Good afternoon everyone!
Last night Ben and I headed down the street to hang out with some friends and I brought along some POM Wonderful pomegranate juice…
to make Pomegranate Martinis! In the mix:
- Splash of pomegranate juice
- Splash of Triple Sec
- 1 shot of vodka
Shake with ice and serve!
These were super tart and very good! Plus, you get all the antioxidants and benefits of pomegranate juice by adding it to your martini. Right? 
Here are my girls – we’ve been friends forever!
We all also suffer from the very serious condition known as Sweaty Bang Syndrome aka Schwang. You know – when your bangs get sweaty and separate from the rest of your hair? It’s very tragic, but it least we have each other to sound the alarm whenever it occurs!
This morning Ben and I headed over to my parent’s house to hang out for one last day before we all go back to work/life! My Mom had breakfast waiting for us: Farmer’s Breakfast Casserole and Fresh Fruit.
Mornings after pomegranate martinis demand fresh fruit.
And potatoes. And cheese. Lots of cheese!
Oh and watching football/lounging 
A couple hours later, this lady whipped out another faaaabulous lunch – it rivaled Thanksgiving it was so delish!
The star was a Baked Amana Ham. My Mom always bakes her hams in a paper bag. They turn out SO tender and juicy. Unbelievable, actually!
We had a feast!
Fresh Fruit
Sweet Corn
The best Rolls (Hy-vee “take and bake” for you locals!)
Party Potatoes
Baked Sweet Potatoes with Apples and Marshmallows
That drool worthy Amana Ham.
YUM!
We all left room for dessert, clearly, which my Mom whipped up from scratch – Peanut Butter Pie. o.m.g. Oreo cookie crust filled with a peanut butter, whip cream and cream cheese mousse, layered with hot fudge and topped with more whip cream. To die for!!!
Since we weren’t all together for Thanksgiving, we took a full family photo today. I clearly wear my black zip up way too much…
I’m currently parked on the sofa, basking in the warm glow of my Christmas lights. Life is good.
Back to the grind tomorrow – I’m actually feeling ready. Hopefully these positive vibes will still be present tomorrow morning.
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How long have you known your oldest friend?
I’ve known my longest friend since we were 7…21 years later we realize we have too much dirt on each other to end our friendship. Friendship blackmail!
WOW- how did your mom whip up that feast in time for lunch?!
I’ve known my longest friend since first grade & still talk to her every week! We even have a picture of us together back then proudly displaying our paper mache dinosaurs that we made in class–sweet!
I, too, am a sufferer of SBS. Not cool. But I’m glad to know I’m in good company!
my oldest friend and I go back to fifth grade, when we sat next to each other in band and had lockers next to each other. this reminds me that I should probably give him a call or email!
i loved seeing the lunch your mom made. it’s exactly the kind of food my mom cooks and it makes me so homesick!
Your blogs always make me wish I lived closer to my family – maybe we will for our next assignment.
That pie looks heavenly!
Omg, that pie sounds delicious, any chance for a recipe? And my oldest friends I’ve known since birth. They’re basically family now and I couldn’t be happier for that. Unfortunately they live 1000 miles away but I’ll be seeing them in less than 4 weeks!
I see some Pom-tinis in my future too, just got a bottle as well and they sound deelish! So please do tell about this paper bag ham technique, I am SO CURIOUS?! How does it not catch on fire? I love the many new cooking ideas I have learned from you/your fam, they are fantastic girl, enjoy your night
Geeze girl, I seriously can not get enough of your Sunday Family days! There are always so perfect and make my heart melt with joy. I love that your family makes these days a priority!
So important.
Sounds like you had a fantastic Holiday Weekend. Good luck with getting back into the swing of it all tomorrow. Don’t worry, Christmas is right around the corner!
That pie looks fabulous.
I’ve known my best friend since we were 9. Now we are 31. I was the maid of honor in her wedding and she will be the matron of honor in mine next summer.
In a paper bag? Interesting and cool.
My current oldest friend I’ve known since college. Most of my HS friends are messed up now and we don’t keep in contact.
the farmer’s breakfast casserole looks SO delicious! any chance your mom wants to share the recipe??
Hi there! I’m writting to you from Greece…yes that far! I found your blog by accident and I’m enjoying it so much. I’m a healthy eater too,because I’m diabetic so as you can imagine whatever I eat is starch, sugar, and fat free. I loooove your mom’s kitchen because it reminds me of my mom’s who’s no longer with me, so when you post pictures of her I feel nice. I’m a pastry chef and my specialty is decorative cookies, gingerbread houses and various creations with gingerbread dough. Please contact me, I’d love to have a more private chat with you.