A Birthday Celebration and a Spooky Recipe

 We had fun celebrating our Angel Face's 6th Birthday yesterday.  Even the dogs got into the spirit!!

Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Muffins #MuffinMonday

 These muffins are perfect with your coffee in the morning or even as a dessert after dinner.  The warm spices and the cool cream cheese blend together to make a treat for your mouth.

Welcome to Muffin Monday......

Strawberry Cheesecake Brain #OurFamilyTable

Thrill your little ghosts and goblins with this Brain filled with no bake cheesecake and strwberries.

The folks at From the Dinner Table Group are celebrating Halloween today......

Celebrating the Angel Face's 6th Birthday and the Weekly Menu

We were unable to be with our Angel Face on her 6th birthday.  We hated to miss such an important day but the Teen's Godparents were getting married and that only happpens once in a lifetime as opposed to every year.  

Candy Corn Cocktail to Kick off the Weekend

 Pumpkin Spice Liqueur, Caramel Vodka and Rumchata combine to make a drink that tastes amazingly like candy corn.  Perfect to welcome Halloween season.....

Instant Pot Pork and Pumpkin Chili #PumpkinWeek

 This spicy, delicious chili is a perfect fall meal.  The pork is fork tender and the flavors are warm and comforting.

Welcome to Day 4 of Pumpkin Week........

Pumpkin Stuffed Shells #PumpkinWeek

These shells are stuffed with two kinds of cheese and pumpkin puree, then surrounded by marinara and baked to a melty deliciousness.  

Welcome to Day 3 of Pumpkin Week.......

Pumpkin Zucchini Bread #PumpkinWeek

 Flavored with all the warm spices of fall, this Pumpkin Zucchini bread is perfect for breakfast, snacks or served alongside the Fall Harvest Chowder that I shared yesterday.

Welcome to Day 2 of Pumpkin Week.......

Fall Harvest Chowder #PumpkinWeek

This chunky, vegetable packed chowder is made extra creamy with the addition of pumpkin puree.  It is one delicious bite of goodness after the other.  A perfect way to enjoy all of the end of season produce before it is gone.

Welcome to the first day of Pumpkin Week 2020......

Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast and Apple Chutney #MultiCookerMonday

 Both components of this dish are made using the instant pot for a quick and delicious weeknight meal that is fancy enough to be served to weekend guests. 

Welcome to Multi Cooker Monday.........

Sour Cherry and Mahleb Crumb Cake #CakeSliceBakers

Delicious seasonal cherries surrounded by a tender cake and topped with a crunchy crumble.  This was one of my favorite desserts I served up last month.

This was my selection for Cake Slice Bakers this month......

Beef Tongue Stew with a Southern Rhone Gigondas #SoupSaturdaySwappers #Winophiles

This tender savory stew is made in two parts.  First you have to cook the beef tongue.  Then you slice it up and add add it to the stew ingredients resulting in a dish that is silky, savory and comforting.

I paired this delicious stew with a Gigondas Red Blend from the French Rhone Region.  Welcome to Soup Saturday Swappers and the French Winophiles.......

My Angel Face is turning 6 and the Weekly Menu

Our Little Miss turns six years old tomorrow.  6!!!  How did that happen?  Wasn't she only born yesterday?

Here she is being homeschooled during this Pandemic as her puppy, Nutella, patiently waits for her to finish her studies so they can play.

She is so much fun.  I love watching her grow into such a bright, sweet and kind child.  She is something else.  Her mama is having a birthday dinner for her and we, unfortunately, cannot attend.  The Teen's Godparents are getting married and the wedding is tomorrow.

So next Sunday night we are having family dinner so we can celebrate the Angel Face's birthday with her.  She is coming over Friday night and staying for the weeked.  It is the first overnight we have had with her since the accident so we are all very excited.

I called her and asked what she wanted for her birthday dinner.  She wants mashed potatoes and gravy, spaghetti and meatballs, roasted broccoli and strawberry cake.  Of course, that is exactly what I will make for her.  But since Halloween is approaching I decided to spice things up a little bit.  So next week's Weekly Menu is going to be very exciting.

Nothing on the schedule for this week other than food pantry. On the blog we are celebrating Pumpkin Week and I have a lot of great recipes to share. 

Speaking of spooky food....tomorrow I am sharing a Beef Tongue Stew that I served up with a French Wine.  What an amazing dinner that was!!  Make sure you stop by and check it out.  It would be a fun Halloween Dinner.

So here is our Weekly Menu, including the special spooky dinner for the Angel Face.  Have a great weekend!!

Saturday

Wedding Reception

Sunday

Pork Larb

Sticky Rice

Stir Fry Vegetables

Meatless Monday

Wild Mushroom Pizza with Caramelized Onions

Taco Tuesday

Black Bean Quesadillas

Wednesday

Sarmale (Moldovan Cabbage Rolls)

Sourdough Pumpernickel Rolls

Thursday

Eggplant Parmesan

Fish Friday

Lobster BLT's

Sweet Potato Fries

Smoked Whitefish Dip II #FishFridayFoodies

Smoked Northern Michigan Whitefish mixed with cream cheese, yogurt, onions and capers.  This is a recipe that I made to try to replicate one found at Carlson's Fishery in Leland, Michigan.

Welcome to this month's edition of Fish Friday Foodies......

Tiramisu Bundt Cake #BundtBakers

 All of your favorite flavors of the classic Italian dessert in a Bundt cake.  

It's time for Bundt Bakers.........

Mexican Hot Chocolate with Chile #FoodnFlix #LitHappens

Creamy, decadent hot chocolate with a hint of spice from a toasted chili pepper.  This is the perfect ending to a crisp fall day.

We are revisiting the film Chocolat with the gang over at FoodnFlix and some of us are sharing our thoughts on the novel over at Lit Happens.

Peach Crumble #FestiveFoodies

This easy peach crumble takes only 15 minutes to assemble and half an hour to bake.  I put it in as we sit down to dinner so that it is hot when I serve it with a scoop of ice cream.  Pure bliss.

I invited the Festive Foodies to join me in celebrating peaches today.......

Mom Klik's Breaded Pork Chops #BakingBloggers

Bone in Pork Loin Chops, dredged in seasoned flour, an egg wash and bread crumbs and baked in a little liquid until fork tender.  This is a traditional Polish recipe that was a regular on my Mother in law's dinner table.

The Baking Bloggers are visiting the foods of Poland this month.......

Julia Child's Eggplant Pizzas #OurFamilyTable

Slices of fresh eggplant, roasted until tender, topped with a sauce of fresh vegetables and two different cheeses.  Julia Child was way ahead of her time.

The From Our Dinner Table Group are sharing recipes inspired by Julia Child today............

Lots of changes around here and the Weekly Menu

Well, quite a bit has gone  on around here in one short week.  Heck, most of it happened in one day!!

Tuesday was a crazy one.  

It was the Teen's first day of school.  Luckily it was only 1/2 day because after she was there for only 1 hr., I had to pull her out to go get her driver's license.  We were very excited that there was a cancellation and she could get in before December!

Here she is doing a silly pose with "her" key fob before the drive home.  She, of course, snapped that to all of her friends who couldn't wait to be the first one she drove in her car.

Oaxacon Daisy Cocktail #FallFlavors

Disclosure:  I received sponsor products for use in creating recipes for this week's Fall Flavors Event.  All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.

This lovely cocktail is simple and delicious.  A blend of fresh meyer lemon juice, tequila and cointreau, this cocktail is the perfect start to a relaxing weekend.  

Happy Friday everyone.  This is the last day for #Fall Flavors Week.......

Hachee #EattheWorld

This amazing Dutch Beef and Onion stew is so tender and savory you won't be able to stop eating it.  This is pure comfort food.

We are traveling to the Netherlands with our Eat the World Challenge Gang......

Pickled Cabbage #FallFlavorsWeek

Disclosure:  I received sponsor products for use in creating recipes for this week's Fall Flavors Event.  All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Fresh cabbage, tart apples, and sweet onions combine with a tea infused pickling juice that will make people stand up and take notice. This quick pickled side dish is perfect to serve alongside roasted or grilled meats or alongside burgers or pulled pork sandwiches. 

 Join us for Day 4 of Fall Flavors Week.......

Korean Corn Cheese #ImprovCookingChallenge

 This is a perfect way to use that end of the season corn.  It is delicious as an appetizer with corn chips and could also be served as a vegetable side.  However you decide to serve it up, your family and friends will love it.

Welcome to the Improv Cooking Challenge.......

Roasted Sunchokes, Potatoes and Mushrooms #FallFlavors

 Disclosure:  I received sponsor products for use in creating recipes for this week's Fall Flavors Event.  All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Creamy, golden potatoes, crunchy, nutty tasting sunchokes and earthy mushrooms tossed together with olive oil and herbs to make a delicious side dish for whatever entree you are serving up this fall.

Welcome to Day 3 of Fall Flavors Week.......

Apple Tea Brined Pork Tenderloin #FallFlavors

Disclosure:  I received sponsor products for use in creating recipes for this week's Fall Flavors Event.  All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.

This pork tenderloin marinated in Apple Cider Tea and then grilled to a perfect medium rare is sure to become one of your favorite fall recipes.

Welcome to Day 2 of Fall Flavors Week.......

Vegetable Focaccia #BreadBakers

This herb scented focaccia bread topped with cheese, onions and summer squash makes a wonderful snack, appetizer or light lunch with a salad.  Crispy outside and chewy inside it is a delight to the senses.

We are celebrating Vegetable Breads today with the Bread Bakers..................

Caramel Apple Ice Cream Pie #FallFlavors

Disclosure:  I received sponsor products for use in creating recipes for this week's Fall Flavors Event.  All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Ginger Graham Cracker crust filled with ice cream and apples.  This no bake pie is the perfect end of summer leading into fall treat.

Don't let the photo scare you.  I made this pie for a gathering on an extremely hot day.  By the time I got the pie cut and served, my piece had started melting and I had failed to get a photo of the first slice of pie.

That's what happens when a blogger like me actually makes food for family and friends to eat and enjoy instead of just for blogging purposes.

Welcome to Day 1 of Flavors of Fall Week.......

One Skillet Chicken and Noodles #OurFamilyTable

 This delicious, easy, one skillet dinner is a great way to use up any leftover chicken you have on hand.

We are sharing our favorite chicken recipes with the gang at From Our Dinner Table Group......

The End of Summer and the Weekly Menu

Holy Cow...it is already Labor Day....I know that summer isn't really over until the end of September but the Teen starts school on Tuesday so in my mind.....summer is over.

We live in Michigan so while we may still have a few weeks of warmth, the weather will slowly turn fall-like.  This makes me happy because fall is my favorite season.

Cherry Blossom Pie #Pieathalon

This creamy sweet/tart pie is made with just a handful of ingredients and is easy to put together.  Make it the day before you plan on serving.

I am participating in this year's Pieathalon......