Calling it Like I See it...

Ok, so I'm a slacker.  Not at everything (thank goodness), but definitely at my goal to post a recipe each week.  I have a great friend (who I think a lot of , and hope she doesn't get mad that I included her on here) who asked me the other day "what happened to you posting a recipe every week?" 

Well, my first thought was to say "oh gosh, I've just been cooking up a storm lately and had too many great recipes to post...I just couldn't pick one each week!"  Of course, anyone who knows me (and if they don't believe me, just ask my husband) knows that I don't cook much...a little odd, since I hold a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences (a.k.a. Home-Ec) and actually LOVE to cook, but that's a whole other blog post! 

My second thought was to say "I've just been too busy."  But, since I seem to find time to blog about other things (ok, basically just about Ben), I thought I would just be honest and call it like I see it...I'm slackin on the cookin!

Well, all that's changing tonight! Probably for one night only, but hey, it's a start!  So, for all of you blog readers out there, I've decided to post a low-fat recipe: Banana Chocolate-Chip Muffins. I baked these up tonight (after a home cooked meal of beef and broccoli...that's right folks, two for two tonight!

Enjoy!

Banana Chocolate-Chip Muffins

1 c. light vanilla yogurt
1/2 c. skim milk
1/2 c. quick oats
1/2 t. vanilla
1 egg, beaten
1 large banana, mashed
1/2 c. unpacked brown sugar
1-1/4 c.  flour
1/2 t. baking soda
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375.  Combine yogurt, milk, oats, vanilla and egg.  Set aside 5 minutes for oats to soften; stir in bananas.  In a separate bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Stir flour mixture into yogurt mixture to moisten ingredients.  Do not beat.  Stir in chips. 

Fill greased muffin tins (almost to the top) with batter.  Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Yields 12 muffins.

A Day on the Farm...

We spent this weekend at my parents and enjoyed helping them on the farm.  Of course, Ben was in his element, riding in the combine and helping Gampa Jim and Daddy in the field :)

 One of Ben's favorite people...Grandma Debbie

 Working hard :)

 

 Taking a ride with Daddy

 Helping Gampa Jim :)

 Three hard workers!

Hanging out...

 

Kitchen Connection

Quick and Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are so good and SO easy...just a few ingredients!

1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
2 eggs
1 c. milk chocolate chips (or semi-sweet)

Mix cake mix, butter, peanut butter and eggs together until well blended.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 9-12 minutes.

Harvest 2011

Last weekend, Ben stayed with my parents for a few days while we headed to Nashville, TN.  He had so much fun helping Grandpa Jim and Grandma Debbie in the field...I think he thinks his second home is in the cab of a combine! 

Here are a few pictures Mom took of his visit.

 Helping fix the combine

 "Here's the wrench Gampa Jim"

"Cheese!!!"

Trying to start the tiller :)

Nashville Again!

We just returned home from another great trip to one of our favorite cities, Nashville, TN!  We had so much fun...breakfast at the world famous Pancake Pantry, another visit to Belle Meade plantation, a shopping trip at Bass Pro Shop (the guys really enjoyed this), and sightseeing in the Opryland hotel.

We also had the privilege of tailgating and watching some Vanderbilt football with our great friend, Ashley's, family.  Her cousin is a senior on the team, and his parents were so welcoming to us!  This was truly the best part of the entire trip...thank you Greg and Laura!

Here are some pics from our weekend away...

 Our great friends Brian and Ashley, inside the Gaylord Opryland Hotel!

Friday night downtown at the Cadillac Ranch

Getting ready for the game!

 The guy looking at the camera is Ashley's cousin, Caleb...a senior on Vanderbilt's team

 Enjoying the game :)

26.2 Miles to Sweet Victory!

26.2...the distance between a runner and marathoner. 

This past weekend my nephew Evan entered the ranks of a marathon runner.  The exciting part was he did this with his dad (this was Matt's third Chicago Marathon)...what a great accomplishment for both of them, and to do it together is priceless!

Mom, Dad, Stacey and I traveled north to cheer them on, and we could not have been any more proud!

Way to go Matt and Evan!!!

 Searching, searching, searching for them in the sea of runners...Matt and Evan were two of 45,000 participants! 

 "Team Walsh"

(also known as the pumpkin brigade)! :)

 Half-way there! 

Mom and Stacey enjoying some sunshine in Chinatown!

The Pumpkin Patch

We took a little trip to the local pumpkin patch to gather pumpkins, explore the corn maze and take a walk through the woods! We all had a wonderful time...it was a beautiful day with great friends!

 The "baby" pumpkin he chose

 Hanging out in the pumpkin patch :)

 Ellie trying to find the perfect pumpkin!

 Taking a hike in the woods

Two hard working boys!!!