Wordless Wednesday - Pumpkin Time

Sunday Afternoon Drive

Walker, Brooklyn and I went on an adventure this weekend. Rylie was at a birthday party, so he thought we needed to also do something fun! First he wanted to walk around the lake. The funny thing about this "lake" is it sits smack dab in the middle of a shopping area. We still enjoy being by the water, seeing the geese and watching the flowers and trees change.

Brooklyn RAN the whole way around the lake.

After the lake, Walker wanted to find a new park. So, we used the Garmin and headed to the closest one, it was a big grassy field. Then we headed to the next closest one, a big open grassy cliff! We tried for one more!! I wish we had more time once we got there. There was only a slide and swings for play equipment, but the kids didn't care. The park, Patee Park, had many area of St. Joe history that I wish we could have spend more time reading and looking.

Yep, THE Pony Express Stables. There's a whole museum that I think could be very interesting!

Big Walker News

Walker finally lost his first tooth! He's been waiting and wiggling and tugging, and finally on Saturday it came out. He was one happy boy! The only thing he was less than thrilled with was that he apparently got the same tooth fairy as Rylie!! I think I convinced him that they just give the same amount per tooth!

Food Friday: Oven-roasted Sausage, Potatoes and Peppers

This was a meal I could tell my family was turning their noses up to without even trying it. They didn't like the sound of the ingredients, so I thought this meal would be a fight. I WAS WRONG!! They all loved it! Within two bites, Matt was asking the kids if they would like to have this again. I love that it uses ingredients we typically already have on hand and can be put together quickly. A definite winner!

Oven-Roasted Sausage, Potatoes and Peppers
from Lila's Apron
 
get it:

• 1 package (at least 1 lb) of your favorite sausage links (johnsonvilles, evergood, generic smoked sausage, whatever you like.  i used polish sausages, 4 to a pack)
• 4-5 decent-sized potatoes (i prefer yukon gold or red bliss)
• 1 small jar banana peppers
• 1-2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 3 tbsp olive oil (yes, it has to be OLIVE oil)
• salt & pepper
• *optional — 2 tsp dried rosemary
• *optional — 3 tbsp creole seasoning

make it:

1. spray a large baking pan w/ nonstick spray (make sure there is at least a small “lip” that provides a “side” to the pan, don’t use a flat baking sheet.
2. slice sausages into thin rounds, about 1/5″ thick.  if you know how to slice using a “bias” cut, do that.  if not, don’t worry about it.
3. cut potatoes into 1/2″ chunks
4. slice onion and pepper into strips
5. place all ingredients on baking sheet and drizzle oil over.  use your hands to toss everything together in the oil, making sure everything feels coated.
6. add salt & pepper and spices (if using)
7. top w/ sliced banana peppers ( I did not use the entire jar. Just covered it to my liking)
8. bake at 400 for about 30-35 min, until potatoes are tender
9. EAT

Food Friday: Drunken Pork Chops

We REALLY like these! I used a light beer because I'm not a beer drinker and Matt doesn't like dark beer and we thought they were great! I'm sure you could use any beer you have.

Drunken Pork Chops 
From Siggy Spice

• 5-6 pork chops- bone-in or boneless, your choice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 bottle of beer
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup ketchup

Put a little bit of extra virgin olive oil in the bottom of a skillet. Season the chops with salt and pepper and brown both sides. While pork chops are browning, combine beer, ketchup, and brown sugar in a bowl. Pour sauce mixture over the pork chops and simmer for 40-45 minutes. Remove pork chops and thicken the sauce a bit. In a small cup, combine 1 TBSP of cornstarch in 1/4 cup of water. (I did not add the cornstarch. I just left the lid slightly askew and let the liquid evaporate some.) Stir to combine and add to boiling sauce, whisk so no lumps form. Put pork chops back in the thickened sauce, flip to coat.

Wordless Wednesday

Krug Park

Krug Park is a park that was opened in 1902 and is not far from our house. It has so much to offer, we've only begun to scratch the surface. One of the kids' favorite parts of the park is what they call the "old fashioned park." It's built within a courtyard that was once supposed to be used as a restaurant. From what I've read, I don't think the restaurant ever opened, but the building and land is amazing. So much fun architecture, I'm sure it was amazing in it's day. We enjoy the parks, animals, pond, rose gardens. We are even looking forward to the lighted Christmas display and hopefully concerts next summer!