Cotton Pickin' Pumpkins

Tate Farms is a super fun place. While in Alabama, the family all met here for a fun fall time activity. There were gourds o' plenty and with plenty o' variety. I have never in my life seen so many different gourds. There were tons of play and climbing structures, many of which resembled a John Deere Tractor.

Check this blog posting again. I actually have a few more pictures to upload and add to this post.

Lynda, Haley and Ella watching us in the hay maze

Cioci Lynda and Max

Hayden in the corn crib!

The petting zoo area

A pretty big gourd!

Sara and Shannon

Poppy!

The Things They Say...

...sometimes tick me off!

McKenna: "Mom, is today a proper noun?"

Me: "Nope. Today, tomorrow, and yesterday are common nouns. We don't capitalize them (figuring that's really what she wanted to know). Friday is a proper noun because it's a specific day."

McKenna: "But, Mrs. Izzy capitalizes it. So, it IS a proper noun."

Mom: "When it is at the beginning of a sentence it should be capitalized. It isn't a proper noun, though."

McKenna: While shaking her head up and down she said very matter of fact, "Mrs. Izzy capitalizes it. It's a proper noun."

Me: "I'm a grown-up, so I know a thing or two about nouns. Today is a common noun. Not only am I a grown-up; I went to college, also. Today is a common noun. Not only did I go to college, I studied teaching the parts of speech. I have a REAL license from the state of Minnesota that says that I know how to teach kids the differences between common and proper nouns."
For those of you who may not know, I am a Language Arts teacher by profession.

McKenna: "Yeah, well, Mrs. Izzy is 35. I am capitalizing it in the middle of my sentence."

ADDED NOTE:
Since this conversation McKenna has had me second guessing myself on common and proper nouns! The stinker! I even had to call someone to confirm my position on the difference between common and proper nouns. Guess that says more about me than McKenna!

Happy Birthday Aunt Virginia

Mmm.....mmm....Monday!

I thought you might enjoy this fall recipe while pumpkins are on the brain! This recipe comes from my friend over at A Traveling Thought!

Pumpkin Cheese Cake

Crust:
1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup melted butter or margarine

Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter in medium bowl. Press onto bottom and 1" inch up side of 9" spring form pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Do not allow to brown.


Cheesecake :

3 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1 3/4 cup (16 oz can) pumpkin

2 eggs

2/3 cups evaporated milk

2 Tbsp cornstarch

1 1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg


Beat cream cheese and sugars with electric mixer until fluffy.

Beat in pumpkin, eggs, and evaporated milk. Add cornstarch and spices; Beat well.

Pour into crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes or until edge is set.

Topping:

2 cups sour cream, at room temperature

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Combine sour cream, sugar, and vanilla in small bowl. Spread over surface of warm cheesecake.

Return to 350 degree oven and bake for 5 minutes.

Cool on wire rack. Chill several hours before removing side of pan.

Maybe be made 1 to 2 days ahead.

Serves 12-16.

Field Trip

Ella and I took a little field trip. We hit the road and headed for Hugo Animal Farm. It was a bit cooler than we had hoped. So cool, in fact, that we had an indoor (in-auto, I guess) picnic. With stow and go seating it was actually somewhat spacious....we stowed the seats, tossed down the blanket and voila!

Here's the scarecrow that Ella decorated.

In the hay maze.

Holding the kittens, which were free. The farm tour guides were sure to advertise that loudly in front of the kids.

Here's Ella's pie pumpkin! On the hayride.

Our friends, K & E!

Mr. Ed!

Gone Apple Pickin'

This particular day was so beautiful I could hardly stand it. Ella and I zoomed over to the school and took McKenna a bit early. We grabbed Mammy and headed to the apple orchard. The girls and I so enjoy picking apples each fall. McKenna likes to remind us to "twist and pull."

We prefer this orchard for a few reasons. One is the hay mountain.

Another is the petting farm area.

Of course, don't forget the hay ride to the orchard and pumpkin patch.






We like picking raspberries too!

And, posing for a few pictures!

The Big Wide Mouthed Frog

McKenna had to do her first book report! She chose a book entitled The Big Wide Mouthed Frog. It is expected that she will do 4 book reports per month for the next few months. Of course, the book report requirements are very age appropriate. She had fun doing it. Next time I will encourage her to choose a book that is a bit more challenging.

A Day for Ella

While McKenna was in school, Ella and I made a day of it. We headed to the Children's museum for some fun. As usual, Ella had a couple of favorite activities that monopolized the majority of our time.

There's the normal mail delivery that Ella enjoys...

And then of course, the art room. Who would have thought that the Oxo Salad spinner could create such beauty?

Mmm...mmm....Monday

Back by request (thanks Leah).....another recipe! This recipe is in honor of my Nana, who celebrated a birthday yesterday. I have been very busy lately and the blog has been put on a back burner. Hopefully, I will be able to catch up quickly. (On the other hand, my house has been cleaner and I really put a dent in my scrapbooking!)

Silk Panna Cotta

1.5 tsp gelatin
3 cups heavy cream
pinch salt
1 c. sour cream
1 T cold water
1/2 c. sugar
1.5 tsp vanilla
3 or 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate (shaved with peeler)

In coffee cup, sprinkle gelatin over cold water. Let stand 5 minutes.
In 3 qt. saucepan, warm cream, sugar, salt & vanilla over med-hi heat. (Don't let it boil).
Remove from stove and let cool 5 minutes.
Put sour cream in medium bowl. Whisk in warm cream gradually till smooth.

Pour into 8 coffee cups, ramekins or wineglasses - about 3/4 full. Chill in fridge for 10-12 hrs. Serve topped with chocolate shavings.

Mmmm....isn't your mouth just watering for a taste!??

Stay tuned to read about...

Woodbury Days
State Fair
My Dad's Visit
McKenna's First Day of First Grade
Ella's First Day of Preschool in the Frog Room

Ella's First Day of Preschool

Do you remember this post? Or, even this post from last year? If you don't-click to remind yourself!

Ella's first day of the Caterpillar room (preschool) started today. Doesn't she look adorable? Drop off went well. She came home excited to tell me all about it.

Look at that cute skirt. She loved wearing that.

Showing off the princess backpack.

In front of the school entrance

This is Ella's cubby. She hangs her backpack and coat here.

First Grade, First Day

Remember last years First Day story?

Well, this year went much better.

McKenna's first day of first grade went smoothly. She got up at 6:45am just fine. After putting her on the bus (which was terribly late), I jetted over to the school to take a photo of her by the classroom. McKenna's teacher is Mrs. Israel. She went to school with Arthur through 9th grade. Small world. So far, we really like Mrs. Izzy (that is what the kids call her).

The Great MN Get Together

I love it! I look forward to it all year long. I told you about it last year also.My dad chose to come up this week just to go. The girls talk about it year long.

Give up?

The MN State Fair is so much fun. This year we were able to bring Dad and Debbie along for the good time! There's always so much to do and see. Freebies galore and lots of yummy food!


First, Little Hands Farm Exhibit. This is a favorite. The girls get to plant seeds, harvest food, and sell it at a Farmer's Market-all after feeding and milking animals!

Tractor pose

Transporting the hay

A quick bit of silliness

Shearing a sheep. Yep, all real-including the sheep.

Debbie couldn't get enough rides. She and Dad raced in the go carts

Ella holding a butterfly

Can't wait until next August!