
Today marks one year, or 52 weeks, I’ve been doing This Week at the Brennan’s!
Here’s what happened this week:
I think the biggest thing I absolutely need to mention first is Brooke, my sweet and only daughter, had her birthday this week! She turned nine and we had a small little family party for her. She asked for “squishies and LOL dolls” so after some googling, I discovered what they were and Brooke gave me plenty of reasons as to why it was important that she get as many as possible for her birthday. So, I ordered some from china and they still aren’t here!! Haha! But I was able to find some other LOL dolls and she got some other gifts from her grandparents. Raise your hand if you’ve never heard of squishies orLOL dolls before!!
I made a cookies and cream ice cream cake (except really it was pie) which was to die for and it went over really well! I had to apologize to her because she wanted a specific ice cream cake from the store and I decided to make it from scratch (with store bought ice cream and hot fudge…haha!) because IT’S JUST WHO I AM. It turned out to be the better option because she LOVED it and thought it looked amazing and tasted even better. But of course it did! It’s hard to go wrong with store bought cookies and cream ice cream, covered with hot fudge, Oreos and whipped cream all served together in a graham cracker shell, right? Took about 20 minutes to make, start to finish.
I’ve been having the hardest time this past week finding time to get to the very last few things on my to do list done. They are the things that totally get neglected week in and week out because I just don’t have the time. Well, this week I discovered that there’s a reason they are the last things on my list: because I hate them and they take me forever. It was a lot of website stuff I couldn’t for the life of me figure out, and after this week of working 6 hours straight on it, ugh! Still couldn’t figure it out. Frustrating for sure.
By Friday this past week, I was in a funk and just had to get out of the city. Sometimes I feel like I’m an extrovert and the city helps me thrive, but lately, I’ve been wanting to be more of an introvert. The city has felt a bit…suffocating. So, I took the train north, past city limits and found some quiet spots with no honking or sirens. It was actually great! I was gone all day and I came back refreshed.

Eddie is slowly starting to get a cold with a low-grade fever to go with and every so often will cuddle with me, which is so so sweet! But one day this past week, he didn’t want to cuddle with me at all! He just wanted to lay across my lap so I couldn’t do anything. It was the weirdest and funniest thing. He knew he was being such a ham, but refused to move regardless. What a stinker!
Here’s what’s Coming up this week:
I’m starting a workout routine with my friend Anne! I went tonight to meet her at the gym. We hardly did anything and I’m already sore. #toomanysquats
I am finally going to fold the four loads of laundry that have been sitting in the basket for a few days. Dishes I’m forced to keep up with, Laundry not so much. So I will hopefully stay on top of that laundry game this week.
Tomorrow, I’m doing an instagram live about how to make perfect chocolate dipped strawberries at 9pm Eastern. Yes, its a pretty simple thing to do, but I’m going to give you all my tips and tricks that all add up to make unforgettable and easy-as-pie chocolate dipped strawberries.
And, of course Valentine’s Day! I didn’t realize it was so soon! It just snuck up on me, so we’ll see what I can come up with for my kiddos. Always a little candy with a small toy or something random I find at the Target dollar spot. (Love that place)
That’s it 🙂 Have a wonderful day!
And don’t forget to find me on Instagram Stories for more NYC fun in real time.







547 Comments
Maryann Maykowski
February 13, 2018 at 1:17 pmCommented on the Lemon Poppy cake. Cant wait to make it!!!
Becky Hickey
February 13, 2018 at 1:18 pmCommented on a recipe for kettle chips and dip. Yummmmm! Your recipes are always delicious! Target is my BFF always!
Darci
February 13, 2018 at 1:24 pmMy 10 knows about LOL dolls, but I didn’t. She claims to have asked for them at Christmas
I commented on your nyc bucket list post.
Natalie Jensen
February 13, 2018 at 1:25 pmHappy birthday Brooke! Hope she had a fun day. I commented on your better then Paris crepe recipe because I am excited to try that one!
Jennifer
February 13, 2018 at 1:29 pmI commented!!
Julie
February 13, 2018 at 1:29 pmHey!! I left a comment on your Dec 4th weekly family blog! Have a wonderful rest of the week!
Sarah
February 13, 2018 at 1:30 pmI commented on Asian lettuce wraps!
Gina
February 13, 2018 at 1:36 pmI went way back and read/commented on your 1 month weight loss update from when you were in Portland! I really need to be better about commenting…I’ve followed you and read things for years now, but always forget to interact with you! 😊
Janine Kelley
February 13, 2018 at 1:37 pmCommented on the super green southwest kale salad! Yum!
Robin
February 13, 2018 at 1:40 pmCommented on lava cakes. Can’t wait to try. And I love your insta stories!! That baby boy. So cute!!
Simcha Davoudpour
February 13, 2018 at 1:46 pmI commented on the Chocolate Chip Pranut Butter Bars post!!
Gina Guthrie
February 13, 2018 at 1:47 pmI left a comment on your cheesy breadsticks!
Heidi
February 13, 2018 at 1:48 pmI left a comment on those delicious looking chocolate chip peanut butter bars!
Alison
February 13, 2018 at 1:52 pmI commented on your Ramen Stir Fry post, can’t wait to try this
Carolyn Cheeseman
February 13, 2018 at 1:55 pmI left a comment on your peal planning post!
Nadine
February 13, 2018 at 1:55 pmTaco Sloppy Joes FTW!
Alyssa
February 13, 2018 at 1:58 pmI commented on the lemon poppysead bread post. Good luck with the gym!
Allison
February 13, 2018 at 1:58 pmCommented on the instant pot baked ziti. Can’t wait to make it!
Lindsay Cox
February 13, 2018 at 1:59 pmCommented on the pb choc chip bars! Can’t wait to make them!
Cali
February 13, 2018 at 2:04 pmCommented on your yummy freezer rolls! Happy belated birthday to Brooke!
Haley Hollis
February 13, 2018 at 2:06 pmI love the weekly updates! I commented on your whole wheat freezer rolls. I’m adding the ingredients to my grocery list.
Melanie
February 13, 2018 at 2:08 pmLeft a comment on Eddie turning 2
Courtney
February 13, 2018 at 2:10 pmHad to look at he Nutella devilled strawberries before Valentine’s Day anyways!
Stacy
February 13, 2018 at 2:14 pmCommented on the peanut butter chocolate chip post!
Lauren H
February 13, 2018 at 2:19 pmI loved and commented on lemon poppyseed bread
Sommer
February 13, 2018 at 2:19 pmCongrats on one year of this week at the Brennan’s 😀. I commented on the post about chicken dip in the pressure cooker.
Brittney
February 13, 2018 at 2:20 pmI commented on the skinny white chicken chili recipe.
Lydia
February 13, 2018 at 2:20 pmSkinny white chicken chili. Would love to try that recipe since it’s still freezing in Minnesota.
Alison
February 13, 2018 at 2:21 pmHad to dig deep and find our families favorite browned butter Alfredo – to die for and so easy! ❤
Erica
February 13, 2018 at 2:33 pmI left a comment on This Week at The Brennan’s from January 29th ( I think that was that date. It was the one with your family date to the Brooklyn Bridge). Thanks for sharing so much of yourself and your ideas and thanks for doing this contest too!
Kara
February 13, 2018 at 2:39 pmCommented on the Disney post! Going there at the end of the month and downloaded the app as you recommend, don’t think we have time to get the magic bands tho :(. I am 31 and this will be my first Disney trip so I’m very excited!
Ashley k
February 13, 2018 at 2:49 pmThe Warm Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Dip looks
so yummy.
Thankfully have not had to look for the LOL dolls but I heard many people having a hard time searching for them.
Deborah
February 13, 2018 at 2:49 pmI commented on Eddies bday post !
Meredith Kelly
February 13, 2018 at 2:50 pmLeft a comment on the good looking chocolate chip peanut butter bars. Yum!!
Stephanie M
February 13, 2018 at 2:52 pmI commented no the southwest kale salad! I love salads!
Paula
February 13, 2018 at 2:55 pmI commented on the sausage and roasted red pepper pasta recipe. It’s so good. I love your recipes, but am really enjoying the This Week at the Brennans posts as well. It’s fun to see your family settling into the city. And, that Eddie. . . Too cute for words and such a little scamp!
Sharon
February 13, 2018 at 2:59 pmI commented on the mommy and daughter Disney trip.
Kari
February 13, 2018 at 3:03 pmCommented on your meatballs, yummy 😉
Alisha S.
February 13, 2018 at 3:06 pmI left a comment on the Supergreen Southwest Salad. I cannot wait to try the recipe.
Shari Ellis
February 13, 2018 at 3:08 pmI commented on the chocolate chip peanut butter bars! YUM 🙂
Heather
February 13, 2018 at 3:22 pmI commented on the sweet and sour meatballs! I always make them for gatherings!
Karen M
February 13, 2018 at 3:35 pmCommented on homemade protein snack boxes
Pam
February 13, 2018 at 3:39 pmI left my coimment on WHOLE WHEAT FREEZER ROLLS. I made these and they are great!
Tanya
February 13, 2018 at 3:42 pmCommented on your fail proof pizza dough and cheesy breadsticks post. It’s one of the first recipes that I made from your site. It has been my go to dough recipe since the first time I made it. 🙂 Thank you for the opportunity to win and for keeping it real every week on your social media pages. Love all your posts!
Kyela
February 13, 2018 at 3:46 pmLeft a comment on the Caprese Salad post! 🥗 looks delicious!
Kim Henrichs
February 13, 2018 at 3:49 pmCommented on your NYC tourist travel guide!!
Happy Birthday to Brooke!
Soni Levenseller
February 13, 2018 at 3:51 pmCommented on your post where your amazeballs friends came to help you prep for your awesome new cookbook. Hope you are all happy in NY!
Sarah
February 13, 2018 at 3:54 pmCommented on Low fat lemon poppyseed! Winner winner… mama needs to go to Target!
Joanna
February 13, 2018 at 3:55 pmCommented on white chicken chili 🙂
Susan Mayfield
February 13, 2018 at 3:58 pmI commented on your chocolate chip peanut butter bars.
How far north did you travel to find quiet?! You are fortunate to have the option of a train ride to get out of the city, if that’s what you want.!!