Christmas Eve Morning

Traditionally we do Christmas with Justin's family on Christmas Eve.  Since we were unable to be home this year, we did it over Skype.  Thanking God for technology.  

Batman blanket

Tyler loves pepper!  This is his very own pepper mill.

so excited about his single egg frying pan

watching someone from home open a gift

Dad needed new shoes real bad!

family gift from Nate and Court - an ice cream maker
Can't wait to try it out

Breakfast - Banana Bread, Hash Brown, Egg, and Sausage Casserole, and fresh squeezed OJ 

Dad building a fort in the basement.

Christmas Program

Ladies Christmas Tea

Each year our church hosts a Ladies Christmas Tea, and we are encouraged to invite others from the community.  Women from our church host a table, decorate a table, or host and decorate a table.  It is a beautiful, fun event.  The food is great, but the fellowship is even greater.  This year, while we ate, a jazz band played in the background.  Our time ended with a hope-filled testimony and a few Christmas Carols.  Here are just some of the tables.  

One of my tables

Another of my tables

The Sweet Table

The Savory Table

Thanksgiving

Pumpkin Bread for neighbors

Prep with the phone close by for all my questions

Fresh Basil

Appetizers - Veggies and Homemade Hummus

Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Goat Cheese, Almonds, and Homemade Dressing

Our YUMMY meal minus the gravy - Herbed Roasted Turkey, Cornbread Stuffing, Sautéed Corn (fresh off the cob),  Roasted Root Veggies, Corn Bread, Hawaiian Roll, The Best Green Beans Ever, Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, and Cranberry Gelatin Salad (not pictured).  

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Chili Cook Off

On Nov 10, we participated in a Chili Cook Off with church friends.  To our surprise, we got 2nd place.  Here are a few pics I snapped.

Ours is in the white crockpot.  This was only one counter of entries.  

The winner took home this.  They will pass on to the 2014 Chili Champ (which will be us next year).

Halloween 2013

Faster than light!

Enjoying each other!  They were SO excited!  

Carter let Ryder use the "real" mask, so I made another out of construction paper.  

Best Batman Buds!  

What you looking at, huh?  My cuteness?

Tyler is an amazing big brother!

Such a fun time with friends and neighbors.  This was towards the end after we lost some of our crew.

Not, Reese's, America's favorite Halloween candy,
or America's 2nd favorite, M&M's,
or America's 3rd favorite, Snickers,
or America's 4th favorite, Hershey's,
or America's 5th favorite Kit Kat.....

NOPE, Ryder's MOST FAVORITE are
the EYEBALLS!  He just LOVES them!  

Carter looking through his 4.4 pound bag pillowcase of candy!  Tyler brought home 7.0 pounds!  

Miller Farm 9/30

little play time before hitting the fields

loaded up and ready to go

these things about broke my index finger - note to self: bring a shovel next time

washing time

our bounty - next time I will take full advantage - we could have brought home 20 bags (5 bags per person) but we walked away with only 8

Here are some things I made using our farm fresh produce.  If you click on the recipe, it will take you to the website.  

Barefoot Contessa Lentil Vegetable Soup

This recipe is delicious, but very labor intensive.  There is a similar recipe by Barefoot Contessa that includes sausage.  

Barefoot Contessa Old-Fashioned Carrot Salad

This is good, but be sure to grade the carrots thick.  Mine were finely graded and it made the salad quite watery.  Wonder how much the taste would change if you used low fat ingredients or greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

Taste of Home Herbed Shepherd's Pie

Love this too!  It is a keeper in our home!

Taste of Home Red Potato Soup

Just made this for the first time.  My family loved it.  We like thicker soup, so I decreased the amount of liquid.  Next time I may sauté the bacon separately so it will get crisp.  Also, added broccoli.  

Mexican Chicken

I shared this recipe awhile back (bottom of post).  I love it!  So simple!  So healthy!  I substituted the canned corn with fresh corn cut off the cob.  Delicious!  I cook all chicken on low for 7 hours.  Burritos or Nachos with leftovers.

Barefoot Contessa Roasted Carrots

I am going to try these tonight!