Jim made Sunday brunch for us. Just the two us. It was a refreshing weekend and Sunday morning brunch at home.
Our Usual refreshing Sunday morning
Do you have a routine for your weekends? Weekends can be busy but on Sundays, we try to focus on being rested and refreshed.
Before we were really empty nesters though we seemed live along side our youngest ones for a couple of years before they moved out. Jim and I started to go to breakfast after church. Our most common stop was at our local diner. Empty nester routines changs when it is just the 2 of us.
At Centerville Diner, we see familiar faces each week. We get excited when there are new breakfast options on the menu. Yes, we enjoy the familiarity of the diner experience.
Meg often joins us. Her standard order is Egg Benedict with apple juice. When it’s cold, she switches to hot chocolate with whipped cream, of course.
brunch at home
We decided to have brunch at home…sausage patties, toast, and Garden Cheese omelets. It was a departure of us. We chatted as Jim cooked.
Our weekend was filled with sports on TV; Jim is a big baseball fan especially the Yankees. F1 is another sporting event we enjoy watching. Rarely, do we have weekend grandkids sporting events. Those kids live in another city but it is close.
Jim went to his Saturday morning Men’s Bible study. Dinner was at Nancy’s. The lively conversation when we all sit down together is a good time to catch up with the grandkids and their parents.
Garden Vegetables for the Omelet
Though the days are cooler, Jim is still picking vegetable from the garden. Tomatoes and bright green and red peppers.
Delicious options for the Garden Cheese Omelet. Many of our meals all summer into the fall have garden vegetables. The extras are frozen in freezer baggies.
empty nest meal adjustments
Most of our meals these days are for 2.
Some dishes are great to be served again. Some are not. Slowly, we have made that adjustment.
Chicken Divan is a favorite that is just as delicious the second time around. We had that for our Sunday night supper. The Chicken Divan in the Pyrex dish was heated in the oven and rice was made in the rice cooker. The recipe is here.
As our 5 children have moved on and out, adjusting the amount made for each meals changed. Believe me when I say it wasn’t easy do that for just the 2 of us. Some dishes are great to be served again. Some are not. Slowly, we have made that adjustment.
Breakfast is just about the easiest meal to adjust serving!
empty nest changes in the household
I used to feel bad, even guilty about not doing much meal prep these days. We’ve been empty nesters for 19 months now. Then I realized 2 things.
Jim is enjoying the planning and preparing our main meals. He had made family favorites and found new recipes too.
And I did not have to feel bad or guilty. I did the same for our family for years. It was okay to pass that along to him. Between us we get the kitchen clean up done.
Making Garden Cheese Omelets
Omelets are not easy to make. Jim copies the technique of hotel chefs at breakfast buffets. When we lived in Asia, we traveled quite a bit for work and rest. Those breakfast buffets were delicious. The made to order omelets were so good. Those hotel chiefs knew what they were doing!
Chopping the vegetables into very small pieces not quite minced is an important step. Then sautéed in butter with a touch of oil. It prevents the butter from burning.
Whisk the eggs and pour into a preheated small skillet and swirl so they will cook evenly. Add the sautéed vegetable the cheese. Sharp cheddar is our favorite.
Patience is key. And yes, sometimes the omelet gets a little brown but is still delicious.
Sunday Morning for refreshment
It was a refreshing Sunday. A time to recharge and consider the upcoming week. It’s a practice of ours from the early years when we were growing our family. It is still a good practice as empty nesters.
What are the ways you refresh for the week?
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We don’t cook for 2 much, as I plan for leftovers on many meals.
Sometimes it is easier and more relaxing to make simple meals at home instead of having to get dressed, drive, and go out.
So much these days depends on how we feel!
We have been empty nesters for quite a number of years now. It seemed to happen gradually so I didn’t really notice a big difference. My husband traveled a lot so it was usually just my youngest and me. I learned then how to downsize meals. Now, I purposefully cook larger meals and freeze part of it for another time.
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Hi Marsha, Once they were all gone, making the switch started in earnest! Before that the last 2 weren’t
around much with work and friends. Then they actually moved out! We freeze meals sometimes too.
I’ve been trying to “do less” on Sundays but it’s hard!! Yummy breakfast!
It can be hard. But worth it!
That switch to “empty nester” brings so many changes and you and your husband have found some great ways to adapt! I love the way you’ve transitioned while also holding on to family practices that matter! My husband and I have also gone through some of those changes, as empty nesters and now as retirees. Refreshing is still important and we’ve found that taking intentional time to talk and listen to each other (usually at dinner) has made a difference for us!
You are so right Laura. We often have that time in the mornings. If we miss that we doffing time later in the day.