The Adventures of Julie and Bella 2025

Happy Crockpot Sunday, everyone!

Today was all about Fall🍂 in my house! There’s something about this season that makes me want to dive into the kitchen and get creative. My day started with preparing a turkey🦃 breast to slow cook in my crockpot—nothing says cozy quite like the aroma of turkey filling the house. But that was just the beginning!

Next, I tackled nearly half a bushel of Crispin apples🍏. These beauties were peeled, sliced, and prepped for not only homemade applesauce but also enough apple slices to freeze for two pies later on! My applesauce is always made by instinct—I trust my taste buds over any recipe. This batch resulted in eight pint-sized jars, with just enough left over for me to enjoy a fresh bowl right away. It’s moments like this that make all the effort worth it.🥰

As the applesauce was processing, I moved on to baking. Pumpkin 🎃Spice bread was on the menu, both a sugar-free version and a regular one. In total, I ended up with three regular-sized loaves and five mini loaves. The heavenly smell of pumpkin and spices filled my home—it’s truly the scent of Fall!

To top it off, I roasted two kinds of squash to serve with the turkey: Acorn squash, my favorite, and Butterkin, which is a delicious cross between Butternut squash and pumpkin. If you haven’t tried Butterkin yet, I highly recommend it—it’s the perfect combination of rich and sweet.

Now, after a busy and fulfilling day in the kitchen, Bella and I are curled up on the couch with my current read📚🐾, soaking in the warmth of the season. I absolutely love everything Fall brings—especially the chance to slow down, create, and enjoy the simple pleasures.

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!