The Beauty of Letting Go: Lessons from Autumn and Hospice 🍁

 

Hello my dear lovely Friends ~

Happy Friday and yay for the weekend ahead! It's supposed to be an unseasonably warm and lovely one - so we may try to get in a last pontoon ride here on our bay. Do you have fun plans this weekend?

I know you have heard me often exclaim my love for Fall. The beauty of the colorful leaves. The smell of woodsmoke in the air on long walks in crisp air. The crunch of leaves under my feet (I just love that sound so much!). The way the geese fly over the bay so low I can hear their wings flapping. The wearing of warm soft sweaters and sipping hot tea to warm up after being out in the weather. 

And I think Autumn is also such a time of slowing down. Here in the northwoods it's the beginning of hibernation season that we know is right around the corner.  This time of year makes me slow down. And because of that, I take in the beauty more with each year that passes. 

I also think volunteering in hospice has helped me see this season through a different lens. I remember reading the saying: Fall has a way of showing us there is a beauty in letting go. 

I think we often put a big focus on beginnings. Much like the Spring - the first warmth of real sunshine, first blooming of flowers and things growing in the garden. 🌻

But Autumn helps to remind us that endings are also part of a beautiful life story. Being in hospice I feel the privilege of walking alongside patients and families during that part of their journey. And I often say that the hospice house is like sacred ground to me. It brings me closer to my faith with every bit of time I spend there. I see it all as such a gift. Just like the gorgeous leaves outside.

I think of the trees and how they don't lose their beauty when they begin to change. Instead, often their most breathtaking display comes just before the leaves gently fall. What a lovely reminder for us all - don't you think?

My faith reminds me that God is present in every season. In the joyful beginnings, in the uncertain transitions, and even in the sacred moments of goodbye. 

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."  ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

I find such comfort in those words, don't you?

So this Autumn I will watch the leaves gracefully fall in colorful showers outside my window, but I will be reminded of what a changing season can represent and I will hold my loved ones a little closer. I will work to connect with them even more and treasure the gifts they are in my life. 

❤️🍁🧡

Thank you for letting me share from my heart Friends. I thought I would share a few Autumn pics I took recently. The first few are from the windows of the hospice house where I work (& the long driveway leading to it). And I captured the misty bay and a bunny munching leaves from our deck this morning. Lastly, a few pinterest photos that just say cozy Fall to me. 

I treasure this time with you always Friends. 

Blessings

xoxo

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

Cooking & CraftingThursday (on a Friday): Apple Cider Chicken Thighs, Autumn Vibes & Craft Updates

 

Hello dear Friends!

Sorry I'm late to this post - I did start it yesterday and then got so busy I never finished it. So getting back to it today. Yesterday I played pickleball with my new pickleball group for 2 hours (so fun!!) and then picked up my Mom and spent the day with her. Then we got busy making dinner and watching our Packers (who are doing SO TERRIBLE this year🙈). I hope our team can get it together or I think we're going to start watching something else. Lol 

Anyways, I thought I would share the apple cider chicken thighs recipe I made last week. I found it at Sallys Baking Addiction website and I made it just as she suggested. I didn't have coriander on hand - so I substituted per her recommendation as well. It turned out so yummy and has all the wonderful Fall flavors. 🍎 😋 We had ours with twice baked potatoes and a garden salad with homemade sourdough croutons. Mmmm!!

The recipe is below. 

Time out from Autumn for just a sec to say that my garden is still producing some green beans - so we will be having one more fresh green bean side dish soon. And today is mid 60's sunny and warmer so I'm wearing my floral jeans and short sleeves - so still a bit of summer hanging on....

And sometimes when you're taking photos anyways, and the lighting is good, especially since you're pushing 55 - you take a quick selfie too. For posterity when I'm 65. Lol

Okay, now back to Autumn vibes. I did a messy manicure on myself but I did grab all my Fallish colors and created this look. Next time I'll take my time and do a better job but I love the colors for this time of year!

And nights have been CHILLY! I have even had to turn on the heat a few times (shhhh....don't tell Matt - he loves it cold). But loving the cozy glow inside....

And the beautiful Fall colors starting to show more out our windows...

And I love the cozy going on in the kitchen. My oven is going strong already this season!  I baked a french onion chicken pasta last night for our dinner and we both loved it! I will share that recipe soon. 

I also made some sweet and spicy nuts this morning as one of the birthday gifts for my brother, Steven. We are celebrating him here this weekend and my Dad and step Mom are heading back to AZ soon - so we are looking forward to hanging out with them too. And my Uncle is coming for the festivities as well. 💗 

I also think I'm going to make one of my GoNanas mixes since I have bananas to use up. I'm going to make an apple cider loaf and brush it with a little melted butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on it when it comes out of the oven. I love these mixes because I just add protein milk, mashed bananas, coconut oil and some maple syrup - so some healthier ingredients too. And they have been so good so far. The cinnamon roll muffins I made several weeks ago were awesome! 

I know my Bro will love these: mixed nuts with olive oil, brown sugar, chili powder, onion&garlic powder, cumin, & salt and pepper. Baked for 15 mins.

Now for the crafty portion of catching up with you folks. I finished one of my embroidery projects for my fellow Autumn birthday gf. I got a cute frame to put it in just for embroidery projects. 

And I've started the next one for my other fellow Autumn birthday gf. I think they will both love them. :) 🎃🕷🕸🧡

And I'm also going to start these. They are Super Mario coasters that I'm going to do diamond art on. They will be for our downstairs media room. Matt's favorite place! They are going to be a little birthday gift for Matt as he is also a Fall baby. 😊🧡💛

We are going to start adding some more "gamer" touches down there soon - stay tuned! 

Love the cute holder they will go in.

Looking forward to celebrating my baby Brother this weekend. This was on a trip to South Dakota over 40 years ago ::gulp:: 

Where does the time go???

Have a blessed weekend Folks! I will come around and visit when I get a chance. Please know I always love and appreciate your visits here. 

xoxo

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