ic Kathe With an E: October 2015

Monday, October 26, 2015

The Last You're Gonna Love It Party of October

Welcome, dear friends to another week of joining Kim and I and sharing your best links! We both look forward each and every week to seeing your creativity and sharing it all here for the world to see! This is the last party of October which means next week's party is Anything Goes, meaning just that!  You get to link up your shops, tutorials, recipes, crafts, creative photos and stories!  For now, let's bid October adieu and get to partying!

The most popular link from last week came from Lori who blogs over at The Stonybrook House
She showed us how she created this breathtakingly beautiful brooch bouquet.
It's hard to beat the bride in beauty but this bouquet seriously comes close!

My pick of the week is from Alea from Premeditated Leftovers
I've recently fallen in deep love with a local place that serves the best cajun mac & cheese, EVER.  I have been wanting to make it at home but ddin't have the right seasoning.  I think Alea's homemade cajun spic mix is just the ticket to feed my cravings!


If you have been featured here, or over at my  co-host Kim's blog, (she has a different Pick of the Week so go check it out...was it you?) make sure to grab an I've Been Featured button here.

Just a reminder: IF you follow me on Facebook you get first notice of this party going live each week. Plus, I share some pretty funny and awesome stuff on my page over there too (like my love for coffee)!


Now for this week's link-up! 
Here are the really easy party rules: 
Feel free to link up anything you have created (recipes, decor, crafts, written or photographed). Anything you are so proud of you just gotta share it with others.

You can follow Kim and I on social media, but it is not required. (We want you to follow us because you want to, not because you have to.)

KimFacebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+
Kathe: Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+

We would love it if you would link back in some way so that others come and party with us. Either grab the party button or add my blog link to your post or on your blog party page. But again, it's not required.
The Kim Six Fix



Polska Kielbasa Oktoberfest Stew

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. Messaging below is intended for ages 21+ and is intended to be enjoyed responsibly, in moderation.#OktoberOnTheFarm #CollectiveBias
msg4-21+ A soul warming ‪#‎oktoberonthefarm‬ Polska Kielbasa Oktoberfest Stew. Made with ‪#‎hillshirefarm‬ Polska kielbasa and seasonal ‪‎craft beer it's an easy one pot recipe sure to please everyone. #ad
Fall has definitely arrived in Colorado. The leaves on the trees have been putting on quite a show here and that nip in the morning air reminds us that snow is on its way soon.  In Germany, the Oktoberfest celebrations are winding down. All of the drinking and eating hearty meals and drinking of seasonal beers is still being done though and the crisp air is perfect for this one pot dish I made using Hillshire Farm® Polska Keilbasa.

I love that this stew is easy to prepare and since it cooks up in one pot, clean up is a breeze.  It fills the house with warm and hearty smells of the season. I was lucky too in that Mr. B had just recently made up a batch of his own home brewed Oktoberfest beer which I used when I made this batch. The alcohol in the beer cooks off just leaving you with just the flavor. This recipe is pure comfort food.  It is, in my opinion, a German equivalent to chicken noodle soup and oh so easy to make up and have on those winter days you don't feel well. 
msg4-21+ A soul warming ‪#‎oktoberonthefarm‬ Polska Kielbasa Oktoberfest Stew. Made with ‪#‎hillshirefarm‬ Polska kielbasa and seasonal ‪‎craft beer it's an easy one pot recipe sure to please everyone. #ad
Most of the ingredients can probably be found in your cupboard or pantry.  What I didn't have on hand, I picked up at my local Walmart. 
msg4-21+ A soul warming ‪#‎oktoberonthefarm‬ Polska Kielbasa Oktoberfest Stew. Made with ‪#‎hillshirefarm‬ Polska kielbasa and seasonal ‪‎craft beer it's an easy one pot recipe sure to please everyone. #ad
I was able to find the Hillshire Farm Polska Kielbasa in the packaged deli section at my Walmart.  Just look for the rope sausage packaging.

Full of cabbage, onions, Mr. B's own home brewed Oktoberfest beer and polka kielbasa, Mr. B loved all of the flavors in this stew and had 2 bowls for dinner. It made enough for leftovers which, were awesome for lunch the next day! I hope you try this stew with your family for your own Oktoberfest celebrations this Fall! 

Polska Kielbasa Oktoberfest Stew
msg4-21+ A soul warming ‪#‎oktoberonthefarm‬ Polska Kielbasa Oktoberfest Stew. Made with ‪#‎hillshirefarm‬ Polska kielbasa and seasonal ‪‎craft beer it's an easy one pot recipe sure to please everyone. #ad
by Kathe With An E
Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 12 ounce package Hillshire Farm® Polska Kielbasa
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 head cabbage cored and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup German seasonal beer (such as an Oktoberfest variety)
  • 4 small russet potatoes peeled and cubed in bite sized pieces
  • 2 14.5 ounce cans hot chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
msg4-21+ A soul warming ‪#‎oktoberonthefarm‬ Polska Kielbasa Oktoberfest Stew. Made with ‪#‎hillshirefarm‬ Polska kielbasa and seasonal ‪‎craft beer it's an easy one pot recipe sure to please everyone. #ad
Instructions:

Place a medium-large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the olive oil; once the oil is hot, add in the sliced onions, stir, and allow the onions to caramelize, about 5-8 minutes. Remove onions from the pot, add the remaining olive oil and add in the sliced smoked sausage, and allow the slices to caramelize and brown in the oil, for about 5-8 minutes. Add back the onions to the pot and add in the sliced cabbage, stir to combine. Allow the cabbage to soften and take on the flavors of the sausage and onions for a few minutes; once the cabbage is softened and golden, add in the black pepper, caraway seeds and the pinch of salt, and stir to combine; next, stir in the garlic, and once it becomes aromatic, add in the cup of beer. Stir the mixture to combine; allowing the beer to slightly reduce for about 3 minutes or so; next, add in the cubed potatoes and the hot chicken stock, stir. Bring the stew to a boil; then place a lid on (slightly askew to allow just a little steam to escape), and reduce the heat to low to gently simmer the stew for about 40 minutes. After the 40 minutes, turn the heat off, and finish the stew by stirring in the apple cider vinegar, chopped parsley (if using) and the ground nutmeg. Season with additional salt & pepper to taste. Serve with hearty slices of rye bread or crusty rolls to sop up the liquids.
Powered by Recipage

msg4-21+ A soul warming ‪#‎oktoberonthefarm‬ Polska Kielbasa Oktoberfest Stew. Made with ‪#‎hillshirefarm‬ Polska kielbasa and seasonal ‪‎craft beer it's an easy one pot recipe sure to please everyone. #ad

Monday, October 19, 2015

The You're Gonna Love It Link Party

It has been one busy week here!  Mr. B's mother got here last Tuesday and on Saturday the semi arrived to picked up all of her stuff to truck on to AZ.  She will be leaving tomorrow and will be in her new home by Saturday!  It is bittersweet.  We love having her here with us. We will miss her terribly but we know this move is the best for her. On to new adventures is what I tell her.  I think my melancholy is the best excuse to party this week!

It's Time For 
The Features of the Week
Suzan from Simply Vintageous had the most views last week with her post "I Wanna Live There"
I picked this house as the one I wanna live in. What a beautiful and quaint cottage! Which one would you chose?

My pick o' da week is from Kristi from The Classy Chapter blog.
I am hunting down quick and tasty meal ideas for when I start working again and this 30-Minute Chicken Pita recipe looks like it will be a prefect addition to my menu plan!


If you have been featured here, or over at my  co-host Kim's blog, (she has a different Pick of the Week so go check it out...was it you?) make sure to grab an I've Been Featured button here.

Just a reminder: IF you follow me on Facebook you get first notice of this party going live each week. Plus, I share some pretty funny and awesome stuff on my page over there too (like my love for coffee)!


Now for this week's link-up! 

Here are the really easy party rules: 
Feel free to link up anything you have created (recipes, decor, crafts, written or photographed). Anything you are so proud of you just gotta share it with others.

You can follow Kim and I on social media, but it is not required. (We want you to follow us because you want to, not because you have to.)

KimFacebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+
Kathe: Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+

We would love it if you would link back in some way so that others come and party with us. Either grab the party button or add my blog link to your post or on your blog party page. But again, it's not required.

The Kim Six Fix






Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Easy 3 Ingredient Spicy Chicken Cheese Dip

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GameTimeClean#CollectiveBias

It's no secret we are big football fans in this house.  Actually, pretty much everyone on our block roots for the same team, our guys in blue & orange, the Denver Broncos!  This is awesome because each game day we gather at one another's homes to watch the game together.  Everyone brings their best game day snacks and recently, when it was our turn to host, I broke out Mr. B's favorite snack for watching football, an Easy 3 Ingredient Spicy Chicken Cheese Dip.  
An easy 3 Ingredient Spicy Chicken Cheese Dip perfect for #gameday #colectivebias #gamedayclean #vivavantage
I honestly have been making this recipe for almost 30 years!  I got it from a former boss that would make it at least once a week during the Fall and Winter for all of his employees to enjoy while we worked.  With just 3 ingredients it is simple enough to make anytime you need a spicy, cheesy take-along to any get together or even just for family movie night!

First, I needed to head to my local Walmart to pick up the 3 ingredients to make this. While I was there, I also snagged up a package of Viva® Vantage® 6 Big Rolls to help me keep things clean and to use in place of napkins.
They can be found down the paper & cleaning aisle at your Walmart too.

Once I got home, I started making the dip.
All of the ingredients you need to make an easy 3 ingredient spicy chicken cheese dip for your next game day.
All you need is:
  • 2 lb of processed cheese
  • 1 10.5 oz can of cream of chicken soup
  • 1 16 oz jar of your favorite picante sauce 

Cut up the cheese block into cubes and place in a slow cooker.  Top with the soup and the picante sauce.
All of the ingredients you need to make an easy 3 ingredient spicy chicken cheese dip for your next game day.
Give it a good stir to mix it all together and set the slow cooker to high (on mine that is the 4 hour setting).
Let it cook until the cheese is all melted, about 90 minutes.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Good thing I had picked up those Viva Vantage paper towels! 
#gametimeclean #vivavantage
I had made kind of a mess on my cutting board and I needed to get that cleaned up before our guests arrived. 
One strong piece of paper towel was all it took and my cutting board was cleaned up like it had never happened! I like how the Viva Vantage towels stay strong even when they are wet. I was #gametimeclean in seconds! You can be too because, right now there is coupon available for $1 off Viva Vantage paper towels when you purchase them at your Walmart. 

Once the dip was ready it was placed front and center on the buffet that I had set up for game day snacking.
An easy 3 Ingredient Spicy Chicken Cheese Dip perfect for #gameday #colectivebias #gamedayclean #vivavantage
Let me know if you make this easy, cheesy, spicy snack for your next game day! I promise, you will be the game winner when you do!


Easy 3 Ingredient Spicy Chicken Cheese Dip

by Kathe With An E
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 90 minutes
Ingredients
  • 2 lb of processed cheese
  • 1 10.5 oz can of cream of chicken soup
  • 1 16 oz jar of your favorite picante sauce
Instructions:
Cut up the cheese block into cubes and place in a slow cooker. Top with the soup and the picante sauce.
Give it a good stir to mix it all together and set the slow cooker to high (on mine that is the 4 hour setting).
Let it cook until the cheese is all melted, about 90 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.
Powered by Recipage

Monday, October 12, 2015

You're Gonna Love It!

Happy party day my friends.  Life is moving kind of quickly around here right now.  As most of you know I was let go from my job last December.  Well, I am happy to report that after an exhaustive search, I have accepted the position of Client Care Administrator for a local Real Estate office!!  I am excited to join this team of professionals in helping them, and me, to grow!  This position will help me to gain better insight for taking the state & national tests for a Real Estate license of my own. You also know that Mr. B's mother sold her home last November and moved in with us while she decided what she wanted to do.  Well, she is now the proud owner of home of her own in the Phoenix area of Arizona.  She will begin the final move in the next week.  She is very excited and I know she will love having a place she can call her home!  She has already had the interior painted and has had the carpet pulled up and tile is going down as I type this.  Mr. B's younger brother lives nearby and family members from Canada winter there in the same area.  If the heat gets to be too much for here, she is always welcome to come visit us and cool off lol! 

Yes, exciting times for sure but, just as exciting is our weekly party right here so, let's get the festivities started!


It's Time For 
The Features of the Week
The most viewed link last week comes via my buddy, Laurie from Bargain Decorating With Laurie.
Laurie always blows me away with her seasonal decor and her Fall home is breathtaking!! I think the rusty truck filled with gourds is so cute!

My pick of the week comes from another buddy, Patricia.  Patricia and her hubs Vinny moved from New York to Colorado to be closer to family and she actually lives just on the other side of town from me! We hope to someday to meet up for some cannolis and coffee! She blogs over at Mille Fiori Favoriti
Patricia and Vinny love to travel around our beautiful state and she takes such fabulous photos. You can stop on over and see her autumn drive post and drink in our fall foliage and, see her cute purchase too!


If you have been featured here, or over at my  co-host Kim's blog, (she has a different Pick of the Week so go check it out...was it you?) make sure to grab an I've Been Featured button here.

Just a reminder: IF you follow me on Facebook you get first notice of this party going live each week. Plus, I share some pretty funny and awesome stuff on my page over there too (like my love for coffee)!

Now for this week's link-up! 

Here are the really easy party rules: 
Feel free to link up anything you have created (recipes, decor, crafts, written or photographed). Anything you are so proud of you just gotta share it with others.

You can follow Kim and I on social media, but it is not required. (We want you to follow us because you want to, not because you have to.)

KimFacebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+
Kathe: Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+

We would love it if you would link back in some way so that others come and party with us. Either grab the party button or add my blog link to your post or on your blog party page. But again, it's not required.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Anything Goes At The You're Gonna Love It Link Up Party

Well hello October!! And hello to you my faithful readers!  Before we start the party I want to convey my deepest sympathy to those in South Carolina. If you remember, we here in Colorado had devastating rains and flooding two years ago and we know full well the heartbreak you are suffering at this time.  Please know that my prayers are with you all!  

Now, it's time to link up all the awesome things you’ve been doing! It's also the first party of the months so that means, ANYTHING GOES!  That's right, you can link up ANYTHING family friendly!  That's right, you can link up your photos, essays, recipes, crafts, your link up parties, giveways, shops and on and on! 


It's Time For 
The Features of the Week
Last week's most viewed was posted by Marissa from Rae Gun Ramblings.
Marissa showed us how to create an adult sized Snow White shirt perfect as a Halloween costume!

My pick of the week is this simply beautiful decorated white pumpkin from Emilie from Baby Loving Mama.
Can you imagine some dollar store pumpkins decorated like this scattered throughout your home this season?  I can!!  So pretty!

If you have been featured here, or over at my fabulous co-host Kim's blog, (she has a different Pick of the Week so go check it out...was it you?) make sure to grab an I've Been Featured button here.

Now, are you ready to party??
Feel free to link up anything you have created (recipes, decor, crafts, written or photographed). Anything you are so proud of you just gotta share it with others. It is the first Tuesday of the month so ANYTHING GOES!!  (Etsy shops, giveaways, contests.. you name it!) 

You can follow Kim and I on social media, but it is not required. (We want you to follow us because you want to, not because you have to.)

KimFacebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+
Kathe: Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Google+

We would love it if you would link back in some way so that others come and party with us. Either grab the party button or add my blog link to your post or on your blog party page. But again, it's not required.
The Kim Six Fix
As always, the links are in random order so that your submission(s) gets a great chance of getting seen!




Friday, October 2, 2015

Easy Individual Pot Pies With Progresso Hearty Vegetable Stew With Beef



I don't know about you but I was so ready for Fall to get here!  After the hottest September on record and the 5th driest ever, I am loving the cooler temps, the breeze, the leaves changing color, all of what this season brings really! I also love that I can start the oven more frequently now that the outside temps are more moderate! Fall brings to mind sweaters and comfort food! 
These individual biscuit pot pies with savory stew from Progresso are quick to throw together for a weeknight meal.
One of our favorite and quick Fall meals would be a hearty pot pie. Now I can make dinner even quicker by going semi-homemade using a recent find, Progresso Hearty Vegetable Stew With Beef. Perfectly sized for 2 pot pies this stew is full of tender vegetables, an awesome broth and chunks of beef. Serious comfort food in itself! But heck, get a little fancy! These individual biscuit pot pies with savory stew are quick enough to throw together for a weeknight meal.
By using a homemade biscuit recipe and adding the premade stew, I can have dinner on the table in no time and have it look like I spent hours in the kitchen putting it together! 
I chose to use a biscuit recipe for my pot pies rather than a pie dough because, biscuits come together so much faster than pie dough, and, I believe it makes a better bottom crust for pot pies. Plus, well, biscuits!! 'nuff said!

This biscuit recipe could not be easier!  All of the ingredients can be found in your pantry and fridge and it comes together quickly. Oh and, they are scrumptious too!  You'll have enough dough left to make up some biscuits for future meals like biscuits and gravy, or, just slather them with butter and honey! 

Easy Homemade Biscuit Dough For Pot Pies (Regular Biscuit Instructions Included)

by Kathe @ Kathe With An E
Ingredients
  • 2 cups Flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/3 cup shortening
  • 1 cup milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and grease your individual serving bowls (if not using for pot pies, grease a cookie sheet).
In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients and mix well. 
Cut in shortening with a fork or pastry blender until the mix resembles coarse crumbs. 
Gradually stir in milk until the dough begins to form a ball. 
On a well floured surface, dump out the dough. It will be sticky. 
With floured hands, sprinkle the top of the dough with flour and turn the dough ball over once or twice to lightly coat it with flour, just enough so that is is not as sticky. 
The top should be dusted but the dough inside should still be sticky. 
Use care to not overwork the dough. The less you knead and press it, the fluffier the biscuits will be. 
Using just your flour covered hands, gently press the dough out until it is about a half inch thick (if not using for pot pies, press out dough to 1 inch thick). 
For the pot pies, use a 3" round cutter (or whatever size that will completely cover the top of your individual serving bowls with some overlap) and cut out 8 circles. 
Set 4 of the circles aside. 
Take 4 of the circles and press into the bottom of your serving bowls, making sure to come up the sides of the bowls too. 
Add your pot pie mixture and the top each with the reserved biscuit circles.
Crimp the dough over the edge to seal. 
Brush with a little melted butter and make 3-4 small slits on the top. 
Place on a baking sheet (I cover mine with foil for easy clean up if any of the pot pies leak) and bake for 15-18 minutes or until the tops are golden brown (if the tops start to get too brown before the time is up, lightly cover each with foil until done) (for biscuits, place on the greased cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes).
Powered by Recipage

Want to try out some of the new Progresso Chilis and Stews for yourself? 
Well lucky you! Progresso is letting me give away a prize pack that includes some chili and stew, a fancy ladle, and a cooler chair so you’ll be set for easy weeknight meals, game day and tailgates! Just visit progresso.com/gameday, and then leave a comment here with your favorite recipe. Contest ends on Monday, October 12th and the winner will be chosen on Tuesday October 13th! (BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!!) The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S., 18 and older. No PO Boxes! The winner will have 24 hours to respond to my email or a new winner will be selected.

***Contest is over.  A winner has been chosen***
ProgressoChiliPrizes
Bonus!  If you can't wait to try the new Progresso Chilis & Stews, grab yourself a $1 off coupon now!

Be sure to check out the Progresso Facebook page for more recipe ideas! 

How about you?  Will you make #ProgressoStew a #WeeknightFavorite this season?