mom, Finn and I took an excursion to Whole Foods one day to get some goodies for my grandmother. She loves it when I peruse the aisles and bring her new food items to try and stock her up on snack stuff.
While we were there my mom got a couple of the jumble cookies from their bakery. They are very tasty.
That wraps it up. Sending y’all a lot of love.
Loving the summer heat or ready for some cooler air?
Have you baked anything good lately?
What’s your favorite pasta dish?
Yum! Looks like some good eats!!
I’m a big fan of September and October so definitely ready for some cooler air. But I also don’t want summer to end!
I’ve been baking some awesome lactation friendly dark chocolate chip banana muffins. It’s been great for a quick breakfast!
And a good spaghetti carbonara is for sure my favorite!
I’m so with you on wanting cooler air but not wanting summer to end. I wish we could have both. Love the sound of that lactation muffin recipe!
I’m intrigued by the squash casserole! Never heard of that before!
I am too! We have lots of squash in the garden so I’d love a recipe!
Me three! I’ve never heard of it but it looks/sounds delicious!
Okay, I’ll be on operation squash casserole recipe next week! 🙂
You are missing out. It’s SOOOO good! I’ll post a recipe!
Oh good! I came here to say the same thing – need the squash casserole recipe please. Love squash so want ALL THE RECIPES :))
I’m so ready for cooler air and fall! Right now it feels like summer and heat will never end.
I love that you get snacks from Whole Foods for your grandmother to try. I do the same (at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s) when I visit my grandmother. We always end up with a little smorgasbord of both healthy-ish and indulgent snacks. 🙂
As for pasta, can I just say I love any and all pasta? Also, that squash casserole looks super yummy!
Yes, my grandmother loves TJs snacks too! 🙂 They have such a great selection of snacky food!
Those are some good looking eats!
I love summer for the days spent at the pool, but when it comes to dealing with heat and humidity the rest of the time, I over it. I am also not a fan of running in summer, the humidity really slows me down, and I actually love winter running. So I I’m certainly looking forward to cooler temps for that.
Last thing I baked was a carrot cake for my son’s birthday:) can’t go wrong with that! I’m looking forward to trying your fathers buscuit recipe!
Gosh, I hear you on summer runs but I would pick them over the freezing cold winter runs! 🙂 I’m a big fan of fall running. Haha.
And OMG…carrot cake is my FAVE!
Have i ever posted a recipe for the squash casserole? If not, can you? Looks amazing!
Jen, I note that you include my favorite food, bread in many of your meals and I wonder if this is due to nursing, or are you just as big a fan of bread as I am?! I can’t imagine giving it up completely for any reason, but I do need to lose some weight so I wanted to ask what your thoughts are with including bread in a weight loss program.
I love bread! I am pretty flexible with my eating and frequently incorporate bread and sandwiches into my meals. I think it’s all a balance and all things in moderation! I think you can eat some bread and still have a successful weight loss experience!
How fun that your parents both love to cook so much! Is that where you got your love of cooking? They are so creative!
Yes! I was totally inspired by all of the great home-cooked meals that I had growing up!
I love your parents! I can see why you want to be there right now .
It’s 7PM here in Kalamazoo, 90 degrees and humid. We’ve had more 90 degree weather then any summer, record breaking temperatures.
I feel badly for my Phoebe, she’s so hot??
Talk soon, take care!
They’re pretty awesome! My girls are really struggling with the heat too, especially Sullie!
Loving the summer heat or ready for some cooler air? I love the summer heat because in Minneapolis we have very, very long winters and short summers. I will take all the warm weather I can get!
Have you baked anything good lately? I just recently got back from a two week trip to Greece. I am on a Mediterranean cuisine kick right now, so I’ve been making tourlou tourlou, which is essentially the Greek version of ratatouille. It’s good hot sprinkled with feta and served with fresh bread, cold on a sandwich, or as a side dish. I highly suggest trying it!
What’s your favorite pasta dish? Oooh, that’s tough. My mom is Italian so pasta was on a weekly rotation growing up. I would say traditional fettuccine alfredo with good quality parmesan, butter, and heavy cream.
Ahhh your food pics get me every single time! That pb&banana on white bread looked deeelish! Ha! Recipe for squash casserlole, please! More than content with the warm weather! No interest in fall!
Great eats! Always inspiring… Could you share your dad’s pizza dough recipie? Thanks