Ode to the Crock Pot

Heck yeah, y'all!! It's nearing that time again. The time in which I appear to have a remote clue of what to do in a kitchen! Do you know this guy in the picture? He and I are friends. He has helped me through a lot of indecisive times in the kitchen, made me appear to have it all together, & gave my husband the impression that I worked for hours to lovingly create a meal. 

It's a crock pot. It began in 2002 when some amazing soul (sorry that I don't remember who) gifted the bride-to-be with this gem. I am so indebted to this individual that purchased this from my registry, that I hope I appropriately poured out by love via stationery, perfectly monogrammed with my then-new last name. I'm sure I didn't do the justice that  was deserving...but it wasn't lack of appreciation, it was lack of knowledge for the true gift that I had recieved. This individual had clearly been a wife and mommy for a while and knew what an amazing secret with which she was intrusting me. It's like she let me into a club. Heck, the next person that I know that is getting married will be receiving a crock pot from the Hall family! It's the gift that keeps on giving! 

So...anyway...today's slightly cooler temperatures got me crazy excited and I hit my Pinterest board this morning to find a recipe worthy of the first pseudo-fall time of the year. Let me tell you the win-win situations that arose. First, I chose a recipe - honey bbq chicken made with a coke and some honey bw sauce. Pure simplicity! Here's win-win number one: Baby C (yeah, she's almost 3 and I still call her that - don't judge) could help me. Mom win. She's busy and happy. Boom. Win-win number two: I got to hear the opening of a full calorie, sugar laden, nutritional nightmare that is a regular Coke. Anditookasip. Did you catch that? I wrote it fast so you wouldn't know that I pumped a sip of terribleness into my body today after so diligently waking early to run six miles. Win-win number three: my house smelled terrific. My friend, Joy, came to visit & called out the lovely aroma upon arrival. Win-win number four: husband walked in and was impressed. Straight homemaker status! Yeah! So impressed that we are, and I'm now alone, blogging from our back porch swing while he plays with the kids in the front yard. That just seals the deal with win-win number five!! Yeah!! 

Are you in the market for a crock pot? Well, what are you waiting for?! Fall is desperately trying to show up - and you don't wanna miss prime crock pot time. Invite your peeps over for a tailgate. Look like homemaker of the year with this bad boy!! If it can make ME look good, then you might look dang close to Martha Stewart!! 

Is this pic from the potty or the crock pot?!? 😁 "Eww...that looks like doo-doo" - direct quote from the seven year old.  Don't even hate. 

Ends up looking (& tasting) like a million bucks!! Check out that fine china, too. You know you have some as well!!

Crock pot season in full effect!!! Yeah!!! 🙌