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Happy Sunday,
There’s nothing I love more than sharing our North Georgia home with the people we love most — and this past week was such a sweet reminder of how special that truly is. Ron’s sister, our brother-in-law, their daughter, and her fiancé came to visit… and with them, the absolute highlight of our week: meeting our beautiful new great-niece, Hazel.
Oh my goodness, friends. I am still on cloud nine from their visit. Hazel is the most precious little bundle of joy — she’s already got such a personality! I am absolutely in love with her… and so is Lip. I kid you not, Lip was obsessed with Hazel. He showered her with kisses, and she lit up every time she found him across the room. You’d think they were old souls reunited — true BFFs at first sight.
I had no idea how much I missed having a baby around until Hazel arrived. Let’s just say Vo-Vo went into full mode: bunny hop, hokey pokey, silly songs, the works. My heart was so full, and yes — if my kids are reading this… I am so ready for another grandchild.
We made so many beautiful memories together, but my favorite might just be our day on Lake Hartwell. Hazel was such a little champ on the boat —she loved it! She even snoozed long enough for the rest of us to float around and soak up the sun. It was one of those lazy, laughter-filled lake days that you tuck away in your heart forever.
As for food? Oh, I kept things super simple and stress-free… and it was perfect. The younger Isabel would’ve been stressing about making everything just right — but these days, I’ve learned that the magic is in letting go and enjoying the ride.
Here’s our easy and delicious menu from the week:
- Grilled pork chops + smoked chicken thighs (Ron nailed it, as always!)
- Grilled corn on the cob and foil-packet potatoes
- Cheesesteak sliders with tater tots and a simple green salad (Philly roots coming in strong!)
- Next-day leftovers turned into a pork-and-chicken rice dish with caramelized BBQ flavor that might’ve been better the second time around…
And a huge shout-out to my brother-in-law Mike, who cooked breakfast every morning — including scrapple, eggs, and sausage. We even repurposed our leftover potatoes for the best breakfast potatoes. That’s what I call no-stress, family-style cooking!
Our home was filled with love, laughter, and full bellies all weekend long. And at the end of the day, that’s all I truly want around our family table.
Wishing you a Sunday full of the people and flavors you love most.
With all my heart,
Isabel
This week's meal plan...
- Sunday: Oven Roasted Chicken
- Monday: Fiesta Chicken
- Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo
- Wednesday: Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla
- Thursday: Strawberry Chicken Salad
- Friday: Grilled Ribeye Steak
- Saturday: Steak and Potatoes
🔪 Prep Plan:
On your prep day, get a head start on the week by roasting your whole chicken! Once cooked and cooled, shred or chop the chicken and portion it out for Monday’s fiesta chicken, Tuesday’s chicken alfredo, Wednesday’s quesadillas, and Thursday’s strawberry chicken salad. Store each portion in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Chop Your Toppings: Slice bell peppers and onions for Monday’s fiesta chicken and Wednesday’s quesadillas. Wash and slice strawberries for Thursday’s salad. Chop any extra salad toppings like red onion, cucumber, or avocado. Store everything in airtight containers or zip-top bags lined with paper towels to stay fresh and crisp all week.
- Make Your Sauce: Whip up a simple alfredo sauce with butter, garlic, cream, and Parmesan for Tuesday’s chicken alfredo. Store it in a jar or an airtight container in the fridge for easy reheating.
Step Outside and See My New Outdoor Setup
We recently added a new outdoor seating set to the covered porch, and it’s exactly what I was looking for. The set came with the couch, chairs, and ottoman — all in a clean, modern shape with deep, comfortable cushions. I also added a woven rug underneath to pull everything together, and it adds just the right amount of texture without being too busy. It’s become a quiet, go-to spot for early mornings or winding down in the evening.
Just around the corner, we added a new patio table and chairs under an oversized blue umbrella. It’s where we’ve started eating dinner most evenings — and it’s quickly become a favorite spot for weekend lunches, too. The bench makes it easy to squeeze in a few extra guests, and I love how the light wood tones keep everything feeling relaxed and airy.
Missed a week? Check out my last blog post, too!
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