Preparing for Fall Festival and Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Well, you may have noticed that I'm behind on my "blogging."  This time, I have been making apple butter..
So, if its been a while since I've last posted, its probably because I have been peeling fruits of some sort!

We have also been preparing for the Fall Festival in Rogersville, Alabama. If you live anywhere close by, Please come see us!! It is this Saturday, October 16 from 10:00-2:00 in the downtown area (parking lot behind Hardee's.) We will be selling pumpkins, pear preserves, apple butter, pumpkin bread, sausage cheese muffins, chocolate goodies and other yummy treats along with many other vendors!  (I will post pictures and recipes on this later.)

Here is a picture from last year..

I was 9 months pregnant, mind you...
Also, let me tell you about our past weekend... We went to the pumpkin patch with some friends from Church.  Campbell had an absolute blast.  I must say that she takes after her Daddy because she was out there bossing the animals around the pin.

This pig would squeal and run away as Campbell just giggled and kept chasing!

Adeline on the other hand is a bit more timid around animals.

She was hanging on to Daddy for dear life.

Some other highlights of the trip were...

The baby ducks..Campbell was mesmerized..

They both enjoyed the miniature horse.

Campbell enjoyed the toddler play area.

 While Adeline enjoyed a snack.

And Campbell even got to be the leader of the "cow train.

We also got to pick out our own pumpkins..i.e.- Campbell picked out a pumpkin for Daddy, a pumpkin for Mommy, a pumpkin for Campbell and a pumpkin for Adeline.

And because Campbell dominated the photo shoot at the pumpkin patch, let me show you Adeline's new trick.

She likes to climb up in this rocking chair and rock herself...or Stand...

Whew!  3 days later I am finally finished this blog..quite a few interruptions these days!

Have a great weekend!

Heres to Taco Soup, Mini Fried Apple Pies and Long Time friends!

    So with this cool crisp air we have been experiencing this week, I have really been craving some good hearty soup.  This is one of my favorites, and it is also one of the easiest.

Taco Soup

This soup is so easy!  You basically just toss a few cans in a pot and you are done, no mess at all!
Ingredients:

• 2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can chili beans, drained
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 can beef broth (or water)- more or less depending on how "soupy" you want it
• 1 packet dry Ranch
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 lb. ground beef (optional)

1.  Brown the ground beef, and drain drippings.
2.  Pour tomatoes, corn, beans and broth into a stock pot.  Then add Ranch and taco seasoings.  Turn stove on low.
3.  Add ground beef to soup mixture.  Continue to cook for 2 hours.  (I think the longer it cooks the better, but you do not have to cook it that long...just until everything is warmed up.)

Perfect on a cool autumn day!

Also good topped with shredded cheese, sour cream and corn chips!

I also love anything apple and wanted to try something new for dessert tonight. So we had "mini fried apple pies," and they were OH! so good!

This recipe makes about 4 or 5 mini pies.  You can double it very easily.  But this was just perfect for our little family. (p.s.- mine got a little crispy-but that actually  made them even more delecious!)

Ingredients:

Filling:

• 1 apple, peeled, cored and sliced into chunks
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoon of sugar
• 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg (optional)- This gives it a little extra kick!

Dough (I promise this dough is REALLY easy to make, but you can also substitute biscuit dough)

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup of water (or more)
• 1/2 oil

1. Peel and slice apples into small chunks. Add sugar and cinnamon. Cook in a saucepan on low heat. Cook for about 15 minutes or until soft.  Set aside to cool.


2. Sift flour and salt together. Cut in the shortening. Add water and mix with fork.

3.  Roll out to about 1/8 inch thick on a floured board. Cut with a large cookie cutter or large glass.  (I used the lid of a mason jar.)

4.  In each round, place about 1 tablespoon of apple mixture. Moisten edges with cold water, fold and press edge with a fork.

5.  Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Fry pies, a few at a time, 2 to 3 minutes on each side; cook until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture or confectioners sugar. 
 
On a fun note, we are going to "Sissy's house" tomorrow.  Campbell is beyond excited, she loves going to Sissy's house. I will be getting to see many of my closest friends this weekend.  First I get to see long time neighbor and friend, Lar Lar.
 

 

Then, I will be getting to see my good friend, Becky, and I am so excited about meeting her baby girl, Lily Grace.  I will also be getting to see my long time friend, Starr, who now lives in Washington, D.C. 

Shoud be a very fun weekend! Thank goodness for GRANDMAS! Just wish both mine lived closer!

Have a good one!



Pumpkin, Spice and Everything Nice

    So, it's AUTUMN...And, I just could not resist baking some sort of pumpkin delights!

Using this recipe, I made a pumpkin loaf and LOTS of mini pumpkin muffins.  They were so delish.

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 and 2/3 cups of flour
• 1 and half cups of sugar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1/2 cup water

1.  Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, powder, cloves and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, pumpkin, oil and water.
4. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients and mix just until moistened.
5. Pour batter into a 9x5 greased loaf pan.  Bake for 65-70 minutes.
6. Let bread sit for about 10 minutes before removing from pan.  Then cool on wire rack.

*You can add nuts, pecans, raisens or even chocolate chips to this recipe.. I always leave it plain when taking it to others,  but it is great with toasted chopped pecans.

(Note: This recipe makes 1 pumpkin loaf)

I doubled the recipe so that I could also make some scrumptious mini muffins as well!  These mini muffins take about 15 minutes to cook.  These are great for breakfast or even an afternoon snack.  YUM!

And then I wrapped them nice to take to some friends.

And my sweet pea stole her a few as well..I mean, how could she not?

While I was sleeping..

So, I put precious Adeline in her bed for a nap, and right to sleep she goes.
      Then, I take Campbell to her room for a nap, and she ought to be tired after a full day of school.
               Then, I decide that I will lay down for a little while also...Mommy's need their rest too!

Well..about an hour later..I hear Campbell talking to someone.. who? I'm not sure.
         But this is what I discovered....

Campbell in a swimsuit, socks, and crocs!! And EVERY SINGLE piece of clothing from her drawers scattered across the floor!

I love that girl, but sometimes she does the craziest things!!

And this one likes to scoot...

She does not, will not, never will she crawl...She just scoots right along just fine on her bottom! :)

Have a great weekend, it's finally fall!



Chocolate Chess Squares

Ingredients:

Bottom Layer

• 1 stick of butter, melted
• 1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist Dark Chocolate Cake Mix (or flavor of your choice)
• 1 egg

Top Layer

• 8 oz. Cream cheese, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 box confectiones sugar

1. Spray 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Mix together melted butter, cake mix and egg.  Press down into greased baking dish.
3. Beat cream cheese, egg and conf. sugar.  Pour over cake mixture.
4. Bake 350 degrees for about 25-35 minutes.  (Edges should appear golden)

And...FYI... Fall begins this Thursday! (I hope the weather gets the Memo.) We are definately ready for some cooler weather. Along with everything else that comes with it...pumpkin spice lattes, apple pies, pumpkin muffins, and cute pictures like these!!

Happy Fall everyone!

Sunday Dinner- Pecan Crusted Chicken

Excuse my poor photography skills, I know this isn't the prettiest dish you've ever seen, but it sure did taste good!

 Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 1/2 cups finely crushed pecans
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 TB basil
• 2 TB chopped parsley
• cooking spray
• 2 egg whites

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a bowl, mix together crushed pecans, salt, pepper, basil and parsley.
3. Beat two egg whites in a seperate bowl.
4. Dip chicken breasts individually into the egg mixture and then the pecan mixture.
5. Arrange pecan covered chicken breasts on a lightly coated (with cooking spray or oil.) aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.
6. Bake for 20-25  minutes(or until chicken is done) on 400 degrees.

I actually made the chicken breats in advance for our "Sunday Dinner."  So that when I got home, all I had to do was stick them in then oven.  A very easy and yummy dish!  (My husband was just so glad that it was not a casserole!)

Oh Pears!

Sorry for my lack of posting lately.  I've been busy...peeling pears.

   

Pears, pears and more pears.  Our neighbor has a pear tree that is LOADED with pears this year.  She said she was not going to use any this year, and that I was free to pick as many pears as I'd like.  So what do you do with 100 plus pears???

First, I start with my famous pear preserves. 

Pear Preserves

Ingredients:

• 15-20 pears
• galloon of water
• 2 tablespoons of vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• sugar (about 6 cups)

1.  Peel pears.  Place in mixture of water, vinegar and salt.
2.  Core and slice pears into small chunks.
3.  Layer 4 cups of pears into large cooking pot followed by 2 cups sugar.  Repeat layers till you've used all your pears.  (DO not to exceed 10 or 12 cups of pears per batch)
4.  Let mixture sit for 20 minutes.
5.  Cook on high till it reaches boiling, then cook on medium for 20 minutes.  Remove from heat.
6.  Let sit covered for about 12 hours.
7.  Boil again for 20 minutes, or until reaches desired thickness.
8.  Immediately put into sterlized jars.
9.  Put jars in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.  (Click here for directions on canning)
(Yields 4 pints)

Enjoy on warm biscuits, pancakes or toast!

I love to give these as gifts for Christmas as well!

    I also wanted to try some kind of pear dessert to take to our Church's ladies meeting.  And this is what I came up with, Pear Berry Crumble.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 pears, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1/2 cup blueberries (I used fresh)
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 or 2 tablespoons flour
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup oatmeal
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/3 cup cold  butter (Chopped in small pieces)

1.  Arrange pears in pie plate, then sprinkle blueberries on top.

2.  Drizzle honey over fruit mixture.  Then sprinkle a tablespoon or two of flour over mixture (This helps to thicken mixture.)

3.  In a seperate bowl mix together, brown sugar, oatmeal, flour and cinnamon. 

4.  Cut in the butter into the oatmeal mixture until crumbly.

5.  Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the fruit.

6.  Bake 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.

(Note: You can exchange apples for pears in this recipe if you prefer.)

I thought it was delecious, and evidently, the ladies must have agreed also...

Well i finished with that round of pears, but there are still plenty of pears on the tree, so I think I am going to try some Pear Butter next.  I'll let ya know how that goes.

Speaking of pears, if you are in need of cute stationary, invitations, birth announcements, recipe cards or calling cards then you should visit
http://www.paisleypeardesigns/.
She can design and custom make your invitations and stationary to your own personal taste.  You can also visit her Etsy shop here www.etsy.com/shop/smitha5



And of course, here are a few pictures of my sweeties!