Thanks to those of you who have checked in via email and comments, to let us know that you are ok, despite this massive storm that has moved through your area. We continue to watch the news and are thinking about all of you. What a storm. 🙁
Since today is Halloween, I decided to share some fun blog posts from other people! These are some of the blogs that I read regularly, and don’t share them often enough with all of you. (And then scroll to the bottom of the post for a chance to win a treat from us!)
Want to see how some zoo animals react to pumpkins and masks and other Halloween celebrations? (I like the baby Cheetah trying to hide behind the pumpkin. Although the monkey and mask is cute, too.)
Here are some cute dinner ideas. (I like the Rice Krispie Candy Corn Cupcakes and the Mummies in a Blanket.)
My favorite food blog is the one my dear friend Monica writes. You might want to check out her:
Whole Grain Maple Pumpkin Spice Donuts (good any time this fall)
Overnight Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal (and her other flavors of overnight oatmeal)
Hot Spiced Drinks (yum – hot apple cider!)
Maple Pumpkin Spiced Lattes (made in your slow cooker)
Baked Potato Soup (can also use leftover mashed potatoes. I made this last winter and it’s delicious.)
Of course she has tons of non-fall recipes, too. Check her recipe index.
Check out the Halloween Hay Bales, all dressed up for the holiday. (Mummy – ha!)
Free printable pumpkin carving patterns.
Last minute quick-and-easy costume ideas. (I can’t pick a favorite – several of them cracked me up! But Ceiling Fan? Love that.)
Creepy music to download for free.
Since we don’t get to go trick or treating with our own candy bag any more, we thought we’d put together a bag of treats for one lucky winner! (Shown here, $60 value.) If you’d like a chance to win, just leave a comment below and tell us your favorite food or drink that you make (or buy) when it’s cold and rainy and blustery and you just need something warm and wonderful. I tend towards soup when it’s cold outside. Even better if I can make it in the slow cooker so that it’s ready and smells wonderful when I get home from work. I have a few favorites. Wild Rice and Chicken Soup, Lasagne Soup, Cheddar Chowder, and Cold Weather Chili. Even better with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches on the side. So what is your go-to food when it’s cold and you need something that warms you up? We’ll randomly draw a winner next week!
Sheri wishingIhadleftsoupintheslowcookerfordinnertonight
SOUP- after Oct. 1st I seem to want hot soup for lunch every day!
You can’t beat a hot chocolate with marshmallows!
I love to make French onion soup topped with toasted French bread and melted cheese, a glass of wine and a fire in the fireplace with my 2 boys (husband and son)! Heaven on earth!
A nice cup of Chai Tea with Soy milk or a bowl of hot soup.
Home made bread
Chili and cinnamon rolls
I love French Onion Soup with plenty of gruyere. Yum! My favorite cold weather drink is Williams-Sonoma’s Peppermint Hot Chocolate. It’s the best.
Hot chocolate, made from scratch. My grandmother’s recipe warms my heart, to this day!
I like chicken and dumplings. Or fresh bread, always good on a cold day.
I love to snuggle in with some hot chai tea and my knitting!
There is nothing like a pot of herbal tea and either a good book or my knitting on a cold and windy day!
chili is a favorite here. Maybe chicken noodle soup.
I have a wonderful recipe for potato soup from an old Southern Living cookbook. I sometimes add a little diced ham to it or just garnish with bacon bits, grated cheese and chopped green onion.
For a warm beverage I love some homemade chai or my grandmother’s single serving recipe for hot buttered rum.
Chili with crackers!
I like Mac ‘n Cheese to eat and hot chocolate to drink.
When it gets cold I like to make this classic minestrone soup. It has so many fresh vegetables and you put a Parmesan rind in it while it cooks. Yummy!
Pulled pork. It is the kind of thing that actually works year round. In a sandwich, on the side or even over french fries. YUM! To drink, a dark draft beer with chocolate after tones. Pick your favorite brewer it will be sure to warm you up no matter what.
Cream of Green Chile soup!
Definately tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich.
when it is cold and I need comfort, i make a baked apple, preferably granny smith, cored w/orange juice filled into the core space, a sprinkle of cinnamon to cover it all. its delish fall scent spices the air and its warmth is enough to chase any chill or bad day. One could top it w/vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce, but this one likes it just plain.
I’m a big fan of homeade macaroni & cheese and/or soup!
Hot chocolate and hot teas are my go to.
Chicken pot pie and corn bread. We enjoy hot tea as well…
Crock pot chili, a little bit spicy! I also drink more tea in the winter.
My grandmothers hot spiced tea 🙂
Stuffed pepper soup, chili and hot tea!
Homemade vegetable beef soup.
Soup, coffee, hot chocolate, and warm cider, but not necessarily in that order!
Chili and corn bread or Grilled cheese sandwiches with Tomato soup
My favorite cold day comfort food is chicken and dumplings…add some warm buttermilk biscuits and I’m in Heaven! And once that settles, a few chocolate chip cookies and a cup of tea for dessert!
Slow cooker Guinness Beef Stew… YUM!
A nice cuppa of British black tea….
A mug of tea will do it for me 🙂
(I didn’t mean for that to rhyme, but it did lol)
If I really and truly need warming up, I like a big mug of coffee with stevia and almond joy creamer. Warms my insides and my hands at the same time. And I love almond joy.
Tazo Chai Tea Latte, though I drink it year round, not just when it’s cold out 🙂
Green chilie soup……I make it with chicken or hamburger meat and New Mexico chillies…so good
Peaches and cream oatmeal. 🙂 It’s warm and filling and I don’t have to do any cooking.
Baked potato soup always warms me right up when it is dreary outside!
Homemade chicken vegetable barley soup on weekends. A latte if I have a busy work day.
I love Broccoli & Cheese soup!
The thing I want most when it’s cold and rainy is the organic tomato soup from Chef & the Farmer (local restaurant, out of this world southern food with a gourmet twist). It’s spicy and thick, creamy and incredibly filling, and it’s so delicious that it will warm your soul as well as your tummy.
I also love hot chocolate, but that’s usually not until it’s reeeeally cold.
Best thing still is tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich. Thanks for the contest.
Beef barley soup
Whenever I go to the beach (which is now underwater) in the summer, there is always one rainy, cold day. I like to make hot cocoa from scratch then. Gives me something to do, and warms me upupup.
I love any kind of tea, but can’t wait for eggnog lattes!
Carrot ginger soup – at least two steaming bowls – makes everything warm and cozy. (Of course there is the old stand-by of baked macaroni and cheese with ham – made with Gouda cheese.) Now I’m hungry . . . here in Kuwait it seldom gets cold enough for me to think of making these. Now that I’m thinking about them, carrot ginger soup is sounding mighty good.
Salam wa sa’aadah
Twining Pumpkin Chai Tea
Good Earth Sweet and Spicy Tea and a bowl of steel cut oatmeal…..yum! Thanks for the contest!
I love a nice hot cup of chai. Beef stew is also wonderful on a cold day.
Hot Chocolate and macaroni and cheese.