Welcome to the weekend, my friends! I’m wishing the very merriest of Christmases to you and yours from me and mine! May your holidays be merry, may you be surrounded by those you love, and may all your foods be tasty and stress-free.
ON OUR MENU THIS WEEK: Tangy Cranberry Pancakes sweetened with maple syrup make getting out of bed on the weekend a little bit easier. And on Christmas Eve, they’re about as perfect as breakfast gets.
This easy Clam Chowder is going to be our Christmas Eve dinner this year. The recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a cozy dinner at home after the Christmas Eve service.
Creamy Cranberry Jalapeno Dip is lightly sweetened and balanced with just a hint of heat from the peppers. Served with crackers and pretzels or spread on toast, my family devours this as quickly as I can serve it.
Restaurant quality scallops are easier to make at home than you ever thought! These Pan-Seared Scallops have a light and almost-sweet flavor, highlighted by the caramelized crust on the outside.
I like to serve the scallops with Lemon Butter Pasta. Fragrant garlic, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes are sauteed in butter and then tossed with fresh lemon juice and tender pasta to create the pasta of which dreams are made.
With little more than a handful of eggs, cream, sugar, and a lemon, you have what it takes to make this amazing Lemon Angel Pie. I’ve been making this pie for almost ten years now and I still can not get over how simple and how fantastically delicious this lemon pie recipe is.
Cranberry Christmas Cake is one of those recipes that is an instant favorite every single time someone new tastes it. Tart cranberries, sweet buttery cake, and a fantastic texture all combine to basically beg you to eat another piece.
What I’m CRAVING: So. Many. Vegetables. I don’t know when I’ve craved vegetables so much. Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Mushrooms – yes please to everything.
My FAVORITE THING this week is time with my family. As our boys have grown older, I’ve learned to appreciate these moments. I’m so very grateful for kids who still enjoy spending time with us, in addition to doing things on their own.
What I’m WATCHING: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to finally watch this one. It popped up as a recommendation and it’s such a fun watch. I’m off to find the third one to watch now.
What I’m LISTENING to: I’ve had Martina McBride’s White Christmas in my playlists all week. This has been one of my favorite Christmas albums for almost ten years now.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV
Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile!
Mary
