Hello Saturday, 

Oh how I love you! You start with a little sleeping in, several mugs of coffee and maybe a little reading.

Then the rest of the day feels endless with opportunities. 

Should we wander about the town? Stopping at the book store, grabbing more coffee (always a good thing) or eating lunch out?

Or maybe instead we should stay in, and bake the day away. A loaf of bread or a new soup sounds super inviting on a cold day.

And then of course there is dinner to think about, should we keep it easy and order in a pizza or should I get that frozen bird out of the freezer and roast a whole chicken? Because recently I am feeling unstoppable when it comes to cooking, even if it turns out terrible.

Have you ever made your own chicken stock?

I looked up a few recipes.

This one looks like a good one to try!

Homemade Slow Cooker Broth

Did I tell you that I whipped up some homemade mayo last week?

Oh yes, I really did.

I found the recipe here. 

This might sound silly, but I really felt a little like a superhero after I did that.

It was so ridiculously easy, it was almost embarrassing. 

The same can be said for homemade pie crust. 

Why do we buy the store bought (I know, I know- it's easy!)?

Each and every time I make it from scratch, I think to myself "Rachel- you should do this more often!"

But then I hear Paula Deen in my ear saying from her show that she uses store bought pie crust and it feels like it's ok. Or is it?

Dear Paula Deen, 

Have you ever looked at the ingredients on a store bought pie crust?

Yours Truly, 

Ambitious in Arkansas

Ha!

Don't worry. I would never send such a letter to her. 

I love her.

Sunday will be church and life group and no doubt a good meal or two. 

There is also the expectance of a "wintry mix" here in Northern Arkansas.

Which really means, anything goes.

And after all this Much Ado About Nothing, I will leave you with this. In case you are all about that bass. :)

Have a great weekend!

Virtual Coffee And A Quick Trip

Hello out there!

 

I'm joining up with the lovely Amy of Lucky Number 13 today.

She's does her Virtual Coffee dates on Tuesday.

You should join us?!

 

 

I'm on my second giant mug of coffee- Starbucks with cream and sugar please, and I'm ready to chat.

How have you been lately? Anything new?

 

Last week my mom and I made a quick trip to the Chicago suburbs to visit my grandparents.

And really, there isn't anything quick about it, but with good conversation, several Starbuck stops and a few pit stops we made it up there in about 10 hours.

And can I just say, it was FREEZING up there!

 

 

Burrrrr!

 

We were so glad to head south and back to warmer weather. Apparently living in Arkansas has made me a wimp to the cold.

 

And it wouldn't be a trip up north without eating @ Portillos.

 

And like the picture says- it truly is THE place to eat.

 

A Chicago dog with everything on it please.

Did you know that an authentic Chicago style hot dog does NOT have ketchup on it?

Instead they have fresh tomatoes along with onion, relish, a big dill pickle, celery salt and always on a poppy seed bun. Yum!

In my opinion it pairs best with a cold root beer. But that's just me:)

And please do not comment on the ingredients of a hot dog. Ok?

Thanks :)

 

When you are in the Chicago suburbs it's easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle. Something I prefer NOT to do anymore.

 

 

But outside our hotel room window was this serene view.

 

 

But no matter where I am, this ALWAYS makes me happy!

Are you with me?

 

And so, that's about it.

 

Oh but wait.

There's this picture too:)

 

Say whaaaaaaaat?!!!!?

 

Happy Tuesday!



Food

We eat it 3 meals a day.

Sometimes more.

While I'm up for oreos or chips or whatever- it's really the REAL food that I crave.

Fresh ingredients, preferrably local, paired with good friends, great coffee.

What more could you want?

 

The hubby and I have been watching a few clips from Jamie Oliver's "At Home" series.

You can You Tube them.

 

Here are a couple of favorites.

 

 

 

And if you're like me and didn't know what a courgette was- don't worry. It's squash!

 

 

 

Where do you get your meal inspiration?

 

Tonight we are going over to some friend's house for Baked Ziti! Yum!

Thinking Of Warmer Days Ahead

The weather here in Arkansas is weird.

One day it will be 60, the next day calls for a high of 30, but will feel like 20.

Add in a sprinkle of ice and snow and it can make a person go nutty really.

 

And what it really does it make me long for the warmer days when things start to bloom and farmer's markets are buzzing again, the windows can be thrown open in celebration of fresh air. Blankets and warm candles are put away and out comes the sweet, citrusy smell of being alive.

 

It's funny how towards the end of the season I start to get a wanderlust for what's coming next.

And I don't mean to do that.

I really do try and be ok with the "right now".

 

So here are some random pics that you might have already seen long ago to get you in the mood for warmth.

 

Picked from our garden.

Hubby makes the bon fire, I get the coffee ready. We're a good team like that.

 

I can almost taste the juicy goodness of these fresh peaches from the summer!

Peonies are my favorite flower. The end.

Fresh strawberries.

Garden fresh corn on the cob was made for grilling over an open fire.

You can thank me later :)

 

And of course how could there be a post about warmer days without including tomatoes.

Jam for days.

 

But the most important thing, not matter what season we're in is this: