Boo!

A Perpetual Shopping List

If you think about it, most of the things we buy at the store, we buy over and over again. After awhile, I got tired of writing basically the same lists for the grocery and wal-mart every week. So, I made a master list on the computer. But after awhile, I got tired of printing the same list every week to check things off on. ;-) One day, I decided to put my list in a sheet protector, use a dry erase marker and now I am a happy girl. You can do this, too!

All you need are sheet protectors, scissors, a glue stick or super glue, clothes pins, magnets, a dry erase marker and a paper clip. After today, you will never have to write out a grocery list again!

The first thing you need to do is take some time to make a list of things you routinely buy at the store. Leave some extra space to add items each week that you only buy occasionally or seasonally. Print your lists out on a sheet of paper with little boxes for check marks if you like.

Slide your list into a sheet protector and as you run out of items during the week and when you make your weekly menu plans, simply check of the items you need with a dry erase marker.

I have four sheets total - one for wal-mart/drugstore items and three for the grocery. It is nice if you organize your grocery list by category and then list your categories according to your store's layout. My list includes - bakery, produce, pantry items, canned goods, refrigerator and freezer.

Make your self some little clips to hang your lists on the fridge. Glue a magnet to a clothes pin and you're all set.

When you are ready to make your weekly trip to the store, add any extra items you might need, paper clip your sheets together and off you go!

And guess what? As you put items in your grocery cart, you can wipe the check mark off! :-)

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Crock Pot Savory Beef Sandwiches

Savory Beef Sandwiches
8 servings

1 boneless chuck roast (3 to 4 pounds)

1 tablespoon dried minced onion
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
8 sandwich rolls

Trim fat from roast. Combine seasonings; rub over roast. Place in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender. Shred with a fork. Serve on rolls.

I got home a little bit before everyone else did tonight. I shredded the beef, filled the sandwich rolls, wrapped the sandwiches in foil, and put them in a 250° oven to stay warm until the rest of the family arrived. They hit the spot! :-)

It's Caramel Apple Time!

Caramel apples are one of our favorite fall traditions. There is something so right about the taste of sweet juicy apples together with caramel! I did a little research this year, to see if I could have better luck keeping my caramel on my apple. This is what you are supposed to do -

• scrub apples with soap and rinse thoroughly (this is to get the waxy coating off and help the caramel to adhere better)
• make sure apples are completely dry
• after coating apples, hold them upside down, then right side up, then upside down, etc. until caramel starts to set
• sit apples on buttered wax paper
• put finished apples immediately in the fridge

Okay, I did all of this! I spent several minutes babying each apple, turning it up and down and keeping lots of caramel on each one. After I finished each one, I put it right in the fridge...

The caramel still ran off! ;-)

Oh well! :-) That sure doesn't stop them from tasting wonderfully!

Our Favorite Popcorn Balls
1 dozen

1 cup popcorn, popped (or 2 bags microwave popcorn, popped)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1 small box orange jell-O

Place popcorn in a large bowl. In a saucepan, mix corn syrup, sugar and jell-O; bring to a rolling boil. Pour over popcorn. Carefully stir to mix well and when cool enough to handle, form into balls with well buttered hands.

These are fun for other holidays, too! Use green jello at Christmas, red for Valentine's Day...

Autumn Cinnamon Ornaments

Instructions for making these wonderful ornaments

can be found at Martha Stewart Living.

Thank you to Emma at Charming the Birds from the Trees

for the lovely idea of using autumn cooking cutters!

Homestyle Chicken Fried Steak

Chicken Fried Steak
4 servings

1 1/4 cups flour, divided
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon each salt, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder and pepper
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 2/3 cups buttermilk, divided
4 beef cube steaks (1 pound)
oil for frying
1 1/2 cups milk

In a shallow bowl, combine 1 cup flour, baking powder and seasonings. In another shallow bowl, combine egg and 1 cup buttermilk. Dip each cube steak in buttermilk mixture, then coat in flour mixture. Let stand for 5 minutes. In a large skillet, heat 1/2 inch of oil on medium-high. Fry steaks for 5 to 7 minutes. Turn carefully; cook 5 minutes longer or until coating is crisp and meat is no longer pink. Remove steaks and keep warm. Drain, reserving 1/3 cup drippings; stir remaining flour into drippings until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and remaining buttermilk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve over steaks and enjoy!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup, Cast Party

Pumpkin Time

Yes, it's exciting to pick out the pumpkin.

It's fun to plan the jack-o-lantern face.

The carving is nice.

But, for me...

It's all about the pumpkin seeds!
Roasted to a crisp and covered in salt -
fall snacking at its finest. :-)

Walkin' On Sunshine...Prizes! :-)

Surprise! At the beginning of Walkin' On Sunshine I planned to give a prize away at the end, but...I didn't tell the participants! Aren't I sneaky? ;-)

The 15 participants were -

Heather at family forever

Jennifer at trading ashes for beauty

Kerri at 4 arrows farm

Mrs. H. at birthday cake for breakfast

Mama Hen at long days short years

Christa

Kelli at there is no place like home

Raeann, the "Lady Farmer" at lady farmer parables

Renee at count it pure joy

Giggles at life in my lane

Giggles' Mom

Linda C. at seasons of life

Canadian in the Country

Deb at welcome to my place

Regina

And so, without further ado, I present to you the "sunshine walking awards" - in three categories! :-)

The first award goes to the Sunshine Walker that posted the most days of exercising! The winner even started a few days behind the rest and she still posted 14 days of exercising! Way to go Deb!

The second award goes to the Sunshine Walker that posted her progress the most. With 19 comments, the winner is Giggles! Part of the walking habit is thinking about walking everyday and I know Giggles was thinking about it, since she posted almost every day!

And the last award goes to a randomly drawn name from all the participants. The winner is...Raeann, the Lady Farmer!

Deb, Giggles and Raeann will all be receiving pedometers from Heritage Schoolhouse, so they can track their progress as they continue walking on sunshine! :-) Deb and Raeann, if you will please leave an e-mail address in the comments of this post, I will contact you to find out where to send your pedometer. Giggles, I'll bring yours to you on Wednesday. :-)

I hope everyone enjoyed the challenge of Walking on Sunshine for 21 days! And, I hope many new healthy habits were formed. :-) Thank you all for walking with me. I had fun!

Cappuccino Muffins

Cappuccino Muffins

12 servings

for espresso spread
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
for muffins
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Combine the spread ingredients; refrigerate. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; set aside. Stir milk and coffee granules until coffee is dissolved. Add butter, egg and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve with espresso spread and enjoy!

These muffins are equally delicious with cold milk or hot coffee!

Linked to Sweet Indulgences Sunday.

Supper Menus
October 27th-November 1st

Monday
chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, dinner rolls
Tuesday
crispy tacos, spanish rice, refried beans
Wednesday
chicken pot pie, lettuce and tomato salad
Thursday
savory beef sandwiches, tomato soup
Friday
invited to supper at family's house, taking sugar cookies
Saturday
take out hot wings

Walkin' On Sunshine Day 21!

Yeah! 21 days of walking on sunshine! Who walked today?!

If you participated in Walkin' On Sunshine, please don't forget to check in at Heritage Schoolhouse tomorrow morning for a surprise! :-) Great job everyone! I know you all tried your very best. :-)

My results!

Days Walked - 18

Total Miles - 26.64

Average Miles Each Day - 1.48

What I learned - looking at my schedule and planning when I am going to walk the next day is essential for me to follow through!

Walkin' On Sunshine Day 20

"How can you explain that you need to know that the trees are still there,

and the hills and the sky? Anyone knows they are.

How can you say it is time your pulse responded to another rhythm,

the rhythm of the day and the season instead of the hour and the minute?

No, you cannot explain. So you walk."

~Author unknown

from New York Times editorial,

"The Walk," 25 October 1967

Day 20! Wow! Who walked today? :-)

"He is the happiest, be he king or peasant,

who finds peace in his home."

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Late October" by Ray Hendershot

Autumn Morning in a Deer Stand

photos by Mr. H. :-)

My hardworkin' "Mr. H." :-)

How I love this man.

Walkin' On Sunshine Day 19

I have a sick little boy at my house and wasn't able to get my walk in today. Was anyone else able to have a sunshine walk? We just have two more days left! I hope to work in two more walks this weekend. If you've been Sunshine Walking with me, be sure to check back in on Monday for a little surprise. :-)

front yard red oak and blue october sky

October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came -

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,

And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet,

And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing,

Professor Wind the band.

from "October's Party"

~ George Coooper

Walkin' On Sunshine Day 18

"In every walk with nature

one receives far more than he seeks."

~John Muir

Hi Sunshine Walkers! 18 days down - only 3 left! How are you doing?

Also, a very warm welcome to Deb! I realized today that I hadn't announced her as a new member - and she is doing a great job!!! :-)

Baked Potato Soup

Baked Potato Soup
8 servings

4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup onion, finely diced
6 potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 cups chicken broth
1/2 pint half-and-half
½ pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
optional toppings - extra bacon, extra cheese, sour cream, chives, salt and pepper

In a large stock pot saute onion in butter until tender. Add potatoes, chicken broth and enough water to just cover potatoes. Bring to a boil; lower heat and simmer until potatoes are cooked. Add half and half and bacon. Add cheese and stir until completely melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with choice of traditional baked potato toppings and enjoy!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup

At last!

My daughter and I have been watching

for these at the grocery for weeks!

Today - they were there!

An Autumn Hutch

Dishes are my weakness...

I usually can resist, but autumn colored plates and bowls priced at $1 a piece at the grocery ... well, I just couldn't help myself! I brought my treasures home, paired them with items I had on hand and gave my hutch a little fall makeover! :-)

A sweet little find...

... an acorn soap pump.

Dollar Store - I heart you!

Walkin' On Sunshine Day 17

Alrighty, we only have four days left! How did everyone do today?! :-)

I'm on a mission...

Pink Mexican Sugar Cookies

3 dozen

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

several drops red food coloring

extra sugar

Cream shortening and sugar. Add egg and mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Add food coloring; mix well. Shape dough into balls and roll in sugar. Place balls on cookie sheet and flatten with the bottom of a glass. Bake for 12 minutes at 350°. Cool completely and enjoy!

I am trying to recreate one of my husband's favorite childhood treats - pink mexican sugar cookies! He has fond memories of both grandmothers taking him to a neighborhood bakery in the valley of south Texas for these special cookies. He enjoyed these today, but we are thinking the cookie needs to be denser - maybe more flour next time? Stay tuned...I'll update the recipe next time I try a batch!

Edited to add - he has also requested that they be "greasier". :-) Though, I don't think I can, in good conscience, use more than one cup of shortening at a time! ;-)

Harvest Fun

An afternoon at the

"Haunted Hay Maze"

and

"Pumpkin Patch"!