A Cooking Fool

Today is the annual chili and dessert cook-off at work. I decided to enter some contenders, since it was on a Monday and I had the weekend to collect my thoughts. I searched the Internet for things that sounded good to me. Then, I had to narrow it down to one or two items. We also spent some time at home this weekend, which was much needed, and got some things picked up and organized. LM and I played a new game, and the photos in this post are from that time together. I didn't photograph the cooking - I know, strange, huh? By the time I got to the actual cooking, I had to sort of go full on just to get it done!

What did I make? Well, this chipotle chili recipe for one. I REALLY like this chili. It's delicious! I'll be keeping and repeating this recipe, fo sho. Then I got this silly idea that a lentil chili might be good. I love lentils, and I was looking for something maybe a little different. I found this version on the Internet. I followed pretty closely, but ended up adding a little salt and a little worcestershire sauce to it. I think those were the only modifications...anyway, it is also very nice!

Then, in the dessert category, I had LOTS of options. I mean, really, there are TONS of fabulous fall desserts. But, I decided to make these. And, I feel I might have overcooked them. That said, the combination is tasty, friends. Very tasty. And, lastly, I made one of these. It's beautiful, sister. Just beautiful. I can't wait to taste it - it appears to be rather moist, so that's good. I have high hopes. 

It's going to be a busy week. First, I have a sink full of dishes to clean tonight. Ha. Second, we have All Hallow's Eve on Wednesday. Then, on Friday night, the boy and I are flying to Indiana! Yes, that's right - a VERY quick trip, because the route came up on NetsAAvers. God help us, we're flying American Airlines, which is who we usually fly, but these days is a dicey option. On top of that, this Sandy storm is just about to hit the east coast! I hope the airports are settled out after this hurricane by then, and hope AA can keep it together to get us there and back for our brief visit. And, I really need to get my hair colored soon, as the roots don't match the rest. Shocking! Oh, and of course, I have TONS of stuff go get done at work. That too. So, that'll do it. Enough for the week, huh? 

I hope your Monday goes well, and the rest of the week as well. I'll let you know how the contest goes - I don't usually win, just so you know. But, it's just fun to participate!

See you soon.

Owens Farm

I love fall. I LOVE fall. And, I sort of miss what I would call a REAL fall, being here in Texas. The Midwest has an awesome fall. The temperatures drop much earlier, the leaves are prettier, and there are awesome places to go like apple orchards and pumpkin farms, to revel in fall-ness. It's the time of year when I miss my Indiana home the most.

So, even though until today it's been too hot to be fall, I have been searching for someplace to go that would at least in part replicate my idea of fall activities. S's brother Michael's family went to a cool place about an hour or so outside of Dallas, and I wanted to go check it out. But, our lives have also been very busy lately, and taking a day out of the weekend to do that seemed like it would never come to pass. So, then, when we were at Touch a Truck, Max's mom Michelle mentioned they always go to Owens Farm. It's not as expansive as the place in Canton, but it's just up the road and it has the highlights. So, we headed to Owens Farm last weekend for a teensy tiny taste of fall. Here are the photos:

My precious petals. ;-)

One petal checking out the other petal.

There were very enthusiastic goats to feed.

Then we walked over and ate lunch.

The only photo with me in it - or at least with my head in it.

So I'm posting it. 

Checking out the pigs.

And the horses. In the other direction.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, these are the rules 'round these parts.

Then it was time for a quick hayride!

With actual hay, in case you were wondering!

I don't think he was mad. I think he was concentrating.

There was a little game of riddles on signs throughout the ride.

And more pretty horses.

We found farmer Terry...

Then it was on to the pumpkins.

He had SOOOO much fun in the pumpkins.

He was running through the arches, yelling, "TA DA!"

It was so cute.

He ran through the maze three or four times.

Ok, but then it was time to actually PICK a pumpkin.

This was the winner!

The boy INSISTED I take a photo of S and the pumpkin alone. Funny.

I would still like to make it to Canton, but I'm not sure it'll happen. So, I'm glad we at least made it here. It was a fun time as a family.

It has turned cool here again, finally. It's nice to have the cooler weather, for sure, but will probably put a bit of a damper on weekend activities. Don't you worry though, we can always seem to stay busy. ;-)  I hope you have a great weekend, too.

See you soon.

Touch a Truck 2012

We went to Touch a Truck 2012 last Saturday, and met up with some of LM's buddies while we were there. Here are some snapshots:

There is Max and his family!

There is Anthony and his Mom!

And even Cousin Andrew was there!

The firetrucks were probably the favorite.


Watching the Refuse Truck demonstration.


That horn was LOUD.

In fact, the event itself is LOUD, because there are sirens and horns going off all the time, as kids go from vehicle to vehicle, checking out the fun stuff. My dad called me on the phone while we were there. He said, "Where are you?" I said, of course, "Touch a Truck!'

The motorcycles were also a favorite.

This car was giving out candy.

That posed some sticky issues from then on.

Max's big sister is such a cutie pie.

Look how excited S is to be near the sticky sucker. Hee hee.

My favorite photo of the whole visit.

On the motorcycle with cousin Andrew

Talking to the motorcycle owner!

None of the boys were too sure about this cat.

Max kept his eye on him for the rest of the morning.

Fun event, nice to take it in with friends. We'll go again next year!

See you soon.