It's Thanksgiving week! ♥

Hello dear Friends! Happy Monday! ♥

A bit chilly out there this morning.   And the trees are already looking bare.  That was fast. 

Winter is coming! 

We have arrived at Thanksgiving week!  

All is calm and quiet around here today and I'm savoring it because I know once Wednesday morning hits, it's going to be chaos.  In a good way, but chaos nonetheless! This weekend I did most of the grocery shopping - only a few last minute things remain.  I plan on running out tomorrow for those.  My turkey is thawing comfortably in the fridge and I've got my linens and platters all laid out. Rob has today off to rake leaves and get the yard all looking pretty.  He's out there now.  It's nice and sunny today (cold but not windy : ) My sister-in-law is bringing all the pies so I'm off the hook for desserts this year.  I think overall I'm ready.  Wednesday morning I'll start my meal prep - chopping and mashing, preparing a few make ahead dishes - accompanied by lots of coffee and Christmas music. Still missing my mom of course - wishing so badly I has someone in the kitchen with me to share this with.  Thank you all so much for your comments on my last post.  I know I'm not alone. We are all missing our loved ones.  

 Especially on the holidays ♥

This weekend I made soup twice! The first one was chicken soup and the second was vegetable bean. I made croutons with the leftover bread I made last week.  I thought it would be nice get some healthy food in us to keep us strong for the week.  And to balance off all the other food we will be consuming this week! 

To be honest, the second soup was only so I could make the crotons again.  

They were the best part! : )

I toasted them with olive oil and garlic powder.  I must remember to do this more often.  I do love having soup for lunch too.  

Next week will be turkey soup.  I'm looking forward to that : ) 

I don't know if I've ever shown you this little corner of my home...♥

When I was growing up this area was a sun porch and eventually over the years my Dad finished it off and now it's part of the kitchen.  It's a pretty little space that I don't know quite what to do with.  Those chairs you see are antique Queen Anne chairs that were in my Dad's house when he was growing up in the 40's. I was told to never sit on them. I never wanted to anyway because they are very uncomfortable (of course little me had to try at least one time :).  The Victrola on the left was a gift to my parents from someone years ago.  It winds up and actually works.  I do love that piece.  For now I keep everything as is and try to decorate here and there around everything. I'd like to change it up, but I don't know how.  I'll be thinking about that in the new year.   

How do you like this little tree here? It normally goes in John's room, but he didn't mind giving it up this year.  I thought it would give a little Christmas sparkle to the area.  

Wishing you all a wonderful Monday! (what's left of it, that is!).  I've been busy today working and keeping the fire going.  Soon it will be dinner time and a cozy evening awaits.  

Let's all rest up and get ready for the what's ahead! 🦃🍗🍂

xxoo

Thoughts on a Wednesday: missing my mom ♥

Hello Friends and happy Wednesday! ♥

It's been a weird week for me. I've been thinking of my mom a lot. I think it's the holidays of course and we are almost at her two-year anniversary. That's so hard to believe.  The other day I saw someone (who from behind) looked exactly like her.  I think that triggered something in me as well. 

Last night I had a dream that I was very sad.  Everyone around me was ignoring me.  I felt I had no family. No friends.  And I was crying.   I went into my house and saw my mom in the kitchen.  She was wearing her apron and was at the stove cooking something. She saw that I had been crying and asked me if I was catching a cold.  She offered to make me tea and something to eat.  I instantly felt taken care of. The kitchen was warm and cozy and I could feel all the sadness inside me fade away.  I was so happy because I knew deep down that she loved me. And even if nobody else did, she did.  

And that was enough for me ♥

  

This is the time of year that we would go to craft fairs together and go Christmas shopping and out to lunch.  We'd plan the holiday menus and decide who's making the pies (it was always me!).  Now I do those things by myself. I AM the mom now.  It's such a strange feeling that I know I'll never get over.  But I must be strong and carry on.  I will.  I'm glad I have my memories.  

And my dreams ♥

Monday catch up: my tree is up ♥

Good Morning Friends! Happy Monday! ♥

As usual the weekend flew by and all of a sudden here we are again! I've got the Monday blues, and it usually takes me to Wednesday before they shake off, just in time to get ready for the weekend. Thats how it goes with me.  I'm always headed for the weekend : ) 

 The weather here in New England has gotten very cold!  I lit my first fire on Saturday and now there's no stopping me.  The first thing I did this morning was light another one.  While the kitchen warmed, I put on a pot of coffee and got dressed.  By the time I was done and having my first sip it was nice and toasty in here.  We have a lot of wood left over from last year that I'm going to burn and I love it because I don't have to run the heat during the day.  Some people say they don't light fires because they don't like the smell, but I rather enjoy it.  It smells like winter and the holidays and that's what I love.  

Very very cozy ♥

Last night after dinner I made this easy bread recipe I saw on TikTok.  I thought I'd give it a shot.  If there was a chance of having fresh bread in the morning, I was willing to risk it.  

#fingerscrossed! 

It came out amazing! My cinnamon toast tasted soooo good!! 

  

Here's a screenshot of the recipe.  I'm telling you, it was a sinch! And so worth it.  Something about homemade bread makes me feel like I'm doing something right in this world. 

 Is that too dramatic? I don't care.  It's good, so try it : ) 

Something else I want to share before I forget is I finished this book last night...OH MY! 

 Full disclosure I listened to the audiobook and I could not stop listening! I highly recommend if you like thriller mysteries!  I listened while cleaning, doing laundry, and making dinner.  I was a machine because I didn't want to stop listening.  It had 3 narrators, so it was like listening to a movie play out in my head. I really loved it.  

Anyway....on to what's really important....♥

 

My tree is up! Yay! ♥

I'm so enjoying it in the early mornings and evenings.  It's very peaceful and calm.  

My goal was to have it up by Thanksgiving and I'm happy that it's done so we can enjoy it for the full festive season. I have little bits and bobs of other decorations scattered around but I'm not fully decorated yet.  I'm enjoying the little things and decided not to go overboard. 

I had an epifamily the other day while doomscrolling making a mental list of all the home decor things I want run out and buy to make my home look like all the pretty Christmas homes on Instagram.  What am I doing?...I thought.  I already have so much and don't need anything else.  I'll use what I have and in fact, every year I tell myself I have too much (I'm talking Christmas and holiday decorations in general).  Bins and bins full!  Do I need anymore? No I don't. I put my phone down.  

I'll use what I have and it will be just fine.  I'm so easily swayed sometimes but I'm fighting the urge.  

Have you ever felt that way? Sometimes you have to stop yourself.  At least I do. 

I decided to focus more on food, family, and friends, rather than making my house look like a magazine and buying things I really don't need. 

I went on to more important things, like food! I started a little notebook that I've been writing my holiday menus and recipes in - mostly so I don't forget next year! I have purchased our Thanksgiving turkey and he's all cozy in the freezer.  Check that off the list.  In addition to the usual stuffing, mashed potatoes, and roasted carrots - I'm adding a few new things this year.  Corn casserole and sweet potatoe casserole! I've never done either but am feeling ambitious. My mom would be so proud. And remember the cranberry brie bites I was talking about a few weeks ago?  They look so easy and will make a lovely appetizer.  

Best Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

I saw a tip that says you can mix the cranberry sauce with a little orange marmalade or apricot jam and that sounded good too.  I'm going for it! ♥

Meanwhile, outside Fall is in full bloom.  

Yesterday I was treated to visit from my duck friends who were having a very lively conversation! 

They will enjoy the river before the winter comes and they fly south.  Like all smart ducks do.  For now, I love watching and listening to them. 

 I always have ♥

And a weekend wouldn't be complete without a little baking.  I revisited an old recipe for Oatmeal bars which were very yummy. Rob has requested I make another batch for this lunch this week so that's on the agenda today! 

They were originally oatmeal raisin bars but I substituted the raisons for white chocolate chips.  

If I had dried cranberries I would have added them but unfortunately, I'm out.  

However, they are just as yummy, chewy, white-chocolatey, and delicious and you'd think they'd be.

Here's a link to the recipe.  I left out the nuts too! ♥

Oatmeal Raisin Bars - Shutterbean

They remind me of old school lunch box treats so it's funny Rob asked me for another batch for his lunch! Actually, when I first blogged about them they were for John's lunch (in 2015!!).  

I love revisiting old blog posts to see where I was at that time.  It was winter and I was in full nesting mode - ironing things, making chicken pot pies, and planning a spring garden.  John was taking swimming lessons and I was deep into 1980's sitcoms and Downton Abbey!  Aside from the swimming lessons, not much has changed! LOL 

I also love seeing our old house.  I used to put white twinkle lights around our kitchen window in the wintertime.  I miss that window! (go back in time HERE : )   

Well, that's all the catch up I have for you today, friends!  I have lots of computer work to do today and I must get at it or I never will.  Thankfully, it's lunch time so this Monday is half over! 

 I hope you find your peace this week ♥ 

 Thank you for visiting me today.  I'll be catching up with you all too! 

Stay cozy! ♥

Byeeeee! xoxo

Butternut squash & cranberry risotto ♥

Good Morning Friends and hello lovely November! ♥

The older I get, I have a whole new appreciation for November. I used to not give her that much thought, as she served just a bridge to December.  But really, November deserves her moment.  It's a month of calmness before the chaos.  A month of anticipation and preparation. I hope she takes here time because I actually love her. 

 And she's pretty too ♥

The colors are in full bloom now and every day it looks like it's raining leaves.  

Nature is prepping for winter ♥

 And so are we.  It's freezing. Have you put your heat on yet? I held out as long as I could but we had to do it.  The house is toasty and I'm looking forward to many cozy fires this season.  

I didn't get as many trick or treaters as I'd planned for.  It was the least amount we've had in years!  Has "truck or treats" squashed old fashioned trick or treating? I'm not sure, but what I do know is I have way too much candy left over and that's not good for anyone around here.  Especially since we're about to enter the biggest eating season of the year.  Ugh!  

Somebody stop me! ♥

*Breakfast of champions*

Right now I'm in that weird state of savoring every last bit of cozy fall while simultaneously being so excited for Christmas and wanting to decorate and do all the things!  I'm slowly putting away pumpkins and a bringing out holly and twinkle lights.  I want to have the most Christmassy Thanksgiving we've ever had.  I've started to make my menus and lists galore! Have you ever heard of baked brie cranberry bites? Me either but I want to make them :)  

Yes it's early, but I don't care.  The tree is going up soon. The music has started and so has the decorating and the shopping.  It doesn't mean I don't care about Thanksgiving.  It's only making it better in my opinion.  The holiday season is so short as it is, so why not start early. 

♥

Here's a weird thing about me... I find it very comforting to scroll Pinterest for DIY Christmas gifts that I will probably never have time to make, while listening to David on QVC talk about kitchen products that I'll probably never buy.  Why do I love that so much? I don't know but it's my happy place and I do it almost every day.  Do you watch David?  He's been part of my life my years.  I adore his commentary and kitchen tips.  

And speaking of kitchen....♥

Today I wanted to share with you a yummy recipe I posted years ago but deserves another moment.  It's a very easy butternut squash and cranberry risotto.  I make it as a side dish but I could easily just eat this for my meal.  It's perfect for this festive season! 

 

1 butternut squash (medium size)

2 tbsp olive oil

6 cups chicken stock

6 tbsp butter (3/4 stick)

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup risotto (Arborio rice)

1/2 cup dried cranberries 

salt & pepper

Peel butternut squash and remove the seeds.  Cut into 3/4 inch chucks.   Cook in microwave (on fresh vegetable setting) until tender.  (*could also be roasted in oven*)  Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the chicken stock in a covered saucepan.  Leave it on low heat to simmer.

In a large saucepan melt the butter and saute the onion - about 10 minutes.

Add the rice and stir to coat the grains with butter.  Cook for 2 minutes.

Add two ladles of stock to the rice (about 1 cup) and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. 

Stir and simmer until stock is absorbed, 5 - 10 minutes.  Continue to add stock, 2 ladles at a time, stirring every few minutes.  Each time, cook until the mixture seems a little dry, then add more stock. 

Continue until the rice is thoroughly cooked (and you are out of stock), about 30 minutes total. 

Remove from heat and stir in the cooked squash. Then stir in the dried cranberries. The mixture will be thick and creamy. 

Transfer to a pretty dish (because that is what this risotto deserves to be served in) and enjoy!

Have a great day my friends! I must get some work done now and do some Christmas dreaming.  

Need more coffee too! ♥

Stay cozy! xoxox