Halloween Door Decor

I have been seeing a lot of decorating ideas using Deco Mesh, so I had to try it. So, I let my front door be the guinea pig and experimented a bit.

I started with a lighted grapevine garland that I have had for years. Then, I layered a fall leaf garland over the grapevine garland. I plan on leaving this part up through Thanksgiving.

Then, I used a roll of deco mesh and gathered it up into sections and used my green florist wire to tie it to the garlands.

Next, I went to Michael's and bought a few inexpensive items to add another layer of Halloween specific decor. I bought foam jack o lanterns, a bat, a ghost, a witches' broom, and made the BOO letters. For the letters, I bought modge podge, scrapbook paper, and precut wooden letters spelling BOO. I cut and trimmed the scrapbook paper to fit the letters and used the modge podge to adhere the paper to the letters. Then, simply added them to the garlands. Easy! Finally, I took green glittery mesh ribbon and wove it through the garlands.
Here's how it turned out:

Happy Halloween! :)

Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers!

I enjoy the holidays immensely! I try to make our home fun for the family by decorating inside and out and by making themed foods and activities. I will share some of my photos of our Halloween decor on the next entry. For now, here's the recipe for these fun little guys:

I got this neat idea off of www.godairyfree.org.  I changed up the recipe, but kept the creativity.

Pick orange colored bell peppers that are flat enough on the bottom to sit upright. I tried to choose them like I do our pumpkins that we carve every year.

Fortunately, I found these on sale for $1 a piece. Score!! Wash each pepper and cut the top off the pepper and remove the seeds. Carefully carve your choice of Jack O Lantern faces onto each pepper.

Next, you will need low fat ground turkey, white rice, and tomato paste for the base of the filling:

You can also use tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, or spaghetti sauce in place of the paste. I just happened to have the paste on hand to use. (You do have to add some water to thin out the paste).

You will also need the following:
1/2 tsp garlic powder or minced garlic
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Brown the ground turkey with the onions. Add the spices. Place 1/2 cup of the rice (no need to cook the Ready Rice first), cooked meat mixture, 3 TBS tomato paste and cheese. Mix together-add a little water, as needed. Fill each pepper with the mixture.

Foil line a baking dish and cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 20 minutes.
Enjoy!

Our Family Tree Has Added A New Branch!

I received the link from the photographer for my daughter's wedding pictures today. My father, a four time cancer survivor, walked my daughter down the aisle. How wonderful it is that he is here to do the honors. Isn't it great how pictures can capture those kind of memories for you? I love them. Of course, I cried as I looked through all 700+ of them, as I was overwhelmed with the emotions of how blessed I truly am.

Now, my little girl is a grown woman who will have her own little ones to love someday. How wonderful will that be? I have already been collecting ideas on a Pinterest board titled: Future Grandbabies Fun! I have always been told that grandchildren are the best. My grandchildren are going to have a lot to live up to, considering I think that their parents are pretty darn terrific!

My son will be married in June. So, once again, our Family Tree will expand, adding more wonderful people to love and enjoy this journey we call life with. And, once again, I am also excited about the future grand babies!

Yes, I am blessed to be a mommy. I am blessed to have amazing children, who have chosen wonderful partners (whom I also love),  to bless our family with. For all of those new mommies out there-enjoy every moment with your children. Remember, they grow up quickly! It's the most rewarding feeling to see them grow into the adults that you have been praying for. God is good-all of the time!

Have You Been Boo'ed?

There's a neat tradition you can start in your own neighborhood in October-leading up to Halloween. I have seen it called the Phantom, too. Whatever you call it, it's a great way to have a little fun with your neighbors. Here's how it works:

Take a print out of "You've Been Boo'ed!" to tape (masking tape won't harm anyone's paint) to two lucky neighbor's front doors. You need to leave some tasty Autumn treats on their front doorstep, as well. Most people ring the neighbor's front doorbell and run like crazy to hide. The object is not to get caught! The two recipients are asked to each "Boo" two different neighbors the next day, who, in turn, each "Boo" two additional neighbors until all neighbors have had a turn. Be sure to leave the paper sign on your front door so that everyone will know who has been "Boo-ed" and who still needs to be! It's fun to go on walks around your neighborhood and see all of the signs.

Here's a copy of the sign I used-right off of Pinterest-from SixSistersStuffblogspot.com. They have great material on their site!

Here are the treats I left:

Pretzels with Hershey's Hugs and Candy Corn

Monster Popcorn Mix
Popped Corn, pretzel pieces, Candy Corn all drizzled with melted white chocolate....I also added Heath Toffee pieces

Doesn't really matter what you leave as a treat-I have just been in the domestic mood lately, so I have been cooking and baking often. It's been fun!

Hopefully, all of our neighbors will participate. When it gets to be a couple of days away from Halloween, I will try to be sure to finish off the rest of the homes without a sign on their doors. After all, who wouldn't want to be "Boo'ed"? 

Low Fat Hatch Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

My son is living at home for one last year and I love cooking for him and whoever else comes in for dinner. He loves to eat healthy, so I have searched the internet for lots of recipes, and have tweaked a few, with good results. We really enjoy these low fat enchiladas and I hope your family will, too!
Here's what you will need:

Corn tortillas-1 package-need at least 15
2 cans Hatch Green Chili Sauce-I found it at my local farmer's market. You can substitute jar tomatillo sauce ( green sauce).
3 chicken breasts-trim of excess fat and score to help absorb the marinade
1 package low fat finely shredded cheese- I used 2% Mexican Blend
1 medium onion, chopped
1 red or any color of bell pepper, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped

2 limes, juiced
1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 TSP Salt
1 TSP pepper
1 garlic clove
1 TSP Cumin
Mix ingredients in ziplock bag and add chicken to it-turning to coat. Marinate in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Grill chicken until cooked-outdoors or inside in a pan-your choice. Cut into small cubes and place in bowl with one can of sauce. Set aside.

Take corn tortillas=put some nonstick cooking spray in a fry pan-heat medium high and warm tortilla in pan, one at a time=turning once until lightly browned on each side. This softens the tortillas to make enchiladas.

Take chopped onion, cilantro and bell pepper and heat in microwave in a glass bowl for 4 mins. or until soft.

To assemble: take a large baking rectangle baking dish and place a very small amount of sauce in bottom. (Hint-I line my pan with nonstick aluminum foil first) Place a tortilla in pan and spread about 1 TBSP of onion mixture and one TBSP of chicken in middle of tortilla. (More if you want enchiladas to be fatter). Sprinkle cheese on top and roll tortilla up, placing seam side down in baking dish. Repeat until pan is filled with enchiladas. Take remainder of sauce and pour over top of enchiladas and sprinkle a generous layer of cheese (to taste) on top. Bake in 375 degree oven for 25-30 mins or until cheese is bubby and heated throughout.

Ingredients inside the tortilla

These didn't last 24 hours in our house! Enjoy!