Recipe Monday

This recipe comes from my dear friend Penny in Nashville (AKA Penny Lou, Penny Pen or just Pen - yes, I have a problem with nicknames:) who is ALWAYS helping me out.  No task too big or small for her.  She noticed that the last few weeks I've been struggling with my recipes, so she sent me this one to help me out.  And it's good, or better, for you! Thank you Pen!

Heart Healthy Sugar Cookies (saintthomasheart.com)

1 cup white sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon zest
2 egg whites
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup skim milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray. In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar, canola oil, vanilla, lemon zest and egg whites until fluffy. Combine flours, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Stir flour mixture into wet ingredients, a little at a time, alternating with skim milk.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours. Roll dough out onto a lightly floured surface about 1/8 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. Transfer to prepared cookie sheets. Bake 10 minutes or until just browned on edges. Cook completely. Decorate with cream cheese frosting if preferred. Oh yes, I prefer!

Enjoy!

100th Homecoming!

On Saturday, we made the short trip to Columbia for the 100th Mizzou Homecoming! All week I hemmed and hawed about going to the game.  It was a 1:00 PM start and I knew Lila couldn't make it.  Scott suggested I take Nate and I thought hard about it.  My BFF Jane Ellis was dancing with the Golden Girls to celebrate the 100th and I really wanted to see her. In the end I decided to take him and we would sit on the hill.  Best laid plans...

We usually go to watch the parade but it started at 8:30 AM, so we decided to get there shortly after it started and eat breakfast at the Heidelberg. Because a trip to CoMo would not be complete without the Heidelberg. I really wanted a good picture but Nate was busy eating.

After we ate breakfast (quickly!), Nate & I headed down to the bookstore. It was insane! But we managed to make it in and out without too much trouble.

After the bookstore, we dashed over to spend a few minutes with the Peach's at their tailgate. Beautiful Avery in the tree.

Nate & Megan played (I managed not to get a good picture of them or Lila for that matter) and then we were off to the game.

Unfortunately, when we arrived at the game, the hill was completely packed. Not one place to sit down. So I held Nate for a bit, then we stood for a bit, and then we decided to leave.  I was sad, but only for a minute. It's not like I had many other choices.  We met Scott & Lila at Harpo's for lunch (when did that place become a not so family friendly place? Ha Ha Ha...It was always like that I'm sure, I just didn't notice it as much!) and then headed home.  We were all tired from our quick trip!

We usually celebrate Homecoming with my dear friends from college - the Bakers, the Kollmeyers and the Rush's. It wasn't the same without everyone this year! I vow not to do it again...:)

Birthday at the Transportation Museum

Last weekend we were lucky enough to get to spend Elena's 3rd birthday with her at the Transportation Museum.  I can't believe we've never been there! So much to do and so much that was right up Nate's (and Lila's) alley. 



 The sweet birthday girl - 3 years old and about to become a big sister!

 They had a costume section, of course Nate loved that part.  He has always liked to dress up.

Lila even let some other special people hold her - I was very surprised! But Lee & Kathy love her so much that I'm sure she can sense it.

About to blow out the candle!

Lila Lou sitting at the table like a big girl.  No cake for her though - she has to be 1 year old! Which is going to be here before I know it:(

My handsome big boy - he liked this pirate ship too.

Nate liked the museum so much that Scott took him back on Sunday to do the whole deal. We just couldn't do it with Lila the day before, it wasn't going to work out in our favor!

I LOVE this picture!

Happy Birthday Sweet Elena! Thanks for including us in your fabulous party!

Special Visitor

We had a visit from Kevin last week when he returned to STL for a wedding.  For those of you that don't know, Kevin helped Scott finish our basement room as well as put new hardwood flooring in our living room and bedroom.  Sadly, with the addition of a second child and Kevin moving away, not much is getting done around our house.  It's a season I keep telling myself.

Lila has not been quick to warm up to anyone lately, but Kevin persisted and shortly she was moving closer and closer to him.  As you can see, she had a great time.
 

Nate loves Kevin, so I'm happy that he got to spend a little bit of time with Lila...such a special friend to us!

Even Darth Vader Wants the Cardinals To Win

Eat More Chikin!

My friends down south will not think this is a monumental occasion, but in "north" Chick-Fil-A's are not plentiful.  At least they haven't been until recently.  For the past 4 years, we've had to drive to BFE to get to a CFA.  Well on Saturday, we were out in the suburbs for a birthday party (we don't get out of the city much) and we passed a sign for a CFA.  I knew they were building more, but didn't really know where this one was.  We found it and were so excited that it is only 12 minutes away from our house (without traffic, Nate timed it, and yes, that's how crazy we are about CFA.)

Lila tried the nuggets for the first time and Nate ate so many nuggets, we had to go back and get more. My south of the Mason Dixon line husband was so excited!

Recipe Monday

I have to admit, I'm dragging my feet a bit on fall this year.  Not because I don't love fall, but because winter comes next.  If you remember, me and winter didn't exactly get a long last year:) But fall is certainly my favorite recipe season.  Nate loves pumpkin pie and I found this one that uses a little less sugar and applesauce instead. He loves it. 

Applesauce Pumpkin Pie
(New York Times, adapted from Little Pie Company Pies & Other Dessert Favorites, Wilkerson, Henly, Deraney, Righter)

Pastry for one 10 inch pie crust
1 1/2 cups canned or fresh pumpkin puree
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
3 large eggs
1/2 cup packed, dark brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a 9 inch pie shell with the pastry, making high fluted edge.

2. Mix the pumpkin, applesauce and eggs. In another bowl, mix the sugars, cinnamon, ginger, clove, and salt and stir into pumpkin mixture. Stir in evaporated milk and vanilla.

3. Pour the filling into the pastry lined pie pan, place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 and bake for 45 minutes longer.

4. Cool to room temperature and serve with whipped cream.

Enjoy!