Birthday-in-a-Box

Okay...I have been so excited to write about this.  Of course, I have no pictures, so you will have to visualize.

My daughter really wanted to send a friend a birthday gift, and we had to send it by mail....It had to be a fun gift....So....We got creative....We got the right size box.  We lined the bottom of the box with a helium balloon.  She bought it and asked that it not be blown up....and, yes, she got a funny look until she explained what she was doing.  We included a more serious gift, a few small fun things, some cappuccino and caramel brownies, napkins, candles...sounds fun...but now it gets seriously fun. Everything was wrapped in tissue paper...all though the box she put grass-like confetti....and a ton of the bright confetti shapes.  Place a sheet of tissue paper on top, then seal up the box!  You can imagine what happens when the top layer of tissue paper is jerked off the top...now you can smile at the thought of what happened every time something was taken out of the box.  Little did she know that the gift was opened in a restaurant! 

Next time you send a gift, do a little extra to make it even more special....and fun!  Christmas is coming up...think ahead on what you might do.

I hope you all have a wonderful day....oh, and did I tell you that the gift tipped over on the ride home....confetti everywhere....This gift will probably be remembered for a while!

Super Hero Powers....Slow cooking?

Ever feel like you are pulled in so many different.directions?  Maybe you feel that you need super hero powers to make it through your day?  We all live in a busy world...too busy at times!  Next month my husband and son start coaching a homeschool basketball team.  It steps up our pace a good bit more...often challenging meal times.  I need good meal ideas for my family on practice and game nights...eating out gets expensive.  Some of us like to eat before we leave, yet my guys need to eat afterwards!  So, I turn to my crockpot.  Which reminds me, you should check out the Crockpot Girls on Facebook.  They have so many ideas. 

I am working on November's menu and have decided to do some Chicken Fajitas on a practice night...sounds like a "hit the spot" idea!

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas 

2 lbs chicken

2 cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans ro-tel tomatoes

green bell pepper, sliced

onion, cut in strips

3 tsp. cumin

4 tsp. chili powder

garlic. to your taste

flour tortillas

"Extras"  Mexican rice, lettuce, tomatoes....whatever you enjoy..that goes for the seasonings, also...sample and cater to your families likes!

In crockpot, combine the chicken, beans, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and seasonings.  Cover and cook on low about 5-6 hours.  Remove chicken; cool slightly.  Shred and return to crockpot.  Warm or fry tortillas.  Place the chicken mixture and extras in tortilla and enjoy!  Just imagine the smell of these when you walk in the door after a long day.

Okay, as far as needing to be Super Mom...it took me a while to realize something...we can run our kids to every event/ activity possible, stay busy...busy...BUSY...saying we are doing it all for the kids...they need to be happy after all...and I agree...I want my children to be happy.  My children are happy when I am being the (super) mom that God designed me to be.  Make sure you make time for that quiet time with the Lord.  It will help you focus on your day...to know what is really important.  Another hard lesson that I had to learn was that I need to learn when to say, "Ummm, no."  This is something that is hard for me to do.  Just remember, ladies, the Lord has great plans for you and your family....keep Him first!

Thanksgiving will be here....

House decorated, check.  I have my candy corn dish out, except this year it is filled with Halls cough drops and peppermints!  Seems someone is always under the weather...  Front porch decorated, check.  I did find some indian corn that would look cute around here...Be patient with buying your pumpkins, gourds, etc.... the deals will come.  Decorations do not need to be expensive...and it is fun looking for just the right things with your family.  Sounds of college football each weekend, check...oh, and that usually goes hand in hand with my husband and son "debating"  on whose team is best...and who will end up in the championship.  The leaves are changing...and falling.  Thanksgiving will be here soon...and around the corner will be Christmas.  Let's concentrate on Thanksgiving.  Face it...times are tight.  That does not mean Thanksgiving has to go unnoticed...

1. Plan ahead.  Start looking for coupons and special deals.  One year I got a turkey at a CHEAP price because one grocery store offered the turkey at that price with a $25 purchase.  It is only a good deal if you spend $25 on items that you need....Compare convenience foods to making it home made.  Depending on what your budget allows, start buying things ahead of time.  This is all common sense...and time consuming, but often necessary when trying to save money.

Making food for a lot of people?  Consider a potluck.  Ask your guests to bring certain dishes!

2.  Focus on Relationships.  Thanksgiving is not just about the food.  Our Lord, family, traditions...A favorite story around our home is my "first Thanksgiving being married."  Hours of cooking...beautiful table setting....candle-lit table...I walked over to the tv and turned off the football game (insert here:  sound of screeching tires, fire alarms, and the sound of my wonderful husband yelling).  Yes, he yelled, "WAIT!  What are you doing?!"  He proceeded to the table...told me the table looked beautiful and that I did also, prayed, filled his plate, turned on the tv, and patted the space next to him on the couch.  Traditions...memories!  We don't sit on the couch anymore while eating dinner.  Over the years we have worked on things that are important to each other and making adjustments.  I ask when the game is..and plan dinner around it... We had to learn a few things along the way...My oldest daughter said the other day that what she enjoys is the sound of the football games, the parades on tv in the morning as we eat breakfast and plan out what time everything needs to get into the oven....enjoying our Christmas decorations (yep, they are up by then..).  Don't forget the Christmas music!   You see, building memories and traditions do not need to cost money....time with each other and showing our thankfulness for each other is what matters.

Plan ahead and keep your focus on what is important.

Thanks for stopping by...Keep checking in for more holiday ideas and recipes...

Have a great day!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes....Save room for dessert...

New Mexico...a state full of flavor!  A little trivia...State trivia...vegetable? Chile and pinto beans.  Bird?  Roadrunner.  Insect?  Tarantula hawk wasp....

Burritos

A burrito is a staple of this state.  A flour tortilla wrapped or folded around a filling. Try a breakfast burrito sometime.  Scramble eggs, add cooked sausage, bacon, cheese, hashbrowns.  Just add your favorite breakfast items.

Burrito Recipe:

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
1 can (10 ounces) enchilada sauce, divided
6 (8-inch) flour tortillas
shredded lettuce
garnishes...for your taste
Directions:
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic until meat is browned, stirring often to break up meat.
2. Drain well.
3. Add chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper; simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add refried beans and 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce. Heat thoroughly.
5. Warm tortillas in microwave.
 6. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the ground beef mixture onto each tortilla; roll tightly and place seam-side down on serving platter lined with shredded lettuce.
7. Spoon remaining enchilada sauce over tortillas and garnish.
8. Can be served with any of the following: shredded cheese, sliced ripe olives, black olives, chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, sour cream or guacamole, and more shredded lettuce.
Yield: 6 burritos.

Sopaipillas

Sopaipillas are an incredibly light, puffy bread. To eat, tear them open and spread with honey. They must be eaten immediately while steaming hot!  Alittle time consuming, but worth it.  I first had these at a Mexican restaurant....always a favorite of mine!

Sopaipillas Recipe:

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lard* or vegetable shortening
1/2 cup lukewarm water
shortening or oil for frying
Directions:
1. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Work the lard and water in to make a soft dough. Cover and leave in refrigerator until chilled.
3. Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface, then cut into 3-inch squares or similar-sized triangles (about a 4 1/2-inch square, cut diagonally).
4. Deep fry a few at a time at 400F degrees until light golden brown, turning once.
5. Drain on paper towels.
6. Sprinkle with powder sugar or open and spread with honey.
*Using lard in the recipe, and frying with shortening rather than oil will make the sopaipillas lighter and is traditional.

Thanks for visiting with us!  See you next time in another state....

Football...Fun...Fall

Football.  As I have said earlier, I live in a divided house. Today was the big Michigan vs Michigan State game.  The State side won today.  So.  Two are happy...three are not.  Competition between my guys was fun...This year we had spicy chicken, regular chicken strips, mozzarella sticks (one of my favorites), shrimp, and cheesy fries.

Our Cheesy Fries are easy!  Cook your fries.  Sprinkle shredded cheese and bacon bits on the cooked fries.  Return to the oven until bubbly.  Eat right away.  We like to dip the cheesy fries in Ranch dressing.

Fun. Celebrating Sweetest Day,  my husband took me out for dinner last night.  Mexican, of course!  Red roses this morning....Time alone with my husband!  I really do have a wonderful man - I am so thankful for him.

Fall.  Hmmm....Two "fall" things.  #1.  My porch is done.  I do have a picture of what I decided to do with the red wagon.  There are a few more pictures on my facebook page.

The #2 "fall"  has to do with the "fall"en tree on the back of our house.  Yep, it's a pretty windy day!  The house trembled...

The stump on the left is where the tree used to stand.  The house and everyone is okay. 

Hope you all have a great weekend....tell someone today that you are thankful for them...and why!  It will mean a lot to both of you.

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...Washington

Let's make a stop in Washington....God has blessed us with a beautiful country.  I caught myself saying (again)...what scenery!
Crab cakes are on the menu of Washington's Space Needle.

I will be honest ....I really have no desire to go UP....something about that....well, I would probably take pictures...but, no, my feet will stay firmly on the ground....These crab cakes sound yummy!

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Crab Cakes

Ingredients:	1 pound of crab meat- drained 1/4 cup fine diced white onion 1/4 cup fine diced bell pepper 1/4 cup fine diced celery 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 beaten eggs 1 Tbsp. fresh chopped parsley 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. of dry mustard 3 cups of bread crumbs 1 Tbsp. butter
Directions:	1- Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours. 2- Form medium-size patties, 3-1/2 across and 1/2" thick 3- Melt butter over medium heat in a frying pan, add patties and cook until lightly brown. 4- Top with sour cream or tarter sauce. Can place tarter sauce or sour cream on table so that guest can help themselves. Serve hot. So, if the Space Needle is not for me...I found a place that I could spend for a very long time...Pike Place Market.  Looks like they have a lot of fun things in this market. With the holiday season approaching...My mind starts turning with new ideas...By the way, Pinterest is so much fun!  Be careful because you can spend a lot more time on there than you intend.  I am coming up with some cool holiday ideas. (Sorry, that was a rabbit trail...)  Anyway, after Thanksgiving dinner and the football games are still on...make an already special day an extra special day!  Make an outside tree for your birds and squirrels.  ~Spread peanut butter on a pine cone and then roll them in birdseed.  Attach a pipe cleaner as a hanger. ~String cranberries and popcorn. ~Tie stale doughnuts to a tree with pipe cleaners. Put all of this on a bush or tree. Have fun watching God's creatures enjoy your gift to them. Enjoy your family! Thanks for stopping by!

This is a good one...something different, but when muffins sound good...yum....Easy to get in the oven and you will still have time to get everyone ready and out the door!

Peanut Butter Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 sugar

1 tbl. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup peanut butter

3 tbl. cold butter, divided

2 eggs

1 cup milk

cinnamon-sugar

jelly, optional

 

 

 

~In a large bowl, combine first four ingredients. Cut in peanut butter and 2 tbl. butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat the eggs and milk, stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 2/3 full.

~Bake at 400 degrees for 15-17 minutes or until muffins test done. Melt remaining butter, brush over tops of muffins. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Cool for 10 minutes; remove to a wire rack. Serve with jelly, if desired.

 

Have a great day!  Drop in again soon...

Fifty Nifty Recipes...Louisiana

Home sweet home....this is where I was born...and grew up here.  Home of the LSU Tigers, pork rinds that are made fresh and bought from a roadside stand....tall, beautiful trees, and paper mills....I grew up learning how to drive behind  logging trucks.  They always looked like they were hauling way too much...scary thought when following them.  Never forget the day my dad told me to, "Pass the truck..." 

 I grew up in the northern part of the state.  It is very different from the southern part of the state...the people often speak and eat differently there, swamps and alligators sun bathe on your sidewalks...well, they have been known to do that!

I lived in the country with horses, dogs, cats....if it sleeted...everything had to shut down.  We would put chains on our tires when it was that slippery (a rare occassion).  Small community with one intersection and railroad tracks....Both my grandmothers lived a couple hours away.  Every summer my sister and I would spend a week at each house!  Quiet life?  Yes...it was wonderful.  Do I want to move back?  No.. I would not be able to handle the humidity.  It is a beautiful state and holds a lot of memories for me.

The first recipe is my Cheater Chicken and Dumplin's.  I now use the recipe that my grandmother used.  I still have her recipe that she cut out of the newspaper!

1 chicken

2 pkg flour tortillas

salt and pepper

Yep, that's all you need.  Boil your chicken, salt and pepper the water.  Remove chicken when done.  Debone and cut into bite sized pieces.  Add enough water to the broth to make nine cups.  Salt and pepper to taste (I like ours on the peppery side).  Bring your broth to a boil.  Cut tortillas into 1/2 x 1 inch pieces.  Drop them into the boiling broth, stirring only enough to separate pieces.  Reduce heat to lowand cook about 15 minutes.Remove from fire.  Fold in the chicken.  Cover and let set about 10 minutes before serving.

There are so many recipes that I would love to share with you from my home state.  Whether you are from the northern or southern part of the state...so many flavors to enjoy!  It was a great place to grow up....

Sunday Dinner

Sunday dinner was wonderful!  We tried a new recipe...Coca-Cola Chicken!  Definitely one that we will do again.  Here is the recipe, then we will continue our tour tomorrow.

Coca-Cola Chicken

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 tbl vegetable oil

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 (12 oz) can of coca-cola

1 cup ketchup

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 pepper

4 1/2 tsp.cornstarch

3 tbl cold water

In a skillet, saute onion in oil until tender.  Add chicken; brown on all sides.  Carefully add cola, ketchup, garlic, salt and pepper.  Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.  Remove the chicken and keep warm.

Combine the cornstarch and cold water until smooth; add to the skillet.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Return the chicken to the pan and heat through. 

 Mashed potatoes and green beans with the chicken....then a nap!  It was a good afternoon.

Let's continue on with praying for our children...hang in there with me.  There are about 30 virtues!  Prayer is so important, but please don't forget how important it is to teach about these virtues throughout your day with your family...and by your example.

#5.  Self-control...1 Thess. 5:6  I pray my children stay alert and have self-control in everything they do....not just "follow the crowd."

#6.  Love for God's Word...Psalm 19:10  God's Word should be more precious than gold to them.

#7.  Justice...Psalm 11:7  I want them to love justice as God does...and act justly.

#8.  Mercy...Luke 6:36  That they will be merciful....

#9.   Respect (for others, authority ,self...)...1 Peter 2:17  Probably no explanation for that one...

Wow!  How convicting this is for me when I pray for my children...It is never too late or too soon to pray for your children...My husband tells the story of how I when was pregnant with my oldest I would set a cassette player (Yes, before Cd's and MP3's were out...) on my belly...and let her listen to good music ...and Mommy and Daddy talked and prayed with her a lot. 

Don't pray when you feel like it.  Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it.  A man is powerful on his knees.

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?

~Corrie Ten Boom

Fifty-Nifty Recipes... Rest Area....yes, again!

I think you are right...seemed like we just had a rest stop.  Well, today was just too pretty to research a state inside....the colors are really looking pretty here.  It will get even more colorful.  Today I grabbed the camera...time for some fresh air and sunshine.  Today we will just sit on my front porch and listened to the crickets and birds...and the sound of college football through the open window.

Several deer have come right up to the back of our house.  The deer seem to like to watch us...watch them!

Across from our house...our Internet is being extremely stubborn right now...I have more pictures to share, but I guess they will have to wait.  It would have to be the picture showing off some beautiful colors!

Here is a favorite site of mine...so many good recipes!
"http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=109224"  Gooseberry has a lot of cobblers, crumbles, etc. for you to browse through when you have time.  Enjoy your day, your family, and your football! 

A few years ago  I came across a list of things to pray for your children...I have used it since that time.  Pray for your children...about everything.  Does it take time?  Yeah, but they are worth it, right?  Example...when they are five, do they need a husband then?  No, but I pray for their spouses.  Still do...it is so important.  You don't need a name....you can fill in the blanks later....There are things they need now though.  Take the time for prayer!

1. Pray for their salvation.  John 3:16
2.  Pray for their "growth in grace".  2 Peter 3:18
3.  Love.  I want them to live a life of love..  Ephesians 5:2  Lots of verses....makes a good Bible study!
4.  Honesty and integrity.  Psalm 25:21

I will do more next time!

Thanks for stopping by!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes....Oklahoma!

More than 400 miles of Route 66 are in Oklahoma.  Loaded with things to do for the family.  Museums, water parks, farms, shopping...If my family were traveling on Route 66 we would probably stop by a Route 66 museum...for the history, stop by some local gift shops...I would like to get some pictures of a couple of ranches.  One website told there are some ostrich ranches...and some dude ranches.  We would have to take a break at some point to eat at a diner on Route 66.  Found several in my researching, but could not find a pic for you.

Oklahoma actually has a state menu:  fried okra, squash, cornbread, bbq pork, biscuits, sausage and gravy, corn, chicken fried steak, pecan pie, black eyed peas...and last, but not least...strawberries and watermelon!

Here are a couple of recipes I found:

Chicken Enchilada Dip

3 cooked, boneless chicken breast halves, shredded

2 (8 ounce) packages light cream cheese, softened

4 green onions, chopped

1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilie peppers

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. chopped cilantro

1 T. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. paprika

In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken, light cream cheese, green onions, diced tomatoes with green chilie peppers, garlic and cilantro. Season with chili powder, cumin, oregano and paprika. Cover and chill at least 2 hours.

Kickin' Cornbread

2 pouches (6.5 ounces each) Betty Crocker cornbread and muffin mix

1/4 cup butter or margarine

2 eggs

1 can (14.75 ounces) cream style corn

1 can (4.5 ounces) chopped green chilies, undrained

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray 9" square pan with cooking spray.   Mix ingredients until moistened...the batter will be lumpy.  Spread batter in pan.  Bake about 30 minutes or until golden brown.  Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

See you soon! 

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...The table is set for a special occassion!

My daughter wanted to pick the state today.  Washington D.C....hmmmm, but what about?  Presidents...and their favorite foods.

Ronald Reagan loved jelly beans; licorice being his favorite.  Three and a half tons of jelly beans were shipped to the White House for the 1981 Inaugural celebration.  The blueberry jelly bean was invented so that there would be red, white, and blue jelly beans at the festivities.

Ulysses S. Grant enjoyed cucumbers soaked in vinegar.  Um, for breakfast.  Franklin Roosevelt liked grilled cheese.  James A. Garfield liked a hot bowl of squirrel soup....confession, I have actually had squirrel dumplin's, so I guess I better not judge him too quickly.  Here is one...Woodrow Wilson would have 2 raw eggs in grape juice for breakfast!  There are a lot of "normal" favorites out there also (besides the grilled cheese).  James Madison enjoyed a meal of ham, rolls, apple pie, and cider.  A common breakfast among the presidents were pancakes, toast, and/or eggs...and lots of coffee!

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT'S BIRTHDAY CAKE
1 cup Butter Or margarine
1-1/2 cup Sugar
3 Eggs, well beaten
1 cup Cold black coffee
2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1 tablespoon Vinegar
Cream butter and add sugar, a little at a time. Cream well; add eggs. Sift flour, salt, soda and cocoa together 3 times. Add coffee with flour mixture to batter, alternating. Then add vinegar and vanilla. Bake in 9-inch layer pan 20 to 35 minutes in 350 degrees oven or in loaf pan about 30 to 40 minutes in 350 degrees oven.

Our table is set...Here is a family idea...On President's Day (in February) celebrate by having "presidential favorites."  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner...whatever works for your family schedule...but make it a special day.  Remember the things that these men have done for our country...and pray for those in leadership now.  Thanks for stopping by today.  One more recipe to consider....Have a great day!

Laura Bush's Potato Soup 6 cups left over mashed potatoes 2 tbsp. butter or margarine 1 medium onion, diced 1/2 lb. of bacon, diced, cooked and drained well 1 large red pepper, diced 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated 1/2 cup chives, minced 4 tbsp. sour cream approximately 2-3 cups of whipping cream, half and half or milk Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

In a large soup pot, saute onions and red pepper  over medium heat in 2 tablespoons butter until onions are clear. Add bacon, potatoes and whipping cream to desired consistency. Skim milk or chicken stock may be used to reduce calories. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a garnish of a dollop of sour cream,  grated cheese and chives.

Ham and Cheese Linguine...and fall fun!

Taking another break from our U.S. Recipe tour.  Time for some linguine!

This is one of those recipes that my family says," Oohh, you know what sounds really good?"

Ham and Cheese Linguine

8 ounces uncooked linguine

2 cups cubed fully cooked ham

1 can cream of mushroom soup

2 1/2 cups shredded swiss cheese, divided

1 cup sour cream

1 medium onion chopped

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

2 tbl. melted butter

Cook linguine; drain.

  Meanwhile in large bowl combine the ham, soup, 2 cups cheese, sour cream, onion, green pepper, and butter.  Add the pasta.  Toss to coat.  Transfer to a greased 13x9 pan.  Cover and bake at350 degrees for 35 minutes.  Uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheeses.  Bake 15-29 minutes longer until the cheese is melted.  Garlic french bread is wonderful with this...

Enjoy!!

Make it an extraordinary day....

I wonder how much clear contact paper I went through...covering colorful fall leaves.  We put them on the dining room table...in the windows...so much fun.  Go on a scavenger hunt with your kids!  Nothing fancy....Spread a blanket out on the ground and share a snack. 

I'm ready for a cup of cappuccino...enjoy your family!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...Freedom and Unity

"Freedom and Unity" is the motto for the Green Mountain State...or Vermont.  About three-fourths of Vermont is forest!  Must be beautiful this time of year.  Did you know that Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream gives their ice cream waste to the local farmers to feed their hogs?  Did you know that the hogs seem to like all the flavors except mint oreo...?  Just one of those fun facts!

Since Vermont has the largest production of maple syrup in the country, I searched for a few maple recipes.  The baked squash and maple syrup recipe is delicious.  I had it at a church potluck....I remember a mom trying to convince her small son to try a bite...He decided it looked like pumpkin mashed potatoes...He ended up having a second helping of "Pumpkin Potatoes" because he liked them so much...

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<>Vermont Maple Float

• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1 scoop vanilla ice cream

Directions

1. Pour milk into tall glass, stir in maple syrup. Mix well, and top with a scoop of ice cream.                 

Ingredients 3 1/2 pounds butternut squash 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup diced onion 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 cup chicken stock 1/3 cup real maple syrup Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place squash halves, cut side up, on large baking sheet. bake until very tender, about 50 minutes. Remove from oven and cool slightly. Using large spoon, scoop out squash flesh and transfer to large bowl. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add chopped onion and ground nutmeg and saute until onion is tender and light brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to bowl with squash. Add chicken broth and maple syrup. Puree mixture in batches in processor until smooth. Season squash puree with salt and pepper. Return puree to same saucepan. Stir puree over medium heat until heated through. Transfer to bowl and serve.  **I found theses recipes at www.allrecipes.com

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Fifty-Nifty Recipes... Home of...Don't miss this one!

This state is the home of cotton candy, Mountain Dew, the MoonPie, the first tow truck...miniature golf...the first self-serve grocery store, The Piggly-Wiggly.  Davy Crockett was born here...home of the Titans...Presidents?  No.  No presidents were born in this state, but several claim it as their state.   Cracker Barrel started here....this is where I like to enjoy chicken and dumplins' and turnip greens!  Whether the kids (ages 19,18, 16) are with my husband or not...the old-fashioned candy sticks are a must.  They still request their favorite flavors!

Fort Donelson is also here....  www.nps.gov/fdnc/      Years ago we visited this fort.  Well worth your time if you are in....TENNESSEE!!

I found a recipe for Hillbilly Caviar...

2 (15oz) cans black beans, rinsed

1 (17oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

2 large tomatoes,chopped

1 large avocado, diced

1/2 red onion, chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Dressing:

1 Tablespoon vinegar

3-4 Tablespoons lime juice

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Combine all ingredients. Cover and chill. Serve with tortilla chips. Serves 24.

A few years ago I found a copy cat recipe for Cracker Barrel's Hashbrown casserole....it has become a family favorite.

Cracker Barrel's Hash Browns Casserole - Copycat Recipe - Food.com - 15242

I hope you enjoyed our visit in Tennessee. 

See you next time...in another state!

Check out my new FB page...still under construction, but would love to have you visit me there!

Pumpkin Fun!

My earlier post made me think more about pumpkins...  We don't always carve ours, and it made me think of ways to make our pumpkins fun and useful...This would be a fun activity with your family.  Even the preparations would be fun together!

Enjoy your family time! 

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Pumpkin Bowling

Object of Game: Knock over the bowling pins. See who can get a strike! 

Preparation:

1. Select several small pumpkins about four to six inches in diameter. You need extras in case a few split or break.   Using frozen pumpkins put an extra fun twist to the game!
2. Place a few 2-liter bottles as the pins.  Let the children decorate them.  You might need to weight the bottles down...use sand , dry beans, etc.

Playing the Game:

1. Measure off several feet.
2. Give each child two tries to knock down the pins.



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Pumpkin Penny Pitch

Object of Game: To pitch a penny into a pumpkin.

Preparation:

1. Carve out  several pumpkins and line the inside with plastic or aluminum foil.
2. Make the top opening big. 

Playing the Game:

1. Place the pumpkins a couple feet away.
2. Give each player ten to twenty pennies.  See who can get the most pennies in.

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Pumpkin Ring Toss

Object of Game: To toss a ring around a pumpkin.

Preparation:

1. Carve out a one to three pumpkins.
2. Buy or make three or four rings about twice as big around as the pumpkins.
3. If you don't know what to use, try aluminum foil twisted into a circle, then wrapped in duct tape.

Playing the Game:

1. Measure back several feet, depending on age group.
2. Give the rings to the player. See who can "lasso" the pumpkins! 

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Fifty-Nifty Recipes....Idaho

Idaho's state fruit is the huckleberry.  According to my reading, this fruit is hard to find.  I did find several recipes using huckleberries.  Pancakes, muffins, and cobblers-all of which stated that blueberries could be substituted.  Sounds like the growing process is tricky...

  

Huckleberry Muffins

Read Reviews

By: Laura

“Huckleberries are a hard-to-find, delicious treat and finding recipes that use them can be even harder. I came up with this recipe as a variation of my favorite blueberry muffin recipe and they truly are delicious! If you can't find huckleberries, blueberries work well.”

Idaho is also known for potatoes.  There are so many ways to cook them...how can I possibly pick one recipe?

Potato Stamp Craft
http://www.pauladeen.com/article_view/potato_stamp_craft/

www.whyweloveidaho.com   has a lot of info on what to do if you are in Idaho.  The fall picture is gorgeous...of course, I might be partial to it because fall is my favorite season.

Hope you all have a wonderful day...I am in search for pumpkins and maybe some mums for my porch...Starting to see them, but looking for just the right price!

See you soon...