Must-do fall festivities

A Susan Branch newsletter inspired me to cultivate a little list of fall must-do's (is it dos or do's?).

I've got the month of November to check off these bad boys. And, in no particular order...

• Visit a local farm for cider donuts
• Run the Wildwood trail while most of the yellow leaves are fresh on the ground and some still dangle from the massive trees above (can't believe I haven't done this one yet)
• Bake one of those frivolously decadent Thanksgiving desserts out of Southern Living magazine 
• Start a daily devotional 
• Finish. A. Book. Seriously! When did I fall off the reading-actual-books-bandwagon?
• Watch more old movies (thanks to Kelley, I've got a nice head start on this one!)

OK...this is just a start. I'll continue the list tomorrow as I'm sort of falling asleep as a type here, and my brain's just not clicking. I've added to this list mentally for more than a week now, and I know I'm forgetting several. Until then, goodbye October. It's been fun and festive! 

No such thing as pumpkin burnout

I don't know if it's the holiday (Happy Halloween, y'all), the rainy weather, or the fact that I have the time to do it...but I've been on a mission in the kitchen lately.

I busted out a banana bread, pumpkin and maple cookies, and a batch of blondies, all before 8:30 yesterday morning. Pumpkin pancakes were a must this morning, but with all that baking, I ran out of eggs, so I substituted a rotten banana instead (thanks for the tip, Mom). I wanted to make something autumn-y for dinner tonight, too, so I made a squash and black bean enchilada casserole recipe I ripped out of a newspaper ad a couple weeks ago.

See. I'm on a roll. I'm hoping my extra efforts now will translate once I'm working again. (You know, like a workout routine or something?) That's assuming I'll be working again soon. (Fingers crossed.) Otherwise, with said treats and said savories coupled with the rainy weather, I might not be on a roll but rather needing a roll...out the door of my house (ba-dum-ching!). 

These food posts are getting boring, I fear. But I have this sneaking suspicion we'll all wake up tomorrow and be bombarded by "the holidays." Plenty of blogging fodder. 

Gnocchi, sausage, and spinach soup...another great recipe from my friend Whitney's ladies luncheon group.

Cilantro lime chicken in the slow cooker...courtesy of Taylor's sister Whitney's Pinterest board. I don't have an account, but I sure love to look when I have endless time. Not the best photo, but this sure was tasty...and who doesn't love a lack of effort that creates such flavor?!

Tonight's squash and black bean enchilada casserole from New Seasons' weekly newspaper ad. I used butternut squash, and I also added a can of chicken. Isn't cutting up a squash the most irritatingly time-consuming thing ever?! I completely understand why the pre-cut kind is much more expensive.

Happy cooking, friends! 

Bowling with Barron

This past weekend, we joined Team Schady for a trip to the bowling alley.

Les forgot to bring her nice camera, my point-and-shoot kicked the bucket, and I couldn't snap pics on my phone fast enough to capture Barron in action. So...here are the not-so-great shots I managed to capture.

Barron lasted about a total of ten frames, and then he was all about the video games. Who could blame him with all those bells and whistles at Big Al's?

Barron, Uncle Taylor, and Andee. We couldn't get everyone to look and smile at the same time. 

Taylor loves little AG.

There she is, trying to pick up a bowling ball. Wish my finger didn't get in the way here.

Why can't I take a good photo?! Barron and mommy talking strategy. 

Little known fact: Troy is a closet bowling league champion...complete with his own shoes and ball. Watch out for that curve ball, folks. Is that what it's called in bowling?

Looking back at his strike-in-progress...

Thanks for the good times, Schady and fam!

Fusion Friday

I had the ingredients for these kung pao chicken tacos sitting in the refrigerator for more than a week. I even went to the Asian food market to get the sambal oelek. 

I knew I couldn't let the green onions go another day. They were looking a little limp. 

With Taylor out of town, I didn't want to make this meal because it sounded so good I wanted to share it with him. But, I went for it, and crossed my fingers I'd have some leftovers for him to enjoy today. (I did. Barely. Let's see if they make it till he gets home.)

Oh my gravy, people. I will make this meal again and again and again some more. I can't even describe the whopping Asian flavors that come atcha when you bite into these tacos. You must try it for yourself. It'd be nice to serve some rice on the side, but three tacos were plenty for me. Mmm. Delish! 

• Ingredients 
• 6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (*I used two chicken breasts, but I didn't alter the rest of the recipe as I like a lot of sauce...if I were to make it again and increase the amount of chicken, I'd also increase the proportions for the remainder of the ingredients)
• 3 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce, divided 
• 1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar (*I used red wine vinegar because that's what I had)
• 1 teaspoon sambal oelek (ground fresh chile paste)
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped dry-roasted peanuts
• 3/4 cup diagonally sliced celery (about 2 stalks)
• 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 1/3 cup sliced green onions
• 1/2 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 4 lime wedges (*I didn't go to the trouble on this...)
• 
  
• Preparation
• 1. Place chicken in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce to bag; seal. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes. Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade. Place 1/4 cup cornstarch in a shallow dish. Sprinkle the chicken evenly with salt. Add chicken to cornstarch in dish, and toss chicken to thoroughly coat. Shake off excess cornstarch.

1. 2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add half of coated chicken; sauté for 6 minutes or until done, turning to brown. Remove chicken from pan using a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Repeat the procedure with remaining 1 tablespoon canola oil and coated chicken. (*I added all of the oil and chicken at this point, and I also threw in the red pepper and green onion)
2. 3. Combine remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, honey, and next 3 ingredients (through sambal oelek) in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Microwave at HIGH for 1 1/2 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring twice. Stir in garlic. Combine soy sauce mixture, chicken, peanuts, and celery; toss to coat chicken.
3. 4. Toast tortillas under broiler or on a griddle until lightly blistered, turning frequently. (*I just heated my tortillas in the micro...I'm lazy!) Place 2 tortillas on each of 4 plates; divide chicken mixture evenly among tortillas. Top each taco with green onions and bell pepper strips; serve with lime wedges.

The best thing I ever ate

It might not be the best thing EVER, but it's definitely the best macaroni and cheese I've had. No joke.

My good friend Whitney came over last night, and after a soaking (that's putting it lightly) run in the rain, we had a hankering for some comfort food and decided mac 'n' cheese was a must.

Feast your eyes on this:

There's almost TOO much cheese...if there is such a thing. I wanted to sop up the leftover cheese and save it for some soft pretzels...but that would have meant making said soft pretzels. 

The recipe came from a Pinterest board Whit and her co-workers have for their community lunches called Go Girl Luncheon. Isn't that an adorable name for a gab and gobble lunch session?

Here's a link to the recipe, though. My suggestion is to use an entire box of medium size shells. Who'da thought to simmer in milk? Well, I guess this blogger did. Great move. So cheesy. Mmm. Cheese!

In his element

Taylor headed to the coast with his buddy Rob to fish early Sunday morning.

Rob and his wife Erin are spending the whole week down there, so I drove Erin down to meet Rob and decided to see what all the fuss was about in regard to Taylor's mild obsession with Pacific City.

This boy talks about fly-fishing all the time, and he jets off to any flowing river whenever he gets the chance. I love his passion and patience for this leisure activity. I love it even more when he brings home a salmon. (Hint! Hint!)

I sure enjoyed our quick little trip to see the sights. We sure jammed a lot into a day. The photos are a little out-of-order...

Rob, Erin, and Odie! 

Had to jet to the Tillamook Cheese Factory! Sure has changed a lot since I was 13! 

LOOK AT THOSE BIG BLOCKS OF CHEESE!!! YUM!

Photo 1 of 2 (not sure where the second one is!)...this was my favorite clam chowder in town (oh yeah, baby, we ate it twice in one day). I thought the doily would earn points, too, but apparently that's pretty standard in PC. I know someone who would be very proud...ahem...Mom! 

And the camera begins to bite the dust as we approach the dune. 

One of two haystack rocks on the Oregon Coast...the other at Cannon Beach. Love that place, too. 

Photo quality really REALLY starting to suffer. What is that on the lens?! Agh! 

Just a man and the ocean. Perfectly content. 

Happy belated birthday to Rob, and thanks for the tour de Pac City, Perks!

One last dress rehearsal...

...before the big show!

Handsome devil. 

Taylor's buddy Caffall (another one of those friends whose first name I didn't know until recently!) married wife Cara at the absolutely gorgeous Zenith Vineyards venue in Salem Saturday.

It just dawned on me this is the last wedding we'll attend before our very own. Taylor again served as a groomsman, and he looked dazzling in his suit and tie. I think he'll wear a suit instead of a tux at our wedding. But, this post is not about us.

Back to the wedding.  

Cara chose a peacock theme, and my favorite part (aside from watching Taylor strut down the aisle) was the table o' pies. The pies were fantastic, and I don't even really love pie. I do, however, LOVE wedding toasts, and the bride's father sang her a song and played his guitar, which was very entertaining.

In true Kate fashion, my fairly new camera (I got it for Christmas...or was it my birthday?) really started bonking. I don't know what it is about me and technology or electronic gadgets. You may recall I dropped this camera right before we made it to the top of South Sister Mountain AND GOT ENGAGED! Perfect timing, no?! It's been hanging on by a thread, but I think it's really kicking the bucket now. Photo quality is suffering.

Spotted: Groomsman No. 2 looking great!

Since I was in the back, I got a great view of the bride making her entrance. Love this part! 

It was tough getting a shot of the whole party.

Equally tough getting a nonblurry photo of us.

I'm bummed this photo turned out blurry as these were my dates to the wedding...Lindsey and Juliet. Their hubbies are youth coaches and they had a game at wedding time, so they made the trek alone.

Favors = apple butter. Cute. 

I liked the centerpieces...the wine bottles didn't have bottoms so they plopped right over the candles. I might try this at home.

KETLER SIGHTING! Poor Ketler's new wifey, Ashley, fell ill, so we didn't even get to chat with them as they left right after the ceremony. I did get a shot of a big Ketler bear hug, though. 

This is it! Yum! 

They danced to a Journey song...the same song Nick and Melissa danced to at their wedding. And when I realized this, I realized I've been to far too many weddings. 

Congratulations to the Caffalls who are off to Europe for three weeks (lucky!).

I'm getting excited and anxious as the countdown begins. We're about six-and-a-half months from our big day, and that is thrilling and scary!

Lessons from the Lady

The before...

Among other errands and this-and-that-in', my mom taught me how she makes her apple pie from scratch today.

She'll tell you I made my own, but that's such a lie. I made the crust, but she provided the step-by-step, along with defrosting the apples she previously picked off the tree, cored, peeled, and separated into individual "pie-size" baggies.

Oh, and meanwhile, she was just "throwing together" turkey soup from scratch and starting dinner for my dad.

All of this prior to our walk down to the gym for our second workout of the day.

Not a bad Friday, eh?

The after...gotta get some of these rings for the oven...lifesavers!

A day in the life...

Taylor called me lazy tonight.*

Because I didn't blog yesterday.

That's true, but for very good reason. Our friend Rob caught a giant salmon Sunday, and he and his wife Erin (my running partner and inspiration) invited us over to enjoy it with them yesterday. (Side note: Rob is Taylor's fishing buddy. Taylor was out of town at a bachelor party Sunday. Taylor was pretty bummed he wasn't with Rob when he caught the fishy. With a fly rod. Not bait. Just had to let everybody know that.) We didn't get home till semi-late, and jumping in bed before the 10 o'clock episode of House Hunters seemed like a better option than blogging.

Yes, folks. This is my life. I live for HGTV shows, Food Network shows, turning pages in my book, reading the entire newspaper in the morning, Zumba and gym dates, and cooking something new and different every night.

And this is Taylor's life.
Like father like son.

I feel like I've been super productive, but I've definitely developed a new lifestyle of involved dinners and a full night's sleep. I wonder what will happen when I land a job again.

Sunday's dinner: Pork and poblano stew from the October issue of Better Homes & Gardens. Unique dish. I'd never cooked with poblanos before. Also called for a whole cinnamon stick and orange peel. It didn't knock our socks off, but it was different, and we enjoyed it. 

Yesterday, I had three job-related meetings--two in-person and one over-the-phone. I must say, it's very draining. Emotionally draining, I guess. I'm not a fan of talking about myself and all the qualities that would make me perfect for companies x, y, and z. When I'm asked what my ideal company or job would look like, I can't help but think it was the company where I worked. One woman I spoke with said when you get laid off, there's a bit of a grieving period to overcome before you're really ready to embark on selling yourself for a new job. I had never thought of that before, but I think it's totally true.

I've been extremely lucky with the phenomenal people I've connected with over the past month, but I'd be lying if I said I had a burning desire to chase a company or a job like I did with my last employer. I'm getting there. Slowly but surely.

Until then, I'll continue to blog about the same things. I really feel like a broken record, but I do like the challenge of blogging every day.

Tonight's dinner: Beef Stroganoff meat balls over spaghetti from the October issue of Everyday Food. I was pretty excited for this, but I couldn't get the sauce to reduce, which seems to be a frequent problem. The dish came with a history lesson as I asked Taylor to find out the origin of the word "Stroganoff." Welcome to our exciting life. :)

*Disclaimer: Taylor said this in a very joking manner. He's always very respectful. His mother should be proud.