Week 203 Menu

Sunday: Chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese and island rice
Monday: Baked pasta
Tuesday: Homemade pizza - pear and gorgonzola (we're getting adventurous!); pumpkin pie has been requested, too
Wednesday: A day of good luck foods: Black-eyed peas, rice, sautéed collard greens, and cornbread
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday - Saturday: Grandparents in town...up in the air!

Week 202 Menu

Sunday: Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe and roasted sweet potatoes
Monday: Chicken kebobs on the grill and oven-fried pearl onions
Christmas Eve: Snack-y treats after church
   Pizzas
       Goat cheese & caramelized onion
       BBQ chicken
       Pepperoni
   Kale with Preserved Lemon
   Sausage, cracker & cheese
   Christmas Cookies
       Cocoa Balls
       Candy cane cookies
       Gingerbread wo/men
       Candy Cane Biscotti

Christmas: We have a lot of great food planned; judging on the last couple years, I'm not planning on too many leftovers :)
   Standing Rib Roast
   Cornbread
   Cranberries
   Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
   Carrot Mash with Mint and Orange
   Buche de Noel

Thursday - Saturday: Who even knows?? We'll have a house full of people still; Out? Leftovers (not likely)? Cook up some more great dishes? Probably a combination of all

Christmas Dinner 2013

We are looking forward to Christmas again this year! We fill the house with 11 people and eat and tear open presents....and eat and eat! We like to try new dishes, but we've had some fabulous ones in the past couple years that keep making the cut. Why mess with a good thing, right?

This is also our last Christmas in Jacksonville Beach. After we pack up and move to Illinois, who knows where we'll be celebrating next year! So, we're going to enjoy the 60+ degree weather at Christmas until we can't stand it anymore!


Christmas Eve
Pizzas
    Goat cheese & caramelized onion
    BBQ chicken
    Pepperoni
Kale with Preserved Lemon
Sausage, cracker & cheese
Nut bread with cream cheese & olive
Christmas Cookies
     Cocoa Balls
     Candy cane cookies
     Gingerbread wo/men
     Candy Cane Biscotti


Christmas Dinner
Standing Rib Roast
Cornbread
Cranberries
Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
Carrot Mash with Mint and Orange
Buche de Noel

Week 201 Menu

Sunday: Out to European Street Cafe

Monday: Pasta with red sauce

Tuesday: Pulled pork in the slow cooker

Wednesday: Pumpkin pancakes

Thursday: Lettuce cups with the leftover pork

Friday: Homemade pizza

Saturday: Out

Week 200 Menu!!

Sunday: Out to Cantina Laredo...our favorite Mexican place!!
Monday: Pot roast in the slow cooker
Tuesday: Baked sweet potatoes in the slow cooker with cranberry sauce
Wednesday: Beefy pasta bake (with leftover pot roast)
Thursday: Pumpkin pancake muffins in the oven
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out.

Week 199 Menu

Sunday: Pasta primavera and lettuce salad
Monday: Turkey lettuce cups with fixin's
Tuesday: Homemade fish sticks
Wednesday: Creamy mushroom, rice casserole
Thursday: Baked sweet potatoes in the slow cooker with spicy black beans
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: My work Christmas party!!

2013 Lawrence Year in Review

“It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone.” “2013 flew by so quickly.” I know, I know. Insert cliché here. When you don’t live in a climate with seasons, it’s hard to comprehend the passage of time! This year, like each of the past five, has been a year of great change.

Our biggest change will be happening in the first part of 2014. Bonnie was offered a promotion to run the Parts Distribution Center in Pleasant Prairie, WI. So, the Lawrences will soon be trading in their sandcastles for snow forts! Scott and Bonnie have called Jacksonville home for nearly 10 years. And, Florida is all Shelby and Pete have known. So, it will be a little sad to leave, but it will be an exciting adventure moving us close to Scott's and Bonnie's brothers. Currently, we are deep into the relocation process getting ready to list our house and looking for a home in the northern suburbs of Chicago.

This summer, Scott took a gigantic leap of faith by leaving the insurance industry and striking out as a professional photographer. Being a full-time photographer has always been a dream for Scott. He has enjoyed learning how to run his own small business – from marketing to bookkeeping as well as developing photo packages and products. His new endeavor has allowed him to spend more time with the kids, network with other professional photographers, and take classes.

Bonnie has continued with her running. She ran 2 half marathons (The Donna & the Thanksgiving Subaru Distance Classic). She also ran the Gate River Run - a 15k that runs over two of Jacksonville's large bridges. Since she comes home from work after dinnertime, Bonnie has perfected the "make ahead" dinner. She preps them in the morning, and Scott has heating/serving instructions. They have been a success with the whole family - so long as they don't contain any "strange vegetables".....

Shelby took dance classes again this year. Her recital piece in June was a ballet number to Tim McGraw's "When The Stars Go Blue." Simply adorable. She is also taking gymnastics classes. She seems to have a knack for both. Shelby loves to help out around the house begging to clean up the kitchen (Windex is her favorite). She likes to play and wrestle with Pete on the floor. Just wait until he's bigger than her.....

Where Shelby is all about dance, gymnastics, and finer motor skills, Pete is more "search and destroy." He waited until he was 17 months to walk. But, within 48 hours, he went from crawling to running. It was incredible. Ever since then, he has been a holy terror! All cabinets are locked and the kitchen counters are cleared! He loves riding his tricycle, riding in the bike trailer, and reading about trucks (i.e. all things transportation!). He is still our easy-going boy, but Pete is happiest when he's outside playing.

We're so blessed to have such a great base of friends and family, and have loved our time in Florida. We look forward to the adventures the new year are certain to bring us.

With much love,
    Scott, Bonnie, Shelby & Peter Lawrence

Week 198 Menu

Sunday: Lettuce cups with shrimp salad and quinoa
Monday: Shrimp and vegetable fried rice
Tuesday: Honey garlic chicken in the slow cooker with black rice
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Italian Beef in slow cooker
Friday: Chuck roast noodle bake
Saturday: Out

Week 197 Menu

Sunday: Stuffed, Baked Pumpkin with greens salad
Monday: Butternut Squash Lasagna
Tuesday: Baked sweet potato in slow cooker with BBQ/cranberry sauce
Wednesday: Breaded chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Build-your-own pizzas
Saturday: Out.

Week 196 Menu

We're back from Disney and have acclimated ourselves back to real life! Shelby got a Mermaid Make-over and all of us brought home a stomach bug as a souvenir. Lovely. :) Aside from that, we had a GREAT time as always!!

Sunday: FFY after getting back from vacation
Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: Sliders on the grill
Wednesday: Pumpkin pancakes- in muffin tins
Thursday: Chicken, green bean and rice casserole with dairy sub'ed out
Friday: Homemade eggrolls and fried rice
Saturday: Having friends over for dinner

Week 195 Menu

Sunday:
Monday: Teriyaki chicken and rice
Tuesday: Hot dogs
Wednesday: and waffle fries
Thursday - Saturday: Up in the air

Week 194 Menu

Sunday: Asian salmon and roasted butternut squash with maple syrup glaze
Monday: Homemade pizzas (in honor of the birthday girl!!) with broccoli and Peanut, Carrot & Cabbage Slaw
Tuesday: Burgers on the grill and mashed sweet potatoes
Wednesday: Baked pasta with green bean fries
Thursday: Salmon salad in lettuce wraps with fiesta corn
Friday: Egg cups and leftovers mashed sweet potatoes
Saturday:  Out

Week 193 Menu

We seem to be very grill-happy this week! Have to take advantage of this awesome, Florida fall weather!

Sunday: Steaks on the grill with green bean fries
Monday: Hotdogs on the grill and spicy/garlicky sautéed collard greens
Tuesday: Grilled chicken with mashed potatoes and salad
Wednesday: Pumpkin pancakes - in the oven, not on the griddle
Thursday: Orange beef over brown rice
Friday: Crispy chicken thighs with braised red potatoes (ATK method) and roasted brussel sprouts
Saturday: Out

Week 192 Menu

Sunday: Homemade calzones with carrots in orange sauce

Monday: Burgers on the grill with homemade buns

Tuesday: Soba noodles with veggies

Wednesday: Asian lettuce cups

Thursday: Pizza casserole

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Out?

Week 191 Menu

Sunday: Picnic at the beach: cold cut sandwiches, pasta salad, yogurt and cookies (nothing special culinarily, but the fact it's at the beach is super-special!)
Monday: Pasta and orange carrots
Tuesday: Chicken, veggie and quinoa casserole
Wednesday: Pumpkin pancakes
Thursday: Italian Beef in the slow cooker
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 190 Menu

Sunday: Homemade pizzas
      I don't think there's anything more than my family loves making its own individual pizzas

Monday: Black-eyed peas and rice
      Preschool served this for lunch last week and my 4yo ate. it. up. So, we are capitalizing on a good thing. :)

Tuesday:  Tilapia/rice cakes with broccoli

Wednesday: Crispy chicken thighs with orange carrots
      This might be my all-time favorite chicken preparation

Thursday: Fish and sweet potato chips with lettuce salad
      Rachael Ray had 22 ways to prepare tilapia in her latest issue. I've had a craving ever since

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Date night!

Week 189 Menu

Sunday: Lettuce cups and "smorgasbord de la fridge"

Monday: Burgers on the grill with homemade buns

Tuesday: Pad Thai 

Wednesday: Yorkshire pudding

Thursday: Chicken and pineapple on grill

Friday: Homemade pizza

Saturday: Out

Week 188 Menu

Sunday: Date night for us; grandparents and kids fend for themselves
Monday: I'm working; family is on its own
Tuesday: Taco lettuce cups
Wednesday: Sweet potato lasagna
Thursday: Crispy chicken thighs with garlicky collards
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 187 Menu

Sunday: At grandparents' house for the weekend!
Monday: Hotdogs and homemade buns
Tuesday: Dinner at school for Open House
Wednesday: Fish sticks
Thursday: Chicken kebobs
Friday - Saturday: Up in the air....Babas are here!

Week 186 Menu

Sunday: Steaks on the grill and apple, leek & sweet potato gratin
Monday: Homemade fish sticks
Tuesday: Steak tacos
Wednesday: Tilapia cakes and green salad
Thursday: Baked sweet potato with cranberry/BBQ chutney
Friday: Hot dogs on homemade buns
Saturday: Out.

Week 185 Menu

Sunday: Spinach & Feta Stuffed Chicken (Rachael Ray recipe), salad, and homemade magic shell on ice cream
Monday: Steak tacos with homemade tortillas (I'm hooked!)
Tuesday: Philly cheese steaks in a green pepper bowl
Wednesday: Pumpkin pancake cupcakes and smoothies
Thursday: Pasta with spinach pesto
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 184 Menu

Sunday: Crispy chicken thighs, bacon-wrapped asparagus, and cannolis
Monday: Sweet potato shepard's pie
Tuesday: Chicken kebobs
Wednesday: Dry rub ribs in slow cooker
Thursday: Chicken fried rice
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 183 menu

Sunday: Steak fajitas - making our own tortillas for the first time!

Monday: Chicken enchiladas
Tuesday: French onion noodle bake (didn't make it last week)

Wednesday: Homemade chicken nuggets 

Thursday: Cold soba noodles
Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Out 

Week 182 Menu

Sunday: General Tso's Chicken Livers (never tried 'em before; not fantastic, but not bad), brown rice and fresh fruit
Monday: Homemade fish sticks and edamame in the pods
Tuesday: French onion noodle bake
Wednesday: Taco lettuce cups
Thursday: Burgers on the grill with homemade buns
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 181 Menu

Sunday-Tuesday: On vacation in Ohio
Wednesday: Individual pizzas
Thursday: Egg cups
Friday: Quinoa fried rice with chicken and vegetables
Saturday: Out or get together with friends

Week 180 menu

Sunday: Grilled chicken breast with asparagus and Harissa (Rachael Ray recipe)

Monday: Homemade lasagna with green salad

Tuesday: Baked sweet potato in the slow cooker topped with cranberry, BBQ chutney

Wednesday: Yorkshire pudding with cranberry sauce

Thursday: Meatballs and marinara with roasted butternut squash

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Out

Week 179 Menu

Sunday: Steak, roasted broccoli, and poleta
Monday: Breakfast for dinner: pancakes and smoothies
Tuesday: Pasta with spinach pesto
Wednesday: Bacon, egg and cheese muffins with asparagus
Thursday: Italian Beef in slow cooker
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 178 Menu

Sunday: Burgers and roasted sweet potatoes
Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: Lettuce cups
Wednesday: Homemade chicken strips
Thursday: Bacon, egg, cheese sandwiches and fruit
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 177 Menu

Sunday: Individual pizzas
Monday: Homemade tilapia fish sticks and green bean fries
Tuesday: Tuna noodle bake
Wednesday: Thai Tofu Ramen (from Rachel Ray)
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Out
Saturday: Out

Week 176 Menu

Sunday: Dad's favorites - Steaks on the grill, sweet potato fries, corn on the cob
Monday: Asian lettuce cups
Tuesday:Philly cheesesteaks in green pepper bowls (didn't get to it last week)
Wednesday: Sweet & Smoky Ribs in the slow cooker
Thursday: Egg cups
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 175 Menu

Sunday: Pizza from Mellow Mushroom
Monday: Chicken Pad Thai (didn't get to it last week)
Tuesday: Mini meatloaves
Wednesday: Homemade calzones
Thursday: Philly cheesesteaks in green pepper bowls
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 174 Menu

Sunday: Out to dinner for Grandpa's birthday!
Monday - Tuesday: Up in the air
Wednesday: Stuffed chicken breast
Thursday: Fried rice and eggrolls
Friday: Chicken Pad Thai
Saturday: Out

Pumpkin Granola

I'm not going to lie: I love all things pumpkin. Pie? Pancakes? Lattes? Love. Love. Love. Pinterest trends light up with pumpkin recipes (it's even an inside joke on The Pinterest). On a parallel topic, I love granola, too. In bar form and by the handful. And, the intersection of these two passions (is that too strong a word?) is Pumpkin Granola.

I have tried several granola recipes, but never been satisfied. They've never had the big, yummy clumps or enough flavor. But, I submit to you a new family favorite: Pumpkin Granola! Maple syrup meets big, classic pumpkin pie spices. I amped up the spices from the source recipe - because you can never have too much pumpkin spice (in my opinion). I even have a new canister on the counter dedicated to Pumpkin Granola that demands to be refilled on a weekly basis.

Pumpkin Granola

adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod

Ingredients
5 cups rolled oats
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cardamom
1 teaspoon nutmeg
¾ tsp. salt
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup pumpkin puree
¼ cup applesauce
¼ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup dried cranberries (or cubed candied ginger if you're feeling especially pumpkin-y)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325° F.  Grease a half sheet pan (or line with a silicone baking sheet) and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine oats, spices, and salt. Mix well.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into oat mixture and stir until the oats are evenly coated. They will be moist. Evenly spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and stir ever so gently (the less the disturbance, the bigger the clumps!). Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the granola is golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and stir in dried cranberries. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Week 173 Menu

Sunday: BBQ at a friend's; I brought Smitten Kitchen's "Buttered Popcorn Cookies" They are SO GOOD!!! Wowee.
Monday:  Vegetable Pot Pie (from freezer) over quinoa and roasted broccoli
Tuesday: Fish sticks (by request) and roasted sweet potatoes
Wednesday: Individual pizzas
Thursday: Overnight Baked French Toast with cranberry sauce
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Shelby's dance recital....something quick!

Week 172 Menu

Sunday: Blackened maui mahi, purple potatoes, corn on the cob & rhubarb crisp
Monday: Build-your-own Tacos
Tuesday: Yorkshire Pudding with cranberry sauce
Wednesday: Baked Chicken Nuggets and roasted sweet potatoes
Thursday: Homemade Egg rolls with vegetables
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 171 Menu

Sunday: Steak, sweet potato fries, fruit
Monday: Vegetable pot pie over noodles
Tuesday: Bacon, egg and cheese muffins
Wednesday: Stuffed chicken breasts and steamed artichokes
Thursday - Saturday: Up in the air

Week 170 Menu

We had over 6" of rain in 48 hours. Now, we finally have some sunshine and warm weather! Hallelujah!!!

Sunday: Cinco de Mayo feast - DIY tacos (guac, olives, tomatoes, cheese, onion) and rice
Monday: Homemade calzones (didn't get to them last week)
Tuesday: Taco salad with leftover taco fixins
Wednesday: Pasta with pesto and chicken
Thursday: Cheese crab melts on a bagel (or bagel pizzas, for those of that persuasion)
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Date night! Pizza for the kids and reservations at Black Sheep Restaurant for us!

Week 169 Menu

It's been a full week of grandparents in the house. Everyone has had a great time! But, eventually, we have to come back to reality. It'll be tough. :)

Sunday: A Low Country boil (link for those not familiar)
Monday: Shredded chicken and pork lettuce cups
Tuesday: Orange Beef with quinoa and vegetables
Wednesday: Homemade calzones
Thursday: Philly cheese steaks in green pepper bowls (a Pin-spiration)
Friday: Pasta salad (Simple: pasta, veggies, vinaigrette)...need something light after a rather meat-heavy week :)
Saturday: Out

Week 168 Menu

Sunday: Out to Japanese restaurant at the beach
Monday-Thursday (in no particular order):
  Pot roast in slow cooker
  Chicken/hotdogs on the grill
  Taco lettuce cups
  Pasta with marinara
Friday - Saturday: Grandparents in town!!

Week 167 Menu

Last week's menu was a big, fat goose egg. We started out with a stomach bug and never really got our appetites back until the end of the week. We're all ready for the some good food this week!

Sunday: Grilled shrimp, carrot fries, "fried" quinoa
Monday: Burgers on the grill
Tuesday: Asian lettuce cups
Wednesday: Chicken nuggets
Thursday: Leftovers.
Friday: Pasta with pesto (from freezer)
Saturday: Out

Week 165 Menu

Happy Easter!

Sunday: Steak on the grill, roasted sweet potato wedges & roasted asparagus
Monday: Pretzel dogs from the freezer
Tuesday: Yorkshire pudding with cranberry sauce
Wednesday: Italian Beef in slow cooker
Thursday: Roast beef hash
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out.

Week 164 Menu

Sunday: Asian salmon and asparagus
Monday: Homemade pretzel dogs from the freezer
Tuesday: Homemade, baked mac 'n cheese
Wednesday: Whole chicken cooked in slow cooker
Thursday: Baked sweet potatoes with BBQ chicken topping
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Easter egg dying party

Week 163 Menu

Sunday: Sandwiches and coleslaw after an afternoon at the beach
Monday: Pasta and meatballs
Tuesday: Corned beef in the slow cooker
Wednesday - Thursday: Up in the air
Friday: Out for Scott & Pete's birthday!!!
Saturday: Date night!

Week 162 Menu

Sunday: General Tso's Pork, fried rice quinoa and crispy carrot fries
Monday: Chicken, broccoli and quinoa casserole (I LOVE this casserole!!! I could eat it several times a day - even after it's de-dairyed)
Tuesday: Individual pizzas with homemade crust
Wednesday: Pork, chick pea and kale enchiladas
Thursday: Chicken Pot Pie
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Pete's baptism!

Week 161 Menu

Sunday: Sautéed greens and PB&J....whatever you can find after vacation
Monday: Out with visiting family
Tuesday: Tuna salad wraps
Wednesday: Homemade, baked chicken nuggets
Thursday: Egg cups with veggies
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 160 Menu

Sunday: Shrimp with General Tso dipping sauce, fried quinoa "rice"and green bean fries
Monday: Apple Mac-n-Cheese (Rachael Ray mag) and mashed sweet potatoes
Tuesday: Sausage on the grill and green salad
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday - Saturday: Up in the air!

Week 159 Menu

Sunday: Out for pizza.....too tired after the race to cook :)
Monday: Stuffed peppers
Tuesday: Pasta and meatballs
Wednesday: King Ranch Chicken
Thursday: Yorkshire Pudding with cranberry sauce
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 158 Menu

Sunday: General Tso's Chicken and quinoa fried "rice"
Monday: Enchiladas from freezer
Tuesday: Pumpkin pancakes
Wednesday: Vegetable pot pie filling over quinoa
Thursday: Spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 157 Menu

Sunday: Burgers, Buffalo chicken dip, homemade fries
Monday: Enchiladas from the freezer
Tuesday: Baked egg rolls and fried rice
Wednesday: Baked potatoes in the slow cooker with the fixins'
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Egg cups
Saturday: Date night for my birthday!

Week 156 Menu

Sunday: Pasta with cauliflower pesto (from the Smitten Kitchen cookbook)....it was awesome!
Monday: Homemade calzones
Tuesday: Savory Stuffed Acorn Squash
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Chicken, Broccoli & Quinoa Casserole
Friday: Stuffed peppers
Saturday: Out.

Week 155 Menu

Sunday: Individual pizzas with greens salad
Monday: Pork chops on the grill with mashed potatoes
Tuesday: BBQ Cranberry Chickpea Wraps
Wednesday: Whole chicken in the slow cooker (trying this method for the first time!) with cranberry sauce
Thursday: Strawberry, orange salad with chicken and balsamic
Friday - Saturday: With grandparents

Week 154 Menu

Sunday: Shrimp on the grill, roasted cauliflower and rice
Monday: Meatballs with pasta and marinara
Tuesday: Chicken pot pie over rice
Wednesday: Sweet potato enchilada
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Homemade calzones
Saturday: Out.

Week 153 Menu

Sunday: "Fancy" burgers (with grilled onions, roasted red peppers & goat cheese crumbles on homemade buns) with sweet potato fries
Monday: Baked potatoes in the slow cooker
Tuesday: Yorkshire pudding with cranberry sauce
Wednesday: Stuffed chicken breast
Thursday: Crockpot Mongolian Beef over rice
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out