This weekend was the perfect blend of relaxation, productivity and family. Saturday we had my husband’s nephew over for lunch. I was so happy to have company over after not having company for months (well, other than my Momma – hi Mom!) that I only took one picture! I made homemade cheezy beef sandwiches, and homemade potato chips. And well, since the fryer was there, decided to make some beer battered jalapenos on the side.
Chris stayed for a couple hours and it was nice to catch up. We ate kind of a late lunch, so when I asked Tony what he felt like for dinner, he couldn’t think of anything and I said “what about a cheese, meat and fruit plate?” Done! I could easily eat this every day and never get sick of it, well, other than the lack of nutrition except for the fruit!
Tony and I both love procuitto – what I don’t like is the $14.99 price tag! Check out and see if your deli has what are called proscuitto ends. I got this one for less than $3.00. I put it in the freezer before 10 minutes before slicing so I can get nice thin shaved slices – it pairs so well with cantaloupe!
Tony left for Mayo Clinic yesterday. He has his check up and tests with the cardiologist, and while I wish I could be there with him, since I only have one vacation day for the rest of the year before I get unpaid time off, we decided he should make the trip by himself. So he left around 11:30 yesterday morning and I, or course, like any football Sunday, got bizzy in my kitchen. I made a batch of granola for my co-workers birthday, zucchini coconut muffins, strawberry sauce for parfaits, and then I made another recipe for a recipe contest. I decided my odds of winning recipe contests would increase the more I enter! Sebastiani Vineyards is sponsoring a “Pizza My Way” pizza contest. You just have to make the dough and sauce from scratch. I entered my Mexican Pizza. Next week I am going to make my Reuben Pizza. Janine, you make tons of good pizzas – you should enter too – first prize is $10,000!
Before I knew it, it was time to head to my Mom’s house. Hannah and her boyfriend were meeting me there. I got there about an hour before. Mom and I sat outside, enjoyed a glass of wine and some of the bruschetta spread I made. There’s no real recipe for my spread. I just seeded and threw some tomatoes in my food processor with basil, garlic, olive oil, splash of balsamic, salt, pepper and fresh Parmesan cheese – I threw the cheese in whole, didn’t grate it, so it had little chunks of Parmesan cheese in it. The crostini was just French bread sliced thin, brushed with olive oil, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper, baked at 350 for 12-15 minutes until crisp.
I ended up grilled a whole chicken. Just washed, rubbed dry, then brushed with melted butter, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. My Mom has a two burner gas grill, so I grilled it indirectly – once side off (the side the chicken is on) and had the other burner on high. This 5 pound chicken (well, before I cut out the back) took about an hour to cook.
I made a giant batch of my homemade mac n cheese, because Hannah loves it. She loves the tiny shells, as she’s convinced that the shaped pasta has more flavor – this was the only picture I had of it! It has diced black forest ham in it. I took it to my Mom’s and baked it at 350 for about 20 minutes just to heat through. Then I mixed 1/2 a cup of Italian style panko bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter and put that over the top and finish it up under the broiler until the top is nice and brown and crispy. Hannah didn’t give the chicken a second look once she set her eyes on the mac n cheese!
For dessert, I decided to make a Salted Caramel Apple Pie. When I make my granola, I boil the sugar and brown sugar until it gets a caramel color before mixing it with the dry ingredients. I wondered if I could do the same for the apple pie, so threw caution to the wind and decided to give it a go. I used my favorite pie crust recipe here.
[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:88]
The secret to a good pie is to try to get all the apples the same size. Also, Fuji apple is my go to apple for any baked apple – plus they are Tony’s favorite to eat.
It was dark by the time we ate it, so there are no pics of the finished product, but boy was this insulin worthy! I served it with a side of vanilla bean ice cream. We had such a good time, Mom put out lots of candles. We had wine with dinner and coffee with dessert. Lots of laughs!
Hannah is quite a bit taller than my Mom, I love how she bends down to hug her! It was a nice evening – happy belated birthday dinner Momma!
Well, time to get this show on the road. Have to put together all the food I made for the birthday girl in the office. She’s now my age, so I can’t really call her old now, can I?! 
I have my follow up with my doctor at lunch to let me know if in fact I have a torn meniscus or not. Fingers crossed it’s nothing serious. Send good thoughts Tony’s way for a good check up this morning. Make it a great day!
I made your cinnamon chip scones and they were delish. Even hubby, who isn’t a fan of scones, ate a couple, so that’s a true testament to their goodness. I’ve got to make them again and definitely want to make that pie.
Ooh that pie looks awesome! And I must say, your Mom’s backsplash is perfect! I love the contrast between the tile and the cabinets!
She bought the house after it was flipped – I love the back splash too! I love the colors too 😀
So cute 🙂 Hannah gets a “squat workout” in when she hugs your Mom. You have such a great family. It is nice to see a family spend time together. People today are always on the go so it is refreshing.
We don’t get together nearly enough, so we appreciate it when we do get together!
Oh – y’alls entire dinner looks amazing! I love Mac & Cheese but have yet to master making it (I can’t get the sauce right). That pie looks and sounds so good!!!
Glad y’all had such a great time together.
Hoping for the best for Tony and you at your DR appointment.
Thanks Kim – have a ton of fun with your family this weekend – so happy for your husbands accomplishments!
Your Momma is beautiful – I sure can see where you and Hannah get it from!
Aw, thanks Lisa! 😀
You and your mom are too cute!!!!
I am DROOLING over that pie!
Thinking of Tony today!
Thanks Court – enjoy the rest of your time in Cali!
MMMMMM….I have to eat before I come to your blog otherwise I will be drooling over all your food pictures that you take………my eyes were having a feast today!!! Pie, bruschetta, pizza, chicken, mac and cheese, chips, cheese, meat and fruit plate and wine….oh yummy.
Hope all goes well for Tony and you have good news on the knee. Pictures of mom and Hannah are great, you guys know how to have fun. I can see you are moms favorite….hahahahaha!!!!
I am glad you can recognize that I am Mom’s favorite Louise – I’ll have to show this comment to my brother and sister! 😀
Fingers crossed for both y’all! ALL YOUR FOOD — I want it all! The mexican pizza — now that right there is my love language. YUM! I am on a taco pizza kick right now with smashed black beans as the “sauce”. SOooo good mixed with lime juice and taco seasonings. I agree with Skippy Mom. Y’all look so much alike and y’all could not be more adorable. You have such happy smiling faces. =) Must. try. salted caramel apple pie!
I love the idea of smashed black beans – and the addition of lime is the secret in my pizza too – I have lime zest in the sauce 😀
Mr. Helen and I often eat a picky plate type meal on Saturday evenings. We love appetizer style meals. I don’t worry about the nutrition because I’m sure we do fine with that the rest of the week.
What a fun evening celebrating your Mom. I always put ham in my mac and cheese after Christmas, as that’s when I have leftover. It’s also really good in scalloped potatoes, although I know scalloped potatoes torment you lol.
I hope it’s all good news for both you and Tony!
Well, ever since I started making the scalloped potatoes in the microwave, they have turned out – no more crunchy potatoes!
Thanks for the well wishes – it worked! 😀
Can’t wait to bake this pie! Apple season is upon me. I just picked up the last of the peaches for the season. I will be putting together pies and freezing for the winter.
Love the photos, especially Hannah hugging your mom!
I’ve never frozen homemade pie before – do you freeze it before you bake it? Or just thaw it?
So much to say! giggle
1. You look spectacular in that blue sparkly shirt. LOVE! [Where’d you get that btw? I need one. 🙂 ]
2. You, Hannah and your Mom all look SO much alike. I love seeing pics of your gorgeous family. It’s the pretties and it makes me so happy and smiley. [Seriously, smiling over here!]
3. I keep trying to get Steven to make your chicken. We can actually get a great deal on whole, fresh chickens and he is great at cutting them up – but damn if I can get him to grill it like you. I think you need to have a chat with my hubs. 😉
4. The pie – amazeballs. I make a simple apple pie – Steven’s favorite – but I think I may save this for Thanksgiving and surprise him. Although I am a big chicken and won’t use anything but Granny Smith – I find Fuji, Gala, Golden etc to be too soft for our taste, once cooked – and you really have to watch the sugar with those because they are so sweet to begin with. But if I could find a way to make a pie with Gala? I would do it.
5. You pizza looks so good [saw in on FB] We do a version here by using spice on the meat to make it taste Taco-y and salsa for the sauce, with shredded mexican blend cheese and top it with lettuce tomato and [the dreaded] onion. Our favorite tho’ is the Buffalo Wing Pizza – spread homemade ranch or bleu cheese on the crust, top with chunks of chicken breast [that have been sauteed in hot sauce butter] and top with mozzarella for the ranch or mozzarella and bleu for the bleu cheese sauce. Sprinkle diced celery on the top and it’s BEST PIZZA EVER. I am Evie’s favorite person when I make that. 🙂 But no, I am in no way entering a contest knowing that the BEST cook I KNOW has entered. I would have a better chance of shooting myself in the foot. giggle
And finally – I am keeping Tony in my prayers. I am sorry you can’t be with him. We too save Steven’s vacation/sick days so he is assured that he can be with me when I have to go, but they aren’t unlimited – and I hate to see him have to use them on me. I know Tony understands, and yay! he’ll be home tonight? So, I betcha’ the news is going to be good. Right?
Let us know about the meniscus. What exactly did you do? I know you aren’t as klutzy as I am. 😀 God Bless you Biz. Love always, Skip
1. Of course you know I got that shirt at Goodwill!
2. It’s funny because we think that my brother is the only one that looks like my Mom – my sister and Hannah and I really take after my Dad.
3. The secret to the grilled chicken is make sure it’s completely dry, then rub with softened butter and any seasoning you want. Grill on indirect heat and it comes out perfect every time.
4. I will agree to disagree with you on the type of apple to use – I think Granny Smith’s are too tart for me and I like the firm texture of the apple pie – but I bow my head to you, because you are the pie making queen!
5. You should definitely enter your buffalo pizza in the contest! Completely different from any I’ve seen before.
Thanks for your continued virtual hugs – I feel them every day!
I read your blog everyday!! Its an inspiration to my weight loss and i just love reading about you and tony and your everyday life! Love your style of writing! So i had to comment cause my weakness is mac and cheese and the one you made looks AMAZEBALLS!! Would you mind sharing how you made it?
Keep up the great work!!
<3 your loyal blog fan Nicole!
Hey Nicole! I forgot to post my mac n cheese recipe for you! It’s really quite simple:
2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, 2 cups milk (I use 2%), 2 cups of cheese
If you just remember the number 2 you are golden! Melt the butter. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add the 2 cups of milk over medium heat. When the last of the milk is incorporated, stir in the cheese. Toss in one pound of cooked pasta and diced up ham if you want.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Mix with 2/3 cup panko bread crumbs. Pour the mac n cheese into an oven safe dish, top with buttered bread crumbs and broil until the top is nice and bubbly. Enjoy – and thanks for taking the time to comment!
Sounds like a perfectly delicious weekend! Hope things go well for Tony and you, too!
Best,
Bonnie
Thanks Bonnie – hope you are enjoying our cool day today – I love it!
Sending good thoughts to both you and Tony today! Big hugs!!
Love the hugs Heatha!
All good thoughts coming your way! And that pie? Please send it my way! Love that bruschetta too. And the chicken. And the Mac and cheese. And your mom. I love people that I think are shorter than me!
Yep, my Momma definitely makes me fell tall when I am around her!
What a wonderful day to spend with your mom! I bet she appreciated that spread, too.
I love salted caramel anything and need to try that pie.
You need to find Sea Salt Gelato then – our store sells Talenti brand and it’s amazeballs!
Beautiful family, and beautiful pie!
Thanks Dana!
I agree with Hannah, the small and shaped pasta are the best! I didn’t start eating spaghetti until a couple years ago, I hated it my whole life but I would always eat annie’s shells and the like.
That looks almost the same as my Grammie’s apple pie recipe. I LOVED hers so I’m sure yours is good.
Good luck with the knee. My dad’s had that meniscus surgery I think 3 times so if that is what yours is, I think he said his surgery/recovery was pretty easy.
Happy Monday!
That’s so funny that you didn’t start eating spaghetti until a couple years ago! Well, I shouldn’t talk, almost all the food I eat now I wouldn’t have touched in my early 30s!