“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” Anne of Green Gable
Girl, I couldn’t agree more!! I remember years of living in Florida where I craved the crisp fall air and the turning of the leaves. I’d often say I needed to go to the Northeast to experience the beautiful colors…
Then I moved to Colorado and I think we might have Vermont beat. The Aspens here alone are magical!
It’s not just their brilliant gold, it’s the way they shimmer in the breeze like little twinkling stars and how they pop in unexpected bundles among vast mountain sides of evergreens.
Fall in Vail
Last year we attempted camping to see the leaves, which as you might recall was a massive disaster. This year, my parents came to visit and I decided an AirBNB in Vail might be a comfy option for us all to get in a little extra Fall love.
We’ve been a lot of places around Colorado since moving, but this was a first trip to Vail and I can now guarantee we’ll be going back. There are tons of trails both paved and dirt, which means I can enjoy my road bike while David rides the gondola up to cruise down 10,000 feet of mountain bike trails.
Due to the weather, we opted not to bring bikes this time and instead spent a lot of time exploring on foot.
My poor parents live at sea level, so our hike at 8500 feet that went straight up hill was no joke! It’s easy to forget that the altitude can affect us all different depending on hydration, time to adjust and honestly just the day. Sometimes I don’t notice it and others, I’m like help I can’t breathe!
We also headed in to the main Vail village for awhile to explore (turns out there was a mountain bike festival so D was in heaven). I didn’t realize it would have such a Scandinavian feel, but I loved it! Truly reminded me of our European honeymoon.
Mountain towns are so fun with their cozy feeling! The only thing I dislike is getting stuck in traffic or the fact that we nearly paid $50 in parking for the day…yup we made David go move the car cause I just can’t stomach that. ha!
Healthy Chicken Potato Soup
After that time outside there’s nothing like coming in to a warm hearty meal…even better when that meal has been in the slow cooker so now you have nothing to do! Bonus points if you have a fire going and a movie rented so you can stay in to cuddle up as the night gets cold enough for snow!
In fact, we like to tease my mom about her love of chicken or more accurately her dislike of lots of other things. But it means I know I can always have a crockpot meal ready that she’ll enjoy when they come to town!
This time with cool weather setting in, I tried a new recipe and thus far I think it’s been one of the favorites I’ve made her. As evidenced by the 2 bowls that tiny little eater gobbled up! That’s more than she eats in most days.
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen soup starter veggies with onions, celery carrots
- 3 pounds red or golden potatoes, quartered
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
- 4 cups chicken broth
- Garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tsp parsley
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: add in some cooked chopped bacon for extra flavor
Directions
- Put in frozen veggies
- Put in spices
- layer chicken
- layer potatoes
- pour in chicken broth
- Cook on high 8 hours
- Pull out chicken and shred with fork (should be super tender and fall apart)
- Stir chicken back in
- Optional: Top bowls with cheese or sour cream for your dairy eaters
While I love everything about summer, yes even the super sweaty moments, I get excited for cooler temps because it feels more appropriate to eat all the soup!!! And in this case a soup that’s actually so thick I’d call it stew…is there a difference, I dunno, I’m not a chef. I just like tasty food that’s healthy.
Do you love Fall?
Do you have go to meal?
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I love Anne of Green Gables! I re-read the first four books in a week this summer!
Chicken and potato in a bowl of soup. Can’t say no that. Love it!!!