January 4, 2025

WEEKLY MENU 01.05.25

Celebrating love during the Weekly Menu 01.05.25~

The Weekly Menu 01.05.25 is the tip of the iceberg for parties and celebrations for January. Wednesday starts the partying ~ it’s our 31st Anniversary! Bert and I were married on a cold, snowy, definitely wintery Saturday thirty-one years ago this year if we make it that far. That’s a Papaism – he said something along those lines every time he and my Mom’s anniversary rolled around. Fun fact: Bert’s birthday and their anniversary are on the same day.

We got engaged at the end of May 1993~

And Poor Bert didn’t know what was coming. I called him the next day with the fabulous news that our home church (Saint Peter Cathedral) was available on January 8th. “This January 8th, coming up? In seven months, January?” Was his slightly flabbergasted response. I was shocked they had an opening, too. January seems like a big wedding time in beautiful Erieland. We had a lot to get done before the big day, of course, but we had so much fun. My favorite party to plan yet!

That was the best decision ever. Marrying him – not the date, although that worked out well too. Except for all the people that couldn’t make it because of the snow. But that’s a story for another day.

In 2025, the OG is getting married. They’ve been engaged FOREVER (just kidding, but they did decide to get hitched in 2023, and we are in 2025). We’ve got wedding on the brain since it’s getting so close. My ADIL (almost/adorable Daughter-in-law) knows the exact number of days, but it’s in June, so there are only 5 or so more months to plan.

Where are we thirty-one years on? This is from an event this past summer, and it graced our Christmas card this year as well:

It’s a little foreshadowing of the big day. How handsome are they in tuxes?

Thirty-one years have flown by, and Bert is still the person I’d most like to be with. I’m looking forward to the next thirty-one. What. It could happen!

Love you, Bert.

Weekly Menu 01.05.25

We’ve got turkey breast on tap for Sunday night on the Weekly Menu 01.05.25. We’ve had the turkey languishing in the freezer since just after Thanksgiving. We had it all ready to go for Thanksgiving, but, unfortunately, the Pittsburgh contingency (FIL, SIL, and BIL) couldn’t make it up to Erieland.

I’m grabbing a box of delicious boxed stuffing a La Stove Top to go with. But I’ll get the store brand because it’s half the price and just as delish. I’ll roast some potatoes and green beans on a sheet pan while the turkey finishes. It’s much less work than Thanksgiving!

On Monday and Tuesday, we’re getting out the crockpots. Monday is an Italian take on stew meat. Shredded Italian Beef It’s so easy that I actually popped it in the crockpot before heading to the hospital to have my appendix removed a couple of years ago. I never did get to eat it, but all the boysies said it hit the spot.

Tuesday is Fire Chicken Tacos. This is another 5 ingredient and under recipe that is a dump-and-go family favorite. I’ve been running the 5-Ingredient Fix on Instagram, and these two will be in the mix. Check out everything that I’ve posted so far @thewellseasonedmom

Don’t forget to follow me – not all the recipes are on the blog.

I’m not cooking for our anniversary.

But I never have, so that’s nothing new. Wednesday night, Bert and I are going out for our anniversary dinner. I’ve put DATE NIGHT on the menu and recommend everyone gets out of the house to their favorite restaurant. We used to go to the hotel/restaurant venue that we had our reception at, but the Bel Air Hotel and Conference Center did not make it through Covid, sadly. Where should we go?

Thursday, we’re having planned leftovers (is that meal prepping? Asking for a friend). The turkey comes out to play with (white) toast and jarred, store-bought gravy. I might add butter to the gravy to shake it up a little. Friday is another foray into the kitchen for the slow cooker with a dump soup. Chicken Fiesta Slow Cooker Soup is crazy easy and tasty. But it can be a little salty if you’re not careful. Buy sodium-free everything if you’re going to give it a try.