It's Sunday. The annual Christmas parade just drove through our neighborhood with police, fire trucks, and ambulances all blasting Christmas music with volunteers handing out candy canes and collecting bags of canned goods. I was upstairs putting away laundry when I heard the sirens start wailing down our neighborhood street, and then I heard the clatter of my kids calling for Cub (little two year old Cadáin) to join them outside to watch "Santa Claus" drive down our street. I stopped and listened to the merry racket both within my own household and outside and I smiled and my heart felt whole.
As the calendar continues to drive us (rapidly, it seems!) towards the 25th, if you can find a moment in the midst of the Christmas chaos to just listen and enjoy the unexpected, I invite you to lean into that as I (unwittingly) did while putting away laundry. I promise, you will feel fuller and more content. Joyous and surprised. I think it's so easy to get caught up in all of the activity and miss the little, everyday joys of this blessed season, especially if you have little ones at home.
Here's what we're cooking this week:
Slow Cooker Curried Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup
This easy recipe for slow cooker curried sweet potato & carrot soup is spice-forward! Bland soup be gone, this creamy bowl of spiced goodness will delight your tastebuds!
Cheese Enchiladas
What's better than an easy, wonderful recipe for cheese enchiladas? Mmm...that would be...nothing. This kid-pleasing meal can be ready in 30 minutes!
Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna
This easy recipe for slow cooker veggie lasagna is one of those crazy-day busy-parent end-of-day lifesaver kind of meals! Plus...leftovers!
Slow-Cooker Korean BBQ Beef Tacos
These Slow-Cooker Korean BBQ Beef Tacos have everything - texture, flavor, and timing! They're quick, easy, and oh-so-tasty!
Slow-Cooker Pizza Fondue
Easy, fun, flexible, and ridiculously kid-friendly, slow-cooker Pizza Fondue is a recipe your little ones will beg for on a regular basis!
Easy Gingerbread Waffles
This is a simple, easy recipe for a festive, tasty breakfast! Make these gingerbread waffles during the holidays...or anytime! The gingerbread flavor is subtle, pleasant, and unmistakeable.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Looking to jazz up taco night with a delightful, simple side dish? Look no further than this easy recipe for cilantro lime rice!
Fudgy Cappuccino Crinkles
A soft chocolate cookie that's baked with coffee and cinnamon and rolled around in powdered sugar making it the perfect cookie to enjoy with a cup of coffee.
If you're looking for more ideas for dinner, may I suggest we just keep it as simple as possible leading up to the holiday! Check out my Slow-Cooker and Instant Pot Pinterest board. It seems like everybody has at least one of those small appliances, so I am sure you can find something there that will help you get dinner on the table quickly. However, if you had a long day and being in the kitchen sounds relaxing and therapeutic for you (maybe that sounds crazy to some of you, but it often is this way for me!) I highly suggest you make this Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo Casserole. It's not a quick meal, but it is satisfying to make and tastes amazing once you pop it out of the oven.
Happy Cooking, Friends!
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