Before dinner this evening, I had an important errand to run.
The other day I plucked a card off of a giving tree at Panera and set out to fulfill the teenager’s request.
Seeing a teenager request books for Christmas simply warmed my heart!
I swung by Barnes & Nobel to pick up the four books from the Twilight series that she requested.
I’ve read all the Twilight books and though I’m not exactly a huge Bella fan, I think they’re an entertaining read and hope the girl enjoys them.
I also wanted to throw in another book that I really enjoyed with the Twilight books…
Totally kidding. 
I added the first book in The Hunger Games series to the gift because I found Katinss a much more likable heroine (Bella seriously frustrated me to no end) and thought the books were pretty badass!
Hopefully she’ll enjoy the surprise addition! (Don’t worry, I included a gift receipt.)
After turning in my gift, I was pleasantly surprised when I was given a free cookie at Panera for my contribution.
Sweet!
The Panera cookie reminded me so much of the chocolate chip cookies I used to buy all the time from the Fremd High School cafeteria. I know that probably sounds like a knock on Panera, but I assure you that it is a ginormous compliment. Those cookies were unreal.
Not a bad appetizer, huh?
Dinner
Dinner tonight was my lazy take on Ryan’s favorite BBQ meatloaf. Lazy because I didn’t feel like looking up the exact ingredients.
I tried to remember the gist of it and combined the following:
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1/3 Italian bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1 egg
I then spread more BBQ sauce on top of the loaf and baked it in the oven at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.
My version didn’t exactly stay together like legit meatloaf should, but the flavor was all there!
Served atop a bed of spinach and sautéed zucchini.
Can’t wait for leftovers tomorrow!
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Buying gifts for children like that or doing Toys for Tots are literally my FAVORITE things. The holiday season is all about giving, and it makes me feel so good to give kids what they really want!
I love that your kiddo asked for books! We “adopt a family” every year and this year we were a little taken back by the list of requested gifts–it included a ton of video games, an iPod, and a digital camera. OUCH! 🙂
PS I finally made that Peppermint Bark yesterday–omg! So good!!!! I’m having to pawn it off on everyone though because I want to eat it all!
so glad it was a success!
I almost had a heart attack when I saw the Snooki book. I thought you were for real. Thank goodness you weren’t! I would have been sad on the inside ; )
hi julie,
just wanted to say that your act of kindness toward that girl really put me in the christmas spirit and reminded me of the true meaning behind christmas.
happy holidays!
One of the girls on the next season of the bachelor is from Ocala, FL. They just posted the girls today. Maybe y’all can become BFF. 😉
AWESOME. i will stalk her and make her give me the inside scoop. 🙂
That’s such a nice thing to do, especially with the bonus gift!
I made turkey meatloaf last night to bake tonight for dinner, too 🙂
Such a nice thing to do! You’re awesome. TRUE Christmas spirit right there 🙂
I agree with the Bella vs. Katniss. Bella was annoying and sulky, Katniss is daring, courageous, and filled with life.
I’m reading “Catching Fire” right now, and it’s SO good! I can’t read it fast enough, haha.
totally know what you mean. those books are page-turners!
Literally JUST spotted Snooki’s book as I was picking up some Christmas gifts of my own.It caught my eye as I was walking out, and I had to walk back to do a double-take. My brain didn’t properly register Snooki + book the first time.
BLAST FROM THE PAST… I have not thought of Fremd cookies in YEARS. I completely agree with you on that one, those cookies were insanely delicious. Not what you would expect from a high school cafeteria cookie!
My fiance and I just hosted a Captain Hope’s Kids Toy Drive for our alma mater (Go Boilers!) for the 13-18 age range, and we saw A LOT of requests for the Twilight series too.
that is so nice of you and your fiance! love it!
oh yum! I love those cookies at panera – I usually get ONE and split it between my family (4 people) it’s so huge!
Your meatloaf looks yummy!
I love that you included The Hunger Games as a bonus – great idea and that book will keep her reading for sure!
That’s so nice. I’m sure she’ll love The Hunger Games too…hopefully more 🙂
I’m wondering about this as well–I did a quick Google search and it seems like only some locations are participating in this program. I’d suggest calling your local Panera for more information!
That’s such a cool program! Do you know if it’s at all Paneras or just your specific one? I’ve always wanted to participate in the Angel Tree program, but it’s kinda a daunting idea to be responsible for a whole Christmas for a kid. This seems much more doable!
hi kate! it looks like colleen meant to reply to you above. just didn’t want you to miss her comment!
Thanks! I’ll look into it!
Oh my goodness, you are the sweetest person for throwing in The Hunger Games, too! I’ve read the Twilight series and also loved them, minus the Bella character…I actually think that the movies are what turned me off from Bella. I haven’t read the Hunger Games series, though…maybe I should look into it! (Even though I never make time to read…I’m still in the beginning of The American Wife!)
the hunger games books are a REALLY quick read. (unlike american wife, ha!)
You are such a gorgeous person, both inside & out. That was so sweet of you to get those books for that girl- I’m sure she will LOVE them- I know I did 🙂 & I’m positive she will love the Hunger Games book- that’s an awesome addition!! I LOVE those too.
You made me smile with this post- it’s people like you that keep the TRUE meaning of Christmas alive!
Great idea! I wonder if Panera is doing that here. I always support a reading habit, no matter what they want to read really.
The Kidless Kronicles
Very Cool! And so happy to see that she wanted books for christmas. As a self-proclaimed book addict, it always seems like kids today aren’t as interested in reading for fun.
Also, random book recommendation…have you ever read the Outlander series? I’m re-reading them right now and I forgot how much I love them! Totally escapist chick books all the way, but you fall in love with the characters!
no! i’ll look into them. thanks for the rec!
I plucked a card off the tree too! All my little girl wanted was a sweater, but I got her lots of other goodies too!
My high school had THE BEST chocolate chip cookies too. They always sold them fresh out of the oven and they were HUGE! Gosh, I miss ’em.
That’s so awesome that you not only bought all of the Twilight books, but an extra as well. And the girl with LOVE The Hunger Games… I haven’t met anyone who hasn’t!
That was so sweet, Julie! The addition of the first book in The Hunger Games was a great idea. I liked them a lot better than the Twilight books, too (although I am a sucker for the Twilight movies). 🙂
My high school (Lyons Township) also of the Chicago burbs also had the BEST chocolate chip cookies, too! Did you have Bosco Stix too? Those were also great. I’m glad my post-HS self has embraced vegetables in her life. 🙂
nooooo and now i want them!
what a nice thing to do. i never got into the twilight series (or harry potter series)..i guess im just not into that type of stuff. i am in sucha minority, i know!
Awesome cause. If a child wants to read you have got to get them the books!!!!!!
My husband and I usually pick a single mom famiy to help. We were both single parents and know how hard it is.
wow thats awesome! I totally want to do that for a kid!
and those panera cookies are sooooo good!
SO sweet of you to do an Angel tree gift, AND throw in something extra. I’m sure she’ll love Twilight! We picked an angel tree teenager who requested reading material also… unfortunately she wants a Kindle lol.
That cookie looks awesome 🙂
Those cookies are ahhh-mazing! And how sweet of you to buy the gift, we always did something similar when I was little. I always had fun picking out my gift for a little girl!
Ugh I feel the same way you do about Bella! I cringed through the books/movies. So glad you gave The Hunger Games too, Katniss is definitely a better heroine.
Loved The Hunger Games! I read all three in a week. What a great addition to your gift! I definitely wouldn’t mind if I were on the receiving end. 🙂
Panera is the best! I have been hearing such great things about the Hunger Games, I think I need to read them already. The movie sure looks awesome!
that is so sweet for you to have done! and I haven’t read Twilight but I heard a lot about Bella – good choice throwing Hunger Games in there!
I think you are too sweet for buying a gift for that girl and I think next year my brothers and I are actually going to do that instead of getting each other gifts!
My big question is– Which book won for book club??! I am excited 🙂
it will be announced today! 😀
Haha glad you didn’t get her the Snooki book. I almost had a crisis of conscience. Can I really read a blogger who likes Snooki?? 😉 Is The Hunger Games really that good? Everyone is talking about the series. Maybe I should give it a chance…
they’re a really fast, entertaining read. i would recommend them for sure. i liked them 10x more than twilight.
That’s awesome- I need to stop by my local Panera and see if they’re also participating in that holiday drive!
I LOVE that you added the Hunger Games… I can’t wait to read that book! I’ve heard that it’s so good!!
that cookie looks like it’s on roids. ps – hunger games movie countdown has officially begun!!
wooooo!
We are doing a toy drive at my work too. But I like the idea of a treat from Panera too. Giving to the less fortunate is so important and I am sure your girl will enjoy her added surprise!
Um…are you serious?!?! That really brought it back! Fremd cookies 🙂 They tasted like barely baked cookie dough which is why they were just THAT good!!
exactly!!! so delicious.
What a wonderful and kind thing for you to do! She will be so happy.
And I share your feelings towards Bella.. I wasn’t wild about the books because her character was very frustrating..and whiny..and lacking confidence.. but of course I’ve seen the movies and participate in all the Twilight chat I can!
The cookies at Elk Grove were indescribable as well.
woohooo for illinois high schools!
I am a single mom of 2 teenagers and haven’t had it real easy for the past several years. I was VERY sick for a few years and luckily now am doing better. During my hardest year, a classroom at my aunt’s school bought Christmas gifts for my kids and myself, donated 3 huge boxes of food for the holidays and a woman from the church associated with the school crocheted blankets for all 3 of us. Mine is ALWAYS on my bed as a visual reminder of the good in the hearts of people. This is the 3rd Christmas since then and I always bring in donations to the school for things they are in need of for the families they’ve chosen to help. I am forever grateful to them for the amazing way they opened their hearts to my family and will always do whatever I can to give back to as many people as possible.
It’s so nice to see people who have problems of their own and families of their own to contend with at the holidays, especially with the way the economy has been, give back to those less fortunate so willingly and selflessly. I know you will never get to see that girl open her gift from you but know she is grateful and will, hopefully, one day remember that kind, anyonomous person who gave her what she wanted and so much more.
She won’t ever be able to say this to you, but, thank you. From her and from those of us who have at one time or another have been blessed by people just like you.
wow, bridgette, this comment made me cry. it sounds to me like the people who reached out to help you couldn’t have picked a more deserving, kind person to assist around the holidays. i’m so glad you’re doing better now and i hope your health continues to remain strong. thank you for your thoughtful comment.
I went to Conant and I LOVED those cookies! And in high school it was so great to have the metabolism that supported daily cookie-eating 🙂
conant! i remember attending a diving conference meet there back in the day!
I was on swimming! How funny!
I love that you posted about this! I’m on my phone so its hard to post the exact link but readers can search for the salvation army’s angel tags program to similarly provide a gift for a child in need. You can participate online!
I found the link if anyone is interested – http://angel.jcpenney.com/angeltree/Search.aspx
thank you so much! i included it on my morning post as well. thank you, lindsay!
I’m totally with you on the Bella post! Seriously, you can only be so ‘tortured’ in one book!
Meatloaf= yum-tastic!
The Hunger Games is a great bonus book!!!!!!!!! I haven’t read the Twilight series. Never could get the beyond the weird vampire thing.
That’s a great scheme Panera is hosting – I’m sure the girl will love your added surprise 🙂
I love your choice of gifts for her – I loved both the Twilight & Hunger Games series! Every year I donate a couple of books through Barnes & Nobles program kind of like that. 🙂
A few years ago, I was assigned to the care of a young child (“Alex”) who was in the hospital. Alex had read all the twilight books and really enjoyed them. What was so interesting about Alex was how we were able to talk about the negative traits of the characters, both as book characters and the actors. This child had so much insight, it is something I will never forget…
Fremd had the best cookies ever! I could really go for one right now 🙂