Category: BLOG 365

BAKED CHICKEN MARSALA ~ BLOG 365.322

Not a great picture, but oh so good. Baking this makes for the most tender chicken!!!!

BAKED CHICKEN MARSALA

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in half to make thin steaks
4 tablespoons Italian seasoning
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
4 tablespoons avocado oil

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Grease 13×9 baking dish and set aside.
  • Generously season chicken with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Rub chicken pieces with Italian seasoning.
  • Heat oil in large skillet until shimmering.
  • Add chicken pieces, browning 2 minutes per side.
  • Transfer chicken to baking dish in a single layer.

SAUCE

1/2 cup butter, cubed
8 ounces beech mushrooms, trimmed
1 shallot, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
2 cups homemade chicken stock
3/4 cup Marsala wine
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped Italian Flat Leaf Parsley
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • Heat butter over medium heat.
  • Add shallot, garlic and mushrooms, cooking until tender.
  • Stir in stock, wine and parsley, cooking and simmering to a SLOW boil.
  • Whisk together the cream and cornstarch until smooth.
  • Stir cream mixture into stock mixture and continue to simmer until thickened to desired consistency.
  • Add butter piece by piece, stirring until smooth.
  • Pour sauce over chicken.
  • Top with cheese.
  • Bake uncovered 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
  • Serve immediately.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPE LINKS week 46 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.321

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week was busy, but I’m so glad I broke it up with a lunch date with hubby, a little junk hunting for some craft parts and then the painting class. It was a super small class (just the 3 of us), but that made it really nice. And then on Saturday I went for a GIRLS DAY OUTING to a first annual craft fair at a fairly local (less than 40 miles away) casino along with lunch and then drinks at a favorite haunt on the way back. Now this week I will catch up on all the things I DIDN’T get done last week. 🙂 

Public service announcement: 10 days until Thanksgiving and only 38 days until Christmas!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re having our traditional start to winter with much cooler and wet weather here (50’s for highs and 30’s for lows), so it’s definitely sweatshirts, flannels and UGGs for me this week.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY, WHAT’S ON MY MIND, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV
  • TO DO: LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a bit of clutter to finish cleaning up from the Christmas set up and a couple of loads of laundry to do.
  • TO DO: GROCERIES & ERRANDS I made a list last night and hubby has a couple errands he’s added to my list so I guess we’ll be heading to town today to get our personal shopping done instead of trying to cram it into the same day as the Eagle’s shopping.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS I finished my Nutcracker painting and am hoping I can make the MAGI date work to take that class still. If I can’t, I will probably try it on my own, but classes are more fun 🙂
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Good through the end of the year 🙂
  • DVR/TV We watched a silly movie on Netflix PLAY DATE with Kevin James, Sarah Chalk and Alan Ritchson.
  • ON MY MIND Happy heavenly birthday daddy. I really miss you! Getting ready for my mom’s knee replacement Wednesday. Dealing with the new angst (2 women quit the kitchen with no notice) of Eagle’s issues (AGAIN) and the strain of having to go back to covering the kitchen on a day I previously gave up and finding someone to cover yet another.
  • THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY The feel of freshly laundered sheets, laughing until I cry with good friends, the smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls, curling up under a soft blanket with a good book, …

READING TIME

I’m still trying to finish THE BOOKCLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN by Marie Bostick, but have also started FORGET ME NOT by Stacy Willingham. I really enjoyed the thought provoking way she told A FLICKER IN THE DARK so thought I’d try another of hers.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
11/17 MONDAY
11/18 TUESDAY
11/19 WEDNESDAY
11/20 THURSDAY
11/21 FRIDAY
11/22 SATURDAY
11/23 SUNDAY
DINNER
 CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD & BUNLESS BURGERS
 CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
 CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
 FLYING FARMER SALAD
EFFIE’S DELICIOUS DISH 
 CHICKEN CARBONARA
 APPLE BBQ CHICKEN SALAD
DESSERT
 
 
 STUFFED SNICKERDOODLES

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Saturday’s GIRL’S DAY OUTING LUNCH was fantastic. I LOVE this group of friends from the Eagles. Our ages are REALLY varied, but that’s okay!! I didn’t get any pictures of the craft fair, but it was a first annual and was pretty good also. I was looking for specific items and I found the main one (a new tree skirt for this smaller tree), so was happy with the day. 🙂

Out of all of us there was A LOT of the same meals ordered, but these were the best in my opinion ~ Shrimp Tacos and a Lemon Ricotta Chicken Papperdelle. There was also a popular Wild Rice Butternut Squash dish, but it didn’t photograph well.

A little indulging is ALWAYS allowed during this season!

No judging allowed! Our tree is up! BUT, we’re not having Thanksgiving here 🙂 I did also order a new tree top star that will be here on Wednesday.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • BAKED CHICKEN MARSALA 
  • AZZOLINA SPAGHETTI

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

BLUE CARROT BUNDT CAKE ~ BLOG 365.317

I decided to combine two of my favorite flavors into a single cake and was NOT disappointed!!!! I think you’ll enjoy it also. It has a uniquely yummy pop of flavor.

BLUE CARROT BUNDT CAKE ~ 12 servings

1 lemon, zested & juiced
1 orange, zested and juiced
1/2 cup FINELY grated carrot (1 medium carrot)
3 LARGE eggs
16 ounces sour cream
1 yellow cake mix
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 pint blueberries

  • Heat oven to 350°.
  • Lightly spray bundt pan with Baker’s Joy. Set aside.
  • Whisk together the eggs, sour cream, orange and lemon zest until smooth.
  • Fold in most of the grated carrots, reserving a few for garnish.
  • Mix in cake mix, beating until smooth.
  • Fold in most of the blueberries, reserving a few for garnish.
  • Pour into prepared pan and tamp on counter to even out.
  • Bake 35-45 minutes until set and toothpick comes out clean.
  • Loosen sides and invert onto serving plate.
  • Brush warm cake with reserved juices.
  • Cool completely.
  • Sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with a cream cheese glaze.
  • Garnish with some FINELY grated carrot and a couple blueberries for a stunning and colorful presentation.

NOTE: If using frozen blueberries, toss the thawed berries in some flour before folding them into the batter.

CREAM CHEESE GLAZE
2 ounces softened cream cheese
1⁄2 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons WHOLE milk
2 -3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1⁄2 teaspoon QUALITY vanilla

  • With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter and milk together.
  • Gradually add the powdered sugar.
  • Beat in vanilla last.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENUS & RECIPE LINKS week 45 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.314

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

Last week was a whirlwind of activity as we spent Wednesday in the pouring rain doing out of town shopping at the Chef’s Store for the Eagle’s upcoming Friendsgiving event next week, as well as taking the time to do TinselTown for me. There’s a home improvement store that turns their garden area into a bright and light filled Christmas area every year that I look forward to seeking out new treasures for our tree and decorating. As we begin week 45 of 2025, it only seems like the perfect time to remind everyone that there are only 45 days until Christmas 🙂

We also found a new place for lunch, Forresters Bar & Grill. They had the most amazing open face sandwiches (hubby had the turkey and I had the roast beef). I can’t remember the last time I even saw hot open face sandwiches on a menu!

We needed new lights for the tree this year (we threw out the old last year and bought some new at Lowes on Tuesday. Wednesday night we started putting up the tree only to realize we hadn’t bought enough of the glitter sparkle lights at Lowes on Tuesday to do the whole tree. I tried to buy more at Lowes on Thursday when I went to town to do the rest of the Eagle’s regular shopping only to be told they weren’t ordering any more this season. What the heck? It’s only early November and they’re out for the WHOLE season? I found that theme carried into the grocery shopping also. So many stores are stocking less and less inventory forcing you to buy a different brand or style or be forced to order on line. The rest of the lights should be here this afternoon.

Friday I baked a sheet cake for the first Friday birthday celebration at the Eagles. My friend usually does it, but she was away at a conference this weekend. I gave Glenda, the woman cooking the dinner the choice of flavor since her birthday falls in November and she couldn’t decide between chocolate and carrot cake so I combined them 🙂 and I have to say the flavor combo turned out awesome! I made extra for my neighbor to try and a cake for the new neighbors as a welcome to the neighborhood. 

Saturday was a more leisurely spent day, but I did make lists for hosting Christmas and the things I need to make the Neighbor holiday plates. If shopping is this bad in early November I don’t want any surprises close to Christmas. I also got a little decorating done though the living room is a mess waiting on the rest of the lights to arrive.

Sunday we met some friends for an early brunch before football. How can you say no to breakfast burritos and Mimosas? After all brunch without mimosas is just a sad late breakfast! 🙂 I really enjoyed the GIANTS and BEARS game with the snow and cold.

And now here we are back to Monday and I have a meeting tonight so need to pull together my notes and get the minutes typed.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

FORTUNATELY, we’re not getting the bitter cold that the Midwest is, but it’s definitely winter here already. It’s been windy, wet and the bone chilling kind of wet and cold. I did buy some new pretty feminine colored (pinks and purples) turtlenecks and flannels this year so I won’t look like a lumberjack reject (reds and greens) all winter long! 🙂 Temps will be in the low 50’s during the day low 40’s at night with dense morning fog and clouds. The rain will be beginning again towards the end of the week.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY, WHAT’S ON MY MIND, PROJECTS, APPOINTMENTS & DVR/TV
  • TO DO: LAUNDRY & CLEANING I need to change the bedding and a couple loads of laundry today.
  • TO DO: GROCERIES & ERRANDS I only have a couple errands this week, a hair cut and a pedicure. I’m decided on taking the nutcracker class on Wednesday evening. I really wanted to do the MAGI one, but it’s too close to my mom’s knee replacement and I don’t want to leave her alone for that long. My friend who teaches the class said she’d see about scheduling the MAGI again in December.
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS Nothing much right now though we are hoping to get away to the coast in December or January for a few days. We actually like being at the coast when it’s cold and windy. We started planning it yesterday while we were having brunch with friends and getting their suggestions for places they’ve been.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING Menus are planned up to Thanksgiving and I’m planning to do soups, chilis and stews with crusty breads and rolls in December ~ just still working on flavor profiles.
  • DVR/TV It has been hit or miss on staying on top of shows, but I am up to date with the holiday baking shows. 
  • THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY Looking out on chilly, foggy winter mornings while holding my warm coffee while remembering my own rule that I won’t go anywhere until it’s 40°, the aroma of an all day soup or stew, the matching aroma of a crusty bread…

READING TIME

I’ve been trying to finish A FLICKER IN THE DARK by Stacy Willingham and probably will finish it tonight so I can then finish THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN by Marie Bostick before I start a new one. I hate when I have multiple books going.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
11/10 MONDAY
11/11 TUESDAY
11/12 WEDNESDAY
11/13 THURSDAY
11/14 FRIDAY
11/15 SATURDAY
11/16 SUNDAY
DINNER
CORN / YOYO    clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own 
LEMON HERB ROAST CHICKEN 
CORN / YOYO    clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own 
CHICKEN ala KING 
CORN / YOYO    clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own  
 CLARICE’S FAVORITE PORK CHOPS & BAKED BEANS
 APPLE BBQ CHICKEN SALAD
DESSERT
 
 
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

I’m so happy to see water in the “little” pond again and I know this guy is too. I think he spent ALL day there as you can see from the morning overcast picture and the afternoon sunny picture a few hours later. LOL It’s probably two different birds, but a girl can dream…

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • BLOODY MARY PICKLES
  • BLUE CARROT BUNDT CAKE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

WEEKLY FEATURED PARTY LINKS

FRENCH COUNTRY SOUP ~ BLOG 365.310

Don’t forget the crusty bread to go with this comforting fall favorite soup that’s perfect for any cool evening.

FRENCH COUNTRY SOUP

8 ounces Great Northern or Cannellini beans
6 cups water
4 cups homemade chicken broth
1 pound stew meat
2 medium carrots, rustically sliced (1 inch pieces)
2 stalks celery, rustically cut (1 inch pieces)
1 large onion, halved and sliced
1 cup dry white wine
5-6 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
1 teaspoon ground bay leaves
1-2 teaspoons crushed rosemary
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Rinse and drain beans.
  • Combine beans and water in large dutch oven. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, cover and let stand 1 hour.
  • Drain beans and rinse.
  • Heat oil or butter in skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Sear beef pieces quickly.
  • Combine beans, browned beef, broth, wine, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, salt and pepper in 5-6 quart slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on LOW 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours.
  • Discard bay leaves and serve with crusty bread – we like a good beer bread.

NOTE: you can substitute 2 cans of rinsed Cannellini or Great Northern beans during the last half hour instead of the dried beans. If you choose this option cut the cooking time in half.