31 Days of Fall - Day 24 Fall Lacrosse

As lacrosse has rapidly worked its way south, we have caught the bug.  This is our 5th season of playing lacrosse and what a great time it is.  Unlike the spring season, fall lacrosse is laid back and a lot of fun.  The boys try out different positions and throw a few trick plays in for a bit of excitement. 

Waiting for the Play

 



Here it comes...

 

In action

 

Another W for the team

 

 

 

Part of 31 Days of Fall

31 Days of Fall - Day 23 Halloween Hayride

Since my son was a year old, we have been hosting a Halloween Hayride at our house.  For the past 13 years we have loaded up lots and lots of friends and had a trick or treat extravaganza.  This year was bittersweet, as my son and his friends at 14 decided they were too old for the hayride.  So this year, my daughter had a trailer full of all her very best friends.  While different, it was still a GREAT time.

Part of 31 Days of Fall

31 Days of Fall - Day 22 Soft Almond Sugar Cookies

We LOVE sugar cookies in our house.  We like them with icing and without, with sugar and without.  We like them vanilla flavored and almond flavored.  We like them cut out and rolled.  We like them just about anyway you can think to make them.  I am always trying out new sugar cookie recipes to add to our collections.   This one, a Pinterest find is a real keeper.

Soft Almond Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 c white sugar
2/3 c butter, cold
2/3 c shortening, room temp
2 eggs
2 1/2  t almond extract
1 1/2 c cake flour
1  c all purpose flour
2 t cornstarch
2 t baking powder
1 t salt
colored sugar for rolling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cream sugar, shortening and butter.  Add eggs and almond extract.  Combine flours, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.  Add to butter mixture.

Roll dough into 1 inch balls and roll in colored sugar of your choice.  Place on cookie sheet. 

Bake for  4 minutes.  Quickly press each cookie to flatten with the back of a spoon or spatula -- if you don't the cookies will remain in balls, not flat perfect sugar cookies.  Bake 4 more minutes.  Cookies should hold thier shape, but not browned. 

Remove from oven and cool on a cooling rack.  Allow to cool completely. 

Part of 31 Days of Fall. 
Ingredient Spotlight

Meal Plan Monday - November 5

Another week, another meal plan.  I'm kind of at a loss this week.  I'm just not sure what to cook.  As we are trying to eat much healthier, I don't have my usual recipes to fall back on.  Also, most of our fall sports are finished, so I have more time to cook.  We'll see how this goes.

Sunday - Chef Salad
Monday - Baked Chicken Parmesan, Salad
Tuesday - Veggie Quesadillas, Fruit
Wednesday - Cheer Banquet
Thursday - Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Salad
Friday - Subway - Nanny's Treat!
Saturday - Soup and Sandwiches - just not sure what type yet

For more great meal plan ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie.

31 Days of Fall - Day 21 Pear Muffins

In all the love pumpkins and apples get in the fall, pears are sometimes left out, which is terribly unfair as pears are such wonderful fruits.  So, to pay homage to the delicious, juicy pear, I sharing a pear muffin recipe I've been making for at least 13 years.

Pear Mini Muffins

2 c all purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t allspice
1/2 t salt
1 c buttermilk
1/4 c vegetable oil
1 egg
2/3 c packed brown sugar
1 16 oz can pear slices, drained and chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line mini muffin pan with paper liners or spray with cooking spray. 

In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt.

In a large bowl, blend buttermilk, oil, egg and brown sugar.  Add flour mixture top wet ingredients and stir until combined.  Fold in pears.

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.  Bake for 18 - 20 minutes until golden.

Part of 31 Days of Fall. 

31 Days of Fall - Day 20 Fall Snack Mix

Boo Boo's Girl Scout Troop recently spend the night at Zoo Atlanta.  Wow, what a wonderful experience!  To keep away the late night muchies, we made this Fall Snack Mix for each of the girls and moms. 

Fall Snack Mix


Maple Frosted Mini Wheats
Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Cheez-It Crackers
Reese's Pieces
Candy Corn
Pretzel Sticks
Caramel Corn
Mini Oreos
Teddy Grahams
Goldfish

The best part about making a snack mix is you can put in whatever you want.  Then package it up to share with your friends.

 

 To start at the begining of the series - 31 Days of Fall.

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

We entertain.  A lot.  We love to have people over and just enjoy life.  As a result, I have quite a collection of quick, easy and delicious appetizer/snack recipes.  These stuffed mushrooms are a favorite, even for people who don't like mushrooms. 

I like to serve these anytime I need a quick yummy appetizer.  You can make the filling a few days ahead and refrigerate or you can make the entire recipe earlier in the day and refrigerate until time to bake. 

I orginally found this in a cookbook put together Seaside Beach Community.

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

2 packages baby portobello mushrooms, cleaned and stems removed

1 - 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened slightly

1 pound sausage, cooked and drained.

Parmesan Cheese

Combine cream cheese and cooked sausage.  Stuff mushrooms with sausage mixture.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake at 350* for 15 minutes. 

Best served immediately.  

Linked to Life As Mom Ultimate Recipe Swap