slow cooker

Honestly, I don't remember ever spending much time in the kitchen growing up. Or grabbing a stepladder or chair to get closer to the action. Maybe because of this, or maybe just because... I always hated cooking. For my entire 20s, and into my 30s: Hated it.  And then something happened -- I realized I liked being creative in the kitchen. It wasn't the cooking itself I hated, it was following recipes.  I was being held back by the list of ingredients on the page. I wasn't able to be myself. ... Read more » about My Little Helper + Slow Cooker {Chicken Corn Chowder}

Well it looks as though I've had my first ever blogging snafu in one year of blogging :)  I scheduled this post to go live Monday morning but then had too much fun baby-free yesterday that I never finished it.  Yep, you read that right... baby-free. My inlaws took Babycakes after church yesterday to spend the night at their cabin, with my MIL driving of course.  Dear Hubby and I just stared at each other for about an hour, so unfamiliar with what life should be like with no loquatious toddler....haha! ... Read more » about 6 Slow Cooker Suppers

Well, it's time for me to not only cook the beans, but to spill them too: I've joined the ranks of working moms again...part-time! I started working 3 mornings a week at Babycakes' new Montessori school, while she attends. I really am sooooooo excited for the perfect fit! But not so excited about all the new germs we've been so lovingly introduced to.  We've both been sick for a number of days, and it just makes everything so much more difficult.  I have no energy, and ... Read more » about Spilling the beans + {Slow Cooker Pork & Beans}

Let me just tell you, I have been (and am still) on a roller coaster ride of emotions with this whole house-selling/buying process.  You know I was super excited about my mountain dream home, until it turned into a nightmare.  Well, I've been excited about probably 4 other possibilities since then only to have my hopes smashed...again and again - noisy neighbors, too expensive afterall, another better offer, permitting issues... ... Read more » about Roller Coaster + {Slow Cooker White Sauce Lasagna}

As mentioned in yesterday's confessional (aka. freak out post), I described feeling unsatisfied with the photography of today's recipe. While that feeling remains, the yumminess factor of this meal will hopefully shine above all else. Oh yeah, and the simplicity.  Dear Hubby said this was the best lasagna he'd ever had...and it was filled with zucchini, 4 cups of kale, ground turkey instead of beef, and lighter cottage cheese instead of the regular ricotta.  Best.He's.Ever.Had. ... Read more » about How to Make {Slow Cooker Lasagna}

Since losing over 50 pounds in the last year, my wardrobe has shrunk - both figuratively and literally!  It made getting the house ready to sell pretty easy: the walk-in closet was mostly empty.  But I really need some new items, desperately.  Since my mom was here to help me pack, she also took me (and Babycakes) shopping. Don't you just LOVE moms?!?!?!?  We found some really beautiful new sweaters with big cowl necks in deep fall colors, like burnt orange and ocean blue, amongst other things.   ... Read more » about Fall Fashion + {Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chowder}

Let me just get this out now... House Hunters the TV show makes house hunting look waaaaaaaaaay more fun than it really is in real life.  If only I had a few extra hundred thousand dollars, I'm sure I could find my dream home no problem. Ha!!  As it stands, I'm finding that I WILL have to compromise on something, be it square footage, or newness, or acreage, or distance/commute, or sun exposure, or... ... Read more » about House Hunting + {Slow Cooker Tuscan Tortellini}

If you missed yesterday's post, I explained why I've recently been a lot quieter, posted a lot less updates on Facebook, and have felt like a cross between Superwoman and a psychotic. We are planning a big move to the mountains.  The official photographer is coming Thursday, which means everything has to be perfect by then.  Our realtor paid me the ultimate compliment by telling me she would not be sending her stager to my house. ... Read more » about Staging Tips + {Slow Cooker Chicken Chili}

I really have to laugh at myself for this one.  I was so excited about my new plan: to cook more vegetarian meals to help Dear Hubby get more vegetables and less animal fats/proteins per the doctor's orders!  I went to the market and bought a bunch of weird new foods (ha!) - cheese that's not really cheese, meat that's not really meat, and a whole host of new veggies and fruit to stock my fridge.  I thought long and hard about what my first vegetarian meal would be that I wou ... Read more » about Slow Cooker *Mostly* Vegan Zuppa Toscana