Fall Time

It's official! Fall is here...and has been for about 10 days, but it is finally starting to feel a little fallish in the weather! Although I would prefer it if it was about 10 degrees cooler! Dance has started again (hence my lack of recent blogs). And life is getting back to a schedule. I wish we could have the lazy days of summer with the cool weather of fall...that would be ideal! Snuggling up with tea and a book and no obligations...hmmm... :)

Yesterday I decided to do a little craft project. (Preston makes fun of me and all of my craft projects I always have going. I think I may have missed my calling. Martha Stewart, are you looking for an intern???)

I took this project out of a Lowe's creative ideas catalog. They purchased bell-shaped glass shades, flame-less candles, and black saucers. I had some old lawn lights that I turned upside down and used. (I love it when the materials for my projects already exist in my home!) I took out the old batteries and washed and dried out the lights. Then I used some black paint and a paint brush and painted on eyes and mouths. And wha la! Five too cute little ghosts to line my porch for Halloween!

I will place them back on their black tops and add a little tea light so that they glow. Now to buy some pumpkins! Happy Fall!



PS. Shout-out to Cousin Erica who is getting married this Saturday! Congratulations and much love! ~The Sniders

Fair pictures!

Not much time today...but I thought I would share a few pics from the State Fair. Nothing fantastic...just Cate having a good time! :)

Update on the chickens coming soon.......

The Fair is HERE!!!!

The Kansas State Fair is in town!!! And I am a self-proclaimed State Fair junkie! It probably has to do with all the years I spent in 4-H....but anyways, I am so excited. I was driving in town today and there was a ton of traffic with people bringing in tractors, concrete displays, animals, and all kinds of cool things! The atmosphere of it all is soo intoxicating!

Now for those of you who have never been to a State Fair (or even if you have), there is nothing like the Kansas State Fair. (At least in my opinion.) The place is like it's own city for 10 days. There are over 1,000 exhibitor booths, and 300+ food booths and that doesn't include exhibit entries! Such as the things the 4-Hers bring and don't forget Open Class! There are foods, clothing, photography, arts and crafts and etc, etc. It's awesome! lol...I know I am a little obsessed...but I want you to understand that this is not just some little State Fair; this is a huge event! I've been lucky enough to see if from many aspects. As a 4-H fair participant, on FACS bowl teams, and as a exhibit participant. I've also worked in several food booths over the years as well. It is quite exciting to have been able to see all these different aspects of the fair...and it's probably why I like it so much. :)

In the past, I have been known to be at the State Fair 8 out of the 10 days! In recent years, it hasn't been nearly that much...but this year I decided to try my cooking skills again and enter the food's open class. So I am sharing with you what I made. And if you are at the fair, be sure to look and see if you can find my cookies! Have fun!

Buried Cherry Chocolate Cookies

1 10-ounce jar maraschino cherries

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1. Drain cherries, reserving juice. Halve any large cherries. Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping bowl. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in cocoa powder and as much of the flour as you can with mixer. Stir in any remaining flour.

2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place balls about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press your thumb into the center of each ball. Place a cherry in each center.

3. For frosting, in a small saucepan combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate melts. Stir in 4 teaspoons reserved cherry juice. Spoon 1 tsp. frosting over each cherry, spreading to cover. (If necessary, frosting may be thinned with additional cherry juice.)

4. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on cookie sheet 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

Enjoy!

What's for Supper?!

Time for a little segment on food! One of my favorite past times is eating. :) I love food! Especially comfort food....

Here is a quick background on my culinary expertise :)

I grew up doing 4-H and my mom was an ex-home EC teacher....so I learned how to read recipes and correctly measure ingredients; when to use a dry measuring cup versus a liquid, etc. I was a pretty good baker. When I was 14, my mom decided that I should learn how to be a "cook" as well...so that way I could make something other than cookies and bread. So one night a week it became my "job" to cook supper for the family. There was no recipe for how to properly cook German sausage or pot roast. I had to learn what was the correct heat and time needed for all of these home cooked meals I loved. Casseroles were also a big staple at my home...being an economically smart way to stretch the groceries. So I learned what items should always be in the pantry and what items should be pared together and which should not. I am very grateful for these lessons...it has made me a fairly successful cook in the kitchen. Although I am no gourmet chef, like those on Top Chef! I am not afraid to try something new! And I also feel comfortable enough to take recipes as a "suggestion" and often substitute one ingredient for another with no hesitation. With that...I plan to share with you a few of the meals I will be making over the fall. I am all about homemade and quick. So with that, a look at what we had for supper last night...

In honor of all those currently harvesting apples ;)

Brown pork chops in a small amount of oil. Takes about 2 1/2 minutes on each side over medium heat.

Place pork over sliced apples and onions. Drizzle mustard and honey mixture over top.

Bake for one hour in a 325 degree oven.
Bon Appetit!