Some Thankful Thoughts...

Did you know that science proves that practicing gratitude can actually make you happier?!!!

This is great news! So I thought I would take a little break to share some of the things I'm thankful for...

Tea break with a sweet snack...

The colors of fall...

Black cats with pumpkins (Isn't Minnie a cutie pie!)...

Black cats named Pumpkin...

Sharing Brunch with the Hubs (and Remy)...

I'm thankful for FAMILY and FRIENDS...

The beach...

Art...

Traveling and experiencing new cultures...

Sunset...

And SUNRISES...

Flowers...

Good Coffee...

Sharing wine with Family and Friends...

Mickey waffles- big and small...

Seeing hearts in the most unlikely places...
Love notes from God...

I could go on and on. There are so many blessings around us.

Good and pleasant things to occupy our minds...things to be grateful for!!!

What is on your list?

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

Christmas Casserole...A Little Early!

Sandra Lee's sister, Kimber,  came up with this one. The colors make it look all Christmasy!

Ingredients: 12 large eggs, 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 jar (12 oz) roasted red peppers (rinsed and chopped), 1/2 cup crumbled bacon, 4 oz goat cheese crumbled, 1/3 cup sliced scallions, 10 slices of  white bread, torn (I used crescent rolls.)

Mix the first 8 ingredients. Spread bread (or crescent rolls) in the bottom of a 13 x 9 greased pan. 

Pour the mix over the bread/crescent rolls.

Bake at 400 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes until set.

This yummy, savory casserole is good on a weeknight as well as a weekend breakfast. 

Enjoy a little Christmas spirit...a little early!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

Easy Egg Nog Pancakes!

This could not be easier!
Hooray for Egg Nog!

Use your favorite pancake mix and substitute Egg Nog for the milk. Add cinnamon and nutmeg to taste.

Cook like normal...

We added scrambled eggs as our side!

Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with nutmeg.

What a delicious way to enjoy Egg Nog!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

Warming Butternut Squash Bisque with Curry

La Bonne Femme Soup Recipe!!!

This soup warms you to your toes!
Curry is a warming spice. Combining it with the sweetness of the butternut squash is deliciousness in a bowl!

I roasted my squash for about 45 minutes at 375 degrees. You can see that I seasoned it with salt and pepper and tested its tenderness with a knife.

While my squash was cooling, I cooked 2 large, chopped, carrots and 1 medium sized, chopped, onion in 1 Tbsp of oil. I added 1 tsp of curry powder to the mix and cooked until the onion became tender.

I scooped the flesh of the squash and added it to the carrot/onion mixture.
I then added 5 cups of chicken broth and brought it to a boil. I reduced the heat and let it simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. 

I allowed the soup to cool slightly and then worked in batches to blend. (See the note about steam in a blender on the Silky and Light Potato Soup.)

I returned it to the pot and reheated.

I added 1 Tbsp of White Wine Vinegar.

We topped ours with a little sour cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg!

This dish tastes like Fall!

Warm up on a cold day with this elegant Curry Butternut Squash Bisque!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

Silky and Light Potato Soup- La Bonne Femme Recipe Success!

Who doesn't like Potato Soup as the weather gets cold?
It's so deliciously filling!

I love this La Bonne Femme Cookbook, and I have been waiting for the colder months to try some of the heartier recipes. 

This Potato Leek Soup is a definite Win!

Chop 2 leeks and saute in butter.

Meanwhile, peel and chop potatoes. (Actually, I did not peel these Honey Golds. The skin is so thin that I knew it would blend easily in the blender. Russets would definitely need to be peeled.)

Add 6 cups of chicken broth, chopped potatoes, and salt and pepper to taste.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until potatoes are very tender.

Allow the soup to cool slightly and then blend in a blender, working in batches.
P.S.- Hot soup will cause steam to build up as it is blended. This will cause the contents to splatter when you open the top. Take the center piece (in the lid) off and cover with a towel as you blend. This will allow the steam to escape, and allow you to keep your kitchen clean!

Return the silky soup to the pot to reheat and stir in 1 Tbsp of heavy cream.

Voila!
Wonderful Potato Leek Soup on a cold night!

Enjoy this easy weeknight soup with grilled cheese, a simple casserole, or light salad!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

Chicken Tetrazzini...The Hubs FAVORITE!

Seriously- His Favorite!

This recipe came out of the Pillsbury Easy Halloween Book. I thought I would try it. I think the Hubs wanted to eat the whole pan in one night...thankfully, we were able to get a few nights out of it!

Ingredients: 1 package spaghetti, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 4 cups chopped cooked chicken, 1 can each of cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, cream of celery, 1 (8oz) container of sour cream, 1 (6 oz) jar mushrooms, 1/2 cup shredded Parm, 1 tsp pepper, 2 cups shredded cheddar

Chopped Chicken!

This barely fit into a 13 x 9...2-2 quart casseroles would work, but you can gamble like we did and see if you can get it to fit into 1- 13 x 9.

Cook spaghetti according to instructions, drain and return to pot. Add broth. Mix remaining ingredients (except the 2 cups of cheddar) in a large bowl. Add noodles and broth and mix. Pour into the baking pan and cover with cheese. Cover and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover and bake 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly.

This is so good!!! Very hearty and filling!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!