Walking In A Winter Wonderland

Yesterday, I woke up to this...3 inches of freshly fallen snow.

It was not forecasted for our area and I was so excited to see it.

It was magical, 

the kind of snow that sticks to every single branch on every single tree.

I went outside to take some pictures and was blown away by it's beauty!

I am a snow lover!

Home Chef

As promised, here is my review of the 

Home Chef

meal program after one week, I selected 3 meals, from the 13 offered.
In case you are unfamiliar with the program, visit their website here, to better understand it.
Everything needed to prepare these fabulous meals is included.

The first meal I prepared was Sirloin Steak with Blue Cheese Compound Butter
with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Green Beans


A recipe card is provided with each meal, with step by step instructions.

All of these ingredients were packaged in a cute little zip lock sack.

A look at all of the ingredients prepped...

Cooked and plated, this meal was delicious.

Next up...

Chicken with Parmesan Fondue Cream,
with a celery, apple and smoked almond salad.


Recipe Card

All the ingredients...

washed...

the chicken seasoned...

pan seared and finished in the oven.

Here it is plated, I thought this was my favorite until I had the pizza.

The Burrata Margarita Pizza...

The ingredients,


the recipe card,


prepped ingredients,


these flatbreads were included and cooked for 3 minutes directly on the oven rack.

Pizza sauce...

Done and plated, 
the burrata cheese was so good and is new to me.
Also included was prepared pesto for about 5 dollops on each pizza.
This was my favorite meal - these were so good.

The pizzas came with a small side spinach salad that was a little bit plain.
But the vinaigrette dressing was delicious!


Here's what the back of one of the cards looks like.


You get this cute binder with your first order, to keep your recipe cards in.


I really like Home Chef and I know I selected the right company for us.
I love the way the box was packaged, 
and also how the ingredients for each meal are packaged separately.
3 more meals will arrive today, Tuesday, I am so excited!
Cooking made fun again and the food is awesome!

Gull Island

Continuing from Saturday's post...

more from Gull Island

These two pictures are of a Loon

This pretty duck is a Male Bufflehead, a real standout in the water.

These ducks swim with fast jerky movements, always diving for dinner.
You have to be quick if you want a picture...
I am not quick but I am very patient.

One Male Bufflehead with two Female companions.

Two Female Buffleheads 

This Bufflehead swimming toward me, these ducks usually swim away from me...
another characteristic that makes them difficult to photograph.

All of the boats have been removed from the water.


The winter landscape looked really pretty to me...

The sky is gray, the air frozen,

the scenery is stark and the wild grasses that line the waters edge are a crisp dark brown.
This body of water will eventually lead us to the ocean.

The train went by while I was there.
There is something mysterious about trains, I adore the sound of the whistle.

Saturday Critters ~ 215 ~

While out for a drive, I stumbled upon this tiny, little park...

Gull Island County Park

Close to home, in Point Pleasant, NJ, 
I have written about our adventures in the town of Point Pleasant in past entries.

I was shocked to find this beautiful Blue Heron at this time of year.
I don't usually see them during the winter.

I was also excited to see these Male Red Breasted Merganser,

they must be staying here for winter.




Looks like he caught supper.

What a surprise and what a beauty!


I took a lot more pictures that I will share tomorrow!

Sharing today with

Eileen at Viewing Nature With Eileen