While Monday’s arrival is typically a bummer, I had such a great weekend I find myself still riding the high from such a great one. Likely a sugar high, but still. Saturday started off amazing with that accidental 6.3 mile run and a great lunch with blog friend, Laura. I continued a good time Saturday afternoon with lots of kitchen time. I whipped up a few goodies to bring to a pot luck afternoon we had planned with friends.

Jess’ Triple Layer Cookies & Cream Bars

My Favorite Cheesy Mexican Cornbread (recipe below)

Our afternoon and evening contained the simple joy of spending time with many of our best friends. I do not find anything nicer than an evening spent laughing and chatting with friends, watching our children enjoy the excitement of youth, nibbling some good eats, and celebrating the wonderful fellowship we have thanks to God bringing us all together.

I love these people!  I also loved the food.

I had taste-tested a couple pieces of each of my recipes before leaving, so I didn’t have the hugest appetite for our early dinner. I kept it simple with a serving of spinach salad, two deviled eggs (with bacon & blue cheese!), a spoonful of mac & cheese, and some fruit. Saving room for one more of Jess’ bars clearly mattered most. I think everyone else had the same thing in mind. Those suckers were G-O-N-E! Well done, Jess. Well done.

Our busy weekend extended into Sunday with church and a 3rd birthday celebration for one of Makenzie’s friends. The party was held at an indoor soccer sports center. Little M started off a bit unsure about everything but quickly got more excited about the festivities.

I spent a large part of the party hanging out with my special date. What a handsome guy!

Since the party started directly after church, I had quite the hunger beast setting in. I had no problem downing some mediocre pizza.

It’s funny because this brand of pizza used to be my favorite. Then, my Italian hubby turned me into a pizza snob. I never thought that day would come. I know for a fact you will never find me snobby over cake. As long as it has icing, of course.

This cake rocked! Normally I can take or leave the cake portion and only desire the icing. This cake was perfect and not dry in the least.

We ended the weekend with some Love and Other Drugs action.

Finally, here is that recipe I promised!

Easy Cheesy Mexican Cornbread

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese (I used a mix of the two)
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 oz can diced green chilies
• 1 can creamed corn
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375. Combine the first 6 ingredients (cornmeal through chilies). Add the wet ingredients (creamed corn through milk) and stir to mix well. Pour into a lightly greased 8x8 square or 9” round baking dish. Bake for 40-45 minutes until top golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

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Lots of rest really does wonders on recovering from illness. I took it easy yesterday while Peter worked from home to help with the kids. I don’t quite know what hit me, but I’m happy to report it seems to have only lasted 24 hours. I think having my appetite back excites me the most. I could only stomach the following yesterday during the day:

A Yogurt Bowl

2 Dippy Eggs, English Muffin, Grapes

Banana Soft Serve with a Drizzle of White Chocolate Peanut Butter

All delicious, but not quite the norm for how much I typically eat in a day. Luckily, once dinner rolled around I had worked up the desire for food again. We had quite the delicious meal planned and I was thrilled to partake!

We, and by “we” I mean “Peter”, grilled up some of our cow share steaks and I whipped up a delicious salad combo on the side. My all-time favorite salads include nuts, fruit, cheese, and a light dressing. Avocado doesn’t hurt either. This salad had it all.

Romaine, red onion, cucumber, strawberries, avocado, goat cheese, walnuts, and this homemade lemon vinaigrette Andrea shared last week on her blog. With such nice, warm temperatures outside it felt like fine summer dining. Sunshine always helps cure the “sickies” as we call them around here. <--- Life with kids, I tell ya.

I hope I continue feeling better and better as the day goes on. I’m still going to take it easy today to make sure of that. I plan on spending lunch with a friend, doing some blog reading during my usual afternoon time slot, and figuring out what to pick for my next 4all by jofit outfit. We get to choose our outfits this time. Help me pick! Which top and bottom would you pick from the London and New Orleans lines? Hint hint – let me know because another giveaway could be coming your way soon. 😉

• What time do you usually do your blog reading?
• What items would you choose from the new 4all designs?