Hi Reader, Happy Sunday! It hit 55° here and I put on socks for the first time since April. Fall officially starts Tuesday, whether we're ready or not. It's time to start easing the crockpot back into daily rotation before Crocktober hits in a couple weeks (I'm working on planning that out!). Here are 7 soups you can make in the slow cooker. Some copycat, all restaurant-quality. Slow Cooker Soups The Olive Garden soup that even my dad loves Panera's broccoli cheddar, minus the drive-thru line...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I made slow cooker ranch chicken on Monday (this recipe, but I used "regular" ranch seasoning, not spicy) and we have some leftover. I'm going to turn it into this... BAKED MOSTACCIOLI Basically I'm going to Frankenstein the recipe and use the leftover shredded chicken instead of beef. Does ranch go with this? Not sure, but we're going to use what we have & hope for the best! Spotted on the shelves 🎯 How cute is this slow cooker? It's on sale & I don't have a 4.5 quart... I picked...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Happy Sunday! Today is our 17th wedding anniversary so we had a nice little day date. I got him this and he got me this (I love it). I just realized that the 17th year traditional gift is furniture so whenever I finally pick a new chair for my room, that will fit the theme. Some recipe ideas for the week... Six Recipes, Zero Stress The apple bars that might ruin you for regular blondies The soup that basically makes itself I've made 4 loaves of this in the last two weeks (luckily I...
11 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, September is kind of perfect for soup because you can go either way with it. Something fresh and lemony still feels right when it’s warm out, and something cheesy or hearty starts sounding really good once the evenings cool down a bit. So today, I pulled together a little bit of both. 6 Soups for September Cheesy, Cozy Ham & Potato Soup This Soup Tastes Just Like Stuffed Peppers My Favorite Panera Copycat Summer Soup Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas in Soup Form My Friday Night...
13 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader- A few months back, Ruby Crunch Chili Crisp (a local Michigan company) reached out to me on Instagram and sent over two jars to try. I went through both faster than I probably want to admit, and that says something because I've tried other chili crisp brands and never finished the jar. Now that I'm on my second set of jars, I wanted to share with you. The flavor and crunch are exactly what I want without tipping into "my mouth is on fire" territory. I reach for the "regular" heat...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, We're kicking off the long weekend with a medical test for Julia. We've been here for almost four hours & I skipped breakfast so I'm getting cranky. It's cold, I'm starving, the internet is spotty, and the waiting room TV is blaring - it's like a torture chamber 😅 I'm done being dramatic. Some Souptember Favorites 🥣 I shared this graphic on Facebook and it's been more popular than I expected. Are you ready for soup season? Chick-fil-A Tortilla Soup Chicken Gnocchi Soup Broccoli...
21 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Labor Day weekend is almost here, and I’ve started thinking about what I want to make. I’m keeping things pretty simple: a few cookout favorites, something everyone can snack on, and definitely a dessert or two. Basically, food you can put out and let everyone help themselves to all afternoon. Here’s what’s likely to be on my table this year. Labor Day Menu Ideas My Fall-Off-the-Bone Coke Ribs This Meal Prep-friendly Pulled Pork My Mom’s Famous Sand Pudding My Go-to Summer Corn...
22 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, And just like that, August is coming to an end. We're a week into the new school year & getting back into the routine of earlier wakeups, early bedtimes, and packing lunches. I'm on the hunt for a comfy chair for my room to read in so we stopped at La-Z-Boy this afternoon. I had never been before & I think I might be in love 😍 they were so comfortable. Now I just have to decide which one to get... 🏆 Top Recipes from August Creamy Ranch Chicken everyone searched for and made all...
25 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Every so often I check which recipes you all are loving most, and this summer's favorites did not disappoint! There’s a little bit of everything here. Some budget-friendly, some healthy(ish) but full of flavor, and plenty of easy dinners for weeknights. And if you’re in the mood for something fresh and zesty, there’s a recipe for that too. 7 Reader-Loved Summer Dinners My Budget-Friendly Ramen Recipe This Creamy Chicken + Mushroom Dinner A Summer Go-to Antipasto Salad The Lasagna...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read