my old school election day

In 2000 I voted in my first presidential election and voted absentee ballot as I was a freshman at the time at the U of I in Iowa City and still registered in Black Hawk County. In 2004 I was an intern in Washington D.C. and voting absentee once again (talk about an exciting place to be at the time- for real). The 3rd presidential race in my voting lifetime happened today and I found myself at my local polling place voting with a paper ballot and ball point pen- old school style for the first time- complete with little cardboard privacy walls and no need for identification of any sort. Does that seem wrong to anyone else? Regardless of how we all got our vote in over the last couple of weeks and today, something big is happening in our midst and history is in the making- gotta love it!

"I just thought you needed it"

...that was what Mike said to me last night as I come in the door after work and working out to find a dozen roses to greet me, dinner in the oven and a growler of my favorite beer from Granite City poured and waiting in a frosty mug for me- complete with fresh orange slice. Seriously. Nice move hubby :)

apple orchard

These are some pics from our adventure to Wilson's Orchard a couple weekends ago. Mom, Jessie and I took Cale and Ayla apple picking to give their parents a much deserved break and some time with new baby Jonah. We sampled several different kinds of apples, picked out pumpkins, took a tractor ride to the ripe trees and picked 2 baskets full of apples. It was a blast!

camping- just us

2 weekends ago on a Friday after work Mike & I met at our favorite campground to tent camp and relax just the two of us before the weather got too cold. We scavenged for firewood (lots because Mike LOVES huge campfires), cooked hot dogs, drank tequila we bought in Mexico :) and watched the sunset over the reservoir. The next morning we read our books on the rocks, watched a professional wake boarder practice jumps on the water and packed up to go home. Even though it was just one night & day of cozy camping and relaxation it was just the break we needed. We highly recommend it. Happy Weekend everyone!

veggies and stars

This is a picture of my last harvest of tomatoes, green peppers and grape tomatoes. Not nearly as good as the August crop but overall a successfull first vegetable garden. I'm already planning for next year...

This is a picture of our front yard and our little tree that is currently changing into its fall wardrobe. See the star on the garage in the background? I bought that about a year ago and Mike hated the idea immediately so therefore it only took about a year and my winning a bet in order for that baby to make an appearance- nothing like a little sheer determination on my part!

fried green tomatoes

Love the movie, turns out I'm not a huge fan of the actual food. Here is how it went down last night:

Mike would be coming home late from work and this is usually when I experiment with new foods that I know he won't dig. I'm browsing through my trusty Better Homes & Garden Cookbook looking for recipes for the butternut squash I bought the other day when I come across a recipe for Fried Green Tomatoes. It just so happens before the first real frost a couple nights ago I picked a couple of good looking green tomatoes from my very own vines along with the rest of my herbs and grape tomatoes. It seemed like the perfect time to try this oddly intriguing recipe. I sliced them up, sprinkled with salt & pepper and let them sit. I proceeded to make homemade bread crumbs (I know!) and assemble the frying assembly line- milk, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs. Heating up the vegetable oil I start dunking, getting excited because I don't think I've ever actually fried anything ever in my own kitchen and I love fried everything- duh, who doesn't? They look delicious and golden brown and I can't wait to dig in. I dug in and....yuck. They were nasty! Must be an acquired taste or something. I will try most foods at least once and this is one of those times. I guess I'm glad I know now and won't wonder if I'm missing out.

chili & football

Yesterday I made a huge batch of chili for an impromptu Sunday Funday Chili & Football Party. It was delish and fun- perfect for a chilly early fall Sunday of lounging and football with friends - despite my Fantasy team's very poor performance.

Here is my very own chili recipe:
2 lbs ground beef- browned
Add to this and saute together with beef:
-several small or a couple larger green peppers, diced
-1 large onion or 2 small, diced
-1 clove of garlic, minced
-about 1 T. pickled jalapenos, minced
-2 envelopes chili seasoning

Add to beef and vegetables:
-2 cans spicy chili beans
-2 OR 3 cans diced tomatoes with chilies
-1 20 oz. can tomato sauce

Bring to simmer and add a couple dashes of Tabasco sauce, an additional 1 T. chili powder, and black pepper to taste.

Add sour cream, cheese and chili cheese Fritos for toppings - enjoy!