Oh Fall, I Adore You!

This weekend, Andrew and I camped at Sam A. Baker State Park again. We were there last month, and we did a lot of the same activities this time because we enjoyed that trip so much. One thing was much different though... the colors were outstanding.

One of the first trees that we saw when entering the campground. Amazing!

I thought that these leaves were so cool!

Beautiful hillside!

I really, really like the red trees!

The colors in this picture are awesome!

Such a vibrant yellow!

My handsome love enjoying the toasty campfire.

Love the cool, crisp evenings where a fire is pleasant!

This tree was gorgeous!

On our hike.

Love the reds!

So pretty.

The bike path- amazing.

At the river... love him!

The colors are too cool in this picture.

My love plays photographer.

: )

We're such a great pair!

Ahh! I could look at this all day.

These trees looked like they were on fire. God is such an awesome artist!

Great weekend away.

Until next time, Sam A. Baker...

Peace Offering

Ever since VERY early spring, I have had it out with the squirrels in my neighborhood. Why, you ask? Well, because one VERY fat squirrel enjoyed leaping from my porch to my brand new bird feeder. It would then swing from it while it knocked food to the ground. This was not ok. I bought the bird feeder to watch Cardinals, not acrobatics.

I'm sure you can all guess what happened. next. Yes. It fell to the ground... and busted. Not repairable. So, needless to say, I've not been happy with these bushy-tailed creatures.

On Friday, before leaving to go camping, I opened the porch door to this peace offering:

I stopped in my tracks. Looked harder.

And laughed.

After a closer look, I called Andrew outside so he could see what our squirrel friend (yes, I use that term loosely) left for us.

Nuts. On my pumpkin.

How sweet.

I have decided that I will forgive the squirrel for his past mistakes, but I also made it be known that he had to prove himself to me.

In the meantime, these pictures crack me up!

But don't tell that to Mr. Squirrel!



Abby's Favorite Chili

... or so it's named in the cookbook my mom compiled for me. I would have named it something along the lines of "World's Most Amazing Chili... Hands-Down". If you can catch the slightest hint, I love my mom's chili more than any other chili out there. Chili is a touchy food item... and people have very specific tastes for what they do and do not like about chili. To each his own- but, this is by far my favorite. Although, if someone is going to offer me a bowl of chili, I'll take it. It's one of my favorite food groups. Yes, it is its own food group.

I will share so you, too, can enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground turkey (beef or deer is also tasty)

1 large onion, chopped

4 T. chili powder (more or less to taste- go with more!)

5 dashes garlic powder (I now know where I get my recipe terms!!)

3 cans beef broth (the richer the better- this is where name brand items is ok)

46 ounce can tomato juice (I used diced tomatoes)

4 cans Bush's red beans

2 cans dark red kidney beans

2 cans light right kidney beans

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preparation:

In a large pot, brown meat and chopped onion. Add chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper while browning.

When meat is thoroughly cooked, drain. Add beef broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil.

Add all beans.

Simmer.

Continue to simmer for at least two hours... the longer the better.

Stir often.

Serve:

Serve and topwith shredded cheese, if desired.

And... for the more disgusting eaters (ha!)...

Boil elbow macaroni and serve with chili for Chili Mac.

Just kidding about the disgusting part- I just don't understand why people ruin a perfectly delicious bowl of chili. But, many people do- including those I love the most. So, I'm slowly growing to accept this strange food choice.

In closing... I received an awesome compliment last night. A young lady who I know from my hometown posted on facebook asking for a recipe using bananas. I instantly thought of my mom's banana bread recipe and shared with her.

She not only bought new pans just to make this banana bread, but she posted the following comment:

"Abby- I'm VERY excited, I've decided I'm going to start baking something new at least once a week! You've inspired me with your blogs =]"

I have readers that I don't even know about, and in a small way, it's nice to know that I'm inspiring people to try new things! I am very touched that I am the go-to recipe girl for many people out there in cyber world!

So, with that... enjoy!!

Mexican Casserole: Yum!

My good friend and bridesmaid, Andrea, introduced me to this delicious, easy recipe. I made a few changes to the original recipe, and I'm glad that I did. It is definitely a winner in our household!!

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground turkey (or beef)

1/2 onion, chopped

3/4 bag of frozen corn

1 can low-fat refried beans

1 package taco seasoning mix

1 can chopped green chiles

1 can enchilada sauce

1 can cream of mushroom soup

8 flour tortillas

3 cups shredded Mexican cheese

1 bottle taco sauce

Preparation:

Mix cream of mushroom soup, enchilada sauce, and green chiles in a large bowl.

Cut tortillas into strips.

Layer in a 9 x 13 baking pan.

Mix ground turkey, onion, and taco sauce in a large skillet.

Brown. Add corn when almost completely cooked.

Spread a layer of refried beans on each tortilla strip.

Layer with beef and corn.

Soup mixture.

Cheese.

Repeat layering until all ingredients are used. The last layer should be tortilla shells.

Pour taco sauce over last layer of tortilla shells.

Top with the remainder of the cheese.

Bake at 375 degrees, uncovered, until bubbly.

Remove and cool.

Serve and garnish with a dallop of sour cream!

Muy bueno!!



Honored

A month ago, I was asked to do something that I haven't really done before. A friend from home asked me if I would create two Christmas arrangements to place on her mother's gravesite this year. A little over a year and a half ago, Ashley lost her mom. I was deeply honored that she asked me to create these incredibly special arrangements.

The Project:

She asked me to create an arrangement to go in the center of the tombstone and another one to be placed on the ground in front.

The Inspiration:

Isn't this picture incredible? It served as my inspiration and motivation for this project. Thank you, Ashley, for letting me use it for this blog.

I did not personally know Debbie Sites, but I have known Ashley for much of my life. I know that Debbie had a wonderful spirit just by what I've witnessed in Ashley. Ashley is a great woman, an incredible mom and advocate for her son, Tucker, and just an all-around good person. Moreover, she is as artistic as they come... which presented even more pressure to get this project right!

The Product:

Ashley had very specific requests when she placed her order. She wanted it to be fun, different, wacky, and creative. I tossed around several ideas... but, I finally decided to go with wacky with a touch of class. This is what I ended up with...

This arrangment was created to be placed in front of the tombstone. It is so much prettier in person when you can see it sparkle in the sunlight. Every piece used has sparkle of some sort, and it's so eye-catching! I am really pleased with how it turned out.

After looking at the arrangement a little bit more in person and on my blog, I decided that it needed a little something extra. So, I added another poinsettia and a little more bling. It looks 100% better, and I'm now pleased enough with it to give to Ashley. I feel like I can always make changes and improvements, but I'm fairly certain this one is finished now!

This one is to be placed in the center spot of the tombstone. I did not want this arrangement to sink into the stone and get lost, so I created it to be tall. It's hard to tell by the picture because it's in a glass jar for picture purposes, but it was assembled in a small cylinder container that will (hopefully!) fit into the hole created specifically for arrangements. This one presented more of a challenge than the bigger one, but I'm also very happy with how it turned out. Once again, it sparkles like crazy too!

I am very excited with how these arrangements turned out. Out of all of my projects, these have been the most important to me. To be trusted with such a special request boggled my mind and humbled me. It was an honor to work with Ashley on this order, and I hope that I fulfilled it beyond her expectations.

Thank you, Ashley. Your family and your mom are in my prayers and on my mind throughout this upcoming holiday season.

Fall Break

I had fall break this past weekend. I was able to negotiate a trade in extern days, and I was able to have an extended break. Boy, was it nice!

I enjoyed bike riding with Andrew, relaxing, visiting at a family reunion, and attending a dear friend's wedding. It was awesome!

Here's a peek into my weekend : )

Getting ready to attend the wedding.

The beautiful bride! We've been very good friends since she moved to my hometown in 7th grade. We've been through a lot, but we've remained friends through everything.

Her groom is precious... he had to fight back the tears during their vows. To me, this is the ultimate sign that they're right for each other.

My husband really cleans up nicely! He's sooo handsome!

After multiple compliments about my fall wreaths, I decided that she needed one as a wedding gift! Best part? It's her wedding colors!

The hall was decorated sooooo nicely!

Beautiful cake! She had smaller cakes at each table as centerpieces. Too cute!

I love this girl! I was sooo excited to share in her special day, and I couldn't be happier for such an amazing person.

The almost-not-nice cake cutting.

There is something about a line of little girls watching the first dance that melts my heart! It was one of my favorite parts of our reception!

After the wedding...

... we left and headed straight to my family's bonfire and chili cook. I know, I was a tad bit over dressed. Can you believe that I can still pick my 11 year-old sister up? I adore this picture.

Love him : )

I showed up just for my sweet cousin, Logan. He may have been a wee bit sad when I told him we weren't going to make it. His welcoming hug when we actually DID make it was the best.

Finally, I had to have this moment captured. It's not everyday that my beautiful Granny Sue is sandwiched between her only granddaughters (not including the great-granddaughters).

Overall, it was a great BREAK from everything. It wasn't long enough, but when is any break ever long enough?! I came back rejuvenated, and the end of the semester doesn't seem so far away now.

I have a busy week ahead of me, but I also have a wonderful weekend to look forward to!!

God sure is showering me with blessings- and I have really needed all that He's been giving!



Sorry Mom, She's Mine.

I have, hands-down, the best sisters in the world! Miranda and Zoe are such blessings to my life, and I love when I get to spend time with them... it just doesn't happen often enough. This weekend, I got Miranda alllllll weekend. I'm talking from Thursday to Monday morning. It was awesome! Even though things were WAY low-key, and probably very boring for a 15 year-old, I looooved having her here!

Theodore really, really, really enjoyed having his Aunt Miranda here. He thinks she's pretty cool- and he doesn't get kicked out of his room when she comes. It's like a two-for-one deal.

Despite her injured hand, we went on a nice bike ride. She was regretting it (sort of) later when her hand was throbbing, but we had a lot of fun! She liked the local bike trail a lot!

She, as seen in yesterday's blog, took Theodore on a walk. I must admit, she's a pretty awesome aunt! She's very good to our little kitty!

I think I will capture my sister this weekend when I'm in my hometown for a friend's wedding... and I most likely won't give her back.

Once again...

Sorry, Mom.

She's mine.