Guess what? We officially have a teen in the house, yep a teenager. My baby girl turned 13 this past Friday. I’m elated because I’m so proud of the young woman she’s turning into, but at the same time, I’m a bit sad because I miss my little girl. I can’t believe how fast the years are flying by. I mean she’s grown from this tiny little baby into…
this beautiful, confident, creative, intelligent and amazing 13 year old! Zoe has a spirit that truly shines. She’s just someone you want to be around because she is so full of life and has such a zest for life (her name Zoe means life in Greek). I marvel at her creativity and her intelligence. She’s teaching me to be more creative and to let out my inner child. She truly wants the best for everyone and will always be there for her family and friends. Zoe you rock, and I love you more than the universe and beyond!
Ok, lets jump into this week’s menu, literally!
Sunday night dinner: Spaghetti and turkey meatballs and kid friendly caesar salad. This is truly a Sunday night dinner because it’s one of those recipes that takes some time. It’s definitely worth the effort though, as it gives me two meals and some extras for the kid’s lunches.
Monday night dinner: Carrot ginger soup and quinoa cakes. Monday is the one night where I don’t have to struggle to get dinner on the table, as the kids don’t have any activities. This is the night where I have time to make a soup from scratch and some quinoa cakes.
Tuesday night dinner: Leftover night! Turkey meatball subs and kid friendly caesar salad. Tuesdays are now our super crazy night. Eli has baseball from 4:00 till 6:00 and Zoe has dance from 5:30 till 7:30. It’s one of those nights where I need something I can make up quickly for everyone as they get home, and these meatball subs fit the bill.
Wednesday night dinner: Broccoli lemon pasta. Wednesday is another night where were all together at the dinner table. Sometimes I make up something a bit more complex, but tonight I was something simple. I love this dinner because it’s simple yet nourishing. One-bowl dinners rock!
Thursday night dinner: Spaghetti squash tacos and lacinato kale salad. I love these tacos because once you cut open the squash (that is honestly the most labor intensive and scary part for me) you have yourself a pretty easy and healthy dinner. I also love cooking these up close to a weekend because the leftovers make great weekend lunches.
Friday night dinner: TGIF people and that means Marin mama’s night off!
Stay tuned as I will be posting these dark chocolate, caramel and sea salt brownies later this week. Yum yum!
Have a happy Sunday and I hope you’re all not too tired from loosing that hour of sleep.
Happy Birthday to Zoe! My youngest (Rhema) had her birthday on Friday also. She turned 6 and it was so strange that 6 seems so much older than 5 -lol! She wanted a 3 layer cake, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry layers. Of course I made the amazing chocolate cake recipe that you have here for that layer :o) Congratulations to both of you!
Hi Kathy! Happy Birthday to Rhema! 6 is so much bigger than 5, it’s all relative. I mean our kids are growing and each year, and there really is such a change in them. I even look at Eli and think how much he has grown and changed since turning 8 in October. I love that Rhema wanted a 3 layer cake. Her cake reminds me of that ice-cream combination that you can get. I’m glad you used the chocolate cake recipe as one of the three layers! Thanks 🙂 Congratulations to you as well 🙂 xoxo, Jackie
Great photos of zoë, Jackie! It’s hard to believe our girls (well almost my girl) are/will be teenagers! Time really does fly by. Looks like another yummy week in the Grandy house, I’m making chicken parm as I write this. On Thursday, I’m trying a new recipe for turkey breast in mole, I’ll let you know if it’s a winner. Enjoy this awesome weather.
I know Carolyn! I was looking at photos of Zoe and Cat when I was sorting through which photos to post. There were so many photos of those two playing dress up and just being silly. I especially love the ones of them in their princess gear. I will never forget our first family trip to Disneyland. Those girls were in heaven at that princess breakfast 🙂
I definitely want to hear how your chicken mole turns out. Keep me posted.
xoxo, Jackie
Happy Birthday Zoe! 13! Love all of the photos of your beautiful girl, but that first one with her beautiful, confident smile…in black & white….she’s gorgeous! I’m sure you made her day very special. I’ve already pinned those dark chocolate, caramel and sea salt brownies to YUM!
Thanks so much Annie. Brownies are up tomorrow 🙂
Happy BIrthday to your darling Zoe! She is beautiful and creative. I love that you share so much together. I hope she had a wonderful celebration on her special day. You two look so much alike. Lucky mom, lucky daughter.
Thanks so much for your kind words Jill. We had a wonderful birthday celebration. My in-laws came up and celebrated with us and we took Zoe to her favorite restaurant, and literally ate tons! She’s going to do her actual birthday party celebration with her friends in April (kid’s demanding schedules and all), so she gets two birthday celebrations. xoxo, Jackie
Happy Happy Birthday Dear Zoe! I love all the pictures and the sweet things you said about your daughter. The time we have with our kids does go by fast, and I can tell you are enjoying it while you have it.
I love the pic with Zoe and Eli jumping off the sand dune. That is precious! That’s definitely one to frame. 🙂
Can’t wait for the brownie post. I’m not sure how you can improve on that brownie recipe you have EXCEPT with caramel. That will blow my mind! HAHA!
I’ve been painting this weekend and you saw on Instagram how it’s going so far. I love it so far! Can’t wait to the glazing on it. I did a test board and like what I saw so I will do the glazing in a couple days after this paint has fully dried. Rick and I went to the home and garden show too. Always inspiring to get ideas! Alright girlfriend, I will talk to you soon. xoxo, Sharon
Hey girl! I know the sand dunes pic is cool. I have so many pics from that day but didn’t want to go crazy posting a bunch of pictures of the kids. I am so loving the looks of your dresser and I can’t wait to see it after it’s been glazed. So cute that you and Rick went to a home and garden show together 🙂 Maybe he will be your design partner when you launch your business or maybe just your handy guy? Ha Ha. xoxo, Jackie
Happy Bday to Zoe! She’s gorgeous, inside and out. In the past 18 mos or so, she’s grown up SO much! wow. Seeing those chronology pics…gave me a heart attack. My baby just turned 6 and and in just a few yrs, there will be no little girl left, at all. There’s very little left as it is (6 going on 16!) but you know what I mean…the years somehow speed up! You do an amazing job of being present for you kids, Jackie and giving them your all, knowing time is so short and fleeting.
Anyhoooooo…the brownies. My monday post is pretty much those! 🙂
Hi Averie! You’re right, she has grown so much since I started this blog as well. It’s a bit sad, but so much fun at the same time, and you’re going to love each step with your little girl. It’s also cool to see the similarities Zoe has with me and with John. She is her own person, but yet she is such a part of both John and I.
I can’t wait to see your brownie post! I’m sure they’re going to be rich and amazing as well 🙂