Fear of the Crockpot

Confession.

People freak out about the damn crock pot, and I just have never gotten it.  All the recipes I run into seem like they are full of processed goop, or are for fake barbecue type stuff, (which is completely unnecessary since there are probably 6 barbecue joint with real smoked pulled meat within a three mile radius), or require so much prep that I don't understand the appeal.

Okay.  Glad to get that out.  Anyway, I saw something on Pinterest about no-processed slow cooker recipes, and I was intrigued.  I decided to jump on the Crocktober bandwagon.

I started with the Chicken Quinoa Stew.

I added a bit more chicken broth than it calls for, because I prefer a soup to a stew.  Served with warm faoccacia bread, it was a hearty and delicious dinner.

Slower Cooker Chicken and Quinoa

1 cup quinoa 

2 cups chicken broth

3/4 cup white wine 

2 cups of water

2 teaspoons dried thyme

2 teaspoons of sea salt 

4 carrots, sliced (peeled if you do not buy organic)

4 stalks of celery, sliced

1 onion, diced

2 chicken (uncooked) breasts (I recommend bone in for a juicier chicken, but boneless makes for easier shredding later)

3 tablespoons of butter

Throw everything in the crock pot. Cook on low for 7-8 hours (high for 4). Remove chicken, shred and mix back into stew.

It was really, really good.  There was no prep besides chopping veggies.  The stew was delicious and wholesome- the wine adds depth and a richness that distinguishes it from bland fare that I associate with crock pot fare.  

I finally get the appeal of the crock pot.  Prep it with breakfast, then rake some leaves, hit up the pumpkin patch, plant some pansies, and come home to this warm and tasty stew for a perfect fall day.

Further weekly experiments with the slow cooker to follow. . .

On the Outside Looking In

Do y'all ever feel like you are playing a role?  Today, I dropped my toddler off at preschool, then headed to the grocery store.  As I strolled the aisles in my black skinny pants, striped long cardigan and white drapey tee concealing my burgeoning belly, I felt like one of the cute yuppie moms that I babysat for in Atlanta during law school. I felt like I was playing the part as I loaded my station wagon with a gallon of organic milk, Greek yogurt and Cheerios.

It still baffles me that I have a child old enough to have conversations. When nannying during law school, I remember imagining myself as a mom, managing young children and a home.  Now, when college students at brunch ooh and ahh over Dell Harper's cuteness, I see them envisioning a future of post church brunches with their own cute toddlers and husbands, just as I did.

So basically, this entire ramble is just about how I still can't believe I'm a grownup . . .

This and That

You know your brain is long gone when you have to look through your camera roll on your phone to remember what you have been up to of late.

 First up, this drapey tee finally arrived from Gap today (I ordered it two weeks ago).   I love it!  I got navy, plum and white (they did not have my size in the gray, boo!).    I wish clothing manufacturers made maternity clothes like this- flattering and disguising instead of all this skin tight biz.  I have no desire for people to see where my belly button is, thank you very much.

I got this cozy number as well.  There is a sale online right now if you need anything from Gap.

A house has been going up down the street from my parents' the last few months, and we have watched its progress intently.  The house that was built next to it was extremely bizarre and resembles a Southwestern-gas station-cult-compound.  So we were relieved when this number went up-

I was thrilled to find out it was on a parade of homes- I always long to see the insides of houses that I admire exterior-wise.  It was gorgeous inside as well- I just adored all of the finishes (and forgot to take a single picture).

All the details were simply lovely.

Oh, and there was a football game in Knoxville this past weekend. . .

I wore a black dress with white dogs (including bulldogs). Morgan requested that I attempt to go neutral, but it was 90 degrees, and I am 22 weeks pregnant.  It was more a matter of finding something that would fit on my body (and support my alma mater).

We left the game at the half (before it got exciting).  However, after 3 hours of tailgating and a couple sweaty hours of game attending, our babysitter budget was shot.  Poor Miss Priss did not get a bath due to her parents' focus on the football game.  I did tear myself away from the TV to put her to bed, with Morgan periodically interrupting "Where's Spot?" and "Goodnight Moon" to give me overtime updates.

We recovered after a busy weekend with a little Salsaritas mother-daughter lunch date today.

Guacamole was consumed by the handful.

By the toddler.  I'm a few weeks away from that point. . .