Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

A Few Favorites: Early Fall Edition

Posted on By jennifer

Hello friends and welcome to Friday!  I hope it has been a good week for each of you and, as always, thanks for stopping by my blog today.  Last night, our temperatures got into the 40’s!  The high 40s but, still, temperatures starting with a 4 are, well, a bit nippy.  And truly fall…as it warmed up so beautifully during the day.  Cool nights.  Sun-dappled days.  And, for me, some yummy soups.  It just screams fall.  I had some friends over yesterday and, typically, everyone brings their own sandwich or light lunch.  I decided to add some soups for everyone to enjoy.  Just because I am ready for soup weather:)  They were new to me recipes but both of the soups were a hit and well worth sharing.  Which had me thinking…share a few other fall favorites of late.  So, here it goes.  Some things I am enjoying lately…

SOUPS – Isn’t a steamy bowl of soup just so yummy on a crisp fall day?  Or a rainy day.  But no rain here.  Definitely soup weather though.  This soup was recommended by a friend.  The title is sausage soup but it includes potatoes, beans and a bit of kale too.  Maybe that would be too long of a title:)  The combination was really good and I am not even a huge kale fan.  I did go light on the kale.  Other than that, I made it just as directed.  This was my first time at this website but I see several recipes that I want to try.  The second soup I made was a slow cooker loaded potato soup.  I cannot find the exact recipe I printed (and used) but I made several changes to suit my taste and I do not think, even if I found it, that it would be the recipe to follow.  It was hearty (and filling) but very tasty.  I have a board just for soups on Pinterest.  I’m ready to dive it!  Do you have a favorite soup recipe?  Please share!

APPLES – or should I say apple recipes.  The apples I brought home from apple picking were delicious!  Despite the frost or whatever the weather may have been last April.  I mentioned that I was making applesauce in the crock pot and a few asked for the recipe.  I wanted to try an unsweetened applesauce and ended up using a Pioneer Woman’s recipe I found on Pinterest.  It was super simple – basically water, apples and cinnamon – in the crock pot for several hours.  My applesauce was the consistency I like about an hour sooner than she suggested.  It is tasty but a little bit of some type of sweetener would be better.  In my humble opinion.  To be fair, she (the Pioneer Woman) has several other applesauce recipes.  Ones with more ingredients and some sugar.  I don’t think there was anything wrong with the recipe I used but sometimes a few extra ingredients can make a big difference.

I used the last of the apples for an apple walnut crisp that I served after lunch yesterday.  The flavor was okay but this is not a recipe I would make again.  It did not hold together and was essentially a pile of baked apples on a plate.  With a crumbly topping.  I covered (the mess) with ice cream.  So, no leftovers:)

TART WARMERS – When we were in Tennesse, I purchased some new tart warmers.  I enjoy using essential oils for fragrance in my house but I recently put a tart warmer in my office and have really been enjoying the cozy smells of autumn.  Right now I have been using McIntosh Apple scent almost every day but I also purchased Hot Fudge Brownie.  It smells sooo good in the package.  These are from a company called More than A Candle and were made in Gatlinburg.

ESSENTIAL OILS – I do still enjoy diffusing essential oils and usually have something going every day downstairs.  Most of my oils are from Revive and, right now, it is the Pumpkin Pie oil blend every day. I also enjoy the oils from Edens Garden but I need to place an order.

LEAF GARLAND – Every evening, I plug in the little white lights in my office and they make me smile.  A couple of weeks ago, I put a cute leaf garland over the lights and now I have cozy lights and the look of the season.  My office is my happy place.  With the tart warmers and the leaves around the window – well, now, it is an autumn happy place:)

BIBLE STUDY – This “semester” (fall session/whatever we are calling it) has been really good.  There are several new ladies.  Full tables.  Great discussion.  And several things that have really caused me to pause, consider and dig deeper.  I enjoy being challenged about what I believe and why I believe it.  We have been doing an Jen Wilkin study of the second half of Exodus.  Have not gotten past the Ten Commandments but Tuesday mornings are a highlight of the week for sure.

Well, I think that is it for now.  I really did try to take photos.  (I just tried again).  But I just could not get them right.  Especially that leaf garland.  Sigh.  You have will have to take my word for it – lol.  I would love to know something that is giving you all the fall feels (and smiles) lately.  Here’s to a great weekend ahead everyone!

A Few Things on Friday

Comments (12)

  1. I have a couple of tart warmers and I lean towards things that are smokey or woodsy, especially in Fall. My all-time favorite though is Tobacco Flower. It reminds me of the Crabtree & Evelyn store we used to have here. Full of pot pourri and scented soaps. I love the scent!

  2. Both of the soups you made sound delicious, Jennifer. I’m not a fan of kale so would have left it out or substituted spinach for it. I need to haul out of the crockpot and make soup. The applesauce sounded yummy even though it was unsweetened. You mentioned diffusing essential oils. How do you diffuse yours? I bet the lit leaf garland turns your office into a cozy zone. Your Bible Study group sounds like a winner. Happy Friday and have a pleasant weekend.

    1. Definitely not a kale girl either…but I like to try a recipe as directed, at least the first time. Spinach would probably be a good substitute. You are right. Thanks for stopping by, Robin. Hope your weekend goes well, too!

  3. Not a kale fan either. A few years ago, I had an unplanted kale plant that grew in the garden. Goodness I hated to not use it… but no one liked it. I added a small amount to it in soups here and there but for the most part, I wasted it. Your soups sound good. It´s 46 degrees right now! Fall is officially HERE! Enjoy your crisp mornings and evenings :).

  4. We love soups and I’ve already decided, with Hubs’ approval, to make a Tomato Basil soup this afternoon. We certainly are NOT experiencing fall vibes here, weather-wise, so it will be a mental fall experience only.

  5. I enjoyed your blog today Jen
    I read on my phone which is what I would like to do I. The future
    Soups sound fantastic !!!
    It’s perfect for this very chilly 🥶 day
    I had to close the windows cuz it was too chilly
    💞

  6. Our temps were even lower last night and we woke up to our first frost today. I mean I get that this is normal fall weather here but to have gone from the 80’s last weekend to a high in the 50’s today has been quite a shock! Your soup recipes sound delicious.

  7. I am so glad that I stopped by this evening. I have copied the sausage soup recipe, with plans to make it next week because our temps aren’t to get out of the 60s all week. We love all of the ingredients in it, and I have already printed the recipe out.

    And thank you for sharing about the applesauce recipe. I checked that out on Ree’s website too. I have some apples that I need to use up, so that would be a wonderful way to take care of that.

    I like Revive oils too. Young Living oils kind of priced themselves out of my range and I went to Revive. I’ll have to check out the Pumpkin one that you mentioned.

    I’m glad you are enjoying your Tuesday Bible study. Isn’t it wonderful to have that break in your week where you know you can go and leave the world outside while you study His Word with other like minded Christians?

  9. Some may think of soup as an Autumn sort of meal but I make soups all year around. It’s a great way to get our veggies since neither of us is overly fond of salads. I don’t use recipes for most of my “creations”.
    It’s the season for apples and I’ve been making different apple dishes. So delicious 🍎🍎🍎.

  10. It is nice you have made your space cozy. I make soup all the time but I am a fly by the seat of my pants girl. I look at what I have and make it up as I go. I am do not care for kale so I would have substitute spinach.

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