Coach grew up with a momma who could really cook, and they ate almost every single meal at home. When we married, I knew that home-cooking was his favorite, and while he never complained or even hinted that he didn’t want to eat out, I knew that sitting down to our own dining room table, kitchen bar, or even a TV tray in the living room was his preference.
Luckily, I also grew up enjoying supper at home most nights rather than eating out at restaurants all the time. Once I was in middle school, my mom worked outside the home, so she would leave me a note of what to set out of the refrigerator after school, and when she got home from work, we would fix dinner together. Not only do I treasure those hours that I spent with her (most likely talking her ear off about my day!), but in those moments she taught me how to cook and bake.
Once Coach and I started our own family, gathering around the table for meals became even more important to us. Even when Coach got home well after dinnertime, the kids and I would sit around the table to talk and spend time together – oftentimes eating a little something sweet for dessert – while he ate his dinner. With both of our kids gone to college now, Coach and I are very intentional about sitting down together to eat lunch or dinner, and we make the most of our “family of 4” dinners every chance we get.
Coach and the kids each have their very favorites, and I am excited to share some of our tried and true recipes with you. Each and every one of them are attached to fun, treasured memories!
The bulk of what I cook is straight and simple, not too much “foo foo” and rarely any “exotic” ingredients. Coach and SonShine are very much meat-and-potatoes type of men, and while my Angel Girl is adventuresome and loves to try new foods, classic comfort foods are always at the top of her list, too.
I have a fabulous cookbook/recipe collection.
The recipes come from family, friends, magazines, newspapers, advertisements, cookie boxes, PTA newsletters, books, gifts, cards, and sometimes straight from my own imagination.
In fact, in addition to my fabric and book compulsions, I also have a bit of a cookbook, food magazine, and family recipe addiction.
I’m [in]famous for playing with ingredients, adjusting measurements, and experimenting with recipes both new and old!
I believe in giving credit where it is due, so I’ve tried to mention where each recipe comes from and to connect back to any online recipes that we’ve come to love.
I’ve even tried to find links to the “corporate” recipes (like Pampered Chef), albeit without too much success, because I can’t afford the copyright infringement fines…hopefully, it truly is the thought that counts.
GAME PLANNING
When our kids were young and our evenings were filled with practices, recitals, ballgames, and homework, it was important for me to do some meal planning ahead of time. I created a system that kept me organized and helped me vary up the menu so that we didn’t have a pot of spaghetti 3 times a week (one of my go-to-easy-peasy-everyone-loves-it meals). Use this guide to get you started, and then change it up to fit your family just right.
THE PLAYBOOK
The Playbook is a sampling of our family’s favorite recipes. I’ve grouped the recipes by sections you’d find in a cookbook. That way you can locate something you might have seen from one of my blog posts or an Instagram photo.
On that note, you’ll notice the photos are sometimes dated…I’ve been cooking for Coach a very long time now, and I was photographing our food way before it was the cool thing to do.
Enjoy!
Love and hugs,
Ashli
