Behind The Butter

10 things to do this weekend

1. Sit and watch the sunset. With a glass of wine…or two.

2. Go to a park and play on the swings like you did when you were seven. Or put your dog in a swing! That’s what you get for googling “dogs in swings” and laughing hysterically by yourself after seeing a humorous photo on Pinterest.  What is happening to my life?

Don’t answer that.

3. Make this soup!!! No, really. Make it tonight.

4. Read a new book in a hammock. Can’t find a hammock? Try your bed instead. Reading in the mornings with a cup of tea is my favorite guilty weekend pleasure! I just finished this and it was awesome!

5. Stage an impromptu dance party in your living room. Why not?

6. Try this! I’m in love with all of of Natalie’s recipes (and her beautiful photography!)…especially her recent pear caramel ice cream. I die.

7. Be crafty and make Halloween cake pops. I attempted last night and the results were….interesting. But I’ll share THAT with you later!

8. And on that note, why don’t you plan your Halloween costume? Joy has a few words about that that we should probably all take to heart. I’m not totally sure yet, but I think I’m going to dress up like my cat. Is that totally weird? Do only four year olds dress up like fuzzy animals for Halloween these days? Can someone tell me how to craft a long black cat-tail?

9. Two words: breakfast. quesadillas.

They’ve turned my whole world upside down.

10. Do what I did last night: make a huge batch of white chicken chili to eat all weekend long. I swear, out of everything, that chili is, hands down, the recipe I make the most! We probably eat it once every two weeks. Has someone figured how to make it in a crock pot yet? If so, let me know!! Slow cookers rule my life.

This picture has no relevance other than the fact that every time I look at it, I crack up.

That is all.

 

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  • Emmy (Wine and Butter)
    October 21, 2011 at 4:16 am

    The sunset photo is amazing!! AND this weekend I am going with my husband to try braised squirrel at hsi favourite restaurant. No lie. How English do I feel!?!? ps – you should totally be your cat… and maybe your cat could be you!? Get him to bake amazing cakes etc!?

  • Clo
    October 21, 2011 at 4:19 am

    Great idea on the costume – I am also planning on going as a cat (well, leopard), except that I’m contemplating taking it a step further and getting my cat…. a matching leopard outfit. Is that twisted??

    Re: long cat tail, all you need is to stuff a black cotton knee-high sock and pin it to your rear end. voila!

  • Lys
    October 21, 2011 at 4:24 am

    “Elephant seals are faster than you think.” Really? Because when I’ve seen them on those nature shows, they sure do flop about on land. Call me crazy, but I think a slow walk is just enough to get away from those funny looking guys.
    And you’re totes not alone about laughing when you look at them. Elephant seals are probably in my top ten of animal photos to look at when I need a good laugh. That, and monkey behavior. Hilarious…but also kind of creepy. Weird.

  • Kristin
    October 21, 2011 at 4:26 am

    I am so with you on the white chicken chili…..I have been craving it for two weeks but have been too busy to take the time to make it. I was wishing there was a way to do it in the crockpot! I was thinking if I did everything and let it cook all day except just added the cream at the very end?? I’m absolutely making it this weekend….St Auggy temps are finally in the FORTIES!

  • Ericka @ The Sweet Life
    October 21, 2011 at 4:32 am

    I have missed your non-food related posts, Jenna. Thanks for this fun one 🙂

  • Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
    October 21, 2011 at 4:33 am

    Every time you mention your white chicken chili, I want to make it. And I don’t even eat chicken…ha! It just looks so good even sans-chicken.

    The sunset picture is beautiful. And so was Joy’s post. I read it the other day. She was right.on.point.

    Enjoy your weekend!

  • Molly @ RDexposed
    October 21, 2011 at 4:44 am

    Drink two glasses of wine: ahead of the weekend on that one, check check.
    You have me debating the breakfast quesadillas. I feel they would “up” my girlfriend points!

  • Cait's Plate
    October 21, 2011 at 4:47 am

    Hahahah – that picture cracks me up every time too. It’s pretty darn great.

    And yeah, if I decided to be crafty and make Halloween cake pops I think “interesting” would definitely be the way to describe the results…

    Have a wonderful weekend Jenna 🙂

  • Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
    October 21, 2011 at 4:49 am

    Bahah the last pic made me laugh so hard! Hilarious 🙂

  • Donna
    October 21, 2011 at 4:54 am

    I think I may try the chili recipe in my crock pot this weekend…i’ll let you know what i do and how it turns out – i’m thinking i’ll give the chicken a little sear before i drop it in

    as for the cat tail, go to your local craft store (we have Michael’s here in NC) and get a black boa – it’ll work out great and it’s cheap!

    great ideas for the weekend – enjoy yours!

  • eliza
    October 21, 2011 at 5:04 am

    I made your white chicken chili last week and it was to die for! We ate it all up in a few days. Thanks.

  • Em
    October 21, 2011 at 5:11 am

    🙂 Very fun! What a fantastic list. I love that last pic. Adorable.

  • Jen
    October 21, 2011 at 5:22 am

    Only once every 2 weeks? That doesn’t sound like a lot.

    Hmm…sounds like you need to Step.Away.From.Pinterest!

  • Marla
    October 21, 2011 at 5:25 am

    (I also put this comment on your PBS soup recipe link)

    Jenna
    I find there is a much easier way to roast your squash-
    rather than chop into pieces as here (which I always find difficult and dangerous!)
    just cut in half carefully ,scoop out the seeds etc, and place
    facedown on your pan and roast away (put a little olive oil or butter
    to grease the pan a bit).
    Makes delicious roasted squash AND you don’t have to deel with peeling after-
    just scoop easily out of the 2 halves …voila!Less hassle!

    Cheers 🙂

    • Emmy (Wine and Butter)
      October 21, 2011 at 6:05 am

      Thats how I always do it too!! SO much easier to deal with chopping when its soft from baking. Also I just eat the skin, but that could be me being weird…

  • Lori Lynn
    October 21, 2011 at 5:27 am

    Beautiful sunset picture! Love the blog post today. A lot of things to try!

  • amy walters, aDESIGNdock
    October 21, 2011 at 5:41 am

    Sounds like a pretty fabulous way to spend the weekend…not sure which one to try first!

  • Leslie Means @ Her View From Home
    October 21, 2011 at 5:53 am

    LOVE that you talked about your Halloween costume! One of my favorites as a little girl was my black cat costume – AND the dice or I suppose die costume mom made me. 🙂 I’m doing a little how-to later today on my blog of how to make it. We are NEVER to young to dress up! I love Halloween – especially now that my girls can enjoy it with me. Happy weekend to you!

  • Liz
    October 21, 2011 at 5:53 am

    Those breakfast quesadilla’s have completely changed my life as well. Twice a week for dinner, yes please 🙂

  • Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove
    October 21, 2011 at 5:59 am

    I love the idea of just reading in bed after you wake up rather than just rushing into doing errands. I may give that a try on Sunday!

  • Natalcho @ Tomatoes Rock
    October 21, 2011 at 5:59 am

    I spent last Sunday with my two nieces and we went to the neighbourhood playground, played on the swings, went down the slides. I haven’t laughed this much in a long time!

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    October 21, 2011 at 6:03 am

    I loved Joy’s post on Halloween costumes! Love that she’s leading the non-slutty-movement.

  • Amanda
    October 21, 2011 at 6:20 am

    Your kabocha squash soup sounds really, really good and the photos of it are beautiful. I love the vibrant orange color (one of my favorite colors!) and the fact that it’s so simple. I love recipes that let the food just sort of speak for itself without too much fuss.
    Thanks for posting! 🙂

  • Angie
    October 21, 2011 at 6:26 am

    I just finished the same book a couple of days ago. It was the first one of that author’s that I had read, but I’ll definitely read more. It was great.

  • jenna
    October 21, 2011 at 6:38 am

    i’ve had your white chili on my ‘to make’ this forever! i think this weekend it needs to happen.

    happy friday !

  • jamie @ jamelafamela
    October 21, 2011 at 6:39 am

    omg i tried to make halloween cake pops last weekend- for this phantom door bell ditch your neighbors thing thats going on where you put this note on your neighbors doorstep along with baked goods and its a “pass this on” type of deal. anyway, cake pops- they are maybe the MOST FRUSTRATING thing i’ve EVER made. I almost cried. like 5 times. while making them. “cake balls” is my new swear word.

  • Anne P
    October 21, 2011 at 6:41 am

    Lol this post makes me miss you. And that seal picture is hilarious.

  • Kelli H (Made in Sonoma)
    October 21, 2011 at 6:45 am

    Just made your chili last week and my parents loved it.

    Also, I was going to be a cat for Halloween so no worries!

  • Courtney
    October 21, 2011 at 6:45 am

    Love this! 🙂

  • Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food
    October 21, 2011 at 6:46 am

    What a great list! I think all of these things would make a fantastic weekend!

  • Krystina (Organically Me)
    October 21, 2011 at 6:57 am

    I want to do every last thing on this list. 🙂

  • Errign
    October 21, 2011 at 6:58 am

    It seems like that chili would be super easy to make in a crock pot. I would just throw everything in, other than the 1/2 & 1/2 and sour cream, cook on low for 6 hours or so and then add the creams in before serving. That would probably work.

  • leslie
    October 21, 2011 at 7:03 am

    you can buy a black cat tail on etsy!

  • Halle
    October 21, 2011 at 7:07 am

    totally made halloween cake pops last night! ghosts and (misshapen) pumpkins. can’t wait to see how yours turned out!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    October 21, 2011 at 7:32 am

    LOL about the elephant seals! I’m in San Francisco for work right now and tomorrow we’re planning to go see these 100+ seals on the beach that everyone keeps telling me about… apparently one day they just swam up and took over?? LOL.. no idea, but that picture is really funny!

  • Imwaytoobusy
    October 21, 2011 at 7:40 am

    Looking forward to seeing the cake pops. I have yet to try one…anywhere! Maybe you will inspire me.
    Breakfast quesadillas may just happen this weekend!

  • Mel @ Mel a la Via Paradiso
    October 21, 2011 at 7:41 am

    This weekend I plan on: going to the pumpkin patch, eating at his fabulous Neapolitan style pizza restaurant in Seattle, and go swing dancing! I swear I don’t normally do so many fun things in one day! 🙂

    I also picked up The Book Thief per your recommendation, and am excited to start reading! Had a random question though. Sometimes you’ve mentioned that you read your bible in the AM, and I was wondering if you use a ‘devotional’ kind of book to guide you along? I ask because it’s something I would like to start doing and was curious if you had any good suggestions.

  • Laurie @SimplyScratch
    October 21, 2011 at 7:46 am

    Totally cracking up at that last picture! Thanks for the laughs today!

  • Lauren
    October 21, 2011 at 8:29 am

    How ironic-my husbands cousin just told me this morning on facebook that she made it in the crockpot. She put the chicken breasts in whole cooked for 3.5 hrs then added the sour cream (i just use full fat sour cream and leave out half and half-one less thing to buy) then she took chicken out and chopped it up. Everyone loves this recipe!!!

  • Andrea @ The Skinny Chronicles
    October 21, 2011 at 8:47 am

    What a great list! I really do need to try your white bean chicken chili!

  • Gillian G. @ When Bread Is Broken
    October 21, 2011 at 9:00 am

    Aaaah, nice to see someone else is as obsessed with the Pets section on Pinterest as I am. The pug dressed up like Yoda still cracks me up. And I’m embarrassed to know how long that one made me laugh for.

  • jenny
    October 21, 2011 at 9:16 am

    jenna – i actually made your white chicken chili in the crockpot the first time i made it. first i cooked the chicken in the crockpot (actually the day before) with just a little chicken stock and salt/pepper. shredded it up. then i put ALL the ingredients into the crockpot the next day and let it cook 5+ hours. it was amazing. i’m sure you have a more proper way to do this, but i just dumped it all in!!

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness
    October 21, 2011 at 9:36 am

    Aaah…love watching sunsets…and that is a beautiful one…I will just have to make a date with sun-down and a glass of riesling this weekend, like you suggest! <3 xyx

  • Ella, RD
    October 21, 2011 at 9:58 am

    #5 is very important in my life – impromptu dance parties are an absolute MUST and not just on the weekends!

  • Rachel Wilkerson
    October 21, 2011 at 10:25 am

    I love that chili and have definitely made it in the slow cooker! Just dump in all the ingredients but the half-and-half + sour cream and let it cook all day. Then just stir in the half-and-half and SC right before you’re ready to eat!

  • Michelle
    October 21, 2011 at 10:42 am

    Jenna, I miss your fashion posts!

  • Erin
    October 21, 2011 at 10:44 am

    Sunsets are so amazing and that picture is dynamic! East coast vs. west coast….I guess depends on the landscape!

    Most people have a checklist for their workweek- love how you have extended it to the weekend! Such little time and so many great things to do! Cheers!

  • Annie @ Naturally Sweet Recipes
    October 21, 2011 at 10:46 am

    That picture is breathtaking. How beautiful! And that soup looks awesome!! Happy Weekend!

  • Moni'sMeals
    October 21, 2011 at 11:22 am

    I say the first one is all we need for the weekend! Stunning picture and it is so magical to watch a sunrise and sunset and they happen everyday but I NEVER see one. I am going to change that. 🙂

  • Liz
    October 21, 2011 at 11:58 am

    I am going to steal my mom’s slow cooker this weekend! Muahahaha. I have 3 friends that are dressing up as cats (and two of them did last year) so I don’t think it’s weird at all! But my favorite idea was dressing up as your businesscat’s secretary. Now there’s a costume.

  • Sonia (the Mexigarian)
    October 21, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    Setting up a booth at the Salinas Food and Wine festival this Saturday. Well, artwork. 😀 And it’s not weird at all to dress up like your cat. My sister does it even when it’s not Halloween. (Arcata people have crazy themed parties) This year I am Chiquite banana girl and Hubby is giant banana.

  • Kati @ The Ivey League
    October 21, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    I like to read in the bathtub 🙂 And b-fast quesadillas sound amazing!

  • korina
    October 21, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    I was all kinds of giggly reading this 😉

  • Mikaela Cowles
    October 21, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    One of my good friends just pointed me to your blog and I LOVE it! What a delightful list of things to do. I am particularly fond of reading in bed. Well, reading anywhere. I haven’t read The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, but perhaps it’s time I did. Most of my reading these days is devoted to work. Thanks for the inspiration!

  • Maureen
    October 21, 2011 at 11:29 pm

    I must admit…#1 & #5 are on my weekly weekend to do list! Most of the time the wine from #1 leads to the dancing in #5…just sayin’

  • Becky
    October 22, 2011 at 3:16 am

    Just wanted to let you know that I made your gingerbread pancakes this morning and they are excellent. My husband and I both loved them. Thanks for the recipe!

  • Megan @ blackberries for jam
    October 22, 2011 at 4:26 am

    You got me completely hooked on Diane Chamberlain. I read the Midwife’s Confession in a day and I’m almost finished with the Secret Life of CeCe Wilkes. I can’t wait to tear into another one!

  • Katrina
    October 22, 2011 at 4:33 am

    Such fun weekend ideas! Love it!

  • Teri [a foodie stays fit]
    October 22, 2011 at 8:41 am

    I tried to watch the sunset last night with a glass of wine but there are too many trees in NC to see it from my house! 🙂

  • Alix
    October 22, 2011 at 9:19 am

    Why do you feel guilty about reading? I think you should be proud to be a reader!

  • Vanessa @ Project Zen
    October 22, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    The only BAD thing about reading in bed (or a hammock, if one is so lucky!) is falling asleep in bed and not finishing the rest of the book or magazine! haha!

  • Shelley
    October 23, 2011 at 5:33 am

    I am determined to get at least 1/2 way through this list today!

    Thanks for the motivation~

  • Austin
    October 23, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    I just made your Kabocha Squash Soup, and it was so delicious and creamy! And the best part is how simple it is! I shared it with my mom, because she was looking for a squash soup recipe.

  • Ashley
    October 24, 2011 at 8:52 am

    I made your white chicken chili last night for my family and everyone raved about it! Just the right combination of spicey and creamy. Warmed up our little New England evening. Thanks, Jenna!

  • KatieG@ Just Roll With It
    October 28, 2011 at 6:14 am

    impromptu dance parties are the best! i’m glad i’m not the only one!