Our Elf On The Shelf Is Here!

I got a text from Santa this morning. He said that he left us a box and we had to find it. After searching for a few minutes, we found a plain cardboard box sitting on the dining room table.

Daddy helped Connor open it. What could be inside?

A letter from Santa and some presents!

The letter explained that Santa sent us an Elf. His name is Jingle. He will be watching over Connor and reporting back to Santa.

Jingle brought us donuts from the North Pole!

Connor cannot touch Jingle or he will lose his magic. If he loses his magic, he won't be able to tell Santa if Connor has been good or not.

Jingle brought Connor some Hot Wheels!

A Cars book, and an Elf on the Shelf book!

Daddy carefully put Jingle on the fireplace mantle for today. He says we need to take down the fall decorations and put up the Christmas ones!



Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

I just received my holiday Kraft Food & Family magazine and couldn't wait to make this recipe. I love the Philadelphia Cooking Cremes. We've been doing the Savory Garlic with diced chicken and egg noodles. This ramps it up and will be added into our dinner recipes.

Here is my modified version:

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

1 Tbsp.  oil, divided

3 small  boneless skinless chicken breast halves, sliced into 1 inch strips

2 cups medium egg noodles, uncooked

1/2 lb.  fresh mushrooms, sliced

1/4 cup  finely chopped onions

1/3 cup  fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 tub  (10 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Savory Garlic Cooking Creme

1 Tbsp.  finely chopped fresh (optional)

Heat 1-1/2 tsp. oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 4 to 5 min. on each side or until done (165ºF) and browned on both sides. Transfer to plate; cover to keep warm.

Cook noodles as directed on package, omitting salt. Meanwhile, add remaining oil, mushrooms and onions to skillet; cook on medium heat 7 min. or until mushrooms release most of their liquid, stirring occasionally to scrape browned bits from bottom of skillet. Stir in broth.

Add chicken to skillet; bring sauce to boil. Add cooking creme; cook and stir on medium-low heat 4 min. Add drained noodles to skillet, stir. After plating, sprinkle with parsley if desired.

Here is a link to the original recipe and a Kraft photo: 

 Kraft's Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce  

We Have A New Edition!

This is Bailey! Bailey is a 7 week old Rottweiler. She came home on Saturday, my husband's birthday. She came from a breeder and will be registered with AKC once we figure out a name for her.

Bailey and our almost 10 year old Rottie Madison. They get along most of the time. Sometimes Bailey tries to nurse from Madison or tries to bit her ears and gets snarled at.

She's doing really well with potty training and walking on the leash.

Family Trip to the Apple Orchard

We recently took a family trip to the apple orchard that is about 2 miles from our house. This year, there was no actual apple picking due to the weather conditions this spring. We actually took two trips, one with my husband and one with my mother.

Connor made friends with the turkeys and pea hens:

I love their goat tower and bridge.

This lil momma wanted attention!

Sweet calves

Connor loved the mini donkeys!

Connor convinced Jon to go on the Moo Choo Train with him.

Tractor ride back to the orchard and pumpkin patch.

Connor and Grandma picking pumpkins.

Instead of picking apples off the trees, they devised a gutter system so you could still get something out of the orchard.

Thrift Shopping

My friend Jane and I went thrift shopping yesterday. Our closest Salvation Army has closed and the other one was closed. I need to find out if they are permanently closed as well. We checked out two Goodwills and here's what I got:

Petmate animal carrier- $5

Russ Handpainted Rooster - $2

Dolphin Teakwood Cheese Plate $5

I cannot find any information about the Russ rooster. There are two different ones in Ebay, so I'm guessing it was part of a series or a set. I had originally thought about repainting it, but it just needs some cleaning and it'll be good to display. Who knows, maybe I'll find more of these and get a set going. I really don't want to spend $20 for the ones on Ebay when I spent $2 on this!

I can't find much on the cheese plate either, just other listings labeling them as "vintage". It's in good condition, just a tiny scratch on the plate part.

The Petmate carrier will be perfect in case I need to separate one of the chickens or take a rabbit to the vet.

Total $12 before tax.

Jane found a cream Tupperware Serving Center for $3. I told her that if she didn't buy it, I was going to. It was in near perfect condition!

Just a Sweet Pic

Time For An Update!

Ok, yeah it's been a while :)

First and foremost, I want to share my pink pumpkin with you.

Yes, it is a PINK pumpkin. It's a Pink Porcelain F1 pumpkin and they are being sold for the first time this year to benefit breast cancer research. You can find out more information at Pink Pumpkin Patch Foundation . You can find your own pink pumpkin at retailers like Home Depot, Walmart and Meijer. This one is from Home Depot and was the nicest they had. I'm going to check out Meijer soon. I asked, and was told that you cannot grow pink pumpkins from the seeds because they are a F1. However, you can purchase seeds in packs of 25. I don't need 25 pumpkin plants, but may get a pack and see if anyone else wants to grow some with me. Who knows, maybe I'll grow pink pumpkins next year, set up a driveway stand and sell them for Pink Pumpkin Patch donations. I'm sure I'd be able to give more than the $0.25 cents retailers are giving...

Next...

After being here for 6 years (tomorrow), we have painted the living room! The color was a tan-gold and had been painted right before we bought the house, so we left it. Now that I've been looking at it every day for the last 3 1/2 years, it was time. We chose Valspar Balance for the walls and Valspar Sand Stone for the accent walls. Once we have a nice sunny day, I'll get a completed picture and post it. Yay for new paint! It's amazing how much a fresh coat of paint can change things.

And...

Connor's been busy. We've been doing Preschool in the Park once a week at a nearby county park. It's only through the end of this month, but he's having fun. Once he gets into it... he's so shy at times and just wants to hold my hand. This is the same kid that will go running up to other kids in the store and ask them to play.