Sunday Supper - Mustard Marinated Flank Steak

Mustard Marinated Flank Steak

 

 

First off, let me just say that my late, two-time nominee for the Pulitzer Prize (photography) father is probably rolling over in his grave with my horrendous pictures.  Secondly, don't let the picture fool you - this meal was fantabulous!

 

I seem to be cooking my way through Barefoot Contessa recipe's lately and decided there were still some untried meals from my latest acquisition, Fool Proof. So when the hubby said he was in the mood for steak and potatoes, I tried her mustard marinated flank steak.  The Dijon Mustard marinade is so flavorful with the meat.  I paired it with her spinach with feta and pine nuts recipe also from the same cook book (and then cheated with the Country Crock carton of loaded mashed potatoes). 

 

After the 2 hour marinade (which took no time to assemble) the meal only took 15 minutes to whip together.  How's that for a super yummy and easy Sunday Supper?

 

Hope y'all have a great week!

 

xoxo,

TSS

Brunch with Santa

The first Sunday in December is undoubtedly one of my favorite days.  Our Church hosts the Hanging of the Green service where the youth group accompanies both the traditional choir and contemporary praise band in decorating the Sanctuary.  Following Church, we enjoy our annual Brunch with Santa.  This is such a sweet event made even more special by our special guest, Grammie.  And it is just fun getting dressed up in our Christmas outfits (you know this Mama looks for any excuse to get multiple wears out of the wee one's holiday clothes).

Ready for Church in our Christmas finery.

Santa is under strict orders to bring a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse set and RoboKnight from Power Rangers

 

2013 Christmas Card photo - guess I should order those........

 

As much as the boys like sitting on Santa's lap, nothing beats Grammie's affection.

 

 

Ice cream and candy canes....lunch of champions

 

Showing off their loot from Santa - El Chupacabra from Planes for H

and Caillou Fire Station for S

 

 

 

Now.......if it will stop raining so we can go get our tree!!!!!

 

xoxo,

TSS

 

The Polar Express

I shared with you a few days ago that our friendly Elf On The Shelf, Alphie, returned from the North Pole and brought The Polar Express movie and book.  Well, last Friday, Alphie snuck H & S their "first gift of Christmas" into their Advent Activity pouch, which was a trip on the Polar Express!

 

They were over the moon excited when the realization sunk in that THEY were going to RIDE the POLAR EXPRESS to the North Pole and see Santa.  It was such a fun adventure and I must admit, I might have been just as excited as the boys!  We picked S up early from school and hit the road for the two hour drive up the mountain to Bryson City, NC.  After a quick dinner at McDonalds, the boys changed into their PJ's and off we went to the train depot.

 

 

A wet start but excited to board The Polar Express

 

Daddy and Harrison settle into their seats

 

Mommy and Spencer do the same

 

We splurged for First Class seating and had these adorable treat bags waiting for us

 

 

Shortly after departure, the conductor punched the boys commemorative golden tickets

 

 

The waiters danced down the aisle throwing freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to the children

 

 

Followed by mugs of Hot Chocolate

 

 

Another perk of First Class was the commemorative mugs, which were cleaned and packaged up for us prior to leaving the train

 

All this sugar made for an exciting sugar high......

 

....what goes up, must come down

 

Drunk on cocoa

 

And then - we pulled into the North Pole

 

 

And got excited when who should board the train but......

 

Santa himself!

 

To give all the girls and boys their own silver bell from his sleigh!

 

We sang Christmas Carols on the way back to the station

 

And were in for a surprise when we got back.  We no more got off the train when it started raining cats and dogs.  We were soaked and could not see a THING driving down the mountain.  So we pulled off into a Best Western.  Fortunately, the hubby knew weather would be bad and packed a bag.  After a quick bath/showers and warm clothes, we watched Christmas movies on TV and conked out.

 

H clutched his golden ticket the whole way home.  Both boys have slept with their ticket and their silver bell every night since.

 

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this excursion.  If you have a train depot near you that offers this adventure, please book it for your wee ones.  We have adopted the four gift rule from Santa - they will get something they need, want, something to read and something to do from the Big Guy this year.  The Polar Express was our "to do", which is why we splurged for the First Class tickets. 

 

I will say, if you do the Bryson City adventure, book the first car (we were in the second car which wasn't as nice as the first car - but that is just me being a snob) and be sure to be on the right side of the train.  We were on the left, and as such, were on the opposite side of the North Pole.  While we could see across the train, the boys had trouble seeing over heads.

 

It's beginning to look and feel like Christmas.  The excitement in the air at our house and I hope it is at your home too.

 

xoxo,

TSS

 

 

 

 

 



 

Advent Activites

I told y'all how much I adored this idea found on Pinterest.  And I have had a total ball carrying it out!  Each morning, the wee ones find their Advent Activity pouch on their breakfast table. 

 

Each day there has been a fun activity, prize or treat.  And before they can play with said activity, prize or treat, they have to summarize what they have learned about to date in the Advent story. After that, we read the daily Bible verse.  Granted, H is really the only one absorbing the story but it is amazing to see S take it all in.  He will pause and say, "Baby Jesus" very sweetly and reverently.  It makes my heart so happy.

 

I am not going to lie - I dread the day my boys learn Santa Clause is not real.  I dread when they will be too old to want to cuddle on my lap and watch cartoons or hold my hand and want a hug before being dropped off.  At the same time, I cannot wait to see the men they will become.  My hope is that this Advent Activity tradition will enhance the magic of Christmas as they grow - from the materialistic to the very real, very personal meaning of Christmas.  And in that truth, find what it really means to BELIEVE in Christmas.

 

xoxo,

TSS

Sunday Supper - Winter Minestrone

It is cold and rainy in these parts.  I was hoping to decorate the outside of the house this weekend and our tree but weather did not permit.  Hubby did put the wreaths on the windows and the candles in the windowsills but we have yet get to the garland and tree up. 

So, in an effort to warm up, we enjoyed Winter Minestrone last night for Sunday Supper.  I have been cooking a lot of Ina's recipes lately but this one was right on the money for a dreary, raining ol' day.

Enjoy!

xoxo,
TSS

Alphie's Back!!!

The day after Thanksgiving, our trusted Elf on the Shelf - Alphie - returned from the North Pole.  I (or should I say, Santa) had hinted to H that he would have to share Alphie with his younger brother this year in this post.  We are not off to a good start.  But S is starting to wise up and getting the hang of the whole ordeal. 

Alphie has arrived on Thanksgiving day for the past two years waiting with Christmas cookies when H woke from his nap.  Well, my smart-as-a-whip 5 year old informed me that he could not wait for his cookies this year from Alphie.  So Mama decided to outsmart him and Alphie showed up for breakfast last Friday.  I must say - it was an absolute hoot to see the panic on H's face when he realized it was almost time for bedtime and Alphie had not arrived.  Is that mean???  Let's just say - his behavior was perfect for the remainder of Thanksgiving.  And I did cave and assure him that Alphie was delayed in the North Pole.

 

It was a casual affair and this year's gift was the

25th Anniversary copy of The Polar Express book and movie.

The boys had not watched the movie or read the book yet.

 

Since Alphie was delayed in the North Pole - he brought take out breakfast

and scribbled a last minute note on Daddy's work pad.  Alphie was

excited about the Hot Chocolate bar, helped himself to some and brought

some in for the boys.

 

 

The boys were thrilled to see they had made Santa's "Nice" list

 

 

And the countdown is on!!!

 

xoxo,

TSS

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Wrap Up

We are full blown into the Christmas spirit in our house.  The decorations went up on Saturday and we will get our tree and decorate the outside of the house this weekend.  But before I share all the fun we have already had here on only the 3rd Day of December, I want to rewind and remember all the fun we had on Thanksgiving.  So much fun that I failed to get a family picture!  But here is what I did manage...........

Some of the family waiting patiently by the grill

 

The Table

 

Grown up place setting

 

Kiddie place setting

 

Thing 1 helping out

 

Thing 2 helping Gigi

 

Carving up the infamous grilled turkey

 

OMG To.Die.For.Super.Easy mashed potatoes - get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa Parties

 

Fun at the table

 

The turkey coma claims its first victim

 



Needless to say, we gobbled till we wobbled.  Few things make me happier than a table full of good food and laughter from the people I love the most.  I hope you all had a very blessed Thanksgiving.

 

xoxo,

TSS