The menu plan for week 118 will include dinner plans only.  Since the week will be filled with various activities my breakfast and lunch menus will be on the fly.  I do plan to make one easy breakfast casserole (an ‘Ole Buckeye pleaser) page 328 Trim Healthy Table, and my new favorite E breakfast…Upside Down Pineapple Oatmeal. Upside Down Pineapple Oatmeal  Those two casseroles should get me through most of the mornings ahead.  I can easily supplement with a favorite shake or smoothie.  Christmas morning I plan to prepare a Creme Brûlée French Toast Casserole for my son’s family.  It has become a tradition over the years, something the grand girls look forward to.  I will make it ahead and give it to them when they leave us on Christmas Eve.  I will make bacon, eggs, and grits for us…always the ‘Ole Buckeye’s first choice.  Eggs over easy, crisp bacon and creamy, salty grits.  I will throw in some home made scones for extra Christmas cheer.  (Maybe a special flavored coffee for me).

Since we will be running errands over these next days lunches will need to be simple if we are at home, consisting of soups and left overs from dinners.  I am hoping for one or two special lunches “out” to make the days more festive.  I love to spend time where the atmosphere is filled with Christmas  decor and holiday music.  I would love to visit new Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach either for lunch or happy hour.  Originally we planned a 2-3 day trip to DC this week to enjoy National Harbor and visit the new Museum of the Bible, but with our upcoming trip in January and rain in the forecast we shelved that trip for a later date.  Since my original plan was to be away and have some lunches and dinners out, I decided to do the same here and enjoy what Norfolk and Virginia Beach have to offer.

Dinner for week 118 on the other hand required lots of attention.  Dinners included the most important eating days of the year.  The menu plan needed to include meals to lead up to the celebrations requiring less attention so that more attention could be focused on 3 special days.  Our family tradition is to have chicken sandwiches, baked beans, potato salad and chip dip for Christmas Eve followed by a candlelight church service.  My daughter in law is not a fan.  Her family tradition is beef and seafood.  Since the daughters decided early on to make Christmas a full day of eating…appetizers and games all day, I decided to do a family dinner on Christmas Eve with a standing rib roast as the star.  Our traditional Christmas Eve dinner will be prepared on the Eve of Christmas Eve (Sunday) for anyone who wants to partake.

My Christmas Eve dinner menu was formulated while watching the Food Network last Saturday when I was baking.  I will be preparing Ina’s standing rib roast (or a prime rib with an alternative baking method), shaved Brussel sprouts, a mashed potato casserole made on the Kitchen by Katie Lee, my traditional blueberry salad, baked acorn squash, followed by a Snickers Pie, cookies and candy.

Our Christmas celebration was suggested by my daughter…not a big, heavy meal, but an all day feast of speciality hors d’oeuvres and games, lots of games.  All of us will prepare a few favorites.  Right now I plan to make a Mexican Dip  

(chili con queso), chip dip, and mushroom mouthfuls.   Aside from the beer, wine, and mixed drinks, we will also be sharing the world famous Lt. Eggnog! (at least in our world).

The Greek Meatloaf from the Benington Family Cookbook

Sheet Pan Fajitas   THM S

Mississippi Roast  THM S

Ina’s Rib Roast   THM S

Roasted Prime Rib   THM S

Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta   THM S

Mashed Potatoes Au Gratin  (cheat)

Maple Roasted Acorn Squash   (I may try to tweak this recipe for those on plan)

Snickers Pie   THM S

So week 118 is planned and the prep has begun.  Some of the meals will be strictly compliant with the trim healthy mama eating plan, others will be outside the box, but insanely delicious and full of family traditions and memories.  I am truly looking forward to our Christmas in Virginia…my whole family together sharing food, family memories, and fun.

Bon Appetit’!