Well we officially kicked off fall this weekend. Along with the cool weather and beautiful days we had a few other adventures. On Saturday we went to a fall festival in a friends neighborhood. The kids got to wear their Halloween costumes, to which Sophie really didn't care. They had a hey ride and of course plenty of goodies in the food section, pizza, cookies, apple and pumpkin pie... mmmm good!!! Sophie and her friend even got to decorate a pumpkin, which was something new to me in that I've only ever carved pumpkins not colored on and glued and such (although considering they are only 2 it was probably better to opt out of the carving with a knife thing).
After our adventure on Saturday we worked in the yard on Sunday afternoon while Sophie was gracious enough to give us a nice long nap. I would show you a picture, but mainly you would only see our mulch as we mostly planted bulbs (I'll post a picture in the spring when the flowers come out). I can't wait to see it all in the spring!
I was even able to bring in the season with some yummy food myself, we had potatoe soup, chili, and pumpkin cookies.
CHILI
I got this recipe from my mom who got it from weight watchers (they call it taco soup)
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2-1 diced onion
1 pk taco mix
1 pk ranch dressing dry mix
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes w/ jalapeno peppers
1/2-1 can of corn
1 can of northern beans
1 can of navy beans
1-2 cups of water
shredded cheddar cheese
1) brown meat with onion and drain
2) mix browned meat with all ingredients in pot and heat till warm
CHUNKY POTATO SOUP prep:35 mins cook:30 mins serves:12
3 med redpotatoes
2 c water
1 small onion
3 TBL butter
3 TBL flour
crushed red pepper flakes
ground black pepper
3 c milk
1/2 tsp sugar
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 c cubed cooked ham
1) Peel potatoes and cut into 1" cubes.
2) Bring water to a boil in large saucepan. Add potatoes and cool until tender. Drain, reserving liquid. Set aside potatoes. Measure 1 c cooking liquid, adding water, if necessary; set aside.
3) Peel and finely chop onion. Melt butter in saucepan over med heat. Add onion to saucepan; cook stirring frequently, until onion is translucent and tender, but not brown.
4) Add flour to saucepan; season with pepper flakes and black pepper to taste. Cook 3-4 minutes.
5) Gradually add potatoes, reserved 1 c cooking liquid, milk and sugar to onion mixture in saucepan; stir well. Add cheese and ham. Simmer over low heat 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Store leftovers, covered in refrigerator.
*I usually use regular potatoes and usually about 7 (or however many it takes to fill the pot) I have no idea how you make "chunky" potato soup with only 3 red potatoes for 12 people.
PUMPKIN COOKIES
This one came from my friend Michele who I think of every time I make them :)
1 c sugar
1 c canned pumpkin
1/2 c shortening
2 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c chopped walnuts
2/3 c chocolate chips
1) mix sugar, pumpkin, shortening
2) stir in flour, b.p., b.s., cinnamon, salt, nuts, and choc. chips.
3) drop rounded spoonfuls onto pan and bake 8-10 mins @ 375 until light brown
