Monday, October 24, 2011

{Baked Oatmeal}

I love oatmeal!  It is delicious, and I can add a ton of stuff to it to suit my taste like fruit, brown sugar, or almonds.  And the best part is that it's healthy!  Oatmeal provides a ton of fiber, is low in fat, and has awesome protein.  It can fill you up easily, and it protects against heart disease and cancer.  Everybody should make oatmeal a part of their diet.


When I found this recipe on annies-eats.net, I was so eager to try it out!  I tweaked it a bit and used vanilla unsweetened Silk instead of milk, but it came out quite delicious! 


Annies Eats Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, lightly toasted, divided
½ tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
¼ cup maple syrup
1 cup milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2-3 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced ½-inch thick
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen), divided

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375˚ F.  Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.  In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, half of the nuts, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  Stir with a fork to combine.  In a liquid measuring cup, combine the maple syrup, milk, egg, butter, and vanilla.  Spread the sliced bananas in a single layer over the bottom of the baking dish.  Top with half of the berries.  Sprinkle the dry oat mixture over the fruit in an even layer.  Pour the liquid ingredients evenly over the oats.  Sprinkle the remaining nuts and berries over the top.  Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is browned and the oats have set.  Let cool 10 minutes before serving.


To read more about the healthy benefits of oatmeal, read here:  10 Benefits of Oatmeal

{Pumpkin Planter}

Sticking with the pumpkin theme...how precious is this pumpkin planter??  Want to try a different pumpkin decorating idea, this idea found on the Better Decorating Bible blog is perfect!  Find how-to instructions here --> Pumpkin Planter

{Pumpkin Pickin'}

Niecey and her pumpkins
Nothing says Autumn like a trip to the pumpkin patch.  This weekend, niecey and I went to Middleton Cedar Hill Farm in Waldorf, Maryland.  It was a beautiful fall day and we had a blast!  They had animals to feed and pet, a hay ride, corn mazes and a pumpkin patch.  I almost think I had more fun than niecey did.  Oh well...how often do I get to let my inner child come screaming out?

I think she was striking a pose

Feeding the cows
He reminds me of when I used to want a potbelly pig. 
I don't know why my parents couldn't get with that!
I'm pretty sure she thinks her auntie is crazy

Thursday, October 20, 2011

{October Special: Pumpkin Loaves}

Two PUMPKIN LOAVES for $20!!

Cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin puree, buttermilk, brown sugar. 
Smells like Thanksgiving!!

Friday, October 14, 2011

{Painted Pumpkins}

Long gone are the days of your typical jack-o-lantern.  How hot are these pumpkins???  Why be bothered with carving and scooping out seeds and pulp when you can do something as cool and easy as painting?  These pumpkins featured in Country Living are gorgeous!

photography credit:

{Milk Please!}



{ made by Sweet Treats }
 

Sometimes there is nothing better than a good ole fashioned, homemade chocolate chip cookie.  With a nice tall glass of ice cold milk, I am easily in heaven.  Yummm!

Monday, October 10, 2011

{Simple Recipe: Sugar Cookies}

You've just come in from a long day and the only thing you can think about is unwinding.  Your nine-year old comes in and says "don't forget we have to take cookies to school tomorrow!" 


OH NO!!  HOW DID I FORGET???


You can't just pick up a pack of Chips Ahoy...even the soft batch will make you the laughing stock of the PTA.  You have a choice.  You can run out to the closest grocery store for a few packs of slice and bakes, or you can whip up some of these easy sugar cookies using items right in your home. 


Simple Sugar Cookies (from cooks.com)
2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 lb. butter


Mix ingredients together in a bowl until a soft dough. Roll on floured board with a rolling pin and cut into circles. Cook in a 325 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Yield: 2 dozen.


Whew!  Crisis averted.  Now back to regularly scheduled unwinding...
 
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