Fall Camping

We went to our favorite place to camp this past weekend for "Little Tykes Pumpkin Patch" weekend.  Jellystone in Fremont, Indiana.  Favorite.
Lots of activities on the schedule, not to mention the whole family up for the weekend, along with some football.  Mom and Dad were able to snatch up a cabin so it was perfect.  Weather cooperated nicely giving us warm temps during the day and cool temps at night for the fire. 
Friday night was basically spent around the fire...talking and making s'mores and pudgie pies.  These are moments I love. 

Saturday morning we geared up for the big Michigan State vs. Notre Dame football game.  Amber, being from the Michigan State area, of course, had to support her team.  Her girls agreed ... as did our girl, with out team ;)

Pumpkin picking at the pumpkin patch was up first. 

Next was ceramics.

And lastly, we did some trick or treating at the field.  LOTS of little ones.  Ruby even dressed up for the occasion!

The men pretty much enjoyed the day watching football games...

Went back to the camper for a "fall like" dinner before the game...bread bowls, chili, baked potatoes with all the fixins, apples/cookies with pumpkin dip, donuts and hot cider!!  Couldn't have asked for a better menu.  All great hits!  Especially the chili and pumpkin dip I got from pinterest! 

Chili
2 tsp. oil
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. ground beef
1 can 14 1/2 oz diced tomatoes
1 can dark beer
1 c. strong coffee
2 cans 6 oz tomato paste
1 can beef broth
1/2 c. brown sugar
3 1/2 Tbsp. chili sauce
1 Tbsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. cocoa
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. cayenne
1 tsp. coriander
1 tsp. salt
4 cans 15 oz. kidney beans
4 chili peppers, chopped
Heat oil.  Cook onions, garlic and meat until brown.  Add tomatoes, beer, coffee, tomato paste and beef broth.  Add spices.  Stir in 2 cans kidney beans and peppers.  Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.  Add 2 remaining cans of kidney beans and simmer for another 30 minutes.

Pumpkin Dip
1 cool whip
1 instant vanilla pudding mix
1 can pumpkin
Mix well and serve with apples and/or vanilla wafers

Watched the game during the campfire...it was kind of chilly for me, but perfect for this time of year.  So glad ND pulled out the win.
Sunday...always a sad day.  Pack up day.  The girls got in one more swim at the indoor pool and we were off for home by 2 pm. 

Family, food, football and fun.  Great weekend!

Blueberry French Toast Bake

Was looking for a french toast bake without cream cheese to make with blueberries (to celebrate red, white and blue this weekend) and stumbled upon this recipe.  The whole family LOVED it!!! And it's super easy breezy!!!! 

1 loaf texas toast, cubed
6 egg whites
3 eggs
1 3/4 c. milk
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
12 oz. blueberries, frozen or fresh (I use fresh)
2 Tbsp. butter
1/3 c. brown sugar

Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray.  Place cubes in pan.  Mix egg whites, eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt in a bowl.  Pour over the cubes making sure all are wet.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Uncover and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove and pour thawed blueberries over the top of the bake.  In a small bowl mix butter and brown sugar to make crumbs.  Sprinkle over the entire top.  Put back in the oven for 15-20 minutes.  YUMMMM!
ENJOY!!! 
Looks to be a hot one today...some lake plans in the works.  Happy Memorial Day!

A Favorite Sandwich

I have really been trying my hand at baking homemade breads lately and we absolutely LOVE this recipe!  Amish:
2 c. warm water
2/3 c. sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp. active dry yeast
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. vegetable oil
6 c. flour
In a large bowl dissolve sugar in water and stir in yeast.  Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.  Mix salt and oil into yeast.  Mix in flour one cup at a time.  Knead dough on lightly floured surface until smooth.  Place in a well oiled bowl and cover with a damp towel for an hour (double in size).  Punch dough down.  Knead for a few minutes and divide in half.  Place in oiled bread pans 9x5 and allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 
WE LOVE to make BBQ pork in the crockpot for some YUMMY sandwiches for dinner.  Tyler enjoys putting apple butter on this bread too.  SOOOO GOOOD!

Make Ahead French Toast

Since it is IHOP's Free Pancake Day (only asking for a small donation to Children's Miracle Network) and we are SERIOUSLY thinking of going because I can just smell the syrup now and pancakes from a restaraunt are just so much better than the ones made at home...
I thought I would post a favorite breakfast recipe of mine that has become a favorite of our family ... and sooo easy!
18 slices of bread, cubed
12 eggs
10-12 oz cream cheese, low fat
1 1/4 cup low fat milk
3/4 cup syrup
Dash of cinnamon
Splash of vanilla extract
Place 9 pieces of cubed bread into a 9x13 greased pan. Add cubed cream cheese. Add remaining 9 pieces of cubed bread on top. In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cinnamon and vanilla. Pour over the bread and cream cheese. Cover dish with foil and refrigerate overnight.
Remove from refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake for another 20 minutes. Serve warm with maple syrup. DELISH!
Now...going to get ready for IHOP...Pancake lovers unite!

Coveted Necklace

I finally got what I have coveted for several years now from Ben's co workers...the 1st Place Red Pepper Necklace for the best chili!!!! Yes, I have tried a different recipe each year and last year I came very close to winning...this year I took first place!! Found this recipe online and it sounded like something a bunch of warehouseman would like ;)
Serves 6-8
2 tsp. oil
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. ground beef
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can dark beer
1 c. strong coffee
12 oz. tomato paste
1 can beef broth
1/2 c. brown sugar
3 1/2 Tbsp. chili sauce
1 Tbsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. cocoa
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. cayenne
1 tsp. coriander
1 tsp. salt
3 cans of kidney beans
4 chili peppers, chopped
Heat oil. Cook onions, garlic and meat until brown. Add tomatoes, beer, coffee, tomato paste and beef broth. Add spices. Stir in kidney beans and peppers. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

Fall Chili

So I found this recipe in one of the magazines I have collected over the years and it is my favorite chili recipe when we get together (pumpking picking, etc) and I even made it for Ben's chili cookoff at work one year. The boss loved it so much he took the recipe home to his wife and they submitted it for Calorie Count (website). Too bad my chili didn't win at his work though!
Serves 6
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion diced
1 green pepper, diced
1/2 c. celery, diced
2 jalapeno peppers diced
1 Tbsp. garlic
6 oz. tomato paste
14 1/2 oz. diced tomatoes
15 oz. tomato sauce
14 1/2 oz. chicken broth
1 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 Tbsp. cumin
1/2 Tbsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
15 oz. pinto beans
15 oz. kidney beans
1/2 Tbsp. brown sugar

Heat 2-3 hours and enjoy!

Shrunken Heads

I had to post this because my kids really took a liking to this...well, Gabi thought it was cute, the rest of 'em just liked to eat them. Shrunken heads - idea from Martha Stewart! Made this to go with our donuts on Saturday night while watching the Notre Dame game.

Tailgate Foods

Made these to go along with our other tailgate foods this past weekend...they were a big hit with the kids ; )

Craving

Can I say I caught the last end of Rachael Ray's show yesterday, watched her make this, thought it looked delich and headed to the store for the ingredients???? It was YUMMY and easy too! Even Gabi liked it!

Chicken Kabobs

So I tried a new recipe Friday night...and it was a big hit at our house! Gabi helped put them together, therefore, more apt to try something different. She tried all the ingredients...even the peppers! I was impressed!

Another New Recipe

Made another new recipe last night from the same magazine (Kraft Foods). YUMMY. Everyone enjoyed it but said it could have used a little less spinach...I had to agree.

WHO IS READY FOR SPRING ALREADY???????????

Fettucini Alfredo

I tried a recipe that a truck driver gave Ben a few weeks ago. He claimed it was the recipe they use for Fettucini Alfredo here! Well, I fixed it tonight...super easy, added a nice side salad to make it a dinner, and lo and behold...it did taste exactly like it had come from that yummy restaurant. Try it yourself...
Heat up the following in a pan while cooking up a box of fettucini in some salted water:
1 stick of butter
1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
16 oz. heavy cream
When the above is heated well, add the following:
1 cup of mozzarella cheese
1 cup of parmesan cheese
Mix until melted and heated through. By now, the fettucini should be finished. Rinse the pasta and add the alfredo sauce. Mix well.
Next time we may just make 1/2 the recipe and eat it with breadsticks like Tyler enjoys!!
Super easy and yummy too!

Ultimate Comfort Food Dinner

Found this in a Krafts Food and Family magazine that I get. Made it tonight and it was soooo good. If you like Mexican food - especially tacos and macaroni and cheese, you'll like this one. Easy to make and tastes great too. I added the extra tortillas for crunch. After dinner, Trenton is off lifting weights, Tyler started Driver's Training, Gabi is enjoying bath time, and Ben is putting in a new garbage disposal. Busy evening again. No rest for the weary, I guess.

Yummy Chicken Dinner

Last night I got a new recipe from the latest Kraft Foods magazine that I get. Everyone loved it! To top it off I made a yummy pumpkin bread for the Fall Season. Great dinner and it was nice to eat with everyone home and off of practice (by 5:30 pm).

Deceptively Delicious

Watched Oprah yesterday...Jessica Seinfeld was on and she shared that she was absolutely tired of fighting with her kids when it came to eating their vegetables at mealtime. When feeding her infant one day she realized that while pureeing veggies for her infant and preparing a meal for her children - they happened to be the same color and why not combine them just to sneak it in their diet. It worked...the kids didn't even know it. I think this lady's on to something! I enjoyed listening to her story and reading about some of her meals. Granted my boys are older...Tyler doesn't care for too many veggies and Gabi...well, let's just say we practically have to threaten her to get her to eat them. Trenton...he's complete opposite. We call him the garbage disposal-not too worried about him. Anyways...I may try a recipe or two sometime. I mean, hey, when you can sneak cauliflower into a cookie and not even know it...that's big.

The BEST Banana Bread

I wanted to make something a little bland for my baby's tummy last night but yummy enough to satisfy the sweet cravings of our other family members...came up with this banana bread recipe from my new Taste of Home magazine (Oct/Nov 2007 issue). I left out the pecans because my kids aren't big fans of them and it was absolutely the BEST banana bread I have ever had! I can see why it won a prize for one of the best recipes! YUMMY! If you try it - let me know how you like it!
3/4 c. butter, softened
1 pkg. 8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. chopped pecans, divided
Glaze:
1 c. confectioners' sugar
3 Tbsp. orange juice
1 tsp. grated orange peel
In large mixing bowl, cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add bananas and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture. Fold in 1 c. pecans. Transfer to two greased 8 in. x 4 in. x 2 in. loaf pans. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. In a small bowl, whisk the glaze ingredients; drizzle over loaves. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
ENJOY!

Creamy Bow-Tie Pasta

Fixed this recipe on Wednesday night and all the kids loved it! I always feel I have accomplished much and struck it rich when I find something everyone loves!!!! Trenton even ate some for breakfast on Thursday morning! We LOVE it!

Creamy Bow-Tie Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli
prep: 10 min. total: 25 min.
3 c. (8oz) farfalle (bow-tie pasta), uncooked
4 c. broccoli florets
3 Tbsp. Kraft Roasted Red Pepper Italian with Parmesan Dressing
6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 1/2 lbs)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 c. tomato-basil spaghetti sauce
4 oz. (1/2 of an 8 oz. pkg.) Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese, cubed
1/4 c. Kraft 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese

Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the cooking water for the last 3 min. of the pasta cooking time. Meanwhile, heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and garlic; cook 5 min. Turn chicken over; continue cooking 4-5 min or until chicken is cooked through (170 degrees).
Drain pasta mixture in colander; return to pan and set aside. Add pasta sauce and cream cheese to chicken in skillet; cook on medium low heat 2-3 minutes or until cream cheese is completely melted, mixture is well blended and chicken is coated with sauce, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm. Add sauce mixture to pasta mixture; mix well. Transfer to 6 serving bowls.
Cut chicken crosswise into thick slices; fan out chicken over pasta mixture in each bowl. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Makes 6 servings, about 1 1/2 cups each.

Yummy Apple Crisp!

I made the best apple crisp out of that Kraft magazine I mentioned in an earlier blog! It was sooo good I thought I'd share the recipe...

8 c. (about 4 apples) thinly sliced apples
1/2 c. brown sugar, divided
2 tsp. cinnamon, divided
1/3 c. quick cooking oats
1/4 c. cold margarine
25 Reduced fat Nilla wafers, crushed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss apples with 1/4 c. brown sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Spoon into an 8 inch square baking dish. Combine oats, 1/4 c. brown sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon in medium bowl. Cut in margarine with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add wafer crumbs and mix well. Spread crumb mixture evenly over apples. Bake 30-35 minutes until apples are tender.

Can you say "YUMMY with ice cream"! We enjoyed our servings in front of a fire watching Tyler's Colts play!!!!!

Hot Cocoa

Well, school is back in session and things are back to the norm, or what I guess would be called "normal." It has been kind of quiet around here lately and I am suprisingly able to get alot of work done in my office as well as around the house. Over the Christmas break I made alot of hot cocoa for Gabi and I have become addicted to it...the good kind...the real kind...we aren't talking the little packets from Swiss Miss...this is the recipe off of the cocoa box and it is sooooo good! In fact, I am enjoying a cup right now!

Warm a cup of milk (either over the stove or in the microwave as I prefer)
Add 2 tsp. cocoa
Add 2 or 2 1/2 Tbsp. sugar
Mix well and enjoy!!! Good with marshmallows too!!!!!!

MMMMmmmm - it will sure warm you up on cold days like today!

Cookies

Can you believe there are only 12 days to Christmas? I cannot believe the time has gone by so quickly! This year has been terrible for me as far as baking cookies. I usually have my cookies done and in the freezer by Thanksgiving. Yes, that's right, I freeze them - it is so much less stressful to have to take them out of the freezer to unthaw then have to worry about making cookies when it gets so close to Christmas. This year was certainly a reminder since I don't even have them made yet. At least I have most of the Christmas shopping done, I still have a few things here and there, but other than that, it is done. That's a good thing. As for the baking, I will be going to the store today to get some ingredients to make some cookies. Since it is so late in the game, I just won't make as many different kinds...focus on the ones we really like instead. The kids always enjoy the cutouts, thumbprint cookies, and of course, the peanut butter with hershey kisses on top! That sounds like a good bunch - easy too! I will also be trying a different recipe for the "thumbprint cookies." It looks wonderful! I'll let you know how they turn out. Until then...finish up work in the office, off to the store, make calls for food for the tournament on Saturday, get started on those cookies, get dinner layed out, and off to a wrestling meet. 12 Days and counting...