Wordless Wednesday

 

Autumn Beauty, Harvest Honey Apple Stuffing Chicken, & a Coffee Lover's Treat

 

Howdy Blogland Pals!

I know that's quite a title for this post...but I'm packing in all kinds of Autumnal goodness because:

A) it's my last post for this week 

B)this weekend it becomes November (gah! where has the time gone?🙈)

C)so life will start to become more about the holidays, so I'm being Fallish while there is still time 

Also, BOOO! It's almost Halloween! 👻🎃🍁

Ok, so first up - some Autumn Beauty. Matt and I went for a walk a few nights ago and there was still such Autumn gorgeousness (is that a word?) everywhere and I just reveled in every step that we took in it. And of course, you know me... I took a bazillion photos. Lol  I also took a few more pics of Autumn around our home.

So pull up a comfy chair, grab a nice cozy beverage and I hope you enjoy diving into this Fall-filled post. I'm so grateful you are here. 🍁🧡 

some of the neighborhood homes are so cute for the trick-or-treaters

🎃🎃🎃

Next up I wanted to share this chicken recipe that I made recently that was inspired by something I saw on social media. I took some of those ideas and ran with it to make my own recipe. The dish I saw was stuffing and apple stuffed chicken breasts over carrots with a honey butter poured over all before baking. I didn't want something quite that sweet and I wanted something more saucy/gravy like as I know that's what Matt would like. So here is what I did:

I peeled and cut up 3 large carrots and chopped some onion and put into the bottom of a pan that I had poured a little apple cider in the bottom. I still had cider lying around and thought it would go well with the apples in this dish. I probably put about 1/4 c. of cider in the bottom. And I seasoned the carrots with some salt, pepper, & Italian seasonings. 

 I only have photos of 2 of the breasts, but I butterflied open 3 good sized chicken breasts, and seasoned them all over with salt and pepper. I made a box of easy stuffing and I filled the breasts with some of that mixture (about a 1/4 c. or so) and some peeled and chopped apple (about 1/2 a large apple). I used a cosmic crisp. 

I squished the mixture into the chicken while folding the breast in half. I placed each of the stuffed folded breasts on top of the bed of carrots. And I put the rest of the stuffing and apple I had leftover all over the top of the chicken too. 

Then in a separate bowl I took a can of cream of chicken soup and I added 1-2 tbsp of honey(knew it would play nice with the apples), some seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and some Italian seasoning. Measure the spices with your heart - I like things flavorful. I blended the soup mixture up really well. I dotted the tops of the chicken with some pieces of butter. And then I poured the soup/gravy mixture all over the tops of the chicken. I placed them in a preheated 350* oven and baked them for about an hour - using a meat thermometer to make sure they were done. I think they were done in a little less than an hour. 

We had ours with a side salad and the carrots from the bottom of the pan that had soaked up all that goodness. True harvest comfort food. I could only eat half a breast but Matt cleaned his plate so I guess it was good. 😋

As long as we're being "hearty" with comfort food I thought I would share this amazing treat I came up with too. I typically still have my high protein greek yogurt treat...but I am human and sometimes crave ice cream (well we usually get frozen yogurt). So this twist is for my fellow coffee lovers out there. In Italy there is a dessert called an affogato - which in Italian means "drowned". And it usually consists of gelato drowned in some espresso. Think really sweet creamy coffee flavor but eat like a dessert like ice cream. Well I took it up a notch further. In my defense I had mine in a mug and only had 1 scoop though. 

You see, I'm also a cookie butter lover. Have you had this amazing concoction?? Think biscoff cookies all blended up until it reaches the consistency of peanut butter. So sort of like gingerbread cookie butter. I buy mine from Trader Joe's and it's evil because it's soooo good and sometimes calls out to me in the night. Not really, but it is something I struggle to resist. 

Anywho, back on track - I took some of that devilish cookie butter and smeared it in the bottom and a little up the sides of the mug.  I put one scoop of Moose Tracks frozen yogurt in the bottom over the cookie butter. Made a well in the middle of said frozen yogurt and filled it with some DECAF coffee (I still like to sleep at night). And oh my word, I thought I was in HEAVEN because it was sooo good! Cold, creamy, chocolatey and coffeeish. A new favorite dessert, so needless to say I'm not going to be able to buy cookie butter anymore. ::sigh:: Lol But that's my problem. I hope you go enjoy this amazing treat! 

Truly, give it a try it's sooo good. 

Blessings for a fun and safe Halloween weekend Friends

xoxo

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Hello dear Friends and happy new week to you. 

Sorry life got busy last week and I didn't get to post recipes. An Aunt of mine came into town and we all spent time with an Uncle of mine as well. 

As for the weekend, we had a relaxing one up at the lake again. Matt's Mom went out of town for her high school reunion and to see old friends down in Illinois. She had asked if we could go help with chores at the lake and spend time with Matt's Dad. So we brought food to cover the weekend (I made chili & cornbread, we grilled food one night and had sides/salads, fruit etc and I made his Dad's favorite cake). 

We had a gorgeous 80* day one of the days and got in a final pontoon ride, which was a lovely bonus, as they will be taking out the boats and dock soon. I also caught Annie's hockey game online. She did great!

On a bit of a worrisome note. My Aaron is dealing with a health issue that needs further looking into - so any prayers are truly welcome. Also, when we got back from the weekend we realized Bubba hadn't really eaten all weekend. So he is going into the vet this afternoon. So this Momma heart has a few concerns on her heart right now. 🙏🏻

 

 

 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

coffee, healthy (low carb/higher fiber) pumpkin spice oat cereal 

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

lunch with a Friend, my MD appt, errands, projects, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

Of course what will be foremost on my brain is my Kiddo and Bubbs until I know all is okay.  

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

walking in crisp Fall air with pretty leaves on the trees while listening to an Autumn playlist on my airpods 🍁🧡

CURRENTLY READING

Finally finishing the last book in the Dream Harbor series

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Jeopardy, The Office, Big Brother (showing Matt older seasons - currently season 10 as Dan was my fave player), Great British Baking Show, The Morning Show, Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, Shark Tank, Shifting Gears, we taped On Brand but haven't watched it yet

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY -  sesame chicken crumbles over brown rice, veggies (we didn't have last week)

TUESDAY -  we may be running around so not sure?

WEDNESDAY -  egg bake I had frozen and plan to thaw, fruit

THURSDAY - pierogi dish, salad

FRIDAY - maybe out for dinner?

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

read, scrapbook, sketch/paint

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

I didn't take any photos of it - but I made a Fall salad to bring to my Uncle's last week. I want to share it here so I remember it. It was made with mixed greens, chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, apple, dried cranberry, pepitas and an orange vinaigrette dressing. It was SO tasty and so perfect for Fall. I came home with an empty bowl so I guess that tells you it was good. Lol 

Here is the link to Chopped Fall Harvest Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

and I found it at eatthegains.com When you click on the recipe there is a link within the recipe for the orange vinaigrette too. 

FROM THE CAMERA:

Here are some pics of my Uncle's property when we went for dinner and a visit, along with my Aunt who had come into town. He lives about 40 minutes from us on 20 acres in the northwoods of WI too. It's so pretty out there. 

Here is the chili, cheesy jalapeno cornbread muffins with honey glaze, and boston cream poke cake that I had made for the lake this weekend. It was a lovely weekend there and it was fun seeing the color along the lake and along the drive. It's sure getting pretty all around here now. 

I spent some of my relaxation time reading on my ipad and also doing some digital coloring on a coloring app. I picked all Fall themes as you can see. 😊🎃🧡

I took this of Bubba posing pretty last week as he always blends in perfectly with our Fall decor. :) I sure pray he's okay.

PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. For my Aaron's current health issues and future appts. For Bubba's appt to go well today. 

For Christ's Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere and help the world find its way to loving our neighbors as ourselves. 🙏🏻

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Wishing you endless blessings my Friends. Have a wonderful week. 

I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.