Thanksgiving Came Early!

One of my most favorite meals is Thanksgiving dinner.  I absolutely adore comfort food and all the warm memories that come with it.  I grew up eating mashed potatoes with gravy, green bean casserole with french fried onions, roast turkey, fruit salad with cool whip and flaky dinner rolls.  Top it off with pumpkin and/or apple pie and you've got a typical Thanksgiving meal for my family.  Now it's my turn to make Thanksgiving dinner and we've had to make a lot changes to the menu due to my daughter's intolerance for gluten and because my husband and I eat a mostly grain-free diet.  At first it was hard for me to let go of all the tried and true recipes I so lovingly clung to.  I nearly broke down in tears at my first attempt to make gluten-free biscuits.  I'm happy to say that I've worked out some of the major kinks to my new way of cooking and have come across some fabulous recipes.  This year I decided I might want to try and be even more dedicated to grain-free during the holidays so I can avoid the post-holiday stomach cramps.  I though it would be best if I did a dry run on some new recipes to make sure they'd make the cut.  I must admit that even the kiddos didn't have anything negative to say!

Now doesn't this look delicious?  I decided to make mashed sweet potatoes (the white ones) and didn't use a recipe.  I simply boiled them and added coconut milk, salt & pepper and a little garlic seasoning. I used rotisserie chicken from Safeway to save time.  For the gravy and "stuffing" I used some new recipes I came across.  If you're thinking of trying this, here are the ones that I used.  Let me know what you think!

• Paleo Stuffing
• Paleo Chicken Gravy

~Trisha

A Very Merry Vintage Christmas

Ok, I know I know...it's not even Halloween and I'm already talking (and thinking) Christmas!  I simply cannot help myself this time of year.  It might be said that I get into the holiday spirit earlier than most (think Christmas music in October).  My husband gives me "the look" every time he hears it playing.  So, since I'm feelin it already I thought it only natural that I would start planning what look I want my holiday home to have.  I have a small collection of Christmas items that I've been building over the years thanks to some amazing holiday sales.  My most treasured holiday items didn't come from Target or Costco or any other store but from my parents attic.  Yep, you guessed it!  I love my hand-me-down decorations most!  I'm talking quaint Christmas villages, old time ornaments and vintage (homemade even) looking table top decor.  So without further suspense I have decided on "A Vintage Christmas"!  Since I've thoroughly exhausted my parents attic supply, I've been on the lookout for new items that would fit seamlessly into my current collection.  Here are some fun and vintage-feeling finds that will most likely find their way into my shopping basket next time I'm out.

                                           

       

                

Hope you enjoyed this little trip down holiday lane!

~Trisha

Favorite Store Alert!- Downtown Seattle

Let me start by saying I don't have any problems with window shopping...none.  I love nothing more that perusing stores and seeing what goodies lie within even if my cash is running low.  On a recent birthday celebration weekend with my hubby, I wandered into the store of my dreams.  No joke, I instantly told said hubby that I was ready to move in and declare it my new place.  Watson Kennedy is the name of this little downtown Seattle gem.  I must admit that my husband doesn't really enjoy shopping especially at interior decor shops.  Wouldn't you know that he actually enjoyed looking at all the unique & vintage bar ware and gift ideas for men!  This shop has something special for anyone in your life.

 Whether your shopping for some unique items to add to your current vignettes or in search of some vintage scrabble letters (you will see bowls of them throughout the store!), be prepared to find more than what's on your list. These pictures only show a tiny bit of what this shop has to offer but you get the idea that it's a pretty special place.  If you ever find yourself in the Seattle area with some time on your hands, pop over to this amazing place and you won't be disappointed. 

~Trisha

A Bowl Full of Comfort

Fall weather has hit the Pacific Northwest a wee bit early this year.  It felt like October weather in September, which means chilly mornings and rain...lots of rain.  I hate to admit such a thing, but I haven't even brought out my fall decorations.  They are way in the back of the brand new over-head storage in our almost re-finished garage.  Note to self: put that action item on the hubby's "to-do" list pronto!  One thing I haven't neglected is the comfort food that I dearly love to enjoy this time of year.  Besides the pumpkin cookies and pumpkin spice americanos I've been enjoying, I've been whipping up some heart warming soups for dinners.  Last night I decided to try Chicken Pot Pie soup.  Sounds yummy, right?  It was beyond delicious and everyone was asking for more after the pot had been scraped clean.  I thought I'd share it with you since it was such a hit with the whole fam.  I had to make a few substitutions due to my daughter's gluten allergy and because we are grain free.  So here we go!

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

adapted from citronlimette

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 cup mushrooms, diced
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme, crushed between fingertips
• salt and pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 medium carrots, cut into coins
• 3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed (use sweet potatoes for Paleo)
• 16 oz cooked chicken breast, diced small
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour (use arrowroot powder to make it Paleo & gluten-free)
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• ¾ cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup milk (use coconut milk instead)

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil on medium high heat. Add onion, celery, mushrooms, thyme and a dash of salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes, stirring often, add garlic and cook another minute. Add carrots, potatoes, the cooked chicken and the flour.
2. Stir in the chicken broth, frozen peas and parsley.
3. Bring to a simmer and cook 25 minutes. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Stir in the milk, bring back to a simmer and cook 5-10 minutes.

Mmm, now doesn't that look comforting?  Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Trisha