Pumpkin Patch 2013

One of our favorite things to do each year is go to the pumpkin patch!  I just love all things fall.  This year, I got K all dressed up in her Pumpkin dress and off we went.  It ended up being a little warm that day but it was beautiful! 

We go to Nichols Boyd Farms.  There was a LONG line that day, but thankfully K had a good time on Daddy's shoulders,

 playing with the scarecrows,

jumping off the hay bales (aren't Daddy's arms the BEST?!),

and posing for pictures.  They have a hay ride that takes us through their farm.  We got to see cows,

Z-donks,

donkeys,

goats,

and camels. 

Then we arrived at the pumpkin patch. I think K loves playing more than picking out her pumpkin...though she did inform us that hers was the biggest pumpkin EVER! 

She ran through the maze, played in the cornbox,

used the swing, pushed Daddy on the swing

and climbed hay bales.  She then jumped off.  I love this series of pictures! 

We had a great time!  So thankful for my little family and the time we have together. 

Thankful that we are able to do fun things like the pumpkin patch!

Broccoli Casserole

Anyone remember that yummy broccoli casserole from childhood?  You know, the one that was oh so cheesy because it was full of velveeta?  The one with crushed Ritz crackers on top, soaked in butter?  That one, yeah, that one!!!  Oh...I love that recipe.  But it is, despite being a broccoli dish, not that great for you! 

So, in my quest to cook more, I made this yummy dish from Cooking Light.  It is a broccoli casserole that has cheddar cheese in it with a thickened sauce.  The recipe calls for Melba crackers as the topping, but I used crushed pita chips and they were great!  Definitely a comfort food redone!

Broccoli and Parmesan Casserole from Cooking Light August 2006 (!)
8 cups coarsely chopped broccoli (I used 2 of the "bunches" sold at my grocery store)
1/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1 cup water + 1 chicken boullion cube (or 1 cup chicken stock)
1 cup reduced fat shredded SHARP (very improtant for flavor!) cheddar cheese (swiss might work as well)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided (this really added to the flavor)
1 cup pita chips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Cook broccoli until crisp-tender, drain.  In a small sauce pan, place flour and dry mustard over medium heat.  Gradually whisk in the milk and stock.  Cook for 8 minutes or until thickened.  Stir constantly.  Remove from the heat and add the cheddar cheese and 6 T of parmesan.  Stir until melted.  Stir in broccoli and coat with sauce.  Pour mixture into a 13X 9 dish.

Put the pita chips in a food processor and pulse until crumbs.  Combine with remaining parmesan and sprinkle over broccoli.  Spray with cooking spray.  Bake for 15 minutes or until bubbly.  Allow to cool for about 5 minutes before serving.  Enoy!

Fake Lasagna

Last week a friend and I got together to make dinner.  We don't see each other often because of our work schedule but like to cook when we do.  That day, we both went through our cookbooks looking for something to make...then I thought of one of my favorite meals as a child, fake lasagna! 

Another title is Laura's lasagna.  There was this elderly couple in the local Rose Society (my dad was a rosarian, even took trips to judge rose shows!) and they kind of adopted us.  We called them Uncle Joe and Aunt Laura.  By MY memory (I could be wrong and if I am we'll pretend I'm not!) she gave us this recipe.  It's pretty simple just noodles on the bottom, meat and tomato mixture on top, with cheese topping that.  What makes it special is what is IN the noodles...cream cheese! 

OH!  This just makes it delicious.  I just can't think of a reason a child wouldn't like this (unless they can't have diary or something like that).  This time, I even got whole wheat egg noodles.  I was worried at first but it turned out great.  I'm planning on trying to do variations on this with a bit less cream cheese and topping it with a veggie mixture.  I think that would be great!  Please try and enjoy this recipe from my childhood!

Laura's (Fake) Lasagna
4 cups egg noodles

1 lb ground beef
½ cup onion, chopped
2 8oz cans tomato sauce
1 tsp garlic salt
8oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
1 can evaporated milk (the small one, 5oz maybe - I used 1/2 cup)
1 cup mozzarella

Cook noodles until soft in boiling water. Brown beef and onion. Add tomato sauce and cook until thickened. Drain noodles and stir in cheese, milk, and garlic salt. When melted pour into a 2 quart baking dish. Spread meat mixture over the top. Top with cheese. Bake in 375 degree oven for 10 minutes or until cheese browns.
Enjoy!