Cooking Thursday: Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken & Easy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Bowls

 

Hello my dear Friends!

I hope you've been having a cozy week so far. 

We've had a few warmer days for the northwoods (sunny and 60's). But the nights still get plenty chilly and we have needed the heat on in the evenings more often than not. We have a lot of windows so during the day the sun heats us up just fine yet. Today, though, it's gray and cloudy and in the 50's and perfect baking weather....and I just so happen to have a banana bread baking away in the oven. So cozy kitchen vibes are vibing here. :) 

I don't really have a craft update. I've just been working on finishing that same embroidery project because I'm getting together with my fellow Fall birthday Besties soon, to celebrate. So I need to finish the 2nd one stat! Lol Here's a quick peek of the progress:

I will share photos when I'm finished with this one and they are both done and framed. 

What is it about this time of year? When it starts to have a chill and blankets become a necessity. When we want to fill our bellies with something warm and comforting...and it often includes things you eat in bowls. I guess because here in the northwoods that often means soup, slow cooker things, and "hot dishes" as we call them around here. Lol There are so many recipes that combine everything in one "bowl" and those are so yummy and comforting too. 

So today I thought I'd share a few slow cooker recipes with you that we enjoyed recently. 

This was another one I found on social media by the account by Kate Fuller. It was easy and so yummy. I love recipes like this where you add whatever toppings you like. I made an easy micro spanish rice...and we served it over that and then added or toppings.  We did protein ranch instead of sour cream, some shredded cheese, taco sauce, and chili cheese fritos as toppings. Delish! But avocado, jalapenos, taco chips etc would also be wonderful as toppings.

slow cook a while

shred chicken and add beans...

and sweet corn..

and a bit of lime juice

and then you're ready to dig in

😋😋😋

The next slow cooker recipe I made I sort made up with what I had on hand. I seasoned some chicken breasts with some s&p, garlic powder, and ranch dressing mix. I put some Franks buffalo sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker and put the seasoned chicken breasts on top. Oh, and I also added a little chicken broth to the bottom of the slow cooker - about 1/2 cup. I let it cook on low about 6 hours. Then shredded it up. We had ours as bowls because I had sweet potato to use up. So I cubed and baked that at 400* for about 30 mins or so. I always season my sweet potatoes with s&p and some cinnamon. We put the roasted sweet potato on the bottom of our bowls. Put the buffalo ranch chicken on top. And then topped them with protein ranch, a little shredded cheese and chili cheese fritos too. We had raw veggies of celery and carrot on the side like they give you with buffalo wings in the restaurant. Again, so easy and so flavorful. 

Are you a soup, stew, or "bowls" kind of a person for warming comfort food this time of year? Do you have a fave go-to comfort dish?

I hope you get to just enjoy some cozy time this coming weekend. Here's a couple of cute pinterest moments that gave me a smile. 

Blessings to you always Friends. 

🍁🎃xoxo🌻🧡

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Hello my wonderful Friends!

Blessings to you on this lovely Monday. It's sunny and calm here in the northwoods today. We've had some windy days lately and it's now getting a little past peak here and lots of leaves are down off of the trees. There is still a lot of pretty ones but it's easy to see we are heading towards the later version of Fall.

How was your weekend? I'm so sorry mine got away from me and I didn't get around to visits - but I will definitely be doing that today!!

It was a lovely weekend in the northwoods. Here is how it went -  if you take one part being productive around the house, then throw in a lovely mass and out for a wonderful dinner, add a pinch of one beautiful nature outing, sprinkle in a couple of fun movie with cozy cuddles, and top it off with a Packers win.... 

well that = an amazingly wonderful weekend!

I am looking out at the bay and the pretty orange leaves on the trees are  reflecting in the calm water like a mirror. I am working on my to do list and thinking life is good. 

I hope it is where you are too!! 🍁🧡

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

just coffee today and a piece of pumpkin spice swirl toast (shared a little with Ruby too)

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

outing with my Mom, errands, an appt, lunch out with a friend, 

hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

How hilarious is this old photo? I dug it out to show Matt after we went to watch one of Mr & Mrs C's daughter's volleyball game. I had told Matt that I used to play a little and pulled out this proof. Lol Who is that baby girl of a million years ago??

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

how very much I love slow cooker season :) 

CURRENTLY READING

I had started Garden Spells and then I've been bad about reading again as I've been focused on crafts for gifts when I sit down at night. I have also been reading my new cookbook I got for my bday. It's called Oversharing and it's by Cortney LaCorte. I also follow her on social media at "cheesegal" and she's known for her amazing appetizer ideas & charcuterie, amongst many other wonderful recipes! I've found a lot of great keepers in her book 😋

 

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Jeopardy,  Best Medicine, Survivor, Dancing with the Stars, Youtube things, Halloween Baking Championship, Great British Baking Show

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - slow cooker chicken ramen I didn't make last week

TUESDAY - probably leftovers and some clean out the fridge

WEDNESDAY - french onion soup (have so many onions to use up!!)

THURSDAY - planning to have Mom & step Dad over and making homemade pizza (my Mom's request), salad, and spiced pear bars

FRIDAY - out for dinner?

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

embroidery project, diamond art (all gift projects)

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

I know it may seem crazy talking snowman talk but we've already needed to have the heat on in the evenings. And one day last week they thought it might get so cold that some areas around us were going to get a few flurries sprinkled in with their rain. 🙈

FROM THE CAMERA:

This sweet little blast from the past of Annie popped up in my memories the other day. Look at that sweet little Pumpkin. 😍 

And speaking of her...Matt and I also watched her fun league ("beer league") hockey team, down in FL, play yesterday. Annie & 1 other gal are the only girls on the team and it's guys of all age ranges out playing. She said she enjoys it so much and they're such a fun group. Sadly they didn't win (it was for the summer championship) but they put up a good fight. Now their Fall league will start next. Plus, she still plays for her college too. That's my hockey lovin' girlie! 

It's so pretty around our neighborhood. There were leaves everywhere after a rainy wind storm went through and this is how Matt's truck looked. Once he thought the coast was clear from a ton more leaves - he used his leaf blower to clean up the drive way. The next pics are of the beautiful trees less than a block from our house and a path we often like to go walk. I took that last week and there are so many more leaves gone now. 😢

Still some pretty color in our back yard though. And I love the 2nd photo I took when the pets felt the need to share the couch with Matt. Lol They each have their own beds. But Bubba lately has felt the need to take over Ruby's bed again. Little stinker. 😂

These are some photos of our lovely Autumn outing the other day. Matt and I also ate at an amazing & adorable restaurant up the shore too. I love quality time together out hiking around. It was a perfect day for it! 

My Sweetheart ❤️❤️❤️

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 all those affected in the recent school shooting in OR.

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:

I hope you have an amazing week ahead my blogland Besties! 

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

Cooking & Crafting Thursday(on a Friday): Brown Butter Ravioli & Updates

 Hello treasured Friends!

Happy TGIF! I hope this week has been kind to you so far. 

I'm posting this today as yesterday was my birthday and I was out and about for lunch and some shopping. :) 

I felt so loved and spoiled all day long! I had a stream of messages, calls and even snail mail cards that just made an old gal feel loved. Matt surprised me in the morning with a beautiful letter, card, and some gifts (he also took me out to lunch). My favorite was in my card there was a back rub certificate he made (always a favorite!). And my kids each sent me a beautiful text first thing that made me cry. When they tell me wherever I am will always be home and how much I'm a role model to them and the best Mom ever...you get the idea - I just know I must have done something right. ❤️ 

I received sweet gifts in the mail and a favorite was from my MIL Sue (a beautiful heart shaped necklace that are Angel wings with an opal in the middle - which is October's birthstone). And from Annie (she had sent me a beautiful stained glass hummingbird suncatcher, a cookbook I talked about wanting, and a set of 6 little glass pumpkins I can put around the house). That girl spoils me way too much and knows me far too well! All I can say is that my heart was full of gratitude all day for the love and purpose in my life and the amazing folks that fill it!! 

Okay, enough of my spoiled life - on to a yummy recipe for today. Matt and I had gotten these really delish caramelized onion and butternut squash ravioli from Costco. And I made browned butter sauce to go with them. I also toasted some pine nuts to sprinkle on the top. They were soooo mouth watering good!! 

I used a recipe by Giada for brown butter sauce which you can find if you click here. I used an Irish butter because European butter works better for the fat content in it. And I didn't have sage leaves but you could truly use whatever herb you like or have. I had rosemary from my garden yet - so I used that and it turned out awesome! Add some green veggies (I think we had green beans?) and it was a wonderful treat of a meal! 😋 And really very easy.

Next up a little craft update. I have a little kit of cute ornaments that are diamond art - so I worked on a few and added their twine as they are going to be little filler for some gifts I'm putting together soon. I also made more progress on Matt's cute diamond art coasters (one of his birthday gifts...his is the end of the month). And I'm getting there on the other Fall embroidery gift I'm working on. I need to get it done soon as I think us Autumn Gals are getting together before too long to celebrate our birthdays. 

And cheers to birthday time with Mrs. C, as we get together every year, and per tradition, we drive up the north shore of Lake Superior and go to the most charming place. It was wonderful as always and I treasure time with that bestie of mine always. 

And finally, I thought I'd leave with you with some more Fall cozy by way of cute pinterest art. I have my hospice volunteering soon - but I will come around and visit you all later! Blessings and love to you always beautiful Friends. I treasure the gifts you are in my life!! 

Wishing you a wonderful cozy weekend ahead. 

xoxo