What to eat on a chilly Fall evening...

Hello!

I am finally back from an unexpected blogging hiatus.  What happened was my computer crashed!  I got the dreaded "blue screen" and then everything went dark!  I sweated it out for two weeks wondering if everything was lost.  I'm happy to say that all was recovered and I'm back up and running.  It makes me think about how we used to survive without our computers?  Back in the days when my pictures were actually developed and not just saved on a hard drive (not a great idea).  Back when I phoned people instead of emailing them (what?!) and my life before blogging!  My son will never know a life without a computer.  It's a pretty amazing thing, and a little sad at the same time. 

Anyway, while I was gone September happened!  How was your month?  Ours was good.  I never knew the life of a Kindergartner would be so full.  They are doing homework now.  Did you know this?  I guess I was the last to find out.  We are loving every minute of it though.  The other night while doing the dishes, I overheard my 5 year old son explain to my husband what a rectangular prism is.  You should have seen the puzzled look on his face.  My husband....not my son! Priceless.

It's no secret to anyone how happy I am that it is FALL! The temps are dropping and my sweaters are coming out of hibernation.  I've even wearing my cozy jammies now.  Yay! I've fluffed up our warm quilts and blankets.  They are folded neatly on the couch, just waiting for a body to wrap around.  It's not quite cold enough to put the heat on yet, but the nights are chilly enough to reach for my favorite green fleece.  It's great sleeping weather!

A few weeks ago we took a ride out to Stow, MA to spend the day in the country and pick some apples.  Here are a few snaps of our beautiful day....

I have been enjoying decorating for Fall as well.  I packed away all of my summertime decorations and filled the corners of my home with orange candles and wooden bowels filled with apples.  There are sugared pumpkins and black cats where you least expect them....boo!

By the way, have I ever showed you Witchy-Poo?  Here she is...

Is she not darling?! I love her hair!  My mom made her for me.  She sold dozens of these at craft fairs over the years (for just $10!).  She's still has a few left over, so if you are interested let me know.  She'll be my kitchen witch right up until Christmas : )

 

 

My kitchen is my favorite place right now. No better way to warm up the house than put the oven on.  Last Sunday I made a chicken pot pie for dinner and an apple-raspberry crisp for desert. It was a chilly night and this meal warmed me to the bone.  It was Heaven on a plate.  I have been dying to share the recipes with you and now that I have my computer back I can!  If you want to warm your house, your belly, and your heart, make this meal ~

First the chicken pot pie.  I have tried a couple of different recipes over the years, and this one by far is the easiest!  The recipe is right off the Bisquick box.


1 2/3 cups frozen mixed veggies
2 cups cut up cooked chicken ( I used a cooked rotissery chicken from the grocery store)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup Bisquick mix
1/2 milk
1 egg

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix together veggies, chicken, and soup.  Pour into an ungreased 9 " glass pie plate.

Stir together the Bisquick, egg, and milk with a fork until blended.  Pour on top of chicken mixture. 

Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.

 

As for dessert...

it actually happened by accident.  My intention was to make an apple-cranberry crisp, but I could not find any cranberries!  Two different grocery stores told me cranberries were a "seasonal" item and they weren't in stock yet.  I couldn't even find frozen ones!  Looks like I'll have to wait another few weeks : (  For a quick substitution I used raspberries instead.  It was a wise decision!  Simply delicious!

2-3 lbs of apples - cored, peeled, and cut into chunks (doesn't have to be exact, just enough to fill a 9x13 baking dish)
12 oz raspberries
1/2 cup sugar
3 tbs flour
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix all ingredients in a greased 9x13 baking dish. 

For topping:

6 tbs butter
2/3 cup oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients with a fork until crumbly.  Sprinkle on top of fruit. 

Bake for 60 minutes.  Add a little whip cream and you are done!

So there you have it.  Our first comfort meal of the Fall.  

This weekend we are taking a little leaf-peeping road trip up to Maine.  We are packing the car, loading it with sandwiches, snacks, DVDs, magazines, and lots of hot coffee!  We'll travel the back roads of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and finally Maine.  Hoping to see lots of color and New England charm.  I'll tell you all about it when I get back. 

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!  xo

P.S. I also wanted to say Happy Birthday to my Dad!  I'm thinking of you and I'll see you tomorrow : )   I love you xo