Easy Three Bean Chicken Stew – A Slow Cook Dish

Three Bean Chicken Stew

There’s something reassuring about having dinner in the slow cooker on a busy day.  It affords me the freedom to enjoy myself, even if it’s just getting things done at home.  I think the whole family likes the smell of a home cooked meal.   We can almost taste in the air, the flavors mingling together to form rich juices & tender meats.  Somehow at the end of a more productive day, I feel a sense of accomplishment, & my reward is a simple yet delicious dinner – the result of planning ahead.

So with that being said, this recipe could not get any easier, but the flavor would have you believe otherwise!

Mom’s Sourdough English Muffins

Sourdough English Muffins

Recipe from the collection of:  Designs by Jeanne R

Homemade sourdough English muffins is another childhood memory for me.  Mom made these pretty often, & while they were always really good, we probably took for granted that not all mom’s made homemade breads like this for their families.  I have the sourdough cookbook she made for all of us kids, & it makes me smile when I see her handwritten notes in which the measurements were doubled, tripled & quadrupled in the margins!  I guess with a family of 5 kids (plus friends), 1 batch wouldn’t suffice!  Making these myself throughout the years, I marvel at how easy Mom made this look.  I’ll be honest, there’s a fine line between a beautifully cooked English muffin, & one which has been scorched on the stove!  You’ve been warned, you’ve got to babysit these little darlings, but it’s well worth the effort.

A Mini Blanket for a Cat Named Mini

Mini’s with her blanket

I work out of my home office, & I have this little assistant hanging out under my desk all day.  She just loves her comfy velvet bed, & I love having such great company!  Every now and then, she snores…it’s a dainty little noise, but she does snore!  So during the winter, I’ll drape a little blanket over my lap, and she’s all to happy to share it with me.  I started thinking, “Mini needs her own blanket!”  So here’s her soft little blanket, crocheted out of leftover baby yarn.  Not very fancy, but I think she doesn’t mind!

Sweet dreams little Mini!

Sauerkraut & Dumplings

Sauerkraut & Dumplings

Sauerkraut & dumplings is a signature dish of sorts for Mom.  She’d make it in a great big soup pot, & flavor it with pork spare ribs.  I’d know dinner was almost ready when she added the dumpling dough to the pot at the very end of the cooking time.  The dumplings were always my favorite part, as they’d lend a little creaminess to the dish, & tame the kraut flavor.  The dumplings were just about as fluffy as little clouds, floating on top.  It seemed as though there were never quite enough dumplings, but maybe that’s what enhanced it’s appeal.

Tanque Verde Falls – A Beautiful Sunday

Tanque Verde Falls

Lemon Rosemary Warm Chicken Salad

Lemon Rosemary Warm Chicken Salad

I created this recipe “Johnny-on-the-spot” to be used as a filling for the homemade pita bread I made the other day.  I loved the flavor combination, as well as the great texture – with the use of both cooked vegetables as well as a little fresh cabbage for that added crunch!

Pita Bread

Pita Bread

This recipe comes from one of my very favorite books, “The Book of Bread” by, Judith & Evan Jones.

My 100th Post! & Mom’s Chicken Parmesan

Mom’s Chicken Parmesan

100th post…it seems so hard to believe!  I’ve recently read so many wonderful year-end, round-ups & “top ten” posts of the year.  Since I’ve only been blogging since this past Summer, I didn’t feel justified in re-visiting my small portion of history.  With this 100th post, however, I’m smiling to myself & that’s a good thing!  I’ve met so many talented, gracious & warm hearted bloggers, & I’m pleased to have made so many great friendships!  So looking ahead, friends by my side…I’ll continue to blog, learn, share & smile. 🙂

Pumpkin Sourdough Pancakes & A “Perfect” Bacon Tip

Pumpkin Sourdough Pancakes

Ok, I know Fall is behind us & you’re wondering why I’m posting a pumpkin recipe, am I right?  Well, for the last several months, I’ve been whipping up these little puppies for the family, & they’ve become  my new addiction.  

Favorite Rye Bread

Favorite Rye Bread

Are you a fan of rye bread?  My husband Gene just loves it, especially toasted with a little butter.  Even if rye is not at the top of your list, I think you’ll like this one –  the flavor isn’t overbearing.  This rye bread has a nice texture, not too dry like some, but it still maintains that delicious rye crust we’re all accustomed to.