Autumn carries more gold in its pockets than any other season

Can you tell by my blog titles that I absolutely love the fall? Here are my top 10 reasons why:

1) The sound of the geese.
 Since I was born until just 3 years ago, my family would get together for Thanksgiving weekend for a goose hunt. What better way than to enjoy fall's beauty and spend time with family. Every time I hear geese, these memories come to mind.

Skeet shooting in the afternoons                                    Collecting our geese 

        

Watching the sunrise laying in a field is about the best reason to wake up at 4:30 a.m.

2) The fall colours 
There are soo many life lessons that we can get from the leaves turning colours. Ill let you think for yourself.

3) Pumpkin everything 
 Who doesn't enjoy pumpkin pie, a pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin pancakes...
4) The crisp air
Why you wonder? Well it gives me a chance to start wearing  scarves, boots, tuques again!
5) Candles
Light the candles, sit down and cuddle up in a blanket with your favorite book in hand.
6) Fires 
Campfires are great in the summer, but there is something to getting close to a fire to stay warm with your hoodie on, and hot drink in hand.
7)Redecorating
It is so fun to pull out the fall decor!
8) Walks in the park
Crisp air, crunching leaves...need I say more?
9) Harvest

10) The season of warm soups...speaking of which

Here is a delicious soup that isn't too time consuming and sooo delicious

Creamy Chicken Soup 

Roux: 

4 Tbsp flour

2Tbsp oil

2Tbsp butter

Soup:

2Tbsp butter

2Tbsp oil

4 carrots peeled and chopped

2 celery stocks chopped

1 sweet yellow onion diced

4 cups chicken broth or stock

3 1/2 cups of milk and cream combined

1 tsp pepper

1Tbsp parsley

3 bay leaves

1 1/2 tsp Herbs of Provence

1/4 tsp tumeric

1/2 tsp garlic powder

3 cups of cooked chicken cubed

1/4 white wine 

shredded guyere cheese to sprinkle on top

Directions: 

1) Start with you roux, heat the butter and oil in a the pot and then sprinkle the flour on top. Whisk together until the flour is absorbed and then set aside. 

2) In dutch oven saute the carrots and celery with the oil and butter. Add onion in when celery and carrots are almost cooked. 

3) Add all the other ingredients including the roux. Bring to a boil and then turn to low and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stiring every 3-4 minutes. If you want a thicker consistency add cornstarch near the end. 

4) Before serving, remove the bay leaves and sprinkle on the cheese.

Notes: I didn't have tumeric, so left it out, I didn't have Herbs of Provence, so I sprinkled in the spices that I had that are found in Herbs of Provence. 

This soup can be made ahead of time and then transfered to a crock pot to keep warm. This soup also freezes really well. 

Keep warm!

The melted -heart momma

Hoodies, Bonfires, Warm Drinks....Hello September!

I almost said "Hello Fall" but folks, sadly it is still summer!! I know Mother Earth likes to fool you!

I am loving my life of stay at home mom while on mat leave. My son is more perfect than I could've imagined. Sooo this means back into the blogging world I come! Finally I have time in my life to do what I love enjoy so much to do....blog!

First we'll start with an amazing fall bucket list that looks so fun to do! I challenge you all!



Well so far I have made fall muffins, drank apple spice tea and sat around a campfire. Hopefully I can get through the bucket list before snow decides to stay.


I have a passion for working in the kitchen, weather it is cooking or baking. I'll try to post a few recipes in the next few days so check back, but don't worry I will leave you with one!

Pumpkin Spice Muffins (This my fall favorite!)

Muffin ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup pumpkin puree

3/4 tsp pumpkin spice mix

1/2 cup cocunut oil

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 eggs

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/2 tsp salt

Icing ingredients:

1 1/2 cups icing sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

2-3 Tbsp milk (Depending on the consistency you want) 

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350C. In one bowl mix pumpkin puree, coconut oil, pumpkin spice mix, eggs, sugar, baking soda and salt together.

 In another bowl mix flour and baking powder. 

Combine both bowls. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Yields 12 muffins. 

Icing: In a small bowl mix ingredients. Drizzle over cooled muffins. Most importantly...ENJOY!

Need a few soup ideas for the next rainy day? Check back to my blog tomorrow for a tasty recipe! 

Signing off,

The Melted-hearted momma

Peachy Keen

Well in the last post when I said my world was about to change, I just never expected it to be so drastic. I feel like ever since Monday morning, I have worked, ate and slept. I come home from work and all I can do is crash on the couch because I am sooooo exhausted! And you can imagine because of this, my house has suffered.

Well, hubby got home before I did last night and I had asked him to make supper for me. That he did, plus wash the dishes that were sitting on the counter, empty the dishwasher, clean up the living room, wash down the oven... you get the point. Was I ever surprised and ever appreciative when I came home to this! He is ever so amazing!

I just added this frame to our bedroom yesterday. It too is a little piece from our wedding. I had found this idea on Pinterest so we are going to try it  out! I love this little corner in our room because its all about us! Those flowers in the vase are from my wedding bouquet. :)

Now onto Peachier matters! A few weeks ago I got given some fresh BC peaches. Clint's first thing he said was ¨Yum! Peach pie¨. Oh Oh! I have never made pie before! Off I went to Superstore to find a pie plate and did I ever go at the right time of year because I got a ceramic one on for sale for 3'97$.

I was anxious to see how it tasted because it was a pretty basic pie, but everyone seemed to enjoy it. 

Next was a recipe that I had found on Pinterest and was dying to try: Peach Cookie Crumble Bar

You Need: 

Cookie Layer: 

1/2 butter (room temp)

3/4 brown sugar

1 egg

1tsp vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Peach Layer: 

2 peaches 

1Tbsp flour

1Tbsp brown sugar

Crumble Layer

1/2 cup brown sugar

2Tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3/4 cup flour

1/3 cup butter (melted)

What You Need To Do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 & Grease an 8X8 baking dish

2. With an electric mixer (or hand held) cream together the butter and sugar for a few minutes.

3. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until mixed

4. Lower the speed and mix in flour, baking soda & salt. Mix on low speed until all the ingredients are combined. 

5. Spead the cookie batter int he baking dish evenly.

6. Pit, peal and chop the peaches into about 1/4 inch chunks. In a mixing bowl carefully mix peaches, flour and sugar until peaches are JUST coated. (We don't want to mash here!)

7. Spread the peaches over the cookie base evenly.

8. In a mixing bowl combine flour, cinnamon, brown and white sugar until evenly incoporated. Then add melted butter and mix it with a fork to form crumbles.

9. Sprinkle crumb mixture over peaches evenly.

10. Bake around 40 minutes.

11. Enjoy it's fresh yumminess!

You know its good when husband keeps going back for more!

On a more serious note. I got news last Tuesday that my Edmonton colleague/friend who had been battling with cancer had passed away. Last year we got together and ran the Run for the Cure to support her. Lisa and her husband and 4 year old daughter joined us on that crisp sunny day in October. This year we were planning on pimping out her wheel chair, as she was not able to walk it. Often people (including myself) aren't as scared by Breast Cancer because it is often cured. Lisa's life is just an example of why it is such an important cause to support. I will miss very much her smile, her gentle nature and her positive attitude. Anyone could learn from her!

http://www.runforthecure.com/site/TR/RunfortheCureFY15/PrairiesNWT?pg=team&fr_id=1852&team_id=80677 

Click the link to see a picture of Lisa and her family. I would love if you clicked my name and made even a little donation in honour of Lisa. 

Until next time,

Summer Days Are Almost Over

Wow this summer has passed by so quicly! I have enjoyed every minute of it with reading, tanning, cleaning, organizing, tutoring etc. Being my first summer without having a job, I never knew how busy life is even without a job! I must say to any of you house wives with kids, I give it to ya!

As I relax on the couch without a worry in the world, I just imagine how life will change tomorrow. Those to-do lists never ending, the snotty noses, the tattle taling...it all will start. Well the kiddlies don't come for another week, but still...you get the point.

PROJECT #1 -

In August Clint and I took a trip to the storage unit to take out all my boxes from my last teaching job. What a job! But that's another story! In the unit though we found this old coffee table. So back it came to the apartment. Well then I had my wheels rolling. What could I do to decorate this? Onto to Pinterest I went looking up different ideas. The next day in Winners I found this wooden utensil holder for 5$! I gathered a few votives and pillar candles from the wedding and I gathered the shells that I have collected over the years and away I went. I tried distressing it a bit, but that was basically a fail so here sits a bright little centerpiece in our living room! I love it!

PROJECT # 2-

A big project that I had on my to-do list this summer was the guest bedroom. Since we have moved in it has been full of all of the extra things, moving containers etc. After a few days of organize I got it nicely cleaned, but then I wanted to make it into a cozy guest bedroom. That was so much fun! I am not posting pictures as for any of you that come visit I want it to be a suprise! This mirror was sitting in that bedroom. As a gift from my sister for grad I LOVED the pattern, but it just doesn't go anymore with things in the house. This was my second try with distressing. With advice from a friend away I went.

Step 1: Sand down.
Step 2: Paint base coat. I painted a dark brown. (I just used acrylic paint bc it is 1.97$ from Walmart!)
Step 3: Use Vaseline and rub where you are wanting it distress. From what I have read you need to think of where it would be handled. Ex edges, where fingers would grab it to move etc. .
Step 4: Paint top coat. I used the turquoise that was used in our wedding. I did 3 coats before I was happy.
Step 5: Once the coats are dry then I used a steel wool pad to rub off where the vaseline was.
Step 6: To give it the weathered look I took a cloth an dipped in "Ebony" (the shade) and rubbed it all over the mirror and then quickly wiped it off with a clean white cloth.

The funny but sad part about all of this is I had it hanging by a push pin and the pin broke so now the mirror is broke! Off to the glass shop I go!

PROJECT #3- 

Next project I found on Pinterest was for mason jars. Well I am too cheap to buy them so I decided to use my pasta sauce container. Little did I know that it to is a Mason jar! Ha This is such an easy way to chalk paint. My goal is to get a few others painted to have an ombre look for the piano!

How to:

Step 1: I had some chalkboard spray paint from the wedding that I sprayed one coat on. (It acts as the primer)

Step 2: Paint whatever colour you choose! (Again I chose acrylic paint 1.97$ from Walmart!)

Step 3: With steel wool brush any ridges (top, letters etc)

I love this piece as those twigs were from our wedding. So a little piece of a very special day into the decor of our home!

Tomorrow I will be posting a little of my creative cooker side! Cheers :)

Organization Junkie

If you dont't know me well, you may not know that I love organizing things! To survive as a teacher, one has to know how to keep things organized....well...maybe it has to do with the Type A personality of a teacher; ;) but needless to say when it is not a hot sunny suntanning day, it is quite enjoying to organizing.

There were a few things on my to-do list that I wanted to accomplish this summer. I couldn't have done this without the help of Pinterest, so will leave the links if any of these things interest you.

#1- The Household Planner

What is a household planner? Well it could look very different depending if you are single, newly married or a family of 9! After scoping things out on Pinterest here is what I decided to go with.

FIRST...you need a pretty binder that will make me smile every day! (Walmart special and dollar store dividers!) Trying to be frugal. :)

a) Receipts- I like keeping receipts to help track the budget, but usually they end up as a pile beside the fridge or a mess in my purse. Here I have a little page protector that I through the receipts right into.

b) Budget- You may be thinking, '' Why not just use one of the million apps that are out there for us? Get with the times!'' . Let me say this, I have tried that and can usually keep track for the first few days, but then I get lazy. Also now that I am married and trying to keep track of both our expenses, this just seems to work better. Plus when it comes down to crunching numbers, I am much better hands on.

The monthly budget is where I put our paychecks, plus our budget for each of the categories I have decided upon. For each category I have one expense detail page. At the end of the month I will record on the Monthly Budget page, actual amount spent and then we can see how close we stayed to our budget.

   

3) Bills- Most of the bills are automatic withdrawals, but not all. I really like this as I can see what comes out when using this!

http://projectorganizeit.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/bill-checklist.pdf

4) Vehicles- When you're dealing with mutliple vehicles it is hard to keep everything straight. ''Was it the front brakes or the back brakes we replaced last year?'' ...you get the idea. This page I have one for each of our vehicles. That way it will  be easier to keep our vehicles well maintained!

http://believingboldly.blogspot.ca/2012/09/auto-maintenance-logfree-printable.html

5) Birthdays- I am constantly feeling like a bad friend when I find out 9 p.m. that night that it was my friend's birthday! I have a calendar that we keep in our kitchen and it is lovely to remind me what is happening that month. I am really excited about just going into my binder and seeing who's birthdays or anniversaries are that month and getting them on the calendar so I no longer feel like that forgetful friend!

At the back I also have a checkbook register, to keep track of what cheques we use. We don't use them ofter, so we will see if this will be useful or not. Thought I would try it!

Here are some blogs that I found useful with tons of freebies!

http://diyhshp.blogspot.ca/2013/02/home-management-binder-completed.html

http://www.stacyssavings.com/getting-organized-budget-binder/ (I got quite a few things from hers!)

# 2- File organizer

My hubby had his own organizer and I had mine. Mine was busting at the seems. This little box has been the life saver. I divided it into 3 sections: Medical, Vehicles, Financial, randoms at the back and right at the front the medical things. I ran out of red organizers and had extra blue ones. My OCD was kicking in and making me cringe, but I had to suck it up and remember the point was for organization!

#3- Mostly for fun!

I saw on Pinterest an idea to organize your IPhone cords with washi tape, so I just had to try it. Now I have a pretty looking charger that I know is mine!

NEXT POST: Today I spent a whole day cleaning and organizing our space that is going to be our guest room! It is now clean ..and the fun part of  creating a beautiful space comes! 

Until next time,

The Creative Cooker Husband Hugger Fitness Fanatic Grade 1 Teacher (On Holidays!)

Summer Sizzlers

I hope you are enjoying the new look and name of my blog! As you can see from latest posts, I love trying new recipes! I owe a great thanks to my friend Serena for getting me hooked on blogging about food! Let me know if you try the recipes and like them!

I believe my love for trying new recipes also stemmed from a wonderful creating called Pinterest. I am sure some of you have heard my ranting and raving about how awesome it is for teaching, but LET ME TELL YOU...It is just as splendid when one needs cooking ideas! Last trip to the grocery store we bought cod fillets. Well after deciding to cook them this week I went onto Pinterest, searched cod and found a wonderful recipe!

Blackened Cod with Mango Salsa

Blackening Rub:

1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar (I used cane sugar)
1 Tbsp vegetable oil

Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until it is a paste.

Mango Salsa:
1 mango, peeled, pitted and diced
1 Tbsp finely diced red onion
1/8 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 jalepeno pepper diced, seeds removed
juice from half of a lime
pinch of salt
3 Tbsp fresh cilantro chopped

 Mix all of the ingredients together (This can be made a few hours ahead. Just taste before serving and adjust as needed.)

1 lb cod

What to do: 

1. Preheat your oven to 400F.
2. Start by wiping the flesh of the fish with a dry paper towel to remove any extra moisture.
3. Rub the blackening paste on both sides of the fish.
4. Heat a small amount of oil in a pan over medium high heat. When the pan is hot, sear the fish (2-3 mis per side).
5. Remove the fish and place it on a cookie sheet covered in tinfoil. Cook for 10 minutes.

Serve on top of steamed rice. Top fish with salsa, a lime wedge and fresh cilantro!

Any leftover salsa? Bake a pita to make chips and then eat the salsa with pita! Delish and healthy snack!

Today I had my inlaw ladies over for lunch and wanted to make a salad. Again I started looking through my pins on Pinterest to see what Salad ideas I had wanted to try. I decided to go with a pasta salad. I have a sister-in-law who eats a gluten free diet so this salad was easy to accomodate. The recipe called for ham, but I had leftover chick peas that I wanted to use up and decided that was a healthier option for protein in the salad. I had also though to try chicken..maybe next time!

Ranch Pasta Salad

For the dressing you need:

1 cup Greek yoghurt

1/4 cup Miracle Whip

1/2 Tsbp dried parsely

1 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dried dill

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp dried thyme

The rest of the ingredients:

 Cooked rice fusili pasta (I guestimated on this but they suggest 1 lb)

1 1/2 chopped brocoli

1 cup chick peas (or ham or chicken)

2 large carrots sliced

1/2 yellow bell pepper diced

1/2 red bell pepper diced

1 cup of cheese cubed

1/4 cup red onion chopped

What to do:

1. Combine yoghurt, miracle whip and spices. Whisk and set aside.

2. Cook pasta according to the package. Drain and rinse in cold water and then drizzle a tad of oil so it doesn't stick.

3. Combine, pasta, veggies and 3/4 of the dressing. Add additional dressing if needed.

4. Refridgerate for at least an hour.

Feeds 5 females! 

What is your latest favorite recipe. Please share with me!! I am eager to try new things!

Along with healthy eating one also needs some physical activity and of course some R & R! Being a teacher I am very thankful to have had lots of time to do the above lately. Here's a little proof!

We camped north of Lloyd at a place called Ross Lake (how ironic!). We biked twice, this day 14 kms through the sand hills, around lakes, in bear country. Very fun adventures were had.

We also had leisurely (still a good arm workout!) kayak trips around the lake.

 I love reading, but reading while catching some rays is even better! If you like reading "A House In the Sky" is a must read. "The Fault in The Stars" is one of my to reads! Since the beginning of summer I have finished 4 books. My goal is 10..can I make it?!

My husband and I took our first camping trip to the Kannaskis. We hiked the trails at Johnston Canyon...maybe venturing a little beyond where we should have! Here we are down at the water lever exploring the caves and walking in behind the falls! So much fun!

Lastly, if you were thinking of printing off a summer photo album, or your wedding album (like me) or just a canvas of your summer adventures...I HAVE A SECRET FOR YOU...Shutterfly has their 40% off everything Christmas in July running until Tuesday the 29th...so go check it out!

Signing off!

Domestic Diva

Today I must say I did feel like a domestic diva, as I managed to clean our apartment and bake two different things!

I have had so much fun in my kitchen lately, so I thought I had better share with you! Last weekend much to my husbands bantering, I decided to make up a week menu. I just feel way better going into the week with meals planned! I don't think he'd be bugging me anymore because he loved a few of the meals!

Lloydminster just opened up a new Home Decor store called Real Deals...the next closest place to have Real Deals is Okotoks, so I feel pretty lucky to live in Lloyd! On my first visit I fell in love with this chalkboard thing, so it is now hanging on my wall  with our nightly menu!

Cajun Chicken Pasta.... I have made this once before, but it was too bland, so this time I remember to add extra spice and it was great!! For all of you calorie counters, healthy eaters, this is a low calorie meal!

Ingrediets:
8 oz of cooked linguini
1 red pepper, thinly sliced
1 yellow pepper, thinly sliced
8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1/2 red onion, sliced
1/3 cup skim milk
1 Tbsp flour
3 Tbsp light cream cheese
1 lb chicken strips
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1Tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
fresh cracked pepper
2 scallions, chopped
salt to taste

1) Prep all of your veggies

Yes I have the coolest epicure mustache cutting board!

2) In a blender make a slurry by combining milk, flour and cream cheese. Set aside.

Yes I have awesome colourful bowls and a mixer to match! <3 (Amazing wedding gifts)

3) Season chicken generously with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and salt
4) Prepare pasta according to package directions
5) Heat a large heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; spray with cooking spary and add half of the chicken. Sauté 5-6 minutes or until done. Set aside on a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken. Set aside.

We are loving our new Wok pan! It's very deep, so worked great for this meal!

6) Add olive oil to the skillet and reduce to medium heat; add bell peppers, onions and garlic to skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes.

7) Add mushrooms and tomatoes and sauté 3-4 more minutes or until veggies are tender.

8) Season with 1/4 tsp salt, garlic powder and pepper and 1 tsp of Cajun seasoning

9) Reduce heat to medium-low; add chicken broth and the slurry stirring for about 2 minutes

10) Return chicken to the skillet; cook another couple of minutes then add linguine; toss well to coat. Top with scallions and enjoy

Today I did a little baking for myself and a little for my husband. Try to guess which was for me and which was for him!

Here is the bread cut in half to fit in this old school dish (another amazing wedding gift!..See why I love my kitchen so much?)

Nutella Banana Bread

2 1/3 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3 mashed bananas

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1/2 cup Nutella

1. Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9 in loaf pan

2. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat together banana, butter, sugars, and vanilla until combined. 

4. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.

5. Reduce mixer to low speed and slowly add flour mixture, just until combined.

6. Heat Nutella in the microwave for about 20 seconds

7. Add 1/3 of the batter to the Nutella and mix.

8. Place 1/2 of the banana batter into the loaf, then the Nutella mixture then top with the remaining banana batter. 

9. Use a knife to gently swirl batter (Do this quite a bit, because I didn't do it enough)

10. Bake for 50-60 minutes

Banana Bread Protein Muffins

This recipe is so easy! 

The ingredients:

2 ripe bananas

3/4 cup egg whites

1/4 cup honey or 1/2 sweetener

1/2 greek yoghurt

3/4 oats

2 scoops protein powder

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease muffin trays, or better yet put in liners!

2. Place all the ingredients in a blender (or food processor) and blend until the mixture is smooth.

3. Divide the mixture into the muffin tins

4. Bake for 15-18 minutes.

I hope you enjoy some or all of these recipes!