Her new skill...

What I Call Pretty

I did a plug for my friend Missy's new etsy store recently. Well, she added more stuff. You should visit. Really. Scarves, flowers for your girl's hair, new apron prints. She is crazy talented. I added a button to my sidebar to link you to her site so you can shop there any time without trying to find this post or remembering the site.

Slow-Cooked Bean Medley

I love to try new recipes. I get most of them from Taste of Home magazine....or your blogs. Here are a few of my favorites that I've tried recently (or been asked for the recipes). Hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

You can use any combination of beans in this recipe. I didn't use the black eyed peas or lima beans. I substituted an extra can of kidney beans and a bag of frozen edemame (soy beans for those who don't know...). I also used frozen corn instead of canned corn. I just like it better.

• 1-1/2 cups ketchup
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15-1/2 ounces) black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15-1/2 ounces) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) lima beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained

Directions

• In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 12 ingredients. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours or until onion and peppers are tender. Discard bay leaves. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup equals 255 calories, 4 g fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 942 mg sodium, 45 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber, 9 g protein.

Slow-Cooked Bean Medley published in Taste of Home June/July 2008,

Mexican Manicotti

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
• 2-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 package (8 ounces) uncooked manicotti shells
• 2-1/2 cups water
• 1 jar (16 ounces) picante sauce
• 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican cheese blend
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• Sliced ripe olives, optional

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the uncooked beef, beans, chili powder and oregano. Spoon into uncooked manicotti shells; arrange in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Combine water and picante sauce; pour over shells. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Uncover; spoon sour cream over the top. Sprinkle with cheese, onions and olives if desired. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 431 calories, 20 g fat (12 g saturated fat), 90 mg cholesterol, 554 mg sodium, 36 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 23 g protein.

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Ginger-Streusel Pumpkin Pie

This is the best pumpkin pie I ever had, and I bake a lot. Enjoy!

• 1 sheet refrigerated pie pastry
• 3 eggs
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
• 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• STREUSEL:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger

Directions

• On a lightly floured surface, unroll pastry. Transfer pastry to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate; flute edges.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin, cream, sugars, cinnamon, salt, allspice, nutmeg and cloves. Pour into pastry shell. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in walnuts and ginger. Gently sprinkle over filling.
• Bake 15-25 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece equals 684 calories, 42 g fat (21 g saturated fat), 176 mg cholesterol, 388 mg sodium, 73 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 9 g protein.

Ginger-Streusel Pumpkin Pie published in Taste of Home October/November 2008, p41

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Streusel Pumpkin Pie published in Taste of Ho

They don't need to be taught...

...how to sin.

_________________

A: "Mommy, I need you to open the door." (we got a chain lock for the sliding door to our deck after a friend's daughter escaped while she was in the shower...she was fine, but it scared me since Adeline knows how to take out the security bar, unlock the door, and go out to play).

me: "No honey, we are going to stay inside right now. Go play with your friends."

A: "Daddy, can you please open the door for me?"

Pat: "Mommy already told you no, and so you don't come to ask daddy when mommy already answered you. Daddy and mommy will always agree."

A: walks to my right around the table..."Mr Salada, I would like you to open the door please."

at which point the adults in the room are trying hard to not bust out laughing.

Mr S: "Well, Adeline, mommy and daddy already told you, no. So, you probably shouldn't be asking me."

A: Without missing a beat, Adeline walks around to the other side of the table. "Mrs. Salada, would you unlock the door for me, please?"

Mrs S: "Adeline, your mommy and daddy said no. They are in charge of you. You need to obey them. Now, go play."

Content that she had exhausted all her options, Adeline ran off happily and played.

___________________

A: "Mommy, can I wear my Thomas shirt today?"

me: "no, you can wear it tonight when you go to bed."

A: "I can ask daddy when daddy gets home."

She clearly missed the lesson from the door incident...

___________________

I came home from work and Adeline and her friend, Rock were watching a movie. After they left, we had this conversation...

A: "Mommy, I want to watch the movie again."

me: "No, sweetheart. We only watch one movie a day, and it is all done."

A: "Mrs Fix said I could watch it again."

hmm...somehow I doubt that Mrs Fix, who isn't here, said you could continue watching movies to your heart's content.

__________________________
Did you notice the theme? This week's Tiny Talk Tuesday focused on recent examples of my daughter lying and manipulating. We didn't teach her how to do these things (although I'm sure we provide examples more than we care to believe). I know this behavior is "normal." I don't think she is unusually rebellious, according to earthly standards, but that's not the standard.

Children are not born innocent. Sure, they don't understand there are things like pornography, murder, and rape. However, we need to teach our children (and ourselves) things like kindness, mercy, self-control, and patience. We don't need to teach them how to lie, cheat, and be selfish. Those things are at our core. These stories are cute, but they also remind me that my heart is rebellious too, and I need the grace of God each and every day. Even though we laugh when their sin is so obvious, it is something to take seriously. I pray that God will soften Adeline's heart and give us wisdom to train her heart to choose what is right, true, and lovely.

Head to Mary's for more TTT...

Bah ha ha!!!

I saw this at Mari's, and it cracked me up....here's something to start your week with a smile.

Trick-or-Treat

I know...it's a lot of pictures...but this kid is just SO photogenic! If you look at her, she'll smile.

Seriously...

Adeline "got it" a little more this year. My dad came along trick-or-treating with us while my mom held down the fort to give out candy.

Adeline asked every adult at every house we visited, "Can I eat this (holding up a lollipop)?" She is not picky about which adult gives her permission to do things, and she will continue to ask anyone she can find until she gets an answer she likes....we're working on this.

But let's face it, when you're two, it really just comes down to the candy.

Halloween Flashback

2007

2008

Tiny Talk Tuesday

A: "That's Rocky's (my parents' dog) tail."

Paw paw: "Do you have a tail?"

A: "No, paw paw, I have a po po."

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Adeline was watching four boys playing with a football in the middle of our street.

A: "I want to play ball."

me: "Oh, honey, those are big kids playing out there."

A: "But I'm a big girl..."

yeah, broke my heart.

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A: "I'm making some cookies mommy (out of playdough)."

me: "Wow, great job, Adeline. Can mommy have one."

A: "Yes, but don't eat it. It's just pretend."

___________________

Head over to Mary's for more tiny talkers...

Queen Anne Farm

I love all things fall. We had so much fun at Queen Anne Farm last year, we needed to go again.

That is one ginormous apple!!!

Can't wait for baby Koncsics #5 to arrive!!!

Adeline the Brave

I posted this picture on Wednesday of my sweet girl. Now, I need to tell you the story behind the picture. Our friends, the Hollingers, came for a visit Labor Day weekend (I know it's October...don't judge me). We took them to Watkin's Park for the day. Adeline was in a habit of being afraid of any and all new activities. Patrick decided we needed to make her go for a pony ride. We realized this may not go well. She may go into full 2 year old tantrum mode.

Gabriella went first and paved the way for success.

There were two "guides" leading two horses around the track. One was a regular teenager in jeans and a t-shirt. We waited through an extra kid because I just needed Adeline's pony picture to be with the guy with the feather hat. I mean, really....

She said no, but she didn't throw a fit when daddy put her on the horse. I know it doesn't look like she's having fun, but trust me...she is.

At the end, she was so proud of herself. She talked about the horse for days and wanted to tell everyone about what she did. Daddy was oh so right...

On our previous trip to Watkins Park, Adeline would not, under any circumstances, ride on the merry-go-round. She just wanted to watch. Since I already forced her onto a hayride and train ride that day, I decided it really wasn't the time to push my luck. Today was different. I mean, if she could ride a real horse, this should be easy! She still said no. I put her on the horse. She loved it!

Then we went to the playground. No convincing needed here. She's in her element....