Friday Faves....My Favorite Cold Weather Soups, Stew and Chili

One of the things I love the most about Autumn, is getting out my favorite red soup pot and making some heart warming soup, stew or chili.  Today for Friday Favs, I thought I'd revisit some of my favorites all in one post!  Just click on the link for the recipe!

Chicken and Rice Soup

Crockpot Posole

Easy Homemade Chili

Heartwarming Winter Soup

Homemade Beef Stew

Split Pea Soup

It's almost Friday, friends!

Have a HAPPY, HAPPY Friday

and

a safe and BLESSED weekend!

             

Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge and Lake Sacagawea...

(We saw several raccoons that were the largest ones I've ever seen!)

Last year, when our then second grader granddaughter was being homeschooled, I did one day a week "Nana school" with her to give her mama a bit of a break.  We did a lot of fun things together after her day's school work was done.  One of those fun things was going to the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge. This year she and her little sister are attending school, but she loved the wildlife refuge so much that she was excited to revisit it this year with her little sister when they were at our house last week.  Here are some photos from that visit.

(The autumn colors were so lovely.)

(A beaver habitat.)

After our visit to the Wildlife Refuge we drove a bit further north and had lunch in Longview, Washington, then enjoyed a visit to Lake Sacajawea.  It is a beautiful park with walking paths around the lake and a great playground for the kids to enjoy.

(The girls wanted me to take a photo of their little toy.)

(I love this photo of our two youngest granddaughters-ages 8 and 5.)

I would say a good time was had by all-even Papa and Nana.

still following,

songography at "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out"

image-in-ing:Variations

http://www.lifenreflection.com

buckaroo mama

peabea

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY at CREATE WITH JOY

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

All of us go through things that test our faith-that expose the truth of whether we really trust God or not. One of the huge benefits of all of these years of keeping a gratitude journal is that I have a written record of God's faithfulness in my life, so when tests and trials come I know that I can trust God.  He's proven Himself to me time and time and time again!

****************

Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.

 I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#!0,398-#10,419

10-30-17-

-I KNOW that I can trust You

-a sweet time of prayer on my walk

-my hubs helping me clean melted gum out of my brand new dryer

10-31-17-

-Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3

-having my car back from the repair shop

-seeing the youngest grandkids in their costumes

11-1-17-

-November first!

-God's faithfulness to us

-sharing a meal and studying the book of Ephesians together with our small group

11-2-17-

-these quiet pre-sunrise moments with candlelight, coffee, and my Bible

-my more than enough Father-El Shaddai

-a wonderful time of prayer at church

-sweet time with our two youngest granddaughters who are spending two nights with us-

(today we took a walk by the river, a tea party, a fun art project)

11-3-17-

-cold, but mostly dry weather so we can bundle up and enjoy the outdoors

-a fun day with out two youngest grand girlies going to the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge and Lake Sacajawea-

(I'll share photos on my blog tomorrow!)

-the grandkids having so much fun playing together

11-4-17-

-my eight year old granddaughter sitting on my lap for morning snuggles when she first woke up

-sharing a heart desire and getting an understanding response

-setting the clock BACK-an hour of sleep gained is better than one lost!

11-5-17-

-powerful presence of God in worship and the message

-encouraging comments

-Sunday afternoon rest

still following,

A Thanksgiving Lifestyle..

Thanksgiving Day is quickly approaching.  But, thanksgiving should be more than something we focus on for one day a year.  It was really eye opening to me the day I stumbled upon Deuteronomy 28:47,(Amplified Bible, Classic Edition), in my Bible reading. In this verse we find out that one of the reasons that God's people were living a less than life was "Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of mind and heart in gratitude for the abundance of all with which He had blessed you." Gratitude is important to God and it's life changing for us.  Ann Voskamp, author of the book One Thousand Gifts, writes, "Give thanks if you are joyful" is, in reality: "to be joyful, give thanks." Did you notice in that verse in Deuteronomy how, to God, both our joyfulness and our gratitude are not only important, but connected? 

So, how do we become a more grateful, thankful person?  How do we make thanksgiving a lifestyle? I've found that one simple habit has been life changing for me in making me a more thankful person. 

(Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, November 5th, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

still following,

Also happily linking up with the lovely

Susan B. Mead
and

Sunday Scripture Blessings

Friday Faves...Favorite Pumpkin-y Autumn Recipes

Pumpkin Cake with maple cream cheese frosting 

It's pumpkin season!  The other day I was craving pumpkin pie, and in my opinion the original recipe on the can of Libby's pumpkin is the way to go.  If it was good enough for Mama, it's good enough for me!  If you're feeling too lazy to make a crust, or if the filling is your favorite part of the pie, you can cook the pumpkin filling in ramekins as you would a custard.  YUMMM! 

I also use the Libby's recipe for my pumpkin nut bread.  It's  the best in my opinion! 

But if you want to go to the next level and wow your guests with a pumpkin-y dessert this pumpkin cake with maple cream cheese frosting and topped with toffee bits won't disappoint!  So, so good!

Pumpkin Cookies with maple glaze

Want a grab and go pumpkin treat?  These cookies were a big hit with my pumpkin loving grandkids!

Pumpkin Muffins with maple glaze

These pumpkin muffins made with whole grain flour are a delicious treat for breakfast or snacking!

Well, it's almost Friday, friends!

Have a HAPPY, HAPPY Friday

and

a safe and BLESSED weekend!