Slow Cooker Beef Stew

 “Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” (Harriet Van Horne)

 
Hello, my lovely friends!

 
        Yesterday morning was a cool crisp autumn morning with a misty dew on the fallen leaves on the ground and I knew it was a perfect day to make beef stew in the slow cooker.  Out of all the comfort foods to make, beef stew would have to be my top pick. I make different versions, a quick one, long and slow, on the stove or in the oven. On this day I was feeling very “cheffy” and went with a long one in the slow cooker. 

 

 Beef Stew in the Slow Cooker
 
What you need:
Slow Cooker
Beef, cubed
Garlic, 3 gloves chopped
Onion, ½ chopped in small pieces
Carrots, 4 sliced in thick slices
Celery, 2 chopped in bit sized pieces
Mushrooms, 3 cups sliced in thick slices
Frozen corn, 1 cup
Frozen peas, ½ cup
Potatoes, small round ones about 15 of them (just washed them and put them in whole)
Worcestershire sauce, ½ cup
Powder Beef Gravy, 4 TBSP.
Fresh sprig of Thyme and Rosemary
Salt & Pepper
 
Directions
1. In a large bowl add your beef cubes and Worcestershire sauce. Massage it into the meat. Then add 2 TBSP. of the powder gravy into the bowl and about 1 tsp. of pepper. Mix all that together and put it aside. 
 
2. Get your slow cooker, spray it with Pam and turn it on high. We want it to heat up before adding everything in it.
 
3. While the slow cooker is heating up grab your cutting board because we’re going to cut all the veggies and garlic up. 
 
4. Since I’m feeling “cheffy” about this beef stew we’re going to the stove, but not to cook everything like I do sometimes, just the things that will bring some more flavor to everything. I’m going to use my cast iron pan to cut my onions, mushrooms, and garlic. I cook the onions first and let them get a good brown coloring on them and add the mushrooms about five minutes in or so. I let that cook together for about ten minutes and add the garlic. I cook the garlic with everything for about a minute or two. I’m going to put everything from the pan in the slow cooker first. 
 
5. I’m going to add the rest of the potatoes and veggies into the slow cooker (except the corn and peas), mix that all up. Add all the meat from the bowl including any of the powder at the bottom of the bowl. Mix that all up with the veggies. 
 
6. Now time to add the water to the whole thing. I usually add enough to barley cover everything. I haven’t added any salt to the dish and that’s because the Worcestershire sauce and brown gravy have salt in them. I’m going to wait for about an hour into it to taste it to see if it needs salt. 
 
7. I cook it on high for about two hours and then turn it down to low for another four hours. 
 
        I like to make corn bread with it because it just taste so good crumbling it in big pieces into your bowl of beef stew. My mom likes a thicker gravy in the stew and I achieve that with some corn starch and a little bit of cold water and mixing it in. It was good and I really didn’t need to add extra salt to it. 
 
        Time has passed and it’s done cooking and the house smells like a warm comfy blanket of YUM! I did make a lot this time, but it’s because I’m going to put a batch of it in the freezer for later on down the road. I’m actually trying to make meals big enough to freeze half of it for the winter months. Also, when we’re outside decorating for Christmas I’ll have something I can defrost and heat up on the stove. 

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

Witches Spells

 

What's Been Brewing?

 "When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers 'tis near Halloween." (Unknown)

 

Hello, my spooky friends!  

 

     Sundays are about to become my official "Let's Chat and Catch Up" days. You all know how much I cherish a lazy Sunday, and there’s truly nothing better than sinking into a good conversation about absolutely everything, ideally with a steaming cup of tea in hand.

 

    Though it’s the middle of the night as I write this—and I’ve currently only got my trusty water bottle for company—the thought of that nice, hot tea is definitely appealing. Especially with this lovely chill in the air!

 

    You all remember the car accident we had last year and the long road my mom’s been on since then. The injuries made car-shopping a real pain—literally! But let’s be honest, her exacting taste didn't help either. She was absolutely fixed on finding a clone of her old minivan, down to the brand and model, even though they stopped making that one years ago! I kept gently nudging her to be open to other options, promising we could find a winner if she just branched out.

 

    Well, I have fantastic news! Just last week, after finally agreeing to look at alternatives, she bought a car!

 

    I had actually been keeping an eye on this particular Toyota Sienna online. It was a beautiful sage green with a cozy tan interior—a perfect match for what she really wanted, even if she didn’t know it yet. It had low mileage and all her other must-haves. We went to see it on Wednesday, and the moment they pulled it up front, she was hooked! All the other vans we’d seen were boring gray or silver, colors she definitely didn’t want. (I was quietly championing a black one, but when I saw this green beauty, I knew this was the one.)

 

    We zipped through the paperwork in about 90 minutes. They did a quick clean, and by that evening, it was delivered right to our house!

 

    Phew! That whole chapter is finally, wonderfully closed. Now we can clean out the old van, call the insurance company to pick up the wreck, and truly put this tough time behind us.

 

     I had a big check-up on Friday, and the pre-appointment blood work confirmed what I already suspected: my A1C was high. Honestly, with all the stress this summer, especially worrying about my mom and other things, I knew those numbers would be climbing.

 

    But we've got a plan! My doctor immediately prescribed Glimepiride to work alongside the Metformin I'm already taking to help bring those glucose levels down. She also noticed my B vitamin numbers were low, so I've added a Super B supplement to the mix. I just started the new meds and vitamins yesterday, so fingers crossed those numbers start dropping soon!

 

    The best part? I've already banked a fantastic bonus win: I've lost 15 pounds this summer without even trying to stick to a strict diet! All I really did was cut back on my portions and, most importantly, kick that bad habit of late-night snacking.

 

    It feels good to have a clear strategy and to know things are already moving in the right direction. Here's to lower numbers and more healthy habits!

 

    How's your week going? Anything interesting? 

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

Just the Facts #31

 “Gnome and elf and fairy,
Witch and ghost make merry
On this last of dear October’s days.”
(Lettie C. Van Derveer)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

 

 The air is getting crisp, the leaves are turning that perfect shade of sinister orange, and you know what that means: We are officially immersed in the glorious, spooky season of Halloween!

 

To celebrate our arrival in the most ghoulish time of the year, we're dedicating this Friday Funday to all things that go bump in the night.

 

1.  My 5th-grade Halloween was all about Pippi Longstocking, and let me tell you, it took a village! My amazing sister and her BFF snuck into school to perform some serious hair engineering. They literally used a coat hanger to wire my braids so they'd stick straight out, perfectly defying gravity. That elaborate setup totally clinched it—I won the contest for my grade and earned a spot at the huge all-city showdown downtown! I might not have brought home the grand prize, but getting ready and rocking those wild pigtails was tons of fun from start to finish.

 

2.  Here's my odd little quirk: I get the serious creeps from huge things with faces. Think colossal statues. I'm perfectly happy being one of those people who appreciates the Statue of Liberty from a safe, distant shoreline, but you won't catch me anywhere near her pedestal. The memory that sealed the deal was a childhood trip to Mount Rushmore. The mountain was fine, honestly. But then we hit the museum, and they had a life-size finished piece of one of the faces... it was right there. That terrifyingly enormous chunk of a head absolutely sent me running!

 

3.  Speaking of enormous things with unsettling faces... when I was a kid, our local mall had this toy shop that was, for me, less a paradise and more a psychological torture chamber. And it was all thanks to a massive, floor-to-ceiling stuffed mouse standing guard right by the entrance.

 

    I mean, this wasn't some friendly, little cartoon critter. This thing was gargantuan. It had the perpetually unsettling gaze of something that knew all your secrets, and I hated it with the white-hot passion only a terrified child can muster.

 

    Every single time we passed that shop, it was a major life event. I'd either close my eyes and clutch my dad's jacket like a barnacle, or if I was having a particularly bad day, I'd dissolve into tears and make him carry me like a sack of potatoes just to bypass the beast. The fear was real, the shame was minimal, and my dad was basically my personal, mouse-dodging chauffeur. To this day, I can't look at a giant stuffed animal without feeling a slight urge to run.

 

4. I'm the worst (or best!) person to watch a horror movie with, because as soon as the opening credits roll, the lights are out. I mean, if you're going for thrills, why watch in the daytime? People complain, but there's just something about sinking into a pitch-black room, especially for those amazing classic horror films. 

 

5.  Bring on the bloody, elaborate kills and impossible monsters—I can handle all the horror movie mayhem you throw at me. My only true cinematic weakness? A simple knife cutting skin. The instant that blade makes contact, all my cool disappears, and I get completely grossed out. I can handle a thousand ways a bad guy does his work, but that one specific, skin-level detail just turns my stomach!

 

6.  I’m a total Stephen King fanatic—I'll reread his books until the pages fall out! But here's the kicker: I've developed a serious 'book snob' filter, and I usually hate the movie if I've already read the source material. This all started back in middle school when I first dove into "Pet Sematary," which quickly became a lifelong favorite.

 

    When the movie adaptation hit theaters in high school, a group of us went to see it, but only three of us had read the book. When the credits rolled, the three of us who knew the real story were livid! They butchered the plot and left out crucial characters! It was a total cinematic betrayal. Even though I rarely like his movie adaptations, I'm a complete completionist and still own a massive collection of them, including all the great old TV mini-series on DVD.

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

Kicking Off October With Some Fun

 "Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave." (Mary Tyler Moore)

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

 

 New month, new season, new holiday! Do you kick off the first day with a little personal celebration or a must-do activity to welcome it in? It just so happens that I've been doing that this year.

 

   I kicked off the first day of Fall in high style! This morning's menu? Nothing less than pumpkin spiced pancakes—because what says "new season" better than that comforting aroma?

 

    We kept the cozy vibes going strong with a perfect seasonal movie: :Practical Magic". And for dinner, I served up a classic, soul-warming combination: homemade soup and grilled cheese.

 

    You know I'm a huge believer in adding a little magic  to the everyday. If you don't make it special for yourself, who will? It's all about those small, lovely rituals!

 

 With that in mind, I absolutely had to usher in October 1st with a little extra magic.

 

     I kicked off the day by donating my necessary pints to Kaiser—all in preparation for my Friday wellness check, of course. But the needle-prick was a small price to pay! As soon as they let me go, we turned that trip into a fun outing. A quick lunch gave us the energy boost we needed, and then we were off to explore and play at all the nearby haunts!

 

     We definitely went back to the bookstore hunting for spooky delights, but if I’m being honest, we ended up getting totally sidetracked! Forget ghost stories; it was the magazines stuffed with autumn crafts and cozy recipes that really captured my attention. My fall obsession has fully kicked in—I even snagged two more books from Amazon, all about seasonal activities and fun things to do. Honestly, I could happily lose hours just wandering the aisles, running my hand over the gorgeous covers, and soaking up the atmosphere. It’s my happy place!

 

     The siren song of Hobby Lobby and Michael's was calling, but after a marathon of three (or was it four?) errands, Mom was officially running on fumes. The craft haul was postponed, and we steered for home, but that only meant Act Two of the day was about to begin.

 

    Leftover Chinese was on the menu for dinner—a quick, easy, and delicious repeat performance from lunch. With the night air getting chilly, we wasted no time swapping our daytime clothes for super cozy pajamas. It was the perfect start to our evening ritual: movie night!

 

    We almost hit "play" on "Practical Magic," one of our all-time favorite spooky season films, but since we'd just watched it for the First Day of Fall, we decided to switch it up. My mom had the brilliant suggestion of a spooky musical, and just like that, "Sweeney Todd" won the vote. It was the perfect, macabre way to welcome the first day of October!

 

     My mom's evening was officially over, but for me, the night was just beginning—and it was going to be a spooky one! I had fully planned on kicking things off with the iconic sequel, "The Bride of Frankenstein," but my brain had other plans. I simply couldn't allow myself to jump straight to the sequel; I had to pay my respects and start with the original "Frankenstein" first. And so, a classic double-feature was born!

 

    I just finished watching "The Bride of Frankenstein," and what a fantastic viewing it was. There’s something so magical about those Universal Monsters; they're truly my favorite cinema icons. Honestly, they might be my absolute go-to for setting the mood every year when the calendar flips to the spooky season. Nothing beats a black and white chill!

 

     So, that's how I officially kicked off the month of October: a successful haul of cozy things to read and some spooky movies. It was the perfect blend of practical fun and pure escapism, and now I feel perfectly charged up for everything the best month of the year has to offer!

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

Enjoy the Fall Season

 "Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." (Robert Louis Stevenson)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

 

     The crisp air is finally flowing through the house! We've been doing this awkward, drawn-out dance with the high $80s$ for what felt like forever, but it seems Mother Nature has finally decided to let the autumn cool stick around. Time to grab that comfy sweater!

 

     Can you believe it? It feels like just yesterday I was writing about summer, and now we're diving headfirst into autumn! Time truly flies when you're having fun (or maybe just watching the calendar pages flip a little too fast).

 

    For me, as soon as September hit, it was straight into the spooky movie marathon! But there's so much more to celebrate this amazing time of year than just chilling on the couch with a fright flick. From pumpkin patches and apple cider to costumes and crisp air, the autumn and Halloween season is packed with potential for fun.

 

    Winter is still my first love, but autumn is pulling off a charming little coup in my heart! Seriously, the crisp air and colors are just too good. Since I'm embracing this new seasonal crush, I made a list of autumn adventures to dive into. What are your absolute favorite fall things to do? Comment with your suggestions!

 

Autumn movies - I know horror isn't everyone's jam, so if spooky scares aren't your thing, don't worry! I've brewed up a whole list of autumn-themed movies guaranteed to make you feel perfectly warm and cozy. 

When Harry Met Sally
You’ve Got Mail
Stepmom
Mystic Pizza
Autumn in New York
Practical Magic
Good Will Hunting
Harry Potter series
Little Women

TV Shows: Gilmore Girls, Grimm, Good Witch, Stranger Things, Charmed, Wednesday

 

Books -  The other week, I blissfully lost an hour wandering the aisles of my local bookstore, hunting for the perfect reads to usher in the spooky season. I ended up scoring two classic titans of terror: Dracula and Frankenstein! To round out my haul, I grabbed a couple of fall-themed magazines brimming with cozy recipes and decorating inspiration. It was the perfect little literary escape. Why don't you carve out some time to visit your own local bookstore and find your next spooky or autumnal adventure?

 

Go shopping -  Let's set the record straight: you don't have to buy a thing, but a little indulgence goes a long way. Treat yourself to a pumpkin spice something—be it a cookie, a comforting coffee, a cup of tea, or maybe a fancy waffle! And to really capture that autumn vibe, take a stroll through a few shops and check out the gorgeous fall decorations they have out for your place.

 

 Get out into nature - The leaves are putting on a spectacular color show! It’s nature’s final, brilliant performance before winter, and it's a gift for all to enjoy.

Why not lace up your shoes and go for a walk? There’s nothing quite like that satisfying, crisp crunch of leaves under your feet—it’s the official soundtrack of autumn!

After enjoying the scenery, it's time to get your hands dirty. Tuck your yard in for a long winter’s nap by trimming back the perennials and getting everything cleaned up. That way, it'll be ready to spring to life next year!

 

So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again! 

The Autumn Vibes

 

2025 Holiday Spooktacular

 

 "Wake up every morning with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen." (Author Unknown)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

 

     Welcome to my 2025 Holiday Spooktacular! Ready or not, the holiday season has officially arrived! Seriously, how did that happen? One minute I'm ringing in the New Year, and the next I'm wondering if this year was secretly moving in fast-forward... or maybe even slow motion on the tough days.

 

It's official: the holiday season has arrived, and I am absolutely living for it! This time of year—encompassing all the wonderful fall and winter seasons—is my jam, and I'm ready to dive into everything that makes it special.

So, what can you expect? Get ready for a joyful whirlwind of:

• 🎄 Decorating

• 🍽️ Delicious Recipes

• 💡 Creative Ideas

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Cherished Traditions

   

I'm keeping the focus firmly on the festive fun for the next few months, which means you'll be getting holiday-themed blogs most days. I'll still keep you in the loop about what's going on in our world, but those updates will likely be reserved for one day a week.

 

 It's been a week since we last chatted, and things around here have done a complete 180! The moment the calendar flipped to the first day of autumn, the weather totally got the memo.

     

We were treated to a solid 24 hours of rain. Not a downpour, but a beautiful, slow, steady soaking that went all day and all night. It was so effective I actually turned off the sprinklers for the week—a nice little break for the water bill! Speaking of sprinklers, that's my cue: I need to call the service to get them blown out for the season. That rainy evening called for a simple but perfect dinner for us: soup and sandwiches.

 

   Did any of you do anything fun or festive to mark the new season? I had a mission to make pumpkin spice pancakes, but alas, I couldn't find a box mix anywhere! So, I rolled up my sleeves and made my own from an online recipe. It was seriously good. I hate it when the spice is too heavy-handed, but this one was really light and just made the house smell incredible.

 

    I'm definitely making them again this week. I'll be sure to snap some photos and write up the recipe for you all. It's super easy and very tasty!

 

     Same old story with my mom—the world keeps spinning, but Kaiser is apparently stuck in slow motion. We're still in the 'who knows when' phase for her treatment. But honestly, that’s just background noise because her pain has actually chilled out and is manageable! That’s a huge win. We're hoping those shots are next up on the docket. She's a total champ, so she'll get through this waiting game.

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

Holiday Blogs Coming

 

Hello ladies! I just wanted to let you all know that I'll be back on Sunday. The holiday and autumn blogs will start then. Love ya! 

Happy Fall Y'all!

 

Good-bye Summer!

 

 

"Give yourself permission to immediately walk away from anything that gives you bad vibes. There is no need to explain or make sense of it. Just trust what you feel." (Author Unknown)

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

 Can you believe it? Today is literally the last day of summer. As I sit here, sipping my iced coffee (still clinging to those summer vibes, clearly!), there's a whisper of crispness in the air, a subtle shift that tells us… it's time. Time to trade those breezy sundresses for cozy sweaters, flip-flops for ankle boots, and those long, sun-drenched evenings for golden hour glows and pumpkin spice everything.

But here’s the thing: It's not all bad. In fact, it's pretty great. Fall is like a big, cozy hug from the universe. It’s the perfect time to trade in our sandals for a comfy pair of boots and our light dresses for oversized sweaters. Think of all the amazing things fall brings: apple picking, pumpkin spice everything, and the excuse to stay in and binge-watch our favorite shows without feeling like we're missing out on anything.

 

This new season is also an invitation to slow down and reconnect. It’s a chance to get back into our routines, yes, but also to build new, cozy rituals. Maybe it's a weekly coffee date to catch up, a weekend hike to see the leaves change, or a night in with a good bottle of wine and a great movie. This is the perfect time to gather our favorite people and make new memories.

 

So, let's not mourn the end of summer. Instead, let's celebrate the beginning of fall. Let's embrace the crisp air, the beautiful colors, and the chance to get a little cozier. I can't wait to see what this season holds for all of us.

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

Just the Facts #30

 "Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." (Bullet Bob Feller)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

 

 And just like that, it's our last Friday Funday before the holiday blogs take over. Can you believe it? Even with the weather still feeling like summer, we’re about to be plunged into a world of pumpkins, pies, and festive cheer.

 

So, let's talk about all things fall!

 

1. One autumn in high school, my dad was raking leaves in the backyard and asked for my help. I was sporting a fresh set of press-on nails and a less-than-enthusiastic attitude about yard work. As I was stuffing handfuls of leaves into a trash bag, I suddenly stopped dead in my tracks.

My eyes scanned the chaotic pile of leaves, a mix of vibrant reds, oranges, and browns. Panic set in. One of my precious nails had popped off and disappeared into the leafy abyss! I got down on my hands and knees, sifting through the leaves like a detective searching for a crucial piece of evidence. It took a while, but I finally spotted it—a tiny, shiny piece of plastic triumphantly recovered from nature's clutches.

 

2. The chill in the air always brings back a flood of memories. As kids, certain foods and drinks were a sure sign that the colder months had arrived. My mom would whip up creamy bowls of Cream of Wheat, savory pots of chicken soup, and mugs of fragrant spiced tea. Even now, when the leaves start to change, those familiar cravings kick in. It's a tradition that has warmed our family for years, one delicious bite and sip at a time.

 

3. Growing up, a simple tradition filled our family with so much joy: we’d pile into the car, a cooler packed with snacks and drinks, and head for the mountains. The four of us would drive for hours, mesmerized by the stunning, golden spectacle of the changing Aspen leaves. After our drive, we'd find a charming little mountain town to spend the rest of the day in, exploring local shops and enjoying a cozy lunch together.

For years, life got in the way and those trips became a distant memory. But the year before my dad and Bella passed, we spontaneously decided to do it all again. We packed up the car and drove into the mountains, just the four of us, chasing the vibrant colors one last time. It was a day I’ll cherish forever, and I’m so grateful we got to create that beautiful memory together.

 

4. As the weather turns crisp, one of my favorite little luxuries is snuggling into my bed. I'll swap out my light summer comforter for my thick flannel sheets, but I'll still wear my thin summer pajamas. The mix of the cool fabric on my skin and the warm, fuzzy sheets feels like a perfectly cozy secret, making for the best night's sleep.

 

5.  When the weather turns cool, I love to make a big pot of menudo. This hearty Mexican soup, with its rich broth, tender tripe, and plump hominy, is a labor of love that's worth every minute. While many swear by it as a hangover cure, I just love digging into a steaming bowl on a chilly day. It's a time-consuming dish, but the end result is pure comfort in a bowl.

 

6.  I had my very first hayride in 8th grade. It was a blast because I was with all my friends, but it was also the day I discovered I had allergies. I sneezed the entire time! Afterward, we gathered around a campfire, but to my dismay, there were no s'mores. I still haven't had one to this day, and I've never been on a hayride or a horse since.

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

In This Life