Seasons in Kentucky

        Fall at Lake Linville ~ Renfro Valley in Kentucky

 

The first bursts of red, yellow, and gold foliage begin

to appear in some areas of Kentucky as early as mid-September.

Color changes appear in the eastern regions of the state first and

work toward the west, usually over a period of a week to two weeks.

The average typical peak time is around mid October. 

 

Renfro Valley, KY where the country music stars hold their concerts, including

Dwight Yoakum, my third cousin.  Dwight's mother is a Roberts from my family line.

 

We love going here (an hour from us), as our daughter, husband, three adult children and

their three grandbabies live in Rockcastle, KY.  They've been there for about 25 years

and fish at Lake Linville.

 

 

 

Autumn Home

                                   The fountain of beauty is in the heart, and
                                         every generous thought illustrates the
                                         walls of your chamber.

 

Love this beautiful scene!

 

Happy Monday!  How was your week-end?  It's a wonderful day in Kentucky!

Nice sunny but cool weather. 

Weekly blog party at Seasons on the Sunporch

Game Day Chili

The light of God surrounds me,
The love of God enfolds me.
The presence of God protects me,
God is always with me.
                             
                                    Game Day Chili

                              Prep Time 30 min.        Total Time  2 hr. 30 min.        Serving  8

INGREDIENTS:

     2   lb. ground beef chuck
     1   medium onion,chopped
     3  to 4 cloves garlic, chopped
     2  tabsp. chili powder
     2  teasp. ground cumin
     1  to 2 teasp. ground red pepper (cayenne)
     1  teasp. paprika 
     1  can (6 oz.) tomato paste
     1  3/4 cups Progresso beef-flavored broth
     1   bottle (12 oz.) dark beer
     3   cans (8 oz. each) tomato sauce
     2   cans (15 oz. each) pinto beans, drained, rinsed
     1   can (4.5 oz.) Old El Paso chopped green chilies
     1   tabsp. Worchestershire sauce

PREPARATION:

1)  In 5 to 6 quart Dutch Oven , cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked;

2)  Add chili powder, cumin, red pepper, and paprika; cook 1 minute.  Stir in tomato paste; cook 1 minute longer.  Add remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low.  Cover; simmer 2 hours.

 

What you may not know about me!

Seasons on the Porch

 

What you may Not know about me...

 

When I am not busy with our shih tzu pup, Chad...or

resting on the sunporch, you'll find me in the kitchen or on the computer.

Our house is NO where as clean as my husband wants it to be,

and this drives me CRAZY, but I would rather cook than clean ANY day!

Walmart is my home away from home.  I stay sane by doing creative projects around our home and taking lots of pictures. I prefere sweet, then salty, and blogging has given me creativity that I never knew I had.

 

xo  Betty

 

Spaghetti with Peppers and Onions

The heavenly Father welcomes us with
open arms and imparts to us blessing
upon blessing---not because we are
so good, simply because he loves
                          us so much.

 

Hi, I'm Betty Cross-Shepherd-Ayers!  Welcome to just the two of us, a chronicle of my life to my husband, 5 beautiful children, 12 lovely grandchildren and 1o cute g-grandchildren!

Here you'll find everything from recipes to crafts to random glimpses into the life of our family and anything I think you may enjoy.

 

Recipe Post

 

Weeknight are most definitely the most difficult in our house.

Quick weeknight dinners that require little hands-on cooking time are a must.

This can be achieved by prepping freezer meals that I know I can easily pull out and throw in the oven or onto the stove to cook (I prefer the microwave).

All the prep work is already done so the meal comes together easily.

 

 

Spaghetti with peppers and onions is one of my go to meals for freezer meals AND busy weeknights.  In fact, on the night I cook it, I just usually double the ingredients and put half into a container in the freezer for a later date.

 

*** One tip:  I typically do all the knife work for recipes (only when I was a young mom) the day I bring my groceries home so it is all ready to go when I get ready to cook***

 

Actually, as a young mom, when I got in from the grocery,  I made a large tossed salad and a gallon of lemonade that usually lasted the week-end, to go with our favorite meals.

 

What You'll need:

 

1  red bell pepper, sliced

1  green bell pepper, sliced

1  onion sliced

1  tsp garlic

2 tsp olive oil

8  oz. spaghetti

1  15 oz. can tomato sauce

1  tsp dried basil

1  tsp dried oregano

1/4  cup grated parmesan cheese

 

Let's make it:

 

1)  Prepare the spaghetti for 2 minutes shorter than the package directions say.  Drain.

2)  In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.  Add peppers and onions and sauté for 5 minutes.  Add garlic and sauté for an additional minute

3)  Sprinkle basil and oregano over peppers and onions.  Add tomato sauce.  Simmer for 5 minutes.

4)  Add pasta to pepper mixture and toss to combine.  Cook over medium heat for another 2 minutes.

5)  Sprinkle with grated parmesan sheese.

 

FREEZE:  If you want to freeze it, put in a lightly greased casserole dish.  Thaw the night before you want to cook it.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake, covered with foil, for 40 minutes.

 

 

What are your go to weeknight meals?

 

Your comments are very much appreciated!

xo  Betty 

 

 

 

 

Autumn Party Mix

The fountain of beauty is the heart, and every generous thought illustrates the walls of your chamber.

 

 

Recipe Post

 

Autumn is one of my favorite times of year.  I love the fall colors and all the foliage colors.  It is the time of year to make lots of Autumn Mix and I want to share it with you.

 

What you will need...   

1 bag of Autumn Mix

1 bag of Indian Corn

1 bag of Reese's Pieces

1 can of Party Peanuts

1 cup of Sunflower seeds

1 cup of Raisins

1 cup of Cran-Raisins

1 cup of Mini Pretzels

 

Pour all ingredients into a large bowl, except the mini pretzels and mix thoroughly.

(Mini Pretzels may draw moisture from the dried fruit so I suggest putting the

pretzels in only the part of the mix you plan to use at that time.  If you are going to

give it as a gift, I suggest leaving the pretzels out and maybe tell the family they

could add pretzels when they plan to use the mix.

 

It's also good to give to someone who might need a bit of encouragement.

Put it in jars and tie a ribbon around it.

 

It also looks good in a centerpiece on a buffet table.