I’m pretty sure that last night was the first night in at least a month where we actually ate dinner at our dinner table and not on the couch. What a crazy concept?!
As you can probably see, we were actually having company over for dinner so I figured we’d give the usual TV trays a break for once. My in-laws came over for the evening for dinner, dessert, and a viewing of The Voice.
You guys already saw that I was making Mal’s Easy Chili for dinner, so to go along with that, I baked one of my favorite homemade breads: French baguettes.
I couldn’t remember which size loaves I usually make, but I realized that these definitely turned out smaller than the last time I made them. Luckily, there was still enough for everyone so I didn’t have to worry…but now I don’t have many leftovers either. Booo.
Along with my homemade bread, I enjoyed a big ‘ol bowl of chili for dinner, topped with a generous helping of shredded cheddar.
And then…we had dessert.
I made a batch of Lightened Up Fudgy Oreo Brownies, but substituted toffee bits for the Oreos. They turned out SO. GOOD. and paired perfectly with a couple small scoops of light cookies and cream ice cream. Heaven.
*****
Despite everything we ate last night, I actually woke up starving this morning, so I wasted no time in making breakfast.
Today’s breakfast du jour was two whole grain waffles (not pumpkin spice, sadly) topped with peanut butter, pumpkin butter, banana slices, chia seeds, and a drizzle of syrup.
I ran out of regular PB so I had to substitute in my Planters Nut-rition PB which, surprisingly enough, I actually ended up enjoying more than the other one.
Not only was breakfast great, but my coffee was fantastic…yesterday, Michelle left a comment saying how she’s been putting some of the TJ’s Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte mix into her coffee. Genius, right?! I added about half a scoop into mine this morning and it was deeeeeelicious.
Thanks for the idea, Michelle!
I’m off to a doctor’s appointment this morning, running a few errands, then hopefully getting in some yoga since I have yet to do any sessions so far this week. Yikes!
I’ve got no good questions to ask this morning…so Happy Wednesday to you!
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
Hope all goes well at the Doctors!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
The french baguettes look great! They look like they were made at a store. I’d love to try my hand at baking bread from scratch. :) Best of luck at the drs!
Elaine says
That entire meal looks amazing! I’m definitely going to have to try those lightened up brownies. I have a major sweet tooth, so anything that is lightened up is great!
chelcie @ chelcie's food files says
that sounds like a delicious coffee combination..lately i’ve been brewing half regular coffee and half pumpkin spice coffee which gives the coffee a nice pumpkin taste but not too overpowering
your dinner sounds delicious..i love a nice big bowl of chili with cheese on top
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie says
Your dinner looked so delicious! I love chili and crispy bread for dipping and that dessert? Come on! :)
Lyric says
Yesterday I made my own Pumpkin Spice Latte, It tasted EXACTLY like starbucks; heres the recipe:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon unsweetened canned pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup hot brewed coffee
In a glass measuring cup or microwave-safe bowl, whisk together milk, pumpkin, brown sugar, spice and vanilla. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes- watch closely and remove it from the microwave when the milk is hot then pour the pumpkin milk into a cup and add the coffee!
Courtney says
That sounds awesome! I may have to try that, umm, ASAP! :)
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
I’m so glad we’re not the only ones that eat dinner on the couch!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
Leftovers are my favorite thing ever! ……wait, just behind someone else cooking the meal! …..I always bulk up recipes to make sure there are leftovers :)
PS- that dessert looks amazing! It’s not ever 9:00 and I’m wanting dessert—– thanks for that one ;)
Sue says
Good luck at the doctors!!! I love your placements. Where did you buy them? Oh, I have one other question. I really want to try the chili recipe. Where in the grocery store is the Bush’s chili starter located? Is it with the rest of the canned chili or is it with the canned beans, etc.? I know I would end up just wandering aimlessly around the store if I just went in trying to find it. LOL.
Sue
Courtney says
The placemats were actually leftover from my bridal shower a few years ago so I’m not sure on those! And the chili starter was with the canned beans on my price chopper. That’s funny you ask that because I had to ask my friend Mal the same question :)
Sue says
Thanks. I was “sure” you were going to tell me the placements came from TJ Maxx. LOL. Have a great day.
Sue
Suzanne @ Fit Minded Mom says
We eat dinner at the table every night but I also have two kids. I think it is so important to use that time for every one to catch up and discuss what happened that day!!
The chili and bread looks phenomenal, especially with it being a chilly day here!!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
That baguette looks delicious! And you can’t go wrong with brownies + ice cream for dessert! Yum! ;)
Amy @Macncheesenpeas says
Hope you get your yoga in today! I am loving this yoga challenge so far! Sometimes when I don’t have time to do a dvd or go to a class, I just make up a sequence of poses and do a quick 5-10 min session. Even 5 minutes makes a difference!
Steph @ StephSnacks says
Oh my gosh your home made bread and the entire dinner itself looks incredible! wow!
michelle kim says
That homemade bread looks amazing (as well as the chili, of course)!
Thanks for the mention! Glad you like the combo and I’m glad you introduced the TJ’s Pumpkin Chai latte to me :)
Ashlee @ A Step in the Right Direction says
I have to make that chili again! I made it last year when you posted the recipe and it was delicious!
Light Cookies & Cream from Stewarts? Delicious! I completely forgot about the sale last week on all half gallons. :(
Courtney says
You betcha! Gosh, I just love their ice cream…next up I’m totally getting some of the new Pumpkin Pie flavor that’s back out! ;)
Kerry @ Totes My Oats says
I had brownies with ice cream last night, too! Delicious!
char eats greens says
It’s funny how this post is about not using your kitchen table to eat, because I was JUST looking at mine last night and thinking, “we probably never even needed to buy this” haha. Although, I must admit that we do have an island with stools on the one side of it, and we eat there…so it’s like a kitchen table!
I would totally love a piece of that brownie…even if it is only 11am where I am!
Rachel says
omg that brownie has me droolinggggggggggggg
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
Aside from holidays and bigger family get togethers, I don’t think I ever really spend any time eating at the table… unless it’s alone and with a laptop in front of me :lol: Still, I definitely appreciate sitting down with everyone once in a while and enjoying a good meal.
Oh, and I’d like a piece (or two) of brownie please :D
Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness says
That dessert looks amazing! Good luck at the doctors today! Happy Wednesday!
Jentry Nielsen says
We hardly ever eat dinner at our table either, there’s just two of us and most the time we don’t want to go through the trouble, or there is a show/game on one of us wants to watch so we park ourselves in front of the tv haha
I’ve always wanted to try that Nut-trition PB before, they all sound so good but I’m so picky with my PB haha I may have to give it a try though!
Madison @ Pilates Makes You Happy says
Um, every single food picture you posted made me INSANELY hungry!! Has anyone ever told you that you should seriously open your own cafe?
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
YUM! Sounds delicious to me!!!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Hoping to hear from you sooooon!!!! That looks like a great dinner – and I kind of want the dessert too.
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
Your brownie looks divine..that is all! :)
Eva @ Committed2Nutrition says
Entire meal looks DELISH!! I love, love, love baguettes. Especially when warm and buter just melts all over it..mmmmmm. oh and I so cannot get enough of the Voice or Adam Levine… sorry to my boyfriend, ha.
Hope you have a good drs appt!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
That dessert looks soooooooo good!!
Katie says
I have dishes very similar to yours! Noritake, right? (I can’t recall the name off the top of my head). Mine are the black/dark brown on the bottom like yours but with a subtle design on the top part. :)
Courtney says
Yup! :)
Khushboo says
Sooooo can I come over for dinner ? ;)
Smile says
Hey Courtney
I know you have said you are trying to have a baby, so what happens if you are pregnant come winter? How will you go ion the all inclusive?
Courtney says
Our plans wouldn’t change
Shannon says
Wow those baguettes and chili looks absolutely delicious. Not to mention that dessert! Oh man! Heaven!!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Chili is one of those must-have meals for the fall and winter seasons…nothing better or more comforting, in my opinion!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
That brownie + ice cream… yum!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League says
I always wake up starving the morning after a big celebration-type dinner too! I think it’s because my stomach must stretch from eating so much (worth it, you gotta make room for dessert!)
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Happy Wednesday to you!!! Your dinner looks amazing! Your Friends will LOVE it!!
Ashley @ Sweat for Sweets says
Every single food item you posted today makes me drool! The chilli looks like the perfect fall comfort food :)
Chelsea @ GlitterAndSweat says
I’ve been wanting to make my own bread for a while, and now i know why, because it always looks better and is better when it is!!
might have to try those brownies…..
Tara Deal | Treble in the Kitchen says
Brian and I ate dinner for the first time together and at the table this week tonight and it felt great! Call me crazy, but even if it’s quick I love eating dinner at the table! :)
Bek @ Crave says
The bf loved your dessert- he was like ‘what the hell is that!’
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction says
Chilli always reminds me of the fall and football! Hope all goes well at the doctor :)
Mollie @Sprinkles of Life says
Mmmm, that brownie and ice cream looks soo good!