Tuesday, November 10, 2009

November is here already!!!!!

A broken hand.....
A guy who got electrocuted.....

An M & M and a pirate.....


A Wedding (and me with a guy whom I love wearing a suit-Love it).....



A trip to Keyesville to ride......




I can't believe it is already November and that holiday festivities are upon us. October was jam packed full. Trip to the pumpkin patch, fall dress up parties, a camping trip to Keyesville, the wedding of my best childhood friend, Sandy, a broken hand, some new and yummy recipes, and a whole lot of fun. I thank God for the opportunities and His provision to do all these things.

Vance's hand is fine. I am happy to report he HAS learned to use his hand to break his fall. And he sure did a good job at following instructions. The hand's not too happy about that, but the mouth and face are thankful they were spared this time, for once. He has a pretty red fiberglass cast for a couple of weeks. We will X-ray next week and see where we are at. He's a great sport!

I made a couple of new recipes last week. My sister has suggested I share more of my recipes. I laugh because I don't really consider myself a good cook, just a good follower of recipes! She creates in the kitchen, I only copy! Hehe. Anyways, I do love to cook and bake, I do love to find new recipes, and I do love providing meals my family and other enjoy. With that said, here are two recipes I thought you may enjoy trying. Super easy and fast. Super yummy. I was hesitate to make the Microwave Pumpkin butter, but BOY was I sure glad I tried it. Yummy to spread on toast, waffles, pancakes, etc.

Bacon and Crab Chowder

6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 potatoes, peeled and cut to 1/2 inch dice
1 onion, chopped
4 ribs celery, finely chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper
3 tbsp flour
2 cups chicken broth
6 cups whole milk (I used 3 cups lowfat milk, 3 cups half & half)
12 oz crabmeat
3 tbsp fresh thyme (or 1 tbsp dried)
1 tbsp seafood seasoning
2 tbsp sherry
4 tbsp chopped green onions

Saute potatoes, onions, celery, and red bell pepper over medium high heat. Add bay leaf and season with salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 7-8 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth, scraping the bits off the bottom of the pan. Add milk, stir well, and bring to a low boil. Simmer on low, covered. Mix the crab with the thyme and seafood seasoning, and add to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 6-7 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the soup has thickened. Add the bacon and sherry just before serving, and sprinkle the green onions over each bowlful.


Microwave Pumpkin Butter

1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp each ginger, cloves, nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin

Combine all ingredients except pumpkin in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Add pumpkin, mix well, and microwave on high for another 5 minutes. Mixture will be bubbly. Serve warm, and refrigerate leftovers.

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