Every Halloween we do a little get together over at my house with my sister and her family and my parents. We have the kids dress up in their costumes and we bring soups and treats and play games.

My sister brought over the best soup ever!!! I have made it a few times for church gatherings and I'm always asked for the recipe, so here it is.



Zuppa Toscana Soup

(4-6 servings)

1 lb. Italian sausage
2 large russet potatoes, sliced in half, and then in 1/4 inch slices.
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 bag Oscar Mayer bacon bits
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 C kale, chopped
2 cans chicken broth
1 qt. water
1 C heavy whipping cream

-Cook sausage in 300 degree oven for approx 30 min.
-Drain on paper towels and cut into slices
-Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water and garlic in pot and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.
-Add sausage and bacon and salt and pepper to taste.
-Simmer for another 10 minutes.
-Turn to low and add kale and cream.
-Heat through and serve

I don't know about you, but when the weather gets cooler, my family craves bread, rolls and biscuits with dinner.  In fact, they want them for after school snacks too!  My family LOVES bread!  I could take it or leave it, but with this cinnamon honey butter, I usually choose to take it.

There is just something so comforting about a nice warm dinner bread.  During the majority of the year, I have to admit, we are not the best about gathering around the dinner table for dinner.  We are a busy family of five, and we aren't always all together for dinner, so we end up eating at the counter, by the T.V., in my bed (yes, sometimes I just need a break and I'll go upstairs and eat in my bed and watch netflix!)  Usually we the only day I can count on for family dinners at the table, is Sunday.

BUT in the fall!  Everything slows down this time a year a bit.  My hubby doesn't work as many long hours, the kids don't have as many soccer games or practices, we aren't tired from spending the day at Lagoon, we aren't rushing here and there.  It gets darker earlier, and I feel like making dinner more often.  In the fall, we gather around the table more.  We talk about our day, and we butter a few rolls!

Let me tell you,....you need this recipe!  It's not only delicious but it's a family togetherness conductor!  (I don't know if that's a real thing, but it sounds good!)  Your kids will want to linger around the table a little longer, talking, laughing, sharing and eating yummy rolls with cinnamon honey butter.

It's also a fantastic neighbor gift!  I made some for the girls I visit teach and brought it to them this month.  It's easy, affordable, yummy AND a thoughtful gift!  So here's the recipe:

Directions

I love a good tablescape!  (is this a word?)

I so wish I could have my table set at all times, but that just isn't practical for my family seeing as how my dining table is also used for an art desk, a puzzle table, a homework station and to occasionally eat from!  In an ideal world, it would always look perfect and set and ready to sit and eat at!

I think that is why I am so in love with Sunday dinners and special occasions.  Because I actually set the table and make an effort to make it a gathering to celebrate.  Setting the table doesn't have to be expensive or stressful.  For these four ideas, I just went through my craft stash and found things that I loved.



For the first one I used ribbon from the Dollar Tree, and a pine cone from my back yard.  Super easy, but it fancies up the table a bit, and announces that its a special dinner.






This second one is so farm chic!  I used gold Washi Tape from my stash and attached notebook paper to the plate with "I'm grateful for....." for your guests to ponder while waiting for dinner.  I tied a napkin with ribbon and florals from my craft stash.  You could use any floral stem here.




This third one is again, ribbon and a min frame from the Dollar Spot.  I had this hounds tooth fabric and the burlap in my craft stash.  Then I just decorated with white pumpkins I bought at Target.




For this last one, I just used different plates that I have, showing that you can mix and match any dishware that you may have.  It doesn't have to all match, or be fancy.  I painted a pumpkin from the Dollar Tree gold, and then used fabric from my fabric stash.


I hope these ideas gave you some inspiration to look through your stuff, make a trip to the Dollar Tree and make your family dinners something to celebrate!

One of my family's FAVORITE tradition is the gratitude runner!

We love when the calendar turns to November and the home gets nice and cozy!  I take the Halloween decor down just add the pumpkin, spice, flannel and all things warm!

When the kids were little, this is how we would celebrate our gratitude.

Hello there!  It's getting cold around these here parts, so naturally it's time to pull out the skinny jeans and leggings!

I am a firm believer that your rear needs to be covered when you are wearing leggings, but it seems that the stores don't always agree with me!

I am also in love with Flannels.  They are cozy and warm and scream IT's AUTUMN!!!

I had this brilliant idea one day at my weekly thrifting outing to get some men's extra large flannels, and upcycle them to make the perfect Fall Flannel tunic!

The results were what I was after!  I can't wait to make more of these cuties!!!
Second - measure how much in on the sides you want to have your shirt cut in.  I needed about 2 inches on each side.  Then pin each side.
Third - Cut off the sleeves at the seem.  Now  you can re-hem your sleeves, but I left mine raw and got a fun little frayed look around the arm holes.

Fourth - Trim sides to the pins

Fifth - Sew up the sides and VOILA!!!!  You are done!!!  Easy Peasy!!!



I think it's the perfect look for fall.  Layer over a long sleeve shirt, add a sweater, or cardigan for extra layering.  Wear it with skinny jeans or leggings!  You really can't go wrong with this look!

Have fun, and let me know if you try it!