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One of the things that quickly to pops in my mind when I think of my early childhood is my grandparents’ home. It was the mirror image of our home, as they lived on one side of one of the duplexes that they owned and we lived on the other side. One of the rooms I remember with especially fond memories was the kitchen. Surrounded by its 1970s linoleum, wallpaper, and counters, it was full of activity.
I can so clearly remember when I used to open one of the lazy susans in my grandparents’ kitchen to find the glass jar of bullion cubes so I could build pyramids with them. I still think of those pyramids every time I grab the glass jar with bullion cubes out of one of my own cabinets. Life goes by in a blink, doesn’t it?
Sometimes the days can seem so long, but the years just zoom by. There was a time that I was that little pig-tailed girl visiting my grandparents and building bullion cube pyramids, and now I’m a mom of three kids who, within a four year period of time, helped to care for each of those grandparents at the end of their lives.
Now, I know that at this point you may be thinking, “Wait, Angie. What does this all have to do with Marie Callender’s desserts? I know I saw at the beginning of the post that this was a sponsored post. What does this have to do with your grandparents?”
Well, it’s because I remember something else when our family all got together at my grandparents’ house. My grandma and other women of the family would spend so much of their time in the kitchen preparing for our meal and dessert, as well as a ton of clean up time.
Life goes by so quickly, and I’ve learned that while time working away all day in the kitchen can be fine sometimes, often it is so much more rewarding to be able to devote that time to connecting with family and friends.
One way that we have worked toward doing that more has been to have simpler meals when we have family gatherings. We also have things like Marie Callender’s homemade desserts to help us savor every precious, sweet moment of being together.
Recently, when we had my parents over for dinner, we had Marie Callender’s Coconut Cream Pie and Chocolate Satin Pie.
I love how they feature made-from-scratch crusts and they taste deliciously homemade. Plus, I dig that neither of those pies need to be baked, which meant that my oven was free for the dinner I was making. I think what my family loved was that not only were the pies delicious, but I wasn’t frazzled from running around. Oh, and the kids were pretty pleased about those beautiful real chocolate curls on the top of the Chocolate Satin Pie. Mom’s in a good mood and there are chocolate curls? Bonus!
With the holidays coming up, it’s a perfect time to decide to savor time with your family and get out of the kitchen by serving homemade quality desserts like Marie Callender’s pies. You know what? Those pies are pretty delicious after Taco Tuesday too. It’s doesn’t have to be a holiday to enjoy pie!
Marie Callender’s desserts are available at most major grocery stores nationwide, and you can read more about the varieties and where you can find them on the Marie Callender’s website. You can also follow Marie Callender’s on Facebook and Pinterest.
What are some of the things you do to spend less time in the kitchen and savor more time with your family? Leave your comments for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!
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Angie W says
To save time in the kitchen with our big family, we try to have assigned cups for each of the kids, to avoid having to wash 8 or 9 cups 3 times a day and using paper plates!! If I can use paper for breakfast and lunch I save so much time having to fill and empty the dishwasher!
Linda Nelson says
Definitely slow cooker meals(doubled if possible so you can just put slow cooker insert in fridge and heat up in the next couple of days). Also, make double the separate items at beginning of week(i.e. turkey, mashed potatoes, brusselsprouts, corn) that you can just throw together when cleaning up after first meal and then you have a type of “goulash” for a following meal in the week. We just did this and just made a cornbread to have it spread over. It was wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity to win a giftcard:)
BusyWorkingMama says
I engage my family in the kitchen with me. I love to cook and spend time cooking with them. I also plan ahead to cut down on prep time and trips to the store.
Diane Haman says
I throw my frozen meat in a crockpot in the morning. Sometimes it gets shredded and made into something else, sometimes it just gets seasoned and served with a side of veggies. Either way, it saves time thawing/cooking the meat later. Also, fewer desserts. I just don’t have time to bake.
heather says
To spend less time in the kitchen and more time with my family I like to order a pizza every now and then. I also love the Dutch apple pie the best from Marie Callender’s it is so delish.
Will G says
I throw in a frozen pizza!
Will G says
https://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/672608508664135680
Rachel says
My favorite thing to do is make meals in the crock pot. Throw it in before you go to work and when you get home it’s basically done.
Rachel says
https://twitter.com/RachelGriesmer/status/672921448068030465
Natalie says
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/673121901254828032
Natalie says
To spend less time in the kitchen I try to make dishes that can be put in the oven. That way I don’t have to be in the kitchen to constantly stir food is on the stove pot. Put it in the oven and go!
Jessie C. says
I purchase pre-cooked ingredients to save time especially during holidays.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Jessie C. says
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/674385572694102016
Kelly D says
I make enough dinner so that I can pack the extra for my kid’s lunches, so I can spend more time with them.
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/674387443672461312
Mami2jcn says
I get take-out!
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/674400127000408066
Elena says
I buy pre-cooked meals to spend less time in the kitchen
Elena says
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/674401401494106113
Julie Wood says
To save more time in the kitchen, I make dinner meals on Sunday that last a whole week and i freeze them in individual containers. I also get desserts that are already made!
Julie Wood says
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/674583318076125184
Barbara M says
I save a lot of time in the kitchen by making double batches of casseroles.
Eat one freeze the other for later.
thank you
Barbara M says
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/674747732096114689
Lisa Brown says
I save time in the kitchen by cooking for a few days ahead and freezing meals so I have more time with the kids for their activities.
Lisa Brown says
my tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/682944508661661696
Steven weber says
I get take-out!
groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com
Steven weber says
tweet-
https://twitter.com/groogruxking40/status/683049945050431488
mita says
Tweet- https://twitter.com/mitadav/status/683065703142932481
mita says
We get take-out!
Kerry says
I put a lot of dinners in the crock pot to save me time.
shelly peterson says
I like to do crock pot meals to save time or make extra to have enough left overs for another meal.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
shelly peterson says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/683250247057842176
cshell090869 at aol dot com
Tara says
I cook bigger meals and serve leftovers!
Betsy Barnes says
To spend less time in the kitchen and savor more time with your family, I often double recipes and freeze half. This really helps when we have a game night planned playing Yahtzee. #sweepstakes 🙂
Betsy Barnes says
My tweet — https://twitter.com/bbarnes3489/status/683375396004429824 🙂
Cynthia C says
For family get-togethers I try to make things that can be prepared ahead so I don’t spend too much time in the kitchen.
Cynthia C says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/683763116451184640
Elle says
When I make a home cooked meal, I make more than I need so I can save for another night and have more time to spend with family.
Elle says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/684838129799282688
latanya says
meal prep and meal plan
latanya says
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/685136501345234944
Jessica To says
I try to make as much of it ahead of time as I can.
Kristen says
Lately I’ve been experimenting a lot with the slow cooker. There are so many good recipes out there that help make dinner easy and delicious.
Kristen says
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/686026016674807808
sandra says
buy frozen precooked meals
Carolsue says
Well, one thing is to serve frozen Marie Callendar’s pies! Why spend all that time making one by hand when MC’s are just as good!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
CR Williams says
Sometime we eat other together
CR Williams says
https://twitter.com/mommysweetiepie/status/687815075114168320
Starla B says
I have always loved Marie Callender’s desserts! They are so simple and always a huge hit. I love to prepare everything that can be prepared early ahead. It makes our family time so much better when we have more time to spend together! starla.bates(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Starla B says
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/mmstarla/status/688937798590566400
kjasus says
we order take out and spend more time eating together
kjasus says
https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/689193084568121346
Jeffrey says
We eat at home just about every night and I usually prepare dinner while the kids are still at school, leaving time in the evening for family games and movies. For some meals the kids like to get involved, like pizza night, which in itself is family time.
Jeffrey says
I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/689545537272573953.
Allison Swain says
I do a weekly prep!
Thanks for the chance to win this.
allisonrsdswain(at)gmail(dot)com
Allison Swain says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/allisonrswain/status/690312886170812416
jessica says
Buy heat and serve meals
tara pittman says
I serve sandwiches
Kimmy Ripley says
I like to keep a Marie Callender’s pie in my freezer. It’s delicious and very convenient!
Anna Pry says
i buy prechopped veggies to save time in the kitchen [email protected]
Anna Pry says
i tweeted https://twitter.com/DaPryz/status/693560374449344513 [email protected]
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/694299898523578368
rachiti says
Learn how to use a pressure cooker. Unlike a slow cooker you don’t have to get up extra early to prepare the meal. You can come home, brown the meat in the same pot you’ll cook it in (ie more flavor) then drop in everything else. I also love it for cooking beans or bean soups. Not only are they done quickly – which uses less energy just like a slow cooker – but you can make an entire pound of beans for the cost of a single can. I make chickpeas this way for my salads & hummus. I also like it for kidney beans for chili. Fyi, you should never put raw kidney beans in a slow cooker as it doesn’t get hot enough to prevent illness from them. I love how I can have a delicious meal with leftovers to boot without spending more than 15 minutes in the kitchen on prep.
Tamra H says
To spend less time in the kitchen, we try to do as much meal prep as possible and utilize our slow cooker!
Wanda McHenry says
I do it during the day/afternoon before my husband gets home. Very simple.
Wanda McHenry says
https://twitter.com/myfolly/status/695142718138400768
Katherine says
Sometimes I cook two meals at one time and freeze
Katherine says
https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/695648252125958144
Susan Smith says
I save time in the kitchen by cooking for a few days ahead and freezing meals for busy nights.
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/696044471796965376
maria cantu says
Using a slow cooker saves me a lot of time in the kitchen.
Gina M says
I like to meal prep on weekends so I can put meals on the table quicker, and with less prepping each evening to save time.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Gina M says
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/696457258717331457
Rebecca says
I love using my Crockpot in the kitchen to save me time and from washing a lot a pans.
Rebecca says
https://mobile.twitter.com/Michael64263870/status/697505431623753729
Tamara says
The biggest thing that has saved me time this past year is my new electric pressure cooker. It greatly reduces the time I have to spend in the kitchen!
westiemks5 at yahoo dot com
Tamara says
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/calebaw3s0m3/status/699249455992680448
Stephanie Phelps says
I use my crock pot to be able to spend less time in my kitchen and more time with the family! I also freeze a head a lot of meals to give me more time with them!
Stephanie Phelps says
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/700399868972552193
sarah hirsch says
one thing i do to spend less time in the kitchen is let my daughter cook dinner – she loves to cook!
Anastasia Falling says
One way is by stocking up on these delicious pies!! A delicious dessert without all the work 🙂 Also, get the kids involved in the kitchen work, so it’s done faster AND you get to spend time together 🙂
Anastasia Falling says
Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/703082151512641536
Jammie says
To save time in the kitchen I use the slow crocker often and prepare meals ahead of time. jammielmorey at gmail dot com
Jammie says
tweeted https://twitter.com/Jammie79/status/703590379350859781
Linda C. says
I use my crockpot a lot, it keeps me out of the kitchen.
Linda C. says
Tweet https://twitter.com/Lindiac/status/703698390140321792
Debbie B says
we get take out food a lot!
Debbie B says
i posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/703787839012483072
Ellie Wright says
Every year my husband and I make rum cakes for family and friends. one way we save time is by using a cake mix with pudding in it as the base.
Ellie Wright says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/703796646987993088
Deb Ford says
I actually teach my kids how to cook and we do it together, so I can spend time in the kitchen WITH them!
Shawn Gallagher says
I have to admit- I hate spending time in the kitchen… I order out a lot!
Shawn Gallagher says
https://twitter.com/Esham4life/status/704249203225202689
Faith J. says
https://mobile.twitter.com/faithjacklynswe/status/704276131445411840
Faith J. says
Cook Ahead of time when everybody is doing something else
angie says
I do all I can to spend the least amount of time in the kitchen. hahaha One of my fav things to do is casseroles. Dump, stir, bake. 😀
angie says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/704381400938651648
Betty C says
Slow cooker meals are great when so many families are out and about during the day. Spending time together preparing a meal is a great way to connect and to help children learn cooking skills.
Betty C says
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/704397039451308032
erica best says
plan meal ahead of time
erica best says
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/704397122469273600
Jerry Marquardt says
Some of the things that I spend less time in the kitchen therefore savoring more time with my family are modern methods of cooking and innovation.
Jerry Marquardt says
I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/704409952664883200
Tabathia B says
I use my ninja slow cooker and make freezer meals
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/704416057105240064
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Thomas Murphy says
I order take out to spend less time in the kitchen.
Thomas Murphy says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/704419064928739328
Sarah L says
I’d celebrate Leap Year Day with a Key Lime Pie! Any excuse for a Marie Callender pie!
Thanks for the contest.
Sarah L says
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/704461284641624064