Thanksgiving & One Pot French Onion Pasta

My youngest daughter’s incessant baby talk is driving me insane.

My Besty’s Mom is in the hospital after a major heart attack and I am sad that I can’t be there for him.

It was my Sis AND my SSIL’s birthday this weekend and I feel terrible that once again we are thousands of kilometres away instead of there celebrating with them.

I am pissed off that my Mom didn’t get to celebrate her 60th birthday 2 weeks ago.

I had a super hard week at work and I am physically exhausted.

My WpgBesty had a workweek from hell and I am disappointed that I can only listen over a phone call instead of sharing a beer with her while she lets it all out.

My Besties have been super busy with their own shit and I am lonely without their daily chitchat. I miss them.

I have pms cramps and I’m bitchy as hell and I feel like it is taking every ounce of strength I have to move throughout the day.

And then it hit me. It is all in the way I look at it! This Thanksgiving weekend I flipped the switch on my grey cloud disposition and found the positives in these shitty situations.

The weather sucks but I am grateful we don’t have snow yet. I am happy that we were able to spend the day outside in the beautiful fall colours without jackets. I am Thankful.

What is happening in the US is terrible but throughout history we have seen that out of the darkness comes the light. I am optimistic that we have the opportunity to learn from history and change the future for the better. I am Thankful.

HBear’s attitude is 🤬 but at least she’s not a teenager yet. I am Thankful.

SBean’s baby talk is annoying AF but she IS my baby and pretty soon she will be rolling her eyes at me too so… I am Thankful.

I remember a time not so long ago when long-distance charges were so crazy expensive that you could only call someone across the country after 6 PM and on certain days. Yes, I can’t be there for my friend in his time of need but I can listen to him, anytime of the day, anytime that he needs me. I am Thankful.

Both my Sister and my SSIL enjoyed their birthdays with their children. My Sis spent it camping and my Dad drove out for the weekend too. Even though I can’t be there, I am beyond happy that they have loved ones close by to celebrate their awesomeness. I am Thankful.

I’m still mad that my Mom isn’t here. I am also very sad. I did have 34 wonderful years with her but… That wasn’t enough. However, I see her humour, her strength, her beautiful brown eyes, her defiant attitude, and her love of family in my Girls every day. I am Thankful.

Work sucked this week. However, we own a successful family business that provides for my loved ones. I am Thankful.

It totally blows goats that I only get to see my WpgBesty once a year but we live 4 provinces away and we still make time to see each other once a year! I am Thankful.

My Besties are in school and have the courage to learn whole new careers in this new chapter of their lives. They are amazing women that I am proud to be friends with. They may not have time right now but they will and for that, I am Thankful.

I have always had terrible cramps and horrible periods. If I didn’t I would be in early menopause or God forbid… pregnant 😳. I am Thankful.

I am whiny and miserable but I can still smile. I can still appreciate all the good in my life. I know that this too shall pass and things will look up. The sunshine will come back out.

I am Thankful 💛

Because this was a sucky week, Ninja and I didn’t have any topics for the podcast. Nobody wants to hear people talk about what they didn’t do or what has them down so this week we switched it up! Check out How Was Your Week, Honey? Ep:87 Don’t Put Baby in a Bracket as we talk about which 80’s movies reign supreme!

I love French Onion Soup! It’s a tradition in our house that on your birthday you get to pick the meal… I used to pick French Onion Soup! I say used to because now it’s just me that cooks and sadly, French Onion Soup takes a long time to make 😔. When I found this recipe I had high hopes but I had no idea how good this pasta would actually be! I was full before we even ate because I picked the whole time I was cooking LOL this tastes exactly like French Onion Soup! It was so good I am craving it again already!

Heat a large high-sided pan over medium-high heat and add the butter. Add the onions and brown sugar and cook about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.

Add the Worcestershire sauce and the wine, cook until the wine is gone or the onions are caramelized to your liking. Make sure the wine has evaporated.

Toss the mushroom and garlic in with the caramelized onions, season with salt and pepper, cook another 3-4 minutes or until the mushrooms are soft.

Pour in the chicken broth and water and bring to a boil. Add pasta, bay leaves and thyme, cook, stirring often until most of the liquid has been soaked up by the pasta and the pasta is al dente.

Stir in the cream and half the cheese. Cook 2 minutes and then remove from the heat.

Top with the remaining cheese and place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Top with fresh thyme.

 

 

Like I mentioned last week, the Girls participated in the Terry Fox run at school. I love HBear’s teacher because he emails us every 2 weeks with an update and pictures!

Sometimes they like each other 💛

 

While HBear was at the party SBean got to spend the day with Mommy and Daddy! We went to Dairy Queen for lunch, to the market, played outside, put away the backyard, went for a bike ride and discovered her first wiggly tooth! 

 

 

 

I hope everybody enjoyed their long weekend and that you too can try to find the positive in every situation! Happy Thanksgiving from the Maiers 💛