Pork and Apple Kabobs #OurFamilyTable

These delicious kabobs combine all the best flavors of Fall.  Tender pork chunks, sweet chunks of red apple and onion, coated with an apple cinnamon glaze.  You are going to love them!!

The From Our Dinner Table Group are sharing Apple recipes today.......

Happy Birthday to me and the Weekly Menu

I wasn't sure what to expect for life in my 60's but so far so good.  I made it through the first year and am looking forward to the next 9.

Each year I try to experience or learn something new.  Last year I tried sky diving.  I am not sure what I will attempt this year.  I've already taken guitar, quilting, painting, cooking, lessons.  I have done scuba, ziplining, skydiving, and spelunking.   I have visited many new locations and look forward to visiting many more.   Perhaps this year I should plan something calmer....perhaps a cake decorating class....I am pretty bad with frosting LOL.

Today we are going to celebrate my birthday at Rob and Linda's Lakeport house.  It is right on the beach and this may be our last chance as they have decided to sell and make their permanent home in Arizona. 

Since they have everything already packed away, I am providing my own birthday dinner for everyone LOL.  Jessica and Julien are coming and bringing his folks who are visiting from France.  They are also bringing wine and cheese.  I have some leftover turkey filling that I used for tostadas that I'm going to warm up and serve with corn tortilla scoops as a snack.

So I'm starting the Weekly Menu on Friday (today) this week since last week when I made the menu I didn't realize I was cooking.

Saturday we have a retirement party to attend in the afternoon and then Amy, Jen, Lili and I are heading to Windsor, Canada for a Martina McBride concert so Frank and Marissa are on their own.

The rest of the week is busy each day but we should be having dinner at home for the most part. 

Fish Friday
BBQ Oysters with Butter Herb Wine Sauce
Fish Packets with Herb Compound Butter
Roasted Baby Potatoes
Garlic Toast
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Strudel

Saturday-Retirement Luncheon
Frank and Marissa on their own

Sunday
Roast Quail
Vegetable Rice Pilaf

Meatless Monday
Creamy Garlic and Spinach Pizza

Tuesday
Chicken Enchilada Rice Bake

Wednesday
Meatballs
Middle Eastern Potatoes
Steamed Broccoli

Thursday
Ham and Cheese Quiche with Potato Crust

Fish Friday
Shrimp Scampi over Angel Hair Pasta

Turkey Tostadas #FantasticalFoodFight

This meal, made in one pot and ready in less than half an hour is the perfect Taco Tuesday offering.  Made with ground turkey it is perfect when you are watching your red meat consumption.   It is chock full of nutritious legumes and vegetables.  A meal that you will enjoy serving as much as your kids enjoy eating it.

The contenders in Fantastical Food Fight this month are competing to see who makes the best meal in under 30 minutes..........

Home Sweet Home and The Weekly Menu

We had a lot of fun in California.  We arrived on Monday, rented a vehicle and drove to my brother's house where we were greeted by the whole family.

Tuesday we went ziplining and then had a whole slew of family and friends over for a BBQ.  Wednesday we spent at the beach and Thursday we met up with a couple of my blogging friends, Cam of Culinary Adventures with Camilla and Lori of Draceana Wines.  Thursday evening was a last hurrah with the family at my nephew Scott's house.

Friday morning, after my last walk with my niece, Natasha, and a wonderful breakfast made by my sister in love, Mary, we hit the road to head back south for a family wedding on Frank's side.

First order of business was meeting up with friends, Karen of Karen's Kitchen Stories, Tara of Tara's Mulitcultural Table and Lauren who used to blog over at Sew You Think You Can Cook.  While we enjoyed dinner and getting to know each other in person, Frank took Marissa to Redondo Beach and some shopping.

The following day we attended the wedding which was just lovely.  The Mass was wonderful, the reception was a blast.  We danced, drank and laughed the afternoon away.  The highlight for Marissa was getting a lesson on being a DJ.  Sunday was the Poprawiny or second wedding held at Frank's cousin's house.  This is a fun Polish Tradition where all the out of town guests are hosted for a second day of food and drink.  

Monday morning was spent with Frank's cousin Kay and her husband Chuck, the parents of the groom, before catching our flight home in the late afternoon.

Today will be spent catching up on the mail, doing laundry, paying bills and going to the grocers.  Vacation is over but I am always glad to be home.

Marissa starts Scuba Lessons on Thursday and then on Friday we are going to our friend's the Green's for dinner with Jessica, Julien, the Angel Face and Julien's parents who are visiting from France.

Therefore, this is a very short menu but I am happy to share it with you and will have a more complete menu for next week coming up soon.

Saturday

Wedding in California

Sunday 

Poprawiny

Monday

Airport Food

Taco Tuesday

Turkey Tostadas

Wednesday

Chicken Normandy

Egg Noodles

Green Beans

Thursday

Poor Man's Spaghetti

Friday

Out for Dinner at the Greens

Individual Pommes Anna #NationalPotatoDay

These individual serving size Pommes Anna are adorable.  They are buttery, garlicky and make a gorgeous presentation as a side dish to whatever you are cooking up.

Happy National Potato Day!

Banana Split Pie #OurFamilyTable

Graham cracker crust with layers of chocolate, pineapple, strawberry ice cream, whipped topping, drizzled with more chocolate and topped with a cherry.

Life doesn't get much simpler or more delicious than this Banana Split Pie.  Easy to put together ahead of time and pull out after a fun family dinner on a hot summer night.  Our daughter, Jessica, snuck back into the freezer for a second serving later that evening.

Watermelon Soup #SoupSaturdaySwappers

This delicious chilled soup is perfect for the first course eaten al fresco on a hot summer day.

The Soup Saturday Swappers are sharing Fruit Soups to enjoy for these dog days of summer........