We are just getting The Cottage back to a normal routine after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. It always feels good to get all the decorations put away and everything organized once again. Come on in and we will have a cup of tea and talk about next weeks menu. . Sunday From Full Plate Thursday Dinner Chickpea Yogurt Salad at Cooking Is Easy Gluten Free Beef Pot Roast Crock Pot   at Elegantly Gluten Free Chocolate Gingerbread Cake   at Simple Girl Rosemary Rolls with Gorgonzola Butter at Alice In Wonderland Monday Chicken and Dumplings (Link) Green Tossed Salad Cranberry Oat Bars (Link) Tuesday From Sunday's Left Over Roast Beef Beef and Vegetable Soup Corn Bread (Link) Left Over Cranberry Chocolate Bars Wednesday From Miz Helen's Kitchen Table Cookbook Chicken Spaghetti  Tossed Green Salad Garlic Bread Lemony Nana Trifle (Link) Thursday Pork Tacos (Link) Guacamole Homemade Salsa Left Over Trifle Friday Salmon with Dill Sauce Steamed Mixed Vegetables ...

I am so excited that you are here to kick off 2012 with us, Welcome To Full Plate Thursday. There is no better way to start off a new year than with friends and great food. We had the greatest snacks and party foods last week and I am looking forward to the great food that you will be bringing in this new year. I can hardly wait to see what you have brought today. It's A Celebration Next Thursday and You Are Invited  Anniversary Party Full Plate Thursday One Year Anniversary January 12, 2012 This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Breakfast Instant Oatmeal Packets   at A Season For All Things Cinnamon Rolls at  Texas Cottage Morning Snack Gluten Free Chocolate Mint Brownies   at Gluten Freely Frugal Lunch Baked Southwest Roll Ups   at Hezzi-D's Fresh Cranberry Salsa   at Diana Rambles Christmas Sundae   at Gluten Free SCD and Veggie Afternoon Snack Cube Cake   at Something Sweet Dinner Chickpea Yogurt Salad at Cooking Is Easy Gluten Free Beef...

We just love Chicken and Dumplings, it really is a very comforting food. When the weather begins to turn chilly, one of the things I always want is Chicken and Dumplings. I usually double the recipe and invite someone to share it with us and today that is you.

I am so happy that you could come out to spend some time with us on New Years week end. It is hard to believe that the 2012 is here already. We are having some Good Luck Black Eyed Peas (Link) , so let me get you a serving, you will sure want to have Good Luck in 2012! We will just eat our Peas and look at the menu for next week. Monday From Left Over Ham Southwest White Bean Stew Southwest White Bean Stew Miz Helen's Kitchen 1 pound bag Great Northern Dry Navy Beans 2 14 ounce cans  Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies Medium or Hot 1 large onion chopped 3 cloves garlic minced 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 cup fresh cilantro chopped Option: 1 ham hock or 2 cups ham chopped Sort through the beans making sure all the beans are good. Rinse the beans well. Bring the dry beans to a rolling boil in 8 cups of water. Boil for 2 minutes, cover and take off heat. Let the beans sit covered for 1 hour. Pour the beans and water (making sure you have 8 cups of...

I took a walk this afternoon and the most beautiful red cardinal was sitting in the butterfly tree eating berries. I stood very quietly and just watched him for a while, his brilliant color stood out against the grey winter sky and the leafless trees. When I think of closing out 2011 with all of you that is what I think of is the brilliant color that each one of you have brought into my life this past year. You have come by to have tea with me, sat on the garden gate patio with me to watch the garden grow, and came right into the kitchen with me to  try out new recipes. We have gathered with friends on Thursday for Full Plate Thursday to enjoy each others company and the very best food.   We have laughed together and cried together, but most of all we have formed friendships. Each of you are so special to me and a wonderful part of my day. Thank you so much for being here! Wishing YOU Every Happiness and Abundant Blessings In 2012! Miz Helen