Fall in Love - Day 8: Jalapeno Corn Bread

I called my sister Torrie who taught me this recipe but I couldn't find it writen down and of course she didn't call me back, so here is what I made up.

Ingredients
•2 packages of Jiffy corn bread mix
•1 ½ cups fat-free sour cream
•1/4 cup seeded chopped jalapeño peppers
•2 large eggs
•¼ cup sugar
•1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
•Cooking spray

Butter and honey for serving

Preparation
•Preheat oven to 400°.
•Combine all ingredients except the cooking spray in a large bowl. Pour mixture into a 9-inch cast-iron skillet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of corn bread comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Serve with butter and honey.






Enjoy!

It is FINISHED!!!

Today is OFFICIALLY my last day of work! Starting Monday I will be a bona-fide stay at home mommy (although I am going back in for a meeting Monday morning…boo and actually I will be working a little bit from home for the rest of the school year)!

While I can’t WAIT to start this new career, there are a few things I will miss about working at the school.

1. Sharing an office (not really an office, more like a room that was too small to be a classroom, but too big to be a closet) with Jane and Allyson.
2. Hearing how nice my clothes are, how good I smell and how pretty my hair is every morning from 6 to 9 year old kids (not just girls, some boys loved my shoes too:)
3. Repeating the phrase, “Please put the paper in the white flower tray on my desk in my office. Do you even know where my office is?”

(White tray is complements of Allyson who said she bought it for me because it looked Lacy and I seem like a Lacey kind of person...whatever that means:)

4. Answering the question, “What do you do here?”
5. Realizing that I like most middle school kids!
6. The pay check.
7. Hearing the kids say, “I am on green today!!!”
8. Walking kids to their car at the end of the day and how sweet their parents are to me (especially the woman who picks up her neighbor kids in the green Tahoe…she and her teenage son always bring a smile to my face!)
9. The rush of feeling like I accomplished something that made an impact on a kid, or improved a process or just made someone else’s life easier.
10. Picking Emrie up from the babysitter and having her smile when she sees me!

Things I won’t miss:

1. Waking Emrie up super early (even though she is a wonderful trooper and still greets me with a smile).
2. Feeling guilty about being late to pick her up from the babysitter (although we had wonderful babysitters who were super loving and understanding)
3. Hounding people to turn stuff in on time.
4. Checking e-mail and finding that someone replied to all, when it should only be replied to the sender (if you work for Imagine you TOTALLY know what I am talking about, especially when someone gets promoted and all the congratulations start rolling in).
5. Thinking about work and solutions to problems, to do lists, inbox issues, etc. while I should be playing with Emrie or talking with Phil.
5. Rushing home to make dinner and Phil rushing home to mow the lawn and barely getting everything done before it is time for bed.
6. Not having the time or energy to work out (and I am pretty lazy right now, I need some motivation).
7. Never being able to schedule appointments during the day and of course they don’t do stuff on weekends.
8. Meetings that go over by two hours and still don’t have a resolution.
9. Deadlines
10. Parents cussing me out (hey, I just work here, I didn’t make your kid miss the bus because they were hiding in the bathroom)

Thank you Miss Jane for my sweet parting gift...You truly are a joy to work with!

Fall in Love - Day 7: Pumpkin Spice, Mulled Cider Scents

Walmart has THE best $5 candles. This year they are extra special to me, because HOT was Emrie's first word and she LOVES to stare at the candles!

Fall in Love - Day 6: Carmel/Candy Apples (and Emrie's neighborhood friends)

There is something really fun about walking in to the grocery store and seeing carmel and candy apples in the produce section. That screams fall to me. It is even better when they are on manager's special for $1.29 for 3 so I can share them with the neighborhood kids who play with Emrie EVERY DAY (and it was one of the boy's birthday):)

The delicious carmel apple from Tuttles

The candy apples from Kroger

I just had to make them look pretty to give out to the kiddos

Emrie with her 'friends'...the neighborhood kids who come over EVERY DAY, ring the doorbell and ask if Emrie can come out and play. The first day they asked, I thought it was odd because she was only 7 months old. Now I think it is great because she loves it, they love it and I get dinner made!

Playing on our lawn

Miss K, Brother S, Emrie and Big J

Miss K is going to be an AMAZING babysitter!

Miss K pushing Emrie in the neighbor's swing!

I LOVE our new neighborhood!!!

Fall in Love - Day 5: Chili

It is not fall without Chili. I got this recipe for Easy Chili off Kraftfoods.com If I make it again I would cook it all day in a crock pot, and add a few of my own ingredients in there, like bacon and other stuff:)

First you brown the meat

Then you mix in all the ingredients

The chili was a tad bit watery for my style...that is why I would cook it all day next time

But the finished product was GOOD!

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 jalapeño peppers, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
3 Tbsp. chili powder
1 can (14.5 oz.) fat-free reduced-sodium beef broth
2 cans (15 oz. each) kidney beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (28 oz.) tomato puree
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp.soy sauce
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Directions:
BROWN meat in Dutch oven or large deep skillet on medium heat; drain, if necessary. Add onions and jalapeno peppers; cook 5 to 7 min. or until tender, stirring frequently.
ADD all remaining ingredients except cilantro and cheese; stir. Reduce heat to low; cover. Simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
TOP individual servings evenly with cilantro and cheese.
Kraft Kitchens Tips
Special Extra
Top each serving of chili with 1 Tbsp. BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream.
Substitute
Prepare as directed, substituting 1 pkg. (1 lb.) thawed frozen LOUIS RICH Pure Ground Turkey for the ground beef.
Creative Leftovers
Cover and refrigerate any leftovers. Reheat, then serve spooned over hot split baked potatoes.

Fall in Love - Day 4: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte SCREAMS fall to me, and what better way to start your Monday than with a warm cup!




Here is a Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe that I might need to try from loveveggiesandyoga.com:

Pumpkin Spice Latte (Vegan, Gluten Free)
1. Make coffee (a pot, a cup, in whatever fashion and however you prefer making your coffee. The stronger the better)
2. Make Pumpkin Milk
1 c milk (I used almond milk but use any kind you want from half and half to rice milk)
1/4 heaping cup pumpkin puree (more if you really love pumpkin)
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice blend, or to taste
1 tsp cinnamon, or to taste
1 tsp vanilla extract
sweetener of choice, to taste (I suggest 2 tbsp agave or 2 tbsp brown sugar or a pinch of stevia to taste; or try honey, maple syrup, etc. to taste)

Optional: pinch of ground nutmeg, ginger, garam masala, cardamom, or other warming spices to taste

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well by hand or blend all ingredients using a Vita or blender

Optional: Warm the finished pumpkin milk mixture in the microwave or on the stovetop (I do a quick nuke of about 1 minute)

3. Pour 1 c of brewed coffee into a mug and pour half the pumpkin milk mixture over the top of the coffee and enjoy. (Optional: Finish by garnishing with real whipped cream/whipped topping such as CoolWhip or TruWhip; and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice/cinnamon on top)

The other half of the pumpkin milk mixture is for the refill you know you will want. If you truly don’t want a refill, refrigerate it for up to a few days and use for your next latte, in a smoothie, or drink it as is. As long as you’re dirtying dishes, I always make a little extra for refills or for later.

Fall in Love - Day 3: Apple Picking

Shockingly, I had never been to pick apples before, but I had always wanted to. I feel like this is the ultimate fall thing to do. Now that I have been, this will become an annual event!

Nana, Mommy and Emrie at Tuttle's Apple Orchard

Hunting for apples

Looking for a good one

Found a great one....yummy

Ooooh....we have LOTS of apples

A bushel full

Nana pulling us back with our booty

The bees all around the orchard pollinating the apple trees and sunflowers

Until next year.....

Fall in Love - Day 2: Hot Apple Cider

I LOVE apple cider!

First you heat it up on the stove.

Then you put the mulling spice in.

Here is something I am going to HAVE to try.

With the spices in it...It makes the house smell AMAZING!
Ready to be enjoyed!
Just waiting for me to sit down and enjoy my Saturday!

Fall in Love - Day 1: Fall Fashion

Fall is my favorite time of the year and today is the official start of fall. I love everything about fall. I love the weather, I love the colors, I love the food, I love the clothes, I love the smells, and I love the sports. The only problem with fall is that it only lasts about 2 weeks:( So, inspired by my favorite 14 day season, I am going to do a 14 Days of Fall tribute. I will feature one of my favorite things about fall for the next 14 days, starting TODAY!

(Just so you are all prepared, most everything has to do with apples or pumpkins:)

Day 1: Fall Fashion

Here are my fall essentials that I just can't get enough of!

Cardigans: Especially in these three colors. They go great with jeans or dresses and make your summer wardrob last into the cooler months.

Jewel Tone Sack Dresses: If they have hiden pockets even better! They are so comfy and can be dressy or casual and they are really easy to accessorize.

Earth Tone Knit Sweaters: These just look amazingly comfy. I want to curl up with coffee and a good book when I wear these!

Navy Stripes and 3/4 Sleeve Jackets: Navy is definitly a fall color I am loving (and musturd yellow) and just like cardigans, 3/4 sleeve jackets go with EVERYTHING!

Scarves: Fall doesn't happen until you wear a scarf! They are the necklaces of fall. These are the ultimate fall accessory!

Boots: If scarves are the ultimate accessory, boots are the ultimate essential. If you have nothing else for fall, you have to have a pair of boots!!!! These boots were made for walking...in fall...in an apple orchard or pumpkin patch:)

These are my top 6 fall essentials (although I like plenty of other stuff as well). What are your fall essentials?

Capris Towers

Summer is basically over, but here is one last Hurrah to summer!

Since looking at all the wonderful food on Pintrest (are you sick of me talking about Pintrest yet?), I have become OBSESSED with anything tomato and mozzerela (blame it on my Italianess)

I just HAD to make these capris towers from stonegable.blogspot.com.
They were SUPER easy and look so pretty as an appetizer or salad for guests.

Ingredients:
fresh garden tomatoes
fresh mozzarella
fresh basil
olive oil
sea salt
balsamic olive oil



Directions:
-Cut tomatoes about 1/2~ 3/4 inch thick. Cut fresh mozzarella about the same.
-Cut basil into chiffonades and then chop finely. Save a few pretty tops of a basil plant for garnish.
-Pour a small pool of olive oil in the center of the plate.
-Stack 3 rounds of mozzarella and 3 tomato rounds alternately
-Drizzle more olive oil over the top of the stack so it runs down the sides.
-Sprinkle sea salt over the stacks and around the plate. Do the same with the fresh basil.
-Drizzle a little balsamic vinegar around the edge of the plate. Use a light touch! Too much will spoil the delicate balance of flavors.
-Add the basil garnish to the top of the stack.





I honestly made this in under 5 minutes, including getting the ingredients out and putting them away. I may have eaten it that fast too:) This is seriously a treat for me!!!

My Grammie

I was the first grandchild on my mom’s side of the family. For 2 years I was the only baby:) Because of that, I think I have a special bond with my Grammie. In reality our bond has more to do with our interests than my being the first grandchild.

My Grammie, Lorrie Zernickow, loves crafts, writing, music, hosting, photography and entertaining. She is adventurous and loves to camp and travel. Her living room has bookshelves full of photo albums from her trips. Now if that doesn’t sound like ME (with the exception that I am just starting to like cooking), I don’t know what does.
When I was a young girl we would visit my Grammie and she and I would sit and play all her instruments, specifically her banjo and accordion. She would play (I would pretend to play) and we would both sing. These were some of the earliest memories I have with Grammie.

Our family had a motor home and went camping for 2 weeks up the coast of California to Canada when I was in first grade. My Grammie went with us and cooked and cleaned every night. We saw the Grand Tetons, Glacier National Park, and a whole bunch of other cool places along the way. When we were at our campground, I think in Wyoming, Grammie was outside when a Buffalo walked RIGHT past her as she was cleaning dishes outside.

Blue Grass Festivals were a really special event that Grammie would take me, and ONLY me to. We spent the weekend with her singles group at a Blue Grass Festival and slept in tents and cooked over a fire and the whole nine yards. I was 12 and there was a reenactment of a shootout in the ghost town. They dressed me up like an 1800’s girl and I had to scream as my “dad” was shot out of a window (in the facade town). As you can imagine I thought I was the next Julia Roberts.

There were other weekends I would spend the night at Grammie’s house and we would always cook or create SOMEthing. Once she had bought a whole bunch of men’s vests at a garage sale and gave me lace and paint and every kind of embellishment known to man and let me decorate my own vest to wear in a photo shoot with her.

Hosting and cooking are maybe her favorite things to do. When Grammie married Rip I was 12, but I will never forget the hustle and bustle in her home that day. Not only did we ALL get ready at her house, but she and my Uncle Michael were COOKING for the ENTIRE reception in her kitchen and decorating her garage and back patio and pool for the reception! SHE DID IT ALL, and it was beautiful and very lavender (her FAVORITE color). Now she leads PotLickers (a pot luck group in her community) and hostest Halloween parties and Christmas parties and New Year’s parties and every other kind of party you could think of. She is a WONDERFUL planner and gracious hostess and no one will EVER go hungry under her roof!

Now that I think about it, I am fairly certain I get my planning personality from her. I am a ‘doer’ also, meaning I love to get an idea, spear head it and get it done!!! Glad I got that from her!

As I got older we talked about writing. My Grammie has BEAUTIFUL handwriting. She did calligraphy and her handwriting is so distinct, I can spot it from the house window as the mailman is putting her card in our mailbox. Not only is her handwriting beautiful, but she LOVES to write narratives. In her 55 and older community that she lives in, she taught a class on writing your autobiography and taught others how to research their lineage. She has sent me parts of my family history that I would have never otherwise known about.

She really opened my eyes to the medium of writing. Writing is an art. I am not very eloquent, but we share our hearts, thoughts, experiences and stories through writing to be passed on for generations. I want my family to know me, long after I am gone, so that is why I write.

I am my Grammie. Parts of her anyway. We are so similar and I love that as I have gotten older I see how much alike we are. I love you Grammie thanks for inspiring me!!!

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Here is a great side dish that would be perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas or Potlucks. I got the recipe out of a Kraft food magazine and actually their website kraftfoods.com has super great, fast recipes. I also like that you can type in any ingredients you have on hand and they will come up with a recipe for you!

I halved this recipe so I wouldn't have too much left over and it was great!

Ingredients:
2 pkg. (16 oz. each) frozen French-Cut green beans, thawed, drained
1 can (10 ¾ oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup
½ lb. (8 oz.) Velveeta cheese, cut into ½ inch cubes
1 ½ cups hot water
¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 pkg. (6 oz.) Stove Top stuffing mix for chicken

Bake it in the oven...

And enjoy!

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees
Combine beans and soup in 2 qt. casserole, top with velveeta
Add water to butter in meduum bowl; stir until melted. Stir in stuffing mix just until moistened. Spoon over bean mixture
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until heated through.

Happy eating!

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

My first “Pintrest Recipe” was slow cooker baked potato soup. It seemed very appropriate for fall!

The recipe comes from mamalovesfood.com so this is nothing I created, only stole! I was only making this for 4 of us, so I halved the recipe and still ended up with enough for about 2 more servings. Here is her recipe below.

Ingredients:
- 5lbs Russet Potatoes, washed but NOT peeled. Diced into 1/2 inch(ish) cubes
- 1 medium to large yellow onion, diced
- 10 cloves of garlic, whole
- 8 cups chicken stock
- 16 oz cream cheese (I used 8oz regular and 8oz lowfat)
- 1 TBS seasoned salt or all-purpose seasoning (I use Aunt Cora's Soulful Seasoning)

Garnishes:
- Crumbled bacon
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Green onions

My cooking starts out with a computer on the counter with the recipe handy

I had red potatos on hand so that is what I used.

The onions and chicken broth.

Thank you Linda Eaton for my Slap Chop. She gave this to me as a wedding gift and I LOVE it!

All the cut ingredients in the crock pot, ready for their 6 hour bath!

The soup after I threw in some bacon and chives.

The wonderful toppings....mmmmm

All ready to be enjoyed! Happy fall!!!

Directions:
- Add potatoes, onion, garlic, seasoning and chicken stock to slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours.
- Remove and puree the garlic cloves along with 1/2 to 1/3rd of the soup, and then reintroduce to the remainder in the crock pot.
- Stir in the cream cheese and allow to melt. Stir every 10-15 minutes until soup is well blended.
- Top with your choice of garnishes & serve!
- I added chives and bacon to the soup just because I like them:)

Yields about 10-12 servings.

It was delicious and tasted like fall or winter…I can’t wait to make it again and next time I will make enough to freeze also!