A Week-Night Setting

Sitting down together as a family at a table has been proven to not only bring families closer together, but improves a myriad of behaviors in children and adolescents.  Meals prepared at home are usually more nutritious, and the relaxed atmosphere certainly helps with unwinding after a long day at work or school.  With this in mind, I attempt to have a healthy, hot meal at least 4 nights a week.  In reality, one of those nights might be Chinese take-out, and one night might be soup and sandwiches.  I am always looking for easy recipes for the crock pot, and I have mastered several 'almost' homemade meals.

If my son, who is still at home, is eating elsewhere, I simply don't want to cook.  He eats with his football team on Thursday nights, he has his football game on Friday nights, so he grabs something after school and after the game, and on Saturday nights he eats out with his friends.  That leaves Sunday through Wednesday.  I find myself not wanting to prepare a meal if no one is going to be home but my husband and myself.  What will happen next year when it's just the two of us at home all the time?   I need some suggestions...

I love red, especially the deep reds of fall.  Found these taupe and white dishes at Goodwill.

These Ralph Lauren paisley napkins had the perfect colors to tie everything together.

The glasses and stems are Mikasa Park Lane.

The charger plates are from TJ Maxx.

The centerpiece pumpkin came from a local gift shop that's now closed, and the little bird S&P shakers are from Pier 1.  White candle holders are from Home Goods.

The centerpiece pumpkin sits atop a cake plate, and I used oak-leaf hydrangea leaves as a base.

Candlelight . . .



Football moms usually prepare or at least serve dinners on Thursday nights.  My job for this week was to make a snack mix called White Trash, named this because it was originally mixed together in a trash bag.

1 (12 oz) box Crispix cereal

1 (12 oz) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 (12 oz) jar of creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 pound confectioners sugar

Place cereal in a large bowl.  Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter and vanilla over low heat or in microwave.  Cool slightly and pour over cereal.  Mix well.  Add confectioners sugar and stir until coated.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  Enjoy!



One more pic...

Can't wait to hear from you!  I'm still striving for A Perfect Setting!!