We didn’t do any grocery shopping this week but that didn’t stop Miss Lucy from kitchen patrol duty. That dog, she’s always on the lookout for something that may have been left on the counter. You can’t even step foot in the kitchen without her following close behind.
{Thank you all for your fleece sweater suggestions for Lucy! We ended up getting her THIS ONE in a large. It’s a little snug but I was afraid the XL would be too big and I know the one we bought her will stretch a little. The quality is good, and I think I am going to order her a second one.}
The HH tried out a new recipe for meatballs {they were DELICIOUS!} and so one night we had spaghetti and meatballs and the next day we made meatball sandwiches for lunch.
Which of course lead to a 10 minute discussion on what kind of bread a meatball sandwich should be served in… or if the bun/bread should be toasted {YES!} and if there should be a little cheese on top {YES!} raw onions {YES!} and little oil and vinegar {YES! YES!}. We couldn’t agree on anything.
The green bean salad he made the next day? Perfecto! Market Basket had green beans on sale last week, and we had a bunch of sun dried tomatoes in the freezer from this summer’s big tomato harvest so he tossed those in the salad along with some feta and Kalamata olives. And before you know it, the simple green bean salad he was planning on making turned into this crazy big and super filling Greek green salad. 🙂
My Fisher Scone Mix stash is dwindling down…. I think I only have 11 bags left. 🙁
Last night as I was doing a little meal prep for our Christmas Eve / Christmas Day meals, I was telling the HH that this will be the first year in all of our married life that we won’t be going ANYWHERE for Christmas. THE FIRST TIME!
In years past Christmas was spent either at my grandparents place, parents house or traveling to be with his family in another state. But this year, since Monkey Boy couldn’t get any extra time off from work, he will be spending the holiday with my parents and his cousin while the HH, The Girl and I are here on the East coast with Miss Lucy.
On one hand it will be nice to just be able to relax, stay in our pj’s and watch Christmas movies all day and not have to go anywhere. But on the other hand there will be no games of 31, {and no arguments about a certain someone who always cheats!} my Mother’s big party platters to munch on or just hanging out in general. What a strange thing! I still don’t know how to feel about it.
********
What I have planned for our Christmas Eve Menu:
- Mississippi Pot Roast
- Peas with Onions
- Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Pumpkin Pie with Whip Cream
And Christmas Day:
- Homemade Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast and leftovers for linner. 🙂
Some years are crazy busy and it feels like you are running a marathon, and other years, well, other years you just toss a roast in the crock pot and take it easy. 😉
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone, and don’t forget to wear some loose fitting clothes so you can squeeze in a few extra helpings.
~Mavis
Total Spent this week $0
Total Spent in December $293.91 <– $83 on cheese for house guests
Total Spent in November $250.09 <– I blame it on the cheese and grapes!
Total Spent in October $218.57 <– Stocked up on cheese {Because cheese is life}
Total Spent in September $180.97
Total Spent in August $259.90 <– $30 on salami splurge in Boston
Total Spent in July $276.56 < – $38 Spent on Amish meat and cheese
Total Spent in June $206.47 <- Attempting once a month grocery shopping
Total Spent in May on Groceries $216.50 <- Included a stock up trip to King Arthur Flour
Total Spent in April on Groceries $169.98
Total Spent in March on Groceries $306.75 <– Apartment life, moving across the country and settling into a new house
Total Spent in February on Groceries $259.81 <- Living in an apartment and buying a lot of ready-made meals
Total Spent in January on Groceries $240.15 <– Packing mode and not cooking from scratch as much
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
Judybee says
Merry Christmas to you and your family! I am looking forward to reading about your 2019 goals. Your blog brings joy each day and look forward to your posts. Have a warm and happy snuggle day. You have earned it!
Marybeth says
Meatballs should be served on untoasted Italian bread with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese with extra red sauce, NOTHING ELSE. That is NY style anyway.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Lynne says
Merry Christmas, Mavis! Holiday celebrations change over time, but you’ll find new traditions that will be just as rewarding as those you’ve had in the past. Enjoy the slower pace of this year’s celebration, and have a wonderful day with the HH, the Girl and Miss Lucy!
Peggy says
Wow! That all sounds amazing! Your hubby seems to be an amazing cook, he must’ve been taking mental notes from you for all those years! You just need a bit of snow for your first east Christmas! (No snow here in southwest PA at least). Sorrry monkey boy couldn’t be there with you, but there’s always video calls, that’s what we did when my oldest daughter lived in beautiful AZ! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Donna says
Im going to miss your post about your family’s Christmas 31 game. I want to start that tradition now that my kiddos are older.
Kari says
Wishing you a beautiful Christmas!!!
Wendy Clark says
I hope your Christmas is relaxing and filled with good food and laughter.
Mel says
This is our first married Christmas that we will not be hosting, and I’m actually relieved. I’ve actually cooked Christmas dinner every year since I was maybe 15 or 16 years old, so I’m ready for a break. I’m making snowman pizza tonight to enjoy with Christmas movies and then maybe popping popcorn. I never minded hosting, but I love the slower pace and more relaxed vibe this year.
Mavis Butterfield says
A snowman pizza! What a fun idea. I will have to get the HH to make one of those.
LaToya says
Oh, man – no gift card haul picture?!
But did your mom mail you and the girl a box of her hotel, restaurant, and other random free pick-ups? That’s one of my faves too.
Merry Christmas, Miss Mavis!
xo
Mavis Butterfield says
Maybe Monkey Boy will win. She did send a small assortment {tea and free make up samples} but not like years past. 🙁
Deborah says
I did t save the Mississippi Pot Roast recipe the first time, but save it this time. Thank you for reposting it.
We are wishing you the very Merriest Christmas ever. Lots of rest and relaxation.
Laura says
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas Mavis and family! This will be only my second Christmas without my mom (first was about 14 years ago when she and my dad decided not to come to Seattle for Christmas). She died in February and I have been kinda dreading it this year. This year will be better than last year though, as I had a terrible foreboding feeling leading up to Christmas. Now that she is out of pain, it doesn’t feel so sad, but we will surely miss her. Always interesting how things change. And, change is good sometimes, I just don’t always feel that way as it is happening!
Have a wonderful and relaxing time–it sounds fun!
Christy says
SKYPE – a great way to be with family when you can’t be in the same location. I know lots of grandparents that plays board games with the grandkids via skype, maybe it would work for 31. Merry Christmas!
Lynn Y says
Hope you and your family have a very blessed Christmas!
Diane says
Merry Christmas to you and your family! ALSO to all the readers of the blog and their families as well.
I can’t say enough how much I love and appreciate starting my day with your blog.
Here’s to a joyous Holiday season. Cheers!
Katherine says
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Mavis and all your wonderful readers. May each of you be blessed with good health and happiness in 2019.
Martine says
This will be the first year since I got married I will be hosting Christmas dinner and I’ve been married for 42 years! My mum and dad always had us and the family for dinner but my dad is now disabled and blind and mum is his carer and christmas dinner is too much for her, so wish me luck, I’ve large shoes to fill!!
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas Mavis. I love your blog and look forward to your posts every day.
Take care, xx
Mel says
Good luck! You’ll do great!
Nancy K Sadewater says
Merry Christmas Mavis, HH, the Girl, and Lucy! Merry Christmas to Monkey boy as well. I hope you enjoy the day in your new home.
Diane says
Mavis, Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas in your dream home! Your upbeat attitude and can-do spirit have been a bright spot for me during many times when I was feeling low. I’m so glad I came across your blog several years ago. And to all your wonderful readers, you are a great bunch and I’ve enjoyed reading the comment section! Merry Christmas to all!!!!!
Linda says
God Bless Us, Every One!
Vicki in Birmingham says
Merry Christmas Mavis. Wishing you and yours (wherever they may be) a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!
Heather says
Merry Christmas to your family! We celebrated Christmas eve with our daughter and her fiance. This is the first Christmas that my husband and I have spent Christmas alone – daughter and her fiance are going to his parents house.
I am looking forward to watching Christmas movies, eating leftovers and working on some projects.