Carving Jack-o-Lanterns

We finally carved our jack-o-lanterns last night! Mine is the classic looking one on the left and my husband's is the one on the right with one eye! While we were carving, I roasted the seeds and they were yummy! I had 1½ c. of seeds, so you can adjust your recipe accordingly. Be sure to wash the seeds, remove any stringy pulp and pat dry. Mix seeds with 1/4 c. melted butter, ½ t. garlic salt, ½ t. onion salt, a dash of paprika and a dash of chili powder. Mix well, spread in a large casserole dish or cookie sheet and bake at 300 for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until roasted. We could barely wait for them to cool!

I have some new patterns, new doll hair, glitter, etc. on my supply site! Click here to see my newest stuff. I have Pee Wee the cat (pictured)...he's so funny, don't you think? I have Pineapple Annie & Sissy the cat--they were recently featured in Create & Decorate magazine. Then there's Snowflake the Snowgirl. I don't have any finished stuff listed lately, but I'm working on a lot of paperclay things now. I like to let them dry a long time, to be sure they won't crack, so it will be a while before they're done. I'm planning to go to a show in May, so they are for that show. Trying to get started early this time. :)

I haven't really started much Christmas stuff--anyone else working on anything Christmas-ey or for the holidays? I have all this cool new glitter that I'm dying to try on some Christmas projects. I even have a new Christmas CD to listen to while I'm working on them. But I just can't make myself listen to that CD until after Halloween. ;) Sometimes I do listen to Christmas music during the year to inspire me, but I just can't do it too close to Halloween. Its my favorite holiday so I want to enjoy it all I can! But I'd love to hear what y'all all have planned for the holidays. What about your menus? Planning those yet? You know I always love a new good recipe if any of you want to share! (Hint!)

 

Brrrr....its gettin' cold!!

Hey, Strangers! I've been pretty busy--cooking, canning, going to the beach working....etc, etc. etc. I was talking to my friend,

Helena

this morning about how long its been since I blogged. Shame on ME!

For some reason, when the weather starts to cool off, I love to cook and do stuff around the house. The other night I made one of my favorite cold weather recipes, White Chicken Chili. I toasted some sourdough bread and poured the chili over it and it was SO good! I promised Helena I'd post the recipe....

White Chicken Chili

4 T. olive oil, divided

3 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ½" pieces

1 T. ground chipotle chile pepper (I couldn't find this--left it out and it was fine)

2½ t. ground cumin

1½ t. salt

1 t. ground coriander

1/4 t. ground red pepper

1½ c. chopped yellow onion

3/4 c. chopped pablano pepper

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded & minced

2 T. minced garlic

4 bay leaves

1 quart chicken broth

2 (4 oz.) cans diced green chiles

2 (16 oz) cans canellini beans

2 (16 oz) cans navy beans

4 c. grated monterey jack

1 c. sour cream

Heat 2 T. olive oil over med-high heat. Add chicken, chili pepper, cumin, salt, coriander, ground red pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, 8-10 minutes or until browned. Remove to bowl. In same pan, heat remaining olive oil. Add onion, pablano, jalapeno, garlic & bay leaves. Cook 4-5 minutes, until tender. Add reserved chicken, broth, green chiles. Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans. Cook 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove & discard bay leaves. Add grated cheese and sour cream, stirring until cheese is melted.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Pumpkin Patch with 2 of my sisters, brother-in-law & nephew. We had a good time even though we missed the ones that didn't get to go! My pumpkin is still sitting out there waiting to be carved. Maybe I'll carve it this weekend! I finally ordered Hocus Pocus so I can watch it before Halloween. I planned on dressing up as one of the Sanderson sisters for our party this year, but we decided not to have one this year. I guess I have a head start on next year's costume!