Weekend Dispatch

If last weekend was totally low-key and relaxing, this weekend is going to be the complete opposite. It's the weekend before my birthday (which, BTW, is Monday), so we have lots of plans and lots going on this weekend. So, let's not waste anytime getting to it.

On Saturday morning our high school football team will be playing in a state championship game at Rutgers Stadium. I'll be up bright and early with a car full of girls to cheer on the team. I don't usually go to the games (when you have a teenager who attends every home game, you are strongly encouraged by said teen to steer clear of the games), but this game promises to be fun no matter the outcome.

We are officially kicking off our holiday season on Saturday evening. Harper and I are going to see a performance of Scrooge at the Spring Lake Community Theater. We know several of the performers, and we've heard phenomenal reviews from friends who attend the show year after year. Get more info and tickets here.

As a teenager, my best friend Sue and I would obsessively read Agatha Christie novels as if our lives depended on it. Our favorite book, hands down, was Murder On The Orient Express. We loved the movie from the 1970s as well. As you can guess, when we learned there would be an updated remake of this classic, we were thrilled. I still haven't seen it (I can thank a long vacation in Florida when the movie was released for that!) but am thinking this weekend would be the perfect time to catch it.

Since going pescatarian back in the summer (you can read all about my evolution here), I've been feverishly searching for good vegetarian recipes that are easy and delicious. One of my favorite local restaurants has a fantastic quinoa salad that I've been trying to replicate. When I came across this quinoa salad recipe from one of my favorite food blogs, I was thrilled. One of the best things about many vegetarian recipes is that it makes multiple servings that last for a few days so there's no need to worry about lunch!

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Back in the summer, we started somewhat of a Sunday brunch tradition. On our wedding anniversary on Sunday, June 25th, the whole family went out to brunch at Half Moon Point. We enjoyed it so much we went back the next week and the week after that and so on. It quickly became a tradition, which we followed up with a trip to the farmers' market. We still have our brunch tradition, although the players change occasionally. Sometimes it's the whole family, and other times, we have one child with us but not the other, and sometimes no kids at all. This Sunday, we'll definitely be there to celebrate the last day of my 40s (Yes! I'm turning the big 5-0 on Monday). If you are local, stop by and have a mimosa with me!

Lastly, if I can find a spare moment this weekend, I'd love to make these peppermint candy ornaments. They are so festive and cute and would even make a cute gift topper. Since we are getting our Christmas trees this weekend, it would be timely to make these and adorn the trees with them.

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So, tell me. What do you have planned this weekend?