Jonathan

Jonathan has been riding horses a lot this fall.  He has become a fine horseman - a wonderful thing to see.  So thankful for all that Marvin can teach him about horsemanship - and thankful that Jonathan is taking the time to learn.

a boy, his horse, and his dog   :)

Corn Casserole

Corn Casserole
1 can whole kernel corn  (I actually use 2 cans because I like a little more corn in the overall ratio)
1 can cream style corn
1 egg
½ cup butter, melted
8 oz. sour cream
1  6oz. pkg cornbread mix (suggest Jiffy brand - can also use jalapeño blend if you like)
½ cup shredded cheese

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  Pour into a greased 9x13 dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes (until the center is set).

Fence building

Jackson and Marvin have been working hard on a new fence at Jackson and Brianna's house.  This is a much anticipated fence because it will allow Scooter and Koda free run in their own backyard.  Jackson and Brianna saved their money to buy the supplies and Jackson and Marvin are the cheap (free!) labor!  :D

Although there have been a few surprises along the way, the fence is going up and looking great.  It will be wonderful when they complete the job and the dogs can enjoy their new backyard play area.  :)

Here are photos so far...

The fence will run along the side of the house to
provide access to the side door.  

On this side it will encompass both our lots - a big area!

It is going to be a very nice space

Brianna, Koda, and Scooter checking out the yard.  

supplies are here!

Koda has gotten so big!
He needs a fenced in yard!  :D

Two hard working guys!

I am sorry that I never got a photo of Jeremy or Adrian when they came to help work on the fence.  :(  We sure do appreciate their efforts!!!

It is much easier to dig post holes with the tractor!

Even though you still have to do some hand work.

Brianna and I offering our support.  :D

cute   :)

Jackson had already put up pickets when we arrived that morning.

Good grief, they even eat the same!!  :D

Frame is looking good!

Two fine fellas!

It is coming along!

I'll post again when the fence is completed.  Exciting!  :)
Note -
(The fence is now completed and I will post that update very soon!)

Ravioli and Sausage in Tomato Cream Sauce

Ravioli and Sausage in Tomato Cream Sauce

1 lb. pkg. of turkey keilbasa or summer sausage (I used Brown Sugar Bourbon smoked sausage this time around)

½ cup diced onion

minced garlic to taste

20 oz. pkg. refrigerated tortellini  (I used 20 oz. pkg. frozen cheese ravioli and prepared it separately)

28 oz. can whole tomatoes  (I used petite diced tomatoes with sweet onion)

1 cup chicken broth  (I used 1 chicken bouillon cube plus about ¼ cup water)

2-3 Tbsp. cream cheese

2 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese   (I used about ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese)

I also added a Knorr Parma Rosa sauce packet mixed with about 1 ¼ cups milk.

Cook the onion and garlic in a little olive oil until soft.  Add sliced sausage and brown.  Add chicken broth/bouillon/water, tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste.  Heat through.  Add Knorr Parma Rosa sauce packet plus 1 ¼ cups milk.  Stir to blend.  Lower heat to simmer.  Add prepared ravioli, cream cheese and shredded cheese to pan.  Stir until all is blended/melted.  Serve hot.  

Red Barn Festival

Last Saturday was the annual Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival.  I always enjoy attending and this year was no exception.  The weather was lovely.  (So glad they moved it to late September instead of mid-October... I remember a few years with snow, wind, and icy temps!  But ever since the change in date the weather has been perfect!)

Marvin, Adrian, Jackson, and Jonathan

Marvin, Laura, and Gwen

Laura and Brenda

Matthew and Matt

We met up with a whole bunch of folks while at Red Barn!  I didn't even get photos of everyone, but I sure tried.  :D  We spent a lot of time near the performance area so that we could hear Brianna sing with Minor Detail and Matthew sing with True Men.

Brianna singing with Minor Detail

Jonathan, Adrian, Jackson, Brianna, Jeremy, Shonda, Peggie,
Earl, Laura, Marvin, Matt, Melina, Matthew, and Brenda

watching True Men perform

Matthew singing with True Men

Alyssa, Matthew, Matt, Brenda, Julie, Rojina, Marvin,
James, Brianna, Jackson, Jonathan, Adrian

Later, Marvin, Jonathan, Brianna, Jackson, and I walked over to the new food truck, Santana's Mexican Wagon, and enjoyed a quick lunch together.  Again, the food was quite tasty!

Jackson is there, you just can't see him.  :)
Brianna, Jonathan, and Marvin ready to enjoy lunch.

Steak taco and fish taco.  Yummy!

Oven Roasted Butternut Squash

Since I was already roasting the cauliflower, I sliced up a butternut squash and put it in the oven at the same time.  These two dishes went very well together.

Peel a butternut squash.  (this can be time consuming... which is why I usually just bake my butternut squash whole!!)  Cut into similar size cubes.  Toss with maple syrup and just a tad bit of salt, pepper, and garlic.  (Actually, what I did was put the diced squash into the bowl that had held the melted butter and seasonings for the cauliflower.  I figured the squash and maple syrup would attract the remnants of seasoning and it was just about perfect.)

Lay squash on a prepared baking sheet.  (You may want to use parchment paper because the maple syrup will sort of caramelize when roasted.)  Roast at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes.  You may flip the squash over halfway through roasting time.

Butter Roasted Cauliflower

This was wonderful!!!!

What is it with me and the blue dishes lately??
They are not very photogenic for food pics!

Butter Roasted Cauliflower

1 head (1.75 lb.) cauliflower, trimmed and cut into 2 inch florets (about 5 cups)

2 Tbsp. butter, melted

¼ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

¼ tsp. garlic powder

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper or a silicone mat.  Spread cauliflower on prepared baking sheet.  Mix the seasonings with the melted butter.  Brush each cauliflower floret with seasoned melted butter.  Roast for about 30 minutes.  Flip cauliflower over and continue roasting until tender and golden - about 10 minutes more.

White Bean and Roasted Mushroom Soup

PLEASE don't let the awful photo turn you away from this recipe!  It was amazing!  (but the photo is horrible!)  Trust me, this is a wonderfully tasty soup.  :)

should not have used a blue bowl for this soup - ugly!

White Bean and Roasted Mushroom Soup

16 oz. mushrooms, halved or quartered

1-2 large sweet onions, quartered

3-4 garlic cloves, slightly crushed

1-2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 ½ tsp. salt, divided

1 ½ tsp. pepper, divided

*8-10 fresh sage leaves*

*8-10 stems plus 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme*

*(note - I used dry seasoning for sage and thyme - a couple of tsp of thyme leaves plus a couple tsp. of a rosemary herb blend I have.  You can adjust this to suit you.)*

48 oz. chicken or vegetable broth

3  15oz. cans cannellini beans, not drained

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Toss mushrooms, garlic, and onion in olive oil, 1 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper, plus the sage/thyme seasonings.  Spread on baking sheets.  (You will want to keep the mushrooms on a separate baking sheet because you will puree the onion and garlic later.)  Roast in oven for 10 minutes.  Toss vegetables then roast for additional 15 minutes.  

While vegetables are roasting add broth, beans, ½ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. pepper and a tsp or so of the sage/thyme seasonings to a large stock pot.  Simmer over medium heat.  

When vegetables are done roasting, let cool slightly.  Retrieve 2 cups of the cannellini beans and 1 cup of broth from the stock pot.  Place in a blender along with the roasted onion and garlic mixture.  Cover and blend until smooth.  Add pureed mixture back into stock pot and whisk until smooth.  Add roasted mushrooms and any additional seasoning you desire.  Warm over low heat until ready to serve.  

SO good!!

Visit from James

Last week we had a wonderful surprise.  James came home for a quick visit!  He was able to get leave and come home for a few days.  How wonderful to get to see him!!  Here are a few photos from his visit.

Jonathan, James, and Rojina

Surprising Jackson!

Marvin, Jackson, and James

Rojina, James, Jackson, Brianna, Marvin  

family dinner

James enjoying family dinner.  :D