Happy Easter everyone! I hope you’re all celebrating this day with friends and family or at least doing something fun and Easterly (I really don’t know if that’s a proper word). We’re actually headed out to meet our “California family” for an early brunch this morning, like 10:00 am early, so I would say it’s more like a late breakfast. I’m up early hoping that I get the motivation and energy to hit the gym beforehand, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen, as we hiked down into Muir woods yesterday and my legs are wiped! I tell you, there were a lot of stairs to climb! This week’s photo is the makings of the broccoli lemon pasta that I made last week for dinner. I actually used some broccoli rabe to change things up a bit, and threw it in for the last minute of the pasta’s cooking time, to make this meal even simpler to make. I also love the new pasta we tried with it. I really love this photo because it shows you how simple and fresh ingredients can make a beautiful and healthy dinner.
Here’s a few snapshots that I took this week.
We had some beautiful afternoons, so I pulled out the vitamix and made up the kid’s favorite strawberry mango and banana smoothie. Here’s Eli enjoying his glass and giving me the thumbs up.
So, I allow my kids to each take one personal day off from school a year. Zoe took her day a few months ago, (sorry, I didn’t get any photos) and Eli decided to take his this past Monday. My kids are rarely sick, (Eli hasn’t missed a day of school in 3 years) so I decided that it would be fun to give them each a personal day, a day where they can spontaneously stay home, chill out and have some special time with mom. They really love this and I love it as well. I believe it’s teaching them that life isn’t always about rushing around like crazy till you get sick and finally need to rest and take a day off. It’s sometimes nice to take a day off when you’re feeling good just to “be.” Anyway, we had such a nice and relaxing day. We went to one of our favorite lunch spots, Sol Food, for a pressed egg, ham and cheese sandwich. It’s so good. Here’s a photo of Eli in front of the restaurant. As you can see, Eli has a big grin on his face because he was so happy to be eating at Sol Food on a school day.
After lunch, we headed home and made up a batch of cookies for ice-cream sandwiches that night. Eli was a great helper. He went a little heavy on the sugar, but that’s ok! I will make this recipe again and be sure to post it closer to ice-cream season.
Here’s a gorgeous shot of Zoe that I took at the beginning of our hike yesterday. I love how she’s all natural and glowing amongst all of the spring flowers.
We took the cousins to Sol Food yesterday for some lunch before the hike. Let me just tell you that it was a success. They loved everything!
Ok, let’s move onto this week’s menu:
Sunday night dinner: It’s Easter, so after stuffing ourselves at brunch this morning, (I’m hoping to score some french toast, btw) we have to think of dinner right? The weather has cooled a bit, so I’m thinking some Italian wedding soup might be perfect. I will serve that up with some freshly baked popovers. For dessert I’m making up some chocolate coconut pie! Yum yum!
Monday night dinner: Cheese ravioli with broccoli rabe and shallots. This is basically my green bean and shallot ravioli recipe, but since organic green beans aren’t in season now, I used broccoli rabe instead. It’s a one-bowl meal, and you all know how I love those.
Tuesday night dinner: Leftover night! Italian wedding soup. I will serve this up with some whole-grain bread!
Wednesday night dinner: Cheesy baked tortellini with roasted asparagus. This is an easy and comforting midweek meal! I will use the leftover tortellini for the kid’s lunch this week.
Thursday night dinner: I’m trying a new pizza here. Asparagus and gruyere cheese pizza. I’m not sure how Eli will fare with this, so I’m going to make a smaller cheese pizza to go along with the asparagus one. I will serve this up with my kale and ricotta salata salad.
I have a new hot cereal addiction that can be ready in 5 minutes. Stayed tuned this week for my 5 minute hot quinoa cereal! I’m actually eating a bowl as I type this post up, and it’s yummy!
Have a wonderful and blissful Easter everyone!
I had a dream about custard stuffed popovers last night. Is that even a thing?
No, but it sounds great to me. Make some up girl! 🙂
Good morning! What a great idea to have an intentional personal day off from school to spend time with mom and remind them to slow down and take time. Eli and Zoe have the best smiles, I think because they are so genuine and it shows through.
Did you get your french toast? Easter dinner looks delish and the chocolate pie was a great ending. Love that pie! Hope you all had a nice day together. We had everyone at our house and it was a beautiful day so we spent much of it in the backyard. It was so nice. 🙂
I will say your ricotta and kale salad has become a regular in my rotation, I love it. I have ricotta salata now, but when I can’t find it, I use another cheese that the cheesemonger at Whole Foods recommended as a substitute called Minouri. That one sounds more obscure than the ricotta salata but apparently there was a shortage of it here for awhile. Go figure!
Can’t wait for your new pizza recipe! It is asparagus season so time to take advantage of it! Okay sunshine, I hope you have a great day today! xoxo, Sharon
Hi Sharon! You’re so sweet! No, I didn’t get the french toast ;( They didn’t offer any on the menu. Actually, the food was kind of lame, but the company was AMAZING! We had a private room at the restaurant which was great because we had 7 kids, and 2 of them were 5 and 1 so they got to move around a bit. It sounds like you had a beautiful day as well 🙂
I’m so happy that the ricotta and kale salad is a hit at your casa. Thanks for the cheese recommendation. I will check that brand out next time I’m at Whole Foods. You know there was a shortage because everyone was making up my salad, he he! Just kidding. Yes, I’m hoping the pizza turns out yummy! Fingers crossed. Have a great night sister! xoxo, Jackie
Everything looks delicious! Love the pics of the kids and what gorgeous views for hiking!
Thanks Annie! 🙂
Zoe looks gorgeous and like it’s a Ralph Lauren Polo catalog shot. Great job photographer mom and model Zoe 🙂
And Eli and the cookies…adorable!
That choc/coconut pie…I forgot about that recipe. I need it!
Thanks Averie. I showed her your comment and she was like, “Whose Ralph Lauren?” I told her never mind, but that it was a huge compliment. She beamed, of course. Yes, Eli is the baking man. He wants me to give him cooking classed this summer, so cute! You have to try that coconut pie, so good girl! xoxo, Jackie
That ravioli and broccoli dish looks great, really simple but I bet it’s delicious 🙂
Thanks Becca! It’s super delish and super easy to make! 🙂