Monday, October 27, 2008

Apple Barn Orchard and Winery



We had a great (albeit frigid!!) time at the apple orchard yesterday. We enjoyed cider doughnuts, hot apple cider, obscure fruit wines (like blueberry and strawberry), and running (yes the sign does say "no running," but pictured is my little fairy girl reading the sign telling me it says "YES RUNNING!":) around the tree maze mini forest:) Today I'm having fun with the fruits of my labor (pun intended:), making an apple pie!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Triple-Cheese Broccoli Puff


I Love broccoli! However, every time I've tried to incorporate it into a vegetarian dish (besides broccoli soup:), it's truly tasted very bland--until this surprise recipe came along---this is really good--it forms a bread crust on the bottom and the sides, and within!! I served this with onion rings and home-made cranberry-orange-walnut bread!!! Dinner was a hit tonight:)
  • 1 cup of chopped water chestnuts (recipe called for mushrooms, which I don't eat:)
  • 3 oz of cream cheese, softened (I used onion and chive)
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup biscuit/baking mix
  • 3 cups steamed/chopped (or frozen) broccoli
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • seasonings of choice
  1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, eggs, milk, and biscuit mix just until combined. Sir in broccoli, cheeses, water chestnuts, and seasonings of choice.
  2. Pour into a greased round 2-1/2 qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Italian Mac & Cheese

Super Easy---Super Yummy!
  • 3-4 cups of dried ziti pasta, cooked to al dente
  • thick red sauce, 3-4 cups
  • 1 cup of sour cream
  • shredded mozzarella
  • sliced provolone
Mix everything up, except for the sliced provolone---top with the provolone, and bake at 350 degrees for about 20-30 minutes. Broil at last minute if desired.


Saturday, October 11, 2008

Scenes from our Pumpkin Farm visit today!


I LOVE the color orange!
I LOVE pumpkins!



It's so beautiful here, and only about a mile from our house (searching for the perfect pumpkins)!



Please meet Pepper...



California Cows Suck!

Just believe and we all can fly!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Chunky Vegetarian Chili



  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 1 large bell pepper chopped
  • 3-4 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1-1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. Worcestieshire sauce
  • 2 - 16 oz. cans stewed tomatoes, undrained
  • 4 cups canned or rehydrated beans rinsed and drained (e.g. black, kidney, pinto)
  • 2 cups frozen corn
Saute' onion, pepper, celery and garlic in a large soup pot or Dutch oven, til tender. Add sugar and remaining ingredients, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.

optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, broken tortilla chips.


Serve with a nice slice of Foccacia or Corn Bread for a great meal!




Monday, October 6, 2008

Little Pumpkin Class at the Nature Center

This is a little baby pumpkin, still on the vine.



My little fairy girl picking her pumpkin.



Giving their pumpkins some personality!


We'd like to introduce you to Geena Pumpkin (left) and Daddy Pumpkin (right) (named by the girls:).

Sunday, October 5, 2008