the pumpkin patch...

We love the drive here. It's almost as if you can feel your very soul egnite. Staring at endless rolling hills that hug the sky with whispy golden grass. As colored leaves hold on tight to their frail branches and bravely decide to whisper their goodbyes and dance off into the wind. It's beautiful here. It's oh, so beautiful.


We greeted the animals again this year and found some old and new friends.


and we posed with the pumpkins ...the smallest ones Ashton could find

Ashton was such a good sport. He had cut his finger on one of the fences and he didn't care. He just really, really, really wanted to go back and play with the tractors.



and then, we painted...
she kept kissing the pumpkin

and, of course, we got washed off like this...


We had our first chili of the cooler season tonight...

3/4 lb ground beef
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (14.5 oz) kidney beans
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 green pepper chopped
1 med onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic minced
3-4 tsp chili powder
1 tsp basil
2 bay leaves
hot sauce (opt) to taste

Fry ground beef til browned with onions, green peppers and garlic. Put in a big pot with remaining ingredients. Simmer for at least 30 mins. Serve with shredded cheese, sweet cornbread and saltines. Make double or triple for larger crowds or to freeze for later meals.


...With a side of sweet delicious corn bread...

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray or lightly grease a 9 inch round cake pan.
2.In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder. Stir in egg, milk and vegetable oil until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3.Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.


yum! yum!

In the meantime, I've been redecorating the homestead...
Josie's "sweets and treats" room

I wrapped a paper plate with tissue paper to make it look candy. he-he. :)

still in progress

and my kitchen is now dressed with orange curtains (and some Halloween decor)...


Just takin it easy. Xoxo, Jessica