weekend.

This weekend was just what I needed. Ben was gone and I tackled chores around the house. I cleaned out all the closets, organized my etsy station, cleaned out my photo room, washed all the floors, cleaned out the fridge, and cleared out 4 boxes for goodwill. It felt good. I only left the house a few times. Its always nice to have one of those weekends to turn music on as loud as you want, stay in your pajamas, not shower, and clean. I did manage to watch 6 movies on netflix during the evenings..... that may be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. I like to think I would have gone out and spent money on foods and drinks if I didn't have a million movies to watch at my fingertips :) Yesterday I made harvest stew which I have made the last 3 years. Its perfect for this time of year and so darn yummy. The recipe is easy and simple. I suggest you make it while apples are in their peak right now!

Ingredients:

4 medium carrots sliced

2 stalks celery sliced

1 red onion sliced

4 regular sized potato's sliced (I was thinking sweet potato's might be tasty too)

2lbs of chicken breast cubed (or not if you want to make it veg)

3 medium sized apples peeled and cut up

1 cup of dried cherries

2 cups real apple cider

3 cups chicken stock (or vegetable if you want to make it veg)

olive oil

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp caraway seeds

bay leaf

S & P

This year I used a crockpot for the first time and it was even easier to make. I just browned the chicken and threw everything in the pot on high for 6 hours. That easy. Otherwise you can you use the old school method:

Take the cubed chicken and start browning it with some olive oil and s&p in a pan. Once its mostly cooked and a browned set aside. While this is going on start cooking the carrots, celery, onion, and potato's with some olive oil in a big stock/soup pan. Once they start getting a little soft sprinkle with s&p, thyme, and caraway seeds. Add bay leaf, cubed chicken, chicken stock and cider until it covers everything. Let it simmer until potato's are just about done and all vegetables are cooked but not mushy. Once everything looks almost done add apples and cherries. Let it simmer another 5 minutes or so. Discard bay leaf, and its ready!

I usually like to buy some crusty french bread, and put a slice in a bowl then put the stew over that. Its even better the next day.