10.17.2011

meal plan monday

A few months back, when I had signed up for E-Mealz menus, I had all good intentions of posting my weekly meal plan. That temporarily fell by the wayside but, I'm going to start it up today. This week's menu is a result of a well stocked freezer and pantry. Buying a few extras of pantry items and meats (to freeze) when on sale occasionally yields a light grocery shopping week. Easier on the wallet and on my time = win/win!

Monday: Creamy Baked Ziti
Thursday: Beef and Broccoli Stir-fry
Friday: Honey Mustard Bacon Chicken
Saturday: Pierogies and Smoked Sausage
Sunday: Apple Braised Pork Chops

Tuesday and Wednesday we eat dinner at my in-law's. My mother in law generously cooks for all of us the days she cares for George while I'm working.

What's on your menu this week?

10.03.2011

recipe: pumpkin chip cookies

Happy first Monday of October! Fall weather has finally arrived in our corner of New York with cooler temps, leaves just starting to show some color and a full calendar of autumn events. This is my favorite season for so many reasons, among which is the ability to turn the oven back on, welcoming the resulting warmth in our home. And, naturally, all things baked with pumpkin and apples. The crisp weather inspires me to try new recipes and treat family and friends to long-standing favorites.

Yesterday morning was spent apple picking and playing in the pumpkin patch at a local orchard with my two guys. You would have thought we had brought G to Disneyland for the excitement on his face upon seeing the thousands of apples within his reach! I'll be reliving the joy of that hour exploring the orchard in my memory for years to come.
When we returned home, after scoring a bag of honeycrisp apples and a bounty of difficult to find 15 ounce cans of pure packed pumpkin, it was time to bake. I'd always liked the idea of a pumpkin cookie but had never found a recipe that peaked my interest until I came across this one on allrecipes.com - the measurements ensuring a large batch (who wants to bake cookies with only a 2 dozen yield?) and a subtle pumpkin flavor. The reviews were excellent and more than delivered. The result was a moist, cake-like cookie with a hint of pumpkin, just the right amount of spice and, naturally, chocolate. The batch yielded a staggering 7 dozen so, be prepared to share, bake for a party or to freeze some for a later date.
Pumpkin Chip Cookies
Yield: 7 dozen

1.5 c butter, softened
2 c packed brown sugar
1 c granulated sugar
1 (15 oz) can pure packed pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 c all purpose flour
2 c quick oats
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp salt
2 c (or more) chocolate chips (I used milk and white chips)

1. Pre-heat oven to 350.

2. In a mixer, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla (will be a light, fluffy mousse-like consistency). In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats, baking soda, spices and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

3. Drop by tablespoonful 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Allow to cool for 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

9.29.2011

Nothing to see here...

If you view my blog in a reader and see a pop up post with today's date...please disregard. It was a posting error.

Thank you!

Back soon with some new pics and *gasp* scrapbook pages!!

9.25.2011

recipe: baked chicken and sweet potatoes

I tried this recipe for dinner on Friday night and it was so delicious (and simple) that it had to be shared. As chicken is the protein of choice in our house, I've tested numerous dishes over the past few years. This is going into my top 5 favorites. Fool-proof, incredibly flavorful and easy on the budget. I'm already looking forward to making it again.

One-pan Baked Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

3/4 c Zesty Italian Dressing
4 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme
2 lbs sweet potatoes (about 4) cut in 3/4 inch wide spears
4 lbs chicken pieces (I used legs and thighs), on the bone

Heat oven to 375.

Mix salad dressing, brown sugar, vinegar and thyme in a bowl. Add potatoes, toss to coat. Transfer potatoes to lasagna or roasting pan (approx. 15x10x1"), reserving dressing mixture in bowl.

Add chicken to reserved dressing mix, toss to coat. Place in pan with potatoes. Pour remaining sauce over chicken.

Bake 1 hour or until potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through (165 degrees).

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

9.22.2011

still here...

i am...

minus a home computer

living life rather than writing it

making big decisions

adjusting to big changes

being mama

working

starting to bake again

project life-ing

thankful for each day

he is...

busy, busy, busy

still loving trains

not sleeping much

cutting more teeth (see above)

exquisitely adorable

filling us with wonder and awe

almost 21 (???) months


i am still here, just focusing on other priorities and waiting/planning to see where life will take our family in the upcoming months.  all good stuff.  and i'll be back, all in good time...
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