#WordlessWeekend Changing Colors
#FoodieFriday Snack Attack
We were low on ingredients but filled with a craving for some sweet treats. So I went into my pantry and came out with some tasty goodies!
Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
Dash of vanilla
Dash of salt
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Beat together ingredients. Form into balls and press down on a greased/ lined cookie sheet. You can use a fork, a glass, or just your hands, depending on how you want them to look. Bake for 8-9 minutes. Allow to cool before enjoying.
Popcorn Marshmallow Treats
3 cups popped popcorn, preferably unflavored
2-3 oz mini marshmallows
1 tbsp butter
In a dutch oven (or big pot), melt butter and marshmallows. Stir in popcorn, then turn out on a piece of parchment paper. Form into popcorn balls. Makes about 9 or 10.
#ThankfulThursday Relaxing Day Off
We went for a walk through a trail behind our home the other day. The weather was perfect — a cool breeze, bright blue skies, warm sunshine. I lounged in my hammock, soaking in some sunshine while the weather was still warm enough for such a simple pleasure. The kids rode their bikes and scooters, ran wild, and played games together. I put together some snacks with goodies from the pantry to calm our cases of sweet tooth. While I admit my day off wasn’t completely relaxing, I’m choosing to be grateful for the moments of peace and joy. I’m so thankful that I got to spend some time outside soaking in sunshine and fresh air on my day off.
#WordlessWednesday Autumn Showing
#TalkTuesday Home Sweet Home
It seems to me that many gurus come out against home ownership because it supposedly symbolizes false wealth — or something like that. I’m sorry, but I for one am not looking to buy a house as a status symbol or to prove a damn thing. The way I see it, home ownership is about putting holes in walls — nail through ’em and hang up whatever you please! Paint the walls and ceilings whatever colors you want. Put down carpet or rip it up. Make it your own. Make it your sanctuary. Put down roots and create memories. Don’t worry about equity and flipping. Worry about having your own garden. Worry about getting whatever pets you want. Don’t worry about paying twice as much per month for rent. Yeah, sure, interest. Do you know what? If you’d rather pay double per month, than pay double on your house and pay it off faster. Or don’t. I want to own a home for myself. For my kids. For my future. I know it’s further into the future than I would like, but I’m going to keep dreaming of my home. My very own house to do with what I please.
#MondayMotivation Returning to the Practice
I haven’t felt motivated in a while. I’m still having trouble showing up, but I’m working on it. I want to start posting daily again. I want to schedule my posts so I don’t necessarily have to stop, think, and write everyday. I know some days are rougher for me than others, but I want to restart my writing practice. I want to share my words and pictures. I want to see my creativity escape from my brain, onto the screen, and into someone else’s mind. I have so much I would like to accomplish, but I want to start small with these daily posts.
#WordlessWeekend At Sunset
#WordlessWeekend Autumn Leaves
#FoodieFriday Biscuit Chicken Pot Pie
It’s been pretty chilly here this weekend, thanks to a gorgeous cold front sucking up moisture from the hurricane stalled out along the Atlantic coast. These conditions inspired me to bake up a pot pie, but I’ve never been great at making pie crusts. This is where I cheated and used the pizza crust recipe on the side of a gluten free Bisquick box. Okay, so I doctored it up a bit, and I’ve used my doctored up recipe to make breakfast pizza before. But seriously, it’s like a biscuit in crust format! Sooo good!
For the crust:
1 1/3 cup gluten free Bisquick
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup melted butter
2 large eggs, beaten
For the filling:
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
1 12-oz bag of frozen mixed veggies, thawed
1/2 onion, diced
1 15-oz can lower sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup wine (whatever kind you’d like, or omit if you don’t)
2 tbsps cornstarch
Salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to taste
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a pie plate and set aside. Spray or grease a large pan and caramelize the diced onion. Next, add the chicken and cook until no longer pink. Dump in the veggies and pour in the wine. Bring to a simmer. Add your seasonings, cornstarch, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently to prevent clumps from forming. Mix bisquick and wet ingredients until combined. Divide into two pieces. Spread your bottom layer into the pie plate. Pour in the filling. (Pro-tip: if you happen to have leftover mashed potatoes in your fridge, spread the over the bottom layer before pouring in your filling. Trust me.) Cover the top of the pie with the remaining dough — don’t worry about looks here. Bake for 15-20 minutes until crust is golden brown.
#ThankfulThursday Autumn Cool Down
After a hot, humid summer, I’m glad to welcome the first autumn cold snap. The leaves are turning yellow, orange, and red and beginning to float gracefully to the ground. I’ve brought back out my favorite fuzzy pajama pants and socks to stay toasty warm. I’m looking forward to wearing my scarves and sweaters again. It’s time for soups, stews, and chili. It’s time for baking sweets and hearty meals. It’s time for hot chocolate — with a few little marshmallows tossed in for good measure. It’s time to let some fresh air through the windows to clean out the staleness. It’s almost time for costumes and candy. Almost time for an annual cake selection because I always bake my own birthday cake. Time again to bake another little one’s birthday cake and host a party. I’m thankful for the changing of seasons that I actually didn’t expect to enjoy this year. Life may have worked out differently than I planned earlier this year, but I’m grateful for the little things that make each day bright and beautiful.
