It’s FRIDAY!!! And it’s officially DECEMBER!
Whew! This first week after a big break was difficult for me. I needed an easier re-entry into “real” life before I was thrown into a full week of normal! Anyone else? I’ve got a little dose of Friday FAVORITES for you. And when I say a LITTLE dose, I mean it. As always, I’ve teamed up with my girl, Andrea, to bring you some FAVES. 🙂
First up in my list of FAVES are these podcasts….
And 10 Things to Tell You Podcast! I shared both of those in my post on Wednesday, but they’re worth another share! On this topic, if YOU have a FAVORITE podcast you look forward to each week, PLEASE share it with me. I was so glad my aunt shared these two with me last week! I’ll spend the next few months catching up on all their old episodes. They’re THAT good!
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This might be the cutest/funniest Christmas gift I’ve ever opened in the mail! Definitely Bowen’s FAVORITE surprise. One of Tab’s crew mates sent crackers, cheeses, and this football shaped-summer sausage. How CUTE for a group of football officials! Right? If you’re a fellow football wife of some kind, keep this gift in mind. {It came from Harry & David’s.}
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The weather here in Texas yesterday wasn’t exactly cold or even cool really but it was just a grey, rainy day. Every once in a while I absolutely LOVE days like that! Especially if I don’t have to get out in it! My FAVORITE way to spend an evening like that is with a big bowl of soup and guys! This soup was delish last night! I added chicken breasts, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, and sliced carrots along with some seasonings to the slow cooker early yesterday morning and that cooked a long time. About an hour before we were gonna eat I diced up the chicken, added frozen corn, added frozen peas, a little heavy cream to give it just a little creaminess, and egg noodles. An hour later we were eating the most delicious soup-I paired mine with a little parmesan cheese and Tobasco. This was on the schedule for Wednesday night but things got away from me so we had it last night. 😉
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Another FAVORITE….this slow cooker! If you’re looking for a nice gift for someone hard to shop for, see if she has a nice slow cooker. I use mine multiple times a week almost all year long. When I add up the price per use, it’s SO WORTH it!
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Last thing and this isn’t even a FAVORITE of mine but I’m hoping you share a FAVORITE of yours…I have HIGH hopes of a fun, festive game night and am on the hunt for a few great games. Do you have any family faves? This year our typical Christmas Eve plans will look a little different and I’m thinking some fun games that night might be the perfect addition! Please send your recs my way!
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My list is really short and sweet this week. I’ve got a LONG to-do list today and am doing all I can to check everything off my list by the time the kids are out of school. Wish me luck! 😉
Hope you guys have THE BEST weekend!
XO
An easy and fun game is Slapzi https://www.amazon.com/TENZI-SLAPZI-Thinking-Matching-Players/dp/B01M0SOH57/ref=sr_1_5?crid=YHC736ZE548W&keywords=slapzi+card+game&qid=1701428419&sprefix=slapz%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-5
We are a games family- we just played Mind the Gap at Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit. Also Farkle, Spy Fall, and Whoonu. Dutch Blitz is my favorite to play with my husband.
The game Anomia is so fun and easy – can play with just a few people or larger group! Great for all ages!
2 podcasts that you might like since you’re into the NFL 🙂 .. calm
Down podcast and Kelly staffords podcast “the morning after” both have some football but both just make me laugh too 😉
Better life podcast – I love “raising boys and girls” and always love “that sounds fun” 🙂
Thank you so much, Leah! I used to listen to Calm Down and kind of forgot about it! I need to listen again!
Check out the simplified podcast if you haven’t yet! It’s one of my favorites!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
My kids love when we play BEAT THE PARENTS. It’s a really fun family game that all of you can play!
do you have Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza? They have a Christmas edition too!
We also love Eye Found It, it’s a Disney game. we have and love both the large game board version and the card version!
Thanks so much, Jess!
I just blogged about podcasts today and mentioned Midlife Matters. They are a little further along in “life” then you but I bet you can still pick up a lot of good stuff (I always liked getting advice from those ahead of me in life so I was prepared when I hit that milestone) from those ladies. I love Smartless, but it is hosted by people that *I* grew up with – not sure if they are everyone’s jam. My BIL got me started on The Rewatchables – they break down popular movies. I pick and choose those, of course.
The two you mentioned I’ve listened to for a very long time – so many good things in The Lazy Genius 🙂
As for games, we are a game family. . .so many good card games out there, especially if you have a crowd or varying age/ability levels. Bananagrams is better than Scrabble, I think. Ticket to Ride and Catan are great strategy games. Sequence has been a favorite for over 30 years.
Happy Weekend!
I’m adding those podcasts to my list! Thank you!
I LOVE family games! Two of the best ones are Beat the Parents and The Game of Life. I think that all of your kiddos and you and Tab would love these..
THANK YOU, Amy!!
Erika that soup!!! Oh my gosh! Can you please give some specifics like amounts, etc? Also, did you cook the egg noodles before adding them? I can’t wait to make this. Thank you.
Hi Marla! Unfortunately, I just dumped but I think this recipe is similar but I added corn and green peas. https://www.simplejoy.com/crock-pot-creamy-chicken-noodle-soup/
One more thing and no, I just added the egg noodles. I had to add more chicken broth and should have even added more because mine was thick.
That chicken noodle dish looks amazing! It is cold and rainy here today… very cold.
Thanks, Joanne!
Do you happen to have a recipe for the soup? It looks delish!
I kind of made it up as I went along but this recipe is similar…https://www.simplejoy.com/crock-pot-creamy-chicken-noodle-soup/
My absolute favorite podcast is The Big Boo Cast. I have also recently started listening to Comfort Food with Kelly Rizzo & have liked each episode. I also like In Joy Life Podcast, Making Space, & Amy & TJ
Thank you so much, Kelly!