It's been a minute since I've had a weekend that wasn't scheduled to the max. It seems like September went by in a whirl and October is following down the same path. How is it already the middle of the month? After Halloween, the year really flies by and I have a jammed packed November, which means that Christmas will be here like...tomorrow. Scary. Anyway this weekend Canean was out of town and it was just me and the pups.

Here's my weekend run-down.

Friday night I had a girlfriend over and I made eggplant lasagna, a big salad, and we drank some wine, naturally. We also watched Divergent, because we've read the books (which I loved) and hung out on the couch and chatted most of the night.

Saturday morning I went to the farmer's market and was super excited to see some new fall produce starting to pop up and filled both my bags up with fresh veggies, eggs, and meats for the week. I love my Saturday morning farmer's market time. I see familiar faces, chat with my favorite farmers and get yummy and healthy food for the week. Last week I was totally thrown off because I was out of town and missed the market and I absolutely hate doing all of my shopping in a regular grocery store. I end up very uninspired for the week and go the store about fifty times more than necessary.

PostedOctober 13, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesWeekends

TagsWeekend Things, Lazy Weekends, Life, Girl's Night, Good Books, bake

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Do you need a one pot meal in your life like I did this week? Between building twelve wooden tables, Canean going out of town, and my dad coming in town, a one pot meal was a life saver this week. Since it's fall technically, even though the Louisiana weather refuses to admit it, I made one of my favorites. Healthy white bean and chicken chili is one of my favorite go-to weeknight meals in the fall because it's easy and really, really good.

Sometimes I have time for elaborate meals that have lots of steps and require lots of love. And sometimes, I just need a yummy and healthy meal that I can feel good about eating that will be ready in no time and requires little effort.

PostedOctober 10, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesSoups, Dinner

TagsHealthy Soup Recipe, Fall recipes, White bean Chicken Chili, Chili Recipes, Homemade, soups, Soup recipes, Gluten Free, Clean Eating, healthy Recipes, healthy, weeknight meals, one pot meals, soup, chicken, chicke

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This week has flown by, but I have accomplished so much it feels like about ten days should have passed. I have been working sun up to sun down and have calluses on my hands to prove it. Like man calluses...ew. Anyway, I could not be more thrilled that the weekend is around the corner and once again I am celebrating early with my thirsty Thursday tradition that was supposed to only be during the summer months, but then I realized that was a terrible idea. Why would I stop making cocktails? So I'm not going to. My persimmon spice punch is a drink with a kick that will take the edge right off and send you sailing into Friday.

Have you ever had a persimmon? I sure hadn't until I moved to Louisiana and our old neighbors had a tree in their yard and used to bring me bags full. And honestly it wasn't love at first bite. It was mushy, and I don't do mushy. It wasn't until last year that I tried a persimmon that was perfectly ripe and still firm that I fell in love. They are kind of a gorgeous fruit too.

PostedOctober 9, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

Tagspersimmons, persimmon recipes, fall cocktails, persimmon cocktails, fall recipes, this is fall, Bayou Rum, Louisiana, Local Cocktails, seasonal recipes

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Rosemary Honey Sweet Potato Hash: My Diary of Us

I could maybe eat breakfast for every meal of the day. I love sweet, I love savory, and I really love when I get a little bit of both. I'm not one of those people who's always is in the mood for salty or always sweet...I could do either and for the most part it just depends on the day. Also, I love potatoes...all of 'em. Yellow, purple, sweet, red, white, golden...whatever give them all to me. I am most definitely a "I'll take a side of hash browns with my breakfast" kind of gal. Which is why I love a good hash. Hashes like this rosemary honey sweet potato hash make the world go round.

When you start your day off with a hash and then top it with a fried egg you are guaranteed to have a fantastic day. You get the perfect balance of carbs, protein, and it is packed full of mouth watering flavor in every bite.

PostedOctober 7, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesBreakfast

Tagsbreakfast, brunch, brinner, hash recipes, sweet potato hash, gluten free, clean eats, fall meals, fall breakfast, yum, Farm Fresh, Eat Local

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Last week I headed to Warrenton, Texas for a weekend full of boot wearing days, antique shopping, and some quality time with my mama. It's a tradition that I meet her there twice a year, once in the Spring, and once in the Fall and it's so much fun! If you don't know what I'm talking about, you might be more familiar with Round Top, Texas which is basically the same, they are neighboring little towns but both are part of the huge antique show that goes on there.

There are miles and miles of tents and vendors set up with their antiques and hand made crafts and there are smells of kettle corn and BBQ filling the air! If you have never been, you need to make it happen! They have the best furniture, if you are looking for anything for your home and have the widest range of items all mashed together in a way that works.

PostedOctober 6, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesTravel

TagsRound Top, Boots, Antiques, Going Junkin', Texas, Fall Things, Artisans

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Shrimp, Andouille, and Okra Stew: My Diary of Us

It's officially October and I am crossing my fingers that means we are about to get a little heat relief down here in South Louisiana. I mean, it's October and I'm still sweating on a daily basis but...we are supposed to get somewhat of a cool front over the weekend which will feel amazing. This girl is ready for chilly nights and some of my favorite fall dishes. Dinners that stick to your bones and are full of spicy goodness, usually made in one big pot that are even better leftover the next day. My shrimp, Andouille, and okra stew is just that kind of meal and even though it's been hot I have fixed it twice in the past two weeks because it's just that delicious.

My local farmer's market always has fresh gulf shrimp that are some of the most delicious and fresh shrimp I have had and we have a friend who happens to be a farmer who sells the most delicious pork including his own Andouille sausage. The vegetables are kind of in their mid-stage between summer and true fall here, but there is a plethora of okra available. This dish combines all three of the star ingredients in the best way possible.

PostedOctober 3, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesDinner

TagsOne Pot meals, Weeknight Meals, Local, Eat Local, Shrimp and Andouille Stew, Seasonal cooking, Fall recipes, Stew Recipes, Farm Fresh, Okra, Buy Local, Dinner

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