Halloween

We are in full Halloween mode at our house right now! Lacey got me started with the wreath and the BOO sign and then I got so excited when I saw the ghosts and Halloween banner at Courtney's that I had to make my own. I borrowed some hay from a neighbor and we have more pumpkins on our porch now than we did in this picture. I'm feeling pretty festive:-).

It seems like we've been running around non-stop for weeks now. Scott's grandpa passed away last week and the funeral was last Thursday. Just after that we headed to Idaho for a baptism. Sunday we got to relax a little until of course we went to church, which is not exactly relaxing. Nursery takes it all out of me, but I love it!

Today I spent most of the day canning (yes, seriously!) applesauce. I've never done or seen anything like that operation --- I did it with three friends and we did 8 boxes of apples. It was interesting and fun but I'm not sure I'm going out to buy all the equipment just yet.

The weather was cold and rainy last week but it looks like its going to be much better this week. I'm especially excited because 1.) The kids won't be stuck inside all day, 2.) We are inheriting a swing set for the backyard that should be coming over the next few days and 3.) I got my bike fixed up and I've got to get riding!

I am in the middle of a few invite/announcements/birthday invites. I'm having fun but I'm pretty sure I should take a professional Photoshop class. Maybe one day?! Speaking of, if anyone is already thinking about Christmas cards I found some darling cards here. If you have Photoshop on your computer you can purchase, download, and then add the picture and edit the text. Or, if you don't have Photoshop I could help you. It's inexpensive and easy!

Have a great week! I'm off, I have a 6 a.m. bike ride I've got to gear up for.

It was such a treat to receive Nikki's package in the mail & I have loved hearing about all of your favorite things...such a fun idea!

Nikki's Favorite Things

-People Style Watch: I have to admit, I enjoy gossip magazines but this one is my favorite because it keeps me updated on new styles and fashion trends. (Hope this helps me out a little...because I feel clueless in this area lately!)

-Baby Mama: I love movies! This one is one of my absolute favorites!

-Adele: I'm loving her new album. She has an amazing voice! (Another area I feel completely removed from is music...love her voice as well and it has been great to have new music to replace scripture scouts in my car!)

-Farkle: Norton Family Favorite.

-Starburst: I'm normally a chocolate lover but didn't want it to melt so your stuck with my second favorite.

-Trident: Michael got me hooked on this gum. We don't chew anything else.

-Mascara: I've been using this kind for so long, it's the best!

-Wet Ones: I always have some sort of wipe or napkin in my car.

-Peachy-Peach car freshener: Yummy!

Thank you Nikki...I have loved all of your favorites!

Michelle's Favorite Things

I was so excited to come home from work tonight and have a fun package of Michelle's favorite things waiting for me. I can't wait to use everything! 

Lavender: Use a few drops in the bathtub. So relaxing!

Eucalyptus: Michelle's favorite thing about Avanyu Spa was their eucalyptus steam room. Just put a few drops of the oil in the corner of your shower...it's amazing!

Apricot Oil: Great to use after a shower on dry hair to condition. Also around the eyes.

Emergen-C: Michelle said it tastes awful but it works great if you need a quick "pick me up".

Burt's Bees Lip Balm: Michelle can't go to sleep without it.

Thanks so much Michelle...so excited to try everything! The lavender is going on our pillows tonight :)

Krista's Favorite Things

I got spoiled from Krista's favorite things. She said it was hard to come up with her favorite things that I didn't know about already but I think she did a really good job! I loved it all!

A few of my (Krista's) favorite things...

Highlights High Five magazine... always look forward to reading with my kids and doing the fun activities.

V8 Fusion... Peach Mango is our families favorite... and it's made with fruit and vegetable juice.

Arm & Hammer natural deoderant... call me crazy, but it's my very favorite. And made with all natural ingredients.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies... one of our favorites, and so easy to make (the recipe is on the blog).

Werther's original candy... reminds me of Judd's store in 6th grade.

Favorite kids music... a compilation of some of our favorites... I'm sure you'll recognize and be able to sing a long to most of them!

Les Miserable soundtrack...it's the music in my head constantly lately, I have always loved the story, meaning and especially the music but now it means even more to me!

Breadsticks and cheese... not the healthiest food choice... but delicious!

Small baby doll... great size for a purse or diaper bag!

Clothes, blankets, and toy for Lexie... if she ever arrives, I know she will be on the top of my favorites list!

And finally, my sisters! So grateful for you, my sisters will forever be my very favorite!

Thank you Krista so much for all of these fun things! I am glad to report I love and have used every single thing!

Recipes

Nikki's post the other week about cooking got me thinking about meals. I'm probably the worst person to talk to on this subject, because at our house we end up eating out more than we eat at home - but with that said - I do enjoy cooking. It's not the cooking part that gets me down - it's the grocery shopping and deciding what to make that makes me want to scream sometimes.

I end up making the same few meals over and over. One because I know they're good, and two because I usually can't think of anything else. I've been trying to expand a little. Chicken is kind of a touch and go thing with me, so I've been using rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken on my own. I add it to things, and we eat it on it's own. Pick up a caesar salad from Costco while you're there, and voila an easy dinner. I know this is nothing new, I'm guessing you probably already do this. Click here for a Rotisserie Chicken ideas.

One thing I did this week when I put this dinner together was make homemade breadsticks. I tried a recipe that requires no rise time. They were so yummy fresh out of the oven.

Homemade Breadsticks

1 Tablespoon yeast
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups warm water


Add 2 cups flour.


Mix in your bosch it will be pasty/sticky. Then add 1 1/2 cup more flour and mix/knead in mixer. Take out sit for 10 minutes. Melt 1/2 cube butter on cookie sheet in oven @375 degrees. Roll out and strip dip in butter twist and put on cookie sheet sprinkle parmesean cheese, garlic. Bake for 15 minutes.

I also thought I'd include some of my favorite meals, in the hope you'll share some of yours. It's always nice to have tried and tested recipes on the front of the brain.

Crouton Chicken with Honey Mustard Dip
I'm not usually a fan of honey mustard, but these are so easy and so good. I love serving them with a baked potato and a vegetable.

Crouton Chicken 

Chicken breasts cut into strips/pieces

Croutons

1 - 2 eggs

Cut chicken breast in like 3 or 4 pieces, and then pound out with a meat tenderizer. Put about 1/2 box of croutons (our favorite kind is Ms. Cubbison's Restaurant Style) into a bag and smash to be crumbs. (You can use a meat tenderizer or rolling pin). And then put the crumbs in a bowl. Beat the egg in a bowl. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg first, and then the crouton crumbs. Grease a cookie sheet and lay chicken on it. Bake at 350. Serve with honey mustard dip and cheesy mashed potatoes.

Honey Mustard Dip

1/2 cup Mayonnaise

Big squirt of Mustard

Big squirt of Honey

Stir up to be smooth.

French Onion Pork Chops
My mom made this for me right after Linley was born, and it's tasted good ever since. I don't have the exact recipe. I usually just throw everything in, so here goes.


4 pork chops
1 cup milk
1 cup rice
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 packet Lipton Onion Soup


Season pork chops with salt and pepper, brown in a skillet. Combine milk and Cream of Chicken Soup and pour over rice in casserole dish. Place pork chops in pan. Sprinkle Lipton Onion Soup mix over top. Bake for 45 minutes in a 375 degree oven.


Spaghetti Bake
I'm sure there is an actual recipe somewhere, but I just throw everything in and it turns out.


1 package of spaghetti (can substitute other noodles)
1 package of cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1 jar spaghetti sauce

Mix cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and parmesan cheese. Cook noodles and put in pan, pour cheese mixture over noodles. Pour spaghetti sauce over noodles and cheese mixture. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over top. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Quantity Measure Item

Sweet and Sour Chicken
I made this for the first time on Sunday, and it was really good. My mom got the recipe from a friend and it's been a hit.


4-8 chicken tenders
1 egg beaten


Dip in egg, and roll in cornstarch. Brown in a skillet with a little oil.


Make sauce and pour over chicken.


3/4 cup sugar
4 Tablespoons Ketchup
1/2 cup vinegar
1 Tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt


Bake @325 for an hour.

Courtney's Favorites

Courtney's Favorite Things:

1. Caramel Corn-on-the-cob...looks delicious!

2. Trident Vitality Gum: can't wait to try it, I always have to have gum in my purse!

3. Vaseline: Courtney can't live without it, so I'll give it a try.

4. Cotton Kitchen Towels: These will be perfect for raising rolls, pizza dough & breadsticks!

5. Method dishsoap: Meagan actually got me started on this and I love it already...thanks Courtney!

6. Plastic Squeeze bottle...I have been wanting one!

7. Zone Bars: can't wait to try them!

Courtney included such a fun note, that detailed each item and I wanted to type it word-for-word, but I can't find it...dang it! I can't do justice to how cute it was packaged, but it was fantastic! Thanks Courtney! Love it all! P.S. This is Lacey, posting under Meg's name...I have all sorts of technical difficulties going on!

Lacey's Favorite Things!

Reusable bag: I used this my bag the entire time in California. I love these bags also, but this size was new to me and it was perfect!
Joe-Joe's Cookies: Lacey brought a couple of boxes up in August so I already knew how delicious they were. Lacey will have to keep us all supplied since they are from Trader Joe's. This goes for the Trader Joe's Popcorn as well (which my kids devoured during The Little Mermaid).
Dr. Pepper: I'll be honest this is still in my fridge and I'm pretty sure it's been YEARS since I've had one. In fact, a long time ago it was Mr. Pibb that I liked over DP. I'll have it one of these days and I'm sure it will be delicious. Lacey said she would choose a DP over a coke now, which is hard for me to imagine.
Nicholas Sparks: I haven't had a chance to dive into this...but I'm so excited. Kelsey said that she loved it also!
Target V-Neck Pocket T: The shirt is so comfy!!! Good call Lacey, I love it!
Nail Polish: This pick was Eliza's favorite, she is thrilled to have another color and some more details:-).

Court, what a great idea!

Lacey, thank you and we are still enjoying all of your favorites...

P.S. Is everyone okay, the blog has been pretty quiet for a few days???