Give Thanks....

For being up in Shaver having fun with the family and seeing Santa Claus!

For watching my Pop cook breakfast and having lots of family over!

For my cousin Lake who danced with me!

My family and lots of good food to eat!

And crazy hats and a Mom and Dad who love me very much!

I have been truly blessed this year!

A Hug....

They are just so cute!


We went to our favorite spot, Avila Beach. We could only sneak away for a couple of days and did all of our usual fun! The kids love it since they know where they are and what to expect. The weather was perfect and not a lot of people around. Little missie was loving her brother on this trip!

Pip Squeaks

I went to Pip Squeaks consignment store today since little missie needed jackets. I had took some clothes there last month to sell and hoped I had sold some. I got this cute Tommy Hilfiger rain coat (yellow) and a pink snow jacket (it's a little big 2T but she can wear it all winter long). I also got a pair of jeans. My total came to about $26.00 and then I had a credit of $35.00, so I did not pay a dime! Two barely used jackets....I was very excited! I love that store. Whenever I need something for little missie they always have what I need.

We neede the pink jacket for Christmas Tree Lane. You can walk it on Sat. Dec. 5th!

Apple Streusel Muffins

Cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top and bits of apple through the muffin. This is my new favorite muffin!


Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream (I used light sour cream)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted (or use applesauce)
1 1/2 cups chopped, peeled tart apples
TOPPING:
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cold butter or margarine
Directions
1.In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sour cream and butter. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in apples. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cusp two-thirds full.
2.For topping, combine sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle a rounded teaspoonful over each muffin. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm.

They are really good! I ate 2 this morning, so now I am having a Slim Fast for lunch. Well worth the calories!

Spicy Chicken Rigatoni

If you like spicy food, this recipe is for you. I took a Spanish Chicken recipe and turned it into a pasta dish.

Recipe:

1 large dried ancho chile, stemmed and seeded
2 cups chicken stock
2 14.5oz cans diced & fire roasted tomatoes w/green chiles (from Trader Joes)
1 8-12oz can Hunts tomato sauce
1/4 cup canola oil or olive oil
1 onion chopped
1 carrot chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp cumin
2-4 chicken breasts depending on how much you want
1 box mezzi rigatoni
fresh basil to top pasta
salt and pepper to taste

1. In a small saucepan, bring the ancho chile and 1 cup of chicken stock to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until softened, 10 minutes.
2. In a large saucepan, add the oil and add onion, carrot, garlic, bay leaf and cumin and cook until softened about 5-7 minutes. Stir in fire roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce and the broth from the ancho chile and the remaining chicken broth. Simmer for 10 minutes and take out bay leaf. In a food processor or blender, blend the tomato mixture and add back to the saucepan and keep at a simmer.
3. In a skillet, coat the bottom of the skillet with oil and heat. Take the chicken and pat dry and season with salt and pepper. Add to the pan and brown on both sides. Once the chicken is browned add the tomato sauce to the chicken and cover and let the chicken finish cooking under medium-low heat. Meanwhile, boil water for the pasta. Boil the mezzi rigatoni for 10 minutes and drain.
4.Place the pasta on your dish and top with chicken and tomato sauce. I cut up some fresh basil and topped the pasta and served it with broccoli.

Tip:
If you do not like it too spicy, only use 1 can of the fire roasted tomatoes w/green chiles and add another can of plain tomato sauce. Add a little more veggies to the mixture to give it a thick consistency or just use some canned tomatoes.

Halibut or Sea Bass would work nicely with this sauce too!

It's Official

I register for my classes at Fresno Pacific tomorrow. I will be taking 6 units a semester for the next 2 1/2 years. I will finish with my multiple subject credential and special ed mild/moderate credential. Here's to a busy 2 years a head of me!

I'm in love....

with this cake pan. My mom bought it for me today so I can make this cake for little missies b-day! I got the peppermint snow also. It is sooooo cute!
For little mans b-day I am going to make an ice cream cake with mint ice cream in the middle and for Valentine's day I am going to make a white cake with red filling. Endless possibilities!!