The Christmas Season Has Begun ♥

 

Good Moring Friends! ♥

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and a happy Thanksgiving!  Our day was lovely and delicious.  We celebrated at my brother-in-laws.  There were laughs, games, FOOD, and a nice walk after dinner to digest and look at Christmas lights. It was a holiday I will surely keep in my memory forever.  

Turkey dinner remains my favorite meal of the year and this year did not disappoint!  

YUM!!!! 

As per usual I ate too much but it was worth it.  I spent Friday napping and nibbling on leftover pie (because it was there...:) in between video game rounds with John.  We watched National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and now it officially feels like the Holiday Season.

This weekend I decorated, did some online shopping, and watched 2 seasons of Holiday Baking Championship on the Food Network.  (I'm obsessed!)  I wanted to feel like I was somewhat productive before getting back to work on Monday.  

This morning I'm set up with my little computer in the kitchen working away on real life stuff, but I have a pot of goodness simmering behind me and it smells like Williams Sonoma in here...which is exactly what I was going for  ♥

This year I've decided to keep my decorating minimal and simple.  

It will be more about the smells and the feels. 

 Books, candles, and vintage inspired decorations are my favorite. 

Christmas time and December in general can be a very busy, stressful time.  

My objective this year is to embrace the quiet and the cozy.

It won't be difficult ♥

So as your calendar starts to fill up and you feel yourself stressing, remember that  self care is the most important gift you can give this season. 

Wishing you all a festive week! 

Happy Thanksgiving! ♥

Wishing you all sparkling china, flickering candles, cranberry sauce, and all those little Norman Rockwell moments that make your heart full.  

However you are celebrating - in a large group around the table, or in your pj's on the couch, enjoy your day.  And remember it's OK if it's not perfect. Just don't forget to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. That's a must : ) 

Happy Thanksgiving my friends! I'm very thankful for YOU! ♥

xoxo

Lovely November

Hello Friends! Happy Wednesday! 

How is your November? So far November has not disappointed me.  It's been everything I've looked forward to and all that it should be.  We've had days so sunny and bright that the colors of the leaves almost glow.  We've also had days like today that are dark and dreary and just as beautiful in their own way.  

November is funny like that.  She can be foggy, damp, and miserable, yet we love her so much it's hard to be mad at her.  

Aaaaand, it's gotten COLD.  So cold I had to finally put on my winter coat.  And it felt good. I don't know why I resist this every year, because once I finally take the plunge and put it on...it's heaven. 

 It was very windy today...leaves blowing everywhere...but I was cozy warm in my black wool coat.  

I'm soaking up all the things I love about fall before we have to transition over into winter.  Holiday commercials and songs have begun.  Today I bought my first Christmas present, so I've officially started my shopping.  One day in the trenches and I'm feeling spent... long lines and crowed stores are not ideal these days, but not everything can be done online. The world has gone completely crazy and makes us feel like we have to do everything early or the holidays will be doomed.  I'm trying not to get too stressed out and just doing a little at a time.  When the the world gets too much, I know I have my tea and Hallmark movies to keep me warm. 

I'm thinking about decorating this weekend.  It will be had to say goodbye to my pretty fall décor, but I'll pack it away nice and safe until next year.  Christmas decorations make me happy so why wait?

My mornings will continue to be delicious with oatmeal, bananas, and honey.  Yum.  Pumpkin spice coffee will continue, as will pumpkin pie.  Seasonal yummy treats like gingerbread cookies have taken the place of Halloween candy (which is long gone, thank goodness!).  I've started to pin holiday recipes to try.  Yesterday I picked up a gingerbread house kit for John and his chocolate Advent calendar.  December 1st is coming fast.  It's getting exciting. 

 

I wish for fall all year and every year it comes and goes too quickly.  I would gladly give up one of the hot summer months for another month of fall...cool, crisp, and colorful...before we enter the Christmas rush.  But alas, that's not the case so I'll go with the flow. 

 

It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is next week! 

Wishing you a very lovely day and happy November.  

Byeeee xoxo 

10 Things I Love: Fall Edition ♥

 

Hello Friends! ♥

It's time for another edition of :"10 things I love".  

Today I'm going to talk about all the things I love about Fall.  

Obviously there are more than just 10, but thinking of the simple pleasures of day to day life during the fall, here are 10 random things I love...

Pumpkin flavored everything! Coffee, bread, muffins, donuts...I could go on and on! I want it all. In fact today I made a pumpkin pie! (the coffee pictured above was a gift from a friend and it's DELICIOUS ♥ ) 

Hot cider with a cinnamon stick

Getting new PJ's for the winter

Making holiday lists and starting my Christmas shopping

Hallmark movies - all day every day : ) 

Roasted butternut squash soup for lunch

Warm cozy sweaters and socks 

Simmering stovetop potpourri

Dried fruit garlands and homemade decorations in the kitchen 

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!  

♥

Some bonus LOVES are cracking fires, the smell of the cool crisp air, and Peanuts everywhere! 

I'm so glad I live in a place that has changing seasons or I would never be able to appreciate each one as much as I do.  

What are some things you are loving right now?  Do you love lighting candles on dark cold mornings while you wait for the coffee or tea to brew?  Do you love snuggling under cozy blankets and watching movies or reading a book?  Do you love taking an afternoon walk to look at the stunning colors of the leaves?  Me too ♥

Have a wonderful cozy week my friends! It's only 4:15pm and it's already starting to get dark!

Xx 

French Onion Pork Chops ♥

Good Morning Friends!  Happy Halloween! ♥

I hope you all had a happy, safe, and not too scary holiday!  I don't know about you, but for the last few days I have been living off a steady diet of sugary treats and chocolate bars! I end up raiding John's candy and eat all the ones he can't eat. This would be anything with peanuts & peanut butter. UGH! I am a magnet to the candy bowl and it's only the beginning.  It's THAT time of year again and there is no escaping it! ♥

We had a fun Halloween.  It's much different now that he's older, but he still got in the spirit, hung around with some friends and had fun trick or treating at a few houses.  My friend Courtney always does a lovely spread of goodies and cocoa on her porch for anyone that wants to come.  We've been going since John was in first grade.  Not last year because of covid so it was nice to be back celebrating this year! 

He was Jason from Friday the13th (we've come a long way from Woody the Cowboy and hot dog costumes!).

Very Scary!! 

And now it's November! Holy Cow! Time is marching on....

♥

Well, here's a new recipe I tried earlier this week that I wanted to share with you. 

French Onion Pork Chops!

 I saw this on YouTube and immediately knew I wanted to try it because I love French onion soup and I love easy recipes! 

It was simple to make, had delicious flavor, and my family loved it.  

I will definitely be adding this recipe to the winter rotation : ) 

Here's what you need:

4 boneless pork chops

2 yellow onions

olive oil & butter

beef broth

S&P, garlic powder, & thyme

flour

cheese

Cut the onions into rings.  Sauté in 2 tbls of butter and 1 tbls of olive oil. 

Cook for about 5 minutes and then add in 1/4 beef broth. Let cook for about 12 minutes, until the onions are soft and golden brown. 

 Remove from pan and set aside. 

Season pork chops with garlic powder, S&P, and thyme on each side.  Add to the pan and cook 4-5 minutes on each side. 

Remove from pan and set aside. 

Add onions back into the pan along with 2 tablespoons of flour.  Stir together until flour is dissolved  and then add in 1 cup of beef broth.  

Whisk together and simmer until sauce thickens. 

Add pork chops back into the pan. 

Add cheese on top of each chop if you'd like. (I used mozzarella, but provolone or swiss would be delish : )

Cover and let simmer until cheese is melted and chops are cooked through.  

Just a few more minutes ♥

I served ours with mashed potatoes and broccoli. YUM! 

It was a hearty, warm meal that we all enjoyed! 

I think I can put the breaks on desserts this week.  We have enough sweets to tide us over for a while! LOL

Have a great day friends! Are you putting up your Christmas decorations yet? I'm not...but I'm thinking about it  🎄🤶

Bye!!! xoxoxo ♥