I love it when we all get together!

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Happy Sunday!

It’s always a great day to spend time with the “punkin-doodles”!

I’m still determining where this nickname came from. It probably started when Rory was a baby. I liked to call him pumpkin, just like his mom, which turned into punkin, which somehow became punkin-doodle. We have had so much fun with this name. Aiden, the character that he is, now calls me Vo-Vo-Doodle!

Our house comes alive whenever they visit, and I couldn’t be happier or filled with more joy. We had a blast this week! They recently learned how to swim, so they were eager to show off their new skills. With their new shark goggles, they felt like real underwater adventurers! We visited my parents, and of course, were very impressed. Plus, we had some fun with magnetic fishing pool toys that made the day even more exciting!

We came home and snuggled on my comfy couch for a bit, all warm and happy. Then it was time for the big surprise of the weekend! One of our favorite traditions is hiding a secret surprise for them somewhere in the house. After a little searching and lots of giggles, they found it – one of their favorite games, Magna-Tiles Space! The excitement in their faces was priceless, we played the entire night!

We also enjoyed making pizza sandwiches together. Rory takes after his Vo-Vo; he’s obsessed with pizza! Did I ever share with you that in high school, I ate pizza every day? I never get tired of it, to this day. This presents a problem, though… there’s nothing quite like Jersey pizza – it’s just not the same here in Florida!

Over the years, I have learned to make easy pizza recipes using flatbread, puff pastry, and sandwich bread. Another Jersey favorite is the pizza bread! Rory loved hearing about the pizza sandwich, so we made our own version together. We had so much fun in the kitchen, rolling the bread, smearing the pizza sauce, sprinkling the cheese, and adding pepperoni! He ate the entire pizza, and asked for another! We might need to add this recipe to the website!

My son-in-law, Shamus, makes the absolute best guacamole. He whipped up a huge batch for us. It was delicious over my salmon recipe! My son Reis, who worked at Moe’s in high school, has a tip for keeping guacamole green in the refrigerator: put saran wrap over it and make sure every last bit is covered. It works like a charm!
If you’re looking to step up your guacamole game, try using this avocado slicer, or grab some cute serving bowls to make your presentation pop! Trust me, everyone will be asking for your secret!

Of course, we had a huge #SundaySupper while everyone was in town, and it was absolutely delicious! Ron, our ultimate grill master, served up
perfectly cooked New York Strips that were juicy and full of flavor. We also enjoyed tender steamed Crab Legs, loaded baked potatoes, and green bean almondine. We ate every last bite, and there were smiles all around the table.

When I say it was amazing, everyone is still talking about it. There truly is nothing better! If you want to grill like a pro, you need this grill thermometer for the perfect cook every time. I don’t know what we’d do without it. And for serving, I love setting my table ahead of time with these favorites:

1. Start with my woven placemats
2. Next I layer with these faux leather chargers
3. Topped with these trendy dinner bowls

I’m not sure what I enjoyed more: the food, or all the laughs around our family table. We once again had a debate over who the favorite child of the family is. It’s been an ongoing debate since the kids were little… I’m sure you know what I mean if you have kids of your own.

What have you been cooking? I would love to hear all about it! Have you been watching any new shows, or reading anything? I’ve been reading a new book, and watching a new show that has my full attention. It’s been fun!

I hope you’re enjoying a fabulous week filled with joy and love.

Your friend,
Isabel