snowy days.

snowstorms are my favorite.

they always have been.  life slows down for just a bit, allowing us to stay warm and cozy with the ones we love.  and even as a thirty two year old, i am taken back to my childhood.  the sounds of the plows, looking out the window to check for falling snow, mugs full of hot chocolate... it all just makes me giddy.  all over again.

we knew a storm was coming... a nor easter, they were calling it.  we were excited.  as a teacher and a school counselor, storms add an extra bit of excitement for our household as we anticipate snow days; especially for daddy since i only work parttime and it's always such a treat to have him home with us!  friday morning we woke up to snow.  nick's school was cancelled and it snowed all day long, stopping just before dinner.  as we snuggled the girls in their beds and sat down to watch our newest show addiction (hello, downton abbey), the snow started in again.

that night we went to bed to the sound of snow plows and howling wind, snowflakes swirling through the skies.  saturday morning i woke up at my usual time of 6:30 to make emmy her morning bottle and looked out the kitchen window.  it was snowing so heavily the sky was almost completely white.  all day long it snowed.  we stayed in our jammies, drinking coffee and hot chocolate and watching movies snuggled under quilts.  i didn't want the day to end.

sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful.  we spent the morning outside, pulling the girls in their sled and clearing off the deck and walkways.  it was emmy's first time out in the snow, as i usually take bella outside in the morning while emmy is napping.  she didn't quite know what to think, but sat contentedly in her sled, staring at the fluffy whiteness blanketing our yard.

i love experiencing things through the eyes of my children.  i love making memories with them and creating special moments.  snowy days are perfect for both.

594.  sleds carrying the cutest load:

595.  skies full of snowflakes.

596.  news of school cancellations.
597.  belly-warming soup and homemade crusty french bread.
598.  pajama days.

599.  a whistling tea kettle.
600.  hot chocolate and homemade pop tarts.

601.  little ones wrapped warmly in their hooded towels after bath time.

602.  a good tv show with the mr.

603.  god's heartwarming blessings.  always good to be reminded.

604.  bundled up babies.

thank you, jesus, for allowing life to slow down for a bit... for the beauty of snow... for the love of family.  thank you for all of these things and for always reminding me that we have much to be grateful for.

what's for dinner tonight {slowcooker chicken&dumplings}.

so, let me just make a disclaimer that this is not my healthiest recipe ever. but because of it's deliciousness and ease, i couldn't resist posting it. you can only make it once and a while and serve with a generous helping of veggies and maybe feel better about it all.

because sometimes life just needs a lil chicken&dumplings.

growing up in maine, i was never familiar with this dish. when i went to college in ohio, there was a cracker barrel in the next town over and i think this is where i first had chicken&dumplings. and then... i moved to texas. i still think i've only had it two other times but it's just one of those dishes that you need to have every so often.

so here's a crockpot version that is simply delish.

slowcooker chicken&dumplings

* 3-4 chicken breasts, frozen (i've found this makes the meat realllly tender and saves on time)
* 2 cans cream of chicken soup (i use the healthy choice kind)
* 1 can condensed chicken broth
* 1-1 1/2 cans of water (you may need to adjust depending on your crockpot)
* 1 onion, diced
* 2 T. butter
* 1 can of refridgerated biscuits (thus, the unhealthiness... i use reduced fat jumbo buttermilk)
* flour (as needed)
* salt&pepper (to season)

- place chicken, soup, broth, water, onion and butter in slowcooker and cook on low for about 7-8 hours.
- shred chicken with two forks.
- remove biscuits from can. flatten each one and cut into eighths. drop into crockpot, season with salt and pepper, turn heat up to high. don't adjust liquid if it looks like there is too much... the biscuits will soak up some of it as they cook. you can adjust later.
- cook on high for last hour or so, or until biscuits are cooked. they will still be doughy, like noodles (or dumplings, obviously) but make sure they are not raw.
- you may need to make a slurry out of flour and water and whisk into liquid to make thicker, depending on how it cooks, or how you like the consistency.

just as good as homemade and one of the easiest (and most delicious) recipes i have. perfect for a cold winter night or a lazy sunday meal.

enjoy!