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For the first time in years, my mom and grandmother are coming to spend Thanksgiving at my house. And they’re not just staying for a day or two, they’ll be at my house for the entire week before Thanksgiving and the entire week after! I’m torn between doing a happy dance and freaking out. Don’t get me wrong, my mom is tremendously helpful during her visits and the kids simply adore them, but planning around 2 extra people for that long can be tough. Meals, in particular, are a struggle.
The scene normally goes something like this – I get home from work and need to have something on the table in about an hour. After asking what everyone would like to eat, I wander around the ktchen aimlessly for about 20 minutes looking for options before I hit the point where it’s just too late to make anything…and then we order take out. No one starves, but no one gets a home cooked meal either. And it’s rare that we all sit down and have a conversation over takeout; it ends up being more grab and go.
So this week, while I was grocery shopping at Walmart, I decided to start planning a menu for their visit and Marie Callendar’s Pot Pies were at the very top of my list. You see, Marie Callendar’s Pot Pies come in a variety of flavors and sizes, so it’s possible to buy one for each specific family member’s taste – Chicken Pot Pie for my husband, Beef Pot Pie for my mom and grandmother, and Chicken Corn Pot Pie for me.
Marie Callendar’s Pot Pies provide comfort in a golden, flaky crust while giving us a reason to sit down at the dinner table and eat as a family. 
It also helps that right now Ibotta has a special cash back offer going on both Marie Callendar’s individual size and family size entrees. I love saving money!
After picking up my pot pies, it was off to pick up the other items on my list and it wasn’t long before I found myself in the frozen dessert aisle. You see, my grandmother loves vanilla ice cream. Loves it. Since it’s not something we normally have in the house, I try to buy it for her whenever she’s in town and have plenty of fresh fruit toppings on hand (that’s my grandma’s favorite way to eat ice cream). It was in that moment that I decided it was time to whip up some of my Easy Cinnamon Apples Over Vanilla Ice Cream. Not only are they sweet and warm and easy to make, they’re the perfect way to end a family meal. Here’s how you can make them:
You will need:
2 Green apples
1 Tbsp butter or margarine
3 Tbsp light brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
A pinch of ground nutmeg
Step 1 – Core and slice the apples. I choose not to peel the apples – just because I think they taste better with the skin still on – but that’s totally up to you. 
Step 2 – Place a medium sized skillet on medium – high heat and melt butter. Add the apples to the skillet and saute for 7 minutes.
Step 3 – Add light brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and saute for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Don’p panic if the apples look a little burned in places, this is normal. They’re not actually burned, the sugar and spices just tend to pool in certain areas and can appear dark. I promise, they’ll taste delicious and not the tiniest bit burnt.
Step 4 – Spoon warm cinnamon apples over vanilla ice cream and top with whipped cream. Serve immediately and enjoy every warm, cinnamon-y, vanilla bite!
