‘Twas the weekend before Christmas and we were all excited!
Friday night we opened a bottle of La Crema we brought back from our trip, cranked up the Christmas tunes and made pizzas!
We used a Cook Smarts recipe as our inspiration with an artichoke + spinach sauce. It was delicious!
Served with a side of broccoli, here’s my lunch version that I had the next day!
Saturday morning Mazen and Karen played hard while I went to athletic conditioning.
I was a mess when I returned home! The class rocked and left me red-faced and tired.
I have no idea what I did Saturday afternoon – the weekend time warp sucked me in! I think I watched the season finale of Nashville : )
Saturday evening we got dressed up and headed to our friends Meg and John’s house for their annual holiday party!
The house was beautifully decorated and the food spread plentiful.
I made my mom’s sherry cheese dip to share. I need to make a formal recipe page for it soon!
Matt brewed the beer for the occasion with John, who is a beer expert himself.
I had a glass of wine and some spiked egg nog – first of the season!
And I ate way too much of the toffee you see in the background here.
We headed out to one more party before calling it a night. Gotta pack ’em in!
Sunday morning we went to brunch at the new French bakery and cafe – MarieBette!
I am pumped for another brunch + lunch spot in town!
The owners met in culinary school and will be serving everything from croissants and baguettes to quiche and salads.
We started with the bakery basket – two croissants (plain and chocolate) and a cranberry muffiny thing with a French name that slipped my mind!
While it’s been a long time since I visited France, I can say that if the croissants there are as good as these I need to go back soon : )
We also had cappuccinos which came with a TREAT! I love little touches like that.
Matt enjoyed the quiche lorraine, which was so rich with cream!
And I went for a classic – croque madame. Loved all that melted cheese.
After brunch, we went to Karen’s house. Why so empty? She is moving to San Diego right after Christmas!
She has moved in with us for the short term, so she is getting as much family time as possible before she leaves.
After helping her move some things, we went to the grocery store…then home for Sunday chores.
Sunday evening we all headed to ACAC – the famous gym + social club hybrid – for their holiday light tour and party.
First stop was a bus tour all around Cville to see some of the most impressive light displays. Mazen could have cared less about the Christmas carols or lights – he was all about the bus!
We ended up at ACAC and had a nice visit with Santa. “JAMES PLEASE! THANK YOU!”
The adults had wine and the kiddos frosted cookies
We all walked home and picked Vita Nova pizza on the way. Paired with a massaged kale salad and a small glass of vino, it was a nice easy Sunday dinner.
Just a few days till Christmas! Presents appeared under our tree today and M can hardly wait to open them!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
What a festive weekend! Artichoke and spinach sauce pizza sounds INCREDIBLE. I’d love that recipe!!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Haha I didn’t realize ACAC had social activities and stuff! That’s kind of cool!
All the food looks delicious. I’m definitely going to have to make pizza soon!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
We had “make your own pizza” night every couple of weeks and my brothers and I loved it – it was nice to have a say in your dinner and get to be involved in making it!
seana says
I love the pic of the little sandwiches with the lights sparkling behind them. What a great shot!
Linda @ TheFitty says
Nothing like homemade pizza 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yum to all the food! And such an adorable happy santa picture! XOXO
Alex @ True Femme says
Sounds like a really busy weekend! Hope you have a great holiday!
Jess @ The Baguette Diet says
The treats served with coffee are one of my favorite little things about living in Paris…it’s always a nice surprise to see what’s going to come!
Your homemade pizza looks amazing…I wish mine would look the same!
KathEats says
Love “the baguette diet!”
Lisa says
Why is Karen moving? That will be such a big change for all of you! Love the Santa picture too 🙂
KathEats says
For an adventure. She just loves the weather, sailing and biking lifestyle.
Tonya says
Awww! We’re going to “miss” her! LOL She has fans she doesn’t even know exist.
Kelly E. says
Good for her! I love her spirit. She truly is an inspiration! Best of luck to her!
Cindy Childers says
Oh my gosh, me too. I agree with everybody. So sad she’s leaving your area. She’s become a staple in your blog but moreso as a young mom with three kiddos who is stationed overseas in the UK, I miss my family so much; so I always love reading about families who live close by and share life together. But best wishes to you Karen. God bless your new home and adventures!
Amy @ SouthernMiles says
Artichoke and spinach sauce sounds awesome!! My husband and I just started home brewing and have been loving it. It’s a much bigger process than you would think but pretty cool to be drinking your own beer 🙂
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
I love that pic of you and matt at your friend’s house sat night! so cute!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Homemade pizza looks incredible…as does brunch!!! Best way to start the day…a class that leaves you in a mess! 🙂 I did the same Sat, we had out annual Christmas Cracker, spinning followed by an athletic conditioning class…calves are still sore from way too many box jumps!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
Mmm that homemade pizza looks and sounds delicious! I definitely want to try putting spinach artichoke sauce as a base instead of the classic tomato sauce.
Also drooling over that new brunch place.
Have a wonderful Christmas week, Kath!
Hester says
Hi Kath!
Do you mind sharing where you bought your cute wine glasses?
KathEats says
The stemless ones are from Homegoods!
Emily J says
When I read that Karen is moving, I said, “Nooooooo!” I’m sure you’ll miss her, but how exciting for her! Best to her.
Heidi says
No way Karen is moving to San Diego!!! Let me guess Coronado ?????! I would love to meet up with Karen once she settles in!! She seems like such a cool down to earth lady!! The only thing is that my heart brakes for you all, but you always have a place to visit so that’s cool!!
Happy Monday!
KathEats says
Not Coronado, but she does love it there! And we already have a trip out planned this summer to visit : )
Alaina says
I’m with everyone else who’s going to miss Karen :/ She’s like a favorite supporting actress to the KERF show
KathEats says
: )
Kat @ Where the Sidewalk Ends says
Wow, Karen’s leaving! Totally second the above comment that she is like a character in the KathEats show. My parents just moved from NYC to San Diego, and absolutely, unequivocally love it. It’s so much fun to visit, too – swimming in the pool in 75 degrees in January is pretty darn great!
Emily @ Life on Food says
That pizza looks amazing and I am so jealous of the new bakery in town. All of that food looks so yummy!
kristen @ ok, enjoy. says
The wine and appetizers look delicious! Love your little pizza helper. 🙂
Robin says
Oh no shes really moving?Why Karen??
Laura says
I’ll miss Karen’s appearances on the blog!
Jason says
Thanks Kath, for coming to visit us at our bakery. Hope to see you and your family again soon.
KathEats says
Thanks for stopping by Jason! We’ll be back soon 🙂
Lorin says
So many delicious eats!
I live in North County San Diego and love living here. I got back from college about a week ago and it is a nice place to come home to.
I hope Karen enjoys it! She should check out Pannikin in Encinitas. It is an old train station turned coffee shop – it has a great atmosphere!
Carly says
Your homemade pizza looks delicious, as always! Karen will love SD, it’s an awesome place to live – and there’s some really fun restaurants and breweries that you all should check out if you visit!
Heather says
Really random but I’ve been wanting to try those socks ???? Do you like them ?!
KathEats says
Yes!
Heather says
Another sad Karen fan here! I admire her brave spirit. Please update us on her transition! 🙂