Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Hello and happy new week Friends ~

Yay for October goodness! The sun is shining and it's a beautiful start to the week here. The construction folks are still going strong...but so grateful for their gifts and talents to help us update the full guest bathroom.

I hope you had a great weekend! It was such a lovely one here. It was the last full weekend at the lake. Matt goes next weekend to pick up his folks and then take them to the airport to head back to AZ for the winter. I can't believe another summer season there has gone so quickly. We helped get some things cleaned up and cleared out for the winter as they fully shut it down until Spring. We also got out for a lovely walk one day. Visited a dear neighbor friend who is 90! She was one of Matt's Grandma's best friends. Her house is so unique and you can see pics of it below. We got out for a lovely walk and enjoyed the colorful trees and beauty of the area. And then the next day we got out for one last pontoon ride. The colors around the lake are so beautiful right now! And of course had to watch our Packers. At least they somehow pulled out a win this week. We have so much to work on this season. But we will take the wins when we can get them!

The ride to the lake and home was gorgeous too. I know I've said it before - but I just love the northwoods in the Fall. 🍁🧡

we have to trap the animals in on one side of the house away from where the construction is happening - it doesn't stop them from being curious though

Now on to another busy week ahead...

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

just coffee today

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

going to a work thing with Matt, my dentist appt, my hair appt, pickleball, going to fund raiser dinner with a gf, hanging out with my Mom, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

It was so chilly this morning (in the mid 30's) and it felt like such a prelude to what is to come. The mists on the bay are always haunting and pretty. 

I love the Autumn here - but the LONG winters I could do without. :) 

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

belting out songs in the car with Matt ❤️

CURRENTLY READING

I have such a list I want to read yet - I have a book called Garden Spells (sounds very Autumnal), one that my friend Bille Jo recommended a while back, I still need to finish Rebecca, and Theo of Golden is also on my list as I've heard such good things. 

 

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Jeopardy,  Best Medicine, Survivor, Dancing with the Stars, Youtube things, Fall movies I want to watch, Halloween Baking Championship, Great British Baking Show

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - Matt has to go about an hour out of town for a work thing this afternoon and I'm going to tag along, because it shouldn't take him too long and then we can get dinner there at a cute place I know - plus it just means more pretty Fall road trippin 😉

TUESDAY - butternut squash and caramelized onion ravioli in a brown butter sauce and meatballs, steamed veggies

WEDNESDAY - egg bake, pumpkin swirl bread (for toast), raw veggies & protein ranch dip

THURSDAY - I'm going out with a gf to a fundraiser dinner

FRIDAY - leftovers or grab something out?

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

embroidery project, watercolor painting, diamond art

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

 

FROM THE CAMERA:

Matt's Mom was trying our her new walker that is good for all terrain outside. It was such a perfect kind of chilly but beautiful day for a walk. This is by the pole barn building on our property.

looking so Fall at the lake

country roads take me home....

We had such a lovely visit with Bernadette. She was Matt's Grandma's best friend. She is 90 and from France originally and still has the cutest thick french accent. She calls Matt - Mathieu (pronounced Mat-chew). She used to live full time at her lake property until her Hubby, Fritz died. Now she winters in FL with her son. But her Hubby built their house and it's very European style with multiple floors. 

The next day a final pontoon ride was in order to take in all the colors around the lake. We bundled up in our warmer clothes and brought blankets to huddle under. We all agreed it was one of our favorite rides of the season. 

under my blankie nice and warm

Took these on the ride home - equally beautiful! 

PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear, especially everything going on in the middle east right now. 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 the Lord's love and peace to fill all ❤️'s.

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:

Have an amazing week Friends! 

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

Cooking Thursday: Chicken and Dumplings & some Happy October Fall Finds

 

Hello my Peeps~

Happy October!! 👻🍁🎃🧡

The best month of them all in my opinion. Since Autumn is my favorite season - In my humble opinion, I don't think it gets any better than the northwoods in October. Folks come from all over to travel up our north shore along Lake Superior because it's just so beautiful.😍  

I love the beautiful trees, the weather, soft sweaters, cozy hot drinks, long walks, geese honking, the smell of woodsmoke outside, first evenings in front of the fireplace, heartier meals, fun movies, curling up under a fuzzy blanket, and all the magic that October brings. 

Right now it's sunny and in the 60's and the trees and bay are all shimmering in the breeze. A little pile of leaves is already forming under one of the trees. 

And here are a few pics from our walk a few nights ago:

And it's so fun to see kiddos get excited that it's the month of this:

And since we're talking about Autumn cozy I thought I would share this yummy comforting chicken and dumplings I made the other night. 

I found the recipe in a 50+ Best Soups magazine from a few years ago. I have made a few really good soups from it and I always jot down my notes about them after I make them so I know how I want to tweak for next time. 

I followed the recipe except I didn't have dried rosemary - so I used fresh I still had from my garden. And besides salt and pepper...I seasoned everything with a bit of garlic powder and onion powder. I let my slow cook a little longer than 5 hours because I wanted the potatoes even softer (I think I cut them a little too big). So I layered the veggies, then put the seasoned chicken thigh pieces on top. Poured the broth mixture over all and let it cook.

This is how it looked when it was ready for me to add the dumplings and I added in 1/2 c. of frozen peas I had thawed a little:

 I didn't have bisquick mix so I made my own by sifting 1 cup of flour into a bowl and adding in 1&1/2 tsp of baking powder and 1/4 tsp of salt. I then took 1 Tbsp of butter and blended that into the flour mixture with my pastry blender until it was all blended in. I did add some seasoning to the mixture too (some garlic & onion powder and a little Italian seasoning). And then mixed in some milk. 

Then I dropped the dumplings by rounded tablespoons onto the hot broth:

I covered them and let them cook about 1/2 hour until they were soft and pillowy and a toothpick pushed in the center came out clean.

Here is the recipe. Such perfect comforting Fall food!! I definitely recommend it and Matt & I both said we'd definitely have it again. 

I don't have an exciting craft update this week. I have progressed more on my second embroidery project - but I thought I would wait until I have more done before I show an update again. And I have started the cute diamond art coasters (see prior Thursday post) - but again, I want to wait until more are complete. So instead I thought I'd show you a few other fun items I found for Fall at Trader Joe's that I had shipped to our home (through amazon - since our closest TJ's is 3 hours away):

You already saw my absolute favorite - this pumpkin spice bark

But I also got this harvest pasta sauce that came highly rated. It's made with pumpkin and butternut squash. I think I'm going to add meatballs or ground beef or turkey that I saute with onion and zucchini and then have it over pasta. 

And I have to say these little pumpkin spice yogurt covered shortbread cookies are really good too! Counting every calorie when I indulge but they are very worth it. Great with a mug of tea!

How is October beginning where you are? Are there any fun activities or foods you're looking forward to? Or maybe something new you plan to try? 

Love the time we share here together always my Friends. Have a great weekend! 

xoxo