Recipes Galore!

Are you the type of person who reads magazines and then rips out any recipe that looks decent? Well I am guilty as charged! I just can't help myself. I am so inspired when I see a good recipe that I just know one day I will make it, right? Well wrong. I have found that I have gotten a bit out of hand with my collection. But what can I say when I get bored at work I turn to recipes. So now I have quite the stash. However, now that it is getting a little cooler and boat season is over, Mike and I have been home on the weekends. So I have made a promise to myself to try at least one recipe a week. (This includes baking as well). I am trying to put together a binder of all my amazing recipes (anal yes I know but I can't help myself). So if the recipe is not an instant hit it goes to the trash.

This past weekend I made 2 new items. Pumpkin Pie Bars and Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Meatballs. Lets start with the bars. They were ok but not as good as I had hoped for. I found them on one of my favorite food blogs so I thought they would be a hit. I just didn't like the way the crust cooked. The crust had rolled oats in it and I just didn't like the way it came out. I haven't heard many complaints from Mike, and Ashley liked them as well, but I think they were both being nice. I may give them another shot but that would be breaking my instant love rule.

So on to the squash and meatballs. I have never cooked with spaghetti squash before but this recipe caught my eye for some reason. I saw it in my martha stewart magazine (click here for recipe) and it was one of those I ripped out with no intension of actually making. So I saw this as a challenge. (Even Ashley said after ready the recipe she would not have made it). So this meal was super healthy and as Martha says "an alternative to refined carbs" hence the spaghetti squash.

Mike made the meatballs for me.....we all know my adversity to raw meat...and then I cooked those for a bit while the squash was in the oven (cut sides down)

After the squash was finished I was supposed to scrap the flesh into nice strands using a fork. I did not believe my meal would look like the picture but little did I know after scrapingI was able to create perfect little strands of "spaghetti". Hence the name spaghetti squash. I know super cheesy that I am excited about this but it was cool.

Then I cooked the mushrooms and sauce and added spinach at the very end and voalla a nice healthy meal.

So I will carry on with my cooking and try to keep you posted....I must admit that most of my recipes are desserts so this could get ugly. And by ugly I mean me gaining a million pounds eating all my creations. Happy Eating

Pumpkins

This morning Mike and I went to get pumpkins at a local nursery. They had TONS so it was hard to pick the perfect one. Mike found a nice 40 pounder and I found some I liked as well. It was a perfect fall morning that we started off with pumpkin lattes and pumpkin loaf from Starbucks. I know some of you are thinking pumpkin overkill but I got to get it all in before its gone. Unfortunately they do not allow dogs so Louie had to stay at home but we got him to sit with the pumpkins when we got home. We will be carving my pumpkin later with the neighbors. I won't be as creative as mikes PSU pumpkins. I am thinking the standard triangle facial features. We shall see.

So now off to finish a few more chores before football Sunday. I will be trying a new recipe tonight so hopefully it goes well. I will take some pics to share. Hope you all have a great Sunday.

Nalls resident animals. I love Mr. Kitty sunbathing

How cute is Louie!! He was so patient while I took a bunch of pictures.

I wanted this one but it would have broke the bank!!

Going to School

I signed up for a photography class and I can't wait to be a student again. I bought a new camera this winter and I am still lost when it comes to using all the features it has. The pictures I have taken are pretty amazing, especially viewing them on my 27" mac monitor. I love photography and so I am excited to learn what my camera can do and hopefully find my "style" of photography. I would love to quit my job and take pictures all day....maybe some day. A girl can dream right. So until then I will learn everything I can to become the most amazing picture taker ever! haha. Maybe one day I will have another horse of my own to take pictures of....ok sorry I was still dreaming.

Ok time for school. I will keep you updated on my studies.

Happy October!

Can you believe it is October 1st!! Where has this year gone? I swear just yesterday it was Easter. I am embracing the fall and can't wait to wear my PSU hoodie this weekend. We have a tailgate planned for Saturday at our house so it will be a fun day. The weather looks perfect ' Mostly Sunny with a high of 69' Great tailgate weather. I can't wait for the leaves to start changing as well. Fall is so beautiful. Wouldn't it be nice to wake up to this everyday and sip your warm drink in your slippers and sweats.

And of course tribute to the Nittany Lion. PSU campus is so pretty in the fall, I miss it.

Have a wonderful fall filled weekend!

I'm going back to Cali

Ok so I went back to Cali and it was a blast. Mike and I and Mom & Dad took a trip back to Sacramento to visit the Ochipinti clan. We stayed with John and Sheri on their boat for the weekend. We (John) drove the boat from Sacrament to Sausalito, which is right around the corner from San Francisco. I have been to San Fran before but it was a lot of fun to be there with family and on an amazing boat.

We spent the weekend catching up, telling stories, eating, drinking wine, and of course sight seeing. I was able to walk across the golden gate..which was pretty cool and uber touristy. I had no idea the bridge was so long but we walked the 3.4 miles across and back. I am glad that I did it. We also went into San Fran for the day and of course spent some time at Pier 39. We spent some time walking around the cute town of Sausalito and had dinner on the water one night.

It was great to spend time with the family since we don't make it out to CA that often. Mike is now convinced that he wants to live there.....stay tuned :)

Here are some pics from the trip. I think I would need about 5 blog posts to share them all so enjoy.

View from our little boat ride

I loved the seals

Dinner destination one night

Super weird boat that was right by us

San Fran for the day

The walk across the Golden Gate

Me and my favorite cousin!

Mikey on Lady O

LA FAMILIA

Officially Fall...in my book anyway

Well its techinally not official until the 22nd but in my book it is FALL. All the stores have their fun and festive fall decorations (which of course I had to get some). And the best thing is all the pumpkin food, drinks, and flavors all around. I started the weekend off right with a pumpkin spiced latte and that really got me into the mood for more pumpkin. So I decide to do some baking since it has been a while. What to make was the big debate. I wanted something pretty quick and easy. So I visited my favorite food blog and found a recipe for pumpkin cupcakes that was quick and easy. Plus from my shopping adventures I had some super cute cupcake tins that I had to use. It was the perfect saturday afternoon recipe. The house smelled absolutely amazing!! I couldn't wait to dig into these delicious treats.

The best fall spices

My cute cupcake tins

Yumminess

I think next on my list is making a trip to total wine to load up on pumpkin beers. Of course I will have to hit up one of the great american restaurants to get a growler of their pumpkin beer. I am totally obsessed with pumpkin and fall. The weather has been very comfortable all week. We have actually had our air off which has been really nice. It is great to go outside and not sweat to death.

After getting some pumpkin beers I will have Mike take me somewhere to pick out our personal pumpkins. Last year we were so busy with the new house and traveling that we did not get pumpkins. So I am excited to get some this year. Not sure Mike will be able to top his carving job from 2 years ago. They were pretty awesome! I guess Louie will also need a new halloween shirt.

PSU Pumpkins

Louie in his pumpkin shirt

What is your favorite thing about fall?? Or am I the only crazy one that loves and craves pumpkin anything.All this pumpkin talk I think I need another cupcake!!! Have a good week.

See Ya Summer!

eah for Friday! Ciao Summer! Welcome Fall and Happy Friday! I can't believe it is September all ready, but as you all know I am ready for fall. So I am ok with summer being "over". Granted it is not officially fall until September 22...... I always think fall begins after labor day. So bring on the cooler weather and PUMPKIN anything. (I love pumpkin but I will save that for another post). I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend. Any big plans out there? I will be headed to the boat for one last hurrah. I am sad for boat season to be over but we have a bunch of fun events coming up this month. One notable event this month was our 3 year anniversary! I can not believe it has been three years! Time really flys by. It has been a great three years and could not have asked for anything more.

Any who...happy Friday and have a great weekend!