Owenisms

Now that O is a little over 2 he has been learning new words like crazy. Here are some of my favorites...

• Bick = Grandpa
• Bach = Jacob
• Teetsch = T.V.
• Ball = Ball, Draw
• The O = Owen
• Whoa = Phone
• Whoa Whoa = Guitar
• Dub a Dubs = Drums
• Dog =  Almost any animal
• Chip = Chips, Chocolate Chips, Chipmunk, Poker Chips
• Choc = Chocolate, Sidewalk Chalk
• Cock = Clock
• Teetes = Teeth
• Pach = Package of fruit snacks, pocket
• Pick = Pickle, celery
• Cook = Cookie
• Cheetsch = Shoes

Cute Little E

Cute Little E came over today for Halloween and 1 Year photos today.  She really loved that cake!

Llyod's Healthy Chicken Zoopa

I found this recipe at Allrecipes.com.  I made it tonight for tomorrow's dinner. It is delicious. I was skeptical because the only seasonings are salt, pepper, hot sauce and soy sauce. The flavors are really good together. Next time I will make at least a double batch. One of those dishes that are good today and even better tomorrow.

Lloyd's Healthy Chicken Zoopa

• 2 TB vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced ( I used jar garlic and added more, I love garlic)
• 2 cups chopped onion (I used one medium-large onion)
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1 cup julienned carrots ( I had left over carrot chips, which i sliced)
• 1 cup minced leek
• 4 cups chicken stock
• salt and pepper to taste ( I used white pepper)
• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon soy sauce
• 6 oz fresh spinach, rinsed
• 1/2 cup egg noodles, uncooked
• 1/2 pound skinless, boneless chicken cut into bitesize pieces ( I used thighs)

Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, peppers, celery, carrots and leek. Saute until onions are translucent and balance of veggies has been tossed through with hot oil. Add stock and season with salt and pepper.  Add hot sauce and soy sauce. Bring soup to a simmer and simmer over low heat for about 40 minutes. 

Add spinach and cover pot. ( Volume of spinach will appear to be too great for the pot, don't worry, just put it in -within minutes it will reduce.) Stir soup; add noodles. Stir again and add chicken. Keep simmering for approximately 5 minutes until chicken is cooked.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

So we went to the Pumpkin Patch today.  Everyone had fun. There were horses, goats, sheep, little pigs, and chickens. Owen had the most fun jumping with his brother on the hay bales that were set up as a maze. When we got home J. wanted to carve his pumpkin and Owen wanted in on the action too.  We love pumpkin seeds, so after the carving we made these.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

• Seeds from 1 large pumpkin and 1 little one
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt (I used Kosher)
• 1 tsp ground white pepper
• 1/8 tsp chili powder
• Dash of paprika 
• Dash of crushed red pepper
• 1 tsp-1tbl 100% maple syrup

Clean and rinse the seeds. Pat dry. Mix dry ingredients into large bowl. Mix in 1 tsp olive oil and maple syrup (add more or less to taste). Add the seeds to the mixture and stir until coated. Pour into single layer on baking sheet. Bake in 350 degree oven for 15-30 minutes. Until golden brown and crisp. Keep an eye on them. They can burn fast. We checked them after 10 minutes (when we stirred them) and every 5 minutes after that.

   Betcha can't eat just one handful!

Beautiful Miss O

I had the pleasure of photographing Miss O today. What a doll.  Here is a sneak peek from today's session.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

This is my first photo challenge and I am excited.

Powerline

We were on our way to an outlet mall and had to stop on the side of the e-way to put "O" back into his car-seat, when I snapped this picture.

Hobby

Although, I do not get to play often, I love Texas Hold'em

Landscape

Taken the same day as my powerline picture. I love those clouds.

Newspaper

My husband multi-tasking.

Pose

Owen holding my engagement ring.

Next weeks items...

1. Wish/Dream
2. Clean
3. Currency
4. Pair
5. Square

Rigatoni with Beef and Eggplant Ragu

...It's what's for dinner tonight

This recipe was brought to my attention by my mother in law. She found it on the Cooking.com website. I planted eggplant in my garden this year and needed some new recipes. She promises to bring me the eggplant hummus recipe next time.

Rigatoni with Beef and Eggplant Ragu

• 8 oz whole wheat rigatoni or penne ( I did not use whole wheat)
• 1/2 pound lean ground beef (I used veal, beef and pork mixture)
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
• 3 cups diced eggplant ( I used 1 med eggplant about 4 cups)
• 2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 8 oz cans tomato sauce
• 1 cup red wine ( I did not have, so I subbed red wine vinegar and water)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon pine nuts (I omitted)
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta (optional)

Tip:  To toast pine nuts, cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2-4 minutes.

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Cook pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, cook beef, garlic and fennel seed in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, until the beef is browned, about 3 minutes.  Add eggplant and oil, cook stirring occasionally until the eggplant browns, about 5 minutes.  Add tomato sauce and wine; cook , stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.  Stir in oregano, salt and pepper.

Drain the pasta, serve topped with the sauce and sprinkled with pine nuts and feta, if using.

Mom....the sweetest word I've ever heard

Owen just recently began saying mom. It started right before he turned two. Before this all I heard was DAD, DAD,DAD. Now, when my little guy wakes up in the morning the first thing I hear is MOM. I love it. Last night, my husband took him to Kroger. When they got home I heard the garage door open. Before they are even to the door .... I hear MOM. I don't think I will ever tire of hearing that word.

Labor Day

Making cheesy potatoes for a family get together today.  I can smell the deliciousness right now. I always get asked for the recipe so here it is.....

Cheesy Potatoes

• 2 lbs frozen southern style hash brown potatoes (the cubed kind)
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can cream of celery soup
• 2 16 oz containers of sour cream
• 1-2 16 oz package of shredded cheese (I use cheddar)
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix together soup and sour cream. Add potatoes and mix well. Next add the cheese (save some for the top). Melt the butter in the microwave. Add the garlic powder, salt and pepper to butter. Mix into potato mixture. Pour into baking dish ( i use a glass rectangle). Sprinkle with leftover cheese. Bake 60-75 minutes uncovered until the mixture is bubbly and brown. Remove and let stand for 15 minutes. It's even better the next day....if there is any left.  Enjoy!

Owens 2 year pictures

I wanted to try out my new Canon24-70L lens and Owen's new hat for his 2 year pictures. He was not having it. I had to bribe him with skittles to keep the hat on. Nothing would work to get him to smile. I do love his serious looks though.