#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • Writing
  • Contact

Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Menu Plan, Week of November 10th

November 9, 2008 · Narrative

Last week was just so crazybusy, with plans that took me out of the house for 3 out of 5 weeknights, there was no way I could have handled a menu plan.  But this week?  This week I can breathe.  Not one stinkin’ thing scheduled at night and I’m lovin’ it.  Especially with the holidays (the holidays!) looming so close!

So here we go…

Monday:  Nicholas has requested Cuban Black Beans, and who am I to deny him of such a good, hearty dish?  A co-worker gave me a slow cooker recipe many years ago that The Husband says tastes just like his grandmother’s recipe, so I will be digging that one out and making it.  I don’t think I’ve ever included the recipe here, so look for it this week.  Along with it?  This crazy-good Chicken in Lemon Sauce dish that The Sister-in-Law made for us a few weekends ago.  My mouth is watering just thinking about tomorrow’s dinner.

Tuesday:  Remember Mr. Food?  He has a ton of cookbooks and for awhile, some years back, he also published a good cooking magazine.  Anyway, the magazine long gone, a recipe of his that became a favorite in our house is Shrimp with Feta Cheese.  Super simple and packed with flavor, it’s great for a casual dinner or entertaining, and it’s been too long since we’ve had it. Baking with Nicholas: Brown Sugar-Pecan Shortbread.  My mom is a big fan of shortbread, so thought it was high time to make some more for her.

Wednesday: Leftovers and general clean-out-the-fridge night.

Thursday:  Sirloin Steak with Dijon-Port Sauce, a new recipe from Cooking Light magazine.   Baking with Nicholas:  Deep Dish Brownies.  I have been craving rich, fudgy brownies forever and a day, and wanted them so badly recently that this weekend I almost caved and bought a box mix.  Now to hold on until Thursday to make them … might just have to switch up Tuesday and Thursday baking.

Friday: Kitchen closed.

Saturday:  Tortiglioni Florentine in a Gorgonzola Cream Sauce with Frizzled Prosciutto.  Does that not just set your taste-buds tingling?  And I love frizzled prosciutto.  Saw this one on Jenny’s Picky Palate site and printed it out … back in August.  Now that it’s made it to the top of my “recipes to make soon” pile (and yes, I have such a category; helps with menu planning), it’s high time to make it.

Alright, that should do us for this week.  Simple meals, nothing crazy, just soul-satisfying food.  What’s up for your menu this week?  I’d love to hear about it.

Want to see what’s cooking up in other kitchens?  Just visit OrgJunkie tomorrow for more ideas than you can shake a stick at.

P.S.  Sarah and I have spent some time changing things up a bit with our $7 Dinner Challenge, so look for the new details tomorrow, and then the challenge will resume next week.  Thanks to those who took the survey – that was a tremendous help.

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPRINT

Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. claire says

    November 10, 2008 at 12:22 am

    Mmmm…your menu this week sounds delicious! I have a busy week this week with interviews for residency, block parties, and the regular stuff. That shrimp and feta dish and the shortbreads sound so good. Be sure and post the recipes if you can. Glad you’ll have a more “homey” week this week!

    claires last blog post..Crock Pot Chicken

    Reply
  2. The Sister In-Law says

    November 10, 2008 at 8:12 am

    I am soooo glad you enjoyed the Chicken. It’s really an easy dish and great for guests. BTW I made Paula Deen’s Frozen Chocolate Mousse Pie, (yummo!!) this weekend.

    SIL

    Reply
  3. Sara says

    November 10, 2008 at 10:17 am

    Your menu plan sounds great. This week I’m going out tonight, homemade pizza with sauteed frisee (Tues), pork tenderloin w/leek and apples and roasted parsnips and cipollini onions (Wed), sweet potato and tomatillo quesadillas w/fava bean soup (Thurs), and fish bouillabase with saffron rice and glazed pearl onions (Fri).

    Saras last blog post..Braised lamb shanks with shell bean ragout

    Reply
  4. Karen says

    November 10, 2008 at 11:49 am

    Can’t wait to see that Cuban black bean recipe!

    Karens last blog post..Are you listening Colonel Sanders?

    Reply
  5. Maris says

    November 10, 2008 at 11:55 am

    glad the $7 challenge will be back up and running.

    my mom loves shortbread too – so funny, i can’t wait to hear about the recipe, it sounds like a good one to maybe make for the holidays.

    Mariss last blog post..Not in season

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Storytelling…
Through photos.
Words. And recipes.

Archives

Categories

Instagram

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

Pinterest

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

Copyright © 2026 Sweetnicks · Theme by Vicki Harrison Design