Happy Halloween

This year we spent Halloween with a couple of couples. Our friends Heidi and Matt hosted a small dinner party at their house. Heidi made her awesome organic (ingredients mostly from her OWN garden) chili and apple crisp. I brought pumpkin muffins, Paula Deen’s spiced caramel dip (for apples – think caramel apples) and cream cheese filled pumpkin muffins. In case I haven’t mentioned, I’m a bit on the pumpkin obsessed side. I LOVE pumpkin!

Here's our adorable buffet table

Here's our Menu:
Pumpkin Muffins
Organic Chili
Garden Veggies & Dip
Crackers & White Bean Dip
Carmamel Apple Dip & Apples
Organic Apple Crisp
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Since the weather was super nice, we ended up eating dinner on Heidi & Matt’s adorable back deck. We were so blessed with such a nice evening. It was great to be able to eat outside while watching the adorable children all dressed up in cute little costumes go bounce around excitedly from house to house collecting candy. Some of the costumes were just adorable, my favorite was a little girl dressed as Tinker Bell – she looked exactly like her! She was just a doll!

After dinner, we all sat down and played a very entertaining game of Apples to Apples. We all had a blast with this game! It was two of the couples first time to play it and are now big fans of the game too! I highly suggest this game at your next get together.

We all had so much fun that we decided we would have to have a monthly get together and each take turns hosting. Get togethers are so much fun! I hope everyone had a very Happy Halloween!

Happy 1 Month Anniversary to Us!

Kevin & I had a very productive day - while I can't say it was "exciting" it was nice to get some things checked off our to-do list.

First of all, we slept-in....woo hoo!! Then, we went to church and heard an especially awesome sermon! Afterwards, our church had a delicious pancake breakfast - with super yummy bacon! Kevin and I then went to Dillard's to get a few things with some of our wedding gift cards. Gotta love the gift cards! ;)

But sadly, when we came home it was time to buckle down so we could both get some studying done.

This afternoon Kevin rushed in our room to take a picture of me studying. I have trouble sitting still while studying so I often move from room to room and from place to place. For whatever reason I thought it would be a good idea if I studied for Microbiology on my bed.....not really sure why. Maybe because Micro is really boring and if I fell asleep reading, I'd be in a perfect place for a nap - LOL! But seriously, I struggle with Micro!

Since we both knew we would be busy, we decided we would have our slow cooker make our dinner. :) It couldn't have been easier. When we arrived home we threw a pork loin in the slow cooker with some root beer (I know it sounds weird but, it's really good) and spices and let it cook. And before serving we made a chipotle sauce for the pork. Five minutes later we were eating tacos!

Here's the recipe:
1/2 Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 1/2 Tablespoon Chili Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 1/2 Teaspoon Cumin
1 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
1 1/2 Teaspoon Oregano
Combine on low heat. Thoroughly coat the pork.

Here's a really blurry (not quite sure what happened) picture of my taco:

What's better than Football and Chili?!?!

If you're anything like me, my family or my friends than I bet you couldn't name too many things that could beat this combo! What a better way to kick off football season and the cool fall temps than with chili!!! Kevin loves my chili recipe, I pretty much combinded a few chili recipes that I found on-line based on my on personal preferences and thus, "My Chili Recipe" was born. Lol!! :)

Here is the receipe, enjoy!

**Remember, it's best served while watching your favorite college football team! :)

Turkey Chili

1 package of ground turkey meat
1 can of Delmonte canned tomatoes with green peppers and onions
1 can of Kidney beans
1/2 chopped green pepper
2 tblspoons of chopped onion (add more or less based on your preferences)
1 package of chili seasoning
1/2 cup of water

Ground turkey meat on stove top until cooked throughly and broken into pieces. In a large pot, combine cooked meat with rest of ingrediants. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45-60 minutes.

Serve with cheese and saltine crackers.

Fireproof Update

And, it was AMAZING. The story line was great. The music - well, let's just say that I have to get the soundtrack! It is obvious that the writers, directors, actors, and everyone else involved with the movie is filled with the Holy Spirit. The light of Christ shines throughout the film. Kevin and I went with another couple and they also enjoyed the movie. I feel so blessed to have so many Christ-centered couples in my life and in my blogging life. I truly appreciate how much I receivefrom all of you. :)

My only piece of advice is to bring lots of tissue!

I <3 the Melting Pot

Kevin & I met some of our friends at the Melting Pot to celebrate my birthday! We had such a great time!

We recieved a fondue set as a wedding present and I can't wait to try it out. This trip to the Melting Pot has inspired me to make our own fondue.....stay tuned for recipes..... ;)

Spaghetti Carbonara - Fast

Have you ever had a day that you thought would be calming and relaxing only to realize that it will actually be very hectic and rushed? Sadly, that is what today has been for me. Last night I mentally made a note of what I had to do today, that list had 1 item on it. This morning, after sleeping in until 9:30am I decided it would be best if I wrote a list out. Well, half way through my list, it hit me - I have A LOT to do today. A whole lot!

So, I grabbed a quick bowl of cereal and started on my to-do list. Around noon I started to get a little hungry but was determined to get just 1 more thing done. Well, around 1:30pm my stomach started to growl. It was also that time that Martha Stewart was making SpaghettiCarbonara. How perfect for a fast and tastey; not to mention well balanced - protein, carbs (no, they aren't all bad and when you need energy they are a must) and um, bacon! Perfect. It's been so simple and fast to make. The longest part is actually been boiling the water for the pasta. And, I already had all the ingredients on-hand. Huge thumbs up from me!

On a completely separate note, I'm going to see "Fireproof" tonight! I have heard nothing but good things about this movie and can't wait to see it!

Here's Martha's recipe

Ingredients :
Serves 4
· 8 ounces bacon (8 slices), cut 1-inch thick crosswise
· Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
· 1 pound spaghetti
· 3 large eggs
· 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
· 1/2 cup half-and-half

Directions :
1. Set a large pot of water to boil (for the pasta). In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, 8 to 12 minutes; transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
2. Salt the boiling water generously; add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions.
3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, Parmesan, and half-and-half. Set aside. Drain the pasta, leaving some water clinging to it. Working quickly, add the hot pasta to the egg mixture. Add the bacon; season with salt and pepper, and toss all to combine (the heat from the pasta will cook the eggs). Serve immediately, sprinkled with additional Parmesan cheese.

Fireproof

Ok, first I should say that this is a non-food post....which I'm sure is obvious. :)
As everyone knows, I don't have much of a life beyond nursing school and I rarely see movies in the theater. HOWEVER, I am so going to make an exception for the movie Fireproof. I'm not sure why I feel such a huge desire to spread the word about this movie but, I do. God has really impressed on my heart the desire to tell of this movie's mission. I haven't seen it yet but, from what I've read it's about 2 good (I think Christian - I think) people who have entered into a marriage that is dissolving and neither knows how to save it and divorce seems to be the only choice. Here's the link to their website http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

Kevin and I went through the most amazing marriage preparation classes. We were so blessed to have such wonderful God-centered couples as teachers who provided great literature and scripture to enhance the course. At the end, we were both left feeling very strongly about the bond of marriage and very strongly about sharing this feeling.

I know so many married couples facing hardships and I just wish I could sit them down explain to them how important it is to put your marriage first. I understand that today with ALL of the many things we have going on in our lives (I'm definitely talking to myself on this one! Lol!) that it is easy to not put 100% into our marriages. In our society, it's so easy to give up.....in my opinion, too easy.

Ok, I'm climbing off my soapbox. I certainly hope I haven't offended anyone. If I have, please know that it wasn't my intention. :)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Fall day!