Cooking Adventures for Thanksgiving

This year we had Thanksgiving out at my dad's new house. We were all bringing something, so I had the pressure  privilege of deciding what I wanted to bring. I decided on three things. I was going to make pilgrim hat cookies, pumpkin pie dip (with apples and graham crackers), and green bean casserole. Whew, so I designated Wednesday as my cooking day; that way if anything went wrong, I could change it or re-do it again before Thursday! :) I do have to say that Hannah made the wonderful grocery store trip with me. If I can't find what I'm looking for in 1 minute of looking on the aisle.. I start getting stressed out. Taking the trip with your sister makes you feel a lot better and when we stand awkwardly stand by the spice aisle for 5 minutes looking for pumpkin pie spice.. it's much more fun to just stand there and laugh and then go try and find the "sage guy" later around the store. 


And Granny, now you can kind of see how I did the pilgrim hat cookies! They were so easy! Everyone else, I hope you enjoy the pictures!

All my ingredients for the day!!

The pumpkin pie dip consists of pumpkin, brown sugar, a few spices, greek yogurt, and cool whip! Just mix it all together and stick it in the fridge. I found it definitely tasted better after a few hours in the fridge for everything to kind of settle in together. The end result is a gorgeous color that tastes magnificent with apples!!

Use melted chocolate chips to cover your marshmallows and place them on your upside down cookies.  Then place them in the fridge so the chocolate can set. 

Then all you have to do is use yellow decorator icing to pipe a rectangle and a circle around the marshmallows.  Ta-duhh!

  

Green Bean Casserole was just simple... although I definitely  need to double the recipe  for next year/ I'm actually going to make the recipe that we made Friday with my mom. It was amazing. A little more work, but definitely worth it!

Once I was finished cooking all day I really had no energy to cook anything for dinner. So I did the most simple recipe ever. I cut some grape tomatoes in half and sprinkled some olive oil over them. Then I put some onions around them with some chopped garlic and roasted them in the oven for 20 minutes. With 5 minutes left I sprinkled some parmesean cheese over them (that's the black you see in the picture.. try not to get cheese on the edges!!). I paired a few celery sticks with it and some ritz crackers and I had a great meal! 


Post Thanksgiving Cooking: I know this post doesn't exactly include this...but this was way too good to not write about. I was really not sure how it was going to turn out so I didn't take a picture until it was made. This is Spinach Stracciatella Soup with Orzo. A little chicken broth, eggs, I added mushrooms instead of parsley, orzo, and spinach. It's so good!!!

Another project down!!

I finally figured out what to do over my tv in my bedroom! :)

My original concept.

First thing to do was find the frame and hang it. I really love empty frames by themselves. (Don't mind my morning volleyball!)

I then painted my canvas and decided against painting a second coat. I like that you can see the streaks!

Another project that I love!! :)

I am thankful for my students.

Yes, sometimes I need reminders. Today I received 2 of them. Reminders that I am a role model for these kids and I, often, have more of a relationship with them than most people in their life. These are the days that make me smile. So yes, today I am thankful for all of my 200 students and athletes.

I'm not sure what class it's in... keyboarding? but every year they must type a formal letter to a teacher. I've gotten some every year, but this one had me laughing out loud. It's one of my boys from last year. I love that they even consider choosing me as their teacher to type their letter to! This letter represents my student's randomness so well! I read it first thing this morning and it was a great start to my day! I'm thankful for former and present students.

Dear Coach,
How has it been since the last time I saw you? Have you noticed that "been" sounds like Ben? I get that confused a lot. Actually one time in first grade we had a spelling test. "Been" was on there. I shouted out to the class "it isn't like my name Ben, it's like the b-e-e-n." The teacher got mad at me for spelling it out and I felt embarrassed.

How is your new class doing? I still think that we were your favorite class out of all of your classes. I also will be your favorite student out of all time because I'm Ben, why else? I hope they aren't giving you a huge headache. I know that some classes do that to people. My new class in Spanish does that to me. Did you know that I'm taking Spanish? It is easier than algebra. Maybe because I'm part Mexican but I don't think that has anything to do with it.

Sincerely,
Ben

Today at the end of the school day we had the student/faculty volleyball game. I played last year, but didn't really know the 8th graders.... this year I was their coach!! ha So I talked trash all week! :) Their biggest goal was to block me, but that never happened. It was a really close game, but the teachers won in 3!! 16-14! Coming back from 13-8.... kinda like our entire season! :) It was so much fun and an excellent start to Thanksgiving break! I'm so thankful for my athletes and how much joy they bring to my life.  

Fall Fashion

I have been dying to buy some new fall clothes... but I'm on this whole trying to save money kick. I've even started using cash envelopes to help curb my spending. (at least I recognize it, right?) Thanks to pinterest I've been creating new outfits from the clothes I have and have been pretty successful at pairing things I wouldn't normally think to put together; but I need at least one little shopping spree a new season! So when I got an email from a student's parent that was a coupon for 40% off an entire purchase at Old Navy, I couldn't resist.This flannel shirt is perfect for a Friday at school.

Then I bought this sweater. It's oversize and a little awkward, aka perfect for me! I really love color-blocking, especially with bold colors. The coral with the purple is excellent. A pair of skinny jeans with my tall socks with my riding boots will be fantastic. 

 

Now to my more exciting purchases. I bought this little dazzler to spice up a few Christmas party outfits. The back is sheer, which I love, but I"ll probably wear it with a black cardigan and black pants.

These last two items are the same kind of styles. I will wear both of them with tights and little booties. I love the color of the dress. It's so bright and shiny and I plan on looking like a Christmasy, green evergreen tree while wearing it! :) The shorts I bought specifically for a bachelorette party I have on December 30th... planning a little ahead, yes. Where else would you wear black metallic shorts to?? I love them.

Hopefully these purchases will last me a little while! :) Only 5 more school days til Thanksgiving Break!!! I can do it.. I can do it!!

BUHC2011

Clearly my title stands for Baylor University Homecoming 2011. Ha When I first saw it, I had no idea what it meant. All these abbreviations... I can't keep up with em! ha

I had a marvelous weekend! I finally made it to Waco at 8:30 on Friday night and was immediately met with a group of awesome friends!! We went to the bonfire and parade and tailgate and game and just had a magnificent time! :) I love going back and seeing everyone... I can't believe this is my 2nd homecoming as an alumni! I know it won't be long before I'm there with my own family (Ah, that's weird!).... moving on. 

I capped off the weekend by stopping at my dad's house on the way back from Waco. We didn't really have plans, but when I got there decided it would be a great time to go fishing. My dad and I both love to fish and its something we find very relaxing.We never really go out with too many expectations... but just enjoy begin outside and especially when the sun is setting! It was the perfect ending for my BUHC weekend!

Roomies for our annual bonfire picture!

Parade!

Annual cousin curb picture!

Dad and me at the game!

Fishin'

Pretty decent size!

Volleyball is No More

Volleyball is officially over! I am sad that I don't get to play volleyball everyday anymore, but excited to be a basketball coach! (more to come on that later!)

My girls were precious and I'm definitely going to miss my A team! They gave me this on Monday:

 

A wonderful picture frame with our picture from the tournament in it! :)

 Then on the back they all signed it! They are so sweet! 

And finally tomorrow I get to leave for Waco for Baylor Homecoming!!! One of my favorite weekends all year: it's full of family, friends, tradition, football, and pride. I love it.