Mountains in the distance.
Sweet, sweet air.
We must be home!
Other than spotting Santa at the Charlotte airport, our flights were pretty typical. Lots of reading, some snacking.
I ate one of my very favorite bars – Vega Vibrancy. Nutritionally, this bar is my favorite. Lots of protein and fiber and healthy fats, not too much sugar. Lots of texture crunch. Good flavor (but consider yourself warned about the flavor – this bar is not dessert).
Matt stole pistachios from Larbs! Shhh don’t tell her!
We have the best mother-in-law / mother in the world! Karen picked us up from the airport with a whole dinner in her back seat ready to put together at our house!
She made a potato, bean + mushroom soup, which we topped with cheddar
And a big green salad
Drizzled with olive oil, Boston Olive Oil Co vinegar and sea salt
POP QUIZ
What is small, round, sweet and smells like peas??
MamaPea’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Dough Balls!!!
MamaPea sent us a Christmas card and a handful of her famous creation. I had one for dessert – so peanutty deliciously doughy!!
Thanks to the Pea Family, especially Gigi + Lulu for the present!
I had – no kidding – 10 packages on my porch when we got home. Must go open them all, if I don’t drown in packing peanuts and cardboard first!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
10 packages? Lucky girl!
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
Yum! Definitely need to make some dough balls!
Getting picked up at the airport is such a lifesaver. I’m thankful that my parents are usually more than willing to make the trek.
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
Wow 10 packages – must be the holidays!! I spent 3 hours in the Charlotte airport today – – it was crazy busy with people since so many flights were canceled yesterday!
Kath says
Were we there at the same time!?
stacey-healthylife says
Have fun with all the packages, sounds fun.
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
Glad to know you made it home safe! Have fun opening those packages! 🙂
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Nothing like a pile of packages to make the return to the real world a little more fun!! Jealous you got dough balls from the creator- those things are AMAZIN!!
Clare @ Fitting It All In says
Mmm it’s good to be friends with the Pea Family.
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
Amazing you could stop at just one of those famous dough balls!!
Stacy @ Every Little Thing says
Glad you made it home and got some dough balls to boot!
P.S. Just wanted to say CONGRATS to Caitlin, Healthy Tipping Point, and GOTR for their $10K win!
Kath says
Three Cheers For Caitlin!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I’ve been dying to try one of those Vega bars but last time I spotted it at WFs, it practically made my wallet die just looking at it. I couldn’t bear to spend $3 on a teeny bar. I’ll have to take the plunge some day. Maybe the day I get employed ha!
Kath says
They ARE super expensive. Better for those who don’t eat bars often …ahem bar lover over there!! 🙂
Nicole, RD says
I love mail..especially packages!! Those dough balls look delicious!!
Kiran says
Soup and salad? Same dinner for us tonight 🙂
Sarah @ See Sarah Graduate says
oh my god. i have seen the light with the dough balls. i made a batch the other night and they were soooo good!
Lauren says
Lucky! Enjoy, I made them a few weeks ago and they’re so tasty!
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
christmas package=best feeling ever!
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
Melissa @ I Never Imagined says
Whooo packages! Lucky girl!!
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says
Your dinner looks delicious. And yay for packages!
Jessica says
I don’t have packages — I’ve been thinking all day about the potential Christmas cards waiting for me in my mailbox, but it’s frozen shut from the snow & ice storm yesterday.
Natalia - a side of simple says
Aw, Karen sounds like such a dear. I wouldn’t mind having her and her cooking waiting for me whenever I return from a trip!
Jess @ atasteofconfidence says
What a cute Christmas card!
Paige @Running Around Normal says
Awe – their card is SO adorable!!
Ravenous Rowie says
Sounds like Christmas came early at your house!
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) says
Enjoy all your packages! I am on a nearly 4 week trip and am having my mail held for me. Of all months to be gone, Dec gifts, cards, etc…I know I will finish opening everything by Valentine’s Day, i’m sure 🙂
Alicia @culinarybliss says
One of those was a big box of granola from your’s truly! Enjoy!
Namaste Gurl says
Oooh, 10 boxes? I love when I come home to boxes that I know are product samples– the best 🙂
You should definitely share, when you open them all, what they contain….
Alaina says
I love getting mail. My husband purposefully leaves the mail for me to get because he knows it makes me happy 🙂
Those dough balls must be THE gift to get this year!
britt says
yup, definitely checking out those dough balls for sure. i’m just not sure i need more sweets around my house. the gingerbread cookies i made over the weekend need to disappear quick because i just want to eat them ALL!
oh, and how sweet of karen to make you guys dinner!!
kristin says
10 packages!! How exciting, what did you get??
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
At least Santa didn’t go to the airport in his bikini (I hope you’ve heard those “news” stories…)
I love getting packages — even if its stuff I ordered for myself. It is still fun!
Hannah says
Oh, how wonderful to have dinner and dessert cooked for you upon your return! You’re clearly very loved 🙂
nicole says
Surprise gifts are always fun! Still in love with your little reindeer.
Mama Pea says
I’m so glad my balls didn’t get smashed!
Merry Christmas 🙂
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I have to make those balls ASAP. They look dangerous. 🙂
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
That salad looks fabulous! She’s a great mommy, indeed. 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
wow, i’m impressed there are that many packages! one popular lady 🙂
[email protected] says
Have fun with your awesome dough balls and your copious packages!! 🙂
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
ha! so funny you spotted santa!
Ashley says
LOVE the Pea family and LOVE those balls!!!
Lauren says
Aww Karen seems like such a great MIL. You guys are so lucky to have her. 😉
Simply Life says
Oh that is so sweet and the perfect meal after traveling!
Allie says
I’m glad you and Matt made it home safely 🙂 Thats so sweet of the ‘pea’ family to send you guys a card and DOUGH BALLS! Yuuuum 🙂
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Those cookie dough balls are EVERYWHERE!! I have to jump on that wagon!
kate says
Its like Christmas before Christmas! I love packages 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Coming home to mail is the best! As long as they’re not bills, that is. 😛
Alli says
Your soup and salad look so nice and light…and I like the way you displayed the cheddar!
Mia says
You can collect all your Styrofoam packing peanuts and bring them to your nearby UPS store so they can reuse them!
Kelly says
That totally sounds like something my MIL would do too,if she lived near us. It’s so nice to marry into a good family right? 🙂
Jessica says
Must say I enjoyed the cute looking boys in that first pic! 🙂 lol
Jessica says
*2nd pic–sorry. See what cute boys do!
Casey says
Karen is awesome! That salad looks relish!
Katie says
Awwww Mama Pea is so sweet! Her xmas card is so cute too! I have been seeing the dough balls everywhere! I have to make them!!!