Getting into the Halloween Spirit

My daughter Madison and I had a spooky and fun Halloween day yesterday.  We started our day by dropping my son off for a religious class field trip at Mount Saint Marys. There was a very old cemetery there with headstones from the 1700's that we decided to walk through.  Had to take a few photos to share.

It was both beautiful and a bit creepy walking through the cemetery.  The monuments and head stones were amazing. After that spooky experience, we moved on to the happier side of Halloween with a visit to the pumpkin farm.

It was a beautiful day, weather in the high 70's.  We found the perfect pumpkin and had a blast.  When we got home we had a wonderful meal waiting for us in the slow cooker.  I found this great recipe in Real Simple Magazine.

Chicken with tarragon and leeks

1 1/2 lb baby new potatoes

8 small skinless chicken thighs

3 leeks cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces

1 cup dry white wine

Kosher salt

1 10oz frozen peas

1/3 cup heavy cream

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

• Place the potatoes on the bottom of a slow cooker.  Add the chicken, leeks, wine and 1 teaspoon salt.
• Cook, covered until the chicken and potatoes are tender, on high for 3 to 4 hours, or on low 6 to 7 hours.
• Transfer the chicken and all but 4 of the potatoes to plates.  Using a fork, smash the remaining potatoes into the cooking liquid to thicken.
• Add the peas and cream and cook just until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.  Spoon over the chicken and sprinkle with the tarragon.

I didn't have fresh tarragon, so I used dried and added it at the beginning of the cooking process.  It was so good!  Everyone in the family loved it, so I definitely have to make this one again.

On another note, Cathy Nichols released her 2011 calendars and they are amazing!  I had to buy one for my studio.  If you'd like to take a peek at them here is the link to her etsy shop. 

Off to make clay for The Mystic Jewel today.  I'm excited to make more pieces with the new frames.  See you on Wednesday for the Artist of the Week post.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  Stacie