Vampire Cookies

Monkey and I got into the Halloween spirit over the weekend by making these cookies.  Not only were they scary, but they tasted good too!

What You'll Need:

• Chocolate Chip Cookies (you can use your favorite recipe or buy the refrigerated pre-made kind)
• Red Frosting
• Miniature Marshmallows
• Slivered almonds

What You Do:

Prepare cookies as directed.  Let cool completely.

Cut each cookie in half.

Frost bottoms of all cookies.  Place 6 marshmallow "teeth" around the outside of 1/2 of the cookies.  I found it useful to place an extra marshmallow behind the "teeth" to add support. 

Top with remaining halves.

Insert two almond slivers in between teeth for fangs.  If they don't stick, dip tips into frosting.

Here is Monkey demonstrating how easy it is!

Apple Pie

With the weather around here this week, I'd say fall has officially reared it's head.  My favorite things about fall?  Let's see... cooler temps, bonfires, the changing colors of leaves, and apple pie.  And when I say apple pie, I don't mean the kind you bake, I'm taking about the kind you boil and drink!

This is an adult beverage that is awesome served warm or chilled.  Give it a try!

What You'll Need:

• 2 gallons of Apple Cider
• 1 gallon of Apple Juice
• 6 cups of sugar
• 8 cinnamon sticks
• 2 Liters vodka

What You Do:

Pour all ingredients (except the vodka) into a large pot.  Bring to a boil.

Shut off and let it cool down to room temp.

Once it's cool, add the vodka.

Ration to container and chill.

Enjoy with friends or hoard it all for yourself.

Thursday Thirteen

1. Ummm... it's cold.  Not chilly, but COLD.  When our fireplace kicks on automatically you know it's cold. 

2. I'm pretty sure I've said it before, but I'll say it again... I hate winter.  And it's supposed to be fall right now, where is the jeans and sweatshirt weather?  This is calling for a parka!

3. Speaking of how cold it is... I'm SO happy that we are finally done with sand volleyball and only play indoor games now! 

4. Tomorrow marks two weeks of Monkey being completely potty trained!  No more diapers, woo hoo!  (Well except at bed time, but that doesn't count in my book.)  So proud of the little nugget!

5. A co-worker made this adorable hat for Monkey...

6. Don't you love it?  She certainly does.  The other morning she came strutting into our bedroom with nothing but her big girl undies and that hat on! 

7. This weekend I'm flying down to Oklahoma to visit Scott & Annie.... and their new baby Cort!  I can't wait to meet the little guy! 

8.  I'm missing a friends bachelorette party here because of my trip.  JC is going to the bachelor party as well, and since I'm such a great wife and friend I made a batch of Apple Pie for everyone.  I'll have the recipe up tomorrow.  Seriously the best fall beverage EVER.

 

9. I actually started my Christmas shopping early this year!  I saw a few things on sale so went ahead and picked them up.  I'm sure I'll still be doing a few last minute things, but hey, it's a step in the right direction.

10. I went to my alma mater's homecoming this past weekend and got to hang out with some great friends that I haven't been able to spend much time with recently.  Such fun!

11.  Does anyone else use yahoo mail?  I've had the same address for years and don't want to change it, but I really despise the new inbox system they have going on.  It's slow and doens't work half the time for me.  What is the deal?

12. I had thawed out some pork steaks in the fridge over the weekend thinking we would grill them one night this week.  Since it's been raining and crappy that didn't happen.  So I went on a search for a recipe to use it with.  This is what I ended up going with and it was pretty tasty.  I scratched the rice and served it with rolls instead. 

13. And the best for last... WOO HOO, GO CARDINALS!! 

Wordles Wednesday: Make Up

Turn my back on the kid for 30 seconds in the bathroom and this is what I see when I turn back around.  Guess it's time to put the 'war paint' somewhere out of reach.

For more Wordless Wednesdays, click here.

Chicago Moms Taking a Field Trip

Today is the day that ten Chicago-area moms who have questions about food, farmers and farming are going on their first farm tour. These ten “Field Moms”, as they’ve been named by the Illinois Farm Families will get the chance to see firsthand how their food is grown and raised, as they meet Illinois farmers and tour their farms.

As a farm girl myself, I think this effort to give suburban moms a glimpse into the farm life and how their food gets to their table is great. There are far too many people that have no idea where their food comes from, or what goes into getting it on the shelves of the supermarket.

Like one of the Field Moms, Julie Barreda, says, “Just like money doesn’t come out of an ATM, food doesn’t just arrive at your table each day. There’s much more real story behind it – that’s what I want my family to know and appreciate. As city people, we often forget that Illinois is an agricultural state, and a lot happens outside of the city. The Field Mom program can really help bridge the gap between farmers and consumers.”

After the Field Moms return to the city, they will share their experiences through blogs, videos, and photos. I’m definitely going to be following up on what they think about their day on the farm. I encourage you to do so as well.  Who knows, maybe we'll all learn a little something!

Women in Agriculture

I have a friend who is in her senior year at Illinois State University.  Rosie is majoring in Agriculture Animal Industry Management and plans on pursuing a career in Ag Literacy or Ag Communications.  As you well know, I myself work in the field of Ag Communications and have a special place in my heart for all things ag related, not to mention I think Rosie is a pretty swell gal, so I wanted to pass along some videos that she has been working on.

This latest one is about women in ag.  There's no doubt that women have always been a part of agriculture, but many people don't realize it.  Check it out and take a look at Rosie's YouTube channel for her other videos as well!